Thursday, June 30, 2016

Book Review/Giveaway: To Catch a Cat by Heather Green


From the publisher: A heartfelt, funny memoir about how a kitten rescue project changed one cynic’s life…

Journalist Heather Green was finally putting down roots: in shiny, buzzing Manhattan. She loved her work and threw herself into sixty-hour weeks—once walking into a subway pole, getting a concussion, and still going to the office. Her new boyfriend Matt lived across the river in a New Jersey town that had none of the glamour of New York. She liked Matt—a lot—yet she wasn’t sure what to make of weekends in gritty, dilapidated Union City.

But things changed the summer morning Heather discovered a beautiful stray cat and her three black-and-white kittens in Matt’s neighbor’s backyard. When she made eye contact with one of the kittens, she felt something she’d never felt before. She and Matt had to save the little animals. Because if they didn’t, who would?

The crazy world of cat rescue soon drew Heather in. As she and Matt worked together to figure out how to trap, tame, and find homes for their foundlings, she began to question the life she had back in Manhattan. This is the story of how three furry beings taught one woman about love, community, and what truly matters in life.


I have a tremendous amount of respect for animal rescuers who work "in the field". Those who put their hearts on the line each and every day for little to no thanks. As Nelson Mandela said, "There can be no greater gift than that of giving one's time and energy to help others without expecting anything in return." That's the definition of a hero in my eyes, and cats forced to survive on the streets need all the heroes they can find.

Journalist Heather Green's life is changed forever when she finds a stray mama cat and her three kittens in the backyard of her boyfriend's New Jersey home. At the time she's a typical Manhattanite, focused solely on her career with any time left over going into her social life. Still, she knows she has to save this precious little family, and with the help of her wonderfully supportive boyfriend Matt she does just that. They don't enter this commitment lightly; Matt even goes so far as to take a class to learn more about working with ferals. They pick just the right time to trap the wild kittens and begin the slow and steady process of socializing them.

The only problem left is when the time comes to let them go, how is anyone ever going to be "good enough" to adopt their little charges? While this isn't a sad book, it's actually very uplifting, tears were flowing when Heather and Matt left the kittens in their forever homes. There's a happy ending for mom Oona too, now a former feral living the good life with Heather's family (see photo below).

As much as this book is about the world of cat rescue, it's also a love story. As Heather and Matt take on their greatest challenge as a couple, they realize that they make a pretty great team and learn much about themselves and relationship building along the way. Subsequently they've married, had a daughter, and gone on to save 65 cats while also creating a strong foundation for change in how their community responds to urban cats.

If you love cats and care about their well-being, you owe it to yourself (and them) to pick up a copy of this book. It will inspire you and make you so grateful that there are people out there making a difference and being a voice for the most innocent among us.

To Catch a Cat is scheduled to be released on Tuesday, July 5th, and can be pre-ordered today.



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About the Author: Heather Green is a freelance writer and former journalist. For twelve years, she covered the Internet and digital media for BusinessWeek, winning awards including the New York Press Club Crystal Gavel and the Front Page Award from the Newswomen’s Club of New York. She wrote numerous cover stories on subjects from social media to e-commerce, pioneered using blogs, podcasts, and Twitter at BusinessWeek, and appeared on national TV stations, including CNN, CNBC, and the BBC. Prior to BusinessWeek, she worked for Bloomberg where she launched their Internet beat and at the International Herald Tribune in Paris. She has a BA from the University of Virginia and a graduate degree from the Institut d’Études Politiques de Paris. To Catch a Cat is her first book.

Giveaway: Leave a comment by noon eastern on Friday, July 8th for your chance to win a copy of To Catch a Cat. (Per the publisher's request, US entries only, please.)

Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for a fair and honest review.

24 comments:

The Menagerie Mom said...

Another wonderful review from you, Mudpie and Melissa. Like you, I find animal rescuers to be none other than heroes. This books sounds so amazing. Thank you for sharing this with us, and for giving us the chance to win a copy of our own!

Linda Szymoniak said...

Our house is literally a zoo with three Treeing Walker Coonhounds and two cats (all rescues). We're looking into adopting another dog and cat, too. I can't imagine life without them!

Anonymous said...

Thanks Melissa (and Mudpie). This sounds like a wonderful book. They sure do change our lives...for the better!

pilch92 said...

Glad you liked the book too. Please don't count me in the giveaway as I already have a copy.

Rosa Silva said...

This is such a beautiful story. I love reading books based on true stories featuring cats, so this seems like a great read for me.

Unknown said...

Eight years ago I adopted a little black kitten from a parishioner at the church I worked. I'm not sure who adopted who because he rules the house now. Romeo Luigi loves me so much and is always on or near me. This book sounds like an entertaining one and the fact it is centered around cats is even better. robeader53@yahoo.com

Anonymous said...

I rescued a Himalayan who is the light of my life. Would love to read it. seascapelife at gmail dot com

Squeedunk Cats and Z-Girl said...

I'm so happy that you reviewed this book! I did enter to win on Goodreads BUT I'm entering here to because I really want a copy! I'm involved in cat rescue and rehoming in New Jersey--so this will hit close to home on many fronts for me! Look forward to reading the book, either way! And three of the Squeedunk Cats were rescued from my neighborhood!

petite said...

What a lovely story. Thanks for this captivating feature and giveaway. elliotbencan(at)hotmail(dot)com

traveler said...

This story sounds emotional and uplifting. Wonderful post. saubleb(at)gmail(dot)com

Anonymous said...

Great review as always Mudpie.

Luv ya'

Dezi and Raena

Unknown said...

Can't wait to read this!

Kaizen Fashion Project said...

Oooh looks wonderful - I would la la LOVE to win and read this :)
heatheranne99 at gmail dot com

Three Chatty Cats said...

This sounds like such a good book. Thank you for sharing it with us!

Anonymous said...

Thanks for the review!! It sounds really good!

diannekc said...

What a great review, Mudpie. What great work Heather and Matt do to help stray cats and kittens. Cats are such great companions, I can't imagine life without a cat or two or more in my life. People should always remember to make adoption their first option.

diannekc said...

What a great review, Mudpie. What great work Heather and Matt do to help stray cats and kittens. Cats are such great companions, I can't imagine life without a cat or two or more in my life. People should always remember to make adoption their first option.

meowmeowmans said...

Great review, Mudpie and Melissa. That sure does sound like a wonderful book that is right up our alley! :)

Edye Nicole said...

Sounds like a lovely book! Thanks for the giveaway :)

Email: mia2009@comcast.net

Random Felines said...

it is interesting that seeing those little faces can have such an impact on someone not originally involved in rescue :)

Kitties Blue said...

Mom is in the middle of reading this right now, and it is a really terrific book. For those who don't win here, we'll be giving away three copies. (PLEASE DON'T ENTER US IN YOUR GIVEAWAY.) XOCK, Lily Olivia, Mauricio, Misty May, Giulietta, Fiona, Astrid, Lisbeth and Calista Jo

Anonymous said...

Have added this to my TBR list and can't wait to read it. brichardson0056@yahoo.com

Linda said...

I think I would enjoy this book a lot! Thanks for the opportunity to win a copy.

Deb Barnes said...

Sounds like a lovely book. I'd love to win a copy! Purrs from Deb and the Zee/Zoey gang