Hey everyone!

I feel like most of my posts start with me talking about a migraine recently. Ha.

While I don’t have a migraine today (for once), I am feeling pretty bleh. The sun is shining. The birds are chirping. And I want nothing more than to go back to sleep. Could be because my husband and I went to Atlantic City overnight to celebrate our one year wedding anniversary! (We’ve actually been married for two years, but the big wedding was March of 2022). I love Atlantic City, but I am definitely a slow living kind of a lady. Between the lights, sounds, and smoke, I think today is going to be about rest. However, I did have an excellent time…even though I lost to the slot machines. : (

Any way, enough with the weird Debbie Downer life update.

I’m back with another book review since I’m actually starting to finish books now (seems I’m slowly coming out of my slump). And this last book was an excellent one, so I’m really excited to share it with you and maybe even push you toward reading it if it’s been on your TBR.

Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt

Summary

The novel is the alternating and entangled stories of Tova Sullivan, an older widow, who works the nightshift at the Sowell Bay aquarium in the Pacific Northwest; Cameron Cassmore, a down on his luck young man looking for his father; and Marcellus, a very clever, giant Pacific octopus, who befriends Tova.

Overall Review

If you liked anything written by Fredrick Backman, you’ll love this book.

The characters were so captivating and well-written. Marcellus was incredibly charming. And the writing flowed so beautifully. I found myself rooting for each character as they went on their own personal, yet intersecting, journeys.

Van Pelt does an excellent job of creating a peaceful atmosphere with all her descriptions of Sowell Bay and even the home that Tova lives in. There was a really rich sense of history that added to the fullness of the characters. I was very emotionally invested in all of them.

I also enjoyed all the other characters that made the novel come to life, like Tova’s Knit Wit group and Ethan, the manager of the grocery store. There was a beautiful sense of community between the residents of this small town and the love they have for each other.

Final Thoughts

This book is a definite must read if you’re looking for something literary with a strong emotional connection to the characters and place. And this is a great book for anyone looking for a little something different. (While I loved all the characters, Marcellus was definitely my favorite!)

That’s it for now, folks.

I’m going to go drink some tea and get my life together. Maybe lay down for a little while. Until next time, happy reading!