Dewey the Library Cat: A True Story

This book is one of the most outstanding, and touching books I've ever read. In fact, I've just started reading it for the second time, something that I've never done with any other book. This story made me fall in love with a cat I'd never even met.I do think that some of the previous reviewers missed a point and erred in their reviews when they complained that Vicki tells too much of her own story or that of her town and people of Spencer, Iowa. As you read this book, I think you'll realize that Dewey cannot be separated from the people he affected without ruining the story or at least losing some of its impact. I have to admit that when I first was reading through the book, I did ask myself: "why is she telling us this?", or "why is she giving us her biography in a book that's supposed to be about Dewey"? But then I realized exactly why she was smart enough to include all of this seemingly unimportant history.You see, this book is not just about Dewey. It's not just about Vicki Myron. It's not even about the town of Spencer and its people and the awe they felt for Dewey. It's about their connection to each other. It's about how Dewey affected them, each in their own unique way. It's about the effect he had on the countless people who simply passed through Spencer, many of them coming just to meet Dewey. And let us not forgot all those, who, like me, never even met him. And yes, there is something for you, dear reader (if you have a heart beating in your chest, rest assured, Dewey's story will affect you). As you read this book, you may very well find yourself connecting with Dewey. That comes in part from understanding the community of people and the hardships they faced, the life-altering events they experienced and then how they dealt with it all. Even those events from many decades ago, helps us truly appreciate the profound effect Dewey had on the people he reached out to. Understanding Vicki and her life tells us all the more about not only Dewey's affect on her, but also the whys and wherefores of his presence, and his fascinating ability to sense who needed him and when. It's a story about how the community of Spencer, Iowa came together to deal with tragedy and crisis, usually with Dewey as the unifying factor. It teaches us that not only we can do the same, but that we should do the same. And let's not forget the Library. Dewey made his library important and famous. He did that, perhaps for all libraries, and highlighted their true significance and their need in each community, or perhaps, more accurately, our need for them, something we have lost connection with in our modern technological age. He let us know that the real reason they exist is not merely as a warehouse for books, but as a meeting place for the heart of our true selves. It is a place for true community connection. He was the conduit for that connection with Spencer and all who dropped in for a visit.Let's say, for the sake of argument, you eliminate the background story of the man who had just become a widower, or of the one who has just lost his job, with no prospects for the foreseeable future, or the homeless man, who sat by himself day after day. We'd be left with nothing more than a cute little anecdote about Dewey sitting on their lap and giving them some affection. We'd miss out on the reason(s) why each of them was there, and most importantly, what that little cat's love meant to these men. We would be ignorant as to why they smiled for the first time in weeks - even if they weren't aware of the smile escaping there face. Taking it a step further, if you thus eliminate all the background stories and biographies, etc., then we'd miss out entirely on Dewey's true worth and the value he had to his Community, both Spencer's and everyone else with whom he came in contact, whether personally, or through this book. All we'd be left with would be a collection of feline anecdotes. Instead it tells us of how a cat lifted the spirits of community when they needed it most. It seems as though that's all he lived for - to help the people he loved, which was all of us.I think it also teaches us that animals serve and important role to us humans. Animals, like Dewey, give us unconditional love, regardless of who we are, what we've been through or how we react to our circumstances. Beyond that, they can help us to see what really matters. As they comfort and calm us, they allow us to perhaps see things in a better light, from a different perspective, and certainly with a better mood. It also tells as that the grief from losing a beloved pet can go as deep as any other grief we experience, and that there is absolutely nothing wrong with feeling that way. This was a story that needed to be told. I for one, am glad Vicki told us, for I, unfortunately, had never even heard of Dewey Readmore Books and until I saw this book sitting prominently on the shelves of every book story in my community. One look at that face on the cover, and I knew I had to buy this book and read it! Never did I suspect I'd end up reading it twice, well, twice so far. Nor did expect to learn all the things I did from a cat name Dewey Readmore Books.So please, read this book. Read it for enjoyment. Read it to someone you love. Read it to laugh. Read it to cry. Read it to learn something about life and love and community. But most of all, understand what it's really all about, then perhaps you'll not only enjoy the book, you might even learn a life-lesson from it. I think one of them is that all of us should probably visit our local library a lot more often than we do. It's all but certain that you will come to love the late, great Dewey himself.

Good Book to read.

