I always tell people I'm an avid reader, because picking out what book to read next is exhilarating for me. When my mom told me in 2009 to read a book called Homer's Odyssey: A Fearless Feline Tale, or How I Learned About Love and Life with a Blind Wonder Cat, I instantly said that I had already read parts of it for school and didn't like it. I thought she was talking about The Odyssey by Homer and she was not. Well, it turned out she was talking about a book about a black cat owned by a lady named Gwen Cooper. Of course a book about a black cat meant I was instantly interested. My mom had spent a large portion of one day, lying on the couch and reading Homer's Odyssey. We often shared books, but not super frequently because I did not find myself as interested in memoirs as I do now. I started Homer's Odyssey and could not put it down. It was not your typical cat story whatsoever, and Gwen had clearly incorporated a story about disabled cats into her book. She might not have known it at the time, but Homer was about to garner a lot of popularity and quite the following. And here we are in 2015, with Gwen's latest release just hitting the book world - Homer: The Ninth Life of a Blind Wondercat. I was so eager to read the sequel to Homer's Odyssey, and I can tell you that Gwen did not disappoint. Not one drop! Gwen's writing was so much the same in Homer as it was in Homer's Odyssey that I felt like it was just the perfect continuation. Homer is short but sweet, coming in at 115 pages. Gwen went the self-publishing route, because an industry length book would've required 20,000 more words. And Gwen got the point of her story across in her 115 pages. Homer's Odyssey covered the first 12 years of Homer's life. Homer covers the last four years. Gwen covers her trials of sending her first Homer's Odyssey manuscript to publishers and celebrating when she finally was published in 2009. Gwen discusses her path to publication and her subsequent book tours. It was completely evident from Gwen, that she never expected Homer's story to impact so many people. Homer was Gwen's cat, but when she wrote about him for the world to read, he became the world's cat. Everyone who read Homer's Odyssey felt like he was their cat, curled up in their lap as they read his story. Gwen would get letters and emails of people writing to tell her that Homer inspired them to adopt a blind or disabled cats. She received hundreds of these emails and they were her favorite to get. People from all over the world would share their rescue cats' stories on Homer's Facebook page. Homer's Facebook page even helped raise money for disaster relief affecting animals! Homer covers Homer and Gwen's rise to fame. Readers will enjoy Gwen's tales of Homer's photoshoots and filming scenarios, that sent Gwen's husband Laurence out to buy turkey to bring on the set! Homer also allowed Gwen to write about the passing of her cats (and Homer's siblings) Vashti and Scarlett. It was clear to me that the therapeutic writing process of loss was completely there in Gwen's writing. I could feel her pain, because if you've lost a cat or someone dear, you know what that loss is like. Readers were also introduced to Gwen's new kittens, Fanny and Clayton. Gwen told the story of how they came into their family and the adoration Clayton had for Homer. Clayton had a bad leg infection when Gwen and Laurence adopted him, and ultimately ended up having his leg amputated. But Clayton the tripod was able to run around and play with his sister Fanny, and Homer, all the same. Since Homer had passed in August 2013, I knew that a portion of Homer would recount his loss. Homer lived to be sixteen, remarkable for any cat, particularly for such an extraordinary one. Homer beat the odds of a rough start to life, and was so lucky to find a home in Gwen & co. I thoroughly enjoyed Homer, just as I anticipated. Whenever I recommended (and trust me I still do) Homer's Odyssey, I always told the person that Homer had a great life with Gwen and (at the time) was still alive. I always find it difficult to read pet stories where you know in the end that the cat or dog dies. But Homer's Odyssey was not a typical pet story and never will be. Despite that Homer has since passed, his legacy lives on, particularly on his Facebook page and Gwen's website. Gwen is a phenomenal, New York Times Best Selling Author, philanthropist, animal activist and above all, a wonderful friend. I'm so glad that she got to finish Homer's story in Homer and I cannot wait to see what comes next. Read my review here:http://www.sandpipercat.com/2015/12/review-homer-ninth-life-of-blind.html

