"How much of an impact can an animal have? How many lives can one cat touch? How is it possible for an abandoned kitten to transform a small library, save a classic American town, and eventually become famous around the world? You can't even begin to answer those questions until you hear the charming story of Dewey Readmore Books, the beloved library cat of Spencer, Iowa.

Dewey's story starts in the worst possible way. Only a few weeks old, on the coldest night of the year, he was stuffed into the returned book slot at the Spencer 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.

As his fame grew from town to town, then state to state, and finally, amazingly, worldwide, Dewey became more than just a friend; he became a source of pride for an extraordinary Heartland farming town pulling its way slowly back from the greatest crisis in its long history."

Acquired through PaperBackSwap.com (Abridged on 4 CD's; read by Suzanne Toren)

A book about cats & libraries -- how could one resist that combination? I love cats. I could very much relate to lots of the stories and anecdotes in this book, as many of the traits were common to cats worldwide, I think, as well as my own. And then I think there were some instances where Dewey was perhaps exceptional, as far as cats go. Reading a book like this reinforces why cats are such great companions. Reading this makes me wish our local library had a resident cat. And reading this makes me want a cat just like Dewey.

I think a non-cat lover would have to take some of the interpretations of cat behavior in this book with a grain of salt in order to enjoy it. Even as a cat lover, I felt a lot of the descriptions a little sappy & overdone. Though I really enjoyed this story & truly believe that Dewey DID touch his community & even worldwide to some extent, I can't say the writing was stellar. There were too many cliches & it often felt like the writer(s) were trying too hard to be persuasive. I think this could've been a great book (as opposed to an "okay" or "good" book), had it been better written.

Oops...forgot to journal this a few days ago when I placed it into Carlissa's audio bookbox. So that's where it is now!

This book enjoyed a brief visit in San Jose, California before continuing its travels with the CD Only Bookbox!

I've heard about this book and am glad to find a copy in this box!! Thanks for sharing!

Dewey is an adorable cat indeed and this is an enjoyable listen. However, in some way I am glad this is an abridgment... I don't see myself wanting to know a lot more beyond what is told here. Perhaps there are more anecdotes, more rumination of her personal life, but honestly I am pretty contented with the abridgment and don't feel the urge to get the book for the full version.

Arrived home in my CD only audio bookbox. I am trying to decide what to do next, so I am reserving this until I decide.

Enjoy! Adding back to round 6 of my CD only bookbox. Trust it finds a new listener.

http://www.bookcrossing.com/journal/5329831

This book enjoyed a brief stay in San Jose, California, before continuing its travels in booklady331's Audio Bookbox!

I absolutely loved this book! It was so touching, and told the story not only of a cat but in many ways of a community. And of course the Iowa connection was a nice bonus too. I actually had an opportunity to meet the author when she was doing her book-signing tour when it came out, but had something come up.
Would highly recommend this to anybody......

Am putting this into my "another CD-Only AudioBookBox" for round two! Hope this finds a good home!

This book enjoyed a brief visit in San Jose, CA before continuing its journey in BigJohnLefty's "CD Only Bookbox!"

I keep hearing about this - so I'll give it a try.

Taken from BigJohnLefty's Another Audiobookbox with thanks!

Update December 2013: after I passed this on, I ended up borrowing the (unabridged) digital audio from the library for NancyNova's 2013-2014 US states & territories reading challenge. An enjoyable listen even though I'm not a huge cat person (allergies don't help). Nice portrait of life in small-town Iowa.

Headed out in BigJohnLefty's CD box.

This book enjoyed a brief stop in San Jose, CA before continuing its journey in the Audio Bookbox!

Chosen from BigJohnLefty's CD-only bookbox

I liked this pretty well, but maybe in part becausse (a) I love libraries; (b) I'm a well-trained cat servant; and (c) I grew up in Iowa. Even so, I agree with azuki that this abridged version was sufficient. The magic words "Abridgment Approved by the Author" are on the back credits, so at least we didn't have the jarring continuity breaks of the usual abridgment.

For my personal taste, the performer, Suzanne Toren, was quite annoying. There used to be a commercial on television for some kind of candy bar, in which the female voice described the ingredients, including "creamy care-uh-mell" in the most syrupy voice imaginable. If that wasn't Ms. Boren, she was listening to it and taking notes on how to imitate it. I knew within five minutes I was going to have a problem with her overly gushy, sentimental style. There were glitches on one of the disks, and some generous previous listener had supplied a backup, but I was having enough problems listening a first time not to consider going back for a replay.

Still, it was an interesting story, and I enjoyed hearing it. One of the most amazing parts was the visit from a Japanese television crew, and how much expense and time they invested in producing an extremely short story about Dewey. Ms. Myron and Dewey both gave each other a lot of comfort over the years they spent together, a very successful partnership. And the picture of Dewey on the front is just heart-melting!

Media Mail to Aberpeter, for booklady331's CD Only Audio VBB

the book is here. thanks

I'm not a cat lover and some parts of the story were quite sappy. But overall the story of Dewey is very touching and an enjoyable book to listen to.

giving to dabercro

Thanks Aberpeter!

I enjoyed listening to this book on my work commute. The book was not only about Dewey but about small-town life and also Vicky's life.

Adding to the booklady331 audio bookbox.

Chosen from the VBB. Sent to rebekkila in MI.

This came as part of the audio bookbox.