"The Tiger: A True Story of Vengeance and Survival" by John Vaillant

A tiger crouches in the stillness of the Siberian taiga. His breaths are ragged from effort. He's spent days stalking around the cabin, his eyes trained on the man's every motion. There's a saying in the taiga--a tiger sees you one hundred times before you see it once. The man, with his sawed-off shotgun and sloppily homemade bullets, doesn't stand a chance against this four-hundred pound monster.

Vaillant uncovers this attack (and the ones that followed) piece by piece, only to discover that the tiger seemingly had a plan. Tigers are vengeful creatures--they don't hunt indiscriminately, but rather stalk and murder in premeditated attacks which sometimes last days. There are some books that take you far, far beyond any experience you've ever had in your life--The Tiger is one of those stories. Vaillant does a great job describing the poverty-struck village where townspeople are all but forced to poach for food or money. The tiger, of course, is worth an exorbitant amount of money--if he doesn't get you first. Thus, the Soviet government appointed a team of men to enforce strict anti-poaching laws. The team leader, Yuri Trush, becomes wrapped up in the mystery of the tiger and is determined to stop its reign of terror.

While telling the story, Vaillant goes on many tangents--all of which are informative, relevant, and interesting. He weaves in scientific studies about tigers as well as humans, how their behaviors have changed and evolved, and historical accounts of tigers.

This book is, quite frankly, all that is man--I can't imagine any father, brother, boyfriend, etc., not being completely wrapped up in this hunter vs. hunted tale. However, Vaillant's impeccable writing and research makes this a great read for anyone interested in nature, conservation, history, behavioral psychology, and, of course, survival.

Beth gives it five out of five carrots!

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Cowboys and Wills: A Love Story by Monica Holloway

Anybody who has ever owned a dog knows that they possess a certain, magical ability to know what we require of them. If you're sick, a dog knows to nuzzle you sweetly and serve as the world's best heat source. If you're sad, a dog knows that a quick lick on the face will usually do the trick. In this heartwarming book, the author discovers that her loveable son, Wills, has autism spectrum disorder. Wills begs and begs for a puppy and finally, on his sixth birthday, Cowboy Carol Lawrence becomes a part of their family.

Cowboy, a rambunctious golden retriever, opens Wills' world and his heart. Wills moves from being shy and overly cautious to sharing stories about his new "sister", Cowboy. This is a touching story of family and unconditional love that everyone, especially pet lovers, will enjoy.

Joanne gives this five out of five carrots!

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"Amazing Gracie" by Dan Dye

Fans of Marley and Me by John Grogan will love the tale of Gracie Dane, a partially blind albino "underdog" saved by thirty-something slacker Dan Dye. Gracie had been cast off by her littermates, her mother, and her breeder, and Dan discovered her the day before she was scheduled to be put down. From there emerges a love story between man and dog: Gracie, always awkward with a big heart (and not only because she's a Great Dane) and Dan, who had recently suffered the loss of the dog he'd been grown up with. Gracie is not an easy puppy--she goes to great lengths to have romantic rendevouzes with the uptight neighbor's Boston Terrier, and she refuses to eat anything but Dan's homemade dog cookies. She terrorizes the house on her first night home (causing the police to be called, because she was mistaken for a burglar). Her hijinks are endearing and familiar to anyone who's ever owned a dog. But truly, this is a story of Gracie's legacy--how she shaped Dan's life (and even his career). Any dog lover will laugh and cry, and read it over and over.

Beth gives it three out of five carrots!

Paperback, 10.95
Click here to buy this book at The Velveteen Rabbit Bookshop!