Status
Available
Collection
Series
Publication
Grand Central Publishing (2008), Edition: 1st, Hardcover, 277 pages
Description
The charming story of Dewey Readmore Books, the beloved library cat of Spencer, Iowa. The story of Dewey Readmore Books, the beloved library cat, starts in the worst possible way. Only a few weeks old, on the coldest night of the year, he was stuffed into the book return slot at the Spencer, Iowa, Public Library. He was found the next morning by library director, Vicki Myron, a single mother who had survived the loss of her family farm, a breast cancer scare, and an alcoholic husband. Dewey won her heart, and the hearts of the staff, by pulling himself up and hobbling on frostbitten feet to nudge each of them in a gesture of thanks and love. For the next nineteen years, he never stopped charming the people of Spencer with his enthusiasm, warmth, humility (for a cat), and, above all, his sixth sense about who needed him most.--From publisher description.… (more)
Language
Original publication date
2008-09
Physical description
277 p.; 5.75 inches
Media reviews
Amazon
One frigid Midwestern winter night in 1988, a ginger kitten was shoved into the after-hours book-return slot at the public library in Spencer, Iowa. And in this tender story, Myron, the library director, tells of the impact the cat, named DeweyReadmore Books, had on the library and its patrons, and
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on Myron herself. Through her developing relationship with the feline, Myron recounts the economic and social history of Spencer as well as her own success story—despite an alcoholic husband, living on welfare, and health problems ranging from the difficult birth of her daughter, Jodi, to breast cancer. After her divorce, Myron graduated college (the first in her family) and stumbled into a library job. She quickly rose to become director, realizing early on that this was a job I could love for the rest of my life. Dewey, meanwhile, brings disabled children out of their shells, invites businessmen to pet him with one hand while holding the Wall Street Journal with the other, eats rubber bands and becomes a media darling. The book is not only a tribute to a cat—anthropomorphized to a degree that can strain credulity (Dewey plays hide and seek with Myron, can read her thoughts, is mortified by his hair balls)—it's a love letter to libraries. (Sept.)
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User reviews
LibraryThing member cbl_tn
I hadn't planned to read this book. I'm not a cat person. I don't dislike cats. I just come from a long line of dog owners. My mother's family always had dogs, and I can name many of their dogs who lived and died long before I was born. The only pet I've ever had was a dog. If I ever have another
A friend, who also is not a cat person, read this book and gave me her copy to read. So I read it, reluctantly at first. I soon realized that this is more than a cute animal story. It's the story of a community, and a biography of librarian Vicki Myron. I was completely hooked when the author mentioned that one of the library employees commuted to work from Estherville. It became personal then. I've never been to Iowa, but I've heard stories about it all my life. My grandparents lived in Estherville for several years during the Depression. My uncle was born there. My grandmother often spoke of the Iowa winters, when snow would pile as high as the roof of the house, and she would have had a lot of sympathy for a small kitten left to fend for itself during a bitter Iowa winter night.
Dewey has plenty of cat tales for all of the reading cat lovers out there. It will be equally interesting to readers who enjoy non-fiction about small towns and the Midwest. Warmly recommended.
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pet, it will be a dog. My father's family had cats on their farm. They were working cats, not pets. They lived outdoors, and kept the mouse population under control in the barn and fields. They didn't have names, but would respond to "Here, kitty!"A friend, who also is not a cat person, read this book and gave me her copy to read. So I read it, reluctantly at first. I soon realized that this is more than a cute animal story. It's the story of a community, and a biography of librarian Vicki Myron. I was completely hooked when the author mentioned that one of the library employees commuted to work from Estherville. It became personal then. I've never been to Iowa, but I've heard stories about it all my life. My grandparents lived in Estherville for several years during the Depression. My uncle was born there. My grandmother often spoke of the Iowa winters, when snow would pile as high as the roof of the house, and she would have had a lot of sympathy for a small kitten left to fend for itself during a bitter Iowa winter night.
Dewey has plenty of cat tales for all of the reading cat lovers out there. It will be equally interesting to readers who enjoy non-fiction about small towns and the Midwest. Warmly recommended.
