Monday, March 8, 2021

Cat Book: Abys Among Us & Stories for the Feline Inclined by T.J. Banks

 Author T.J. Banks, in my opinion, is a cat masquerading as a human. She has an innate understanding of the feline mind. Her communication/interaction with cats that is full of patience, knowledge and unconditional love is a gift.

Back in 2014 I had the honor of reading/reviewing her book Houdini, and in 2015 I read and reviewed what remains my FAVORITE book by T.J. Banks,Cat Song



When I had the blog redesigned and somewhat changed its focus, my intention was to no longer do book reviews. When T.J. reached out to me, asking if I would consider reviewing Abys Among Us & Stories for the Feline Inclined, how could I say no to an author who is so obviously gifted? I'm glad I didn't decline. 

FROM THE AUTHOR: "Cats walk between worlds, bringing the magical and the common place together. They are the heart-and-soul-menders, our kindred spirits, poetry on four paws, and we humans would be lost without them. At least that's what I believe. Abys Among Us & Stories for the Feline-Inclined is a celebration of the cats I have known and what they have taught me."

Abys Among Us & Stories for the Feline Inclined will have anyone who has lived with and loved cats, nodding their head in recognition.

Many who have lost beloved pets write because they find it to be cathartic. T.J. Banks writes about them and the other animals in her life because she doesn't want to forget them and the great gifts they have given her. "We have spiritual relationships with the animals who come into our lives, and we need to honor those relationships."

My take-away is that each of the cats I have been blessed to share my life with, my Bobo the curmudgeon, (with everyone but me), my cuddly and loving Cody, who healed my broken heart when Bobo passed. While Cody left much too soon, I learned though the way he passed was horrific and tragic, I was not privy to the actual event that took place that caused him to pass, because he DIDN'T WANT ME TO BE. Our bond was such that he knew that if I watched him pass in the horrible manner in which he did, I might not be here today writing this now.  When Cody passed, I strongly believed I would never have a cat again, the grief and sadness was overpowering, Our current cat, Roary, has taught me there is ALWAYS room in  my heart to love another. I am sure Roary has many more lessons in store for me.



When reading Abys Among Us, and ALL of the books by T.J. Banks, you will be touched by  the love, sensitivity, understanding, knowledge  and passion for cats that is simply a part of who T.J. Banks IS, (particularly Abyssinians, which are prominently featured in the book, hence the title.) just as I was.  There ARE other types of cats in the book as well.  I learned how in each stage of her life each cat seemed to appear (or even leave), just when they are supposed to. There are no coincidences in life. Each and every cat we are blessed to know  guides us and teaches us lessons, if we are open to learning what those lessons are. 

I will leave you with this, a passage from Abys Among Us that sums it up for me, "I'm alone again in the snowy yard. But only technically speaking. "As for me," my old friend Gladys Taber once wrote, "I believe we never lose those we have loved." And if sometimes we feel as though we have, well, they always manage to find us again. The heart--and the soul--that are loved really do remember."

AVAILABLE ON AMAZON

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: T.J. Banks is the author of Catsong, A Time for Shadows, Sketch People, Souleiado, and Houdini, which the late writer and activist Cleveland Amory enthusiastically declared " winner." Catsong, a collection of some of her best cat stories, was the winner of the 2007 Merial Human-Animal Bond Award. Her writing has been widely anthologized and received awards from the Cat Writers' Association (CWA), ByLine, and The Writing Self.


23 comments:

  1. we love that... and we think that's the best description of da fekine world... reality and magic find together...

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  2. A beautiful review! Those who really REALLY know cats are able to express so well that magical and important bond we have with them that never ends even when "death do us part". It's forever - and once we really realize that, we can take comfort in KNOWING it.

    Hugs, Pam

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  3. Aww reading this review and post had me tearing up. I can relate on so many levels. Our cats (pets) know us so well, even better than we know ourselves. I'm so happy Roary entered your lives ( I know Cody and Bobo orchestrated that!) I always enjoy comforting reads like this. I'll have to add this to my reading list for 2021!

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    1. the book had me tearing up in parts too. Probably because it's all still so raw. It is DEFINITELY a worthwhile read.....there are MANY, MANY happy parts too. Tammy's understanding of animals, particularly cats, is just unreal. I think you will truly enjoy it. You are quite sensitive so I know you will! xoxo

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  4. That sounds like a great book for pet lovers everywhere.

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  5. They bring such joy to our lives and it's so hard to lose them. Sounds like a great read. I'd need a box of tissues I'm thinking.

    Have a fabulous day and week, Caren. Scritches to your furbabes. ♥

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  6. Dad has a little of the wet eyes reading this and we have enjoyed her several books laying in bed all cozy and happy. We are so glad Roary has come into your life. It is so very hard when our dearest furs leave us but the heart can hold endless love. It is important to remember all the special cats that have been in our lives as they all have taught us special life lessons. We will go see about getting a copy! Thanks

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  7. What a lovely and inspiring review! Will have to look for this book. đŸ˜»

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  8. Wonderful review, what a lovely excerpt - I'll have to check it out, Thanks,

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  9. Anyone who loves cats would truly be able to relate to this book and its got that hit you in the heart appeal, too...

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  10. That sounds really, really wonderful. Thanks for telling us!

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  11. Great review ! That sounds like a wonderful book ! Purrs

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  12. This does sound like a great cat book and I will likely order it once I get some things sorted! I can relate to the sadness of loss, the enduring memories, and the ways we start again with new kitty friends . . . in our case there has always been another homeless kitty in the forest, or on the streets, or at the door. . . so we go on. I'm glad you now have Roary!

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  13. Any friend of Gladys Taber's is a friend of ours !

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  14. What a good review.We have all (or will) dealt with the passing of a beloved pet.
    Sometimes it's end of life and sometimes it's way too soon.That we can love another shows that our heart can expand and that there seems to be a limitless amount of love and space for us to love another cat. Roary is a sweetie.
    Purrs, Julie(and mum Nancy)

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  15. Nice review. I definitely want to read this. XO

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  16. This sounds like a terrific book. I truly believe that passage that summed it up for you sums it up for me too. It is funny, because I did not move back here until a heat and a half after Nellie passed. Nellie is still the soul of this house and I can see her out of the corner of my eye. Thank you!

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    1. I know what you mean! I call Roary "Cody" daily......I often think I see Cody. I soooo get it!!!!!! xoxo

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  17. Oh wow, I need to check out this author. Gladys Taber is one of my very favorite authors. I read her Best of Stillmeadow throughout the year. It is written a chapter for each month and the words always ring true.

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  18. Wow, this book sounds amazing, Caren. Thank you for sharing about it with us.

    I still see Gracie and Zoe around. And Moosey and Sammy every now and then. They never really leave. XO

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  19. What a great review, one which dad says sounds like it's right up his alley. He'll have to add it to his "to be read" heap, though. We do have quite the effect on you humans, don't we? Oh, and dad's another of the male species who tears up easily when reading stuff like this.

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  20. That sounds like a book worth reading. For some reason, I stopped getting notifications of new posts. I thought you stopped blogging. I will have to fix that.

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  21. It sounds like an amazing book based on your wonderful review of it!

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