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.

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.

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.

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 Dewey’s adventures and antics Myron shares in heartfelt detail her family struggles and tells of life in a small town.

I’m a cat lover but I don’t think I’m being biased when I say that Dewey was a truly incredible cat. From life with such a cruel beginning it’s 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.

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.

I think I might be the only person alive who hates this book. Boring, poorly written and filled with weird side-stories of the author's health and life issues. The person who wrote the dust jacket description deserves an award for marketing. The book is no where near as good as it claims to be.

I really tried to love this book, but alas, it was not so. I was very excited about the concept of this true story, so much so I broke my rule about not purchasing hardback books (due to cost)and purchased this one. The writing was poor; the story is sort of about Dewey, but there are many side stories about other towns and health concerns of the author. It is like the author couldn't stay focused. The is a TON of repetition...so much so that when I got to Chapter 12 I just started skimming.

I would give this writing a C-, but the concept of Dewey is an A. It's a cute idea, but if it had been written with more focus on the main subject, Dewey, it would have been a much better book.

This is not a book about "cat". Yes, there is a cat, but Dewey was a special one, "the small-town library cat who touched the world". And there is a strong woman, Vicki Myron who is Dewey's mom. This book was a wonderful story of Dewey the "special" library cat, Ms. Vicki Myron, who worked as a library director and had a lot of stories to tell, and people in Spencer, a small town in Iowa. Every character moved me in different ways; some made me smile, some made me cry, and most of them did me both. Even if you are not a cat lover, there are a lot to enjoy and cry in this book.

I heard there will be a movie based on the book, and Meryl Steep is interested in to involve with this movie. It must be difficult to find the perfect cat to "act" Dewey.

For people who wanted to meet Dewey but couldn't, like me, here are sites you can see Dewey. (If you are planning to read this book, I recommend you to look these sites AFTER YOU READ) ===> http://www.deweyreadmorebooks.com/deweyvideos.php
This one is from CBS news on YouTube ===> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G8nSg8oxrfA

I could not wait for this book and bought a copy. I am a cat lover and this book was very well written. Of course I believed it needed more Dewey but that's just the cat lover speaking. I am left with my own memories of that once in a lifetime cat I have loved and lost...

At first I was disappointed with this book. I expected anecdotes and tales of feline hilarity. Instead it is a love story about a woman dedicated to life, her family, her job, her town, her state, and her cat, Dewey Readmore Books.

It is easy to identify with the characters and the setting. Cat and other pet lovers will feel the emotion and connectedness that comes with having a pet. Book lovers will recognize the library, even if they have never been in Spencer, Iowa. Small town inhabitants will assume that the author has visited their town.

The book ends with a modern day parable that exemplifies what life is all about. This is a feel good read with message of which we all need to be reminded.

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This is a GREAT book - about how a small town can come to gether and what makes it change its ways. I loved it! and wish I had a "Dewey" of my own!

Great book for the most part, some of the chapters didn't seen necessary. But total tear jerker if you are an animal lover. Brought back funny and sad memories.

My daughter read this book and enjoyed it. She said it was an "easy" read and she really liked it.

Excellent book! Just finished and loved it! Also, there are alot of videos on YouTube about Dewey Readmore Books. This was an exceptional cat.

From reading this book I learned about an amazing cat; what small town life is like in Iowa; (think straight roads and tall corn) the inner workings of a library; life, love and loss.

My favorite quote from the book was found near the final page:

"Find your place. Be happy with what you have. Treat everyone well. Live a good life. It isn't about material thinks; it's about love. And you can never anticipate love."

That may sound like a sweet little saying, but really when it all boils down -- it's a great philosophy. I only gave the book three stars. That's my rating for a good solid book, and that's what this is to me. It didn't change the way I looked at the world. It did educate me about what life was like in a world different than my own, and reminded me again to get back to basics with my life. Shoot, come to think of it, I'm going to have to change me rating to 4 stars. :-)

A lovely story of a library cat and the lives he touched. Cats are such individuals! Enjoyed the book very much.

One of the sweet books I have ever read !! Enjopyed it so !! I grew up in a larger, Iowa town, and loved the description of Spencer, though I have never been there, it reminded me of other , smaller, towns around Waterloo !! We have two cats and though we love them too death, they are not at all like Dewey, they are not 'lap cats' or real people lovers.

I loved reading this book, so I gave it 5 stars (my first 5 star rating ever). I can see why the book has become so popular and is on so many wish lists. Being an animal lover, it was so easy to fall in love with Dewey, the Spencer Library cat.

This book is not only about Dewey, the cat, but also about small towns in Iowa, the farm crises in the '80s, the resilience of the people and how a town survived. It's a beautiful love story between a woman, a town and a cat. I was sorry the book had to end.

Heartfelt story of a library cat in a small town, Spencer, Iowa. Interwoven in Dewey's story is the story of the town, the author's own story, and the story of a small town.
Pictures of Dewey are a nice addition. Quick easy read.

I am not a cat person. I am a dog person but a sucker for any animal story. Yes it drags a little in the middle, but worth the read. I am surprised I never heard about him since I am such an animal lover.

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