Picture Books

I know. The grown-up term for these is "coffee table books." But I don't own a coffee table, so I still call them picture books. These are two of my current favorites to flip through over a cup of tea. They're also useful to place strategically in your home in case you have a guest over and need a good conversation-starter!

I Am Maru by Mugumogu is based on the YouTube sensation Maru the Cat. If you don't know who Maru is, go watch the video! This book is a tribute to the chubby Scottish Fold who lives in Japan and does hilarious things. Parts of the book are written as Maru's blog. Yep. A blog by a cat, in which Maru, who has a slight cattitude problem, denies that he is fat and complains about his owner Mugumogu, aka Maru's "housemate." The rest of the book is written by Mugumogu, who details life with Maru "behind the scenes." I love Maru, and not just because of what we have in common (round faces, a love of food). The photos are LOLCatz-worthy with endearing captions that (refreshingly) don't substitute z's for s's. I received this book from my brother for Christmas after spotting it in a bookstore and texting him that I needed it in my life.

Dancers Among Us by Jordan Matter is a collection of photographs that capture professional dancers in everyday surroundings. The dancers leap and twist into incredible postures in places as diverse as a dressing room filled with wedding gowns, the streets of New York City and San Francisco, a parking lot, a hotel room and a beach. Some of the photographs convey emotions like exuberance or grief; others construct scenes of sibling rivalry or a break-up. Interspersed amongst the photographs are vignettes by the author/photographer and quotations from famous figures that might inspire you to live a more joyful life. It is an absolutely beautiful book.

Have you read either of these? Are you a Maru fan?

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