"A Street Cat Named Bob" by James Bowen

A Street Cat Named Bob by James Bowen
Call Number: 636.8 Bowen
James is a street musician struggling to make ends meet. Bob is a stray cat looking for somewhere warm to sleep. When James and Bob meet, they forge a never-to-be-forgotten friendship that has been charming readers from Thailand to Turkey. A Street Cat Named Bob is an international sensation, landing on the bestseller list in England for 52 consecutive weeks and selling in 26 countries around the world. When street musician James Bowen found an injured cat curled up in the hallway of his apartment building, he had no idea how much his life was about to change. James was living hand to mouth on the streets of London, barely making enough money to feed himself, and the last thing he needed was a pet. Yet James couldn't resist helping the strikingly intelligent but very sick animal, whom he named Bob. He slowly nursed Bob back to health and then sent the cat on his way, imagining that he would never see him again. But Bob had other ideas. This instant classic about the power of love between man and animal has taken the world by storm and is a perfect gift book for cat lovers.

The Bond Between James and Bob: How does the relationship between James Bowen and Bob the cat evolve throughout the book? What do they each bring to the relationship, and how does their bond impact their lives?
Themes of Friendship and Support: Discuss the theme of friendship in "A Street Cat Named Bob." How do James and Bob support each other emotionally and practically? How does their friendship help them navigate the challenges they face?
Overcoming Adversity: Both James and Bob have faced their own struggles and challenges. How do they each overcome these obstacles, both individually and together? What lessons can be drawn from their resilience and determination?
Community and Support Systems: The book highlights the importance of community and support systems in times of need. How do the people around James and Bob contribute to their journey? How does the community's reaction to Bob change over time?
Bob's Impact on James's Life: Explore the ways in which Bob positively influences James's life. How does Bob help James overcome his past and move forward? In what ways does James's life change as a result of his relationship with Bob?
Animal-Human Relationships: "A Street Cat Named Bob" offers insights into the unique bond between humans and animals. How does the book explore this relationship, and what does it reveal about the emotional depth and complexity of such connections?
Responsibility and Care: James takes on the responsibility of caring for Bob despite his own challenges. Discuss the themes of responsibility and care in the book. How does caring for Bob change James's perspective on life and his sense of purpose?
Social Issues and Homelessness: The book touches on themes of homelessness, addiction, and poverty. How does James's experience as a recovering addict and a formerly homeless individual shape his relationship with Bob? How does the book shed light on these social issues?
Bob's Impact on Others: Consider the broader impact of Bob's presence in James's life. How does Bob affect the people around them, including strangers on the street? How does Bob become a symbol of hope and inspiration for others?
The Healing Power of Animals: Reflect on the role of animals in providing comfort, companionship, and healing to humans. How does Bob's presence in James's life illustrate the healing power of animals, both for individuals and communities?

James Bowen is a British author known for his memoir "A Street Cat Named Bob," which chronicles his life on the streets of London and the heartwarming bond he formed with a stray cat named Bob. Born on March 15, 1979, in Surrey, England, Bowen experienced a tumultuous upbringing marked by family issues and periods of homelessness.

As a young adult, Bowen struggled with drug addiction and found himself living on the streets of London, busking to make a living as a street musician. It was during this challenging time in his life that he encountered Bob, a ginger cat who would ultimately become his faithful companion and source of inspiration.

The story of Bowen and Bob gained widespread attention after they were featured in a series of newspaper articles and on social media. Their heartwarming tale of friendship, resilience, and redemption struck a chord with readers around the world.

In 2012, Bowen published his memoir "A Street Cat Named Bob: And How He Saved My Life," co-written with author Garry Jenkins. The book became an international bestseller, captivating readers with its touching narrative and affirming message. It was later adapted into a film in 2016, further spreading their story to a wider audience.

Following the success of his first book, Bowen continued to share his experiences through additional memoirs, including "The World According to Bob" (2013), "A Gift from Bob" (2014), "The Little Book of Bob" (2018), and others. These books further explored Bowen's journey of recovery, the profound impact of Bob on his life, and their adventures together on the streets of London.

