The Tumbler Ridge Public Library’s Virtual Book Club hosted Shelby Van Pelt, author of Remarkably Bright Creatures on Monday, May 8.
Remarkably Bright Creatures was featured as a “Read with Jenna” Book Club Pick, which is curated by Jenna Hager Bush, co-host of Today with Hoda & Jenna. The Library virtually hosted participants from across Canada and the US, allowing them the opportunity to talk about the book, characters and more, with the author herself.
This unique novel tells the story from the point of view of several human characters, as well as from the point of view of a giant Pacific octopus. When asked about how she was able to create such a unique viewpoint, Van Pelt shared her experience researching her book, including getting to meet a giant pacific octopus herself. Having read several non-fiction books, such as The Soul of an Octopus by Sy Montgomery, she was hoping for a fun, engaging encounter, where she might have been able to touch the octopus or have it explore her hand or arm with its tentacles. Unfortunately for Van Pelt—as she laughingly recalled to the group—the octopus must of not been pleased since it squirted water at her!
Remarkably Bright Creatures is Shelby Van Pelt’s debut novel.
Missed out on Shelby Van Pelt? Don’t worry, the Library’s Virtual Book Club will be hosting author Kelley Armstrong on June 19 at 10 am to discuss her Rip Through Time series. The first book in the series, A Rip Through Time, was published in 2022 and the second book, The Poisoner’s Ring, was just released on May 31 2023. The series follows a modern-day detective, Mallory Atkinson, who has found herself sent back through time to Victorian Scotland, in the body of a housemaid, Catriona Mitchell. As Catriona Mitchell, Mallory helps her employer, the local undertaker who moonlights as a medical examiner, Dr. Duncan Gray, solve mysteries.
Drop-in, call us at 250-242-4778 or email us at bookclub@trlibrary.org to sign up for Virtual Book Club today!
