I absolutely love this book. I have three cats, and this book addresses everything cat owners deal with.

Okay, as someone utterly devoted to my own five feline overlords, I simply had to get my paws on "The Cat Operator's Manual" by the clearly very knowledgeable Queen Olivia III. And I have to say, it was pure delight from start to finish! I found the central conceit – an instruction manual written by a cat (referring to itself as a "Cuddle Unit 5™") for their human "operator" – absolutely brilliant and executed with such witty charm. Queen Olivia III's voice is pitch-perfect: regal, slightly demanding, and filled with observations about human servitude and proper cat appreciation that felt hilariously accurate.

So much of this resonated deeply with my own daily experiences. The sections on the "Mood Mode Indicator," acceptable petting durations, the critical importance of uninterrupted naps (theirs, naturally), and the logical explanations behind zoomies or the strategic placement of "gifts" had me laughing out loud in recognition throughout. It perfectly captures that unique blend of affection, independence, and undeniable entitlement that makes cats so endlessly fascinating.

I especially appreciated how cleverly it parodies the style of a real technical manual, complete with diagrams and warnings – it added another wonderful layer to the humor. It's obviously intended as a lighthearted, fun read rather than deep literature, and in that specific goal, I think it succeeds absolutely wonderfully.

Overall, "The Cat Operator's Manual" was just a complete joy. It’s witty, adorable, incredibly relatable for anyone who has ever been owned by a cat, and clearly penned by an "author" with profound insight into feline superiority. A perfect, feel-good read for any cat lover needing a smile.

The Cat Operator's Manual was a delightful and amusing read, especially to me who is a cat owner :) The "instructions" are quite clever and funny, and I found myself saying "so true as I made my way through the book. It's reminiscent of a gag baby shower gift I received years ago (The Baby Owner Manual by Joe and Louis Borgenicht) but I enjoyed The Cat Operator's Manual much more :)

I'm currently trapped under a sleeping cat so the timing of this book is just perfect 😂

This book is a great read for the who are cat owners, or those who aspire to be a cat owner, and would make a lovely and humorous gift!

This was cute! It would make a great gift for any cat lover, and it actually does seem like it would be helpful to someone who's new to owning cats. Loved the cute diagrams and art.

This was such a fun and humorous book you can enjoy in one sitting! It’s perfect for any cat parent or enthusiast! 4⭐️

😺📖 Book Review: "The Cat Operator's Manual" by Queen Olivia 🐾📚😸💡

Crafted to resemble a technical manual, this humorous guide breaks down the intricacies of cat ownership in a way that's both entertaining and surprisingly informative. With its tongue-in-cheek advice and spot-on illustrations, it provides an unexpectedly accurate depiction of our furry companions' quirks and behaviors. 📘😂

Ever wondered why your cat acts like a tiny robotic overlord? This manual has the answers. From decoding the "Mood Mode Indicator" to navigating "Eco Mode" (cat ignoring you) and "Turbo Mode" (cat zoomies), this book covers it all with wit and charm. 🚀🐱

Whether you're a seasoned cat parent or just diving into the world of feline companionship, this book offers practical tips that will make you chuckle—like why your kitty insists on sunbathing or leaving surprise "gifts" for you. Plus, it comes with a bonus sticker sheet, perfect for any cat lover! 🌞🕵️‍♂️

The humor is spot-on—it's dry, yet whimsical, striking the right balance without becoming over-the-top. References to cat behaviors, like the "erratic zoom function" and "low-purring diagnostic system," are presented with clever writing that reflects a deep understanding of feline nature. The inclusion of surreal bits, such as the "flavors of toe beans," keeps the reading experience fresh and engaging. 🌈🔍

For anyone who has ever lived with a cat, this book is a charming reminder of the chaos and love they bring into our lives. It's the purrfect gift for cat enthusiasts, providing a comedic yet insightful crash course in understanding your furry friends. 🐾❤️

Overall, "The Cat Operator's Manual" is a delightful success. With its clever writing, creative approach, and engaging humor, it's sure to bring smiles and nods of recognition from cat parents everywhere. 😺📚

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5

This book is as charming and humorous as the cover suggests. When I get my first cat, I'll read this short book again because it actually gives some helpful advice! I will be gifting this manual to many of the cat lovers that I know.

Charmingly silly book. Engaging humor that fully leans into the silly. A good pick for cat lovers. Some felt like low-hanging fruit, but anyone owned by a cat will find something that resonates.

As the title suggests, this is a book about how to "operate" your cat, a.k.a. Cuddle Unit 5. Anyone who's lived with a cat will completely understand every reference, though even those who haven't should still find it amusing. I did think it was pretty hilarious in the first 50 pages or so, though the jokes fell flatter in the latter half of the book. Ironically, my own Cuddle Unit enacted various parts of the manual while I was trying to read.

A super cute, hilarious little manual on how to operate your Cuddle Unit 5! This is a great read for any and all cat lovers!

As the name implies, The Cat Operator’s Manual is a humorous, yet still informative, information manual about your feline companion, otherwise known as the Cuddle Unit 5™. Its format truly gives the feel of an operator’s manual, covering a wide range of topics around your cat’s operating system, behavior, and troubleshooting common problems.

While this book definitely has a broad scope rather than covering any one topic in any real depth, it delivers some great practical advice while also delivering some laughs. In that sense, I think of it as more of a gift book, or leaning more toward a humor book, as opposed to a reference book. While you will see the classic fodder for cat humor in here (the zoomies, knocking stuff off tables, etc.), there are also several fresh jokes in here, too. I’m sure other cat lovers will be delighted.

