Cats have long held a special place in literature. Employed as actual characters, symbolisms, or metaphors, our feline friends have tickled many writers’ imaginations and enriched the pages of many literary works.
Japanese literature, in particular, is known for several noteworthy titles that have something to do with cats. For instance, bestselling Japanese writer Haruki Murakami is famous for including cats in his novels. Meanwhile, the great Japanese writer Natsume Soseki had the most memorable narrator in the form of a world-wise kitten in his classic work I Am a Cat.
International Cat Day was recently celebrated on August 8, but feline fans can devote any day to this special occasion. Fully Booked has rounded up 10 cat-centric novels for all you cat lovers out there:
How to Train Your Human: A Cat’s Guide by Babas, translated by Katherine Gregor
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Cats and humans have always had a special bond. Still, no matter how much we love our pet cats, they sometimes confound us by their behavior. Imagine if the tables were turned: Wouldn’t our feline buddies be even more baffled by us?
In Babas’ How to Train Your Human, an intelligent Italian cat instructs its fellow felines in the “elaborate arts of human domestication.” Since its publication, the book has been a sensation and translated into 14 languages. This clever and often funny POV reversal allows readers to better understand our extraordinary relationship with the cats in our lives.
Translated from the Italian by Katherine Gregor with gorgeous black-and-white illustrations by Andrea Ferolla, this book is the purrfect gift for a cat-loving friend—or yourself if you are a loyal cat companion (because, duh! You never own a cat! It owns YOU!)
We’ll Prescribe You a Cat by Syou Ishida
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Pets are a balm to the soul, and every animal lover knows this. And as if this needs any more validation, this book further proves the healing power of cats.
This award-winning and bestselling Japanese novel has won readers’ hearts with its delightful stories, bound by the same theme: a person going through a rough patch or inner turmoil and being prescribed—a cat; what else could it be? And the cats do what they do best: guide their “patients” into a journey of self-discovery and, ultimately, self-healing.
If you’re a fan of contemporary Japanese novels with their straightforward prose, then you’ll love this one, written by Syou Ishida and translated from the Japanese by E. Madison Shimoda. Each story charms, warms the heart, and imparts a life lesson—truly a gem of a book. Pre-order your copy here. You’re welcome.
I Am a Cat by Sōseki Natsume
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Sōseki Natsume’s comic masterpiece, considered a hallmark of Japanese literature, I Am a Cat, is a satirical look into the foolishness of upper-middle-class Japanese society during the Meiji era. Written from 1904 through 1906, it follows the whimsical adventures of a world-weary, overbearing, and nameless stray kitten who comments on the foibles of the people around him.
I Am a Cat is so well-loved in Japan that many Japanese people can quote lines by heart. This book is purrfect, not only for cat lovers but also for Japanophiles. The book is also a window into Japan’s Meiji Restoration period, a pivotal moment in the country’s history, marked by significant political, economic, and social upheavals.
The Travelling Cat Chronicles by Hiro Arikawa
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Another work by a Japanese author, this book belongs to the slew of works that have charmed readers around the world in the past few years, like the Before the Coffee Gets Cold series by Toshikazu Kawaguchi and the ones written by female authors such as Sayaka Murata, Yoko Ogawa, Hiromi Kawakami, and Yu Miri.
An instant international bestseller, The Travelling Cat Chronicles by Hiro Arikawa continues to delight readers worldwide. With Arikawa’s simple yet evocative prose, the novel follows Nana the cat and his owner, Satoru, as they embark on a special journey that will teach them courage, gratitude, loyalty, and, like most stories, love.
How to Speak Cat: A Guide to Decoding Cat Language by Aline Alexander Newman, Gary Weitzman, DVM, MPH
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Is your young child or pamangkin showing signs of cat love? Then this book might be the purrfect gift for the little one. Whether you like to admit it or not, cats can sometimes be challenging to understand, contrary to, let’s say, dogs, who are so unabashed about showing affection.
