Published by: Ingrid King. Last Updated on: February 6, 2023 by Crystal Uys
One of my favorite summer pleasures is spending time outside with a good book. Even though a beach vacation is not in the cards this year, I spend as much time as I can on my deck each summer, and I make sure I always have a good supply of summer reading on hand. And of course, much of my summer reading is made up of cat books. The following books are just a few selections that I highly recommend for your summer reading list.
In Panthers Play for Keeps, the fourth book in Clea Simon’s Pet Noir series with pet behaviorist and psychic Pru Marlow, Pru has to solve her most challenging case yet: while taking a dog for a walk, she finds the body of a young woman, who seems to have been mauled by a wild cat. This book, as well as the entire series, features Wallis, Pru’s cantakerous feline who often looses patience with human foibles, but patiently guides Pru in the right direction.
Hide and Seek by Amy Shojai is a thriller that will have you on the edge of your seat and may just send a chill down your spine even on the hottest summer day. Animal behaviorist September Day, her dog Shadow and cat Macy are trying to unravel a mystery involving a mysterious contagious illness that affects both pets and humans.
The World According to Bob: The Further Adventures of One Man and His Street-wise Cat chronicles the further adventures of James Bowen and Bob. Just like the first book, A Street Cat Named Bob, this book will enchant you and take you from tears to laughter and back, often on the same page.
My Best Little Buddy: 17 Years of Love and Friendship with Tiger by Tom Templeton is one of those sweet memoirs that touches the heart. Templeton, a Nasvhille songwriter, shares his life with his special friend in a book because, as he said, “I knew after 35,000+ words that this would not fit into a song.”
The last book on this list is not a cat book, but it’s a book that I found so powerful, I want to share it with you because it meets all of my criteria for a great summer read: it grabbed me from the very first page, the writing is absolutely beautiful, and I couldn’t put it down. I’m a huge fan of Barbara Kingsolver, and have read everything she ever wrote. Her newest novel, Flight Behavior, is Kingsolver at her best. Set in present day Appalachia, this story about a young wife and mother who makes a discovery that brings religious leaders, climate scientists, environmentalists and politicians into her life, trapping her in the center of a massive controversy, and ultimately opening her world left a lasting impression on me.
Looking for more summer reading suggestions?
Check out our Reading List!
Do you have a favorite summer read? Let us know about it in a comment!
About the author
Ingrid King is an award-winning author, former veterinary hospital manager, and veterinary journalist who is passionate about cats.
