Animal Crackers in my Books: An Idiosyncratic Lit List

October 21, 2014 Idiosyncratic Lit List 24

What does the fox say, Bookworms?

I know, I just went there. You’re welcome to chastise me in the comments. It’s occurred to me recently that a lot of the books I’ve read have animals in their titles. They may or may not have anything at all to do with the animals mentioned, but you know how much I like listing. I didn’t want to trouble myself with content when I could play with titles. I’m sure you understand. Without further ado let’s get to it!

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1. Cat’s Eye by Margaret Atwood: This is one of my favorite Atwood novels. Truly, of her non-dystopian work, this probably tops my list. And it just so happens to have an animal in the title, though it’s really not about cats. Who could ask for anything more?

2. Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen: There actually IS an elephant in this novel who plays a very prominent role. Actually, there are quite a few animals in this novel, seeing as it focuses on an almost-veterinarian working in a circus. Still. An elephant who likes to drink is a winner in my book. Rosie’s a bit of a tippler.

3. The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time by Mark Haddon (review): There’s a dog in this book! He’s dead though, so don’t get too excited. A good book with a fascinating protagonist.

4. Tell the Wolves I’m Home by Carol Rifka Brunt (review): This book, you guys! I know, I know, I rave about it ALL THE TIME. But it’s still super fantastic. And really not about wolves, except maybe metaphorically. Who cares, though? There’s a really awesome teapot!

5. Frog Music by Emma Donogue (review): It’s a rare book indeed that can combine historical fiction, cross dressing, prostitution, and hunting frogs. Just another reason Emma Donoghue is the coolest.

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6. Saving Fish from Drowning by Amy Tan: Among the things I learned from this book? What a C-Pap mask is, and the side effects of an enlarged prostate. Neither of these have anything to do with the story, of course, though that was plenty interesting too. If I can get a good story and trivia out of a book, it’s a big win.

7. Half Broke Horses by Jeanette Walls: So you think you want to be a cowboy/cowgirl? Read this real-life novel and you might re-think that. They NEVER wash their jeans. Ever.

8. Monkey Beach by Eden Robinson (review): Not a monkey to be found on Monkey Beach. Canada is too cold for that sort of thing. Lots of interesting discussion of fish grease though.

9. Squirrel Seeks Chipmunk: A Modest Bestiary by David Sedaris: There are all sorts of animals in this book! Animals that talk and do offensive things using offensive language. It is, in a word, glorious.

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Alright Bookworms, I’m SURE I’ve missed BUNCHES of animal titles. Help me fill in the blanks, here!

*If you make a purchase through a link on this site, I will receive a small commission. I’ll use it to buy animal crackers because they sound delicious right about now.*

24 Responses to “Animal Crackers in my Books: An Idiosyncratic Lit List”

  2. Megan M.

    What does the fox say? I don’t know, but it makes my four year old laugh hysterically whenever she hears it.

    I’ll go with “If You Give A Cat A Cupcake…” since it is the most recent books I’ve read with an animal in the title. Can you tell I have children? I never talk about them. 😉

    Reply

  6. Laura

    “I didn’t want to trouble myself with content when I could play with titles” – I lol’d.

    I reeeeallllyy need to read Cat’s Eye and Tell the Wolves I’m Home. Been on the TBR upwards of a year.

    Reply

  7. Laura

    ” I didn’t want to trouble myself with content when I could play with titles. I’m sure you understand.” I lol’d!

    I really need to get to Cat’s Eye (on my shelf for almost a year) and Tell The Wolves I’m Home (TBR for more than a year.)

    Reply

  8. Amy @ Read a Latte

    I feel like one of us is always gushing about Tell the Wolves I’m Home, and I’m SO HAPPY ABOUT IT. More animals: 2 a.m at the Cat’s Pajamas, and A Dog’s Purpose!

    Reply

  9. A Cocoon of Books

    I love Cat’s Eye, even though the last third dragged a bit for me.

    Some animal-named books I’ve enjoyed are The Year of the Dog by Grace Lin, The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis, and What the Dog Saw by Malcolm Gladwell.

    It’s interesting that many of the books that focus on animals don’t actually have animal names in the title: The Wind in the Willows, The Art of Racing in the Rain, Watership Down, etc.

    One of my favorite books about animals that doesn’t actually have an animal name in the title is Some We Love, Some We Hate, Some We Eat. It’s an absolutely fascinating look at the many variations of human-animal relations.

    Reply

  11. Jennine G.

    Ahhh! So creative! All I could think of were poems and short stories for some reason. The Lady or the Tiger, The Raven, The Black Snake. My head is stuck in school…

    Reply

  12. Annabel Smith

    Oh, yup, great idea for a list:
    The Dog Stars by Peter Heller
    All the Birds Singing by Evie Wyld
    Plague of Doves by Louise Erdrich
    The Raw Shark Texts
    Dogs at the Perimeter by Madeleine Thien
    When God Was a Rabbit

    and how could I forget my own book, Whisky Charlie FOXtrot! (Except, alas, in the states it will be released as simply Whisky & Charlie

    Reply

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