WONDERFUL Cat book...

[jennielynn1970]

I just had to tell you guys that I read finished a wonderful cat book last night. It's a memoir, by William Jordan, and how a cat came into his life, and the difference that cat made in his life and in him... It's hard to put into words just how wonderful this book is. I'm a librarian, and I'm not into mushy books, but this was touching, warm, moving and sad... There's a lot of medical jargon in it as well, because of what he experiences once he accepts that Darwin is a part of his life. It's a tear jerker, and not what I probably should have read on my birthday, but it's always good to have a good cry every now and then.

Here's a blurb from the net...
In this endearing memoir, William Jordan's reluctant adoption of a stray cat leads to an unexpectedly deep bond, one that will be immediately recognizable to anyone who has ever fallen under the spell of a pet. When Jordan brings Darwin into his home, he is forced into a commitment more devoted and sincere than any he has known before. He observes Darwin not only with the lovestruck gaze of a doting pet owner but also with the keen eye of a trained scientist, and he ruminates insightfully on the complex relationship between humans and their pets. Through issues of territory and separation, sickness and health, Jordan's heartrending memoir of his relationship with Darwin is made irresistible by his "self-effacing honesty, his ever-present wit, and, above all, the unashamed nakedness of his emotions" (San Diego Union-Tribune).


I just wanted to share the book with you, and maybe you will seek it out for yourselves, or someone you know who might like it. The cover is very endearing as well, for those of us who love big orange/buff kitties, lol. Hope you read it and enjoy it!
Jennie

[catmandu]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v621/catmandu/new%20photos/cats101075.jpg

I just checked my library, and they dont have it.
I will have to put that on request.

[Sonia59]

Interesting. I found it on ebay but in German, a bit hard to read for me :rolleyes: although the cover is lovely. I'll probably buy it from an Internet bookshop as in France we hardly find books in English.
I love books and being a scientist myself I am curious to read that one ;)

[orangemm]

What a timely post! We are scheduled to go to the library tonight, so I will put this one on my list. ALWAYS in search of a good (cat) book to read.

Years ago I read a delightful book titled "All My Patients are Under the Bed". It was written by a vet, whose name escapes me, but it was excellent. It was so long ago that it's probably out of print by now, but if you ever come across it, pick it up and read it.


ETA: Writer is Louis J. Camuti. I found it under AbeBooks; they have old books if anyone is interested.

[jennielynn1970]

Interesting. I found it on ebay but in German, a bit hard to read for me :rolleyes: although the cover is lovely. I'll probably buy it from an Internet bookshop as in France we hardly find books in English.
I love books and being a scientist myself I am curious to read that one ;)


Do you have access to Amazon over there??? Or maybe Half.com would have it?? I got the copy I read from the company our school orders books from (the lowest bidder, of course). Follett Library Resources. It was cheaper on Amazon, but the dustjacket and all that was included.

[Barbara]

ZVAB.com is Germany's biggest website for used books (it works in English too) and has connections to international sellers- they have 4 copies in US shops on their list.

[Sonia59]

Yes I can order on Amazon.com. They have both books there (William Jordan and Louie Camuti) and I think I will order them both :) I don't really care if they are second hand.

[jennielynn1970]

Years ago I read a delightful book titled "All My Patients are Under the Bed". It was written by a vet, whose name escapes me, but it was excellent. It was so long ago that it's probably out of print by now, but if you ever come across it, pick it up and read it.


ETA: Writer is Louis J. Camuti. I found it under AbeBooks; they have old books if anyone is interested.

I found that one as well. There are many good books out there on pets and pet loss.

I'm a librarian at a middle school, although this is only my 2nd year at this level. Previously I was in elementary (miss those open, honest, little hearts), so these guys are just learning that I am a cat person. I bought a bunch of really neat cat books for the library this year, oh, and some wonderful pet/animal books as well...

1. A dog's life: the autobiography of a stray by: Ann Martin
2. Because of Winn Dixie (so much better than the movie they made)
3. The Tale of Despereaux (same author as Winn Dixie) Kate DiCamillo
4. I am the cat, don't forget that by Valarie Shaff
5. Meow: cat stories from around the world by Jane Yolen
6. The story of the seagull and the cat who taught her to fly by Luis
Sepulveda
7. 101 cataclysms: for the love of cats by Rachel Hale

Your public library may not have all of the books listed above. Most public libraries have had major reductions in their funding and are struggling to make ends meet. You can find these on Amazon however.

They are really wonderful stories, fiction and non-fiction alike.

[jennielynn1970]

Yes I can order on Amazon.com. They have both books there (William Jordan and Louie Camuti) and I think I will order them both :) I don't really care if they are second hand.

I order my own personal books from there all the time, and honestly, I don't care if they are 2nd hand either. Sometimes they are in just as good of shape as the new ones. I just know that I'll appreciate them more than the person selling them.

Check out my other list I just put up as well. :D

[Sonia59]

And also " A cat in Paris" and " A cat abroad" from Peter Gethers. I have read those cute and funny books a long time ago and from what I remember the first one " A cat in Paris" is better. The stories are about a Scottish Fold, Norton, travelling everywhere with his hooman.

