A Cat-alogue of Fiction’s Finest Felines
I've been a part of the Libby app team for almost four years now, and I've learned some things about readers along the way. You guys are passionate about libraries, audiobook speeds, coffee, and your cats (amongst other things).
Well, consider me influenced, because during my time with Libby, I've started consuming twice the amount of coffee, and I've adopted not one, but TWO cats: Sal (Salvador Meowy) and Cher.
Cher recently celebrated National Black Cat Day, and it had me thinking about all the literary kitties we've come to know and love through reading. From classic children's tales to LitRPG, cats go hand in hand with books, whether they're the star of the show or a reading companion. Mischievous, clever, loving, and a little spicy, these bookish cats are the definition of "main character energy."
The Litter-ary Hall of Fame:
Alice in Wonderland
by Lewis Carrol
You can’t talk about famous literary cats without mentioning the Cheshire Cat from Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland. With his big grin, disappearing act, and habit of speaking in riddles, he’s equal parts charming and confusing. And we can't forget about Alice's sweet kitty, Dinah.
Dungeon Crawler Carl
by Matt Dinniman
Princess Donut from Dungeon Crawler Carl is not your average house cat. A pampered Persian with a big personality, a love of the finer things, and absolutely no interest in being overlooked, she goes from show cat to dungeon-crawling legend. She’s dramatic, clever, and knows she’s the star of the show.
Pete the Cat and the Cool Cat Boogie
by James Dean
Pete has mastered the art of keeping his cool. With his laid-back attitude, signature shades, and knack for finding the bright side, Pete reminds little readers that a few bumps in the road aren't the end of the world. The Pete the Cat series was a staple in our reading rotation when my kids were little, and my 13 year old daughter still has a Pete keychain on her backpack.
The Tale of Tom Kitten
by Beatrix Potter
A true classic featuring beautiful illustrations and a mother's invisible labor, The Tale of Tom Kitten stars three cats who must wash and dress for tea. However, when their mother is grooming young Tom, he is very naughty and scratches her! The horror! The eleventh of Beatrix Potter's 22 charmingly illustrated tales of animals in amusing situations, The Tale of Tom Kitten has been entertaining readers of all ages for nearly 120 years.
Pet Sematary
by Stephen King
Church, the Creed family's beloved cat in Stephen King's Pet Sematary, starts out as your typical family pet. But after a tragic accident, he comes back a little... different. With his matted fur, strange smell, and unsettling behavior, Church proves that sometimes dead is better.
Coraline
by Neil Gaiman
The mysterious black cat in Neil Gaiman’s Coraline doesn’t have a name, and he seems perfectly fine with that. Sarcastic, clever, and a little unpredictable, he helps Coraline navigate the strange world behind the little door. He can talk in the Other World, disappears when you least expect it, and always seems to know more than he’s letting on.
Puss in Boots
by Paul Galdone
Puss in Boots is proof that a little confidence can go a long way. This clever feline swashbuckler uses his charm, quick thinking, and signature boots to help his master find fortune and success. He's got the attitude of a cat who knows he's the most interesting one in the room.
The Cat Who Saved Books
by Sosuke Natsukawa
Bookish high school student Rintaro Natsuki is about to close the secondhand bookstore he inherited from his beloved bookworm grandfather. Then Tiger (a talking cat) appears with an unusual request. The feline asks for—or rather, demands—the teenager's help in saving books with him. The world is full of lonely books left unread and unloved, and the cat and Rintaro must liberate them from their neglectful owners.
LIFE Garfield
LIFE Garfield
Everyone knows cats love lasagna and everyone knows Garfield! But did you know that Libby has magazines with no waits or holds! Libby also has thousands graphic novels and comics, including the Garfield series.
Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban
by J.K. Rowling
Hermione Granger’s half-Kneazle cat, Crookshanks, is fluffy, grumpy, and a surprisingly good judge of character. First appearing in Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, he has a particular dislike for Scabbers the rat and turns out to have pretty good reasons for it. Like most cats (and readers), Crookshanks has strong opinions and excellent instincts.
Check out your local library or browse Libby to find these stories and plenty of new ones to curl up with.
Published Oct 29, 2026
Amanda Patton
Amanda is a creative marketing professional with 18 years of experience creating content across social media, print and digital marketing. She aims to create content that brings attention to public libraries and the important work they do through trending topics, nostalgia, humor, and more. Outside of work, you can find her behind her camera, thrifting, playing the piano, or stopping whatever she’s doing to pet a dog.