Staff Pick - How to Tell if Your Cat is Plotting to Kill You by Matthew Inman

I'm not your stereotypical librarian slash reader slash cat lover, however I have nothing against cats personally. Cat owners seem proud of their servitude to their pets and the disdain with which they are treated, and who am I to judge that. I'm not trying to open up the old dog versus cat debate. If you are not a dyed-in-the-wool cat lover and you are on the fence about opening up your home to a feline, How to Tell if Your Cat is Plotting to Kill You (M) by Matthew Inman may not be the book that pushes you over to the side of cat ownership.

This is a compilation of The Oatmeal's cat related comics (also check out their very funny My Dog: the paradox.) There are signs to look out for - if you cat is kneading you he is actually looking for weak internal organs. Does he bring you a dead animal? This is a warning, not a gift. You will learn how to properly pet a kitty and how to tell if your cat is gay. Perhaps most disturbing you will explore what could possibly happen if cats worked at your office. (Apparently office cats are jerks.)  Hilarious, snortable, quotable and, I suspect, partially truthful. I, for one, will continue to treat kitties with wariness and respect.

And to give some time to our other fur friends try Things Your Dog Doesn't Want You to Know: 11 courageous canines tell all (M) by Hy Conrad and Jeff Johnson. "Dear Human: Your dog probably puzzles you. Most of us do that. And most of us would like to keep things as they are: humans in the dark, dogs with the upper hand. But we dogs are about to let you in a little secret. Okay, a lot of secrets. 'We graduated first in our obedience class three times. This should tell you something.' 'Puppies know that they're being cute. They're using you. ' 'We don't sound anything like those silly voices you use to imitate us.' 'We hate those ridiculous names you give some of us. Moonbeam is not a dignified name for a mutt.' 'You might want to check your herb garden for fertilizer.' 'We are only wearing this stupid birthday hat so we can get some cake. No self-respecting dog cares about his birthday.' 'We are not spoiled, certainly not in comparison to teenage girls.' 'We are in charge of the house. We let you pretend that you are.' 'We'd be lost without you. We love you.' It's all in our new book, Things Your Dog Doesn't Want You To Know, as told to humans Hy Conrad and Jeff Johnson. Even Steve Martin (yes, THAT Steve Martin) raves about us! Inside you'll find revelations such as the reason we at the sofa (leather tastes very similar to rawhide), and what we really think of the costumes you dress us up in. I'm not alone. Ten other courageous canines have stepped forward to tell you what your dog won't - every last dirty, hairy bit of it. If you have dogs, love dogs, or have ever been baffled by a dog, this book is a must-have." publisher