Purr-fect Gift Books for Cat Lovers

I obviously receive a *lot* of cat books to review. (No complaints about that, either!) Some of them I instantly know will be purr-fect for gift giving, so today I pulled together a group of my favorites. From nonfiction readers to photography lovers to coloring aficionados, there's something on this list for the cat lover on anyone's Christmas shopping list.

Makin' Biscuits: Weird Cat Habits and the Even Weirder Habits of the Humans Who Love Them by Deborah Barnes 

There's nothing cat people love more than sharing stories about their beloved furry friends, amiright? Makin' Biscuits is filled with anecdotes from cat lovers worldwide that will leave you alternately laughing out loud, tearing up, and in awe of the precious companions we share our lives with. This book serves an important purpose too through the author's "Purr Points to Ponder" at the end of each group of submissions giving readers an inside glimpse at what makes cats do the things they do that sometimes mystify us, to hopefully enable you and your cat(s) to live your best life possible together! (I have a story in Makin' Biscuits about my childhood cat Patch and my aunt's winter coat that ended up under the bed...you have to buy the book to find out what made him put it there!)

Call of the Cats: What I Learned about Life and Love from a Feral Colony by Andrew Bloomfield 

The author of this memoir was an aspiring screenwriter who moved into a bungalow in southern California only to discover a large colony of feral cats living on the property. He tries to distance himself from their harsh life until one day he faces the grisly sight of a beautiful tortie kitten dead at his feet. 

"Just the day before, I'd observed this little sprite dancing with joy in the backyard, spinning and leaping in air, the enthusiasm of life surging through her tiny body...I tried choking back the tears running down my face as I contemplated the radiant spirit that, only the day before, had animated this kitten but now had departed, leaving her cold and still. It seems cliched, but I wondered about a world where in one moment delicate, innocent beings expressed life with carefree abandon and in the next were viciously struck down. By what or whose design?"

It's in this moment that he discovers his true calling is to do all he can to care for these cats, taking some into his home and leaving others in their natural element, and they become his world for decades. Some parts of this book are hard to read, but in the end it's a beautiful love story that will touch the hearts of anyone who adores all cats, even the ones you might not be able to cuddle in your arms like your beloved housecat.

Brain Games for Cats: Fun Ways to Build a Loving Bond with Your Cat Through Games and Challenges by Claire Arrowsmith 

We all know how important interactive play is for our cats' mental and physical well-being, not only for the fun it provides but also for the bonding opportunity with their humans. This book is filled with exercises that anyone can do with their cat, from sitting up and high fives to more complex challenges like obstacle courses and leg weaves, all with easy to follow instructions and photos. Who says only dogs can do tricks? Cats can do same maneuvers dogs do, their owners just don't take the time to help them learn! Why not make it your New Year's resolution next year to spend more quality time interacting with your cat through fun and games?

Lick Cats by Carli Davidson 

Featuring more than sixty cats caught in mid-lick, a message from the author about the importance of animal rescue and adoption, outtakes from the photo shoots, and an explanation of her photography process, I defy you to look at this book without smiling. This is a must have coffee table book.

Dreaming of a Green Christmas by Anne Zoet 

Purrball the cat and his friend Burrball the sloth continue their online friendship at Christmastime with Purrball's family deciding to celebrate Christmas in a more environmentally-friendly way in order to help protect the habitats of their forest friends, such as decorating a live Christmas tree and making their own wrapping paper. The illustrations of Purrball creating paw print paper and helping bake the gingerbread cookies are completely adorable, and the clever rhymes teach kids an important lesson in the guise of an enjoyable story.

Kitty Sketch Coloring Notebook: Adult Coloring Journal from Color Cats by Margaret Gates Root 

Already the artist of two popular cat coloring books, this one has a bit of a twist and is very inventive. Not only can this little sketch book be kept in your purse for those interminable waits in doctor's offices, but once you're done coloring the completed page can be turned into a greeting card or used as a journal, notebook, or just a fun spot to jot down your grocery shopping list!

Do you have any cat books that you hope to receive for Christmas or plan to give as a gift?

Disclosure: Some of these books were sent to me by the author/publisher for free in exchange for a fair and honest review (others I bought myself).