Must-Reads for Cat Lovers

From classic stories to farcical comic books and contemporary novels, countless works have been written about cats. Whether you are looking for a heart-warming summer read, or a heart-racing mystery book, glance at our list below for some literary delights that await the world of cat-lovers.

The List

Old Possum’s Book of Practical Cats (T.S. Eliot): Full of light and whimsy, Eliot enchants readers with his famous wit in numerous poems about felines. First published in 1939, this collection became the inspiration for the popular musical Cats.

The Black Cat (Edgar Allen Poe): Notoriously morbid, Poe’s short story first published in 1843 is a haunting tale about murder, mystery and a large black cat named Pluto. The Black Cat is grim and grotesque, having gripped audience for nearly two centuries.

Puss in Boots (fairytale): Originally called the “Booted Cat” or Le Chat Botté, this 17^th century classic fairytale has been passed down in versions by numerous authors (including Charles Perrault and Giovanni Francesco Straparola, etc) for many generations. Enjoy this charming story about the adventures of a suave French feline extraordinaire.

Homer’s Odyssey: A Fearless Feline Tale, or How I Learned about Love and Life with a Blind Wonder Cat (Gwen Cooper). Cooper tells a tale of her inspiring cat, who was born without eyes. The story details how this loyal kitty protected her from intruders, survived impossible disasters, and proved to teach her more about love than she could have imagined.

Cat Women: Female Writers on Their Feline Friends (Megan McMorris): In these thought-provoking reflections, McMorris discusses the many ways cats challenge, annoy and touch the lives of their pet-parents. From the opening pages to the final contemplations, the author evokes such touching emotion, that her readers may find themselves laughing and crying.

Buckley’s Story (Ingrid King): Unique from other feline books, this heart-warming memoir tells the tale of a brave entrepreneur and her bond with an ailing tortoiseshell cat. Providing informative insights into cat health issues and heart disease, King’s story does credit to the deep connection a human can share with a pet. Readers can find other inspiring works on King’s official website.

The French Cat (Rachael Hale McKenna): Filled with both images and thoughtful descriptions, Hale’s artistic depiction of cats in France covers everything from dainty cats strolling over cobble stones, to lazy kitties lounging on plush chairs or sitting watchfully on the steps of a chateau. Anyone who loves France and felines, will enjoy leafing through this beautiful book.

The Cat Who Ate A Danish Modern (Lillian Jackson Braun): First published in 1967, this book is the second of Braun’s “The Cat Who…” series. These mysteries novels describe the discoveries of a reporter named Qwilleran, and the help of Koko and Yum Yum, his feline companions.

Cat (B. Kliban): This collection of cat cartoons is described as the original book that inspired all comedic cat publications! First on the scene in 1975, Kliban’s artistic rendition of cat behaviors and cat moods still remains an entertaining commentary on the lifestyle of felines.

Warrior (novel series by Eric Hunter): These numerous books (collectively written by six authors under one pseudonym) comprise of a lengthy series detailing the adventures of a group of cat clans including: ThunderClan, ShadowClan, WindClan, Riverclan and later SkyClan. The complex and multi-faceted labyrinth of stories will keep young readers riveted and intrigued.

Felidae (Akif Pirincci) This contemporary crime novel series masterfully follows the murder investigations of Francis the cat. Though only two of the eight books by this German-Turkish author have been translated into English, they are too thrilling to omit from our must-read list!

A Street Cat Named Bob and How He Saved My Life (James Bowen): This book tells an endearing story of a friendship between a British street music artist and a lonely stray cat. The universally insightful tale has won international acclaim, selling in over 26 countries, and ranking as a bestseller for over a year in the United Kingdom.

The Cat in Art (Stefano Zuffi): Perfect coffee table addition for the cat-lover’s house, Zuffi’s collection includes classic art pieces that have hung on gallery walls for centuries, as well as modern depictions of feline subjects. With masterpieces by Van Eyck, Raphael, Picasso, Gauguin, Renoir, as well as contemporary artists, this is one book you will find yourself thumbing through time and time again.

The Life and Love of Cats (Lewis Blackwell): Another entertaining piece, this book gives insights both historically and artistically to the connection cats have had with humans over time. From the earliest pets over 9,000 years ago in Egypt to the modern day, Blackwell combines reflections along with dynamic art and photographs in powerful renditions of feline life. Anyone who considers themselves a genuine cat-devotee ought to add this to their collection of books about cats.