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LibraryThing member tyroeternal
Definitely not the type of book I normally read. In all honesty I felt the book was a bit on the long side, and had a bit too much story outside of Dewey himself. The majority of the book felt as if it was about the author and the plight of small towns in Iowa, rather than the subject of the
All I was hoping for was a short, cute read about a library cat. Half way through the book I realized that, while heartwarming as it was, it was more the story of the author and her town than the story of her cat.
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book.All I was hoping for was a short, cute read about a library cat. Half way through the book I realized that, while heartwarming as it was, it was more the story of the author and her town than the story of her cat.
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LibraryThing member The_Book_Queen
If you look at my library, or if you know me, then you can tell right away that I am a fiction nut, a fantasy obsessed reader, and I rarely, if ever, venture into the non-fiction section. And the few times I do try out a non-fiction book instead of a fiction, it's rare that I find a book that
I don't want to give too much away, because I feel that to properly enjoy the story behind Dewey, you have to read and experience it yourself. But I will say that this story was an amazing, inspiring, and yes, tearful, one, told by his owner, Vicki Myron, who is, in my opinion, a wonderful writter and person. She didn't just write about Dewey, she wrote about everything that affected him or that he affected, both locally and nationally, personally and for the general population. It was told from the heart, straight forward and intense, but always true.
Dewey's life started out hard, but that fateful day, when Vicki found him and took him in, everything changed, both for Dewey and for everyone who would come to know him over his almost two-decade span of life. His story really touched me, and I would recommend it to anyone and everyone whom I thought would be able to read it and truly appreciate it. That is to say, someone who is not an animal lover, particularly a cat lover, may think it's a nice story and put it out of their mind, while someone who has grown up with cats all their lives, maybe even experienced a few that could be almost kin to Dewey as far as personality and the way that they touched the person's life, would probably cherish this story.
I've had cats my whole life, and though all of them have touched me in some way, there have been a few that stand out a bit more. Unfortunately, it always seems like those ones are the ones who pass on quicker, or so it seems to us, the owners. Though many of the extrememly special ones in my life have passed on, I still remember them, every special memory, every touch and connection that we had, and yes, sometimes, even years later, I still grieve for them, even though I know that they are still here in a way, and they are no longer in pain. Because of this, I felt an instant connection to Dewey and his story, though I had never met him, or heard of him before this book, and after finishing the story, my only wish was that I could have been able to meet him.
There was one line, the very last paragraph in the book, that really got me, and I think that it sums up everything I feel after reading this wonderful book:
"He's still holding me now. So thank you, Dewey. Thank you. Wherever you are."
Thank you, both Dewey and Vicki, for allow me, and other readers, to enjoy this unique, loving, and very touching story of love, survival, and more than a few laughs.
4.5/5 STARS! An amazing book about a very special cat and a city that pulled together to care for him, only to realize after wards that he was the one that cared for them. A must read for anyone who wants to be inspired and amazed, to laugh and to cry. Watch out, though: The ending is a 10-hanky that will probably have you blinking back tears for a while afterwards *Even right now, I'm not ashamed to say that I am still a little bit red-eyed and sniffly*, even causing you to stop at a few parts to collect yourself before continuing. It's a very powerful story, and one that I hope to be able to pass on to others.
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really grabs me and pulls me in, connecting me with the characters and story like fantasy books do. It's not always because the books are bad ones, but they're just not my type of book. But as soon as I picked up Dewey, I was hooked, as much so as if I were reading one of my favorite fantasy books instead of a real life one. I don't want to give too much away, because I feel that to properly enjoy the story behind Dewey, you have to read and experience it yourself. But I will say that this story was an amazing, inspiring, and yes, tearful, one, told by his owner, Vicki Myron, who is, in my opinion, a wonderful writter and person. She didn't just write about Dewey, she wrote about everything that affected him or that he affected, both locally and nationally, personally and for the general population. It was told from the heart, straight forward and intense, but always true.
Dewey's life started out hard, but that fateful day, when Vicki found him and took him in, everything changed, both for Dewey and for everyone who would come to know him over his almost two-decade span of life. His story really touched me, and I would recommend it to anyone and everyone whom I thought would be able to read it and truly appreciate it. That is to say, someone who is not an animal lover, particularly a cat lover, may think it's a nice story and put it out of their mind, while someone who has grown up with cats all their lives, maybe even experienced a few that could be almost kin to Dewey as far as personality and the way that they touched the person's life, would probably cherish this story.