This guidebook can help younger feline lovers understand what cats are trying to communicate with their body language and behavior. Armed with this handy dandy book published by National Geographic and with advice from a veterinarian and cat expert, you no longer have to wonder what Muning is trying to say when she rubs herself against your leg or purrs contentedly in one corner of the room.
Calvin and Hobbes Portable Compendium
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One of the most famous comic strips of all time and widely considered as “the last great newspaper comic,” Calvin and Hobbes is a daily American comic strip created by cartoonist Bill Watterson that was syndicated for an entire decade, from November 18, 1985, to December 31, 1995.
It follows the humorous, yet also thought-provoking, antics of the titular characters: Calvin, a precocious and mischievous six-year-old boy, and his friend Hobbes, a sardonic tiger (tigers are just big kitties, so this book counts!). At the height of its popularity, Calvin and Hobbes was featured in over 2,400 newspapers worldwide, and reruns of the strip continue to appear in more than 50 countries. Almost 30 years since its run ended, it continues to enjoy popularity, influence, and academic interest.
This first set of books is in a compact, portable format designed to introduce the timeless adventures of the eponymous characters to a new generation of would-be fans. It features two 144-page paperback books, including nearly 500 comics from the strip’s debut in November 1985 through March 1987. This set is the first of seven to be released between 2023 and 2026.
Kawaii Kitties: Learn How to Draw 75 Cats in All Their Glory by Olive Yong
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Love kitties, drawing, and everything kawaii? Then this book is purrfect for you! Popular Instagram artist Olive Young, creator of Bichi Mao (@bichi.mao), deftly captures cats—well, in all their glory—in this easy-peasy guide and no-sweat crash course to kawaii cat aesthetic.
Aside from tips and tricks in drawing and coloring your feline friends, the book also has pages full of cats for you to decorate. Now, you can draw a portrait of Muning, but expect your pal to set you high standards; you know how haughty they can be!
Stray Cats by Irene Sarmiento
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Many Filipinos are known to have a fascination with and deep love for cats. This affinity has also found its way into the pages of books, such as Irene Sarmiento’s debut novel Stray Cats. An uplifting work referencing Philippine folklore, it follows the adventures of 13-year-old Elisa Paz, who joins forces with a talking orange cat named Oscar Santos to find her best friend, Raquel Madria, who has gone missing.
Award-winning writer Sarmiento is the author of two illustrated children’s books. Her short stories have received accolades from The Palanca Memorial Foundation, Philippines Free Press, Philippine Graphic/Fiction Awards, and Stories to Change the World. She also contributes opinion pieces to Rappler.
The Sad Cat by Michelle Sarile Alagao
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This tender, heartwarming children’s book sees the titular sad cat asking his friends what they do when they feel sad. The book aims to help young readers understand complex emotions such as sadness.
Written by Michelle Sarile Alagao and illustrated by Enid Din, The Sad Cat has parallel English and Filipino texts and provides tips for parents and caregivers on how to help children manage their difficult emotions. Like all Hiyas books, this helps develop a child’s reading skills and word recognition.
This book is the purrfect gift for your friends who are parents. You can even give it to public school libraries or daycare centers.
The Full Moon Coffee Shop by Mai Mochizuki
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Similar in tone and theme to the Before the Coffee Gets Cold books, Japanese writer Mai Mochizuki can craft a memorable debut novel that’s all her own. Set in a mysterious coffee shop in Kyoto, this coffee shop is unlike any other. It has no fixed location, no fixed hours, and it appears at random. Strangest of all, it’s run by talking cats.
Described by critics as a “charming and magical novel,” The Full Moon Coffee Shop is a reminder that it’s never too late to follow our dreams. This highly anticipated book will be released on August 20, 2024. Click on the link to pre-order.
Have a special cat in your life? Celebrate International Cat Day by cuddling with your feline friend and reading a cat-centric book together! Check out the complete Cat Books Collection here.
For more bookish news and recommendations, visit https://www.fullybookedonline.com/blog.
Disclaimer: Article used with permission from Fully Booked
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