September will be full of events centered around this year’s Community One Read book, “Remarkably Bright Creatures,” by Shelby Van Pelt. You can kick off the month by joining us at noon on Thursday, September 3 at the Columbia Public Library to discuss this charming, thoughtful book, which features a giant Pacific octopus as one of the narrators.
This discussion will be led by special guest speaker, MU professor Dr. Morgan Murphy, an avid reader and veterinarian who has worked with octopuses!
“Remarkably Bright Creatures” was selected by a community vote after a committee of residents narrowed down nearly 200 nominations to just two titles: “Remarkably Bright Creatures,” and “Playground,” by Richard Powers. For those who wanted “Playground” to win, it will be the subject of the next First Thursday Book Discussion in October.
While both books have a marine theme, “Playground” has an epic conservation theme over a large span of time, while “Remarkably Bright Creatures” has a focused look at the people of a small seaside community. Van Pelt explores themes of found family, grief and healing in “Remarkably Bright Creatures.” Despite the serious subjects, the novel has a hopeful tone, showing how shared experience, community and relationships can be the difference between tragedy or triumph. Tova has been living with grief for many years, decades even. Marcellus, a giant pacific octopus at the aquarium where Tova cleans at night, narrates, “Darkness suits me.” Sometimes the people (or octopuses) that are able to venture into the dark with us are the ones to help us find our way out of the dark.
In addition to the First Thursday Book Discussion, you can further explore themes of what can be revealed in the dark by submitting an entry for the One Read Art Exhibit “Night Shift.” Or attend the exhibit reception on Friday, September 4 at Orr Street Studios.
