Poets Square

A Memoir in Thirty Cats

De: Courtney Gustafson

Narrado por: Courtney Gustafson

An intimate memoir about the importance of community and care in a world that can feel impossibly broken—and a story about accidentally going viral while tending to a colony of feral cats.

When Courtney Gustafson moved into a rental house in the Poets Square neighborhood of Tucson, Arizona, she didn’t know that the property came with thirty feral cats. Focused only on her own survival—in a new relationship, during a pandemic, with poor mental health and a job that didn’t pay enough—Courtney was reluctant to spend any of her own time or money caring for the wayward animals.

But the cats—their pleading eyes, their ribs showing, the new kittens born in the driveway—didn’t give her a choice.

She had no idea about the grief and hardship of animal rescue, the staggering size of the problem in neighborhoods across the country. And she couldn’t have imagined how that struggle—toward an ethics of care, of individuals trying their best amid spectacularly failing systems—would help pierce a personal darkness she’d wrestled with for much of her life. She also didn’t expect that the TikTok and Instagram accounts she created to share the quirky personalities of the wild but lovable cats, like Monkey, Goldie, Francois, and Sad Boy, would end up saving her home.

Courtney writes toward a vision of connectedness, showing how taking care of the cats reshaped her understanding of empathy, resilience, and the healing power of wholly showing up for something outside yourself. She takes us from the dark alleys where she feeds feral cats to inside the tragically neglected homes where she climbs over piles of trash, and occasionally animals, and then into her own driveway with the cats she loves and must sometimes let go. Compelling and tender, Poets Square is as much about cats as it is about the urgency of care, community, and a little bit of dumb hope.

©2025 Courtney Gustafson (P)2025 Random House Audio

Reseñas de la Crítica

“Truly moving; a heartfelt exploration of the humanity at the heart of animal welfare. Courtney masterfully weaves together stories of cats with stories of her own life and the lives of her community members—raw, flawed, and striving for goodness in a complex world. Her journey from cat observer to dedicated caregiver and community builder is profoundly inspiring.”—Hannah Shaw, New York Times bestselling author of Cats of the World

“Cats are mystical beings, bridging the spiritual and the tangible. Courtney Gustafson’s Poet Square is a book that helps us connect to this spiritual world, offering a bridge to the ethereal.”—Ai Weiwei

“Courtney Gustafson writes with uncommon grace about the castoff, the abandoned, the invisible. This book should be read and treasured for its ability to make the reader more human and humane.”—Lauren Slater, author of Blue Dreams and Lying

Quite Frankly, Life Changing

I knew I was going to love this book. What I DIDN’T know was that I would laugh and cry and learn things about myself, not just cats.
Thank you for sharing your story with us…the good, the awesome, the not so good, and the definitely not the best. And especially the lessons you somehow learned so young.
You’re a wonderful story teller and an even better human.
And I think you should read everything aloud for us for the rest of time.

A memoir that purrs, roars, breaks your heart and inspires you.

Poets Square is a stunning, unforgettable tribute to the complicated, messy, and deeply meaningful bond between humans and animals. Courtney Gustafson doesn’t just write about cats—she writes about responsibility, love, grief, and the strange kind of grace that comes from doing right by creatures who may never let you close, but still change your life forever.

With raw honesty and lyrical prose, Gustafson shares the highs and heartbreaks of caring for a feral cat colony she didn’t ask for but grew to fiercely love. Each cat has a story, and each story is a thread in a rich tapestry of connection and compassion. This isn’t a cutesy cat book—it’s a powerful memoir about showing up, even when it’s hard, even when it hurts.

Whether you’ve bottle-fed a stray or just love a good story about resilience and kindness, Poets Square will move you deeply. I laughed. I cried. I hugged my cat tighter. This book is a gift.

Poetic and beautiful

I think I cried at least once a chapter. Courtney’s writing is poetic, beautiful, and seamlessly weaves her own life experiences into stories about the 30 cats she stumbled upon. Cannot wait to read more from her.

Hearwarming amd heartwrenching all in one

Just like keeping pets, or caring for animals, there are countless things you can learn - both happy and sad. Courtney manages to narrate the amazing and rewarding moments as well as the bad, the sad and the ugly of caring for cats all in a beautifully written memoir. If you love cats, crying and emotive books narrated by a wonderful human being, this is it.

Brilliant, emotional, poetic

This was incredible. I watched these cats every day on TikTok and it has been incredible to be able to read more of the story. Courtney weaves magic string with her words that stitched my tiny , tender, broken heart back together. Courtney narrates it in her soothing voice that I have become so familiar with from her voiceovers. This was the perfect way to experience this masterful memoir. Thank you

Realized you can’t spell charity without cat =^..^=

Cats are the medium for a story about human kindness and welfare. Beautifully told, honest and insightful. Even if the author is a pile of cats in a trenchcoat ;) , this is written by a wonderful writer.

An Amazing tale of Love and Dedication

I follow the author on social media and have been since 2021. This memior was so raw and honest. She perfectly combined cat stories and life lessons. it was a pleasure to see behind the scenes of a true hero

A Heartfelt Memoir of Cat Rescue

This memoir by Courtney Gustafson artfully intertwines her personal experiences and relationships with her involvement in TNR (trap-neuter-return) and cat rescue. It’s an inspiring journey of growth and persistence in a flawed world, along with life lessons learned through volunteerism and helping some of the most vulnerable people and animals in her community. Gustafson’s writing is captivating, and she excels in narrating the audiobook as well. If you have a passion for cats, have ever cared for a stray, or are involved in cat rescue efforts, you will surely appreciate this touching memoir.

I laughed, I cried, I cried some more.

How beautiful you write. I’ve followed you for the cats stayed for the quirky voiceover goofball cat lover. Years later I’m so happy to listen through your book. What we see on social media and then what’s going on in real life. You deserve all good things coming your way.

This book made me a better person

It’s a book about cats and much much more. Thank you Poets Square, for sharing your story