Book Reviews

Today’s guest post comes to us from Krista Beucler, Marketing & Communications Intern at Community Cats Podcast. 

My Life in a Cat House by Gwen Cooper – Memoir

Gwen Cooper, the author of Homer’s Odyssey, writes this time about all the cats she has shared her home with over the years. The memoir is structured into short stories focusing on each of the unique felines she has known. I haven’t read Homer’s Odyssey, but I was drawn in to Cooper’s world by her writing style and her keen observation of her feline family. The memoir is a joy for any cat lover, who will recognize the idiosyncrasies and the charm of sharing your home with a cat. At times funny and touching, Cooper fully characterizes each of the five cats she has shared her life with. I would definitely recommend this book as a holiday gift for any of the Crazy Cat Ladies on your list. | Rating: 4/5 three-legged felines

The Lion in the Living Room by Abigail Tucker – Science

Honestly, I was pretty disappointed by this book and did not enjoy it. Tucker tries to tease out the mystery of how cats have found a place in our hearts and taken over our homes and lives—even though we didn’t domesticate them like dogs or other animals, and even though they supposedly don’t contribute anything to our lives. Unfortunately, the book reads like a laundry list of reasons why we shouldn’t like cats—including, but not limited to, their status as an invasive species, their possible link to schizophrenia through an invasive parasite they can give their owners, and studies that show not only no real health benefits to owning a cat, but also some health risks.

Apart from all the science and history Tucker piles up that make cats seem like the worst animal humans have allied themselves with in history, she also makes cat lovers sound insane—from breeders and cat fanciers to Jackson Galaxy and the pet product industry, from TNR advocates to Instagram-famous cat owners. Though much of the science and history in this book was interesting, I felt Tucker failed to discover the true nuance of the human-cat bond. Perhaps the benefits I receive from having my cat in my life are not quantifiable by science, studies, or terms that can be qualified as “useful to humanity,” but I certainly believe my life is better for having my cat in it. | Rating: 2/5 toxoplasma gondii parasites

Our Symphony with Animals by Aysha Akhtar M.D. – Science

This book provided me with everything I felt I was missing from The Lion in the Living Room. Dr. Akhtar’s book explored the deep bond of empathy humans share with animals and how that bond can be incredibly healing. This, I felt, was what Tucker failed to talk about in her quest to understand why people love cats. Dr. Akhtar also discusses the idea that a lack of empathy toward animals could translate to a lack of empathy toward humans. She visits prisons, animal rescues, poultry farms, and the New York Police Department, among other places, and speaks with veterans living with PTSD, a serial killer, detectives investigating animal cruelty cases, a former mobster, an ex-rancher and more. She also cites a wealth of studies and scientific evidence that supports the anecdotes and interviews that fill her book. She succeeded in convincing me that a strong empathetic bond between humans and animals is both natural and necessary to a healthy way of living. | Rating: 5/5 animal rescues
*Content warning for sensitive readers: This book includes discussion of sexual abuse of children, animal abuse, trauma, PTSD, violent crime, drug abuse, discussion of serial murder and abuse of women.

New Choices in Natural Healing for Cats and Dogs: Herbs, Acupressure, Massage, Homeopathy, Flower Essences, Natural Diets, Healing Energy, 2017 by Amy Shojai – Medical Handbook

I appreciated that this handbook didn’t advocate for eschewing mainstream veterinary practices, but instead equips the reader with some tools and techniques for holistic medicine at home that can be paired with mainstream veterinary care. The guiding principle behind holistic medicine is to identify the cause of illness or pain and treat the cause, not the symptoms, as many drugs seem to do. Holistic medicine posits that if we can help to support our pets’ immune systems, they will be able to fight off most infections and heal quickly. What I liked about the idea of holistic medicine is that many of the techniques, such as massage or energy healing, will do no harm, even if you find that they don’t help. It’s always good to consult with a veterinarian, holistic or otherwise, before trying anything, of course, something the book continually reminds the reader. Though there has been some evidence of holistic medicine’s success, more research is needed and I would try to use the most recent edition of the book (the 2017 edition at this time). After the basic introduction, which discusses herbs, acupressure, massage, homeopathy, flower essences, natural diets, and healing energy more generally, the book includes a list of ailments your pet might be suffering from—such as vomiting, fur loss, ear mites, heartworms, ulcers, and more—and suggested treatments. | Rating: 3/5 homeopathic remedies

Bonus book! How to Take Awesome Photos of Cats by Andrew Marttila – How-to Guide

Andrew Marttila is the Kitten Lady’s partner, and you’ve probably seen his adorable photos of cats before. Maybe you even follow him on Instagram (@iamthecatphotographer). Marttila’s book was a great and very accessible guide to getting better photos of your cat. The book covered basic photography skills, tips for working with feline subjects, specific guides for using smart phones for photography as well as dedicated cameras, basic editing suggestions, and how to use the great photos you’ve taken. Marttila’s tone is casual and easygoing and not at all overwhelming, as some other photography guides can be. Whether you primarily use your phone or you have a dedicated camera to capture your majestic feline, Marttila’s book is full of good and easy-to-apply tips and he encourages his readers to use their new-found photography skills for good, volunteering to take photos of adoptable cats at shelters. This would make a great holiday gift for any budding photography hobbyists on your list. | Rating: 5/5 cats on catnip

Originally from Colorado, Krista Beucler received a Bachelor of Arts in creative writing at the University of Mary Washington (UMW) in Virginia. She was the editor-in-chief for Issue 7.2 of the Rappahannock Review, the literary journal published by UMW. Krista’s creative work has been published in From Whispers to Roars literary magazine. She is spending COVID-19 at home with her cats.