I love this great story of how an unwanted kitten eventually becomes a Library Mascot! If you love "underdog" stories, you will LOVE Dewey who become special. He became world famous! Such a humble kitty. He never let fame go to his head!

Beautiful history.

There's no doubt, Dewey Readmore Books was a very special cat. From his introduction after being retrieved from the book drop on a freezing winter morning to the end of his long cat life, Dewey was the perfect !library cat.That's not a job for just any cat. Dewey knew every aspect of his job and never failed to perform it with pride.If you've ever loved a cat and/or ever had a special cat in your life, you will understand and appreciate this wonderful story.3

I love this story. It is a gift for a cat loving friend. Unfortunately it came bent on two corners but I do not have time to ask for a replacement. Not sure how to rate and book itself is a five but condition a 3 or 4.

I love this book. About a library cat in Spencer Iowa. I read it many years ago and had to buy myself a copy to read again. And another for a gift

"Dewey" is a memoir of a cat who inhabited the Spencer, Iowa public library for 19 years. Intertwined with Dewey's story is the story of Dewey's human, Vicki Myron, and the ups and downs of her life and the life of Spencer as a community.This is not merely a collection of cute cat stories (although there are plenty of those as well), but is more the biography of a cat, and his relationship with the many people in his life. Parts of this story are quite sad, and Myron doesn't flinch from the sorrow, rather she discusses how Dewey helped her cope with issues in her life, and how he did the same for others. Obviously Myron and Dewey had a very special bond, one that even exists even after Dewey passed away. I am a believer in the power of the human-animal connection. Sometimes animals are a greater comfort than other people can be, and they have more noble causes.While Myron doesn't shy away from telling the bad with the good, there are numerous passages explaining Dewey's playful side and the uplifting effect he had on his human companions. I found the last portion of the book difficult but rewarding to read. As Dewey reached old age, he became more enfeebled as is normal, but never lost his spirit. This is hard for people who love animals, as most pet owners have to live with the realization that they will outlive their pets; I've been there, and the book brought all the emotions associated with that back to me. This isn't to say that you should avoid the book, in fact, quite the contrary. Dewey and Vicki Myron had a wonderful 19 year relationship, and Myron and Dewey emotionally depended on each other. While parting is difficult, it is still overcome by the wonders of the relationship itself. (As an aside, I actually felt more sorrow for Myron's parent's cat, Max, who was killed due to neglect at the veterinarian's office in the prime of his life.)This book is wonderful, although sometimes emotionally challenging. Many things went wrong in Myron's life, and she shares them unflinchingly; no matter how bad things got though, her best friend was always there for her. Thank you Vicki for the book and for taking care of a wonderful feline friend, and thank you Dewey for being an emissary for the human-animal bond and reminding ourselves of the value of love and friendship.

I used this book to further enhance my love for kittens and cats.

It could look a bit childish at first glance, but the book is full of humanity and solidarity. Not only for cat lovers or children!

Não gostei porque era uma versão digital, não percebi na hora da compra, não gosto de versões e-book.

J'ai voulu lire l'histoire de Dewey après avoir lu "La bibliothèque des coeurs cabossés" de K.Bivald, où l'action se déroule dans l'Iowa, et où il est évidemment fait mention de ce livre. Je ne suis pas une personne qui adore les chats, je les apprécie mais sans plus. Alors lire un livre dessus, n'était pas forcément une de mes attentes. Néanmoins, ma curiosité a pris le dessus, et me voilà à lire l'histoire de Dewey. Et quelle surprise ! Le récit est autobiographique, culturel, et relate à merveille les 19 années passés entre Dewey, Vicki, la ville de Spencer et même le monde entier ! Eh oui, Dewey a eu un réel impact sur beaucoup de personnes, et cela rend l'histoire encore plus touchante. J'adore les bibliothèques, alors je dois dire que si en plus il y avait un chat tel que Dewey présent, j'y passerais mes journées ! =) Une belle d'histoire qui fait chaud au coeur. Je le recommande à tous ceux et celles qui aime les histoires des petites villes, des bibliothèques, et de personnes fortes et attachantes. Même si vous n'êtes pas fan des chats, ce roman vous fera (peut être) changer d'avis !

Sono stata molto colpita dalla sensibilità di questo gatto. L'amore di Vickie è ben ricambiato; I due, Vickie e Dewey, si compensano.