Library Cat was a really unique book and I had so much fun reading it. The writing was really funny, often in a subtle way. The characters and different cats were interesting and unique, and the short chapters, written as little anecdotes from Library Cat’s life, were really engaging and fun to read. 

I originally found the book having followed the author Alex on TikTok for some time. I just feel that I have to mention that my reading experience was made all the better by the personalised bookmark and message at the start which came with the book, so thank you very much to Alex for that! 

You can really feel Alex’s love for Edinburgh and Library Cat throughout, which I think always adds a little extra magical something to a book. I did feel like I would have appreciated it a bit more had I been more familiar with the context of the university and Edinburgh. I did still enjoy it a lot but it felt like a few references went over my head. I think anyone who did go to the university would really love it though. 

Also at times, it did almost feel like things came out of nowhere in the story, especially towards the end, and the tone was a bit all over the place. There wasn’t really a storyline so to speak, it was more one of those books where not much happens, but that doesn’t mean it’s a bad book, quite the opposite in fact. The owner kind of came out of nowhere too, I wasn’t even aware that Library Cat HAD an owner until the very last few chapters, which seems like quite a vital piece of information. Maybe this was intentional, I’m not sure, making Library Cat seem more independent and aloof, but it was a little confusing initially. 

However, overall it emphasised a lovely message to seek contentment and nothing more sometimes, in a world where we’re all constantly looking for more. I especially really loved the penultimate chapter, Symbiosis, where Library Cat reflected on all he had learned in a really poetic, beautiful way. 

Lastly I just have to say that I loved Puddle Cat and that whole storyline. Again, it was funny, but also quite touching to see Library Cat’s unrequited love play out and his views on love. 

Overall, a really nice little book which was a very fun read.