I've had cats my whole life, and though all of them have touched me in some way, there have been a few that stand out a bit more. Unfortunately, it always seems like those ones are the ones who pass on quicker, or so it seems to us, the owners. Though many of the extrememly special ones in my life have passed on, I still remember them, every special memory, every touch and connection that we had, and yes, sometimes, even years later, I still grieve for them, even though I know that they are still here in a way, and they are no longer in pain. Because of this, I felt an instant connection to Dewey and his story, though I had never met him, or heard of him before this book, and after finishing the story, my only wish was that I could have been able to meet him.
There was one line, the very last paragraph in the book, that really got me, and I think that it sums up everything I feel after reading this wonderful book:
"He's still holding me now. So thank you, Dewey. Thank you. Wherever you are."
Thank you, both Dewey and Vicki, for allow me, and other readers, to enjoy this unique, loving, and very touching story of love, survival, and more than a few laughs.
4.5/5 STARS! An amazing book about a very special cat and a city that pulled together to care for him, only to realize after wards that he was the one that cared for them. A must read for anyone who wants to be inspired and amazed, to laugh and to cry. Watch out, though: The ending is a 10-hanky that will probably have you blinking back tears for a while afterwards *Even right now, I'm not ashamed to say that I am still a little bit red-eyed and sniffly*, even causing you to stop at a few parts to collect yourself before continuing. It's a very powerful story, and one that I hope to be able to pass on to others.
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LibraryThing member sooziebeaker
Even if you're not an animal lover or librarian you still need to read this book. Myron's own story is just as moving Dewey's and she masterfully weaves the two into a poignant tribute to a friend who touched many.
LibraryThing member patricia_poland
You would have to love cats and libraries to read this one. (well, maybe at least love cats) Wonderful story ( a little repetitious at times but can overlook that) with inevitable sad ending and yet not. Think of the lives that Dewey touched during his nineteen years! He certainly loved his library
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and most everyone who entered it. I want a library cat like Dewey at our library! Show Less
LibraryThing member thebooky
An animal lover's book for sure. Even if you are not an animal lover, this book is touching. Dewey, brings people together for a sense of community and touches the lives of many people. A very warm and endaring book.
LibraryThing member FairfieldLibrarians
Vicki shares her life, story and cat with us as she runs the public library in Spencer, Iowa. This single mother lets you into her highs and lows through the travails of a cat called Dewey ReadMore Books. Share the joys of Dewey's friendships and the hardships of small-town farming life in a modern
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age. Read how one small bundle of fur becomes a miracle. Dewey will melt your heart and touch your soul. Have tissues and good friends close by to share this beautiful story. Show Less
LibraryThing member TheDivineOomba
This is a book about a librarian, a library cat, and a small town, in that order. And it would have worked, except I couldn't really get into the librarian and her long string of health and family problems, the cat was cute, and special, but he was Just a cat. As for the small town, we see hints of
If you like cats and libraries, you would probably enjoy this story but borrow it from a friend or library instead of purchasing it.
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it here and there, but it was never a larger part of the story. This might have worked if the writing was stronger, but I found it to be dry and stilted. I suspect the authors were going for a very matter of fact type book, but it didn't work. I would have liked to see more focus on the library and its day to day routine and how Dewey fit into it. The picture of Spencer Iowa, and how it changed from the time Dewey arrived to his death is very interesting, and again, I would have liked to see more of this story rather than the librarian. As for the cat, I think he had just the right amount of face time in this book, more and it would have been too sweet, less, and it wouldn't have been about him.If you like cats and libraries, you would probably enjoy this story but borrow it from a friend or library instead of purchasing it.