[jennielynn1970]

Almost forgot... these are elementary and middle school, but sooooo good!!

1. The cat who went to heaven by Elizabeth Coatsworth(an older Newbery winner)
2. Cat Heaven by Cynthia Rylant (a very sweet picture book)
3. Dog Heaven by Cynthia Rylant
4. Shiloh; Shiloh Season; and Saving Shiloh by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor

[lvpets2002]

:) Thank you so much for the referance.. I am going to try to find this book..

[aki]

Have ya'll ever read Marley and Me?

I got it for Christmas and laughed and cried though the whole thing.

I loved it!

~Aki :D

[aki]

http://www.amazon.com/Marley-Me-Life-Worlds-Worst/dp/0060817089/sr=1-1/qid=1168569221/ref=pd_bbs_1/103-7222810-9335822?ie=UTF8&s=books

Here's a link!

[jennielynn1970]

Have ya'll ever read Marley and Me?

I got it for Christmas and laughed and cried though the whole thing.

I loved it!

~Aki :D

My mom has it, and is letting me borrow it this weekend.

[jazzcat]

Thanks! I was looking for something different to read. I just bought three books on ebay, two of which were mentioned here.

[kt_luvs_kitties]

I just bought this book off of ebay - for $8.00 with shipping and handling included. Just type in "A cat named Darwin" under buy it now. This one IS used, but they had about 10 others for sale as well, starting from 2.95(without shipping).

Thank you so much for this reference. I will read it and let you know what I think. Katie and kitties :D

[jennielynn1970]

Very cool!! Which ones did you pick out??

One of the best perks about being a librarian is ordering all the new books. Actually, that's second best. The best part is unpacking all the new books and being the FIRST one in the school to read them. LOVE IT!!! :D

I read about 3-4 novels (as in 250+ pages) a week during the school year to make sure what I have is appropriate, and summer time, whew! We're talking about at least 1 book a day minimum. I may not have much of a social life, but I am well read, lol. ;)

[jennielynn1970]

I just bought this book off of ebay - for $8.00 with shipping and handling included. Just type in "A cat named Darwin" under buy it now. This one IS used, but they had about 10 others for sale as well, starting from 2.95(without shipping).

Thank you so much for this reference. I will read it and let you know what I think. Katie and kitties :D


It is definitely a tear jerker!!

The book 101 Cataclysms is a sweet book with tons of pics of kitties in cute positions. My kids at school adore it!

[Sonia59]

I read about 3-4 novels (as in 250+ pages) a week during the school year to make sure what I have is appropriate, and summer time, whew! We're talking about at least 1 book a day minimum. I may not have much of a social life, but I am well read, lol. ;)

Wow, a dream! I used to read a lot when I was at school and I was going to the public library of my town several times a week! It's not the case anymore, as it takes me weeks to read a single book (except during holidays), but I always need to have one with me.

But If I understand well, Jenn_librarian, you are specializing in CAT books :D :rolleyes: (just joking)

[aki]

I am gonna order a cat named darwin. Looks awesome.

I read a lot too but not as much as my daughter. she reads about 5 books a week. she started New Moon yesterday and is halfway through it already! :eek:

[Maya & Inka's mommy]

Super!!! Please post the name of the publisher? I want to order that book!!

I received a great cat-book from Denise!
"Cat confidential (the bestseller your cat would want you to read)
written by Vicky Halls
Bantam Books

[jennielynn1970]

I am gonna order a cat named darwin. Looks awesome.

I read a lot too but not as much as my daughter. she reads about 5 books a week. she started New Moon yesterday and is halfway through it already! :eek:

How old is your daughter?? I'm a middle school librarian, so if she's between the ages of 10-14, I'd love to hear what she likes to read. It's soooo hard to keep up with all the new fiction books out there!

[jennielynn1970]

Publisher is Houghton Mifflin. Although if it gets popular and goes into 2nd and 3rd printings in paperback, it may go to a subsidiary of HM.

[aki]

She loves Tamora Pierce and has read the The Song of the Lioness series and Protector of the Small. Twilight and New Moon, The Uglies trilogy, all of the Harry Potter's so far, Maximum Ride, Eragon, The Bartimaeus trilogy, The Great Tree of Babylon, to name a few. She was in the BBYA (best books for young adults) club at her old school and could devour the new list within weeks! LOL!
She is 16 now but still loves all the young adult books especially anything to do with fantasy.
She just got recently Lady Knight, Maximum Ride - School's Out Forever, Boy Proof, Seeker, The Supernaturalist and Artemis Fowl that she just got from Barnes and Nobel this week and hasn't read them yet.
She read 13 Little Blue Envelopes over Christmas.
How's zat?? LOL!
She could talk books with ya all day and all night! hahahahaha!
~ Aki :D

[Zippy]

Thanks.I am alwas looking for good books to read.
Tamora Pierce is my favorite author.I have read almost all her books but 3.

