Are you a dog lover looking for your next great summer beach read? Check out the 2024 edition of our annual Summer Reading List for Dog Lovers. Enjoy, and happy reading! 

Dogland: Passion, Glory, and Lots of Slobber at the Westminster Dog Show by Tommy Tomlinson

The annual Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show is a must-watch for dog lovers everywhere. Now you can go behind the scenes of the world famous dog show with this delightfully entertaining new book by author and podcast host Tommy Tomlinson. Tomlinson spent three years on the road covering more than one hundred competitions across the country leading up to the 2022 Westminster Dog Show at Madison Square Garden in New York City. Dogland is “a big ol’ slobbering smooch of optimism, laughter, and happiness,” says fellow author Joe Posnanski. Sounds like a perfect summer pick to us!

Buster: A Dog by George Pelecanos

Celebrated novelist and screenwriter George Pelecanos takes a break from his usual Washington DC-set crime novels with this novella about a different kind of District dweller – a tough Boxer dog named Buster. Buster narrates his own story, beginning with his early days living with a loving family in public housing, to be taken by an abusive owner, to homelessness, to a stint in an animal shelter, to finally, adoption by a kindly older man grieving his wife’s death. In his blurb, writer Tom Franklin says: “Pelecanos takes us inside a boxer’s point of view to further explore the streets, houses, and alleys of his beloved Washington, DC. You’ve not read a book like this or met a character like Buster, but he’ll soon be your new best friend.”

Arthur: The Dog Who Crossed the Jungle to Find a Home by Mikael Lindnord

Here’s a great read that can also double as your next movie night! In 2014, extreme athlete Mikael Lindnord traveled from Sweden to South America for the Adventure Racing World Championships, a team endurance race that combines mountain biking, hiking, climbing, kayaking and more. While in Ecuador, Mikael stopped to feed a stray dog, and the next day, his team noticed that same dog following them. The dog, whom they named Arthur, was soon a part of the team – walking, climbing, and swimming all the way thorough the race. After they completed the grueling race, Mikael took Arthur home with him to Sweden, and wrote this bestselling book about their epic journey. Soon, Hollywood came knocking, and Arthur’s story is now a movie starring Mark Walhberg! Called Arthur the King, it was released in theaters earlier this year and is now available for rent online. Count us in!

The Dog Who Saved Me by Susan Wilson

This is not the first time bestselling author Susan Wilson has made it on our Summer Reading List – or even the second or third! 2024 marks her fourth appearance on our list, and with good reason. Her 2016 novel The Dog Who Saved Me is a heartwarming story of loss, struggle, and ultimately, healing. When Boston police officer Cooper loses his canine partner Argos in the line of duty, his grief is overwhelming and destructive. Soon he finds himself back in his hometown, facing the demons of his childhood and working in his new job as an animal control officer. That’s where he meets a young yellow Labrador in need of a second chance. The Dog Who Saved Me is a tribute to the beautiful bond between a dog and a human – and one that will make you hug your own special pup closer at the end of a long summer’s day.

Hello Stranger by Katherine Center

Romance novel lovers – we’ve got your covered! Bestselling author Katherine Center’s last rom-com is an irresistible love story with a unique twist. Sadie Montgomery is a talented painter who’s found herself in quite a pickle. She’s a finalist in a national portrait competition, but she just developed a debilitating (and ill-timed) bout of face blindness. Can she find a cure in time to finish her portrait, and how will she know which one of two suitors – one, her dog Peanut’s charming veterinarian, and another, her quirky neighbor – is her perfect match? We can’t wait to turn the page and find out!

Cocoa the Tour Dog by Stick Figure and Adam Mansbach, Illustrations by Juan Manuel Orozco

We’ve found the perfect bedtime story for the kid who loves dogs and music! Cocoa is an Australian Shepherd rescue dog who travels the world with her best bud, musician Scott Woodruff, the frontman for the popular reggae band Stick Figure. Follow along on their adventures on stage, at the beach, on the road, and for the most exciting journey of all – welcoming a new puppy into their pack. And if you happen to catch Stick Figure on the road this summer, be sure to look out for Cocoa!

Who’s the Boss by Ron Pace (a DogWatch® Dealer!)

We’re proud to feature a book written by one of own – DogWatch Dealer and expert dog trainer Ron Pace! Who’s The Boss is a step-by-step dog training guide that draws upon Ron’s 40+ years of experience as a professional dog trainer. Separated into 10 short lessons, this book can help you learn to communicate with your dog in a way he or she understands to build a more valuable lifetime connection with your best friend. Jumpstart your Summer with Ron’s helpful advice, and by Fall, you’ll be able to impress your neighbors with your dog’s newfound skills!

Do you have your own favorite dog-themed book to recommend? Share your feedback with us in the comments or on Facebook or Instagram. Have a wonderful summer and happy reading!