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LibraryThing member Jwizzle
Dewey Readmore Books is more than just a cat. His story begins on a blustery January morning when the ball of fluff is found in the Book Return box in the Spencer Public Library in Spencer, Iowa in the early 1980s. He immediately captures the hearts of the staff who find him, but it takes a little
Spencer is a town that heavily relies on it’s agricultural advantages. The townspeople are mainly composed of farmers and their multi-generation lands. Big business took longer to seep into middle America, but it finally arrived in the 70’s-80’s in the small town of Spencer. When it did, the town’s farmers took a hit; the economy suffered greatly, and many moved away from the failing town. However, some people stuck it out, one of which being Vicki Myron, the author of Dewey. Once Myron took Dewey in and acquainted him with the town, he was widely received. Not by all, but certainly by a noticeable margin. Initially, Dewey’s popularity brought the library a hoard of patrons. This was a boost for such a prominent building in such a small town. Once the economy collapsed, many people spent a great deal of time in the library searching for new jobs, buffing up old resumes, and just trying to learn all they could. Dewey’s presence, his innate ability to warm a heart, allowed these stressed out folks to relax and take a moment to remember the simple things. Dewey was notorious for curling up in laps; brief cases; boxes; anything that was available. A true hero is one that doesn’t push his powers on people, but knows the right time and place for him to do his job. Like I said, not every person to come across Dewey fell in love, but he knew when a soul was hurting, and he knew how to fix it. It may seem hard to believe that a cat could possibly read a person’s emotions, much less mend them, but that’s what he did. Dewey was no ordinary cat, that’s proven by the countless articles he’s appeared in, and even his featured role in several movies, including one in Japanese. A hero knows his place and time, but is also one of a kind; there is no denying that Dewey is just that.
This is a great book, and not just because I have a soft spot for cats. Dewey is internationally known, how cool is that? This book is not entirely about a cat; it’s about the struggle of a mother’s relationship with her daughter, a woman’s fight to survive her own life, the advantages of living in a small town in middle America and much, much more. This book is far more than the cover suggests, but even so, how could you resist the cover?
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more convincing to get the city to allow Dewey to become a “library cat”, something that was once prevalent in many libraries in America. Eventually his personality and good looks rub off on the town and is allowed to stay. Dewey symbolizes a change for many people in this rural Midwestern state of Iowa, and transcends any preconceived ideas of the typical cat. Spencer is a town that heavily relies on it’s agricultural advantages. The townspeople are mainly composed of farmers and their multi-generation lands. Big business took longer to seep into middle America, but it finally arrived in the 70’s-80’s in the small town of Spencer. When it did, the town’s farmers took a hit; the economy suffered greatly, and many moved away from the failing town. However, some people stuck it out, one of which being Vicki Myron, the author of Dewey. Once Myron took Dewey in and acquainted him with the town, he was widely received. Not by all, but certainly by a noticeable margin. Initially, Dewey’s popularity brought the library a hoard of patrons. This was a boost for such a prominent building in such a small town. Once the economy collapsed, many people spent a great deal of time in the library searching for new jobs, buffing up old resumes, and just trying to learn all they could. Dewey’s presence, his innate ability to warm a heart, allowed these stressed out folks to relax and take a moment to remember the simple things. Dewey was notorious for curling up in laps; brief cases; boxes; anything that was available. A true hero is one that doesn’t push his powers on people, but knows the right time and place for him to do his job. Like I said, not every person to come across Dewey fell in love, but he knew when a soul was hurting, and he knew how to fix it. It may seem hard to believe that a cat could possibly read a person’s emotions, much less mend them, but that’s what he did. Dewey was no ordinary cat, that’s proven by the countless articles he’s appeared in, and even his featured role in several movies, including one in Japanese. A hero knows his place and time, but is also one of a kind; there is no denying that Dewey is just that.
This is a great book, and not just because I have a soft spot for cats. Dewey is internationally known, how cool is that? This book is not entirely about a cat; it’s about the struggle of a mother’s relationship with her daughter, a woman’s fight to survive her own life, the advantages of living in a small town in middle America and much, much more. This book is far more than the cover suggests, but even so, how could you resist the cover?
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LibraryThing member SeriousGrace
Dewey Readmore Books was a kitten discovered in the bottom of a library bookdrop in Spencer, Iowa. Despite being nearly frozen to death he demonstrated such charm and love the library director couldn't help but fall in love with him. From that day forward he belonged to the Spencer public library.
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He grew up in the library charming every library employee, every patron everyday. Before long Dewey was receiving attention from people all over the country. Before he (and the librarians) knew it, he was an international success. There is no doubt Vivki Myron loved Dewey. Weaving her own personal story with that of Dewey's, she pasionately describes how much Dewey came to mean to her. Show Less
LibraryThing member womansheart
Mini review of Dewey.
