Here are 100 books that 101 Dalmatians fans have personally recommended if you like 101 Dalmatians. Book DNA is a community of 12,000+ authors and super readers sharing their favorite books with the world.

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Book cover of Lessons in Chemistry

Serena Burdick Author Of A Promise to Arlette

From my list on novels that will transport you to the 1950s.

Why am I passionate about this?

I am a writer who has spent my entire reading life emersed in the past, reading everything from Russian literature, to nineteenth-century English, to early modern American. It’s no surprise I became a historical fiction novelist. The 1950s is one of my favorite eras to write about because of its complexity. The glamour of the Golden Age and the dark truths it represents make for compelling reads. I hope you love the list below as much as I do.     

Serena's book list on novels that will transport you to the 1950s

Serena Burdick Why Serena loves this book

This one is pure fun. It’s hard to believe no one thought to make a female chemist the star of a cooking show before! The story is witty and original, artfully combining the hard truths of being a scientist and a TV personality in male-dominated fields, with femininity and motherhood.

Sexism is rampant (obviously, it’s the 1950s), and the challenges the protagonist faces often seem insurmountable. Garmus takes these difficult themes seriously, while delivering them with humor and a lightheartedness that makes for a refreshing read.

By Bonnie Garmus ,

Why should I read it?

96 authors picked Lessons in Chemistry as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • GOOD MORNING AMERICA BOOK CLUB PICK • Meet Elizabeth Zott: a “formidable, unapologetic and inspiring” (PARADE) scientist in 1960s California whose career takes a detour when she becomes the unlikely star of a beloved TV cooking show in this novel that is “irresistible, satisfying and full of fuel. It reminds you that change takes time and always requires heat” (The New York Times Book Review).

A BEST BOOK OF THE YEAR: The New York Times, Washington Post, NPR, Oprah Daily, Newsweek, GoodReads

"A unique heroine ... you'll find yourself wishing she wasn’t fictional." —Seattle Times…


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Book cover of Never Ready

Never Ready by Lucie André,

Never Ready is a story about the complexity of friendship and belonging, their fluidity and inherent loss.

As she curates her life, Henri discovers the mysterious strength of her families, the one she was born into, and the one she finds—but no one is ever really ready for goodbye.

After…

Book cover of Courtney

Sally Muir Author Of Rescue Dogs

From my list on dog heroes.

Why am I passionate about this?

I love dogs and I love books, so the combination is always beguiling to me. I have recently published my third book of dog art Rescue Dogs, I asked people to send me photos of their rescues, and as I now realise, all rescues come with a story, so they came with an extraordinary collection of stories about where they came from, how they were found, character sketches and descriptions of their idiosyncrasies. I realised that some of my favourite books have dogs heroes, there are 5 here but there could have been many many more.

Sally's book list on dog heroes

Sally Muir Why Sally loves this book

This is a children’s picture book, by the brilliant writer and illustrator John Burningham.

It’s the story of a mongrel Courtney, who is brought home by two children to their snobbish parents, who don’t like him because he’s a mutt.

Courtney is brilliant, can cook, play the violin, juggle, is the perfect dog, and they’re still not satisfied.

It’s sad and sweet and has the most beautiful, deceptively simple drawings that break your heart.

By John Burningham ,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Courtney as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it. This book is for kids age 5, 6, and 7.

What is this book about?

When the children bring Courtney home he's just a loveable scruffy old dog. But the-mongrel-that-nobody-wants has the most amazing talents. He can cook! He can juggle! He can even play the violin! Then one day Courtney the wonder dog packs up his trunk and leaves home - but the children find out his helping paw is not far away...


Book cover of Lost Dog: A Love Story

Sally Muir Author Of Rescue Dogs

From my list on dog heroes.

Why am I passionate about this?

I love dogs and I love books, so the combination is always beguiling to me. I have recently published my third book of dog art Rescue Dogs, I asked people to send me photos of their rescues, and as I now realise, all rescues come with a story, so they came with an extraordinary collection of stories about where they came from, how they were found, character sketches and descriptions of their idiosyncrasies. I realised that some of my favourite books have dogs heroes, there are 5 here but there could have been many many more.

