The Puma Years: Quill Quotes Book Club

Welcome to the 18th edition of Quill Quotes Book Club! We are excited to read The Puma Years by Laura Coleman with you! Keep reading for all the details on the book, where to get it, and our reading schedule. This page will be updated with a link for the discussion so keep it handy as a reference. We can’t wait for our discussion on Saturday, August 27th, 2022!

The Puma Years Summary

In this rapturous memoir, writer and activist Laura Coleman shares the story of her liberating journey in the Amazon jungle and falling in love with a magnificent cat who changed her life.

Laura was in her early twenties and directionless when she quit her job to backpack in Bolivia. Fate landed her at a wildlife sanctuary on the edge of the Amazon jungle where she was assigned to a beautiful and complex puma named Wayra. Wide-eyed, inexperienced, and comically terrified, Laura made the scrappy, make-do camp her home. And in Wayra, she made a friend for life.

They weren’t alone, not with over a hundred quirky animals to care for, each lost and hurt in its own way: a pair of suicidal, bra-stealing monkeys, a frustrated parrot desperate to fly, and a pig with a wicked sense of humor. The humans, too, were cause for laughter and tears. There were animal whisperers, committed staff, wildly devoted volunteers, handsome heartbreakers, and a machete-wielding prom queen who carried Laura through. Most of all, there were the jungle—lyrical and alive—and Wayra, who would ultimately teach Laura so much about love, healing, and the person she was capable of becoming.

Set against a turbulent and poignant backdrop of deforestation, the illegal pet trade, and forest fires, The Puma Years explores what happens when two desperate creatures in need of rescue find one another.

Where to get the book?

Whether you prefer digital or physical books, we’ve listed several options below.

Amazon

If you have a Kindle or like audiobooks, Amazon is probably already your go-to for book purchases. They offer a variety of purchase options.

OverDrive / Libby

Check your local library, they often allow digital rentals through OverDrive and the Libby app! You’ll just need your library card to log in.

Local Bookstore

Amazon is still a good option to get the paperback or hardcover, but sometimes delivery can be a pain. If physical books are your thing, please try to support your local bookstore or library!

Reading Schedule

We’ve decided to only do one discussion this month and it will be over the full book. Discussions take place right here on the blog! Feel free to read at your own pace and comment any time after the discussion has been posted.

Discussion: Full Book: Saturday, August 27, 2022

We’ll complete the book and begin the full discussion on August 27th!

• The final discussion

We can’t wait to hear your thoughts on The Puma Years. Let’s get reading!