Monday, November 26, 2012

Book Review: "Purrs of Wisdom" by Ingrid King

When presented with the opportunity of reading/reviewing author Ingrid King's latest book, Purrs of Wisdom, I was elated. I had reviewed her previous book, Buckley's Story, Lessons From a Feline Master Teacher, which moved me to tears.

Ingrid was one of the first people I met when I began blogging in 2009. Her blog, The Conscious Cat, was also the first of what would be hundreds of blogs that I would follow, and to this day, remains one of my favorites.

Ingrid's grace, intelligence, knowledge of and love for cats, and her innate ability to find peace and balance in life as a whole,  is evident in everything that she touches.  On a personal note, her support, caring, encouragement and positive aura has graced my life on many occasions.
Photo courtesy of:
http://consciouscat.net/purrs-of-wisdom/

Thanksgiving weekend was the perfect weekend to curl up with Purrs of Wisdom. The weather was chilly, I lit candles, poured a cup of coffee and settled back to begin reading about what to me, was like sitting down and having a heart-to-heart with a longtime, trusted friend. You  know, the one who knows you  like no other, the  kind of friend you are free to bare your soul with. The kind of friend who doesn't judge, but listens, who offers advice in a positive, logical and motivating way, who encourages you to be the best YOU that you can be, the one who makes you feel safe, oh  and as an extra bonus,  they just happen to LOVE CATS.  For me, Purrs of Wisdom evoked all of those feelings AND MORE.


Having minored in Philosophy, contrary to my outer exuberance, I am prone to long bouts of introspection, and have always gravitated towards books that inspire me to think. Purrs of Wisdom fits the bill purrfectly.

"From help with everyday challenges to inspiration on living a joyful life, this compilation provides guidance, inspiration and enlightenment, feline style."

There were parallels in this book that to me were almost eerie. I was surprised to learn that like myself,  Ingrid didn't have her first cat until she was much older. We both spent many years in corporate America before life brought changes that would alter our respective journeys, eventually leading us to a place where we would pursue our hearts desire, writing about cats.

Purrs of Wisdom is a collection of essays based on Ingrid's "Conscious Cat Sunday" column on The Conscious Cat, and features lessons that Ingrid learned from the cats in her life.  Some of my favorites are:


  • Are You Addicted to Technology?
  • Gratitude
  • Embrace Change
  • Feeling Overwhelmed?
  • Learn to Be Still


At the beginning of each essay, Ingrid features a quote to set the tone for the essay that follows. She  ends each essay with examples of how cats, (specifically Ingrid's cats Allegra and Ruby) inherently know the "secrets" of living a more positive, productive and enlightened life. If  we pause long enough to observe how our own cats also have this knowledge, we just might one day be as wise as our feline friends.

The end of the year is rapidly approaching, this is the time when many of us pause and reflect on what has transpired.  I, for one, embark on soul searching and contemplation and Purrs of Wisdom was the perfect vehicle to help me begin my yearly ritual.  Ingrid's essay on New Year's Resolutions and her preference (and now mine!) for referring to them as New Year's intentions "a determination to act in a certain way."  offer  a wonderful new take on a yearly tradition. Ingrid says in this essay: "To be successful, I have to be present and make conscious choices in support of my goal. And when it comes to being more present, I have the best support team I could ask for: Allegra and Ruby! Cats are masters at living in the moment. They don't worry about running out of time to chase that catnip mouse, being too rushed to enjoy their meal, or not getting enough sleep. If I look to them for guidance, I can't help but succeed."

Purrs of Wisdom will make you think, it will warm your soul,  it will wrap itself around your mind and your heart  like a soft-as-down kitty snuggling at your side. Purchase this book and refer to it frequently, just flip to the essay that will offer you the encouragement that you need in order to face the world that day. It is the next best thing to sharing an afternoon chat over coffee with that trusted friend who knows you like no other. It  will leave you feeling equally as peaceful, satisfied and ready to pounce upon whatever life sends your way, armed with  Purrs of Wisdom, just  like a CAT.
Photo courtesy of
http://consciouscat.net/about-the-conscious-cat/


ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Ingrid King is a former veterinary hospital manager turned multiple-award winning author. Her popular blog, The Conscious Cat, is a comprehensive resource for conscious living, health, and happiness for cats and their humans. Ingrid lives in Northern Virginia with her two tortoiseshell cats Allegra and ruby. For more information about Ingrid, please visit www.IngridKing.com




ISBN: 978-0-9883437-0-2

To purchase Purrs of Wisdom click here



52 comments:

  1. Sounds like a wonderful book and a great way to spend the weekend. Ingrid's cat is also a beauty! :-)

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  2. Sounds like fun! Everything with a cat sounds improved to us :-)

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  3. I bet this book is every bit as lovely as you described - I look forward to reading it!

