{"id":359516,"date":"2026-07-31T03:59:17","date_gmt":"2026-07-31T03:59:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/peraltafinancing.com\/uncategorized\/7-books-for-people-who-prefer-animals-to-humans\/"},"modified":"2026-07-31T03:59:17","modified_gmt":"2026-07-31T03:59:17","slug":"7-books-for-people-who-prefer-animals-to-humans","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/fivemor.com\/?p=359516","title":{"rendered":"7 Books for People Who Prefer Animals to Humans"},"content":{"rendered":"


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Charge up your Kindle or Kobo, log into your Libby, or schedule time to visit your local bookstore! It\u2019s summer reading season! I\u2019ve had the pleasure of reading through a dozen or so new releases kindly provided to me by their publishers. These are the 7 best animal books: Summer 2026 edition. <\/strong><\/p>\n

A disclaimer: Not all books are for all readers. I selected a wide array so that you can hopefully find one that sounds good to you<\/em>. I also included two links to find these titles online, but I always suggest visiting your local bookstore first, especially for the books that are pre-orders! Shop local where possible! <\/p>\n

Let\u2019s get started, shall we?<\/p>\n

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As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

Ulysses S. Cat and Other Animals I Have Known by Scott Simon<\/h3>\n
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Yep, that Scott Simon, and if you\u2019re an NPR listener, I promise you will find yourself reading this book with his voice in your head. <\/p>\n

This narrative is a memoir of sorts. We learn about Scott, his family, and his work through the animals who have entered and exited his life. It\u2019s told in short bursts. Most of the chapters are micro-essays, running only a few pages and sometimes only a paragraph. This makes it easy to dip in and out, but it doesn\u2019t lessen the emotional resonance or the connection you\u2019ll feel to someone who loves animals as much as he clearly does. Even though on the surface the stories are centered around the animals, it\u2019s also an examination of Scott\u2019s family life and his professional life. The Sarajevo essays are particularly poignant. <\/p>\n

Who is this for?<\/strong> Heartfelt, sometimes joyful and sometimes sad, these essays are a must-read for anyone who loves their animals with a side of whimsy. Parents, especially adoptive parents like me: Come to this book with a few tissues tucked in your pocket. <\/p>\n

Available on Bookshop.org<\/a> and Amazon<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Poking the Squid by Perrin Roosevelt Ireland<\/h3>\n
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This book. Where do I begin? As you likely know by now, I am a HUGE animal behavior nerd. This is my favorite book in the bunch.<\/p>\n

Graphic nonfiction is such an underappreciated genre, in my opinion. This one, in particular, shines. It\u2019s filled with an incredible depth of information about the biodiversity of how animals form relationships, mate, and more. I never knew how interested I would become in albatross or prairie voles, among many others. Poking the Squid delivers a delightful, quirky, and illuminating look at animal diversity through vivid comics and deeply-researched details. (I reviewed the ARC, which is in black and white, but I believe the final hard copy will be in full color, which is very exciting!)<\/p>\n

Who is this for? <\/strong>I\u2019d LOVE to say everyone, but I think this book is for anyone who is fascinated by the natural world and who wants to learn about the latest discoveries in this newer scientific field. <\/p>\n

Available on Bookshop.org<\/a> and Amazon<\/a>. <\/p>\n

10 Spiritual Lessons You Can Learn from Your Dog and 10 Spiritual Lessons You Can Learn from Your Cat by Joanna Sandsmark<\/h3>\n
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Two different but similar books round out these recommendations. Both of these pretty, small hardcovers deliver life advice from the dog\u2019s and cat\u2019s perspective. Rather than a religious spirituality, these delightfully-illustrated books weave together quotes and lessons designed to help the reader feel more dog- or cat-like. They\u2019re easy to flip through and glean some insight or idea unique to our beloved pets. <\/p>\n

