Each December, cat lovers around the world pay homage to a librarian's best friend for National Cat Lovers' Month. One of the most comforting activities during the winter months is cozying up under a blanket with a book to read and a cat to warm you. For this reason, books and cats seem to go hand-in-hand. The staff at CGPL have put our cats' modeling skills to the test to recommend some of our favorite books.
Yoda and Sophie (Adult Services) have the perfect novel for lovers of dark academia, theater nerds, or anyone who just misses the emotional rollercoaster that was high school.
Summary: Oliver Marks has just served ten years in jail - for a murder he may or may not have committed. On the day he's released, he's greeted by the man who put him in prison. Detective Colborne is retiring, but before he does, he wants to know what really happened a decade ago.
As one of seven young actors studying Shakespeare at an elite arts college, Oliver and his friends play the same roles onstage and off: hero, villain, tyrant, temptress, ingenue, extra. But when the casting changes, and the secondary characters usurp the stars, the plays spill dangerously over into life, and one of them is found dead. The rest face their greatest acting challenge yet: convincing the police, and themselves, that they are blameless.
Jean (User Services) has given this picture of Oliver, whose favorite book is Homer's Odyssey: A Fearless Feline Tale, Or How I Learned About Love and Life With a Blind Wonder Cat by Gwen Cooper.
Summary: ONCE IN NINE LIVES, SOMETHING EXTRAORDINARY HAPPENS.
The last thing Gwen Cooper wanted was another cat. She already had two, not to mention a phenomenally underpaying job and a recently broken heart. Then Gwen's veterinarian called with a story about a three-week-old eyeless kitten who'd been abandoned. It was love at first sight.
Everyone warned that Homer would always be an "underachiever." But the kitten nobody believed in quickly grew into a three-pound dynamo with a giant heart who eagerly made friends with every human who crossed his path. Homer scaled seven-foot bookcases with ease, survived being trapped alone for days after 9/11 in an apartment near the World Trade Center, and even saved Gwen's life when he chased off an intruder who broke into their home in the middle of the night. But it was Homer's unswerving loyalty, his infinite capacity for love, and his joy in the face of all obstacles that transformed Gwen's life. And by the time she met the man she would marry, she realized that Homer had taught her the most valuable lesson of all: Love isn't something you see with your eyes.
A graphic novel can be a wonderful, fun palate cleanser when you want something light and quick to read. Basil, Jenna's (Youth Services) cat, recommends teen graphic novel Lights by Brenna Thummler.
Summary: Marjorie Glatt's life was forever changed the day she discovered a group of ghosts hiding in her family's laundromat. One of those ghosts was Wendell: a lonely phantom turned Marjorie's best friend. When he and Marjorie are joined by ghost-enthusiast Eliza Duncan, the three friends band together in friendship, bravery, and all things paranormal. Wendell died far too young and now must wander the Land of Humans with nothing more than a sheet for a body. He knows how he died--a tragic drowning accident--but lately he's grown curious about his past life. He wants to know more about why he died, not just how he died. It's not easy, though, since Wendell's memory of his human life has grown increasingly blurry. With Marjorie and Eliza's help, they set out on a journey to find out more. When they hear a rumor about Wendell's death, they wonder if it might not have been an accident after all. Meanwhile, Marjorie and Eliza's friendship is tested when Marjorie starts to befriend the very people who used to bully Eliza. In the third and final installment of the Sheets trilogy, Wendell will finally uncover the truth of his human life. Marjorie and Eliza will learn that some people really can change. Most of all, they start to see that everything can cast shadows, but if you look hard enough, you can find the light.
Chauncey, owned by Alli (Youth Services), recommends the teen fantasy Carry On, by Rainbow Rowell.
Summary: Simon Snow is the worst Chosen One who's ever been chosen. That's what his roommate, Baz, says. And Baz might be evil and a vampire and a complete git, but he's probably right.
Half the time, Simon can't even make his wand work, and the other half, he starts something on fire. His mentor's avoiding him, his girlfriend broke up with him, and there's a magic-eating monster running around, wearing Simon's face. Baz would be having a field day with all this, if he were here — it's their last year at the Watford School of Magicks, and Simon's infuriating nemesis didn't even bother to show up.
Carry On: The Rise and Fall of Simon Snow is a ghost story, a love story, and a mystery. It has just as much kissing and talking as you'd expect from a Rainbow Rowell story - but far, far more monsters.
Abby's (Youth Services) cat Inky is modeling the book We Have Always Lived in the Castle by Shirley Jackson. This short novel has a spooky atmosphere without being too scary.
Summary: Shirley Jackson’s beloved gothic tale of a peculiar girl named Merricat and her family’s dark secret. Taking readers deep into a labyrinth of dark neurosis, We Have Always Lived in the Castle is a deliciously unsettling novel about a perverse, isolated, and possibly murderous family and the struggle that ensues when a cousin arrives at their estate.
Tora lives with Kayla (Adult Services), and his favorite book is a manga called A Man and His Cat.
Summary: Their little life together growing ever cozier, Mr. Kanda and Fukumaru continue to take comfort in each other. And, with his kitty's help, Mr. Kanda learns to lean on those around him, bit by bit. But one day, Fukumaru finds himself being pulled out of the Mr. Kanda's arms at the vet! Fukumaru is in big trouble, and the man and the cat who both know what it's like to be lonely, are grief stricken at the thought of being separated.
And if you need to take a break from reading, here's a game recommendation instead! Lane, Roly Poly, and Wooly Bully love it when their mom Reneé (Youth Services) brings home the game Pictureka from our board game collection.
Summary: In this picture hunt, players keep a card if they find the picture or phrase on the gameboards. Collect 6 cards to win and become the Pictureka champ!