July Book of the Month: Remarkably Bright Creatures

July falls solidly into the middle of summer and in honor of this, the Book of the Month at Redeemer is a work of fiction.   It is a great "grab and go" for a vacation read or an easy evening read. Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt is my favorite kind of story---one that is both truth telling and healing.

When you open the book, get ready to meet (and cheer for) a varied cast of characters including a cantankerous octopus named Marcellus, a resilient but lonely old lady named Tova, and a hardened punk rocker named Cameron.  These three individuals, in conjunction with a motley crew of secondary characters, will lead you through a mystery in the fictional town of Sowell Bay in the Pacific Northwest.  Through it all you'll become acquainted with varied types of grief and loss, parenting frustrations, early adulthood failures, and the very real struggles of aging. You'll also get to see the power of apology, the richness of community, and the importance of place.

It's no secret that I love fiction and novels in general, but there are a few unique characters in this book that made it a particular favorite of mine!

First, this book is packed full of unique and believable characters. They are endearing AND far from perfect. I see myself in them, and I see my neighbors in them.  Like all good works of fiction, this book makes me want to be a better neighbor, a better listener, quick to extend generosity and eager to withhold judgement.

Secondly, as an adult who spends my days steeped in the practical aspects of life (what are we having for dinner tonight anyway??), I am deeply appreciative of a book that can gently push me towards imagination and creativity while reminding me what a beautiful life I've been given. Many books can do one of those things, only a few can do both! A talking octopus with complex emotions and cunning instincts pushes my capacity to engage imagination while an aging and practical old lady pulls me towards reality in a hopeful way.

Finally this book is gold because although it is clearly a work of fiction, it reminds us all that we have a creator who delights in beauty... and in joy... and in mystery... and in connection with nature. It's a book packed full of God's good gifts to humankind.  Starting with--but not limited to-- an octopus!