Every Living ThingEvery Living Thing
Score Modern
What it's about
James Herriot returns to his life as a vet in the Yorkshire Dales, with more tales of the triumphs, disasters, pride and occasional heartache of caring for animals and the farmers who own them. It also reveals more of the real James Herriot than his earlier books.
Why it's worth reading
It reached #1 on the New York Times bestseller list. Herriot's gentle humor and love of animals have charmed readers for generations.
You'll love it if you liked
All Things Wise and Wonderful
All Things Bright and Beautiful
Marley and Me: Life and Love with the World's Worst DogGood to know
It's one of Herriot's later memoirs, and each stands alone. It's warm and funny, perfect for animal lovers.
By the numbers
- Readers99 out of 100 · counts 42%
- Critics0 out of 100 · counts 14%
- Bestseller29 out of 100 · counts 34% (its stronger lane)
- Buzz0 out of 100 · counts 10%
Critics and Bestseller are two ways to earn a place: a book's stronger one counts more. Buzz rewards recent bestseller weeks and prizes, so older books start at zero. The parts combine into the Must-Read Score, shown on a scale where the best book we found scores 99 and the last book to make the ranking scores 50.
Where it ranks
- #126 of the 290 memoirs and biographies we rank
- #360 of the 1,573 modern books we rank
- #715 of the 2,816 books we rank
Why it made the list
Reads as
True story
More by James Herriot
All Things Wise and WonderfulAll Things Bright and Beautiful
The Lord God Made Them AllIf you like this, read next
The Glass Castle
Black Boy: A Record of Youth and Childhood
Up From Slavery
This Boy's Life: A Memoir
Cheaper by the Dozen
The Road From CoorainExplore the best-of lists
All 36 best-of lists →
Quick answers
Is Every Living Thing worth reading?
Yes. It reached #1 on the New York Times bestseller list. It ranks #715 of the 2,816 books in our ranking, with a Must-Read Score of 75.9 (the best book we found scores 99).
What is Every Living Thing about?
James Herriot returns to his life as a vet in the Yorkshire Dales, with more tales of the triumphs, disasters, pride and occasional heartache of caring for animals and the farmers who own them. It also reveals more of the real James Herriot than his earlier books.
How long does it take to read Every Living Thing?
About 9 hours (374 pages), or about 3 weeks at 30 minutes a day.
What should I read after Every Living Thing?
If you liked it, try All Things Wise and Wonderful by James Herriot, All Things Bright and Beautiful by James Herriot or Marley and Me: Life and Love with the World's Worst Dog by John Grogan.