Mobu's Diary: Earning Your Paté

摸布想自己賺罐罐：黑山的烏鴉原創故事集 [Mobus Diary+ #1

by Kathy Lam, Cindy Ko (Translator), Kevin Wang (Translator)

An anxious calico upends her cozy introvert life to work in a cat cafe in this hilarious and heartwarming graphic novel debut by international sensation Kathy Lam!

“Every day is the same, and I'm tired of it. I want to become a self-sufficient cat. I want to earn my own cat food!”

This is Mobu, a three-year-old female calico cat with white fur, gray-brown spots, pink toe beans, and an adorable face. Mobu no longer wants to be a pampered house cat. Determined to earn her keep, she sets her sights on working at a cat cafe to pay for her own meals.

Introverted and not fond of being petted, Mobu writes a deceptive resume, claiming she “enjoys interacting with humans.” Despite her obvious fear of strangers and her desire to nap, she bravely takes the first step toward independence.

International sensation Kathy Lam’s delightfully funny tale is perfect for animal lovers of all ages. Bursting with charm, laughter, and tender moments, this series invites readers to follow Mobu wherever she goes.

Translated by Cindy Ko and Kevin Wang.

Genres: Manga, Graphic Novels, Cats, Comics, Graphic Novels Comics, Cozy, Humor

Kindle Edition

Expected publication September 22, 2026

Reviews

[Agathe · Rating 4 out of 5]

Donnez moi du drôle
Donnez moi du chat
Donnez moi du mignon
Et Agathe contente

[Snowdrop · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ici on suit Mobu, une chatte tricolore qui veut gagner sa propre pâtée et qui se fait embaucher dans un café à chats, on y suit alors ses jours de travail.

C’est vraiment super relax comme lecture et les dessins sont trop drôles, j’adore comment l’auteure dessine les chats 😭

[Chloe Louise · Rating 4 out of 5]

I AM OBSESSED with Mobu's Diary. I can't believe how lovable Mobu is. This is the best cat ever. His adventures had me laughing out loud. Which I honestly rarely do! So that's a testament to Mobu's Diary. I loved each story. The illustrations were perfect as well. I appreciated the colors and how wonderful the each character was. They were very distinct and memorable. I would definitely buy this book for all of my friends who love cats! And for my friends who don't like cats!


Thank you Andrews McMeel for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

[Annelies · Rating 4 out of 5]

Vaak moeten gniffelen of zelfs explosief uitademen via de neus = goed kattenboek

[Lucille · Rating 4 out of 5]

Très drôle j’ai adoré !

[Cat]

Two kitties go work in a cat cafe. Took less than an hour to read. Art is cute and the content is light and funny. Definitely a BD I would recommend to French learners since it’s very light on the words and uses rather simple language.

[Boris Nonveiller · Rating 4 out of 5]

Regarde ben la couverture de ce livre et ose me dire que t'as pas envie de le lire tout de suite

[Cam · Rating 4 out of 5]

Grande fan de Kathy Lam, je me suis jetée sur sa première BD comme un chat sur une pâtée ! Son trait est simple et efficace, ses histoires drôles et attachantes, tout pour plaire aux fans de chats et de BD ! J’ai adoré !

[Zainab]

Mobu is a happy but somewhat shy cat, who makes a determination to go out and earn her food rather than continue being pampered by her loving owner (most un-cat like!). One job interview later, she begins work at a cat cafe, getting to grips with her feline colleagues and the venn diagram of what people expect of her (abundant petting, cute selfies) and what she feels comfortable doing (sleeping out of reach).

Kathy Lam's wonderful art is the main draw here; her expressive lines and delightful watercolours lend this its personality, teetering between traditional whimsy and something more absurdly rambunctious. Light, cat slice-of-life fare, but the type you could easily devour pages and pages of.

[Feriale Ravenclaw · Rating 5 out of 5]

C’est doux, chill, mignon avec tous ces petits chats qui travaillent pour gagner leur pâtée. Et qu’est ce que ça fait du bien des lectures légères comme ça ! Je l’ai tout juste après l’avoir acheté et c’est un baume au cœur.

