The bizarre meanings behind everyday names! Did you know that Jacobs tend to cheat in school, Marys have nasty attitudes, and Catherines like to cause pain? If our names are meant to represent our character, then these kids have quite a number of unsavory traits, according to their moniker's definition. The same is true for many of today's common names. From Andrea (strong and manly) and Douglas (black water) to Hayden (heathen) and Trent (invader, trespasser), these people have been granted a life of misery, ugliness, mischief, and confusion simply by being referred to by their name. The Terrible Meanings of Names reveals the strange (and sometimes insulting) meanings behind the names you hear every day. Filled with hundreds of unfortunate definitions and backstories, you'll uncover the surprising origins and definitions of all your friends' names.

Included are writings by Eldridge Cleaver, LeRoi Jones, Gwendolyn Brooks, Margaret Walker, along with works by authors not usually associated with the Black experience.

The perfect guide for cat lovers! Encyclopedia of Cat Breeds is a comprehensive cat book for any animal lover, updated with the latest information on all recognized feline breeds, from Maine Coons to Persians. This valuable pet reference guide includes all the facts on cats and kittens, a thorough history of feline evolution and the history of the house cat, a detailed description of purebred cats, a summary of feline genetics, and an in-depth discussion pet grooming and cat healthcare. This book includes over 45 feline breed profiles with stunning color photos, bar graphs, fast facts, and breed characteristics. Profiles feature: Abyssinian, American Shorthair, Bengal, Burmese, Cornish Rex, Himalayan, Maine Coon, Oriental, Persian, Ragdoll, Siamese, Sphynx, Turkish Angora... and many others! This must-have cat and kitten guide also features: Descriptions of new or experimental breeds Extensive information on the American domestic cat Tips for decide which breed is best for you Advice on choosing a purebred cat Information on entering a cat in shows For cat lovers far and wide, this is a comprehensive guide for keeping your furry friends happy and healthy!

NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • Calling all animal lovers! A heartwarming memoir about one woman's career as a vet and the unique role pets play in our lives • “Filled with compassion and wisdom, Karen Fine is a healer whose own wounds have deepened her gifts for bringing animals and their people comfort and peace.” —Sy Montgomery, bestselling author of The Soul of an Octopus A tribute to our furry, feathery, scaley, and wet family members, All Creatures Great and Small meets Being Mortal in this compelling memoir of one woman's dream to become a veterinarian. Karen Fine always knew that she wanted to be a vet and wasn't going to let anything stop her: not her allergy to cats, and not the fact that in the '80s veterinary medicine was still a mostly male profession. Inspired by her grandfather, a compassionate doctor who paid house calls to all his (human) patients, Dr. Fine persevered, and brought her Oupa's principles into her own practice, which emphasizes the need to understand her patients’ stories to provide the best possible care. And in The Other Family Doctor, Dr. Fine shares all these touching, joyful, heartbreaking, and life-affirming tales that make up her career as a vet. There's: • The feral cat who becomes a creature out of a fable when he puts his trust in a young vet to heal his injured paw • The pot-bellied pig who grows too big to fit in the car but remains a cherished part of her family • The surprising colony of perfectly behaved ferrets • The beloved aging pet who gives her people the gift of accompanying them on one final family vacation • The dog who saves his owner's life in a most unexpected way Woven into Dr. Fine's story are, of course, also the stories of her own pets: the birds, cats, and dogs who have taught her the most valuable lessons—how caring for the animals in our lives can teach us to better care for ourselves, especially when life seems precarious.

Personal note from author Carla Anne Schaaf, L.V.T. This book is dedicated to all the cats that have come into my life past and present. Each one has come to me under many different circumstances and each has his or her own story to tell. The collection of short stories in this book are their stories of how they came to live with me. You will laugh at their funny little antics and you will cry at their passing. I hope you enjoy the stories in this book, there are many more to be told, this is just the beginning.

Naming a cat is the most important step in your kitten’s life—New Yorker cartoonist Bob Eckstein can help. Reader, beware! A cat’s name will set the tone for the rest of their personal and professional life. Recent studies from dubious cat blogs have shown that 80 percent of cat owners regret the name they gave their feline friends. The number one reason: it became too popular. Fear not. Whether the goal is a name to carry on family tradition or to find something new and different, The Complete Book of Cat Names is packed with options, along with all-new, cat-themed cartoons by Eckstein, making this crucial step in owning a pet a pleasure. Here, you will find the most popular cat names (to avoid), bookstore cat names (Homer or Pip), cat names for foodies (S’more or Capers), James Bond villain cats (Golden Paws or Jinx), and many more. In addition, Eckstein provides handy charts for identifying a cat’s type (inside or outside, sassy or sweet). It’s the perfect gift for any cat owner.

On a spring morning, Kashiv decides to go on a holiday to a silent, sleepy hamlet, Wangloo. As the place allures him deep into the beauty of the forest, he falls prey to it and also to the beauty of an enigmatic woman there. With each passing moment, he tries to figure out the meaning of life and scheme ways to get acquainted with the woman, whom he calls ‘Blishe’. The woman’s unforgiving monologue makes Kashiv’s thoughts spin wildly out of control, and in a deadly night, he sets the woman’s hut on fire, lending a deaf ear to protests and cries. The diary entries in the book lead us through the smokescreens, revealing the most intimate corners of Kashiv’s psyche, making us question the stability of our existence and thoughts. Filled with exotic spiritual insights and delicious mysticism, The Other Side of Smoke is a journey to the end of time.