Bookshop Dogs

by Ruth Shaw

Heartwarming and charming stories of dogs and books from the bestselling author of The Bookseller at the End of the World.

Dogs of all shapes and sizes visit Ruth Shaw's three wee bookshops in Manapōuri in the far south of Aotearoa New Zealand. Local dogs, holiday house dogs, travelling dogs: many have great stories, be they funny, sad, strange, bemusing, quirky or sweet.

Woven throughout are tales of the very special Hunza, the dog who worked with troubled teens alongside Ruth when she was a youth worker.

This is a window into the wonderful world of Ruth and her generous love of people, books and dogs. It's a must-read for dog fans, book fans and anyone who loved her first book, The Bookseller at the End of the World.

Genres: Nonfiction, Audiobook, Memoir, Animals, Adult, Books About Books, Dogs

272 pages, Hardcover

Published October 24, 2023

About the author

Ruth Shaw runs two wee bookshops in remote Manapouri in the far south of New Zealand.

Reviews

[Bronwyn Hegarty · Rating 4 out of 5]

A delightful book about two of my favourite topics - dogs and bookshops. Sad and also funny in equal measure, Ruth's stories stirred up a lot of emotions. The photos are wonderful and Ruth has described many personalities - dogs and people. She has captured the essence of all the characters in her book. Hunza and Ruth's work with youth is particularly moving.

I bought the book in remembrance of our darling Molly who died, almost instantly, when she was hit by a car - trotting across the road to say hello to some cyclists. She would have loved meeting everyone at Ruth and Lance's bookshop.

After hearing Ruth talk at the Dunedin Writer and Readers Festival, where one of her stories brought the audience to tears, and she signed the book in Molly's memory. I want to read her first book - The Bookseller at the End of the World. Apparently, it is a stunner.

[Shelley Broad · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you liked Ruth’s first book’The Bookseller at the End of the World, you will LOVE this book. A must read for dog lovers.

[Honeypie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book made me want to visit the Southland of New Zealand. I think there's really a whole different world out there. Haha! Far from the hustle and bustle of the city life. But not without the usual challenges, of course.

There were stories not just about the dogs who visit the bookshop, but also of their owners. I especially enjoyed reading about the author's experiences as a remote youth worker with her dog, Hunza.

Hayyy. Iba talaga ang comfort and support na nabibigay ng dogs (and animals, in general).

---

'How is it,' I say, 'that a dog can totally embed itself in every facet of your life? No matter what happens they will always forgive you. You are a friend forever.'

[EmG ReadsDaily · Rating 4 out of 5]

Charming stories of various dogs who visit Shaw’s bookshops in Aotearoa New Zealand, interspersed with stories of Hunza (a very special dog) who worked diligently (during his relatively short life) alongside Shaw during her role as a youth worker.

This is a fascinating memoir, which showcases a mixture of funny, bemusing and sad characters (dogs and people alike), as well as book discussion!

This is equally heartwarming and heartbreaking, a lovely read for anyone who appreciates how special dogs (of all varieties) actually are ❤️

[Jude · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a quick and lovely read. Ruth obviously adores dogs and they love her. There were some beautiful stories about dogs she’s met and one heartbreaking chapter. After reading this it’s apparent that Ruth has touched the lives of many people, what a treasure she is!

[Meghan Coomber · Rating 4 out of 5]

Such a lovely read to dip in and out of! Loved all the stories and Hunza in particular!! Some very sad stories about family dogs 😢 definitely not as in depth as her first book but that’s to be expected

[Mia Barnett · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ruth Shaw is my David Attenborough. This book was just what the dogtor ordered

[Anna · Rating 5 out of 5]

As utterly beautiful as anticipated.

[Isabella McLoughlin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dogs are the most precious creatures on the planet and must be protected at all costs

[Miz · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a delightful read and I know exactly who I'm giving this book to! I cried, and I smiled with the mention of my dad on page 196. How wonderful are pets ❤️ And books ❤️

[Sienna Molloy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Finally finished it!!
One of my fav dog books. Love all the little stories and such a nice pick up put down read.

[Romina · Rating 4 out of 5]

I needed easy sweet uplifting book to read and this was it. And this was all about dogs 🐶 so I really can’t complain.

[Madi · Rating 3 out of 5]

A decent read filled mostly with short anecdotes about the various dogs that visit the Wee Bookshops in Manapōuri, New Zealand. I found the most engaging part, however, to be the ongoing story of Hunza, the author’s old dog that came to work with her while she was a youth worker in Invercargill, long before the bookshops. I would have read a whole book just about Hunza and Ruth’s work - hence the slightly lower rating as I felt that after reading about Hunza and all of the young people he helped throughout his relatively short life, most of the other dog stories in this book fell a bit flat. Overall worth the read though, if only for Hunza!

[Chetana · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5⭐

It has been a while since I read a non fiction book, and the ones I have read have been of the true crime variety. So me picking this book up was a great way to read something that I do not usually read both in terms of it being non fiction and within that subset, something that I've never read. I stumbled on this book a couple of days ago and thought I needed to give it a try and now I have.

I was unsure about the book at first. I love dogs and with a title like Bookshop Dogs I thought I would instantly love it. For the first few stories, though well written and engaging, I wasn't sure I liked the way this book was structured. But as I read about the dogs that visited this tiny Bookshop in New Zealand along with their owners and about Hunza - the authors dog I started to love the book.