Je conseille cette bd si vous cherchez un peu de légèreté, de la mignonnerie et des ronrons !

[Claire · Rating 4 out of 5]

C’est drôle, les dessins sont beaux, il y a des chats, la recette d’un excellent moment finalement

[Sara]

Thank you to Andrew McMeels Publishing for this E-ARC! Publication date is Sep 22nd, 2026.
Review to come closer to release date.

[yona!! · Rating 4 out of 5]

Trop mignon roh

[✧₊⁎Haru • 🦦🪷⁎⁺˳✧ · Rating 5 out of 5]

cosa sarebbe la mia vita senza i gatti ciccioni, pigroni e tontoloni🥺🩷

5⭐️

[Aurélie · Rating 3 out of 5]

au début, Mobu me faisait penser à mon chat, mais très vite je me suis rendue compte qu’elle avait surtout beaucoup de points communs avec moi (genre, elle aime pas vraiment les humains, ne veut surtout pas qu’on la touche et préfère faire la sieste, same girl)

[Flavescente · Rating 4 out of 5]

Plus drôle que de nombreux autres mangas humoristiques avec des chats (je trouve)

Fun fact j'écris ça avec mon chat me défonçant la main

[Zoe · Rating 5 out of 5]

100% true real cat life.

[Matteo Calvano · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalleys and Andrews McMeel Publishing for the ARC copy!
Kathy Lam had a genius idea with Mobu’s Diary: showcasing a slice of life comedy from the perspective of cats. However the involved felines are characterized in a very human way, in the classical tradition of the fable and the connection between human and animals. In this sense, Mobu’s Diary is the classical comic book you decide to read with a specific goal, you exit with something totally different. In fact, I decided to immerse into it with the objective of relaxing myself with cat stories, and instead I found a complex and interesting analysis not only on our relationship with these little pets, but also how we work around ourselves and our lives and how the company of others may change, or not, our perspective on the world. The plot is very, very simple: Mobu, a calico cat whose language is perfectly understandable by his owner, decides one day he wants to work to earn her own food. So, Mobu decides to work inside a cat café, filling the application form with lies as, for example, that she enjoys the company of other humans and loves to be petted over the head. The premise, however, leave space for a specific parable of feelings the clients of the Cat Café will manifest, from the most immediate sensations and problems, as a school test failed by a student, to more complex interactions and opinions by the spectators, the cats themselves, such as job interviews hiding love intentions, couples whose connection is progressively decreasing since the distraction lived because of cellphones, the necessity of appearance of modern society and the passion we have for the quoted creatures. In fact, Mobu’s Diary explores also the role and position of cats in our everyday world, from their cure and love in our worst moments, to the usage we do of their public image as “influencer” or testimonials of products, a thing which is more central in eastern countries than in western ones, without forgetting the respect we need to always give them and the help we both exchange.
Kathy Lam builds this entire perspective from her immediate, all-ages perfect style, in which pastel shades are inserted into a children book character design, expressing however a great cure in the details of the cats, despite stylizing them. So, being adorable, interesting, deep in its instances and perfect for every cat lover, Mobu’s Diary is a must read for whoever consumes slice of life productions practically everyday!


FINAL VERDICT: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

[Andra-Mihaela · Rating 4 out of 5]

Today is #review day!🥰

From me, #mobusdiary by Kathy Lam gets 4.5⭐! 🥳

First of all, I want to thank NetGalley and Andrews McMeel Publishing for the opportunity to read this eARC in exchange for a honest review!

General info: a graphic novel about a anxious, introverted calico wanting to earn her keep! Perfect for readers wanting a wholesome story with cats!

CW: N/A

BOOK THOUGHTS

This was extremely wholesome!!!!😆Mobu is such a grumpy girl!🥰

This is perfect for fans of cat books that need a simple, heart warming story about a feline looking for a job.😂
I really like the style…I believe even if the reader initially isn't too thrilled with the art style, they'll find it perfect for the narrative by the end of it.👌
The pacing is moderate…as we first spend some time at home with Mobu, as she's contemplating why she's soo bored and lacking in fulfilment, to later move on to a steadier pace with the job hunting. This has a little bit of whimsy, as the owner doesn't find it strange that Mobu wants to apply for jobs or that she want to write her own resume.🤭
After that...we go to the main event and, let me tell you, this was the moment the story grabbed me! Mobu is more complex than I initially thought…she's anxious, doesn't really like people, but she tries!🥺...and that's everything!🥰 I also liked the funny elements included, the secondary characters ( the personalities were everything 😂) and the cozy setting.

