Lily and the Octopus

I read this on a friend’s rec, not really knowing what it was about, and I just need to warn you that this is one of the saddest books I’ve ever read (I’m someone who probably gets more upset about pets dying in books than people dying in books). It is about a man and his best friend, except his best friend is a dog and she is dying. So there is a content warning for the death of a beloved animal. It’s a great book, just very sad. Ted is gay, single, and stuck in life. After a six year-long relationship, he finds himself unable to open himself up and find intimacy. His relationship with his dog Lily is what gets him through the days. Ice cream and pizza nights, talking about cute boys together, trips to the park. But when Lily’s health is compromised, he finds himself unraveling. It is funny at times and so creative and well-written, but it broke my heart multiple times — I don’t remember the last time a book made me sob the way that this one did. And so I gave it an A, but it was very hard to read. I will say that it had a wonderfully hopeful ending. But just: SO SAD. Also, I brought it to LA with me and read it there, miles and miles away from my cats. Not the best decision I’ve made.