I learnt about not just the dogs and their personalities, but also about their owners and how some of them saved each other. Some of the dogs were lockdown puppies, some were working dogs and a few have since passed on. And I am honoured to have known these dogs even if it will ever be through the reading of this book.

This book made me smile and cry. It made me appreciate the time I have with the goofy, lazy dog we have at home, who has turned our tiny library into his room and sleeps his days away - Ringo.

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Such an incredibly sweet, wholesome, honest, lovely but also sad book. I love Ruth’s style of writing and how she interweaved the stories of various dogs (with gorgeous portrait photos) and their owners with stories of her life, and of course her dog Hunza. This is a beautiful book for anyone who has felt the power of the unconditional love and simple, uncomplicated relationship of an animal. There were some truly heartbreaking but also powerful moments where animals allowed for deep connection and comfort for people going through their darkest moments.

Thank you Ruth for your lovely book.

[Kelly Blackie · Rating 5 out of 5]

4 1/2 ⭐️
I absolutely adored the Bookshop Dogs, the second book written by Ruth Shaw.

It is a celebration of dogs, but more importantly a celebration of love and community.

I thoroughly enjoyed getting to know the frequent visitors to the Bookshop, their personalities and quirks shining through!

I would happily read a supermarket shopping list written by Ruth so I hope there is another book in the works!

[Charlotte Sinclair · Rating 5 out of 5]

Heartwarming with a few heartbreaking moments too, this book is perfect for lovers of books and dogs alike. Each chapter features a different dog that Ruth Shaw has come across while running her bookstores, plus chapters featuring her own dog too. Perfect to dip in and out of, or sit and binge all in one go! If you liked Bookseller at the End of the World and like dogs, this one is for you.

[Tori · Rating 4 out of 5]

Laughed a lot and cried even more, proof that dogs are special creatures.

I suggest this one should be on the list for reluctant readers of all ages who like dogs. Done and dusted in quick smart time.

I wonder if Ruth has another gem to follow these first two books? I’m in.

[D'face · Rating 5 out of 5]

A therapeutic book, each chapter a story about dogs and their owners who come into her wee bookshops, interwoven with stories about her own life with dogs. Lovely encounters and sketches of life at the end of the world.

[Taylor Hamilton · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was absolutely refreshing. A gorgeous story by an incredible New Zealander. Definitely a must read for all dog lovers - you’ll need to give your dog a big squeeze once you’ve finished.

[Jenny Bennett · Rating 4 out of 5]

A lovely collection of tales about dogs that have come into the lives of the author who has bookshops in Manapouri. Delight for any dog lover.

[Sofia · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love Ruth!! So happy to have met her when visiting her wee bookshops in Manapouri - such a sweet lady! A mega heartwarming read ❤️

[Yasu · Rating 4 out of 5]

So simple yet beautiful. Made me giggle and cry , and once I'd finished I had to go and give my four-legged baby girl an extra big cuddle.

[Kim Young · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ruth (a NZ author and book lover) is a wonderful storyteller. I really enjoyed her first book, The bookseller at the end of the world. I knew I would enjoy this book and fell in love with each of the short stories about the dogs that come to visit her wee bookshops. A warm and uplifting book. It seems to be a lot of dogs die from cancer. 😢

[Belinda · Rating 5 out of 5]

So good, couldn’t put it down, Ruth is such a good story teller, if you havent read her first book The bookseller at the end of the world, you must it’s a ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ as well

[Laura Giddey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bookshops and dogs and bookshop dogs, what could be better. I had to eek this out otherwise I would have read it all in one day.

[Logan Eaton · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book… I am obsessed with it. Firstly what an awesome set out this book has, I loved the way we read about Hanza all throughout the book and then switch back to a story about some of these bookshop dogs. Hanza and the amazing things he did truly touched my heart, I even got quite emotional at the end of this book which hasn’t happened to me while reading before. Definitely a must read and I’m sure at some point I will be getting it out of the bookshelf to read again!

[Angela Campbell · Rating 4 out of 5]

This charming easy read from the author of “Bookseller at the end of the World” is a world away from the first book. Stories of dogs who have visited the bookshop in Manapouri are an engaging way to bring together a tribute to the joy brought by companion animals. There is often deeper meaning to these stories and Shaw’s success in getting the youth with whom she works to open up through her dog is thought provoking. The writer’s generosity of spirit flows through the book and leaves the reader smiling.

[Cla · Rating 2 out of 5]

Ho acquistato il libro poiché il primo dell’autrice mi aveva davvero stregata. Per quanto però io ami i cani e l’editoria in generale, ho trovato lo scorrere delle pagine davvero lento e a tratti noioso.
Non sono riuscita a finirlo poiché davvero facevo fatica.

Il libro sembra scritto da una penna diversa rispetto al primo: è pieno di ripetizioni di termini, frasi costruire in maniera estremamente semplice e alcune storie descritte in maniera così banale che, devo ammettere, ho ritenuto inventate.

[Melissa C · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolute 5 🌟

All the smiles, laughs and tears, thanks to the book and each unique soul in it.

I’d leave nothing here so that I can revisit it at some point as if it was my first read.