New flash: cat books are actually a thing! And we’re not just talking about books about caring for cats or poems about fantastic felines but full-length novels where cats play a central role in the story. In the interest of full disclosure, I’ll admit it. I’m a dog person at heart, but we also have two cats. Over the past few years, they’ve really grown on me. They talk. They purr. They come inside when they want to, and they even go on walks with us. (I know, that last part is kind of crazy.)
There are plenty of books about dogs. Old Yeller and Where the Red Fern Grows have to be two of the saddest books ever written, which got me to thinking, “What about books with cats in them?” If you’re a cat lover or know someone who is, you know that furry felines can have big personalities and nine lives, which makes them the perfect subject for fiction and even fantasy.
Cats in Classic & Modern Literature
Prize-winning Persian show cat GC, BWR, NW Princess Donut the Queen Anne Chonk, aka Princess Donut, is a quintessential character in Matt Dinniman’s bestselling Dungeon Crawler Carl series. Cats have also been used as classic satirical works like Mikhail Bulgakov’s The Master and Margarita and Natsume Sōseki’s I Am a Cat, which uses cats to comment on social and political hierarchies. There’s also the Cheshire cat on Alice in Wonderland, and T. S. Eliot’s Old Possum’s Book of Practical Cats, which inspired Andrew Lloyd Webber’s musical. Cats have been featured in literature for centuries, and they aren’t going anywhere anytime soon.
Books Inspired by Japanese Cat Culture
While I was researching this editorial, I discovered that cat-centric fiction is particularly popular in Japan. Perhaps it’s because the nation has a very strong cat culture. In Japanese folklore, cats are said to have magical or supernatural powers, which makes them the perfect fit for fantasy and magical realism. Of course, there’s also maneki-neko, the iconic beckoning cat that welcomes customers to businesses and invites wealth. Japan even has a cat island, where cats outnumber the human residents. And Japan invented the cat cafe. There are several Japanese novels about cats on this list, but there are plenty more titles to choose from.
So whether you’re looking for a cozy novel to read while curled up with your own cat or are looking for a book to give the cat lover in your life, here are a few purr-fect picks.
1. Yokai Cats Vol. 1
Yokai Cats is an entertaining graphic novel series featuring supernatural cats based on Japanese folklore and their ordinary owners. Each volume spotlights different characters: one cat with a stretchy neck can steal snacks; another grows nine tails as it ages and can disguise itself as different objects. The first volume was published in 2022, and now there are 11 volumes and counting. This full-color, slice-of-life magna proves that there’s a perfect cat for everyone. A charming pick among books with cats in them, the Yokai Cats series suits any cat lover who enjoys folklore and cozy comics.
Welcome to the Kokoro Cat Clinic is the third book in Syou Ishida’s bestselling We’ll Prescribe You a Cat series. At the mysterious Kokoro Clinic for the Soul, Dr. Nikké prescribes cats to people who feel lost. The latest installment follows an anxious competitor, an overwhelmed new father, an illustrator questioning her career and a young woman weighed down by guilt. Released in 2026, this is one of the coziest novels with cats for readers who believe in the healing power of pets. The first book is We’ll Prescribe You a Cat, and the sequel is We’ll Prescribe You Another Cat. Yes, please!
In Jason Rekulak’s 2026 novel Look What the Cat Dragged In, cartoonist Penny Padgett agrees to pet-sit Godfrey, an affectionate cat who follows her everywhere. Then, come the nightmares and an insect infestation in the basement. The cartoons quickly take a dark turn. This illustrated supernatural thriller features more than 80 pages of original artwork where the cat is the source of every scare. Among fiction books about cats, it’s a great fit for horror fans and cat lovers who enjoy a good scare. As Publisher’s Weekly said, it’s like “Garfield meets Rosemary’s Baby.”
In this cozy and cute romance, Via Dalton runs Pawsitive Vibes, a cat café in the small town of Pecan Corner, Ohio. The cafe’s resident cats only add to the book’s charm. When a handsome heir inherits and wants to sell the bookstore next door that she had hoped to save, Via challenges him to finish her Autumn Bucket List. This kisses-only, grumpy/sunshine romance is one of the coziest fall novels with cats, ideal for cat lovers who crave small-town warmth and fresh starts.
