From the Bookshelf of Ultimate Popsugar Reading Challenge…

Remarkably Bright Creatures

Shelby Van Pelt

Start date: August 1, 2025

Finish date: August 31, 2025

Discussion: Current Monthly Group Read

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Showing 2 of 4 topics — 76 comments total

Current Monthly Group Read

September Group Read Discussion: Grandma Gatewood's Walk: The Inspiring Story of the Woman Who Saved the Appalachian Trail by Ben Montgomery
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last updated Sep 06, 2025 09:01PM

September Challenge--I finished!
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last updated Sep 04, 2025 04:57PM

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What Members Thought

Jan 16, 2023 Adjrun rated it really liked it · review of another edition

It’s heartwarming. I mean, some of the plotting requires it’s characters to be spectacularly dense until the appropriate moment, but many novels are based on plotting that would’ve fallen apart with a ten-minute heart-to-heart. And the writing in the big moments hits the right chords.

4 likes · Like · see review

Jul 21, 2023 Laurie rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: 2023

Such a good book. An octopus as a main character, lost and found families, finding your way in life at all ages. I highly recommend this book.

2 likes · Like · see review

Jan 02, 2023 Kelly rated it it was amazing

First finished book of 2023 and a 5 star read for so many reasons. This book was lovely and wonderful and such a beautifully told story. I just went back through my 2022 books and changed half of their ratings but this is one I’m sure will stick and not be updated down the road.

1 like · Like · see review

Mar 27, 2023 Stacy rated it really liked it

Who knew my favorite character in this book would be the octopus?!? I love Marcellus. He is such a charming curmudgeon.

I really enjoyed this book about Tova, lonely widow who cleans the aquarium in her small Pacific Northwestern town. She forms a bond with Marcellus, a large octopus who resides there. There are many eclectic characters in this story, I also loved Ethan and Avery. Tova, our protagonist is probably my least favorite character. I found her to be so closed off she was cold and very ...more

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Jan 20, 2024 Jamie rated it it was amazing

Shelves: 2024-battle-of-the-books, 2024-popsugar-reading-challenge, 2024-reading-challenge

At first I thought how can a book with an octopus narrating be interesting? Such lovable characters that made me laugh and cry. I actually clapped at the end. An enjoyable read.

1 like · Like · see review

Apr 12, 2023 Caitlin Smith rated it it was amazing

This is truly one of those heartwarming stories where all the pieces come together in the end. It’s easy to read, funny at time and also sad but ultimately one of my favorite books of 2023 so far. Partly narrated by an octopus named Marcellus in an aquarium who is a remarkably bright creature, five stars all the way!

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Jan 29, 2023 Heidi rated it it was amazing

Shelves: fiction, 2025, book-club, audiobook, highly-recommended, mysteries

I’ve read this twice—the second time for my book club—and I’ve loved it both times. It just feels like home. This one is excellent as an audiobook, mostly because the haute narration of Marcellus the Great Pacific Octopus cannot be beat.

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