I would recommend this to any cat lover, library lover and anyone who could do with a reminder about how important family and friends are in our lives. An amazing story of a town in Iowa, a good community of people in Spencer, a library, director/librarian and her staff and
I would recommend this to any cat lover, library lover and anyone who could do with a reminder about how important family and friends are in our lives. An amazing story of a town in Iowa, a good community of people in Spencer, a library, director/librarian and her staff and
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patrons, and one incredible cat. Show Less
LibraryThing member theeclecticreview
Vicki Myron has written a very heartwarming story about a wonderful cat who changed people's lives.
Hailing from central Iowa myself, I understand what Ms. Myron means about the beautiful Iowa scenery and the wonderful, small-town Iowa communities.
Also, being an owner of 12 cats, I fell in love with
A must read for cat lovers and people who love small-town living.
Hailing from central Iowa myself, I understand what Ms. Myron means about the beautiful Iowa scenery and the wonderful, small-town Iowa communities.
Also, being an owner of 12 cats, I fell in love with
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Dewey.A must read for cat lovers and people who love small-town living.
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LibraryThing member carolcarter
I have never cried so much over a book. You can't say we aren't forwarned as the back cover mentions a five hanky ending. I would say a half box of kleenex myself.
I have had Dewey on my shelf for awhile until I felt ready to deal with a five hanky book. Last night was it. Read in one sitting, it
Dewey was not an ordinary cat. He became accepted by the majority of the library patrons fairly quickly, especially the children. Dewey had an uncanny ability to know who needed his company at any given time and he would be right there for them. The individual stories are most touching and I was crying all through the book.
Dewey Readmore Books also became the King of the library. He would station himself at the door every day at two minutes before opening and just be there for anyone who wished to notice him. He had his hiding places and his special fake fur lined bed. He had his favorite toys which unbelievably lasted most of his life. They must have been well constructed. He loved to play games - hide and seek, attack the typewriter keys, and find rubber bands, which he loved to eat, in places you would never think possible. Every meeting which took place at the library was attended by Dewey who would go around the table and greet each person and then choose one lucky one whose lap he would sit in. If there was a film he would watch intently but always leave before the meeting was over so as not to seem too interested in human business.
Dewey is thoroughly loveable and wonderful and this is his book but it is also the story of Spencer, Iowa - its history and travails from a fire in the thirties which burned half the town down to the contemporary problems of a town in America's heartland. I feel for it as it cannot be doing well in the current state of our economy. And it is the tale of the people of Spencer - their hardworking tenacity in the face of adversity. The kind of people we call the salt of the earth. And finally it is Vicki Myron's story. She was the director of the library during the Dewey period and he was unquestionably her cat despite residing at the library. It is Vicki's story that turned the faucets on and her courage in writing this book is touching.
She ends the book by saying she had written it for Dewey. He well deserves the honor and he chose the best person to write it for him. I defy you to read it and not cry. Nevertheless it is a must read, especially if you are a cat love
I have had Dewey on my shelf for awhile until I felt ready to deal with a five hanky book. Last night was it. Read in one sitting, it
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was a wonderful story. I don't know if you have to be an animal lover or not but Dewey is way more appealing than Lassie. Apparently his story was known around the world but he came to my attention only with the appearance of the book. For those who don't know about him, he was stuffed into the book return of the library in Spencer, Iowa on a freezing January night in 1988. Rescued the next day by the librarians he had frostbitten paws, was filthy, starving, skeletal and only about eight weeks old. He settled down in the library for the next nineteen years with one aborted escape attempt early on.Dewey was not an ordinary cat. He became accepted by the majority of the library patrons fairly quickly, especially the children. Dewey had an uncanny ability to know who needed his company at any given time and he would be right there for them. The individual stories are most touching and I was crying all through the book.
Dewey Readmore Books also became the King of the library. He would station himself at the door every day at two minutes before opening and just be there for anyone who wished to notice him. He had his hiding places and his special fake fur lined bed. He had his favorite toys which unbelievably lasted most of his life. They must have been well constructed. He loved to play games - hide and seek, attack the typewriter keys, and find rubber bands, which he loved to eat, in places you would never think possible. Every meeting which took place at the library was attended by Dewey who would go around the table and greet each person and then choose one lucky one whose lap he would sit in. If there was a film he would watch intently but always leave before the meeting was over so as not to seem too interested in human business.
