Current one is so charming. I feel like it’s going to be an auto recommend
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It has been a really fun read so far. I’m an amazingly slow reader, but I’m actually making strong progress on it since I can’t put it down!
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Im about 60% through here and I am enjoying the flow of this book. It’s so easy to pick up and read when I need to fill lulls in the day but its also such a good book to sit down and get comfy with. So far I would recommend it to anyone on the fence.
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How does April 19th work for folks?
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In
April 19th works for me!
Works for me to.
Spoiler alert: I freaking LOVED this book.
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Yes, I will try to make this date. Currently no game scheduled for my daughter’s softball team. I am liking the book also.
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Started this book on my flight home from Belgium. Plowed through 2/3rds of it on the flight. Could not stop reading it. Just a wonderful pace and structure thus far.
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Woke up at midnight last night and couldn’t go back down until 3. Woke up at 6 and was reading until my daughter woke up. Plowed through the last 100 pages and just finished. Great selection and what an enjoyable read. It’s an instant recommend to people. Have plenty of thoughts for the 19th!
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Visited the GPO at Monterey Bay Aquarium today!
Excited to see it!
A lady asked me in the middle of my selfie “Are you taking a selfie with the Octopus?”
Then I went on a search to find Mr. McSquiddles’ favorite snack! I found him chillin in the petting area cool as a cucumber.
Anyway,
Excited for April 19th to discuss this wonderful book with y’all!
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Just found out there was a book club, don’t think I can swing the 4/19 book, but will keep tabs on this for the next one!
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Don’t know how much time you have, but it’s an easy read. Two weeks might be plenty of time. I finished early and now have to remember it for two more weeks (and not forget the meeting).
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Spoilers for these potential book club questions:
Questions
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What kind of person do you think Marcellus would be if he were human? What qualities do Marcellus and Tova both share that make this remarkable friendship a success?
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Each of these characters — animal and human — need each other in a specific way, even if they don’t realize this at first. What qualities bind these characters to each other? Are they connected by loss, grief or something else?
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On page 9, Tova empathizes with the sharks in the big aquarium tank, musing that she “understands what it means to never be able to stop moving, lest you find yourself unable to breathe.” Why do you think she feels so compelled to keep busy? What would happen if she simply stopped?
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In contrast to how Tova keeps busy, Cameron emerges as a character who deals with grief by remaining stagnant, refusing to even try to reach his potential, much to the frustration of those who care about him. Why do you think he sabotages himself? Have you ever had someone like this in your life?
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Marcellus is extremely smart — smarter than any human he encounters. Have you had encounters with animals — octopuses or otherwise — who demonstrated surprising levels of intelligence, emotional or otherwise? Have you felt “seen” by an animal or felt a relationship with an animal deepen upon earning their trust?
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“Remarkably Bright Creatures” takes place in a Pacific Northwest coastal town in the recent past. The watery Puget Sound setting plays a major role in the plot, but how else does the setting inform the novel? How do you think the novel would be different if it were set somewhere like Arizona or Minnesota?
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Marcellus remarks on page 59 that “fingerprints are like keys, with their specific shape. I remember all keys, too.” From the house key Tova loses to the ring of keys Marcellus finds at the bottom of the sea, the novel is filled with various types of keys. What do you think keys symbolize in this novel?
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Tova reflects on her experience caring for her husband through his illness and eventual passing, and with no surviving family to do the same for her, she worries about being a burden on her friends as she ages. How do you view the role of community and family in caring for older people? How did Tova’s views on this change throughout the book, and why do you think they did?
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In the middle of the novel, on page 177, Cameron says to Tova, “conscience does make cowards of us all.” What do you think he means by this statement? Do you agree with this?
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Tova’s Swedish Dala horses are some of her most treasured possessions. Why do you think that is? Are there heirlooms in your family that carry a similar significance?
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This novel explores different characters who are faced with major choices: They can open themselves up to something new and take an unexpected, daring opportunity or they can continue on as they have been. Have you ever faced a moment in your life where a critical choice could change everything? Did you take the leap or not?
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Marcellus’s life in captivity is much different than the life of an octopus in the wild — and eventually, Terry reveals that Marcellus was rescued from the sea after a life-threatening injury. Aquariums play an important role in education and conservation but some people view keeping animals, especially intelligent ones, in captivity with skepticism. What do you think?
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In the last few pages of the novel, Tova and Cameron realize how they are truly connected. What do you imagine they are doing a year from the novel’s end?
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At the end of the book, there is a collision of coincidences that tie up the relationship between Cameron and Tova. Was plausible? Is it the resolution that you were hoping for?
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Some negative reviews of the book focused on Cameron and his lack of maturity. What did you think of him and how important is he to the narrative?
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As someone who failed upward in English class and has never been in a book group… bravo. I hope to participate in some way on the 19th. So I appreciate seeing questions ahead of time so I can think about them a little bit. I’d be pretty intimidated to answer these on the spot.
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Okay I’ll give it a shot then. See you on the Zoom.
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For those who are even remotely intimidated by the idea of book club, I need to implore to all of you we are all a bunch of goofballs talking about the book and shooting the shit. The only time I can recall us getting deep in the weeds was when @Prof_D walked us through Moby Dick and Absalom, Absalom! The rest of the time it’s just a good talk, with no requirements to chime in more than you want. We good.
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I wish I could like this more. The goal of a book club is to use books to fuel discussions which result in companionship.
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Actually, I was pretty far in the weeds just trying to read Absalom, Absalom!
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