Girls and Their Cats
There is something special about one’s relationship with a pet — dog, cat, you name it. Cats, however, are particularly curious little creatures, enticing obsession and fascination. BriAnne Wills’ new book, Girls and Their Cats, which was released late last month, chronicles the relationship of a multitude of women and their cats. As described in the forward, the women featured “come from different backgrounds and work in different fields, but they all have one thing in common: a healthy obsession with felines.”
Cat Lady, Redefined
Wills’ collection seeks to redefine the trope of the “cat lady” — pulling away from the, frankly, misogynistic image of an older woman living alone with a large number of cats. Reclaiming the word, Wills creates a welcoming atmosphere surrounding the bonds of feline and female friendship.
Girls and Their Cats is a window into the intricacies of these wondrous creatures and the women who love them. The sweet truth of cat ownership is that we treasure our animals not despite their peculiarities but because of them — and that, perhaps, is as good a rubric for loving as any on earth.
-Molly Young, Girls and Their Cats forward, page 8
Stories of Women and Their Cats
In all, Wills compiles profiles on fifty women and their cats — fifty-one if you include her own cat tail (pun intended). Some of the profiles are about women you would recognize — like Kitten Lady Hannah Shaw and Alyssa Mastromonaco. The book doesn’t focus on any type of celebrity, though, instead embracing and celebrating the intense bond between humom and fur baby.
A Smattering of Cat Mom Tips and Tricks
Beyond the profiles, which comprise the bulk of the volume, Girls and Their Cats also provides some informational pages, such as a quick guide on how to cat proof your home (always a concern for cat parents) and a list of “things you get better at because you have a cat.” This latter informational page really hits home for me, since it touches on a few of the almost-daily struggles of cat mom life, like learning to type with a cat standing over (or, if you’re unlucky, attempting to lay on) your keys. In fact, I had some help writing this post from my feline companions.
Besides the cute informational pages, Wills’ book also highlights rescue cats. In fact, an entire page is dedicated to “Rescue Organizations We Love”!
Why You Should Buy Girls and Their Cats
Not unlike Shaw’s Tiny But Mighty, Girls and Their Cats should be a go-to gift for any cat lady in your life. Full of adorable kitty pics, sweet rescue stories, and useful information, Wills’ book is an asset for any cat-loving home‘s coffee table.
Pick up the book from Amazon here!
Girls and Their Cats was gifted to me by Chronicle Books. Opinions expressed are my own. I appreciate them sharing the book with me.