Sally's book list on dog heroes

Sally Muir Why Sally loves this book

I had to read this book backwards, or rather check the end before I could read it at all, and spoiler alert, it has a happy ending. 

It’s the heart-rending story of how journalist Kate Spicer adopted the wonderful Wolfie, who became her beloved companion in everything that she did, and how, while staying with her brother he ran away.

It’s the story of her desperate search to find him and about how kind people can be as they helped her scour London for the missing Wolfie.

It’s an absolute nail-bailer, and I loved it.

By Kate Spicer ,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Lost Dog as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

The Sunday Times top ten bestseller

'Lost Dog is already one of my books of the year. Spicer writes like a dream...You will love it.' India Knight, Sunday Times

'Sharply observed and deeply funny, it's one of the best, most enjoyable books of 2019 so far' British Vogue

Meet woman's best friend.

Kate is a middle aged woman trying to steer some order into a life that is going off the rails. When she adopts a lurcher called Wolfy, the shabby rescue dog saves her from herself. But when the dog disappears, it is up to Kate to hit the…


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Book cover of Never Ready

Never Ready by Lucie André,

Never Ready is a story about the complexity of friendship and belonging, their fluidity and inherent loss.

As she curates her life, Henri discovers the mysterious strength of her families, the one she was born into, and the one she finds—but no one is ever really ready for goodbye.

After…

Book cover of Red Dog

Sally Muir Author Of Rescue Dogs

From my list on dog heroes.

Why am I passionate about this?

I love dogs and I love books, so the combination is always beguiling to me. I have recently published my third book of dog art Rescue Dogs, I asked people to send me photos of their rescues, and as I now realise, all rescues come with a story, so they came with an extraordinary collection of stories about where they came from, how they were found, character sketches and descriptions of their idiosyncrasies. I realised that some of my favourite books have dogs heroes, there are 5 here but there could have been many many more.

Sally's book list on dog heroes

Sally Muir Why Sally loves this book

This is a briliant and unusual book by the writer of the highly successful Captain Correlli’s Mandolin.

It’s the true story of a wonderfully independent Red Kelpie, who hitches rides all over Western Australia, moving in with people for a while then moving on. He becomes a legend in the area, and there is a statue of him in his hometown.

It’s a timeless piece of modern folklore and a hymn to the wandering spirit of this extraordinary little dog, captured beautifully by de Bernieres.

By Louis de Bernieres ,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Red Dog as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

The enchanting story of a very remarkable dog from the author of the bestselling Captain Corelli's Mandolin.

'In early 1998 I went to Perth in Western Australia in order to attend the literature festival, and part of the arrangement was that I should go to Karratha to do their first ever literary dinner. Karratha is a mining town a long way further north. The landscape is extraordinary, being composed of vast heaps of dark red earth and rock poking out of the never-ending bush.

I imagine that Mars must have a similar feel to it. I went exploring and discovered…


Book cover of The Writer's Journey

Paul Chitlik Author Of Rewrite

From my list on start your career as a screenwriter.

Why am I passionate about this?

My passion for story began while I was still in elementary school. I was an avid reader, taking the tram to the library whenever I could. I read biographies, short stories, comic books, and novels of all kinds. In college, I studied comparative literature, focusing on 19th and 20th-century novels in English and Spanish. I met many authors and was inspired to write my own stories. Eventually, this led to screenwriting as a career and then teaching and writing about screenwriting. I never abandoned my love of novels, publishing one of my first novels as a magazine for which I sold advertising to pay for printing.  

Paul's book list on start your career as a screenwriter

Paul Chitlik Why Paul loves this book

This book opened my eyes to alternative ways to structure a screenplay and to a way to think as a screenwriter. Based on a memo Vogler wrote while working at Disney, which influenced hundreds of movies, the book gives a clear summary of how to structure a screenplay using the universal mythic structure first explained by Joseph Campbell.

