Anyone that has a cat will recognise the truth of this tender account by The Gentle Author. "I was always disparaging of those who doted over their pets, as if this apparent sentimentality were an indicator of some character flaw. That changed when I bought a cat, just a couple of weeks after the death of my father. " Filled with sentiment yet never sentimental, THE LIFE & TIMES OF MR PUSSY is a literary hymn to the intimate relationship between humans and animals.

Why do cats purr? How much can you learn about a cat's mood from the direction it flicks its tail? How do cats show trust with their eyes? Why do cats rub against their owners' legs? Arranged in chapters covering physical characteristics, senses, lifecycle and behaviour, Cats features a huge range of breeds from all around the world. From Siamese to Russian Blue, Manx to American Bobtail, Burmese to Bombay, the book expertly explores and celebrates this most beloved pet. With fascinating captions on every page, even cat lovers will learn something new. Cats is a brilliant examination in 150 outstanding colour photographs.

Feline stressed? Would you like a cat-alyst to purr-fect peace in your life? Ever watched enviously as your furry friend finds a sunbeam and stretches out on it - on your bed - as you rush to catch the bus? Follow this sound advice, straight from the moggie's mouth, and maybe you can achieve catitude too. This is a humorous guide to finding and appreciating - cat-style - those peaceful moments amid the chaos and stress of working and domestic life. It's no coincidence that your cat has decided to sleep on your keyboard, or your tax return, or that report you should have finished last week. They're saying, "Pay me attention and why not get me some food while you're at it"... but they're also saying, "Find the stillness within the detail, amid the tumult, of your hectic life. Take some time for you to be you." Probably. This is a cat's guide to beating anxiety, appreciating the moment and being mindful. So look around you, take some time to smell the catnip, take a lint roller to your hairy trousers, and try some Meowditation. Eleanor Abraham is a Glasgow-based writer and editor. Based on an idea by Liz Small