If you live in the U.S., you may only be a little familiar with Tom Cox’s awesome books about his cats: Janet, Ralph, Shipley and The Bear. If you’re from the U.K., however, Tom and his cats are hugely popular!
Hm, I didn’t ask for assistance with this review.
Anyhow, The Good, the Bad, and the Furry is the third of Tom’s books about his cats. He also writes about music, golf, and for lots of magazines and papers. But that part isn’t important. What you need to know is his two prior cat books, Under the Paw and Talk to the Tail are hilarious in that charmingly quirky, British way, and The Good, the Bad, and the Furry follows right in line with them!
In this newest book, Tom is going through a breakup and early on, he loses his cat Janet who, in spite of his name, is a guy cat. This leaves him with Ralph, the cat who says his own name; Shipley, who only becomes agreeable when you hold him upside down; and of course, The Bear, a wise and knowing panther who takes life way too seriously. With cats like these, how can a book not be fun, even through some sadness? I couldn’t put it down!
In addition to Tom’s cats, we meet his parents (his dad talks in ALL CAPS and refuses any belief in free will), Tom’s nice new girlfriend Gemma, and a variety of friends and random characters. And stray orange cats that just happen to wander into his home and look enough alike to be confusing. Plus a new tuxedo kitten with a batman face joins the family along the way. Every so often there’s a pause in the anecdotes and narrative for chapters such as “Some Anonymous Cats I have Psychoanalysed on My Travels (2010–2012)” and “Advice for New Kitten Owners” (hint: it’s not care and feeding tips).
If you are looking for a lighthearted read that’s mostly (but not completely) about cats, you will want to read The Good, the Bad, and the Furry — and guess what? I have five copies to give away! To enter, just comment on this blog post and say you did on the Rafflecopter widget below! There are other things you can do to get more entries after that. I really want you to have this book!
The giveaway ends Monday, May 4, at midnight, and is open to residents of the U.S. and Canada. If you are one of my international readers, you can enter and name someone in the U.S. or Canada to receive the book — and maybe they will send it to you when they are done!
Note: I received a galley copy of the book for review. Links are Amazon Associate links — I get a small commission when you click through and buy a copy. And of course, you’d want that, right?
Love the catchy title. A must read. Good luck everyone!
Mr. Chivers and Greyson
Comment – I really want to read this.
Cannot wait to read this book, I love my daily Twitter dose of My sad cat – makes my day; everyday!
I have followed Tom Cox’s accounts for his cats on twitter for a while and I am thrilled to hear about his new book!
My tabby, Fiona, and I would love to add this book to our summer reading list. Besides “The Cat In The Hat”, this will be the first cat book I ever read!
I love cat memoirs. If you think this is a good book, Summer, then I definitely want to read it!
We’d love to add this to our kitty book collection!
i have GOT to read this book. Love the review and the pics.
I love love love The Bear, I follow all of Toms accounts and they never fail to make me laugh, I;d love a copy of the book *i can;t afford it right now so a contest is an awesome option!
My dog even enjoys the book
I ENTERED AND THIS LOOKS LIKE A REALLY CUTE BOOK AND A GOOD READ
PS Mum is doing her ‘Go Binga’ cheerleading bit *eye roll* You are patience itself Summer 😉
Oh we have US friends who would love this Summer, count us in!
That sounds like a fun book 🙂
Sounds like a great giveaway!
–Purrs (and wags) from Life with Dogs and Cats
That sounds like a great giveaway ! Good luck to our US friends ! Purrs
I love “Under the paw” and follow the “my sad cat” posts religiously.
I’d love to have a copy of this book!!! <3
Sounds like a fun book we would like to read! Maybe I could review it as a guest on my feline’s blog! Love LadyBird
OH Wow another fine book to read! I’m buying this for sure, for peeps of course! Though I may have to check content is suitable…Purrs
YOus makes that book sound so enticing!
Mes would loves to reads it!
Kisses
Nellie
Sounds like a great book and what a great giveaway!
I’d love to add this to my library.
Boy Binga sure is a helpful kitty.
I have been making my way through the book, and I’ve enjoyed reading about one of the random orange cats! 🙂
Looks like a great book, Summer! I’d love to win a copy.
We can’t wait to read our copy!
Sounds like a fun read! We’d love to win a copy!
I would love to win!
Now THIS is a book well worth reading and Summer, mom and I love your in-the-box comments! LOVE them.,
We haven’t read any of Mr. Cox’s books but we would certainly like to. We love cat books.
Mom doesn’t have a lot of time for reading books so we are going to pass on the giveaway. The book sounds like fun and I’m sure the winners will enjoy it.
That sounds like a great read Summer! You did a great review!
We hadn’t read any of his books but they do sound interesting!
Sounds like a fun and light read! 🙂
the critters in the cottage xo
Sounds like a good book–even though is is only “mostly” about cats and not completely.
That does sound like a cute book.
Sounds like a really good book. Thanks for the chance.
These look like great reads. I’m off to hunt down the first 2.
“I’m just waiting for the other cat to drop” – I giggled at that! Sure, sure – enter me in the giveaway.
I think you should have accepted the ‘assistance.’ it would have been like a siskel and ebert review.
I’d love to win a copy, Summer! (By the way, I love the looks of disgust that you give Binga MOL)
We’ve been hearing good things about this book. Thanks for the review, Summer.
MR. COX IS NEW TO US. WE WILL SURELY LOOK FOR SOME OF HIS BOOKS
HUGS MADI YOUR BFFF
Sounds pawsome!
That sounds like a fun book!
This sounds like a very pawsome book!
Hi Summer! Thank you for coming to visit us. It sure made us feel a lot better, Mumsy included. The first two books are not yet on Kindle, so we added them to the Wish List. But, this new one, The Good, The Bad and The Furry, is on the Kindle, so Mumsy got it! We are looking forward to reading it with Mumsy. We love to pile up with her and her Kindle. It usually keeps her still for most of the day!
Hugs to you.
Hmmm, Äiti was not so sure about his first book but because of your review we are keen to get our paws on this somehow.
Now, Little Summer, we will be sending you something through the post but it might take a while so be patient.
And maybe you will find this amusing: having collected a parcel from your human on the same day as she collected Mom Trish from the airport, Äiti was delighted that Mom Trish had bought her a copy of the rescue cat book as a present. She will keep that copy as it means more to her as it was a gift, and she has five copies to give to friends here which she is really pleased about.
That looks like a great book but we can’t join the giveaway as we don’t live in the US or America.
Luv Hannah and Lucy xx xx
That sounds like a pawsome read Summer 🙂
Purrs Georgia and Julie,
Treasure and JJ