While the Cat's Away: 12 Books About Our Favorite Felines

For book and cat lovers alike, this charming true story about a small-town library resident will make you want to hop inside its pages. Dewey resides in the library of quaint little Spencer, Iowa, and his tales of adventure through the aisles and of his connections with the locals are sweet and fun.

T. S. Eliot’s playful look at all of the reasons we love cats, as well as all of the quirks and personality traits they possess. His poems are lighthearted odes to the mischievous, lazy, hungry companions we keep, and are also the inspiration for the musical “Cats.”

This darkly comedic and gripping novel explores deals with the devil, Stalinist Russia, and the difficulties of love. This witty classic is made great by the presence of Behemoth, a sarcastic, shape-shifting cat who loves to drink vodka and inspire mischief.

Two men embark on a mysterious journey of reinvention and meet a magical cast of characters—the most exciting being the talking cats. If you’ve ever wondered what it would be like to converse daily with your furry friends, this is the book for you.

If you’ve never read about the Cheshire Cat, you’re missing out on perhaps the cleverest and most eccentric literary feline. The smiling philosopher perplexes the young heroine, especially with his ability to disappear at will.

Kipling’s classic jungle adventure features not one, but two striking cats! Bagheera, our young hero Mowgli’s mentor, is a former captive panther with enough cunning and confidence to earn him the respect of the jungle. The other big kitty in this book is the notorious tiger, Shere Khan, who stalks Mowgli throughout his life and tries to assert himself as the “Lord of the Jungle.”

Yann Martel’s gripping novel is the perfect read for even a non-cat lover! The cat in question is Richard Parker, a 450-pound Bengal tiger accompanying a shipwrecked young boy named Pi. Throughout their joint struggle to stay alive and afloat, Pi comes to rely on Richard Parker for companionship, to help him stay strong.

This iconic book’s heroine, Holly Golightly, is remembered for her eccentricity and style. But it is really her one possession, Cat, who humanizes Holly more than any attempt by the narrator. Cat perfectly reflects Holly’s distant nature as he is the only thing she cares for and keeps close.

Never has a cartoon cat so perfectly captured the essence of not only felines, but essentially human emotions. This Internet sensation simplistically paints the portrait of a fat, lazy cat with entertaining lifestyle choices and a penchant for making its reader think “that’s just like me!”

Stephen King is the master of haunting tales and this is no exception. An idyllic family, complete with a nice little cat, falls victim to the temptation of the powerful woods near their new home. After resurrecting the cat with the mystic abilities of the land, Creed family patriarch, Louis, fails to learn from the effects the revival has on the animal, with fatal consequences to his family.

Cats have the Internet wrapped around their little paws, and Grumpy Cat might just be their king! Chock full of pictures of the grouchy feline, this book also advises on “the art of grumpiness” and includes activities and tips on perfecting a bad attitude.

A feel-good story about an old man named Ove (pronounced “Oo-ve” in case you were wondering) who could rival even Grumpy Cat’s sour demeanor, this book is a perfect example of why we love cats. With the help of a sweet neighboring family and an insistent stray, Ove is able to overcome his grief at having lost his wife and shed his bitter ways. The cat has that certain special feline way of wearing the curmudgeon down until they become the best of pals.

Here are more great book recommendations from our friends at Off the Shelf:

• 7 Books to Help You Reorganize, Reinvent, and Rejuvenate
• 11 Delightful Tales Set in Our Favorite Place—Bookstores!
• 7 Books for Fans of Broad City