Steve chats with Camille Perri, author of the new book, Social Animals, about reluctant dog parents, why librarians should star in a reality show, the loneliness epidemic, and how she balances humor, relationship-building, and mystery to craft her new novel. Plus, over at the Circ Desk, NoveList librarians Sydney and Caleigh provide some great readalikes for Social Animals!

Read the transcript!

Three women. One dog park. Things are about to get messy.

Val Caruso, Alex Reed, and June Kennerson come from completely different worlds—Val is a tough-talking private investigator; Alex is reticent, nervous and on the run from her past; and June is an athlete turned housewife whose true love is her pup.

When Val is hired by June’s husband to find out if June is cheating on him, it sets these three women on a collision course. Amid a colorful cast of characters who spend time at the shabby but beloved Hamilton Dog Park, they find they have more in common than they thought. Soon June is brave enough to aim for what she wants, Alex finds excitement she never expected, and Val is reluctantly opening her heart to the most high-maintenance dog she’s ever met. But when their secrets catch up with them, will their newfound friendships be able to withstand the pressure? Or will they find themselves in the doghouse?

Social Animals is a funny and sharp social commentary on community, privilege, dog ownership, and the ultimate power of finding your people (and your pets).

SHOW NOTES:

Social Animals by Camille Perri

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THE CIRC DESK RECOMMENDS:

Agnes Aubert’s Mystical Cat Shelter by Heather Fawcett
The Dogsitter Detective by Antony Johnson
This Won’t End Well by Camille Pagán
Someone’s Gotta Give by Alicia Fernandez Miranda