3 Books for cat lovers

Editor’s note:

It’s time to again show you the cat-themed books that have caught our attention recently. This round includes a real-life tale of a city girl who fell into cat rescue, a comprehensive history of how cats took over the world, and a round of hilarious poems from one of our favorite writers.

To Catch a Cat: How Three Stray Kittens Rescued Me

Typical Manhattanite Heather Green had an Upper West Side apartment, a thriving career, and a new boyfriend, Matt, who lived across the river in Union City, New Jersey. She really liked Matt, but she couldn’t see the appeal in spending weekends in a town that had none of the glamor of New York. That all changed the minute she saw a gorgeous cat and her three black-and-white kittens in Matt’s neighbor’s yard.

She wasn’t sure she knew how to help them, but she knew she had to. Heather and Matt soon found themselves in the world of cat rescue. As they worked together, Heather began to question the life she had back in Manhattan and now saw the man she loved in a whole new light. This story of how three kittens taught her about love, community, and what really matters in life will touch the heart of any cat lover.

$16 at Berkley Publishing Group, an Imprint of Penguin Random House

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The Lion in the Living Room: How House Cats Tamed Us and Took Over the World

With pet cats outnumbering pet dogs, cat cafes opening in cities around the world, and internet cats becoming celebrities with book and movie deals, it seems that these little creatures have taken over the planet. And that’s just fine with us. But just how did they succeed in their global domination? Author Abigail Tucker decided to find out. Her discussions with breeders, animal rights activists, and scientists bring us an adventure through history, natural science, and pop culture. She also points out the darker side of the cat-human relationship: nearly 50 percent of cat owners can expect to be bitten or scratched at some point, and cats stand accused of killing more than a billion American birds every year. And while these problems are certainly preventable and manageable, they don’t really help when it comes to the cat’s reputation. Whatever your personal feelings about our feline friends, this is a fascinating story of how cats not only conquered the world but our hearts.

$26 at Simon & Schuster

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I Could Pee on This Too: And More Poems by More Cats

Last year, I had the pleasure of hearing author Francesco Marciuliano read some of his cat poems. They’re hysterical. And now he has more! In this follow-up to I Could Pee on This, you’ll find more feline emotions and philosophical musings, such as “Welcome New Cat,” “You Also Live Here,” “Sleeping My Life Away,” and “The Day My Head Got Stuck in a Plastic Cup.” If you long for a deeper look into the feline world and wonder how cats feel about the world around them, this is definitely the book for you.

$12.95 at Chronicle Books

Editor’s note: This story originally appeared in the March/April 2016 issue of Catster print magazine. Click here to subscribe to Catster magazine.

It’s time to show you the cat-themed books that have caught our attention recently. This round includes a sequel to Catification, a collection of real cats who hold real jobs, and a classic novel told through a cat’s point of view.

Catify to Satisfy: Simple Solutions for Creating a Cat-Friendly Home

Animal Planet My Cat From Hell host Jackson Galaxy (who we interviewed recently about this book) and cat design wizard (and our own Cat Chic columnist) Kate Benjamin are back with more great projects and design tricks to help you with everyday cat care issues. Whether you need to address a specific issue (such as a cat who leaves your couch in tatters) or just want to create a fun and safe outdoor spot for your feline friend, this book is the ultimate guide to making a happy home for both you and your cats.

$21.95 (paperback), $9.99 (e-book)- TarcherPerigee/Penguin Random House

Cats on the Job: 50 Fabulous Felines Who Purr, Mouse, and Even Sing for Their Supper

Think cats are lazy? Think again. In this collection by Lisa Rogak, you’ll meet 50 cats around the world who are definitely earning their keep. Boswell is a cat who helps run a bookstore in Massachusetts. Matilda is the famous feline concierge at New York’s Algonquin hotel. Some cats are mousers, such as Princess, who helps keep Mill Ridge Farm’s stables rodent free. Some are politicians, such as Mayor Stubbs, who holds office in a town in Alaska. And there are those who provide therapy and comfort as service cats. No matter what these whiskered workers do for a living, they definitely make every day at the office a little better.

$16.99 (paperback and e-book)- St. Martin’s Griffin/Thomas Dunne Books

Pride and Prejudice and Kitties: A Cat-Lover’s Romp Through Jane Austen’s Classic

Ever wondered what Pride and Prejudice would have been like told from a cat’s point of view? Now you can find out with this hilarious mash-up that spins a fresh, quirky take on a literary classic. Written by Pamela Jane, Deborah Guyol (and Jane Austen, of course), the book juxtaposes wacky photos of cats with the clever humor of Jane Austen’s beloved novel. Soulful Mr. Darcy gazes at Elizabeth Bennet in fascination- hysterical Mrs. Bennet yowls that no one understands her- and arrogant Lady Catherine hisses at Elizabeth. If you’re a cat lover, Austen lover, or someone who enjoys romances with funny pictures of cats, this is the perfect book for you!

$14.99 (paperback and e-book)- Skyhorse Publishing

Cat reading book by Shutterstock