Laying on the book or newspaper that you are trying to read is a cats way of expressing total contempt for any human being whatsoever, “but as long as you are here, you may as well pet me.”
When my husband and I were in grad school our cat would decide when it was time for us to go to bed. He would jump up on our desk (unfinished doors supported by sawhorses), sprawl across our books and papers and proceed to groom himself. He was usually right; it was late, we were tired and not really accomplishing much....
LSAggie (posting on hubby’s account)