The end of the year brings with it a round-up of "best of" posts, so in the spirit of the season we've put together a list of our 10 favorite cat books of the year.
This list easily could have been twice it's length and paring it down to 10 was very difficult. For clarification, we only chose books that were released in 2015. When you click on each book's link you will be taken to our Tortie Shorties review, and in many cases a Mudpie or Truffles interview with a fantastic feline!
10) A Gift from Bob: How a Street Cat Helped One Man Learn the Meaning of Christmas by James Bowen. So I'm breaking my own rule right out of the starting gate. This book was actually published in the UK last year, but not until this fall here in the US. I read it last Christmas after ordering it from Book Depository. Bob's story is even going to be hitting the big screen soon!
9) Oliver the Cat Who Saved Christmas: The Tale of a Little Cat with a Big Heart by Sheila Norton. Another UK import from Book Depository, this was my favorite book of the Christmas season.
8) The Cat, the Sneak and the Secret by Leann Sweeney. The entire best-selling Cats in Trouble series is a must-read for cat cozy lovers, but this seventh book starring a kleptomaniac tortie named Magpie holds an extra special place in my heart.
7) Inspector Dewey by Kristen Heimerl. This children's book starring a crime-fighting cat completely captured my imagination. The illustrations were just incredible, and Dewey's cute and catchy phrases will be a delight for children and also a wonderful introduction to the delightful world of mystery and suspense. In promoting Mudpie's interview he called her the "relentless reporter, pioneering pussycat and forever fabulous, Mudpie."
6) Avalon by Vanessa Morgan. This love story between a woman and a cat rivals anything you will read between humans and I found myself completely engrossed in the intensity of their bond.
5) The Black Cats: Cattarina Mystery #2 by Monica Shaughnessy. I was delighted the day I learned that Edgar Allan Poe was owned by a tortoiseshell cat, Cattarina. As the star of her very own mystery series she is the epitome of "tortitude" and uses it to solve local crimes against both humans and animals, while in the process continuing to be her beloved master's muse. Our review of the first Cattarina mystery, The Tell-Tail Heart, and Truffles interview with Cattarina can be found here.
4) Homer: The Ninth Life of a Blind Wonder Cat by Gwen Cooper. This long-awaited sequel to the monster best-seller, which takes readers through the final four years of his life, is even more unforgettable...if that's possible. Heroic Homer will live forever in the hearts of those who knew and loved him...both in person and through the pages of a book.
3) Rescued: The Stories of 12 Cats, Through Their Eyes. This anthology of rescue cat stories compiled by Janiss Garza, who writes the Sparkle Cat blog, has been a part of our life for most of the year as we've been interviewing each of the featured cats. We look forward to continuing this in 2016 and beyond as the second collection is already in the works!
2) Raphael's Story by Deborah L. Courville. This book was truly a gift from heaven that left me feeling like I had received a message from Truffles. It's a must read for everyone who has a passion for cats and their welfare.
1) Purr Prints of the Heart by Deb Barnes. Every time we bring a new pet into our homes and our hearts, we do so knowing that the day will come when we will have to say goodbye to them. This magnificent book is the best I have ever read on coping with that loss. It's told from the viewpoint of Mr.Jazz, whose great wisdom takes readers through his life, death and beyond. Reading about his lengthy illness I relived Tara's long good-bye. Then following his passing Deb suffered another devastating loss with her beloved Harley's sudden death. As I read this in the spring, little did I know that I was only months away from experiencing the same thing with Truffles. This book is poignant, therapeutic, and exquisitely beautiful.
What was YOUR favorite cat book of 2015?
22 comments:
It was tough doing my top ten this year but loved four from your list. My favorite was actually a vintage book titled Rhubarb but not on my list since I only review books published in that calendar year. We're sending our furry best fishes for a purrfectly happy and healthy New Year!
Looks like I have some more reading to do! Great list.
I would love to read all of these. I read (and loved) The Cat, the Sneak and the Secret. (I love the series, too.)
What a great list. The mom needs to add most of these to her reading list.
a good list - mom has read some of these and needs to take a look at the rest. Happy New Year
What a great list! The head peep is so far behind on her reading, and this looks like a great list to start with.
Great choices. I have read several of those and loved them, I am putting the rest on my Goodreads list. Rescued is my top favorite.
This list made me realize that I did not read near enough cat books this year. At least now I know where to start! Purrs, and have a happy, blessed New Year, Mudpie and Melissa!
I think we have similar tastes, Melissa :) Many of these made my "best books of 2015" too! There are a few I definitely need to add to my "to-read" list. I'm reading "A Gift from Bob" right now and loving it. I just love that orange boy!
That is a fantastic list!
HAPPY Mew Year's Eve.
Thank you so much for including Purr Prints on your list. Your summary brought me to tears - while I am eternally sorry that you had to say goodbye to your beloved Tara and Truffles, I am grateful that Purr Prints brought you the peace and comfort you needed. That is why I wrote the book and I truly appreciate that it found a place in your heart.
Much love from Deb (and from Mr. Jazz, the meow author and inspiration for Purr Prints)
Thank you so much Melissa. What a fantastic list and I feel so honored! Happy New Year!
Just copies your list, some I have read already but now I know some more good books and authors to read. Thank you
What an amazing list - and how awesome that Rescued is part of it! There are several books here that my human hasn't read me yet - I have some catching up to do!
Great list ! Mum needs to have a look at some books ! Best wishes for 2016 and Happy Mew Year ! Purrs
Those sure look like sum innerestin' books. We purray your New Year is blest.
Luv ya'
Dezi and Lexi
Awesome list of books! We still didn't read all of them. Happy New Year, girls!
Wishing you peace and joy in 2016!
We feel bad that we forgot to add Avalon to our list (at least I think we forgot, I didn't go back and check lol)...believe it or not there are a number of books on your list that I haven't read.......hoping to cut WAY back on books in 2016 so it is doubtful that I will read any of these but one that I have that is waiting to be read! catchatwithcarenandcody
We're soooo happy to see Rescued on there! (psst! Allie's story is going to be in Rescued 2!) Hee!!
Cat-House Sonnets, 100 poems celebrating cats
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