Chicken Soup for the Soul: My Very Good, Very Bad Cat: 101 Heartwarming Stories about Our Happy, Heroic & Hilarious Pets

by Amy Newmark, Robin Ganzert (Foreword)

What has the cat done now? You’ll recognize your own cat in this collection of stories about how very good and very bad our cats can be.From cats with nine lives to cats that save lives— from cats that wreck houses to cats that repair families—from cats that crack us up to cats that act like therapists—you’ll see your own cat with new appreciation for its unique skills and intuition. With a special emphasis on the benefits and joys of adopting abandoned cats, these stories will make you laugh out loud, nod your head in recognition, and maybe even shed a tear or two. And your purchase will help support the great work of the American Humane Association!

Genres: Animals, Nonfiction, Cats, Humor

446 pages, Kindle Edition

First published February 9, 2016

About the author

Amy Newmark is the bestselling author, editor-in-chief, and publisher of the Chicken Soup for the Soul book series. Since 2008, she has published 191 new Chicken Soup for the Soul titles, most of them national bestsellers in the U.S. and Canada, more than doubling the number of Chicken Soup for the Soul titles in print today.

Amy is credited with revitalizing the Chicken Soup for the Soul brand, which has been a publishing industry phenomenon since the first book came out in 1993. By compiling inspirational and aspirational true stories curated from ordinary people who have had extraordinary experiences, Amy has kept the thirty-year-old Chicken Soup for the Soul brand fresh and relevant.

Follow Amy on Twitter @amynewmark. Listen to her free podcast, The Chicken Soup for the Soul Podcast, on Apple Podcasts, Google Play, the Podcasts app on iPhone, or by using your favorite podcast app on other devices.

Reviews

[Jammin Jenny · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved these stories and anecdotes about all the different cats in this book. I've been a cat lover all my life and really connected to some of these stories. Great uplifting read - and they've got one for dogs if that is more your style.

[Kirsti · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wanted to start the new year with an uplifting book, and I know I always enjoy Chicken Soup books. I'd asked for this for Christmas, and my sister-in-law obliged by gifting me this and a number of other cat themed books from my wishlist. Thanks, Tegs!

Cats are my all time favorite animal, and Ivan, despite being one of five pets I own, is my soul kitty. It's always so lovely to read of others who love their pets just as much as I do, and all these stories give you that warm feeling. There are 101 stories, but the time flies by as you read them.

If you've read any of the other Chicken Soup for the Soul books then you know the drill with this book. It's themed, fun and very personal. I love these books and hope to read more of them in the future. First review/book for 2018, bring it on!

[Sierra · Rating 5 out of 5]

DISCLAIMER: I received this book for a fair and honest review. Receiving the book did not influence my opinions in any way.

I have loved the Chicken Soup for the Soul series for decades. I was really excited when I heard this book was out. I was even more thrilled when I had an opportunity to review it!

The book definitely did not disappoint! I loved all of the stories in this collection. Some of them were happy, others sad, but all of them were heartfelt. Cats have such an amazing impact on their humans, and it was wonderful to read how other people have been forever changed by their furry friends.

[Kim · Rating 5 out of 5]

I actually finished this book a long time ago, but I noticed it was still listed in my "Currently Reading" shelf. It was a wonderful book! I love cats, so the stories are very heartwarming and funny. After each story, there is a little fact about cats health and behavior. If you want to have a little feel good in your heart, I recommend this book.

[Ellen Pilch · Rating 2 out of 5]

I really hate to give this book such a low rating because there were 101 stories and most were excellent and heart warming which I expect from this series. Unfortunately, there were about 10 upset me. I am disappointed in the editor for allowing some stories to be in here.

I can think of at least 2 stories written by people that write they hate cats. On that alone, they don't deserve a spot in this book. One lady was cat sitting for a supposedly vicious cat. She manages to escape and figures that cat will manage for 2 days without food.
The story that upset me the most was a mother writing about how her cat was another mother to her son. She thought the cat was so sweet not to scratch her son when he pulled him along by his tail or used his as the basketball! In my opinion, this is animal abuse and the editor let that story in.
It is a shame that a few can ruin the whole book, but they did for me.

