A Street Cat Named Bob: And How He Saved My LifePaperback, by James Bowen– October 7, 2014
Roger likes to tell people that my favorite genre of books is “Chicken Lit.” If the storyline includes an animal, I’m sold! Just shut up, take my money and let me read! Because of my fondness for, “Chicken Lit,” I’ve read my fair share of animal books. But this particular book, “A Street Cat Named Bob,” by James Bowen, has broken my list of the top five of my favorite, “Chicken Lit,” books I’ve ever read.
I picked this gem up at The Armchair Bookstore in Whistler, B.C. Canada and read it in the car while recovering from 57 mosquito bites (seriously). Sure, I probably should’ve been having a conversation with Roger or gazing out at the picturesque scenery, but after reading a few pages I was hooked. In fact, it was so good, I may have actually ignored Roger for a day of our trip just so I could finish it. (Sorry Roger!)
“A Street Cat Named Bob,” is about the author, James a recovering drug addict who becomes the accidental and unlikely owner of Bob, a stray cat. James soon finds out that he needs Bob as much as Bob needs him. What follows is an amazing transformation and a beautiful friendship between man and cat. This endearing story is compelling, entertaining and a must read that I highly recommend.
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Win my copy of “A Street Cat Named Bob.” Leave a comment about your favorite animal story and one person who comments will randomly be selected to win!
Just a word on the books I read and review: I have a wide and varied sense of taste when it comes to books. I would love for you to enter and win one of my books – but if you are offended by book content, I would ask that you go online to read reviews to see if this book is for you before you enter to win.
Only US readers are eligible to receive the free book.
I love Socks by Beverly Cleary about a baby and a cat. The ending is hilarious! The cat is first jealous of the baby but then they become the best of friends.
Hi, Kathi,
My favorite animal book story is “Riptide.” “Riptide” is a dog at the seashore. Not only is it
a wonderful story, but the illustrations in watercolor are beautiful!! My two grandsons loved this book when they were little. (They are now ages 16 and 11, and we still talk about the
way they always wanted me to read the book to them.) It was a book they borrowed from
the school library, but we loved it so much that I purchased it for them. The author is Frances Ward Weller and the illustrator is Robert J. Blake.
The Hairy Brown Angel and Other Animal Tails, I first read it at 10 age 10, it’s full of stories about animals that God used in people’s lives to bring about different things. Still have the book, probably time to read it again 37 years after the first time! Would love to read A Street Cat Named Bob!
Love James Herriot’s books, especially the children story editions. I also loved the book and movie, “Marley and Me” So funny! I watched the movie first, and then got even more details with the book.
My favorite animal book (so far) is Marley. I laughed out loud, and cried as well. Of course the movie didn’t do it complete justice, but was also enjoyable. You gotta love that dog!
I keep thinking back to children’s books like Charlotte’s Web and Chronicles of Narnia. I loved reading those to my daughter. There were so many classic books that I never read as a child but made sure to read to my daughter so I got to experience them too.
Well, A dog who I named Tango, a white poodle left at an airport hanger. He was so cute. White like snow. Learned to like blue lollipops,and he would sleep on my clothes, when I was not home. All thou ,he was a boy ,we would take him to get bows in his hair and paint his toes pink.
I’m so glad ,the owners never came back for him. Because he made our lives, so loved at home. He became mine to keep and then one day many years later with to doggie heaven.
The Black Stallion has to be my all time favorite. I grew up with horses and I always liked working with the ones that were a little rough mannered. I always dreamed of being Alex, alone on an island with a beautiful horse and flying down the beach on his back.
I too love “chick lit”! Favorites: king of the Wind, Dewey the Library Cat, The Art of Racing in the Rain, Champ and James Herriot books. Would love to add this to my list!
Dewey – The Library Cat was a great read! And he even has his own webpage! http://www.deweyreadmorebooks.com/ I’m going to refer back to this post for other “chicken-lit” options!
I love “The Cat Who” books by Lilian Jackson Braun. So clever.
