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"In Bed" with Susan Orlean

Posted by Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ on October 3, 2011
Animal enthusiast keeps chickens, cattle, ducks, guinea fowl, three cats, and a Welsh springer spaniel named Cooper at her home in upstate New York. But a German shepherd is the star of her new book, . The staff writer at The New Yorker grew up in Cleveland watching The Adventures of Rin-Tin-Tin on television. Now she turns her pen to the dog that was rescued from a World War I battlefield by American soldier Lee Duncan and went on to become a Hollywood legend, complete with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Orlean spent ten years researching the life of Rin Tin Tin and his canine successors, whose careers spanned silent film, radio, and television. It's quite a deviation from her last major work of nonfiction, , in 1999. Orlean shares her favorite books "about dogs, featuring dogs, picturing dogs, and musing about dogs."

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"This is the book that taught me—and millions of kids—the sweetness and sadness that comes with being in love with a dog. It's also the first book that ever made me sob uncontrollably, and I've never forgotten it. I didn't appreciate it at the time, but it's also beautifully written and evokes life in Texas farm country as well as any book for grown-ups."


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"A dead dog, but still a dog, that provides a perfect jumping-off point for a marvelous story. The book is proof that a dog doesn't have to be alive to be a good character."


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"The ultimate dog book/road book, Steinbeck's 1960 journey around the country is still fresh. Charley makes a great, cheerful foil to Steinbeck's gloomy observations. And who doesn't dream about throwing the dog in the back of a camper and just roaming around, seeing what there is to see?"


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"Five hundred incredible photographs that happen to be of dogs, taken by Magnum photographer Erwitt; the result is sheer, unadulterated pleasure."


, from the editors of
", , , , , , , , , , plus dogs. What's not to like?"



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message 1: by Deb (new)

Deb To this list, I must add The Story of Edgar Sawtelle by David Wroblewski. A flawed but still fascinating book with a truly memorable dog,the wonderful Almondine.


message 2: by Kevin (new)

Kevin What about My Dog Tulip by J. R. Ackerley?


message 3: by Tom (new)

Tom F Where the Red Fern Grows.


message 4: by Libby (new)

Libby "Pack of Two" by Caroline Knapp tells the love story between the author and her German Shepherd.


message 5: by Jo (new)

Jo If a cat lover can have a say:

John Grogan - Marley and Me (laugh out loud funny because I didn't have to clean up the messes)

Any of Jon Katz' books about his dogs. I started with
"A Good Dog": The Story of Orson, who changed my life.

"The Incredible Journey" -Sheila Burnford ...two dogs, one cat

Any of James Herriots books, all of them will have a dog in there somewhere,(look for Tricky Woo) and they are so worth the time reading, starting with:
"All Creatures Great and Small".


message 6: by Adel (new)

Adel "The Call of the Wild", and" White Fang" by Jack London.


message 7: by Wendy (new)

Wendy "Nop" and "Nop's Trials" !!


message 8: by Mark (last edited Oct 05, 2011 03:40PM) (new)

Mark And for bringing together kids and dogs, Stephanie Calmenson's:

"Rosie, A Visiting Dog's Story" and "May I Pet Your Dog?"


message 9: by Nina (new)

Nina "Sight Hound" by Pam Houston


message 10: by Nancy (new)

Nancy Furstinger To foster empathy in kids: "Maggie's Second Chance: A Gentle Dog's Rescue." And just for laughs, the witty quips in "Why I'd Rather Date My Dog: Musings for Savvy Singles."


message 11: by Pradeep (new)

Pradeep Jayatunga JAMES HERRIOT????


message 12: by Victor (new)

Victor Brodt A humble suggestion by author- try Jack the Dog: and His Boy is highly rated by many at Amazon. I will send ebook free if you contact me.
Wishing what every good dog already sees in you, the Best.
Victor Brodt


message 13: by John McR (new)

John McR The Art of Racing in the Rain
Timbuktu
sorry--can't recall the authors right now


message 14: by John McR (new)

John McR Dog On It, by Spencer Quinn and the 3 subsequent books. Bernie the private detective and Chet, his big dog-sidekick, who narrates.


message 15: by John McR (new)

John McR Deb wrote: "To this list, I must add The Story of Edgar Sawtelle by David Wroblewski. A flawed but still fascinating book with a truly memorable dog,the wonderful Almondine."

Almondine's last 'chapter' is probably the saddest thing I've ever read. A really wonderful insight as to how a dog's mind might work.


message 16: by Jo (last edited Oct 07, 2011 06:44AM) (new)

Jo Pradeep wrote: "JAMES HERRIOT????"

