Lizzie's Little Mouse by Anne Blackburne

 Lizzie's Little Mouse by Ann Blackburne - 255 pages

Lizzie Has Dreams That Won’t Be Deterred
 
Full of faith, hope, and romance, this series takes you into the Heart of Amish country.

 
Lizzie Miller has wanted to own a New Orleans-style French bakery since she attended a wedding in New Orleans at age fifteen. So with her parents’ and the bishop’s permission, she did a two-year internship in a French bakery in New Orleans. Then she came home and worked for several years in the local Amish bakery, buying the business when it became available. And now someone wants her out. 

A string of unsettling events is surely meant to scare her away. But with the help of her friends, she will get to the bottom of why someone wishes her to fail in the bakery business. And along the way, she just may realize that sometimes dreams can be fulfilled unexpectedly—with the help of someone who was just waiting to be noticed. 

Maybe all Lizzie needs is a little faith and a lot of love.

We'll Prescribe You A Cat

 We'll Prescribe You a Cat by Syou Ishida (translated by E. Madison Shimoda) // 297 pgs

⭐⭐⭐

Tucked away on the fifth floor of an old building at the end of a narrow alley in Kyoto, the Nakagyō Kokoro Clinic for the Soul can be found only by people who are struggling in their lives and who genuinely need help. The mysterious clinic offers a unique treatment to those who find their way there: it prescribes cats as medication. Patients are often puzzled by this unconventional prescription, but when they “take” their cat for the recommended duration, they witness profound transformations in their lives, guided by the playful, empathetic, and occasionally challenging yet endearing cats. As the clinic’s patients grapple with their inner turmoil and seek resolution, their feline companions lead them toward healing, self-discovery, and newfound hope.

--

Lately I've loved reading the "Japanese + Cats" genre of books; they're short and cozy, and I'll love anything about cats. This one did not disappoint in that aspect. It's super cute and simple, though I do wish it was a bit longer. The concept of going to a magical doctor that gives you a cat to fix all your problems is super fun, though it did get a bit repetitive. The last little vignette tried to build up more narratively, but did leave me a little longing. Overall, not bad, and I'm looking forward to reading the sequel!

A Thief in ThunderClan by Erin Hunter

A Thief in ThunderClan - 208 pages

Erin Hunter

Summary (From Goodreads)

After recovering from the dog attack she survived as an apprentice, Brightheart is once again a warrior of ThunderClan. But moons of battle and betrayal have left her with lingering suspicions about where her Clanmates’ loyalties lie. So when freshkill starts going missing from camp, she fears the worst. 

Review

I've really enjoyed reading the Warriors series in the past, including some of the graphic novels, so I was looking forward to giving this one a try.  The pacing is a bit slow, as much of the conflict in the story comes from Brightheart's internal turmoil.  That said, I do like that the Warriors graphic novels, like this one, allow us to take a deeper look into the minds and lives of characters who were mostly in the background during the main series.  

Starter Villain by John Scalzi

Starter Villain by John Scalzi, 264 pages

If you're not interested in spy cats, foul-mouthed dolphins, space lasers, and volcano lairs, this is not the book for you. 

 

The Full Moon Coffee Shop by Mai Mochizuki (translated by Jesse Kirkwood)

The Full Moon Coffee Shop by Mai Mochizuki (translated by Jesse Kirkwood), 228 pages

"The Full Moon Coffee Shop has no fixed location. 

It might appear in the middle of a familiar shopping arcade, by the station at the end of the railway line, or on a quiet riverbank. 

At the Full Moon Coffee Shop, we don't take your order; instead we bring you desserts, meals, and drinks--selected just for you. 

Who knows--maybe it's all a dream." (from the prologue)

This book thoroughly bewitched me. A riot of spiritual color, the story was a web of life and emotion seen through a magical, dreamy lens.  The theme of interconnectedness resonated deeply with them. The end result made me feel simultaneously lost and found. 

Why Does My Cat Do That? by Catherine Davidson

Why Does My Cat Do That? by Catherine Davidson, 128 pages

This guide would be informal and informative for new cat owners. The format is is easy-to-read and separated into digestible facts or troubleshooting ideas. Your mileage may vary, of course. Not necessarily a resource for seasoned cat servants! But it was a fun read.

I especially enjoyed the trivia tidbits in the margins; for instance, I didn't know that cheetahs are apparently the only cats whose claws don't retract. And that's a rock fact!

