Today is Groundhog Day, and Phil has seen his shadow.
That means absolutely nothing beyond the folklore of Candlemas, but a great lead-in to critter-related stories to ride out the rest of winter. Animal stories are sometimes things I avoid, because I pretty much know they are going to rip out my heart and show it to me with a dead pet.
Even so, there here are some random animal centric books to enjoy this month:
All Creatures Great and Small series by James Herriot
I think between my dad and I, we’ve recommended these semi autobiographical tales of the life of a country veterinarian in the Yorkshire Dales to at least 100 people. One of these books was on my dad’s bedstand at all times and he would read only one chapter a night so they didn’t end too fast. It can be a bit confusing finding the right titles, as his popular titles are drawn from other earlier work. Not to mention his several species-specific collections and children’s book adaptations. The easiest way to go through his life with him is in this order: All Creatures Great and Small, All Things Wise and Wonderful, All Things Bright and Beautiful, The Lord God Made Them All, and his final book Every Living Thing. That seems like a lot of reading, but you will race though these. His stories are so funny, so heartwarming (or heartbreaking) and the most endearing look at both animal, and human nature, the good the bad and the redemptive. When you lose you hope in humanity, this animal doctor and his colleagues will help restore it.
Beastars by Paru Itagaki
Since Zootopia 2 is everywhere, I’ll share a manga series that may or may not be inspired by it. It is also so much darker, deeper and cooler. Yes, it takes place in world of anthropomorphic animals, and there is a murder leading to further division between carnivores and herbivores. The lead male is a wolf (Legoshi) and female a dwarf rabbit (Haru). Sound familiar? Yes and no. This is more of a psychological thriller, and forbidden love story (a slow burning one), with very human emotions and conflict portrayed in a college setting. The anime is also really good, but if you haven’t seen it, read the manga first. Thankfully, all 22 volumes are available, so you won’t have to wait to discover the twists and turns. And, there are a few.
Cat · A · Lyst by Alan Dean Foster
As my first two recommendations were series, here’s a standalone science fiction that just a fun adventure partially from the point of view of a cat. Thanks to Splinter of the Mind’s Eye and the Spellsinger series, many of my Gen X classmates and I went through an Alan Dean Foster kick in the 80s. Thus, I picked up Cat·A·Lyst in 1991 for the author and the cool cover more than the story. Yet, it turned out be both exciting and humorous, especially its continued jabs at the nature of the film industry (not much of which has changed it seems). We have an assortment of film Hollywood types, reporters and villains, including protagonist and movie star Jason Carter…and cats. Set in the Andes, this story goes from a treasure hunt to the discovery of alien technology, alternate dimensions and a lost ancient tribe set on taking over the world. Of course the cosmic entities are in the form of cats, and they definitely running the show. An easy and quick-paced read, with a very original story..even for dog people like me.
No matter how much longer the winter weather lasts this year, a good book is a cozy companion, just like a good dog or cat.