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It's bittersweet to finish a great book, because the story you loved reading is over. But you can take solace in knowing that for every life-changing book out there, there are a ton of read-alike options that explore similar themes, carry on similar tones and follow characters that will remind you of the ones you fell in love with in the first place. If you finished Shelby Van Pelt's 2022 debut novel, Remarkably Bright Creatures, and want more, we have the books you need to read next, according to the five librarians Parade spoke with.
Libby librarian Claire Weibel describes Remarkably Bright Creatures as a "gentle read" that "highlights human connection." So it's no surprise that it became popular enough to warrant a Netflix film adaptation starring the inimitable Sally Field as the leading protagonist, Tova. Whether you just finished the novel ahead of the May 8 movie release, or you read the book when it first made a splash on Jenna Bush-Hager's "Read With Jenna" book club in 2022, it's understandable if you're left wanting more than the movie alone can deliver.
If you want to dive into similar worlds with equally engaging characters and storylines, these librarians have you covered with 11 books likeRemarkably Bright Creatures to check out ASAP.
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Described as "a character-driven contemporary fiction story" by Weibel, Remarkably Bright Creatures follows the unlikely bond between Tova, a widowed night cleaner at an aquarium; Cameron, a directionless new aquarium employee; and a large Pacific octopus named Marcellus.
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What Should I Read if I Loved 'Remarkably Bright Creatures'?
Shoshana Ginsburg, a children’s librarian in DC, says that you can expand on the unique animal-human bond of the novel by following it up with something similar.
"A couple years ago, I read several novels about people adopting chimps and treating them like human children," she says. In that vein, she recommends A Beautiful Truth by Colin McAdam, We Are All Completely Beside Ourselves by Karen Joy Fowler and We Love You, Charlie Freemanby Kaitlyn Greenidge.
"They all take different perspectives on that common topic, and all three books touch on human-animal relations, the nature of family and grief," Ginsburg shares.
Alisha Helms, the Readers’ Advisory Associate at the Kansas City Public Library, says that readers who loved Remarkably Bright Creatures can also explore "books with a little slice of life, but with a little bit of whimsy too" and fiction reads that focus on found families. A common recommendation from Helms and several other librarians was the works of Swedish author Fredrik Backman.
"Backman’s moving and thought-provoking novels are character-centric, often featuring quirky characters with rich inner lives," says Weibel. "His stories are full of empathy and emphasize the need for human connection, and while his stories often handle heavy topics, they have plenty of heart and humor, too."
Helms and Weibel suggest starting with A Man Called Ove, which is about a curmudgeonly man who is forced by his chatty new neighbors to open up.
"Like Remarkably Bright Creatures, both books have that uncommon narrator who you can't help but fall in love with," explains Helms.
Weibel also likes Backman's book Anxious People, about a group of unlikely hostages at an apartment open house. And Rose Waldman, Library Supervisor at the Menlo Park Public Library, suggests Britt-Marie Was Here, which follows a fussy busybody after she leaves her cheating husband. Beyond this author, though, are 11 other books you'll also appreciate as fans of Remarkably Bright Creatures.
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11 Books Like 'Remarkably Bright Creatures,' According to Librarians
1. 'Death Valley' by Melissa Broder
Amazon
Kathleen Reidy, reference librarian at Winchester Public Library in Massachusetts and debut author of Engineering a Love Story, likes Broder's novel for its "unlikely relationship—in this case, with a cactus."
The book follows a woman who, while escaping a cloud of family illness, finds a door in a California cactus. She steps inside and takes a hilarious but poignant journey.
2. 'Yellow' by Amy Pence
Amazon
Reidy calls this book "an intriguing new, speculative novel." It follows a 12-year-old girl in the '70s who forms a bond with yellow slime mold growing in her backyard.
3. 'Bear' by Julia Phillips
Amazon
Reidy says this book is "less whimsical than Remarkably Bright Creatures," but she recommends it because "the two novels share a Pacific-Northwest setting, and both feature intense relationships with animals."
