Book ~ "How My Cat Made Me a Better Man" (2016) Jeremy Feig

From Goodreads ~ Jeremy Feig was at rock bottom - broke, alone, and living in a shoebox-sized apartment. At the same time, his cat was perfectly content. 

What was her secret? She couldn't say it out loud but it was clear she had all the answers to living a good life. 

"How My Cat Made Me a Better Man" is a hilarious self-help book for guys, based on the lessons of an edgy cat named Shelly. It's packed with useful advice on topics like relationships, dealing with stress, and even grooming habits. If you feel like your life is spinning out of control, this book will help you set things right - and keep you laughing along the way.

I like cats (I've got two) so that's what attracted me to this book, even though I'm not a man ... I figured the same principles could apply to everyone.

Shelly is the author's cat.  And through Shelly, he learned about and describes lessons in:

1. Control
2. Grooming
3. Fear
4. Relationships
5. Persistence
6. Health
7. Stress
8. Career
9. Sharing

The chapters begin with a cat tale and a lesson.  Then there are tips.  For example in the Control section, the tips include not being a doormat, confidence, picking your battles, self-discipline, compromise and acceptance,   Some chapters have quizzes, "WWCD" (What Would Cats Do?), comparisons (for example, as living with a woman vs living a cat), etc.

I liked the messages in the book and it was cute to use Shelly as a learning tool.  I enjoyed the writing style as it was funny and easy to read ... I did get tired of his use of "chick" when referring to women, though.  Seriously, Dude?!   With all the self-help books out there, this was an interesting twist.