Another Japanese cat-lit pick, If Cats Disappeared from the World is a Faustian novel about a young postman with terminal brain cancer who makes a deal with the devil. He’ll be granted one extra day to live for each thing that the devil erases from the world. Phones, movies, and watches go first, but when the devil comes for cats, the young man hesitates. His beloved cat, Cabbage, anchors this funny, wistful bestseller. It’s among the best books about cats for readers who want a tearjerker that celebrates why cats matter. It was also adapted into a live-action film where Takeru Satoh (Kamen Rider Den-O) plays the postman and his doppelganger, the Devil.
This heartfelt book about found family and second chances centers on Violet, who’s just been released from prison, Harriet, the retired teacher who used to run the book club at the women’s prison, and Frank, a widower who works as a handyman at a cat-friendly bookstore in Portland, Maine. The bookstore that brings everyone together is frequented by foster cats, and Harriet often talks about her own cat, Tabsy. It turns out that Violet is the one who struck and killed Frank’s wife with her car. How to Read a Book is a heartfelt literary fiction pick for readers who love bookstore cats, even if the felines play a supporting role to the humans in this story.
Bookish teenager Rintaro Natsuki is about to close his late grandfather’s secondhand bookstore when a talking cat demands his help. Together, they enter strange mazes to rescue books from neglectful owners. The cat drives the whole adventure, making this a must-read if you’re looking for novels where cats play a starring role. When you finish this one, you can dive straight into the sequel The Cat Who Saved the Library.
In a seaside town near Tokyo, a young woman grieving her brother’s sudden death discovers the Chibineko Kitchen, where traditional remembrance meals (kagezen) offer a few precious moments with lost loved ones. Chibi, the resident kitten, keeps diners company while young chef Kai serves dishes that stir memories. While only the first few books in the series have been translated into English, this is one of the gentlest novels with cats, perfect for fans of cozy Japanese fiction.
The Chet & Bernie Mysteries feature a sleuthing dog/narrator Chet and his private eye master Bernie. In Book 16, they take on the case of Miss Kitty, a cat and social media star who suddenly disappears. Along the way, they encounter a pig witness named Senor Piggy, a suspect who seems to have been killed twice and evidence pointing at Bernie. Stephen King calls the books, “enchanting and one-of-a-kind.” Cat on a Hot Tin Woof is the perfect read for cat lovers and mystery fans.
I wasn’t exaggerating when I said that Japanese cat fiction is a big deal. The Travelling Cat Chronicles has sold over 2 million copies worldwide. In this beloved bestseller, Satoru takes his injured rescue cat Nana on a cross-country road trip to visit old friends, quietly searching for the right person to adopt her due to unavoidable circumstances. Spoiler: it turns out that Satoru has cancer. Nana, a former stray with plenty of attitude, narrates part of the journey. This bestselling Japanese novel is moving, funny and one of the best books for cat lovers, as long as you don’t mind a good cry.
Set in 1920s Montréal, this historical romance follows Agnes, a type A cat rescuer who must move her shelter Les Amis des Chats into a new building after a magical duel blows a hole in the wall of the previous facility. She finds a new home for the animals but discovers that her new landlord is a powerful magician running an illegal magic shop in the basement. She spats with the roguish cats known as Banshee, His Majesty and Thoreau, while the magician promises to enchant them to make them more adoptable. Did I mention that the magician is also allergic to cats? Maybe he will find a spell for that too.
Akin to T. S. Eliot’s Old Possum’s Book of Practical Cats, Ursula’s Le Guin’s version features a rich collection of poems, artwork and meditations about the magical power of cattitude. It includes 26 cat poems with illustrations and Cat Correspondence, a series of letters between Le Guin’s cat and other felines in the family. There’s also the debut issue of Le Guin’s Supermouse Comix. An illustrated series of Cat Tai Chi illustrations and the Art of Bunditsu, a meditation on the art of arranging cats. While it isn’t a novel, it’s a witty, whimsical keepsake and a perfect gift for cat lovers and anyone who’s a fan of Le Guin’s inimitable work.
Books about cats are about as rare as cat hairs on the sofa. These are just a few favorites that stood out to me. If you keep looking, you’re sure to find even more great books about cats that will surprise, entertain and delight. Just to prove that the fun doesn’t stop here, I also rounded up a few gift ideas for the bookish cat lovers in your love.
Bonus: Bookish Gifts for Cat Lovers
Cool Cats Read Tote
Carry your literary treasures in style with this spacious American-made cotton tote featuring generous 22″ handles–ideal for book lovers who need a sturdy, fashionable way to transport their reading materials while supporting domestic manufacturing.
Happiness is a purring cat to pet and a book to read! Screen-printed on 100% natural cotton totes that celebrate the joys of reading with your favorite feline friend.