[jennielynn1970]

She loves Tamora Pierce and has read the The Song of the Lioness series and Protector of the Small. Twilight and New Moon, The Uglies trilogy, all of the Harry Potter's so far, Maximum Ride, Eragon, The Bartimaeus trilogy, The Great Tree of Babylon, to name a few. She was in the BBYA (best books for young adults) club at her old school and could devour the new list within weeks! LOL!
She is 16 now but still loves all the young adult books especially anything to do with fantasy.
She just got recently Lady Knight, Maximum Ride - School's Out Forever, Boy Proof, Seeker, The Supernaturalist and Artemis Fowl that she just got from Barnes and Nobel this week and hasn't read them yet.
She read 13 Little Blue Envelopes over Christmas.
How's zat?? LOL!
She could talk books with ya all day and all night! hahahahaha!
~ Aki :D

I've got a bunch of them at school actually, so at least I know I'm in the right direction, lol. Sometimes though, the publishers say it's for such and such an age, and when I get them and read them I'm shocked by how mature some of them are. I bought this one book in a series called "Summer Boys". It wasn't well written, although the girls on Amazon raved about it... it was essentially soft porn for young adults. I was totally disgusted. I know our kids are more street wise these days, but geez!!!

My kids at school are intimidated by the Trickster books.. they are quite hefty for middle school, but we do have some "over achievers", lol. We're grades 6-8th, so we've got ages 11 - 16. It's a big spread.

[Kirsten]

Thanks for recommending the book, I'll look for it on ebay. I always enjoy good cat books.

Recently, I read "Tailchaser's Song (http://www.amazon.com/Tailchasers-Song-Tad-Williams/dp/0886779537/sr=8-1/qid=1168714096/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1/102-7100026-6481760?ie=UTF8&s=books) " by Tad Williams for the second time, very fascinating. Sort of a cat version of a "tolkienesque" story like "Lord of the Rings"... :)

http://ec1.images-amazon.com/images/P/0886779537.01._AA240_SCLZZZZZZZ_.jpg

Kirsten

[aki]

I've got a bunch of them at school actually, so at least I know I'm in the right direction, lol. Sometimes though, the publishers say it's for such and such an age, and when I get them and read them I'm shocked by how mature some of them are. I bought this one book in a series called "Summer Boys". It wasn't well written, although the girls on Amazon raved about it... it was essentially soft porn for young adults. I was totally disgusted. I know our kids are more street wise these days, but geez!!!

My kids at school are intimidated by the Trickster books.. they are quite hefty for middle school, but we do have some "over achievers", lol. We're grades 6-8th, so we've got ages 11 - 16. It's a big spread.

I kinda thought the same thing when she brought home the book Crank. But it was really a good book for kids to read I think. It should really make them think twice about using drugs.

I have always had to watch the books she has since she was in 2nd grade when she tested out reading and comprehending at a college level. LOL! I was all, "Lemme see that first!" haha!

You should see her bookcase! And she likes the Trickster books too she just said. I should have figgered. :D

~Aki

[jennielynn1970]

I have always had to watch the books she has since she was in 2nd grade when she tested out reading and comprehending at a college level. LOL! I was all, "Lemme see that first!" haha!

You should see her bookcase! And she likes the Trickster books too she just said. I should have figgered. :D

~Aki

HOLY COW!!! That's amazing!

If she likes realistic fiction, and things about teens, Sarah Dessen writes awesome novels.

It is really hard to find books that aren't elementary level, but yet aren't high school and really mature. Most booksellers list K-8 or YA. Well, sorry, but there's a big difference between K and 8th. And there's a big gap between 8th and YA. We're making these kids grow up and learn about things that they really aren't psychologically ready for, even if they physically look like it.

[Tora Oni]

Oh I heard of that book and I really would love to read it.

[kt_luvs_kitties]

*UPDATE* I got my book today, and I started reading it. I am at the part where he trys to see if Darwin can figure out his territory (the door). I am going home now to try to read a little more before bed. I love his writing style!

[orangemm]

I ordered Darwin on eBay, too. Can't wait til it gets here!

[Sonia59]

I ordered too (Darwin and the book from Camuti) on Amazon. I can't wait to receive them! Hope they arrive before my holiday next week so that I can put them in my luggage. :)

[jazzcat]

I ordered Darwin on 1/12 from an ebay seller and I still haven't received it. Hope it comes this year. :rolleyes: For some reason I have to be in a mood to read and I'm afraid the mood will change before the book gets here. I should have just ordered it from Amazon.

[Sonia59]

Well, I ordered from Amazon more than 2 weeks ago :rolleyes: so I am not sure it is faster than ebay.

[jennielynn1970]

Well, I ordered from Amazon more than 2 weeks ago :rolleyes: so I am not sure it is faster than ebay.

I had ordered three different sets of books on Amazon. Two of them were shipped directly from Amazon, with their free shipping, and I got them at my house within 3 days of ordering. The last set I paid for the shipping from an independant seller, and I still haven't received it, and it's been 2 weeks.

I've learned that if I want something quick, I get the shipping from Amazon.