As an Iowan, I may have a slightly prejudiced view of this book. I've been to Spencer, enjoyed the Clay County Fair and have friends that grew up there. But, I also am a person that loves books, loves my library, has dealt with personal struggles and has had an animal play an important part in my life. Vicki Myron - the small-town librarian that found Dewey - shares not only Dewey's role in bringing attention and respect to her library and town - but the impact he had on her life and its many challenges.

While the anthropomorphism may drive some crazy - one has to wonder just how sensitive and insightful was that cat? Whether Dewey was the cause or just the catalyst (no pun intended),the changes he brought to his library and its librarian are undeniable.

A fast and enjoyable read that feels like a conversation with your aunt from the Midwest.

Share/Like this Review?

I live just a few hours from where the cat resided and I have never heard/or read the story of Dewey, until now. How did I miss this? I don't read Cat magazines, I guess? I was apparently oblivious to the 200 newspapers he was published in also. I can't be the only one?
I came to read his story now because I thought when browsing books the cover was so cute (a pic of Dewey himself too!). I'm very glad I used a tactic as trivial as "the cover is cute" to discover a remarkable story. Amazing the lives Dewey touched. He gave his uncondtional love in whatever way those who visited or knew him needed it. If the story doesn't bring a tear or two to your eye it will at least warm your heart.

Share/Like this Review?

Dewey is the story the small-town library cat who touched the world. The story begins on the morning after the coldest night of the year. Library director, Vicki Myron, checked the book drop box only to find that someone had dropped an 8 week old kitten into the slot. With temperatures reaching minus fifteen degrees plus the added factor of spending the night in a metal box with the lid propped open, the kitten was a scared, frozen mess. After a hot bath and some TLC that kitten became Dewey Readmore Books, the beloved library cat of Spencer, Iowa.

For nineteen years Dewey greeted library patrons at the door, made people laugh, brought shy children out of their shell and wormed his way into the hearts of many people. With a sixth sense he could always tell who needed an extra bit of loving and he never failed to make people feel better after visiting with them. Visitors would come from near and far to visit the famous Dewey. He even stars in two documentaries; one featuring library cats and even one in Japanese. Along with Deweys adventures and antics Myron shares in heartfelt detail her family struggles and tells of life in a small town.

Im a cat lover but I dont think Im being biased when I say that Dewey was a truly incredible cat. From life with such a cruel beginning its amazing to read what a trusting a sensitive cat Dewey became. Vicki Myron and Dewey will do for cat lovers what Marley and John Grogan did for dog lovers. I had to keep the tissues handy while reading this one and I recommend it to all animal lovers.

Share/Like this Review?

As a cat lover and a book lover who worked in a library all through high school, I really thought I was going to LOVE this book. It seemed to have all the right ingredients. However, while the ingredients were there, they just weren't mixed together well enough, and I only moderately liked the book.

Dewey's story was cute, and he certainly was an extraordinary cat. But the constant romanticizing of his story, and the anthropomorphizing of Dewey started to become annoying. The writing wasn't that great, with LOTS of repetition.

The story was more than about just Dewey. Much of the book was about the lifestyle of rural Iowa, and the author's own life challenges. I wasn't expecting that, and to be honest I was a little bored with the descriptions of corn and fields - I'm not a country girl by any means though, so that's not really my cup of tea anyway.

That being said, the ending made me cry. Really. Not just a few tears, but actual crying. So while the writing was simple, the story couldn't help but touch me, and that made it worth reading.

Share/Like this Review?

I loved most of this book...there were a few chapters I could have done without that just dragged on. There is a lot of history about Iowa in this book, which is fine, I just didn't anticipate it to have as much history as it did.

Share/Like this Review?

This is an extraordinary story about small midwestern town library that adopted a remarkable cat. I don't usually go for "cute animal" books, but this not anything like I imagined...
It was amazing and surprisingly delightful. It provides insight into what one small creature can do for an entire community.

Share/Like this Review?

Dewey was a loving and affectionate cat who found a home in a library after being stuffed in the book drop box on a frigid day. This read is a light one that rolls along in a quiet way. Dewey is everyone's perfect pet. He loves people at least those who visit the library and admire him. His popularity in this little community increased the patronage of the library.

I can't say I would recommend this read but it's ok. It's simple but not really as much fun as other books I have read about pets. Nevertheless, Dewey put this small Iowa town on the map and many people were so intrigued by his story that they came to see the cat who adopted a town, a library, and its patrons. Interesting. And, yes, I am a cat lover!

Share/Like this Review?

Light read. Enjoyed it!

Share/Like this Review?

I never thought a story about a cat living in a library could be so much fun to read. But it was ..... 2 thumbs up !!

Share/Like this Review?

Sweet, touching tear-jerker about a cat... What's not to love.

Share/Like this Review?

This is a book that my book club chose to read for the month of September. There was not a single negative comment from anyone in the club. We all loved the book and had such an enjoyable time relating our own cat stories.

Share/Like this Review?

This was a great, heartwarming story of how an abandoned kitten touched the lives of everyone around him. I wholeheartedly recommend for any cat lover.

Share/Like this Review?

This is a cute and touching story about Dewey, a library cat in a small town in Iowa. Dewey was found stuffed in the book return box of the Spencer Public Library as a kitten, and he would then spend the next 19 years living in the library, forming relationships with the people of the community, including Vicki Myron, the library's director. This is also Vicki's story as much of the book spends time analyzing her own life and how Dewey helped influence her life. After all, he lived in the library nearly the entire time she worked there, so their stories can't help but be intertwined. Finally, it's also the story of Spencer, Iowa and the changes it goes through during the nearly 20 years presented in this book. All-in-all, this is a touching tale of love and friendship, interspersed with cute anecdotes about Dewey's adventures (some of the stories reminding me of my own cat so I felt I could connect with those particular tales).

Share/Like this Review?