Join us for the first ever Joplin Reads Together!Joplin Reads Together is proud to announce Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt, as the 2023 Book. This debut novel is a New York Times Best Seller, a Read with Jenna pick, and a nominee on 2022 Goodreads Choice Awards.
About the Book
After Tova Sullivan’s husband died, she began working the night shift at the Sowell Bay Aquarium, mopping floors and tidying up. Keeping busy has always helped her cope, which she’s been doing since her eighteen-year-old son, Erik, mysteriously vanished on a boat in Puget Sound over thirty years ago.
Tova becomes acquainted with curmudgeonly Marcellus, a giant Pacific octopus living at the aquarium. Marcellus knows more than anyone can imagine but wouldn’t dream of lifting one of his eight arms for his human captors—until he forms a remarkable friendship with Tova.
Ever the detective, Marcellus deduces what happened the night Tova’s son disappeared. And now Marcellus must use every trick his old invertebrate body can muster to unearth the truth for her before it’s too late. Shelby Van Pelt’s debut novel is a gentle reminder that sometimes taking a hard look at the past can help uncover a future that once felt impossible.
Read-a-likes
Library Hosted Events
April 4th, 6-8:00pm Chat and Craft & Makerspace Event
April 4th, 6-7:30pm Master Gardening Class
April 5th, 1-2:00pm Book Discussion
April 6th, 5:30-6:30pm Exploring Swedish Culture
April 6th, 6:30-7:30pm Post Art Library Opening Reception: Lost & Found- Remarkably Bright Objects
April 11th, 6-7:00pm Researching Your Roots
April 12th, while supplies last Adult Take-Home Kit
April 15th 10:30-11:30am Wonders of Wildlife
April 18th, 6-7:00pm Book Discussion
April 27th, 6:00pm Shelby Van Pelt Author Visit
1901 East 20th Street
Joplin, MO 64804
Phone: 417-623-7953