Honestly, I can't add much to what the other readers have said here. Homer changed Gwen's life, then Gwen changed my life with her profound first book about dear Homer. Aside from echoing the wonderful thoughts of everyone else, one thing I can relate is how I felt the day Gwen posted that Homer had passed on. I originally learned about Homer when I visited Best Friends in Kanab, Utah. I read Homer's Odyssey and of course was immediately captivated by the profound story. I quickly became a friend of Homer's and Gwen's on Facebook and hung on every post, every word, looking forward to hearing the latest each day. In August of 2013 we knew that Homer had been sick. I've had cats all my life and I know how it goes and what to expect. When Gwen hadn't posted anything for several days I was beginning to get a sick feeling in the pit of my stomach. However when I opened Facebook that fateful day and read that Homer had passed on, I dissolved in tears and found myself crying uncontrollably. It was real, it was profound and it was a shock. I had a house guest at that time. She heard me weeping, came into the office, and although I tried to tell her what had happened, I just couldn't stop crying long enough to get the words out. The sadness was overwhelming for days, so I couldn't even begin to imagine how Gwen and Laurence felt. Now I must thank Gwen for sharing her very personal memories of Homer (and her other furry children), as it must have been very difficult to relive those days. But that's what Gwen does! She helps us heal through her words. I don't mean to make this all about me, because it truly is about Homer. So thank you, Gwen Cooper for another wonderful book. I'm already looking forward to your next creation!

I've been alive for almost seven decades now, and losing a beloved pet never gets easier. I had to slow down when I got near the end of this book, because my tears were making it impossible to read. Grown men can have tender feelings too. I had read Gwen's first book, "Homer's Odyssey: A Fearless Feline Tale," and had subscribed to her Facebook site about Homer, so I knew the ending of this book. The hardest part of having a cat is the goodbye. I have three rescue cats. Two of them came out of nowhere on the street to ask for a fur-ever home. I cringe when someone says they are "just cats," because they really don't understand that to most of us, they are the light of our lives. They are more than "just a cat," they are our family and our friends. They fill our hearts with joy. They give us unconditional love. We have our work & our friends, but they only have us. In our darkest hour, they give us comfort and the strength to carry on. As a cat lover knows, angels come in many forms. As Charles Dickens said, "What greater gift than the love of a cat." My furniture has scratch marks on it, there is cat hair everywhere, and I am often woken in the early morning hours by cats running up and down the stairs or meowing in my face because their food bowl is empty. But because of them, my heart is full and my days are never boring. So they can create all the mischief they want because all that counts is that they are near. Cats have a way of reminding us just how beautiful and precious life truly is. Thank you Gwen for giving us Homer's story. God bless you for saving him and for him responding in kind.

There has never been a cat like Homer. Thank God he was saved by a writer like Gwen. Between the two of them, he now belongs to everyone, and anyone can fall in love with him, learn courage and love and optimism and happiness and fierce loyalty and bravery and committed passion without ever feeling "talked at" or lectured or even taught. Was it initially welcomed by prospective publishers? Nope. Any aspiring writer will delight in the reasons given for rejecting a book that went out into the world to transform and save the lives of animals and people, translated into languages around the globe. Her first book was "Homer the Blind Wonder Cat." It told his living story. But... this incredible woman had the courage to tell the story of his leaving and the worldwide impact it made. It's amazing - the gifts Homer gave (through Gwen) by living and then by leaving. You'll be changed, not just for the better but for the best. You'll open - to the good that can come when you're willing to love and then you're willing to let go. Is it sometimes sad? It will empty your heart of tears you didn't know you needed to cry. It is inspiring? You'll never look at loving and living and leaving in the same way, ever again. Read the rest of the story that changed the world. Told by a writer who loved and loves a cat who was and is more than a cat. He's everything every human should be and can be.

Okay, confession first: I'm biased, because I'm owned by two cats, so stories about life with cats are always of interest to me. Gwen has a gift, though, of conveying exactly what it is like to live with a multiple fur babies; their different personalities and the near frantic angst we cat lovers experience when one of them is sick, because they can't tell us what's wrong, after all. I grew to love Homer in the first book that Gwen penned about him: Homer's Odyssey. Adopted as a blind kitten, he more than compensated for his disability, and had more personality than 10 cats, it would seem. In The Ninth Life ... Gwen explores the time period after the book was published up until Homer's death (as well as the deaths of Vashti and Scarlett, Homer's housemates whom we also got to know in Homer's Odyssey). I literally cried when Gwen relayed the story of Homer's last visit to the animal hospital, when she was told that his liver numbers were "incompatible with life" and that the vet did not expect him to last more than two more weeks. Still, Homer surprised everybody by living for almost another full year. The will to live is a very strong force. I highly recommend this, and all of Gwen's books, including her first book, a novel about a young woman living in South Beach during the 90's. She truly has a gift.

