In the spirit of Hans Silvester's brilliant feline photo collections, including Cats in the Sun and Asleep in the Sun, Shin Otani's The Cats of Venice celebrates the charming Italian city and its bewhiskered inhabitants. Eighty full-color photographs capture the legendary waterways, gondolas, and glorious Renaissance architecture. Asleep in shop windows, lolling on park benches, and ambling along the cobbled streets are an assortment of content kitties, some strays, and some household pets. The featured felines are mainly good old-fashioned tabby cats, a sprinkling of black-and-whites, and grays. Otani skillfully portrays the mystery and romance of Venice as well as the enigmatic cats that wander its streets. --Naomi Gesinger