Who are these for?<\/strong> If you\u2019re looking for a perfect gift for the dog or cat lover in your life, look no further. (hint, hint for any Father\u2019s Day gifts for pet-loving dads) Or, if you\u2019d like something small you can tuck into a bag or to accompany your journaling, these are it. <\/p>\n

Dog book available on Amazon<\/a> and Bookshop.org<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Cat book available on Amazon<\/a> and Bookshop.org<\/a>. <\/p>\n

The Dogwalkers\u2019 Detective Agency by Michael Hogan<\/h3>\n
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Surprisingly, the only new novel on this list!<\/p>\n

When a dog walker\u2019s canine charges discover a dead body, the police are called in, but something\u2019s not adding up. So, a motley mix of dog walkers put their heads together to solve the crime as more mysteries mount. This is the type of summer novel that you can toss into a beach bag for a day at the pool or on the sand; it\u2019s long enough to keep you occupied, but light enough that you can dip in and out. <\/p>\n

Who is this for? <\/strong>Fans of funny thrillers, cozy mysteries with an edge of darkness, and\u2013of course\u2013canine shenanigans. Must love puns and word play. <\/p>\n

Available on Amazon<\/a> and Bookshop.org<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Unleashed: How to Bring Out the Best in Your Dog by Jaime Goodrich<\/h3>\n
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Summer is the perfect season to squeeze in extra dog training time. If you\u2019re hoping to dig into some training this summer with your pup, pick this one up.<\/p>\n

Unleashed establishes a beginner-friendly foundation for dog training rooted in best practice. It covers everything from polite walking and house training to separation anxiety and aggressive behavior. Little sketches throughout illustrate the concepts, and worksheets in the back of the book help you apply the learning immediately. <\/p>\n

Who is this for? <\/strong>First-time dog owners would benefit tremendously from this. Also, anyone who loves to read more dog training perspectives and tips to round out existing knowledge, this one\u2019s for you. An excellent, accessible reference to have on hand.<\/p>\n

Available on Amazon<\/a> and Bookshop.org<\/a>.<\/p>\n

King the Wonder Dog and Other Stories by Eleanor Lerman<\/h3>\n
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Short stories are the perfect thing for summer: You can dip in and out while pushing a swing or supervising the pool. When you have pockets of time, you can read a short story and experience the entire arc of the narrative\u2013even if you\u2019re sitting in your car in the summer camp pickup line. <\/p>\n

These stories feature older protagonists and their relationships with dogs. Most center around themes of healing, being seen and understood, and the restorative power of the human-dog bond. You\u2019ll likely need a few tissues on hand for several of the stories. <\/p>\n

Who is this for? <\/strong>Set in contemporary New York and featuring older adults, this collection is perfect for literary readers who appreciate reflective stories about people and their dogs. Highly recommend!<\/p>\n

Available on Amazon<\/a> and Bookshop.org<\/a>. <\/p>\n

The 7 best animal books of summer 2026\u2026 <\/h2>\n

At least, for now! I didn\u2019t get any YA or picture books this time around, which is a big gap. I\u2019m on the hunt for what\u2019s coming next for younger readers, so stay tuned here or on Instagram for what I find.<\/p>\n

In the meantime, I\u2019d love to know: What\u2019s on your TBR for this summer?<\/strong> Please share in the comments along with which of these seven you\u2019d like to read!<\/p>\n

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I\u2019d be remiss in a book post not to include a little call-out for my own book. \ud83d\ude42 <\/p>\n

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If you\u2019re looking to deepen your bond with your dog, my book\u00a0For the Love of Dog<\/strong>\u00a0explores the science and heart behind how we connect with our best friends with stories about me and my dogs Emmett, Lucas, and Cooper.<\/p>\n

Click here to grab your copy on Amazon<\/a>\u00a0or\u00a0here for Bookshop.org<\/a>.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s also\u00a0available on audio<\/a>\u00a0if you prefer to read with your ears!<\/p>\n

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