I loved Gwen Cooper's "Homer's Odyssey" and, like many, felt like Homer was one of my own pets. I laughed and cried with Gwen at Homer's exploits. It was one of the most joy-filled books I'd ever read, covering the first 12 years of Homer's life with love. Because of Homer, I found that I was no longer afraid to work with visually impaired cats at the animal shelter where I volunteered. I even adopted one myself, Teddy, because of Homer. And then Homer died. Like many, I grieved desperately for the tiny blind cat who had lived such a love-filled life. When Gwen Cooper decided to publish this slim book that talked about not only the last four years of Homer's life but how people like me started sharing their stories of adopting special needs cats because of Homer, and how "Homer's Heroes" raised funds to help in disasters, find homes for animals at shelters local to them and more, I was one of the first in line to buy it. With the same gentle good humor, Gwen took us through those last years with Homer, including the heart-wrenching day she knew she had to say goodbye to him. Knowing that Homer's story didn't really end with him was a balm to Cooper's soul, and thus this book is the same for those of us who loved him. Highly recommended.

I just finished reading Homer: The Ninth Life of a Blind Wonder Cat, and found it to be a beautiful love letter to the cats who touched author Gwen Cooper's life. This isn't just the final chapter of Homer's story. We get to relive the final days of Vashti, Scarlet and Homer while being introduced to Clayton and Fanny. Even though this is a slim book it is filled with the lives of these five cats, two humans and growing influence of Homer's (Ms. Cooper's) social media presence. Ms. Cooper seamlessly weaves this story in such a way that you are aware that life happens. It happens as we lose one life and gain another. We both mourn and celebrate. I found that the distinct personalities of these cats shine through and touch the heart. If you can get through this book without tissues you'll have to tell me exactly how you managed that feat. I found myself crying, smiling and laughing over the antics of these sweet creatures. As someone who has been a lifelong lover of cats, I have been through those final moments too many times. Ms. Cooper's writing has put words to that grief and has painted a feline love story with her pen. I applaud Homer's legacy - his name has allowed Ms. Cooper to advocate for disabled pets. Many kudos!

[Some potential spoilers I guess] As someone who was touched by all of the stories encapsulated in Homer's Odyssey, finding the short sequel available was exciting. Having raised many cats in my life, the first Homer novel provided many laughs and tears as it brought up multiple memories of my own furry friends. One part of Homer's story was missing though, his twilight years. Gwen opens up about the whirlwind that surrounded the release of her first book, all of the joys and frustrations going on behind the scenes that we couldn't have experienced. Then, she truly starts to lay herself bare. However it's not just the story of what it's like as a pet owner to see your furred loved ones age and make decisions... it's their stories. While Homer is definitely the star, Vashti and Scarlett's stories brought out different memories and empathy as well. I think that for any pet owner who plans on having more than one pet, this follow up to Homer's Odyssey is a must have. Gwen approaches the hardest dilemma of being a pet owner with honesty and grace. Not only that, but she provides a very comforting view of how to approach a future with new furry friends. She pays homage to her wonderful friend Homer who affected countless lives.

I have been one of Homer's facebook friends for years, and when I read Homer's Odyssey, a fearless feline tale; Gwen Cooper brought that precious blind black kitty to life for all of us to know and love. I grieved with Gwen when Homer passed, as so many others did, and was overjoyed to hear she was writing a new book about the last few years of Homer's life. As a pet parent who has lived with this grief, I know how much it must have cost Gwen to share Home with us once again, and for that I am grateful. Homer was such a special cat who brought attention to special needs kitties everywhere. This book takes up where the original book left off, and tells the story of Homer's rise to stardom. He continues to amuse us with his antics, and even when he's facing the loss of his siblings and his own illness, he does so with such a love for life that we can all learn something valuable. I recommend reading both of these books, and sharing them with your animal loving friends. Homer's Heroes continue to impact the world of Animal Rescue, and I hope this impact is felt for a very long time. Homer is unforgettable and continues to live on in our hearts and on the pages of these books.

