Birch Bay book club review: “Remarkably Bright Creatures” by Shelby Van Pelt

In “Remarkably Bright Creatures,” you’ll find a story about loss, being alone, finding friendship and possibly a happy ending. Author Shelby Van Pelt chooses Marcellus, an aging, clever, forever dreaming, and determined, 60-pound, giant Pacific octopus, as the story’s narrator. We learn about Tova, a widow and an aquarium cleaning lady, along with Cameron, who will eventually become Tova’s assistant. The three are dealing with tragedies in their lives and do not know just how important they will end up being to each other.

This book is full of humor while being mixed with seriousness and sadness. If you liked “A Man Called Ove,” by Fredrik Backman, you might like this story. 

This book is available at wcls.org. Like audiobooks? This one is a great listen. You can find that on our Libby app.

“Remarkably Bright Creatures” by Shelby Van Pelt is the November selection for the Friends of Birch Bay Library Book Club. The group meets next 4-5:30 p.m. Wednesday, November 15 at the Bookmobile stop, 7948 Birch Bay Drive, and is open to all.

Dianne Marrs-Smith is the Lynden Public Library manager and Friends of Birch Bay Library president. She reads and listens to a variety of different books, loves getting book recommendations and her favorite genre is horror.