- Natural cotton, 22-inch handles
- 16 inches wide x 15 1/2 inches tall x 5-inch gusset
- 2-color screen printing on the front and back
- Made in the USA
Moody Cats Sticker Book
Your cat may silently judge you–but these stickers do it out loud. The Moody Cats Sticker Book is a hilariously snarky collection of vintage-inspired feline illustrations paired with even moodier commentary. Whether you’re dealing with bar tabs, tax bills, or just life in general, these cats are here to say what you wish you could.
Inside, you’ll find 18 pages of oversized stickers plus 2 bonus pages of vintage-style puffy stickers, all packed with judgy cats and biting wit. That’s over 60 stickers designed to stick anywhere and deliver maximum sass.
Perfect for planners, scrapbooks, calendars, or sneakily decorating your coworker’s desk, this sticker book is a must-have for anyone who loves cats, humor, and a touch of nostalgic charm.
Whether you’re gifting it or keeping it for your own sticker stash, the Moody Cats Sticker Book is the purr-fect way to add personality to your everyday life.
Brass Monkey is the line between kitschy roadside souvenirs and elegant design. We make well-crafted products with a sense of humor–because life’s too short for boring stickers.
Cat Artisan Bookmark
This fabulous feline is surrounded by a gorgeous garden of flowers!
- Crafted of vegan leather, this beautiful Cat Artisan Bookmark is adorned front and back with detailed embossing and decorative stitching.
- Soft, slim, and flexible, it’s the perfect companion for your reading journey!
- Silky complementary tassel adds an extra touch of elegance.
- Distinctive book accessory also makes a thoughtful gift.
- Bookmark comes neatly packaged in a clear plastic protective sleeve.
- Bookmark measures 2-1/2” wide x 7-1/8” high, the perfect size for most any book!
- Warning: Choking hazard, small parts. Not for children under 3 years.
365 Cats Page-A-Day(r) Calendar 2027: The World’s Favorite Cat Calendar
The world’s favorite cat calendar returns with all new photos and hundreds of new feline friends to meet!
- STARRING OUR 2027 CONTEST WINNERS: Meet the adorable winners of our 2027 Cat Calendar Contest with a wonderful photo for every day of the year, plus stories about the cats and their behavior.
- PURRFECT GIFT: This Page-A-Day(R) calendar is sure to bring a smile to any cat lover’s face with a beautiful full-color photo each day, care tips, breed information, relatable cat quips, and other fun facts.
- NOW PLASTIC-FREE!: Page-A-Day(R) Calendars are environmentally friendly! Printed on responsibly sourced paper and 100% recyclable, with sturdy cardboard backers.
Cats Rule the Earth Tarot: 78-Card Deck and Guidebook for the Feline-Obsessed
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This beautiful 78-card tarot deck and guidebook makes a great gift–whether for yourself or a friend.A bestselling tarot deck and guidebook, Cats Rule the Earth gets top ratings. As one reviewer states: “Card stock is satin and of a durable thickness. Card backs are cool and all the images are truly creative and beautiful. The book and card deck come packaged in a sturdy and attractive keepsake box that is also durable; easily stored on a bookshelf. Highly recommended!”
This tarot deck and guidebook set is ideal for anyone seeking the knowledge and skills needed to learn the ancient art of tarot. Offering a fun, clever take on the usual tarot deck, Cats Rule the Earth Tarot creatively reinvents the traditional cards with modern, quirky cat illustrations.
Cats Rule the Earth Tarot goes deeper than simply presenting the meaning of each card–it equips the reader with a historical understanding of tarot, how to interpret and apply each card drawn, and methods of conducting readings for yourself, friends, or family.
From welcoming new beginnings with the Ace of Cups to facing a new guiding presence in your life with the Hierophant, each card you draw holds the power to reveal hidden truths and guide you through the unexpected events of daily life.
Edward Gorey: Books. Cats. Life Is Sweet. Tote Bag
Books. Cats. Life is Sweet. Tote Bag
books. cats. life is sweet. – an Edward Gorey illustration
Product Details
- 100% cotton canvas
- Inner pocket
- Flat tote
- 15″ w x 17″ h
- 11″ strap (hanging)
- Made in the USA
Pete the Cat: Books Are Groovy Women’s Crew T-Shirt Small
Pete the Cat – Books are Groovy women’s crew neck tee
Product Details
– Cotton/poly fitted crew neck tee
– Distressed, softened print
– Color: midnight navy
Size & Fit
– Slim fit; runs a size small
– Available in XS-2XL