Gwen's sequel to Homer's Odyssey gives us the opportunity to know how Homer touched so many lives, and a Gwen graciously and unselfishly shares her feelings and emotions of losing Homer, just as she graciously and unselfishly shared him and his stories during his life. Homer was a gift to Gwen and she shared that gift with us, thus making him a gift to the world. His story has saved countless lives, literally, and figuratively, and continues to do so. Thank you, Gwen, for sharing Homer with us. I remember crying when I learned of Homer's death, because I knew Gwen was dealing with an unbearable loss. You can't help but feel like you know Gwen because of the way her friendly personality shines through in her writing. Usually you feel as if an author is an untouchable celebrity, but not Gwen. I have had the honor of exchanging a few emails with her regarding reading Homer's Odyssey with my group of Senior high school students, and she is a real person, a sweet, wonderful woman who loves her fans and is truly thankful for them and the love they have shared for Homer.

Wonderful exploration of life with a blind kitten. I am on my third blind cat. My first was a kitten much like Homer, brave to the point of giving me heart failure. I wish I had known about Homer before taking in my first blind kitty, it might have made the journey less stressful, but my experience was magical just like the one with Homer and it brought back so many wonderful memories. I only foster cats/kittens. My first and second blind kittens have gone on to wonderful homes with special people who love them dearly. My third cat is 17 and new to blindness and is teaching me new things about an elderly cat that has lost her sight, not born that way. They all have a reason to live a full life and are capable of it and so much more. They can teach us so much if we allow them to do so. Read Homer only if you are a risk taker, a cat lover, (an animal lover in general), compassionate, loving, etc. any or all of the above, in otherwords, read HOMER and you will be taken on a journey like no other.

If anyone has read Homer's Odyssey this is a continuation not only about the life of this special heroic cat but also how Homer's story almost never reached the book stores. This was a must purchase for me, never before have I ever been so involved in a story, concerning a real life animal, where I could actually visualize the events, , I was so involved with Homer and his owner's life I wanted to know more and was thrilled Gwen Cooper decided to continue their story. I only read books concerning stories of real life animals and there are 3 books that have kept me not only interested to the point where I couldn't put the book down, but also laughter, tears and admiration for the authors who chose to let the world know about the life and times with their beloved pets, through the good times and heartaches. "Dewey", "The Last Dog On The Hill" and Homer's story are a must read for anyone compassionate and with an endless love for all animals.

I ordered the book as soon as Gwen made the announcement. "Homer's Odyssey" had helped me through the emotional storm of a move (after 16 1/2 years of residence) from northern Illinois to southern Maryland in late 2012. I was prepared for a good read, but I could not put down "Homer" until I had finished it in one sitting. I was, however, unprepared for the upwelling of emotion. My wife and I lost three of our beloved cats (Kestrel, her younger sister Hildiekatt, and Chesapeake) between June 2012 and June 2014, 2 to lymphoma and 1 to heart disease, leaving us with our senior cat, Miss Teia. The story of Homer, Scarlet and Vashti during their final illnesses, and the adoption of Fanny and Clayton (we adopted 2 cats boys, Buff and Cooper from a rescue in October 2014) grabbed me. The tears flowed in a catharsis I deeply needed. If you have ever loved another being, appreciated what they meant to your life, this is a must read.

This was a wonderful engaging update on Homer and his siblings since the first book, Homer's Odyssey. Gwen knows how to express her feelings in print the way few of us can. For those of us animal lovers we feel and understand the depth of her emotions through Homers illness and death and how having one of the most famous cats in the world adds another layer of heartache we cannot comprehend. Overall the book is very upbeat and introduces us to Homer's newest siblings Clayton and Fanny, two charming kittens that would always be some of Homer's biggest fans :-). Yes, I cried when I read this book, just like I did when I read Homer's Odyssey. It was a compassionate cry for all the emotions surrounding Homers life and for all the cats I have loved and cherished . Thanks Gwen for sharing not only Homers story but your continued quest to highlight the worth of every animal no matter what their disabilities. They all deserve loving homes!

Another wonderful book from Gwen about Homer. I absolutely loved the first book and fell in love with Homer. I followed him on facebook after I read the book and I was crushed when he passed. This book gave me more Homer, and honestly, I am not sure I can ever have enough Homer. I loved reading about the lion hearted little blind cat. He was simply amazing. I too have had many cats in my life and currently have a wonderful black cat who has my heart 1000%. But I also have lost many cats that I loved deeply and still miss. So I can identify 100% with the loss of a very special cat. I love to read about Homer's life and then about the other cats that he shared his life with. I was so glad that Homer got a new brother and sister in his life before he left this world. Thanks Gwen, for sharing more of Homer with us. He will be forever missed.