I had the pleasure of interviewing Allia Zobel Nolan on a recent episode of “Cat-versations From The Catbox.”
Her latest book, “Why A Cat Is (Still) Better Than A Man” was recently released and she sent me a copy to read and review. I have to say, once I finally had time to read it — I sped through it and laughed out loud many times. If you’re looking for a book with adorable illustrations and some spot-on comments about cats, men and life, this should be on your Christmas wish list or you should be buying this for any friend or family member who needs a laugh — and who doesn’t, right?
Here are a few of my favorite passages/pages in the book:
- A cat doesn’t care how you look in the morning. (Amen, especially with my pandemic hair and “wardrobe” of sweatpants and sweatshirts)
- Cats are easy to live with. Cats love to cuddle. Cats lower your blood pressure. (Truth in all of those statements! As I write this, Ickis is curled up in my lap)
- You never feel alone when you’re with a cat. (Truth!)
- Cats never make insensitive remarks if you go off your diet — they know you need to keep up your strength
- Cats look forward to growing old with you
Book Review: Why A Cat Is (Still) Better Than A Man
I have found myself going back and flipping through the pages for inspiration and a smile. It’s a great book to have bedside or on your desk if you just want to take a break, appreciate cats and enjoy the illustrations in this book.
Here is what Allia sent to me when I asked her about her book and when we were talking about her joining me on From The Cat Box: 
Whenever an interviewer asked Allia Zobel Nolan which of her books she liked the best, she’d coyly answer, “That’s like asking a mother which child is her favorite. …I love all my books. “Still, I guess I’d have to admit 101 Reasons Why a Cat Is Better than a Man has a special place in my heart for two reasons: It was the beginning of a long and exciting collaboration (seven books and counting) with the esteemed, hilarious, former nationally syndicated cartoonist Nicole Hollander. Plus, it was the start of a lifelong habit of writing about and being involved in everything and anything to do with the creature I most adored: the cat.”
That’s why she reprised the book in the hope it will entertain and bring laughter to a new generation of ailurophiles.
“Still, (the book) is not male-bashing, but cat enhancing,” she claims. “Oh, and I’m not advocating giving up on men altogether. I’m just suggesting that women be more selective by looking for someone who’s warm, playful, loving, affectionate, trustworthy and patient. Someone who thinks you’re the greatest and accepts you ‘as is.’ Someone who’d sit alongside the tub and keep you company while you bathe. Someone, in short, a lot like a cat.”
Zobel Nolan has written more than 150 traditionally published children’s and adult trade titles. Her books reflect her two main passions, God and cats, and include such varied titles as Cat Confessions: A Kitty Come Clean Tell All Book, Whatever Is Lovely: a 90-Day Devotional and Journal, and What I Like About You: A Book About Acceptance. In 2018, she collaborated with the Erma Bombeck Writers’ Workshop on the humor anthology, Laugh Out Loud: 40 Women Humorists Celebrate Then and Now Before We Forget.
She lives with her husband, Desmond, and their two feline children, Nolan Nolan and Colleen Fiona Shannon Nolan.
You can find her at her Allia Writes website.