In addition to his writing, Bowen has become an advocate for animal welfare and homelessness issues. He has spoken at various events, participated in charity campaigns, and used his platform to raise awareness about the challenges faced by those living on the streets and the importance of animal companionship.

Overall, James Bowen's story exemplifies the power of friendship, love, and second chances. Through his books and public appearances, he continues to inspire readers with his resilience and compassion, leaving a lasting impact on audiences worldwide.

Pack of Two by Caroline Knapp
Call Number: 636.7 Knapp
At the age of 36, Caroline Knapp, author of the acclaimed bestseller Drinking: A Love Story, found herself confronted with a monumental task: redefining her world. She had faced the loss of both her parents, given up a twenty-year relationship with alcohol, and, as she writes, "I was wandering around in a haze of uncertainty, blinking up at the biggest questions: Who am I without parents and without alcohol? How to form attachments, and where to find comfort, in the face of such daunting vulnerability?" An answer materialized in the most unlikely form: that of a dog. Eighteen months to the day after she quit drinking, Knapp stumbled upon an eight-week-old puppy at a local animal shelter, took her home, and named her Lucille. Now two years old, Lucille has become a central force in Knapp's life: "In her," she writes, "I have found solace, joy, a bridge to the world." Caroline Knapp has been celebrated as much for her fresh insight into emotional and psychological issues as she has been for her gifts as a writer. In Pack of Two, she brings the same perception and talent to bear on the rich, complicated terrain of human-animal relationships. In addition to mining her own experience with Lucille, Knapp speaks to a wide variety of dog people--from animal behaviorists and psychologists to other owners whose dogs have deeply affected their lives--about this emotionally complex, sometimes daunting, often profoundly healing alliance. Throughout, she explores the shift in canine roles from working partners to intimate companions and looks, too, at how this new kinship, this wordless bond, becomes a template for what we most desire ourselves.
Cat Daddy by Jackson Galaxy
Call Number: 636.8 Galaxy
Cat behaviorist and star of Animal Planet's hit television show My Cat from Hell, Jackson Galaxy , a.k.a. "Cat Daddy," isn't what you might expect for a cat expert (as The New York Times noted, with his goatee and tattoos he "looks like a Hells Angel"). Yet Galaxy's ability to connect with even the most troubled felines--not to mention the stressed-out humans living in their wake--is awe-inspiring. In this book, Galaxy tells the poignant story of his thirteen-year relationship with a petite gray-and-white short-haired cat named Benny, and gives singular advice for living with, caring for, and loving the feline in your home. When Benny arrived in his life, Galaxy was a down-and-out rock musician with not too much more going on than a part-time job at an animal shelter and a drug problem. Benny's previous owner brought the cat to the shelter in a cardboard box to give him up. Benny had seen better days--his pelvis had just been shattered by the wheels of a car--and his owner insisted he'd been "unbondable" from day one. Nothing could have been further from the truth. An inspiring account of two broken beings who fixed each other, Cat Daddy is laced throughout with Galaxy's amazing "Cat Mojo" advice for understanding what cats need most from us humans in order to live happier, healthier lives.
Dewey by Vicki Myron
Call Number: 636.8 Myron
The story of Dewey the celebrated library cat is now available for the youngest of readers in this new, fully-illustrated picture book adventure. When Librarian Vicki Myron finds a young kitten abandoned in the Spencer Library return box, she nurses him back to health, deciding then and there that he will be their library cat, and naming him, appropriately, Dewey Readmore Books. Dewey loves his new home, but once he discovers the littlest library visitors-who like to chase him, pull his tail, and squeeze him extra tight-Dewey begins to wonder if he's truly cut out for the demands of his new job. In the end, he is triumphant as he realizes that helping people big and small is what he is meant to do, and that by sharing his special brand of Dewey love, he can be the best library cat of all.
I Am Bunny by Alexis Devine
Call Number: BIOGRAPHY Devine
Alexis Devine, creator of the wildly popular TikTok account @WhatAboutBunny with over 8.3 million followers, delivers a memoir loaded with wit and passion for animals, as well as the vulnerability and authenticity of a woman who learned to take care of herself by learning to talk to her dog.

Islington Branch Book Club - Past Titles: "A Street Cat Named Bob" by James Bowen

"A Street Cat Named Bob" by James Bowen

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