In this case, the book follows two sisters who live off the coast of Washington. When a mysterious bear shows up near their home, it enchants one sister and terrifies the other—testing the strength of their sisterhood.
4. 'The Wedding People' by Alison Espach
Amazon
If part of what drew you to Remarkably Bright Creatures was Tova's navigation of widowhood, you may enjoy The Wedding People. It follows the grieving Phoebe Stone as she accidentally crashes a decadent wedding weekend.
"As a widow myself, I found The Wedding People... to have a remarkably relatable way of explaining some of the unexpected emotional impacts of widowerhood, while also being a compelling character study and unputdownable story," says Ginsburg.
5.'The Soul of an Octopus: A Surprising Exploration into the Wonder of Consciousness' by Sy Montgomery
Amazon
Helms says, "If you want a real-life Tova," you need to read this memoir.
"Montgomery talks about hanging out at an aquarium, getting to touch octopuses and also learning to scuba dive and swim with them," she adds.
6. 'Sakura' by Kanako Nishi, translated by Allison Markin Powell
Amazon
"If the human-animal bond is what grabbed you in Remarkably Bright Creatures, check out Sakura," suggests Weibel. It follows Kaoru, who gets help from his family's dog as he navigates a reunion with his estranged family. Weibel calls the book a "reflective exploration of grief."
7. 'The Reading List' by Sara Nisha Adams
Amazon
Weibel says readers of Remarkably Bright Creatures will enjoy this novel's similar themes: "human connection, community building, multigenerational stories and unlikely friendships."
Taking place at a local library, a bond forms between lonely widower Mukesh and teenager Aleisha as they work their way through a mysterious list of books. Weibel says the "feel-good" story will leave readers with "a sense of hope."
8. 'Nothing to See Here' by Kevin Wilson
Amazon
Weibel likes this "offbeat novel" for its "flawed yet relatable characters who build a chosen family."
In the story, former boarding school friends Lillian and Madison reunite when Lillian agrees to be the caretaker for Madison's troubled stepkids.
9. 'Run for the Hills' by Kevin Wilson
Amazon
Waldman recommends this book, also from the author of Nothing to See Here. It follows Madeline after she meets her half-brother Rube, and they take a road trip to learn more about their father. As a bonus, the Library Supervisor notes that the audiobook version "is narrated by Marin Ireland, who co-narrates the audiobook for Remarkably Bring Creatures."
10. 'Crow Talk' by Eileen Garvin
Amazon
Waldman suggests "that readers think about what it is that they like about [Remarkably Bright Creatures]" and find something with "similar tone or themes." If you resonated with the grief and found family aspect of Remarkably Bright Creatures, she says you can try Crow Talk next. It follows a group of lost souls who bond over rescuing an injured baby crow.
11. 'An Immense World: How Animal Senses Reveal the Hidden World Around Us' by Ed Yong
Amazon
If what drew you to Remarkably Bright Creatures was the "animal perspective" from Marcellus the octopus, Waldman says she also enjoyed diving into this narrative nonfiction book. It explores how animals use their senses to perceive the world.
Up Next:
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Sources:
Claire Weibel is a Libby librarian.Shoshana Ginsburg is a children’s librarian in DC.Alisha Helms is the Readers’ Advisory Associate at the Kansas City Public Library.Rose Waldman is a Library Supervisor at the Menlo Park Public Library.Kathleen Reidy is a reference librarian at Winchester Public Library in Mass and the debut author of Engineering a Love Story.Hence then, the article about librarians say these 11 unforgettable books are perfect for fans of remarkably bright creatures was published today ( ) and is available on Parade ( Saudi Arabia ) The editorial team at PressBee has edited and verified it, and it may have been modified, fully republished, or quoted. You can read and follow the updates of this news or article from its original source.
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