My sister, Linda, and I went to the Columbus Book Festival today. I won’t say and all I got was this lousy tee shirt. I love the shirt, and I bought a book, too, Lessons From Cats for Surviving Fascism by Stewart “Brittlestar” Reynolds.
Let’s talk about the book.
Reynolds, the author, really does hint that observations of cats can offer suggestions as to how to be sneaky in ways to express opposition to fascism. The line drawings are fun, and the book is amusing, but so on target as to cat behavior. If you’ve ever owned or observed a cat it won’t take long to realize the truth in a cat’s behavior.
He suggests why this behavior will politically mess up the opposition. “Cats never let anyone know where they’ll be next, and neither should you.” Why? According to the author, “fFscists thrive on predictability because their entire system is built on the illusion of control.” No one controls a cat, and no one knows what they’ll do next. Be like a cat.
Here’s one of my favorite points fro the book. Chapter two is called “Never lose your nap time.” That sounds odd, but, when I think of how tired we all get from trying to keep up with the news, it makes sense. Fascists “thrive on forcing people to overwork, overthink, and over worry. It’s all part of their plan: keep you too tired to resist, too frazzled to fight back.” He says to take naps and deal with it later. “At the end of the day, rest isn’t just self-care – it’s resistance. And nothing terrifies a fascist more than someone who’s wide awake, well rested, and ready to strike.”
There are so many great ideas in this book. I know friends who are active in contacting legislators. It’s not just that. I’ve used satire successfully in the past. A letter I once wrote to the editor was the basis of an editorial cartoon because they found it funny. It had a point. What advice would a cat give? “When something’s wrong, speak up. Loudly.”
The final advice in the book? Take care of each other. Cats do. “Taking care of each other is the ultimate power move.”
I’ll admit the Book Festival wasn’t about resistance. As a retired librarian, though, both those ideas of hands off my books, and how to resist struck home with me.
Sometimes, you get out of an event what you put in. We went to see the vendors, and we spent a little time in the library itself. We talked to vendors and book lovers. I saw a vague estimate of 50,000 people. That’s not final. But, to me, that’s 50,000 book lovers. We also both signed up to volunteer to read with kids in elementary schools. That’s what I loved to do in the schools in Evansville. It will take some time to get involved, but we’ll see what happens.
No, we never went to an author panel or one of the performance stages. Even so, we were at the festival for four hours. We both bought merchandise. We had fun, and connected with other people who love books and reading.
Connecting with other people who love books and reading. That’s what the blog is about, isn’t it?
Lessons from Cats for Surviving Fascism by Stewart “Brittlestar” Reynolds. Grand Central Publishing, 2024. 55p.
FTC Full Disclosure – I bought a copy of the book.
What a GREAT t-shirt! The book festival sounds like it was so much fun. I wish I’d been there. The cat book sounds like a great way to spread the resistance message.
I love the shirt, Kim. And, the book was fun. As a cat lover, I really appreciated it. As I bought the book, I heard one clerk say to the other, “Did you just sell another copy of that cat book?” I guess it spoke to more than one person.
That sounds like a great day, Lesa! I’ve seen that book before and had a good laugh at the title. I might have to pick it up now. Also, I’m encouraged to hear of 50,000 book lovers coming together. I’m hoping to make it to that festival next year.
I don’t know the exact number, Kate, but the place was packed. And, Gramercy Books was the official book seller, and they know how to efficiently handle book events. It was fun. I saw vendors from Delaware and Louisiana, as well as lots of places in Ohio. I hope you get here next year. Terrific event.
I love the t-shirt! It’s cute, has something important to say, and it’s a great colour.
And the advice from a cat about speaking up loudly when something’s wrong is very wise; if everyone would do that, maybe it would actually make a real difference in the world – in ways both large and small. Even speaking up for just one person means the world to that person.
I wish we had a book festival here I could go to. But at least reading your post makes me remember the times I was able to attend tiny publishing book fairs on behalf of my bosses at the small independent bookstore I worked at for a few years. So much fun! I imagine the festival you went to was all that fun, times a hundred.
Thank you, Lindy. I liked that color, too. So many tees are black or white or blue. All good colors, but this one was fun.
There are so many actions to learn from cats, including speak up.
This was a well-organized festival. The best one I ever attended is the Tucson Festival of Books. It’s held on a college campus – perfect venue. We did have fun!
Be like a cat.
YES! love.it!!!!
So many good suggestions, Kaye!
Excellent message on the t-shirt! Glad the turnout was good, but I will admit I don’t like crowds. I’m happy that there are many book lovers.
I was, too, Bonnie. I think there are more book lovers than the media thinks. I’m wearing that shirt when my best friend and I go back to the Evansville libraries. My sister doesn’t like crowds, either, but because we were outside most of the time, she was okay.
Love the shirt, the book and I really want to read it!
It’s an interesting, fun book, Carol.
All cat lovers must read “Maybe I’m not God” by Stefania Gander – you will love it. The cat tells the story and if you know cats it is absolutely the way they would think.
I’ll have to look for it, Donna. Thank you for the suggestion!