Sounds very interesting! Have you read Rascal? I believe the author is Sterling North. It’s based on his experience of adopting a baby raccoon when Sterling was a boy. Interesting and funny. It was made into a good movie—but the book was even better.
I loved Where the Red Fern Grows! My teacher read it in class when I was a kid and I actually had a signed copy by the author who was from Idaho where I was from. When the movie came out our whole school walked to the nearest movie theater to go see it. Unfortunately, I went away to college and left it at home and my parents donated it when they sold their house.
A list of my favorite animal stories must include the non-fiction of Vicki Myron and Bret Witter. A librarian in Iowa, Vicki wrote Dewey and Dewey’s Nine Lives about cats who have been influential in the lives of their owners and in Dewey’s case, patrons of the library. I look forward to reading about Bob, another real life account of these fabulous creatures.
Little Tyke – about a vegetarian lion was one of the first animal books from MANY years ago that I fell in love with. True story and I think they made a movie about him.
My favorite and moving book was the original Bambi, by Felix Salton. An adult read…
One of my all-time favorite books is “The Art of Racing in the Rain” by Garth Stein. Written from a dog’s voice, it is one of the most insightful, funny, and profound books I’ve ever read. It’s one of the very few that I’ve personally read more than once and I recommend it to everyone who asks for a “Good read”.
Hi Lori!
Congratulations! You won the Book Giveaway! We can’t wait to get your book to you. I will send you an email for your mailing address. Thank you for participating! Hope you enjoy your prize!
Have a blessed day!
Chere
The first animal story that came to mind was Homer’s Odyssey: A Fearless Feline Tale, or How I Learned about Love and Life with a Blind Wonder Cat by Gwen Cooper. That’s one story that has stuck with me even though it’s been years since I read it.
Hmmm, favorite animal story? I love the Lion and the Mouse story and the message it delivers, to never discount ones who appear to be lesser! My son ADORES cats and I think he would love this book!
Thanks to Allison above for reminding me of Charlotte’s Web! Childhood favorite.
My most recent animal story happened this fall. I was hosting a drop in coffee morning for a friend who had moved away. We invited her friends from the area who missed her to stop in, say hi, have a snack etc. Kids welcome (big homeschool community). As I was cleaning up the kitchen, getting ready for the company and her daughter was sitting having breakfast we heard a weird noise. I looked at Emma and asked, “did you hear that? Did you make that weird noise?” “No. It wasn’t me. It sounded like a chicken!” We do not have chickens.
I went out to investigate. There was a beagle puppy in the side yard! We also do not have a beagle puppy! 🙂
Long story short, I got him tied to our clothesline (we are tucked in a neighborhood very near two busy roads), called animal control and started welcoming guests. Animal control called me back saying that a woman had just called them with a description of the pup and would I like them to come get the pup or would I like to just call the owner. Called the owner, she was frantic and so thankful Remmy was okay. Puppy Daddy came to get the pup.
And that is my most recent animal story! 🙂
I love James Harriet’s books. I still remember getting “All Creatures Great and Small” at the book fair in eighth grade. I love reading them with my kids now!
Hard to say what is my favorite animal book! Like so many young girls, I loved horses and read my fair share of horse stories growing up. I remember loving The Black Stallion and the Misty of Chincoteague series. Lately, I gravitate toward books about dogs (being a recent dog owner). I loved Marley and Me! Marley’s story was entertaining and emotional, and very well written! I also enjoyed that the story was set in the 1980’s, when both our families (the author’s and mine) were just getting started. I could relate to the cultural details (like reading What to Expect when You’re Expecting, which had just come out!).
I loved reading the story about Noah’s Arc to my son. Animal stories ate great for boys. But he loved to read,”And God shut the door.” God’s protection even before the storm came.
I would LOVE to read this book. I saw the movie & it was such a great story. My favorite animal stories are children’s books: Moses the Kitten by James Harriet and Charlotte’s Web & The Trumpet of the Swan by E. B. White. As a child, I would also ask my mom to tell me the Bible story of Balaam’s donkey over & over. What can I say? I became a vet. 🙂