Craft a warm and intimate evening scene highlighting a large male black cat engaged in a quiet reading session. The setting is a cozy living room illuminated by the soft glow of a fireplace, flickering light playing on his sleek black fur. His expression is one of intense curiosity yet softened by a gentle warmth, with piercing eyes focused on the open book in his lap. He's clad in a comfortably snug brown hoodie, and a moss-green apron lies over it, suggesting his readiness to blend leisure with some spontaneous kitchen crafting. Around him, the room exudes warmth and tranquility; there's an inviting armchair enveloping him, a low table nearby holding a steaming cup of herbal tea, and the gentle hum of a vintage record player. The illustration should capture the serene harmony of a devoted reader lost to the world of his book against the backdrop of a calm, homely evening.