This is very much a slice-of-life type of #read. We get to know our characters, we see their struggle and we watch them find solutions.
The only reason I didn't give this one 5 stars, is because the #book had another snippet with a capybara…and unfortunately...I don't think is as good as Mobu's story. ( plot-wise)😅

Did I want more?? Sure! Who wouldn't?! Sooo..you can bet I'd read more if I'll have the occasion!

I highly recommend you read this if you like funny little stories with cats, if you need a break from other kinds of books, or just love cats!😸

[KC · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book Review: Mobu’s Diary: Earning Your Pâté by Kathy Lam

Mobu’s Diary is a charming and quietly hilarious graphic novel that asks an important question: what if a pampered house cat decided to become financially independent? Mobu, an anxious calico who is tired of simply being fed, gets a job at a cat café and quickly discovers that employment is far less glamorous than it sounded in theory. The premise is playful, but the book uses it to explore insecurity, ambition, and the emotional toll of interacting with others.

Mobu is an instantly lovable lead because she feels so recognizable. She is awkward, overwhelmed, and constantly trying to appear more capable than she feels. She lies on her résumé, overthinks every task, and seems one minor inconvenience away from needing a nap. Anyone who has ever felt underqualified, socially drained, or mildly terrified by responsibility will probably see themselves in her.

The humor lands because it is rooted in truth. Kathy Lam captures the absurdity of workplace life and anxiety with a light touch, letting small moments and expressions do most of the work. The art style is warm and inviting, full of personality, and it gives the story an easy coziness even when Mobu is internally unraveling. It is cute, but never shallow.

By the end, Mobu’s Diary feels like more than a simple cat comedy. It becomes a sweet and relatable story about finding confidence, surviving discomfort, and realizing that nobody really knows what they are doing. I had a great time with it, even if I wanted just a little more depth to push it into five-star territory. A very solid 4.5 stars.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC.

[Veron · Rating 3 out of 5]

Newly translated to English from French, graphic novel Mobu's Diary explores the cat/café literary device from the perspective of a calico cat Mobu who "worked" in a cat café in exchange for food.

The main pull of the graphic novel is its visuals which every cat or animal lover would find cute. The animals, such as what real cat cafés do, are given distinct anthropomorphic characteristics. Admittedly, I haven't heard of Mobu before but Kathy Lam, or dawningcrow, has an instagram page with 220K followers with hand drawn Mobu among different animals as its content.

The book is generally very light and comedic. Still, it's fun to think of the applications of labor economics and the hierarchy of needs to the plot. Mobu doesn't work for survival as his "human" owner provides him with every need from shelter to love. The work in the café doesn't demand much either, as he later discovers that cats are paid the same rate for sleeping or looking "cute" for the customers. Given his anxious and introverted personality, he would prefer just that. However, as he looks for the difference he could contribute to the café, he explores the value of cats to people, beyond being animals to pet and take pictures of.

While I did like the book for what it is, I would've loved an exploration of the personalities and dynamics of the other cat workers in the café aside from Franz and Jackie. There are other volumes not yet translated so I assume Mobu's life has more adventures still.

A cute and harmless light read recommended for anyone, especially cat lovers.

Thanks to NetGalley and Andrews McMeel Publishing for providing me with an eARC of the book in exchange for a review.

[Queueing Books · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am a big fan of Kathy Lam's illustrations, and have followed her Dawning Crow instagram account for many years now. I am also, perhaps not surprisingly, a cat person, and I love the way she captures the elusive things that make cats so attractive in her illustrations. I have one of her calendars from 2022, and I have been repurposing it year after year with little stickies to change the days of the month, because I just love the images too much to ever put it away.

