MEET THE AUTHOR
Gwen Cooper, author of the feline-themed books “Homer’s Odyssey” and “Love Saves the Day,” will be at Good Mews, 736 Johnson Ferry Road in east Cobb, from 6-8 p.m. June 6; 770-499-2287, goodmews.org. The event, featuring a raffle, refreshments and giveaways, is free although donations to the shelter will be accepted. A Cappella Books will be on hand and will donate 10 percent from the sale of any books purchased at the event to the shelter.
Gwen Cooper will be in town for a book signing June 6 and won’t mind at all if some of the attendees nibble or nap right through her appearance.
The author of the memoir “Homer’s Odyssey: A Fearless Feline Tale, or How I Learned About Love and Life With a Blind Wonder Cat” and now the new feline-themed novel “Love Saves the Day” plans to visit Good Mews. It’s a cage-free, no-kill shelter for homeless, abused or abandoned cats who are awaiting new homes.
Good Mews, which adopted out nearly 350 cats last year (and nearly 90 so far this year), waives adoption fees for people 65 and older who provide homes for adult cats, through its Golden Companions program.
“When you help animals, you help people, too,” Cooper said. “In being kind to animals, we learn kindness in general.”
The title of her new book was taken from a former vintage clothing store in the East Village area of New York City (it’s where Madonna’s character trades a jacket for a pair of boots in the movie “Desperately Seeking Susan,” Cooper noted). But it was also perfectly suited to a book tour that will feature visits to animal shelters across the country.
“It occurred to me it really is an apt description of work that’s done in the rescue community,” Cooper said. “It’s not news to anybody who is an animal lover how strong those bonds can be. They are part of our family.”
“Love Saves the Day” is about an estranged mother and daughter, told from the perspective of a cat named Prudence.
“It’s about animals becoming the bridge between human beings,” Cooper said.
She and her husband share their New York home with three cats, Homer, the blind-from-birth cat who inspired her first book; Clayton, who has only three legs; and Fanny.
“I fear that Fanny is going to think she’s a freak of nature,” she quipped. “I always say I am Homer’s eyes, and he is my heart. I would not be a writer if it were not for Homer.”
Dedicated as she is to her feline friends, we asked if it was hard to meet so many cats while out on tour.
“You don’t even know how hard it is! It’s kitten season,” she said. “Atlanta is the first city I am coming to where my husband is not coming with me for impulse control.”
About the Author
