Quietly changing the world, one book at a time.
SOUTHWEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR, 2025
I am a dog but I do not die at the end of this book. Who else could have written it?
The human who found me is fine. She feeds me. She cuddles me. She puts a roof over my head. But I do not appreciate being held captive. Because I am a dog with the intelligence of a human. And I aim to find out why.
Accompanied by Shakespeare, a Pug with the intelligence of a Pug, I run away from home, embarking on an epic quest for freedom, knowledge, and, quite possibly, revenge.
Together we must survive a harsh desert of cannibalistic coyotes, stray humans, a fugitive white tiger, and one hypnotic beacon that shines from a city of sin, luring us back into so-called civilization.
My name is Rousseau. I seek the truth. Even if I lose my mind…
Full of imagination and humor, The Second-Smartest Dog That Ever Lived is a dog book like no other, with a canine narrator who questions the value of human society, and a dog’s place within it.
“Pass masterfully blends humor, heart, and peril in this anthropomorphic tale, making it an unforgettable read.”
— Southwest Books of the Year
“Rou is a stalwart lead, smart as a whip and tenderhearted, and second banana Shakespeare is an endearing, jovial ball of energy.”
— Kirkus
We’ve been proudly serving introverted readers here at booktrovert.org since 1997—back when websites were chaotic, animated, and unafraid of Comic Sans.
Now NetGalley is launching booktrovert.com, complete with a slick interface, email sign-up page, and AI-generated readers who appear emotionally stable.
Honestly? Their site looks amazing.
And we’re excited about the free eBooks. GIMME GIMME GIMME!!!
(Even though we prefer paper. Call us old-fashioned like that.)
We have nothing but respect for NetGalley. They love books. We do too.
Still, in a world of multibillion-dollar publishing conglomerates and corporate sales funnels, the common reader needs to stay scrappy.
So here we are. The original booktroverts. Hollering into the deep space of books.
If you were looking for the other site, it’s over here: 👉 booktrovert.com
If you want to stay here and vibe...welcome.
