It’s February, which means it’s time to dive into the next book club pick: Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt!

If you’re new here, I like to do a “first taste” before I even turn the first page—a quick glimpse at my expectations, thoughts, and general excitement about the book.

This one was a total wildcard for me. A friend recommended it when I asked for book club suggestions, and I’ll be honest—I barely skimmed the synopsis before adding it to the list. But the mention of grief immediately caught my attention (because, well… I love grief in books), and I figured, why not?

When picking our monthly reads, I follow a pattern:
✔️ A book I’ve been dying to read
✔️ A book that seems like a great discussion pick
✔️ A wildcard—something completely unexpected

And guess which one won the vote? Of course, the wildcard. That’s how life works.

So what do I know going in?

• There’s a mystery.
• There’s a grieving widow.
• There’s an unusual friendship… with an octopus.
• Some chapters are from the octopus’s perspective, and honestly, I love that.

It seems like the story will have some heavier moments, but I also get the sense that it will be heartwarming overall. And it’s a Read with Jenna pick, so clearly, it’s already gotten some attention.

The last big book club sensation I read was Where the Crawdads Sing, and while I thought it was fine, it felt a bit overhyped. Remarkably Bright Creatures, on the other hand, hasn’t been on my radar at all, which makes me even more curious.

Also, let’s talk about that cover—it’s stunning. I know they say don’t judge a book by its cover, but I totally do, and this one is beautiful.

Predictions Before Reading

I’m calling it now—I’ll probably cry. The story follows a mother who lost her son 30 years ago, and she’s now also lost her husband. It’s giving me major Emily Gilmore in A Year in the Life vibes. And, let’s be real, I’m a crybaby when it comes to emotional books.

Right now, based on what little I know, I’m predicting a 4/5 stars rating. We’ll see if that holds up by the end!

I think this book will explore themes of grief and feeling stuck—how we sometimes need to confront our past in order to move forward. And honestly, that’s a universal struggle. I’m really looking forward to seeing how the story unfolds.

So, if you’re reading along, let me know your first impressions! Are you excited? Nervous? Completely in the dark like I am? Let’s do this.