Dewey is thoroughly loveable and wonderful and this is his book but it is also the story of Spencer, Iowa - its history and travails from a fire in the thirties which burned half the town down to the contemporary problems of a town in America's heartland. I feel for it as it cannot be doing well in the current state of our economy. And it is the tale of the people of Spencer - their hardworking tenacity in the face of adversity. The kind of people we call the salt of the earth. And finally it is Vicki Myron's story. She was the director of the library during the Dewey period and he was unquestionably her cat despite residing at the library. It is Vicki's story that turned the faucets on and her courage in writing this book is touching.
She ends the book by saying she had written it for Dewey. He well deserves the honor and he chose the best person to write it for him. I defy you to read it and not cry. Nevertheless it is a must read, especially if you are a cat love
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LibraryThing member JimV
This is a very heartwarming and heartbreaking book. The author tells the story perfectly and one can feel her excitement and pain. However, I do have 5 cats in my house so I am just a bit prejudiced when it comes to cats and books about them.
LibraryThing member Wrighty
In 1988, on the coldest night of the year in Spencer, Iowa a tiny kitten was dropped into the return book slot at the public library. When Vicki Myron, the library director, found him the next morning in the ice cold metal box he was too weak to meow. Vicki and a colleague immediately nursed the
It was his friendly disposition that enabled him to live at the library. He charmed his way into the patrons hearts and especially into Vicki's. She had endured much hardship, the loss of her family farm as a child, an alcoholic ex-husband who left her in debt and multiple health problems. Dewey brought her unconditional love. He also helped her bridge the gap between her and her teenage daughter. His gift was knowing when someone needed him and what they needed from him. He knew how to entertain with his humor and how to comfort with his warmth and compassion and he helped the people of Spencer for 19 years.
Before I read this book I wasn't familiar with Dewey but from the very first pages I was captivated. I could picture everything he did throughout the story. From his first night in the drop box as that cold and dirty, little misfit to the handsome ginger tabby who pranced throughout the library making it his own. But this wasn't just a cat story. This was also about the town of Spencer. Myron shares it's history and how the people persevered through hard times. In this farming community of 10,000, a poor economy in the 80's had devastated the area. Many lost their jobs, their homes and farms. Dewey had come back from the brink of death himself and he offered the people there a happy distraction, companionship and hope. This little library cat had also become world famous through newspaper articles and television interviews. Through his fame he brought a little bit of attention to Spencer. Vicki Myron also reveals the hardships she quietly endured and just how important this little cat had been to her life. In saving him, he had helped to save her. This is an emotional adventure that I thoroughly enjoyed and I promise it's not just for the cat lover. I would recommend this for everyone.
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little animal back to health, warming, bathing and feeding him. Despite his frostbit feet he hobbled along to everyone he encountered happy and content. His horrible start in life was forgotten. He was already a very happy little cat.It was his friendly disposition that enabled him to live at the library. He charmed his way into the patrons hearts and especially into Vicki's. She had endured much hardship, the loss of her family farm as a child, an alcoholic ex-husband who left her in debt and multiple health problems. Dewey brought her unconditional love. He also helped her bridge the gap between her and her teenage daughter. His gift was knowing when someone needed him and what they needed from him. He knew how to entertain with his humor and how to comfort with his warmth and compassion and he helped the people of Spencer for 19 years.
Before I read this book I wasn't familiar with Dewey but from the very first pages I was captivated. I could picture everything he did throughout the story. From his first night in the drop box as that cold and dirty, little misfit to the handsome ginger tabby who pranced throughout the library making it his own. But this wasn't just a cat story. This was also about the town of Spencer. Myron shares it's history and how the people persevered through hard times. In this farming community of 10,000, a poor economy in the 80's had devastated the area. Many lost their jobs, their homes and farms. Dewey had come back from the brink of death himself and he offered the people there a happy distraction, companionship and hope. This little library cat had also become world famous through newspaper articles and television interviews. Through his fame he brought a little bit of attention to Spencer. Vicki Myron also reveals the hardships she quietly endured and just how important this little cat had been to her life. In saving him, he had helped to save her. This is an emotional adventure that I thoroughly enjoyed and I promise it's not just for the cat lover. I would recommend this for everyone.
