Any time you want to laugh out loud or find yourself chuckling pick up one of Francesco Marciuliano’s books of feline observations and thoughts. Beginning with I Could Pee on This, Mr. Marciuliano’s uncanny ability to capture the feline voice that produces amusing perspectives on human/cat relationships is unmatched.

Any of Mr. Marciuliano’s books (especially those written by cats) make great gifts – recipients always call to thank you for the laughter and lightness. And I can tell you, from personal experience, Mr. Marciuliano has discovered a very talented group of felines willing to share their talent. Eleven cats have shared their homes with me over the past 40 years, so I can attest to behavior that supports everything Mr. Marciuliano shares.

Take a break today. Get one of Francesco Marciuliano’s books of cat poems and settle in for a laugh filled afternoon.

I Could Pee on This
I Knead My Mommy
You Need More Sleep
I Could Pee on This, Too
Claw the System

The title really says it all. Humorous, witty, and absurd in all the best ways, I recommend this very funny book.

When did my cats write a book?

Seriously, I think my cats in particular wrote this book.

I love this even more than I Could Pee on This: And Other Poems by Cats. Those poems were just hysterical. These are actually...did the author mean to make them so deep? Because some of these get deep.

And then end with a truly hysterical punch line.

Seriously, I feel quite uplifted and empowered now.

Though completely unsettled about that whole 'ghost watching me while I sleep' thing.

Thanks to Netgalley for an advance copy of this book, which is in a wonderful series.

This volume is not as strong as others. The first is such a funny book. The author most likely has had cats actually dictate these poems. How else could they be so perfectly feline? 😉😉 However, the poems seem to be losing the humorous bite over the series. I recommend the book, though it is not as strong as others. People who have cats will continue to recognize in the poems their own recalcitrant feline companions.

A hilarious and, often, philosophical look at the world and the felines that inhabit it. I was particularly impressed with the merging of photography and text.

Claw the System by Francesco Marciuliano is an enjoyable quick read. The pictures of cute cats throughout the book are the best part. Of the poems, Surprise Yourself was my favorite. As someone who loves cats, I enjoyed this book. I don’t know how people who prefer dogs would feel about it.

I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

**Thank you NetGalley for allowing me to review this book!**

This next book is Claw the System: Poems from the Cat Uprising by Francesco Marciuliano. Another book of cat poems. I don't know who was more tickled, me or Ivan. He adores cats, I think the poems are funny, and we both enjoy reading them together.

I'm not sure how to really review poems. I like the book, some of the poems make me laugh and the photographs are gorgeous!

If you liked "I could Pee on This" or "I Could Pee on This, Too!" you will 100% love this.

Claw in the System by Francesco Marciuliano is so funny and so like cats, if you are a cat person as I am, you will love this book.

Anyone who has a cat knows that felines are plotting to take over the world. They have already enslaved much of humanity....it's only a matter of time. Every cat lover knows this is true.....but we all continue to love and adore our kitties. :) It's all a part of their insidious plan.

Claw the System is a collection of photos of cats and poetry expressing their disenchantment with humans and their habits, foibles and just existence in general (other than filling their food dishes and pats when ordered). Some of the commentary is obviously thinly veiled reflections and thoughts about the current political and social atmostphere.....but it's not overdone or ridiculous. Just funny. :) The poems are creative, outragously fun to read, and cute.....yet poignant. Loved it!

I loved this book! I often think my cats roll their eyes and shake their heads at nearly everything I do....and this book just upheld that belief 100%. The color pictures of cute kitties are great, and the poems are cute. This book is by the same people who published I Could Pee On This and other similar books. Definitely a must-read for cat lovers!

Unfortunately my cats read my galley of this book and want to know where they can go to join the uprising. They keep calling me their "minion.''

**I voluntarily read a review copy of this book from Andrews McMeel Publishing via NetGalley. All opinions expressed are entirely my own.**

I was totally hyped for this book, I got Francesco's other books on Cats and Dogs on my shelves. Sadly, this one just didn't click with me. The poems weren't that funny, went on way too long (not only that, but also took a bit too long to get to the point) and I don't know, whereas with the others I had to laugh, with this one I just was rolling my eyes.

Sure, there were cute pictures everywhere, just like the other books, but even they couldn't save the book for me.

I am really sad. I thought I would be adding this one to my collection at home. But I guess it was just not meant to be. :(

Don’t Explain Yourself

“Don’t waste your breath explaining yourself
To people determined you go unheard
Don’t make it your goal to convince a person
Committed to dismiss your every word
If someone refuses to understand you
Don’t wait until they do
Instead go and prove you were right
That a tray of mac and cheese can
be a meal and a bed, too”

Essentially, this is a sort of “Mission Statement” written in poems by cats – well, with the help of the author, but you get the sense that he knows precisely what these cats, whose photographs are included, are thinking.