You've never heard of his books? or you don't think they belong in this list of suggestions?
James Herriot was his pen name, but the real man was a veterinarian in the Yorkshire Dales of England. He wrote wonderful books of his experiences as a vet spanning many years. He was also a dog owner and lover of dogs himself. Many of the stories contain dogs, either tangentially or as the main focus and he usually treated his own dog, (Rosie, if I remember correctly no, I didn't, Rosie was his daughter, Guess I'll be reading them again!!) as one of the characters in the book.
I know these books are not popular in this current age, but check them out on Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ and I think you will find they are rated consistently 4 stars or higher.
He even has a specific collection titled 'James Herriot's Dog Stories'


message 17: by Sherry (new)

Sherry Tom wrote: "Where the Red Fern Grows."
I loved this book by Wilson Rawls, a sad and wonderful story of a young boy, Billy, and the two Redbone Coonhounds he bought and trained. It's about growing up in poverty in the Ozark mountains and how the love and loving dogs can change your life. It should definetely be on the list.


message 18: by Sherry (new)

Sherry Jo wrote: "Pradeep wrote: "JAMES HERRIOT????"

You've never heard of his books? or you don't think they belong in this list of suggestions?
James Herriot was his pen name, but the real man was a veterinari..."


My favorite story in James Herrito's Favorite Dog Stories is "Roy From Rags to Riches". It's a story of how love and care can change the life of an abused Golden Retriever. I cry every time I read it.


message 19: by Lisa (new)

Lisa John wrote: "The Art of Racing in the Rain
Timbuktu
sorry--can't recall the authors right now"


Victor wrote: "A humble suggestion by author- try Jack the Dog: and His Boy is highly rated by many at Amazon. I will send ebook free if you contact me.
Wishing what e..."


The author is Garth Stein. He also wrote a book for children called Racing in the Rain.


message 20: by Zia (last edited Oct 07, 2011 12:48PM) (new)

Zia I absolutely adore James Herriot. His books are better than therapy. :)

'My Dog Skip' is a wonderful little book, beautifully written by Willie Morris.


message 21: by Shannon (new)

Shannon "Let's Take The Long Way Home: A Memoir of Friendship" by Gail Caldwell. It's a story about life and death with human and dog friends. Can't even type this without choking up.


message 22: by Shannon (new)

Shannon And how about "A Dog's Purpose" by W. Bruce Cameron, about one dog reincarnated into 4 who can save everyone's life but his own. Rings true to us dog lovers who believe our dogs somehow take care of us when we think it is us taking care of them.


message 23: by Arlene (new)

Arlene What about Albert Payson Terhune? I loved his books about dogs as a child.


message 24: by Pam (new)

Pam Dog Is My Co-Pilot is one of my favorites


message 25: by Brenda (new)

Brenda Every Night Josephine by jacqueline susann


message 26: by Linda (new)

Linda de Leve Please read "A Dog's Purpose". The best doggy book I have ever read.


message 27: by Sally (new)

Sally Walters Hurry Home, Candy. 1953 Newbery award winner by Meindert de Jong. I still cry when I read how the 'good man' realizes the dog is terrified by brooms and tosses the broom out and into a tree. When Candy sees the 'enemy' is gone she can finally Hurry Home.


message 28: by Virginia (new)

Virginia Great suggestions (above) from many people. Might add the "Good Dog Carl" books for very young children - no text (or little text), just wonderful pictures of a Rottweiler who watches over a child.


message 29: by Nina (new)

Nina John wrote: "The Art of Racing in the Rain
Timbuktu
sorry--can't recall the authors right now"


Timbuktu is by Paul Auster - great suggestion! I forgot about that one, but loved it!


message 30: by Jackie (new)

Jackie Don't forget about the novel Lad: A Dog by Albert Payson Terhune.


message 31: by Catherine (new)

Catherine Nichols As a pugophile, I'm compelled to add: Clara: The Early Years: The Story of the Pug Who Ruled My Life by Margo Kaufman. It's a hoot.


message 32: by Amanda Mecke (new)

Amanda Mecke Travels with Charlie is on audio read by Gary Sinese and one of the best car trip books you could ever want to listen to, even if you can't have your dog on the ride with you.


message 33: by Pat (new)

Pat Racklyeft An absolutely amazing book - Merle's Door, Lessons from a Freethinking Dog by Ted Kerasote. It will change the way you think about man's relationship with dogs.


message 34: by Pradeep (new)

Pradeep Jayatunga Jo and Sherry, I've read all of Herriot's books. I was expressing my surprise that he wasn't already mentioned here. By the way, he didn't write 'dog books'. His books contained dog stories among others. The volume 'James Herriot's Favorite Dog Stories' is a collection of dog stories from his books.


message 35: by Cherie (new)

Cherie What about Lassie? I have read all of the James Herriot books, and the books about Lad.


message 36: by Marilyn (new)

Marilyn Meadows Timbuktu by Paul Auster, absolutely amazing


message 37: by Farmgirl (new)

Farmgirl The Scent of the Missing is a great book about canine search and rescue. Also, For the Love of Dogs, Patricia B. McConnell


message 38: by Jackie (new)

Jackie Mancuso My suggestion is Paris-Chien adventures of an ex-pat dog by Jackie Clark Mancuso .


message 39: by Cippy (new)

Cippy "Maya's First Rose" by Martin Scot Kosins is a wonderful story about a man's love and devotion for his dog. It's really quite beautiful.


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