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LibraryThing member cvosshans
Dewey is a great book that shares not only the life of Dewey the library cat but also the lives and spirit of the people of Spencer, Iowa. Although this book mostly focuses on Dewey (which is what reader's want) it demonstrates how one small animal can touch so many and bring a town together. Easy
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to read with real pictures throughout, this book is readers of all ages, cat lovers and historians in particular. Though the ending is somewhat sad - we know that Dewey's life must come to an end, it is done in a very respectful and bearable manner. Some people may find the statistics of the town and discussion surrounding Spencer, Iowa take away from the story but I think it adds to it and provides a better understanding as to why the town accepted Dewey in the first place. Show Less
LibraryThing member skinglist
Really loved this book. I'm not as much of a cat person as some, but it was a fun read. Interesting to see the impact a cat can have on a town, and it on him. Really worked together.
"Is this heaven? No, it's Iowa"
"Is this heaven? No, it's Iowa"
LibraryThing member Justjenniferreading
I think this was a very good book. It not only is a story about a cat, but a story about a small town. I think that the stories about Dewey interacting with people and how he seemed to always know what people needed from him were great. I am an animal lover and I think that cats are more perceptive
I think the story was what held the book together for me. Everything was written well but it seemed like it jumped around a lot. She would repeat things that she had already mentioned before, as if you were just tuning into a documentary and it was giving you a recap.
I think that the author did a fairly good job at telling Dewey's story as well as giving us insight into her life. That is was makes the story of Dewey so exceptional, we see what the author was going through and then we get to see how Dewey adapted to the changes in the author's life.
Good book!
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to people's emotions than most dogs are, however I think Dewey had an even more keen sense into people.I think the story was what held the book together for me. Everything was written well but it seemed like it jumped around a lot. She would repeat things that she had already mentioned before, as if you were just tuning into a documentary and it was giving you a recap.
I think that the author did a fairly good job at telling Dewey's story as well as giving us insight into her life. That is was makes the story of Dewey so exceptional, we see what the author was going through and then we get to see how Dewey adapted to the changes in the author's life.
Good book!
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LibraryThing member JaneAustenNut
This is absolutely one of the best books I have ever read!!! It touched my heart and kept me completey interested until the very last sentence. Thank you Vicki Myron for your story of Dewey, the library cat.
LibraryThing member julyso
Library Director Vicki Myron arrives at work at the Spencer library early one cold morning to find a stray kitten in the book drop. He was thin, weak, and shaking. Thus begins the story of Dewey, the cat who captured the hearts of all who met him. This is not just the story of Dewey; it is also the
Of course, I loved this book...I am an animal lover and a librarian-what's not to love?!?! My favorite parts of the book were those about Dewey, his antics, and his fans. Dewey loved being the social director of the library, waiting everyday for the library to open so he could greet his patrons. This book will remind you why you love libraries, cats, and librarians!!!
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story of his library mom, Vicki, and all that she endures. It is also the story of a small farming community in Iowa surviving without surrendering it's small-town values. Of course, I loved this book...I am an animal lover and a librarian-what's not to love?!?! My favorite parts of the book were those about Dewey, his antics, and his fans. Dewey loved being the social director of the library, waiting everyday for the library to open so he could greet his patrons. This book will remind you why you love libraries, cats, and librarians!!!
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LibraryThing member emhromp2
I love cats. And I love books. Ergo: this book should be perfect for me. But it wasn't, not really. Vicki Myron worships Dewey, but apparently Dewey didn't do enough things in his life to fill a whole book, so she adds some of her own life to the book. Which would have been fine, except Vicki is
However, the parts about Dewey were great and I can imagine that he was loved by a lot of people.
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not just in love with Dewey, she is also very fond of herself.However, the parts about Dewey were great and I can imagine that he was loved by a lot of people.
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LibraryThing member frisbeesage
This is a sweet, heartwarming, little book about a cat who hit the jackpot the night he was dumped in the town library's return box. He quickly becomes the library's beloved mascot and turns out to have a personality to match his new post.
