3.72 avg rating — 59,669 ratings

"In Sigrid Nunez’s National Book Award Winning novel, The Friend, a writer who lives in a tiny Manhattan apartment grudgingly inherits an aging great dane after the death of a dear friend and mentor. This introspective and uplifting first person narrative reads like a journal, as the writer relives memories and analyses her grief, through separate yet connected stories and anecdotes of her past relationship."

3.88 avg rating — 14,558 ratings

"In Flush, Virginia Woolf tells the story of Elizabeth Barret Browning through the eyes of her affectionate cocker spaniel who sees the poet’s struggles in Victorian Society. Woolf’s poetic language offers a descriptive and playful blend of biography and fiction that provides a unique animal’s perspective and rich historical context through an exploration of love and loyalty."

3.79 avg rating — 28,356 ratings

"Fifteeen Dogs is an award winning novel by Canadian writer, Andre Alexis that explores what it means to be human through the complex identity struggles of a group of dogs that were given human intelligence by the Greek Gods Apollo and Hermes. The philosophical prose and rich character development combine humour and emotion in a fable-like story that explores the human-animal bond."

3.82 avg rating — 3,470 ratings

"A Grandmother Begins a Story weaves together the voices of five generations of Metis women as they search for ways to reconcile their past, rebuild their relationships and move forward together. This contemplative book oscillates between the intergenerational viewpoints of the five women, a roaming Bison, the nearby grasslands, an old station wagon, and two family dogs – and reflects on identity through rich imagery and emotional narratives."

4.33 avg rating — 104,105 ratings

"Set against the backdrop of Japan, The Travelling Cat Chronicles follows a stray cat named Nana and her devoted owner, Satoru, as they travel across the country and visit friends from Satoru’s past. This heartwarming narrative provides a reflective look at friendship and explores the deeper meanings behind the connections we make."

3.61 avg rating — 8,372 ratings

"Corduroy Mansions is the nickname for an elegant yet dilapidated block of old world townhomes set in Central London’s Pimlico neighbourhood and acts as a stage for an eclectic cast of characters and a dog, as they navigate their intertwining lives. This book provides a charming setting in which a lighthearted narrative balances serious themes with playful moments while subtly reflecting on human nature and its varying relationships."

3.39 avg rating — 989 ratings

"In 99 Nights in Logar, a twelve year old Afghan-American boy returns to his home village in Afghanistan and searches for a family dog while confronting the complexities of his identity and the realities of returning home to a war torn country. Through a multilayered narrative and a vivid setting, this book explores identify and relationships while providing a rich social commentary on the impacts of war."

4.12 avg rating — 549,315 ratings

"Kafka on the Shore is an introspective fantasy about the journey of a teenage boy, his crow alter ego, and his many conversations with cats - who runs away from home in search of his long lost family. The surreal narrative and poetic writing style uses dual perspectives and symbolic elements to explore themes of memory, identity, and human experience."

3.71 avg rating — 126,992 ratings

"In We Are All Completely Beside Ourselves, a college student recounts her unconventional upbringing and explores the complexities of human animal relationships through themes of loss and family dynamics. This non-linear, first person narrative based on real world events, blends humour with serious topics, using character struggles to explore ethical questions."

3.77 avg rating — 48,299 ratings

"In We’ll Prescribe You a Cat, a mysterious clinic off the beaten path in Kyoto offers unconventional care to patients who almost magically stumble into it. A series of separate feel-good stories in a Japanese setting, offer a comforting exploration of mental health through a cast of relatable characters exploring growth and change"

3.75 avg rating — 2,376 ratings

"In this beloved classic, Tarka the Otter navigates the fear and challenges of life in the wild while experiencing the beauty of nature. Written from the perspective of the otter, with rich descriptive language of the landscape, this emotional adventure reflects on the notion of freedom."

3.94 avg rating — 155,822 ratings

"Drive Your Plow Over the Bones of the Dead is an intriguing mystery by Nobel prize winning author Olga Tokarczuk, that follows an eccentric woman as she investigates a series of mysterious deaths. This narrative blends crime fiction with philosophical reflection and an atmospheric and lyrical writing style that sets the scene in a remote Polish landscape while exploring themes of humanity’s relationship with nature and animals."