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

Find A Copy At

Libraries

Group Discussions About This Book

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
By L Y N N · 9 posts · 41 views

last updated Sep 06, 2025 09:01PM

September Challenge--I finished!
By L Y N N · 3 posts · 31 views

last updated Sep 04, 2025 04:57PM

showing 10 of 60 topics view all »

What Members Thought

Jan 06, 2025 Terri rated it really liked it

Shelves: ncc-reads, chick-lit-group, the-book-in-the-car

Hockessin Library Chick Lit - March 2025
NCC Reads 2025

3 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

Jun 09, 2025 Katy rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Sweet, gentle read. I keep thinking about it months after I read it. Definitely an all-time favorite.

2 likes · 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

Like · see review

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

Mar 20, 2024 Astrid Lim rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: literature, animals, america, magical-realism, debut

This is a beautiful book about family, found family, and things we could learn from animals, especially the very clever Giant Pacific Octopus. I think I can give this a 5 stars if the characters are made more relatable. Cameron and Tova are great people, but sometimes their descriptions and dialogues feel like coming from a movie, a bit too stiff. But, this book has a great potential though and I think Van Pelt is a gifted writer.

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!

Like · see review

Jan 29, 2023 Heidi rated it it was amazing

Shelves: audiobook, book-club, fiction, 2025, 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.

Like · see review

Aug 24, 2025 Melissa rated it really liked it

Marcellus was the best character and narrator. Would have loved more of him. A very sweet book about finding family and how to move on. Was a bit predictable in parts.

Like · see review