Cats

The Travelling Cat Chronicles by Hiro Arikawa is a quietly powerful novel that blends road trip, friendship, and farewells into a touching story narrated in part by a sardonic but deeply loyal cat named Nana. The story begins with Satoru, a kind-hearted man, traveling across Japan with Nana in search of a new home for him. As they visit old friends and acquaintances, layers of Satoru's past are revealed—his childhood loneliness, his bond with a lost cat, and his enduring sense of loyalty and kindness.

What makes the book unique is Nana’s perspective: observant, witty, and often hilarious, yet capable of delivering surprising emotional depth. The relationship between Satoru and Nana is depicted with profound tenderness, yet without unnecessary sentimentality. As the reason for the journey unfolds, the novel shifts into more emotional territory, culminating in a gentle, heartbreaking twist.

Hiro Arikawa’s prose (translated by Philip Gabriel) is simple but evocative, beautifully capturing moments of human connection, nature, and the subtle rhythms of everyday life. It's a story that celebrates companionship, the quiet dignity of animals, and the bittersweet beauty of letting go.

The Dalai Lama’s Cat is a charming, light-hearted novel narrated by a rescued kitten who becomes the Dalai Lama’s feline companion in Dharamsala. Through her “cat-on-the-sill” observations, she offers gentle insights into Buddhist teachings like mindfulness, loving-kindness, and contentment, all conveyed in a relatable, humorous tone. The narrative introduces readers to a diverse cast of characters - from Hollywood celebrities to spiritual teachers - each encounter serving as a lesson in living well.

It’s a warm, accessible introduction to Buddhist philosophy wrapped in the cozy perspective of a curious and witty feline.

Into the Wild by Erin Hunter is the first book in the Warriors series, introducing readers to a secret world of feral cats living in clans in the forest. The story follows Rusty, a domestic housecat, who leaves his comfortable home to join ThunderClan, where he must prove himself amid suspicion, rivalry, and danger. As he becomes Firepaw, a loyal apprentice, he uncovers secrets, faces forest threats, and discovers his inner strength.

The book is fast-paced, full of action and rich world-building, appealing especially to middle-grade readers and fans of animal fantasy. Themes of loyalty, courage, identity, and belonging run throughout, with a surprisingly serious tone for a story about cats.

Erin Hunter creates a vivid society with its own laws, hierarchy, and mythology. It's an addictive start to a vast series that has captured the imaginations of young readers around the world.

Rusty, a housecat, runs into the wild and joins a clan of feral cats in a world of loyalty and survival.

The art strikes a balance between realistic anatomy and stylised features typical of manga and anime - such as expressive eyes and dynamic action lines. The drawing style feels engaging, energetic, and evocative - perfectly suited to the forest battles and clan rivalries that drive the story.

I Am a Cat by Natsume Sōseki is a sharp, satirical novel narrated by an unnamed, highly observant house cat in Meiji-era Japan. Through his wry commentary, the cat offers humorous and biting critiques of middle-class society, intellectual pretension, and human folly. The novel navigates through the mundane lives of its human characters, especially the teacher Kushami, with a mix of wit, irony, and philosophical insight.