This follows a theme of the coming “uprising” plan. In four stages

Recognize
Resist
Revolt
Rebuild

Honestly, some of the photographs are stunningly good, beautifully shot with the perfect expression captured. My favourite poem is “Don’t Explain Yourself,” which is above, because, well, if you read it you know why. I mean, even though it doesn’t appeal to me, personally, I can understand the sentiment, and really - why can’t a tray of mac and cheese be a meal and a bed? Brilliant. The photo that accompanies this poem is also perfectly captured, the perfect amount of disdain for the human capturing their picture.

This is by Francesco Marciuliano, an author who has written several bestselling books, I Could Pee on This, I Could Chew on This, I Knead My Mommy, You Need More Sleep and I Could Pee on This, Too, clearly he has found his niche. And, as if that weren’t enough, he is also the writer of the syndicated comic strips Sally Forth and Judge Parker, and the webcomic Medium Large - and more.

Two of my favourite photographs were on pages 78 & 98
But, the one that stole my heart was on pages 82 & 83, with the poem “Home.”

With children back in school, or heading back to school where you live, Autumn is just around the corner, with winter following close behind. Not that you need an excuse to give your favourite cat person a gift, but if you’re looking for ideas, this would make a nice gift.


Pub Date: 16 OCT 2018

Many thanks for the ARC provided by Andrews McMeel Publishing

As a so-called crazy catlady and the proud owner of two cats, I was immediately intrigued by this title. The blurb sounded like my kind of humor as well, so I was sold. Claw The System is a title that will speak to any cat lover in general and will show many situations cat owners can relate to. Poems From The Cat Uprising is divided in parts, each related to a different step of the 'uprising'. There are many many cat photos to enjoy, most of them related to the text or poems, some funny and others simply beautiful. I would have liked to see more 'cat' perspective in the poems, but I still had a blast reading this title. There are definitely a few very funny moments included in Claw The System, a dry and sarcastic kind of humor I personally really appreciate. If you are looking for a book to make you feel better, a bunch of cat photos to look at or are simply curious about what might go on in your cat's mind: Claw The System is without doubt a very entertaining choice.

Claw the System is a fun, quirky book of poetry from a cat's point of view. Francesco Marciuliano has knack for capturing the snarky, apathetic vibe of cats who still believe they should be worshipped as gods. Filled with brilliant photos of adorable kittens and adult cats doing what they do best--napping, jumping, and ignoring their humans--Claw the System is a must-read for any cat lover.

I really really wanted to like this book. I love the idea, and the cat photographs inside are adorable, but I just didn't think the poems were that good. Having said that, there were some funny lines and some very enjoyable poems which stood out to me. My favourite is Through My Eyes.

"I want you to think
How it would be
To be as small as I am
To be as frightened as I am
To never understand what one is saying
Yet always being told what I can't be doing
To have to gaze up
At those who look down
Hence why I tripped you in the hall
So that maybe while you're on the floor looking for your tooth
You can finally see the world from my point of view"

Mildly amusing. I liked the cat pics better than the text, which witty as it sometimes was, didn't have me LOL. Sorry.

I adored this book. I read it out loud to my foster cat who just had a sugary, and she kept purring loudly, closing here eyes in agreement. The pictures was a nice touch, they were in perfect harmony to the funny and nice poems.

Overall you get from this what you probably expect: goofy poems supposedly by cats, some which may wish to see our demise. Many of the poems made me laugh and the photos were adorable. If you just want to laugh at the ridiculousness that is the cat, you'll enjoy your time with this one like I did.

"Claw the system: poems from the cat uprising" by Francesco Marciuliano is a diverse collection of poems and images that support the "Feline Revolution". Including such notable anthems as "Keep Writing" and "Show Up", there are many nuggets of wisdom for cats and their pro-feline supporters (those that are anti-cat are to be ignored).

A tongue-in-cheek resource for humour- and cat-lovers of all ages from a noted cartoonist and author.

I've seen some of the author's earlier work at my vet clinic, but hadn't gotten a chance to do more than flip through while I waited. This book of mostly cat-based poetry is a quick read. The photos are beautiful. The poems are somewhat amusing, though I expected them to be more so. There were a few gems, but overall, the writing just wasn't my cup of tea. I also don't think I need to be concerned about any uprising from my two spoiled boys. They seem pretty content. :-)

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a chance to review this book. All comments are my own unbiased opinion.

Claw the System: Poems from the Cat Uprising is a short book filled with luscious cat photos and poems written by extremely upset cats.

Cats have a four stage plan for their uprising: recognize, resist, revolt and rebuild. Each stage has a chapter filled with at least ten poems and an equal amount of cat photos. Most of the photos relate directly to their neighboring poem. The photos are, of course, cute. The poems have the snarky feeling that I get off my cats right after I have fed them.

Claw the System: Poems from the Cat Uprising is the perfect gift for the cat person in your life. If you want to scare a first-time cat owner, this would also be a good pick. I think this book is only funny to those who are allowed to live in their house by their furry and purry master. 4 stars!

Thanks to Andrews McMeel Publishing and NetGalley for an advanced copy.