Cat Shaming

Even the title of Cat Shaming, the hilarious follow-up to the popular Dog Shaming, is an oxymoron. Experts and those who live with cats will all tell you that you cannot shame a cat. These adorable little purr machines do as they please-without even the tiniest shread of shame. 

No, you cannot shame a cat.

However, the industrious contributors to this book sure do try their best at this task! Here, you'll find nearly 200 and kittens cats posed (rather proudly, it seems) next to notes detailing their diabolical deeds, which range from petty theft and destruction of property to murder (of small animals, that is). There are creative Kitties who prefer to...shall we say, think "Outside The Box." There are meanies who are just bullies (other cats, the dog, the vet...). There are biters, scratchers, and just general troublemakers.

Good thing they're so cute.

Cat Shaming is a hilarious, laugh-out-loud (literally) read, whether you live with cats or not. It's currently found in our New Book section. Pick it up and browse at random or read it cover-to-cover. However you decide to experience Cat Shaming, one thing's for sure: You'll ROTFL ^..^

--AJB

Simon's Cat in Kitten Chaos, by Simon Tofield

Literally stumbled upon Simon's Cat: Kitten Chaos whilst straightening the Teen Area last night (some careless kid had left it on the floor) and, today, decided it must be a message from the Universe that I should review it on the blog. 

Ok, truthfully I was maybe feeling a smidge lazy last night and just didn't feel like walking the book allllll the way back to the To Be Re-Shelved area (to be fair, it had been a long day). This morning it was still on the Teen Desk, so I figured, "What the heck. I'll review it"

Most of you probably know Simon's Cat from artist Simon Tofield's clever YouTube videos detailing the misadventures of an always-hungry feline and his hapless owner. But did you know there were comic books to accompany the videos? There are. Several, in fact. And OPL owns a few. Notably, Kitten Chaos, in which our feline friend gets a new roommate: a frisky and feisty kitten. Wordless black and white illustrations tell the tale (tail?) of how our hero adjusts to going from an "only cat" to having a little sibling to pick on (and get picked on by). At first, he's annoyed. The  Kitten steals his toys, frames him for scratching what shouldn't be scratched, eats his food... Then comes the fateful day where Cat witnesses Kitten getting bullied by a larger neighborhood cat. And from that point on, things change. After the Neighbor Cat Incident, Cat and Kitten team up for some feline shenanigans. And, of course, Cat teaches Kitten how to beg for food.

Kitten Chaos wasn't as funny as the original Simon's Cat comic book, which I read in one sitting and laughed out loud (yes, literally) at until I cried. Mainly because a lot of the jokes had been done before. But it is still cute and humorous read. A great choice to pick up to pass the time. --AJB

Varjak Paw, by SF Said

Young Varjak Paw, a Mesopotamian Blue kitten, lives with the rest of his cat clan in an old house high atop a hill, a beloved pet of an elderly woman. Shunned by his siblings for being different, Varjak does his best to keep a low profile. His only solace are the stories his grandfather tells of their ancient ancestor, the great Jalal, the cat who developed The Way, a secret martial arts known only to a chosen few cats.

Then one day the old woman vanishes. In her place are a mysterious Gentleman and his sinister feline companions, and soon Varjak's whole family is in grave danger. 

Fleeing the only home he's ever known and swearing he will get help, Varjak is soon at the mercy of the City and all its dangers. 

It is here he learns Varjak faces his greatest fears and learns he is a very, very special cat--perhaps the only one who can stop the Gentleman's evil plot and save the day.

Varjak Paw by SF Said is one of this year's Battle of the Books selections, and it is well worth your time! --AJB

Simon's Cat and Beyond

Simon's Cat. By now, you've probably all seen the hilarious YouTube cartoons of that cat who is always demanding food of his harried, hapless owner. And if you haven't, you need to check it out right now!

Well, now this internet phenomenon has two new books, both of which you'll find on the graphic novel section of our "New Books" shelf. These are: Simon's Cat Kitten Chaos and Simon's Cat vs. The World. In these hilarious volumes the famous feline has all sorts of adventures, from taunting the local wildlife to tormenting the new kitten. And always, always demanding more food. And don't forget the original Simon's Cat book, which is located on our Graphic Novel shelf. 

Although thick, these books are all text-free and make for quick reads. The simple, yet expressive, artwork is packed with humorous observations about feline life--sometimes realistic, sometimes fantastical. All are sure to have you laughing, whether you're a cat owner, cat appreciator, or just a fan of humor.

kitties, kitties, kitties!

Seriously, who doesn't love kitties? From Grumpy Cat to LOL Cat to funny/cute Facebook posts to the countless Youtube videos you can watch any time of day or night. With their playfulness, attitude, independence, adorableness, tendency to get into hilarious situations, and ease to own (it's awesome; they totally clean up after themselves), it's no small wonder that the cat has recently surpassed the dog as America's #1 favorite pet.

Here at Oxford Public Library, we have exactly what you're looking for when it comes to those furry feline friends. Smitten: A Kitten's Guide to Happiness artfully combines photos of adorable kittens with quotations about how to live life to the fullest. Whether you open this book at random or read it cover to cover, Smitten is sure to brighten your day no matter how rough was school, traffic, unexpected dramatic confrontations with friends, parents, and/or teachers. Unless, of course, you're looking for a good laugh. In which case we recommend LOLcat or Stuff On My Cat. Both contain hilarious cat photos with those trademark misspelled captions. Both are sure to make you OMG and LOL until you ROTFL. And there's plenty of informational and educational pet books in our collection as well. No matter what you're looking for, OPL has it. Just ask!

Prefer pups? We've got something awesome for you as well! --AJB

The Way

If you like cats and Martial Arts, you'll love Varjak Paw by SF Said. Young Varjak, a purebread Mesopotamian Blue cat, lives with his feline family and elderly owner in a large mansion on the outskirts of a great city. Despite his family's closeness, Varjak never felt like he fit in. And he doesn't. One day a mysterious Gentleman and two deadly black cats arrive at the mansion and imprison his family. Varjak narrowly escapes to the city outside. Here, he begins having dreamlike visions of his great ancestor Jalal, who founded an ancient form of feline kung fu called The Way. Varjak is the rare cat Chosen to learn The Way. He must master the Seven Skills, and he must do it soon! Animals throughout the city are disappearing, and Varjak is the only one who can rescue them!

And don't miss the exciting sequel, Outlaw Varjak Paw. The notorious gang leader Sally Bones is invading neutral territories, bullying the cats who live there and causing all the city's cats to live in constant fear. Varjak, along with Holly, Tam, and Cludge, is the only one willing to stand up to Sally and fight for peace. But what if Sally is more experienced in The Way than Varjak?

Both are awesome books! --AJB