All this to say, I am definitely the target audience for this book. Mobu's story of getting her first job is a very cute, tight little story appropriate for a short graphic novel, but the dynamic illustrations are what I loved best. The story ends a bit abruptly, and I suppose if you're reading it for the story alone, then it might seem like less than a 5 star read. But for me, the art alone makes it 5 stars. The way she captures the faces, the poses, the movements of the cats and animals, paired with the cats' inner monologues and conversations with their fellow animals and humans - it's clear Kathy is a cat owner herself, and that she understands the strange nature of cat ownership, such that you know they are silly little demons and they can drive you nuts, and yet you can't help but find everything they do delightful.

TLDR: Heartwarming little graphic novella, delightfully illustrated, perfect for anyone who can appreciate cats just doing their thing. Enjoy the bonus capybaras at the end.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Andrews McMeel Publishing for the ARC to review.

[Shelby Lessard · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you so much to Kathy Lam and Andrews McMeel Publishing for the opportunity to read this ARC in exchange for an honest review!

We follow Mobu, a 3-year-old calico cat, who isn't too fond of human attention. Tired of being a house cat and wanting to earn her way, Mobu takes a job at a cat cafe, where she gets paid in cans of cat food. Despite her reluctance to interact with humans, she uses the meals she earns to motivate her. Throughout the story, Mobu works through her fear of interacting with the humans at the cafe. I found her determination during this to be incredibly endearing. I relate a lot to Mobu's laziness and hesitancy to interact with others.

The art style is so cute! The illustrations are very colourful and lively, which complement the plot nicely. The cats are very expressive throughout the story, which makes them feel real. I particularly loved how Mobu is drawn. She's very round and plump, and her proportions made me giggle.

This comic was amazing, and I can't wait to get my hands on a physical copy! This has easily been one of the best things I've read all year. It's cute, it's funny, it has cats, what more can I ask for?

This is such an adorable story, and I think anyone of any age would love this! There are a lot of funny moments throughout the comic, making it so much fun to read! I think any cat owner would get a kick out of reading this.

[Kellie · Rating 4 out of 5]

What if an introverted cat had to work at a cat café despite hating human attention?

Mobu’s Diary follows Mobu, a calico cat determined to become self-sufficient and earn its own cat food. What makes the comic so charming isn’t just Mobu’s deadpan personality (although its face does look amusingly deadpan), but how relatable its discomfort feels. After a series of job options, we see Mobu starting to work in a cat cafe despite being an introverted cat who doesn't like to be pet. It was my first time reading a comic after a long hiatus and I am glad I picked up Mobu's Diary and followed through Mobu's determination to be an independent cat.

As the story progresses, we can see that Kathy build up Mobu to be character with very distinct likes and dislikes, something we can easily relate to in a short comic. Kathy also goes into details about a cat cafe's operations from a cat's perspective which is rather amusing. "Humans have honest feet. When people feel close, their feet will nearly touch" - Have you ever thought of this subtle body language from a cat's point of view? That tiny observation caught my attention because it reframed subtle body language in such a unique way.

While I found the ending slightly abrupt with the sudden introduction of new characters, the comic overall was a warm, lighthearted slice-of-life read that especially resonates with introverts.

[Booked & Dreaming · Rating 4 out of 5]

A big thank you to Andrews McMeel Publishing and Netgalley for this ARC.
This delightful story truly lives up to its promise; it’s adorable, humorous, and genuinely captivating. Mobu is an instantly lovable main character, an anxious calico who decides she's had enough of being a pampered house cat and sets off to earn her own food by working at a cozy cat café. The premise alone brought a smile to my face, and the story beautifully delivers.
The cats' personalities are what really make this book shine. Mobu's introverted, slightly panicked energy is incredibly relatable, and the supporting cast of feline friends adds so much charm to an already delightful concept. The humour hits just right without trying too hard, and there are some tender moments sprinkled throughout that add a touch of heart and warmth.
My only small regret is that it ends a bit too quickly. I found myself wishing for more: more adventures with Mobu, more café chaos, and more of this enchanting world. For something so charming, the only thing I could wish for is a longer journey.
Overall, a wonderfully easy and enjoyable read. Perfect for cat lovers and anyone in need of something light, fun, and heartwarming.

