Shop Cats of New York

The book is wonderful! The photos of all the cats are beautiful. Andrew Marttila certainly knows how to take excellent photos of kitties. Tamar Arslanian's comments and reviews of the Shop Cats are purrfect. I am thrilled to have discovered this book through KittenxLady. After I go cover-to-cover at least one more time, I will proudly display it on my coffee table. Now, when I visit my sister, I'll insist on visiting some of these kitties. :-) (My 9 year old boys, Maverick [top] and Rebel [bottom] with the book.)

I pre-ordered this book as soon as I heard about it. Got it today. Wow!I thought I'd only be reading stories about cats found in businesses in NYC, but it was more. It's a snapshot of, not only the incredible cats, but of the New Yorkers who share their lives with them. It shows how special New Yorkers are and how special the love is that New Yorkers have for their feline friends.The next time you see a cat in a shop, you'll stop and think about the special place they hold in the life of that shop.The photos are beautiful. Paired with the incredible writing, they put you in each shop next to each and every Shop cat.Pick up a copy.

Brilliant! Charming! Classic celebration of the heart and kindness of New York! What's New York without its independent shops? And what's an independent shop without an independent car presiding? The photography is as charming and spontaneous as the writing. Serving up lovely portraits that are true without being gooey! Love. It.

I first started reading this book because I am a cat lover. I thought hey, what a fun way to see some cute and interesting cats, right? But then I realized it really is so much more.First, the photography is amazing. Marttila has an exceptional eye at capturing not just interesting photos of the cats, but of really seizing their personality. Whether sitting in the shop window, greeting customers, hanging out with its guardian, or “supervising” the shop, the essence of each cat or kitten is clearly conveyed through the way Marttila frames his subject. The photography really is stunning.Second, the copy is great. I have never been to New York City, so I was hopeful I’d learn a little more about the city (all I ever think of when I think of NYC is Seinfeld or Friends). The personalities of these shop cats are well portrayed, and their stories are at times heartfelt, funny, and humbling. But more than that, what Arslanian has done is portray the fine details of life in New York through these glimpses into the small shops and their resident cats. I feel like I’ve not only gotten to know these shop cats and their friends and guardians, but I now have a sense of what it would be like to be a resident of the city.Third, the production of the book itself is really quality. The pictures are crisp and clear, text is easy to read, the binding and covers are sturdy, the stock is thick and rich. I’m glad to have this book not just for my own reading, but to be able to display it in my home, or to share with friends and family. I’m looking forward to picking up a few extra copies to give as holiday gifts to my fellow cat lovers or lovers of New York!

I has seen many posts about this book on Facebook, and ordered it from Amazon. Since it arrived, I've kept it beside my favorite chair, and have been rationing it for myself, as I don't want it to end. I only let myself read one story at a time every few days. The photos are wonderful, and the stories/tales/tails make me want to visit each store to meet the cat in person. By the second story I was reminded of a place I adored going as a child. It was a lumber store in Norwalk, CT- I think the name was Handyman Lumber. I wasn't particularly fond of lumber at the tender age of 5 or 6, but I LOVED all things cat, and this place had several. I remember going there with my folks, the smells of fresh cut lumber, the saw dust that stuck to my shoes and clothing, and sneaking away from my parents to go looking for one of the cats that called the store home. The cats weren't cuddly, but some were friendly. I recall their fur not being as soft as my cat's fur was, and they were always covered with sawdust. My mom or dad would say "we're leaving", but I always had to say goodbye to every cat I could find. That memory is almost 50 years old- I hadn't thought of that place or the cats for that entire time, until I cracked open this book. The stories and photos are wonderful, and and they brought back a wonderful memory to this crazy cat lady. Cats are my everything, and this book reminds me of the awesome way cats impact life in so many special ways. For anyone interested, it will be back in stock here on 12/20, and would make and awesome holiday gift for anyone who loves cats.