When Courtney Gustafson moved into a rental house in the Poets Square neighborhood of Tucson, Arizona, she didn’t know that the property came with thirty feral cats. Focused only on her own survival—in a new relationship, during a pandemic, with poor mental health and a job that didn’t pay enough—Courtney was reluctant to spend any of her own time or money caring for the wayward animals.

But the cats—their pleading eyes, their ribs showing, the new kittens born in the driveway—didn’t give her a choice.

She had no idea about the grief and hardship of animal rescue, the staggering size of the problem in neighborhoods across the country. And she couldn’t have imagined how that struggle—toward an ethics of care, of individuals trying their best amid spectacularly failing systems—would help pierce a personal darkness she’d wrestled with for much of her life. She also didn’t expect that the TikTok and Instagram accounts she created to share the quirky personalities of the wild but lovable cats, like Monkey, Goldie, Francois, and Sad Boy, would end up saving her home.

Courtney writes toward a vision of connectedness—from the dark alleys where she feeds feral cats, from inside the tragically neglected homes where she climbs over piles of trash and occasionally animals, from her own driveway with the cats she loves and must sometimes let go. Compelling and tender, Poets Square is as much about cats as it is about the urgency of care, community, and a little bit of dumb hope.

Amazon • IndieBound • StoryGraph

I received a complimentary copy of this book for review consideration.
This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

I can’t tell you exactly when I began following Poets Square Cats on social media, but I do know it was a post featuring Sad Boy and Lola that first caught my attention. How could it not? It didn’t take long for Poets Square Cats to become one of my favorite daily stops on my social media breaks. As I fell in love with all these cats I’d never meet, I also came to appreciate Courtney’s storytelling and the heart behind it.

I’ve anxiously waited for this book since it was announced. I pre-ordered a print copy pretty much as soon as it was announced. I ate up every little tease Courtney posted. When I saw the book was available on NetGalley, I shot my shot for a review copy, even though I’ve not been the most consistent reader and reviewer lately. I was over the moon when I learned I was approved and I dove in that very night. I had no intention of reading it in one sitting. I planned to consume one or two essays at a time over several days. Well, that didn’t happen. I just couldn’t put it down. 

Whether you’re a longtime follower of Poets Square Cats like myself or you just consider yourself a feline aficionado, this book should be on your TBR. Especially if you have an interest in rescue and TNR work and the people who care for community cats like Courtney does. Her writing is beautiful and thoughtful. I’ve always enjoyed her storytelling in video voiceovers and captions. This book took it to a whole new level. I especially love how she wove her story seamlessly with the story of the cats and humans she met along the way. 

I have to admit, I was afraid the emotions that would come with this book might be overwhelming considering some of the cats who have been lost over the last year or so. Falling in love with cats on the internet isn’t for the weak at heart, y’all. But Courtney struck a perfect balance of emotions so it never weighed me down. Were there tears? Oh, absolutely. My emotions ran the full gamut. I also learned more about the history of the Poets Square house and its cats, as well as Courtney of course. I got angry on her behalf about some of the situations she had to deal with. The link between community cats and misogyny was particularly enlightening (and enraging, to be honest). But most of all, this book just made me thankful there are people like Courtney in this world, people who are strong enough to advocate for community cats and get them the care they need.