I liked its clear, concise use of examples citing familiar films (Star Wars!). It was thought-provoking and immediately applicable to my writing. I cite it often in screenwriting classes.  

By Christopher Vogler ,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked The Writer's Journey as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

Provides new insights and observations from Vogler's pioneering work in mythic structure for writers.


Book cover of Kazan: The Wolf Dog

Tabitha Ormiston-Smith Author Of Bloodsucking Bogans

From my list on featuring realistic dogs.

Why am I passionate about this?

Since I brought home my first rescue thirty years ago, my life has been full of dogs and dog-related activities that I can hardly imagine the person I would've been without them. My own books often feature one or more dogs, not because I particularly decide to write about dogs, but more because I live with dogs, it’s what I know. When I’m browsing for a good read, if a book features a dog, that’s a draw for me, just because dogs are dogs; they are such good creatures, so infinitely lovable, that their presence enhances a book for me just as their presence in my life enhances my every day.

Tabitha's book list on featuring realistic dogs

Tabitha Ormiston-Smith Why Tabitha loves this book

This is an old book, in the tradition made so popular by Jack London. There were a number of these ‘proud, free dog of the North’ type of books published, and they are all great reads, yet this one is in my opinion the finest of them. It never descends into mawkish sentiment, but tells Kazan’s story from his own viewpoint; there is little of the human world, and we get a glimpse of just how alien a wild animal is, how different from our own, more domestic companions. 

A tremendously exciting read, with not a dull page in it.

By James Oliver Curwood ,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Kazan as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

This carefully crafted ebook: "Kazan, the Wolf Dog" is formatted for your eReader with a functional and detailed table of contents.
Excerpt:
"Kazan lay mute and motionless, his gray nose between his forepaws, his eyes half closed. A rock could have appeared scarcely less lifeless than he; not a muscle twitched; not a hair moved; not an eyelid quivered. Yet every drop of the wild blood in his splendid body was racing in a ferment of excitement that Kazan had never before experienced; every nerve and fiber of his wonderful muscles was tense as steel wire..."
James Oliver Curwood was…


Book cover of Pineapple Lies

Kim Janine Ligon Author Of Polly's List

From my list on cozy mysteries with cold wet noses.

Why am I passionate about this?

I love cozy mysteries with a touch of sweet, clean romance, a splash of faith, and, best of all—a cold, wet nose and four paws. Animals bring richness and compassion to a story. They can provide comic relief, a sympathetic ear to be scratched, a built-in radar for identifying bad guys, and unconditional love when the protagonist needs it most. My love for this genre is probably why I was drawn to it for my debut novel, which came out in August 2022. The cover is a giveaway for who has the paws in this story. 

Kim's book list on cozy mysteries with cold wet noses

Kim Janine Ligon Why Kim loves this book

This story (and series) features pets in a retirement village where the protagonist, Charlotte, is technically too young to be there but remains because her grandmother raised her there. The neighbor’s dog unearths a skeleton in her backyard.

How it got there is the mystery to be solved. Charlotte’s pet serves as the litmus test for possible suitors. It’s a fun read. 

By Amy Vansant ,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Pineapple Lies as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.


Book cover of South of the Border with Disney: Walt Disney and the Good Neighbor Program, 1941-1948

Didier Ghez Author Of The Hidden Art of Disney’s Golden Age, the 1930s

From my list on Disney history.

Why am I passionate about this?

I am a Disney historian, author, and editor of 50 books about Disney. I became passionate about Disney's history when I realized how rich the history of Disney is and how talented the artists who worked for Disney were and still are. Early on, I realized that when Disney built his studio in the 1930s, thanks to the Great Depression, he was able to hire the best artists from around the world (who were then unemployed). I also noticed that little was known about them. Since those artists have been revolutionizing the popular arts for 100 years, I could not help but be fascinated by their talent and their stories.

Didier's book list on Disney history

Didier Ghez Why Didier loves this book

I have a strong personal connection to Latin America, having lived there for several years and being married to a Brazilian.

