Book Review: Bookshop Dogs (a collection)

Bookshop Dogs, by Ruth Shaw* (Allen and Unwin, 272pp HB, 2024, $26.99) Review by Skye Anderson 

Deciding on this book was an adventure. Like many items, I didn't buy it the first time I saw it but returned to the bookstore ("Queen Takes Book" in Columbia, MD) and purchased it on my next trip. Why? Because I get most of my review books sent to me by authors or publishers or award organizations and buying a book is an adventure for me, one that is fun.

Perhaps this review should be about the bookstore rather than the book, but I will carry on.

Bookshop Dogs reminds me of an old-fashioned book - no paper front cover but this cover illustration is printed on the book itself. The paper it is printed on is heavy-duty and the book is rather heavy for its size - meant to be kept for a long time and a quality book.

Forty-two short short stories of dogs author Ruth Shaw knew - some of whom lived with her (like Hunza) and others who merely visited the bookshop - or one of the three bookshops (including "45 South and Below") she owned. 

Hunza, her own dog, stars in several of the stories: Hunza accompanied Shaw on her rounds as a therapist for drug addicts and prostitutes and won over many troubled teens. The reader follows Hunza through the dog's life in the book as the dog pops up every once in a while. 

The author lives in New Zealand and therefore the place names may be foreign to you - and even some bird names! 

Not a name dropper but a title dropper, Shaw can't help but mention her favorite books in her own book. Books like Richard Bach's Jonathan Livingston Seagull, How to Walk a Dog,

and Dog Gone, Back Soon by Nick Trout.

And her favorite bookshops themselves,  all over the world - especially British ones.

*The author's first book also has an intriguing title, The Bookseller at the End of the World.