Review: Oh. It's You.: Love Poems by Cats

Oh. It's You.: Love Poems by Cats by Francesco Marciuliano
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Oh. It's You.: Love Poems by Cats by Francesco Marciuliano is exactly that, a collection of love poems written from the perspective of cats.  Lots of people think cats aren't very loving.  They have a reputation for treating their people like servants.  In fact, they are very loving.  They just show their affection in a way that most people can't understand.  Once you unlock the cat psyche, you will start to see their every action, no matter how distressing, as a loving gesture.  The book is short and can be read in one sitting or savored over a period of time.  While I found the poems quite humorous, as someone in on the joke, I am sure they were written with serious intentions.  If you are a dog person, this book is not for you.  

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Review: Some Things I Still Can't Tell You: Poems

Some Things I Still Can't Tell You: Poems by Misha Collins
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Those who know me know that I've participated in every Greatest International Scavenger Hunt (GISH) since 2015.  Clearly, I would follow Misha Collins to the ends of the Earth in order to spread compassion, creativity, and weirdness.  It comes as no surprise then that I would buy a copy of Some Things I Still Can't Tell You: Poems by Misha Collins.  Heck, I've used some of these poems for GISH items.  You don't have to be a fan to enjoy the poems.  They have a broad appeal.  There is humor, love, melancholy, humanity, and some weirdness.  I was surprised at the number of references to running.  "I AM THE RUNNING" may be my new running mantra. Black Cat and Leg Wrestlers are two of my favorites.  Leg Wrestlers encapsulates exactly how I felt trying to share a twin bed with a boyfriend in college.   Black Cat is a cautionary tale (tail?).

Short enough to read in one sitting but also possible to savor over a prolonged period of time.  

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Review: On Cats

On Cats by Charles Bukowski
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I had never read Charles Bukowski before, but I had heard much about him.  His writing never really sounded like my thing.  Then, I learned he loved cats.  Well sir, that's how you get me to read your writing.  On Cats by Charles Bukowski is a compilation of his writing on cats pulled from various sources and pieces.  It's raw, gritty, disjointed, repetitive, sometimes disturbing, sometimes sad, and a celebration of its subject matter.  There is something so unexpected and moving about Bukowski's cat poetry.  Are tough guys supposed to be touched on such a deep level by a mere animal?  It gives me hope.  

Bonus points for the pictures of his cats sprinkled throughout.

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Review: The Princess Saves Herself in this One

The Princess Saves Herself in this One by Amanda Lovelace
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

The Princess Saves Herself in this One is the first book in the Women Are Some Kind of Magic series by Amanda Lovelace.  I'm not sure if these should be read in order, but this one was short enough there is no reason not to start with it.  

I don't read much poetry, but the title of this captured my eye.  I'm really glad I picked it up.  If you also don't read much poetry, this format may surprise you.  You won't find short, neat, rhyming poems.  They tell a story of a woman's life using fairytale imagery when life is anything but a fairytale.   But like Amanda Lovelace, I like fantasy and witches and mermaids and dragons.  She reminds women they are all the princess in their tale.  How it ends is up to her.

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