[Carole · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed reading all 101 stories in this book. I had some good laughs and a few cries. I always love the stories in the Chicken Soup for the Soul series. Especially cat stories.

[Vicki G · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kitties are so adorable.

[Shannon · Rating 4 out of 5]

A collection of cute cat stories!

[Patricia · Rating 5 out of 5]

I borrowed this from my mother and had it done in less than two days. There are 101 cat stories in this book, separated by topics such as My Nanny Cat, My Clever Cat, My Hunter Cat, etc. If you like cat tales at all, there is at least a few of these true stories you will love!

[Jenn · Rating 5 out of 5]

So many funny stories in this book. An enjoyable read!!!

[Candy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a FUN read!!

[Amy Moniz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love stories about animals.

[Karen-Leigh · Rating 3 out of 5]

Essays about cats, heartwarming, heartbreaking, hilarious.

[Leslie Jonsson · Rating 3 out of 5]

A sentimental book of short tales about the impact cats have had on the various authors.

[Valarie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute stories about cats and how their human staff accommodate each other. Exactly what you expect it to be.

[Cat Gray · Rating 3 out of 5]

A lot of cute stories

[Susanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

An enjoyable read that made me laugh, cry and make me appreciate my love for our feline babies.

[Jimmie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good book.

[Keradwen Sweeten · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm a little biased and will always give cats five stars. I enjoyed all 101 stories presented here. I thought they were well organized in to chapter categories as well.

[Brittney Almestica · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolute!y LOVED & ENJOYED reading this book!!It's a must read if you love cats!!

[Shannon · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was the perfect, cute little book to read while drinking my coffee in the mornings.

[Lauren Doyle · Rating 3 out of 5]

Just skimmed some of these stories while at work and enjoyed them as a fellow cat mom 😻

[M.E. Hembroff · Rating 5 out of 5]

Are you a cat lover? This is the book for you. It is filled with humorous stories about cats. Some cats are good while others are naughty. There are a variety of cartoon pictures and saying throughout the book with 101 stories. It is hard to select a favorite.
I randomly selected a story titled A Very Smart Cat. This cat could actually tell time. He knew when it was time for the lady of the house to get up every day. If she didn't get up at the time he would be persistent and make sure she did. This cat called Jo for short lived with the family until it was his time to go. He passed away peacefully without receiving any injections. He knew it was time to go.
Cats do have a built in internal clock. They know when it's meal time without being able to look at a clock. Sometimes as they get older they know when it's time to go as well. I have had many cats in my life time and some of the stories reminded me of my own departed cats.

[Sue J · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed most of the stories, but not all. A few were disturbing...both cat and human actions. All in all it was a typical Chicken Soup for the Soul Book. Good to pick up and read when you are pressed for time.

[Fredell · Rating 4 out of 5]

really enjoyed this collection of anecdotes. I took it with me on vacation, left it at my aunt's and just got it back to finish the vignettes.
Funny and sad, informative and hilarious--all wrapped up in one compilation.

[Sandy Haramut · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another very good Chicken Soup for the Soul Book. I love the animal ones especially. They always have some stories that will shed a few tears.

[Sara Best · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was my first Chicken Soup for the Soul book. I choose it because my friend Denice Penrose had a story it in. I happen to also love cats and enjoy the occasional 'feel-good' story - so it was a win-win.

On the whole I enjoyed the book. The chapters on "Healer", "Therapist", and "Heroic" cats were indeed heart warming. I was inspired to give thanks to God for creating such sensitive creatures who can share our lives. My only disappointment was the first chapter, "Ornery Cats". Though some of those stories were humorous, several were disturbing in their lack of understanding of cats and many didn't seem to have a heartwarming or insightful lesson which I expected in such a book. If the rest of the chapters had not had more promising titles, I might not have finished reading the book. I am happy to say the rest of the book did live up to the Chicken Soup for the Soul's reputation for heartwarming, happy, and humorous stories.

[Una Rose · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book and it's stories. I love cat so it would be pretty hard for me not to! I also found the stories were all well written and fun to read.