“Remarkably Bright Creatures” by Shelby Van Pelt
Review by Seana Zimmer, adult services library assistant at the Hillsborough branch
Funny, sarcastic, and entertaining, this debut novel is filled with nuggets of wisdom and humor!
This story is told by a giant Pacific octopus, an octogenarian janitor, and a young dude living in a camper and searching for his father in the Northwest. Set in a small town, toss in a Scottish shopkeeper with a nosh for gossip and a group of best friends, The KnitWits. All of these threads are woven together to create a delightful tapestry about friendship and community. Author Shelby Van Pelt balances the seriousness of loss with sharp-edged humor and even a few tender moments. Van Pelt’s quirky style reminded me of TJ Klune.
I kept listening to this tale with baited (pun-intended) breath. The American Library Association’s summer reading theme is “Oceans of Possibilities,” and this book fits right in!