Neko

This enchanting paperback book is replete with candid photos of virtually any cat you can think of. Most of the photos in this book were taken with toy cameras, such as Holga and Smena, which adds to each photo's unpretentious allure. There's a shot of a playful mackerel tabby climbing down the bark of a tree. Another page shows two white Persian kittens crossing a city street. There's even a picture of a tan Abyssinian wearing a white protective collar, looking cute and adorable in his post-surgery recovery stage. This amazing color photo book reminds me of one of my favorite films, Sans Soleil. Sections of this experimental film, created by Chris Marker, emphasize the role of cats in Japanese culture. I was affected by the film, much like I was affected by this coffee table book with its page after page of cat photos and Katakana text. In the Japanese language, neko no me no you ni kawaru, roughly translated "not even a kitten around," is a phrase used to describe a very desolate, lifeless place. Linguistic idioms such as that make me wish I was born in Japan, as I don't think cats get enough credit here in the States. Unfortunately, I've never traveled to Japan, and may not get there for a very long time. As a substitution to experiencing Japan, I'll rely on this unique book to beautifully convey the magic of felines and foreign countries. -Annie, Fashion Writer