8 Books Your Cat Wants You To Read Right Now

The Kokoro Clinic for the Soul is a hidden spot in an old Kyoto building, accessible only to those who truly seek help. The doctors here offer an unconventional treatment: prescribing cats as therapy. While many patients find this prescription odd at first, they begin to notice changes as they spend time with their feline companions. These cats guide them through their struggles, helping them explore their emotions and work through their issues, ultimately leading them to personal growth and a sense of hope.

The narrator’s time is running out. Isolated and with only his cat, Cabbage, for company, he learns from the doctor that he has just a few months left. Before he can begin ticking off his bucket list, the Devil offers a deal: for every item he makes disappear from the world, he gets an extra day of life. What follows is an unusual week...  

Natsuki Books, a quaint second-hand bookstore on the outskirts of town, was once owned by Rintaro Natsuki’s grandfather. After his grandfather’s death, Rintaro is burdened with the thought of closing the shop. However, his life takes an unexpected turn when a cat named Tiger speaks to him, seeking his help. The cat has a mission: to find a true book lover to protect valuable books from harm. Together, they embark on three journeys to rescue books from those who misuse or mistreat them, culminating in a final task that Rintaro must face alone.

Hidden on a quiet Kyoto backstreet, the Kamogawa Diner, run by Koishi Kamogawa, her father Nagare, and their loyal cat, serves more than just gourmet meals. This father-daughter team are “food detectives,” recreating dishes from cherished memories to help their customers reconnect with lost moments and rediscover forgotten happiness. Together, they offer a taste of the past and a path to new possibilities.

She and Her Cat opens with a nameless kitten abandoned in a cardboard box, resigned to his fate—until a young woman finds him, changing both their lives forever. This first encounter leads into a series of four interwoven stories that explore the quiet bonds between cats and their female owners. Through alternating perspectives, each tale examines life’s fragility, the ache of loneliness, and the beauty of connection. 

The Travelling Cat Chronicles tells the story of Nana, a spirited cat with a crooked tail that symbolizes luck, and his devoted owner, Satoru. When Satoru decides to take Nana on a journey across Japan, ostensibly to visit three of his old friends, Nana’s curiosity is piqued. Together, they travel through diverse landscapes and changing seasons, with each stop revealing more about the strength of their bond and the true meanings of courage, loyalty, and love.

In The Guest Cat, a couple in their thirties live a quiet life in a small Tokyo rental cottage. One day, a cat wanders into their kitchen, disappearing soon after—only to return again and again. The couple gradually start buying food for the cat and sharing stories about its habits, and soon, the cat's visits breathe new life into their everyday routines, adding an unexpected spark to their days.

Takako has never been a reader, despite her family running the Morisaki Bookshop for three generations. But when her boyfriend suddenly announces he’s engaged to someone else, she’s left reeling and accepts her uncle Satoru’s invitation to live above the shop. Heartbroken and aimless, Takako begins to find comfort in the quiet of the bookstore and books lining the shelves.