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  4. Great review and great idea for Christmas gifts. I am going to give some animal books this year. So thanks for the review. Have a marvelous Monday.
    Best wishes Molly

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    1. thanks so much Molly! This would make a PURRFECT Christmas gift! You are most welcome and I hope you had a "marvelous Monday" as well!

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  5. Awwwww this sounds like a lovely book!! It's great how the kitties so help people find inner peace and balance! Take care
    x

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  6. looks great.... will have to check it out

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  7. Another great review Caren! We love Ingrid in this house - she KNOWS cats - inside and out and her blog is a source of accurate and interesting information ALWAYS. It sounds like this book joins her other work as a great read and resource for the cat lover or really anyone wanting to "connect" with their pet. Thanks for telling us the inside scoop!

    Pam (and Sam)

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    1. thanks so much Pam and Sam. We are quite smitten with Ingrid in our home as well! :) You are most welcome!!

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  8. Now that was a super review. It really is a very good book. Ingid does know cats and sure does love them. Hope you have a great Monday. Take care.

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    1. thanks a million Marg! Ingrid sure does! On another note...hoping sweet Toby finds a home!

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  9. Wonderful review, Caren, it seems like a terrific book. :-)

    Happy week to you and Cody!

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    1. Thanks so much! It IS!! Just what we need! :) "Happy Week" to you, Nicki and Derry as well!

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  10. I just bought Purrs of Wisdom for my Kindle about a week ago, and I am enjoying it very much! I am a huge fan of Buckley's Story, as well as Ingrid's blog. Thank you so much for your great review & post!

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  11. I must say, Caren, I always enjoy your book reviews and you do a great job with them, but this one really touched me with how much it meant to you personally. I also reviewed the book and appreciated the sentiment - I try to take her advice to heart... I don't always do a good job with it, but we all can learn a lot from these wonderful essays that Ingrid shares.

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    1. Thanks Deb! I loved your review as well. I almost mentioned the tree :) I don't always do a good job either with taking Ingrid's advice to heart. Especially today...technology got the better of me! How ironic that I mentioned it lol.

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  12. Another great sounding book. I will have to check it out. You really do a great service for authors of all things feline.

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    1. Sharon it is and I know you will love it! Thanks so much for your kind words! Shhhhh....don't tell but I review books for doggies over at Dakota's blog too :)

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  13. I loved her first book, and am sure I would love this too. Good review.

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  14. Thank you for this wonderful review, Caren!

    If anyone would like an autographed copy, for yourself or as a gift, please contact me through The Conscious Cat.

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    1. you are most welcome Ingrid! It was my pleasure. You keep writin' 'em and I'll be among the zillions who want to review 'em!! :)

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  15. That sounds so good and I absolutely love the title!

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    1. Brian it is and so do I! I almost mentioned the "Pearls of Wisdom" thing but since many did their reviews before me I had a sneaky suspicion that someone had to have already mentioned that :)

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  16. Caren, you make the book sound very enticing!! Good job on the review xx

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    1. Austin, I don't "make it sound very enticing" IT IS! Thank you!! xoxo

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  17. We enjoyed this book a lot and use it every day to help us find that inner peace and reflection. Purrs... from the crew at Colehauscats.com

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  18. Caren, what a fabulous review. We share the same philosophy. Peace, love and purrs from Cat Wisdom 101.

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  19. Okay this is now on our MUST READ list! Great review!

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  20. I can not wait to read this book. It sounds like just what I need after overcoming the unexpected health issues of the last several weeks. I am so glad to be able to visit your blog again. Every visit is like a breath of fresh air.

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    1. Ohhhhh noooooo!!! I feel awful Elizabeth!! I don't know if I knew about it. Your words just touched me so much, THANK YOU! Praying that you are ok! (((((hugs))))))

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  21. Oh boy, another good book to add to my Christmas list!

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  22. OMC! Is the Human addicted to technology??? Is the Pope Cafflic? Sheesh. She hardly duz nuffing else anymore. Sigh.

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  23. There are so many great cat books, and this one sounds wonderful! Its purrfect for a cold winter's day, snuggling with the kitties while a gentle snow falls.

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  24. Great review! It is on my list now.

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  25. What a lovely review!
    My human read the Kindle version and she loved it very much, too!!
    Purrs

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  26. Great review! Purrs of Wisdom sounds like a very good read and Ingrid sounds like such a nice person!

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  27. Ingrid is a gem...and I'm certain this book is a beautiful reflection of that. A wonderful and thoughtful review too, Caren. ...and another book that must be added to the reading list!
    : )

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    1. she most certainly is!! And yes the book is as well! Thank you sooo much!

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  28. The Human laffed at your Mom's comment today. back then she didn't mind the heat so much, but now a fire in the 90-degree heat would KILL her! Her internal temp regulator really never got over menopause, she says. Whatever that means.

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