Sure, you could go to the mega-chains and sip a double caramel macchiato as you read, or you could visit a place like Twice Sold Tales in Seattle's U-District. No fancy coffee drinks, no pretentious decor. And there to greet you at the front door is one of the friendly staff members.

"Meow," says Isabella.

In a growing trend, local bookstores are inviting feline friends to share the space, and the result is a public that goes wild over having the animals rubbing up against the shelves.

But why cats?

"They're automatically a lot friendlier than humans," says John, who watches from behind the cash register. He says those who can't keep cats at home love to come to his store.

You can read with a furry friend at Ophelia's in Fremont, or the Twice Sold store on Capitol Hill.

"Where's the purr man?" Shannon says as she strokes a kitty at the front counter. "People actually come here --- not to look at books --- just to pet the cats."

The cats like to curl up on your lap, if you're so inclined, but they take breaks, too. For example, for a light snack or to just claw at the bookshelf a little. And if you'd rather grab a movie instead, go and see "Cleo" at West Seattle's Video Vault.

"She gets up on her back legs and begs for attention, just like a dog," says Cleo's human, Barbara.

So what is Cleo's movie suggestion?

"I think her favorite one is 'Homeward Bound.'"