The book is written by Vicki Myron, the head librarian at
This book made me laugh a little, cry a little, and left me feeling like the world is a little bit better then I thought. I couldn't ask for anything more!
The book is written by Vicki Myron, the head librarian at
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the Spencer library. Though she fleshes out the story with some history of the town and some of her own history, this book is really all about Dewey Readmore Books. Yes, it's sappy and yes, Vicki does plenty of anthropomorphizing , attributing thoughts and motivations to Dewey that I doubt any cat, no matter how noble, has. But in the end how could you help but love Dewey and be engaged and warmed be his story? One look at his picture on the cover of the book and you'll be charmed.This book made me laugh a little, cry a little, and left me feeling like the world is a little bit better then I thought. I couldn't ask for anything more!
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LibraryThing member yankeesfan1
I don't know how any animal lover could possibly resist this cover. Dewey is a quick, easy, fun read that seems almost like the cat version of Marley & Me. But the book is not all humor. Myron does a good job of intertwining Dewey's story with her personal story as well as the situation in Iowa at
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the time. This book is one that animal lovers, library lovers, and small town lovers will thoroughly enjoy. Show Less
LibraryThing member MusicMom41
On our date Saturday night when we went to B&N Hubby spotted a table right away and asked me to stake it out while he hunted for a couple of books to read while I browsed. Unfortunately I had brought nothing in with me to read while waiting so I looked around, spotted an “abandoned book” and
I’ll be honest up front. I do not dislike cats—we have a good relationship: if they leave me alone I’ll leave them alone. Sometimes cat lovers (and some of them are very good friends) annoy me because they tend to dominate conversations with cute cat stories that bore me to tears. I guess I hide that well because they continue to do it to me. However, I do like libraries—passionately. (I’m sure I sometimes bore my friends to tears talking about books and libraries—and books about libraries!) I did want to find out what happened to the little cat that was stuffed into a library drop box and nearly froze. At first I was afraid it would be “too much cute cat stories” but was pleasantly surprised that there was plenty about the library and even more about the small rural town of Spencer, Iowa. This was fascinating to me and gave me some insight about the small rural town in Central California where I now live. This book gave me a very enjoyable Sunday evening read and I think I might have even learned to like Dewey.
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picked it up. It was Dewey, a book about a cat that I knew I didn’t want to read-- I hadn’t even tried for a fee copy on the LT ER program-- but it was all that was available. I read the blurbs on the back and the cover ends and still Jim didn’t return so I read the acknowledgments (I’m the kind who will cereal boxes if that is all that’s available!). Finally I was forced to start the book. When Hubby came back I was hooked. I justified buying it because I have a good friend who is nutty about cats and I knew she would like it.I’ll be honest up front. I do not dislike cats—we have a good relationship: if they leave me alone I’ll leave them alone. Sometimes cat lovers (and some of them are very good friends) annoy me because they tend to dominate conversations with cute cat stories that bore me to tears. I guess I hide that well because they continue to do it to me. However, I do like libraries—passionately. (I’m sure I sometimes bore my friends to tears talking about books and libraries—and books about libraries!) I did want to find out what happened to the little cat that was stuffed into a library drop box and nearly froze. At first I was afraid it would be “too much cute cat stories” but was pleasantly surprised that there was plenty about the library and even more about the small rural town of Spencer, Iowa. This was fascinating to me and gave me some insight about the small rural town in Central California where I now live. This book gave me a very enjoyable Sunday evening read and I think I might have even learned to like Dewey.
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LibraryThing member Voracious_Reader
Dewey: The Small Town Library Cat Who Touched the World--If only it had just been about the library and the cat. The portions of the book that were not directly about Dewey were opressive in tone, and, at times, clumsily executed or extraneous bits. It's a testament to Dewey and Myron's love of
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Dewey that I liked the book as much as I did. Somtimes we so want our pets to matter to other people, that we try to make others understand how important they are to us by demanding that they feel the same way about them; it can be uncomfortable when someone becomes really insistent that we have to feel the same way about the things they love as they do. Myron tried to make Dewey matter to us in exactly the same way he mattered to her, giving us all sorts of information about herself and her family. Dewey mattered because he was Dewey. The story didn't need anything more than him. Show Less
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