[Eric Reeves · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story was so charming and I love the premise. It felt oddly relatable, but the story of a anxious calico cat who decides to earn her own food by working at a cat cafe to stop being a pampered house pet is so endearing. I was drawn to this book because I am a huge cat lover and I am so glad I did. Mobu starts off as a very shy and easily startled cat, who is not especially caring of human interaction, but still tries their best and faces the challenge is just such a fun read to watch her adventures unfold.

Mobu has so much personality, and the social anxiety paired with her determination to try independence makes the book feel real and relatable to I imagine a lot of people. The artwork is great and expresses the humor and coziness of the story. The premise is cute and sweet and shows how stepping out of your comfort zone helps build confidence. Cat lovers and anybody struggling with stepping out of their comfort zone, especially in regards to becoming independent, will love this story and I highly recommend this story.

[Irina · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a charming and comforting read — in this graphic novel our main character Mobu the calico cat will get her first job, deal with anxiety and shyness around people and get a job in a cat cafe! Mobu doesn’t like to be touched and will have to adjust to a new environment, and this is relatable to all of us — most of us are nervous at a new job, battling social anxiety and trying to learn everything and adapt.

Side characters also bring value to the story - Frank, the black maine coon, who is the star of the cat cafe; then we have Lisa, the owner of the cat cafe and, of course, Jackie, Mobu’s temporary housemate cat.

We get to overhear the conversations that visitors bring to the cat cafe and overall, feel the cozy atmosphere of it.

This book also has black-and-white comic panels about capybaras which are this addition to the main story, as well as more sketched and Q&A with the author!

Big thank you to Andrew McMeel Publishing and Netgalley for providing access to this e-book in exchange for an honest unbiased review 🤍.

[Steph · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely love Mobu's Diary. The artwork is what initially caught my attention, it's adorable and satisfying to look at. The added inner monologue of Mobu's adventures just takes the cake. You can't say that you haven't ever wondered what goes on inside a cat's mind.

We meet Mobu who wants to be able to provide food for herself instead of having her human supply everything. She goes job hunting which the ads were hilarious and finds a job in a cat cafe. Though she is nervous at first and keeps her distance she slowly overcomes her fear with determination to "help out" and is able to help sooth the worries and issues the humans have while visiting the cafe. This is such a heartwarming story of the daily life of a working cafe cat who longs to provide for herself. If you love cats and cute art I highly recommend this comic! It is a fun quick read that will leave you wanting to see more of Mobu and her diary of adventures. I need a physical copy of this comic now.

[Alice · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you Net Galley, Andrew McMeel Publishing, and Kathy Lam for the eARC!

I saw introvert cat with cat cafe job in the description and automatically knew I needed to read this book. It's so cozy and adorable. Mobu is a calico who decides one day that she will work to earn her own food. Her human is very supportive and helps Mobu with searching and applying for a job. Mobu passes the interview and is hired to work at a cat cafe. The story follows Mobu and her job.

Kathy Lam does an amazing job with drawing animals like humans. We see Mobu walking on her two feet, sitting on a chair like a human would, and also being able to write/use tablets. I would recommend this book to everyone because it's just so charming and adorable. It would be a great gift for cat lover friends as well.

✔ Cute cat interactions
✔ Human-like cats but also very cat like actions
✔ Mobu being a introvert is sooo relatable
✔ Supportive human owner
✔ Easy read
✔ For the cat lovers

[Em’s Library · Rating 5 out of 5]

Review of ARC received from NetGalley

EASIEST 5 stars ever!!

A charming and cozy graphic novel with beautiful illustrations about a cat named Mobu’s days working at a cat cafe.

I knew that I would like this book as soon as I saw the cover art, but it surprised me how much I enjoyed the story! As someone with anxiety, I related a lot to our anxious Mobu and found myself cheering for her as she overcame her fears and tried her best every day. The book was full of lots of warm and endearing moments that leave you smiling and your heart full. The surrounding cast of cats were also all lovely and added a variety of personalities to support Mobu. I loved the interview that they included at the end of the book, it was great to learn more about the author’s background and see some of the thought process that went into the making of this story.

I would recommend this book to any cat lover out there.