c.2025, various publishers, $16.95-$29, various page counts

Man’s best friend? Yep, and woman’s best friend, too. And a kid’s bestie, when you think about it. No matter the size or the kind, we love our pups and we love to read great books about them. … Does it sometimes feel as if your dog is almost human? In the new novel, “The Hounding” by Xenobe Purvis (Henry Holt, $26.99) the tables are turned.

For sure, the Mansfield sisters are a bit creepy. The rumors in Little Nettlebed say, in fact, that the girls can transform into dogs at will; the proof is in the mysterious barking and the ravens that gather on the roofs of the doomed. Silliness. Patriarchy, even. Of course, the sisters are really not witches. Are they?

If you love dogs and a haunting- good novel, you’ll wolf down this book quick.

Admit it: Random videos online are hard to resist, and in the new novel, “ A Dog in Georgia” by Lauren Grodstein (Algonquin Books of Chapel Hill, $29), one dog in one video changes the course of a life.

Chef, stepmother, wife. Those used to be words that Amy Webb used to describe herself but these days, she’s not sure what she is. Except now she’s a dog hunter, after seeing a video of a missing dog and getting caught up in catching the pup. Volunteering to find “Angel” is the next natural step because Amy’s generous like that. But is anything ever that simple? This novel’s perfect for anyone who needs to re-discover themselves, in a dog or otherwise.

The sad fact of life is that most of us will outlive our dogs. So how do you make Poochie’s last years the best? And how do you open your heart anew? “Old Dog, New Dog: Supporting Your Aging Best Friend and Welcoming a New One” by Kathy Callahan & Helen St. Pierre (New World Library, $16.95) may have some ideas for you.

This book takes a look at two sides of a dog’s life, and melds them together. Learn how to best support your elder dog, how to work hand-in-paw with your veterinarian, and a few tips to keep Fido safe and happy for the rest of his life. If you think having an energetic youngster around might benefit, this book offers ideas to make it work seamlessly and easier. It’s a book you’ll want around, one that offers comfort and solid help.

And finally, speaking of veterinarians, “Heal the Beasts: A Jaunt Through the Curious history of the Veterinary Arts” by Philipp Schott, DVM (ECW Press, $19.95) is a unique book that takes animal lovers through the centuries. Filled with imagination and fact, it’s part novel, part nonfiction and a lot of fun to read.

And if these aren’t enough for you, or if you’re searching for something else, head to your favorite library or bookstore, then sit up and beg for help. There are lots of books about your furry best friend on the shelves, and your bookish best friends will help you find them.

— The Bookworm Sez