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I don’t keep track of the number of books I read each year, but my best guess is somewhere between 150 and 200, and at least half of them have something to do with cats. I review books here on The Conscious Cat almost every week. That’s a lot of books!
I made a commitment to myself long ago that I would never post a bad book review. I feel that every author pours his or her heart and soul into a book, and just because I don’t like a book doesn’t necessarily mean it’s not a good book. As a result, if you see a book reviewed here on the site, it means that I really liked it. This makes it challenging each year to pick only ten favorites.
Here are my ten favorites for this year, in no particular order. Click on the book cover images to order from Amazon.
Oliver the Cat Who Saved Christmas
Cat books don’t get much more heartwarming this story of a cat whose life changes when he is left homeless and scared after the pub where he lived burns down. Thanks to the kindness of the humans in his quaint English village, Oliver finds a temporary foster home until his guardian can rebuild the pub. As Oliver learns to trust again, he also becomes determined to help the humans around him.
To Catch a Cat: How Three Stray Kittens Rescued Me
Journalist Heather Green shares her story of how three stray kittens that showed up in her boyfriend’s yard not only led to her becoming involved in a world of trapping, vet visits and kitten taming, but also helped her find her place in the world.
When Bunnies Go Bad
In this sixth book in Clea Simon’s Pet Noir series, pet behaviorist and psychic Pru Marlowe discovers a murdered tourist, and ends up caring for his ski bunny girlfriend’s high maintenance spaniel. She is also working with a wild rabbit named Henry, who is supposedly tamed and illegally living with an eighty-four-year-old lady in her home, but is acting out and hiding. Even though there is no cat on the cover, this book, like all the others in the series, once again prominently features Pru’s crabby tabby Wallis.
Iris Grace: The Story of a Little Girl Whose Talent Unlocked a Silent World
Arabella Carter-Johnson’s book about her autistic daughter Iris and the Maine Coon cat Thula, who was instrumental in helping Iris open up and communicate in ways that she hadn’t done before, touched me deeply. This book is not only a testament to the healing power of cats, but also a moving story of the unconditional love of a mother for her extraordinary daughter.
Call of the Cats: What I Learned About Life from a Feral Colony
This beautifully written, honest and heartfelt book about a man whose life was turned upside down and changed forever by a colony of feral cats will make your heart sing.
Shop Cats of new York
This gorgeous photo, which combines two of my favorite things in the world, New York City and cats, is much more than just a beautiful cat book. It’s a celebration of the bond between cats and humans, and one woman’s love affair with her city.
The Trainable Cat
This book by renowned cat expert and anthrozoologist John Bradshaw, who has studied cat behavior and cats’ relationship with people for more than 30 years, and feline behaviorist Sarah Ellis, is packed with information that not only promotes a better understanding of cats, but also offers practical solutions for cat parents.
The Queen’s Corgi
Even though this newest book by David Michie, the author of the popular Dalai Lama’s Cat series is not a cat book, it’s so wonderful, I had to include it in this list, even if Allegra doesn’t look convinced that it should be. As the Queen’s littlest Corgi, Nelson adjust to life in a royal household and quickly charms his way into everyone’s hearts.This charming, poignant and humorous novel about a dog’s life with the royal family packs a deceptively powerful punch as it offers profound life lessons that will leave the reader transformed at a deeper level.
Into the Grey
This 10th book in Clea Simon’s Dulcie Schwartz series, featuring the graduate student, her tuxedo cat Esme and the spirit of her dear departed Mr. Grey is as enjoyable as the nine predecessors. I won’t give away the ending, but the final paragraph of this book is so beautiful, it brought tears to my eyes.
Makin’ Biscuits: Weird Cat Habits and the Even Weirder Habits of the Humans Who Love Them
Illustrated with beautiful photos with humorous captions, this book provides an entertaining look at feline behavior, but don’t be deceived by the lighthearted tone. Deborah Barnes provides solid, well researched information for cat parents who are trying to understand their feline charges better.
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