This also means that Disney’s Latin American features (Saludos Amigos and The Three Caballeros) have always been among my favorites. Therefore, a book about the making of those movies must rise to the top of my list, especially since the book is also written by one of the best Disney historians, the esteemed JB Kaufman.

By J. B. Kaufman ,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked South of the Border with Disney as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

Looks at the Walt Disney Company's contribution to the Good Neighbor Program in South America during the 1940s.


Book cover of The Disney That Never Was

Didier Ghez Author Of The Hidden Art of Disney’s Golden Age, the 1930s

From my list on Disney history.

Why am I passionate about this?

I am a Disney historian, author, and editor of 50 books about Disney. I became passionate about Disney's history when I realized how rich the history of Disney is and how talented the artists who worked for Disney were and still are. Early on, I realized that when Disney built his studio in the 1930s, thanks to the Great Depression, he was able to hire the best artists from around the world (who were then unemployed). I also noticed that little was known about them. Since those artists have been revolutionizing the popular arts for 100 years, I could not help but be fascinated by their talent and their stories.

Didier's book list on Disney history

Didier Ghez Why Didier loves this book

In order to really understand Disney history, I felt that I had to learn more about all of the ideas that Disney has explored and shelved. I could not believe my eyes when I discovered Charles Solomon’s volume on that very subject.

This book is one of a handful that changed my life as it led to a life-long fascination for the “hidden art” of Disney. Along with John Canemaker’s Before the Animation Begins: The Art and Lives of Disney Inspirational Sketch Artists, it is one of the two books that led me to write my own artbooks. I still re-read it from time to time up to this day.

By Charles Solomon ,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked The Disney That Never Was as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

Disney artists worked on many projects, both shorts and feature-length films, and their rich and varied work - whether in the form of concept art, animation drawings, storyboards, or gags - is a testament to the quality and innovation the studio achieved, even on unfinished projects. After a brief Introduction examining how the studio operated during Walt Disney's day, Solomon surveys the many categories of uncompleted film, illustrating each with beautiful examples of work by the staff artists: Mickey, Donald, and Goofy shorts; Fairy Tale Projects like Hans Christian Andersen tales and the ambitious feature Chanticleer and Reynard; wartime propaganda…


Book cover of Disney War

Ben Fritz Author Of The Big Picture: The Fight for the Future of Movies

From my list on behind the scenes in Hollywood.

Why am I passionate about this?

I’ve spent most of my 20-year career as a professional journalist covering the entertainment industry, and I find it endlessly fascinating. As is probably true for you if you’re reading this, I love movies and TV shows. As a curious person, I always want to know why. Why did this movie get made at this time with these people? If you want to know the answer, you’ve got to understand the business. Hollywood is such an interesting business, full of big personalities trying to manage corporate pressure and creative egos and to balance their need to make a profit with their desire to make great art.

Ben's book list on behind the scenes in Hollywood

Ben Fritz Why Ben loves this book

The ultimate insider business story at the ultimate Hollywood company. Stewart takes readers unbelievably deep inside Disney at a critical moment when Michael Eisner’s 20-year run as CEO was coming to a dramatic end amidst, as the title implies, a corporate civil war.

While most people know Disney as the happiest place on Earth, the last few years of Eisner’s reign saw big-name moguls like Jeffrey Katzenberg, Michael Ovitz, Eisner, and Walt Disney’s nephew Roy Disney at each other’s throats.

Disneywar is a gripping and illuminating tale that shows how the sausage really gets made in Hollywood and how easily power in this town can disappear.

By James B. Stewart ,

Why should I read it?

2 authors picked Disney War as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

The Pulitzer Prize-winning author of Den of Thieves draws on extensive research and hundreds of interviews to document the fierce executive battle for control of the foremost entertainment company, in an account that discusses how Michael Eisner lost his chairmanship and how the conflict reflects modern-day American capitalism and popular culture. 250,000 first printing.


Book cover of Lessons in Chemistry
Book cover of Courtney
Book cover of Lost Dog: A Love Story

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