I also enjoyed the art style. It’s simple, colorful, and bright, and all of the graphics contribute to the feeling of the book being an operator’s manual. There was also a lot of variety in the graphics, which kept everything visually engaging, even when there was a lot of text.

I will say, I know the author noted that they had veterinarians review the text before sending it to the publishers, but I didn’t love the part about offering your cat a morsel of human food while you are cooking. Some foods can be toxic to cats, but the author makes no note or warning to readers to check prior to feeding their pets something outside of their typical diet. (Maybe I missed it?) I would like to see something like that added, perhaps with a bright graphic, or otherwise just to have that subject avoided.

Still, overall this book is a fun gift for cat lovers. I would still probably recommend it, just with that caveat. Like I said before, this definitely leans more toward a coffee table/gift book, and it would be something I would give to someone who perhaps just adopted a new Cuddle Unit 5™.

*Thank you to NetGalley and Chronicle Books for providing a digital ARC in exchange for an honest review!*

The Cat Operator's Manual is a concise, well-structured guide to optimizing your feline unit’s health and happiness. It excels in practical application for the technologically inclined caregiver. Efficiency is maximized, human connection to feline shenanigans optimized. Ideal for robotic caregivers or those seeking no-nonsense instructions. I will be sure to consider this guide when next interacting with my own Cuddle Unit.

This is the exact type of thing my cat obsessed husband would be cackling over. It's a little dry, but it's very much catering to a certain type of humor.

This title offers a tongue in cheek perspective (purrspective) on the relationship between Cuddle Unit 5 (a cat) and humans. The text is quirky but fun and the illustrations help to make the points.

There are what feel like the daily experiences (expurriences) of the cat-human relationship described here. For example, see the section on bed making. Many cat folks will related to how their Cuddle Unit feels about feeding, being disturbed and more.

This book will very much enjoyed by a cat lover.

Many thanks to Chronicle Books for this title. All opinions are my own.

What an adorable, whimsical little book! This was a super fun read that would make the perfect gift for new and experienced cat parents alike. I especially enjoyed the creative mix of millennial-ese, technical jargon, and scientific terminology peppered throughout.

Warning: I highly suspect this manual was written by a Cuddle Unit 5, as evidenced by a few tidbits of questionable advice, including the sharing of kitchen scraps.

Follow-up request:
Please include a supplementary resource list, including information regarding where one may acquire auxiliary left and right hands for use in conjunction with the “burrito de gato” maneuver. Please and thank you! XD

Thank you to NetGalley and Chronical Books for this ARC in exchange for an honest review!

⭐️ 5/5 (or should I say 😻5/5)
I am so happy I stumbled upon this fun, unique book! As someone who has a love for cats and a sense of humor, this book was very relatable and enjoyable.

“Get the most out of your domestic cat with this helpful and handy Cuddle Unit 5™ operating instruction manual.”
Presented like a typical user manual, it provides quirky, tongue-in-cheek advice and relevant, spot-on information for operating your cat. These insights, warnings, and instructions are demonstrated with silly but accurate and useful illustrations and graphics.

Some contents include: startup chime, judgement emitters, slow blink, making biscuits, standby mode, zoomies, solar charging, closed door protocol, collaborative bed-making.

I laughed out loud so many times at the hilarious accuracy and the ridiculous, spot-on details that comes with owning a cat. Anyone who has ever owned a cat can relate to something in this book and appreciate the playful and practical knowledge and instructions.

I hope to see this book sold in every bookstore that has resident cats, cat cafes, gift shops, pet stores, animal shelters, animal humane societies, pet adoption events, and pop-up cat related festivals. I really think it will have amazing sales in those particular settings!

Besides sharing this with my bookish community I also plan on telling all my cat loving friends and family; This is THE ultimate gift. It’s purrfection.

MANY thanks to NetGalley and Chronicle Books for an electronic ARC in exchange for an honest review!

Really fun book for the cat lovers in your life! Written in the style of a manual for a new appliance, care instructions are provided for a cat, aka the "Cuddle Unit 5". Covering topics such as Stretched Feet, Turbo Mode (mainly activated by the sound of a can of food being opened), Collaborative Bed-Making, and Boxes, everything you've ever wanted to know about cat care and behavior can be found in its pages.

Absolutely enjoyed this book and already planning on gifting it to friends and family!

This is the cutest thing I have ever read! Everything is so spot on. If you have a cat or just love cats, this is for you!

The Cat Operator's Manual Getting the Most from Your New Cuddle Unit by Queen Olivia III is a book that I would buy dozens of copies of to give as gifts. This is the perfect book for any human who loves cats whether you currently live with one or many.

This guide is designed in a clearer format than any operation manual for appliances or software programs. Clearly the humans who write and illustrate those need a lesson in making instructions easy to follow.

There are helpful human tips on what areas of your cat unit to avoid touching or antagonizing in general. There are diagrams that point to each specific area of the unit being addressed. Sample maps and floor plans are also included for humans who may need to search for any presents left by their cat unit.

The illustrations add to the hilarity. They're minimalistic line drawings often showing the cat units with the exact same posture and expression but given a different flat color. Tips are given full pages with the familiar "high voltage" icon to make sure readers pay attention.

Humor aside, the tips provided are ones that are repeated within the cat behavior community by experts like Jackson Galaxy and Hannah the Kitten Lady. These subjects cover when to give your cat distance; litterbox mishaps; human hygiene; cat sounds; and feeding responsibly.

Rating: 5 Paws

This book was so cute!! I loved the way the book is made to look like an instruction manual for owning a cat. I thought this was a hilarious and adorable read. I loved the cute illustrations.

I have two cats and I found the content in this manual to be relatable, informative, and funny. I think cat lovers will thoroughly enjoy this book!