Cover Collage: Dogs

We know, we know – as of late, we’ve been shining the spotlight on cats. But it’s summer – the dog days of summer, if you will – and we thought we’d feature some pup-adorned covers for this edition of cover collage. Sniff someone inappropriately (please don’t), eat some garbage (also, don’t!), and be the happiest creature on earth with our pack of reads.

This volume of poetry combines solo and joined sonnets about man’s best friend, mythical God, and bright star with striking photographs of strays in Havana, Cuba. Based on the novel by Leon Rooke, this play tells the tale (tail?) of William Shakespeare’s life from a unique, four-legged lens; that of his dog, Hooker. Guaranteed to bring a tear to even the most hardened eye, this book ruminates on the intellectual and emotional changes in fifteen dogs granted human intelligence.BONUS: Coach House did their own “dog days of summer” where readers submitted photos of their adorable pups. You’re welcome. This short-story collection from Robert Strandquist explores human relationships, and their forays and failures in communication. As Prairie Fire said of the collection: “It is not the smallness, nor the dog, but the barking that is important, the raging against the coming of the night.” Bully is a loving celebration of the oft-misunderstood group of dog breeds – Staffordshire bull terriers, Amstaffs, bulldogs, and American pit bull terriers – that are all lumped into the “dangerous pitbull” stereotype. In a series of contemporary dramatic monologues, award-winning poet Meira Cook puts to use deep contrast to reveal the heart of each speaking character.