 

Socks by Beverly Cleary, 156 pages

Socks by Beverly Cleary

The chronicle of the white-pawed Socks the cat begins humbly inside a cardboard box outside a grocery store. He's lucky enough to find the Brickers, a newlywed couple with a home full of love to share. Socks is the king of his castle until his life is turned upside down by the birth of the Bricker's first child.  From a severe lap shortage, to enemies and unexpected friends, Socks has to find his place in the new order, eventually coming to a mischievous accord with the tiny interloper.

My sister bought this book for me at a rummage sale, and it was a quarter well-spent! The entire book is written from Sock's POV and the language is comical and frisky, much like I imagine a kitten's inner monologue might be. The chapter with the babysitter warmed my cockles, as my grandmother used to say. 

For whom it may concern: the book was published in the '70s, and has more diet culture in it than is necessary for a kid's book, so tread lightly if reading to actual children. 

Starter Villain by John Scalzi

Starter Villain by John Scalzi, 264 pages

From the MARC: ""Inheriting your uncle's supervillain business is more complicated than you might think... Then his long-lost uncle Jake dies and leaves his supervillain business (complete with island volcano lair) to Charlie. But becoming a supervillain isn't all giant laser death rays and lava pits. Jake had enemies, and now they're coming after Charlie... It's up to Charlie to win the war his uncle started against a league of supervillains. But with unionized dolphins, hyperintelligent talking spy cats, and a terrifying henchperson at his side, going bad is starting to look pretty good. In a dog-eat-dog world . . . be a cat."

If talking spy cats and foul-mouthed, unionizing dolphins in a volcano lair do not immediately whet your interest, this is not the book for you.  This was a wild ride and I loved every minute of it. Highly recommend. 

Cat Body Language: 100 Ways to Read Their Signals by Trevor Warner

 Cat Body Language: 100 Ways to Read Their Signals by Trevor Warner, 208 pages

This book is a sort of beginner's primer on life as a feline servant.  It wasn't the sort of information I was looking for, but would be a nice starting point for newbies. The pictures are cute, though. 

A Dog's Way Home by W. Bruce Cameron

 

A Dog's Way Home by W. Bruce Cameron-327 pages

Others have already reviewed this since it was our Book to Movie club.  It's a very sweet story as told from the dogs perspective.  After reading this I actually looked at my own dog differently!  They are the most loving, loyal creatures on the planet.  I enjoyed the book very much..though at times it seemed far fetched!

Mimi Lee Cracks the Code by Jennifer J. Chow

 Mimi Lee Cracks the Code by Jennifer J. Chow - 339 pages

Mimi Lee just found an extra perk to being a pet groomer at Hollywoof (other than cuddling animals all day long, that is). Pixie St. James, one of Mimi’s clients and the investor behind Hollywoof, has offered her and her boyfriend, Josh, a getaway at her vacation home, nestled on beautiful Catalina Island. With the island just outside of Los Angeles but still far enough from the hustle and bustle, Mimi, Josh, and their cat Marshmallow (who, of course, wouldn’t be caught dead in a dingy pet hotel) are excited for their relaxing stay.
 
That is, until Pixie’s last renter, Davis D. Argo, turns up dead. Mimi and Josh’s romantic getaway immediately turns into an enormous buzzkill, especially when Pixie asks Mimi for help. The police suspect Pixie, and Mimi knows a thing or two about wrongful allegations. Mimi figures it couldn’t hurt to snoop a little since she’s already there, and soon discovers that a valuable item is missing. Except Pixie isn’t the only one in the neighborhood who has been robbed. There is something strange happening on the island, and Mimi won’t stop until she finds out what it is.

Mimi Lee Reads Between the Lines by Jennifer J. Chow

 Mimi Lee Reads Between the Lines by Jennifer J. Chow - 397 pages

When a local teacher is found dead, LA’s newest pet groomer Mimi Lee finds herself in a pawful predicament—with her younger sister’s livelihood on the line.

Mimi Lee is on top of the world. She has a thriving pet grooming business, the sweetest boyfriend, and a talking cat to boot. When she arrives at the elementary school where her sister Alice works, she's expecting a fun girls' night out—but instead finds a teacher slumped over in her car, dead.

Alice was the last one to see Helen Reed, which instantly marks her as the prime suspect. Unable to sit quietly and let the authorities walk all over her sister, Mimi starts snooping and talks to Helen’s closest contacts, including one jumpy principal, a two-faced fiancé, and three sketchy teachers. With the help of her sassy but savvy cat, Marshmallow, and a cute kitten named Nimbus, the clock’s ticking for Mimi to get to the bottom of yet another case before her sister gets schooled.

Professor Astro Cat's S[ace Rockets

Professor Astro Cat's Space Rockets
by Dr. Dominic Walliman
Unpaged


Get ready for liftoff! Join Professor Astro Cat and friends for a high-flying, rocket-fueled adventure into space exploration!

Pete the Cat - Out of This World

Pete the Cat - Out of This World
by James Dean
24 pages


Pete the cat builds rockets and embarks on a special mission to outer space, where he floats in extra-cool zero gravity.

Police Cat by Enid Hinkes

Police Cat by Enid Hinkes - 32 pages

Noodles the cat takes his responsibilities very seriously, keeping the police station and neighborhood safe and free from rats, but he is not an official member of the police department until after he performs a heroic rescue.

What a great story about a cat you ends up saving a family from a fire and becomes Police Cat.

No Time to Spare by Ursula K. Le Guin

No Time to Spare: Thinking About What Matters by Ursula K. Le Guin with an Introduction by Karen Joy Fowler --- 215 pages

I have been a fan of Ursula K. Le Guin since I discovered science fiction and fantasy in my teens.  Once I had the opportunity to hear her speak, and read aloud from one her books, in a packed auditorium at a library conference. I discovered that the magic of her language was only exceeded by hearing that magic made by her own voice.

What I love about this book is how I can hear the echo of the cadences of that voice in the written words on the page. A collection of blog posts written over five years, by a woman with a keen eye, a keen wit, wielding the fateful lighting of her terrible swift pen. Long may her truth march on!

Click HERE to read the review in Publishers Weekly.

Click HERE to read the review in Kirkus Reviews.

Click HERE to read the review in the Los Angles Times.

Frog on a Log? by Kes Gray & Jim Field

Frog on a Log?
by  Kes Gray & Jim Field
28 pages









Sometimes learning the concept of rhyme is difficult for young children, but this book has few words and large clear pictures, so the children get the idea of rhyme quickly. They also enjoy the humor shown in the pictures and the language.

Let's Pretend This Never Happened - Jenny Lawson

Let's Pretend this Never Happened - Jenny Lawson - 384 pages

Even if your father isn't making you puppets out of half-squirrels in the middle of the night and dropping uncounted ducklings on your children in the living room at more reasonable hours, the stories Lawson shares are so relatable you'll almost agree that it's totally normal to wear koala footie pajamas to meet koalas in Australia.

Funny, tragic, and utterly magical, this romp through the everyday adventures of The Bloggess will make you feel awesome about all the beautiful little quirks that make up your crazy life.

Futuristic Violence and Fancy Suits - David Wong

Futuristic Violence and Fancy Suits - David Wong - 384 pages

Smelly cat, smelly cat, what are they...wait.  No.  Here's a book about extreme violence, an all-new and improved Sin City, a really great butler, and an inheritance on par with being handed Howard Stark's lab (without the genius).  Millions of people watch as the ultimate showdown between former trailer dweller turned heiress Zoey Ashe dukes it out with a man (no joke) outfitted with robot arms.  Along with a sprawling estate that includes every mansion-y cliche ever written (secret passages behind bookcases, a garage full of expensive cars, a bed with a trapdoor, etc), Zoey inherits The Suits, her estranged father's cronies who specialize in making problems and/or solving them.

It's a beautiful cross between comics (think Red), action movie (uh, think Red), and soap opera, and a mild cat obsession that totally works on every level.  Fart jokes?  Yep.  Car chases?  Uh-huh.  Massive explosions, demolished skyscrapers, crashing helicopters?  Oh, yeah.  It's a fun ride from beginning to end with some truly cringe-worthy violence and gore, humor and humility, and a deep friend Elvis...woohoo!

Out of Circulation by Miranda James

Out of Circulation 

by Miranda James,  289 pages

Cozy little mystery about a librarian and his pet cat who help solve local crimes. This time around, the most disliked woman in town is found dead and the librarian's housekeeper is close at hand - but did she do it?