Remarkably Bright Creatures

Author: Shelby Van Pelt

Genre: Fiction

Rating: 3.5 out of 5

Pages: 360

Date Started: 1 March 2023

Date Finished: 5 March 2023

This book came highly recommended, and its allure was further fueled by the promise of an octopus in the story—a unique and intriguing premise. The narrative begins with Tova Sullivan, who, after her husband's death, finds solace in working the night shift at the Sowell Bay Aquarium. Her coping mechanism for life's tragedies has been to stay busy, a trait she honed after her son Erik's mysterious disappearance over thirty years ago on a boat in Puget Sound. The introduction of the curmudgeonly Marcellus, a giant Pacific octopus at the aquarium, sets the stage for an unexpected and extraordinary friendship. Marcellus, a remarkable and intuitive character, proves to be the story's linchpin, using his unique perspective to uncover the truth about Erik's disappearance. The story had a strong start, with a gripping premise that immediately drew me in. However, as it progressed, I felt the narrative's grip loosening. The characters of Tova and Marcellus were exceptionally well-crafted and brought depth to the story. Unfortunately, the same depth wasn't consistently achieved with the other characters, and Cameron, in particular, came across as somewhat immature. While his behavior could be attributed to the trauma of growing up without a father and his mother leaving him at a young age, it did detract from the overall reading experience. In sum, this book is undoubtedly a good read, offering a unique and captivating premise. It falls a bit short of the high expectations set at the beginning, but it remains an enjoyable story overall.

Favorite lines from the book:

• I was brought here as a juvenile. I shall die here, in this tank. At the very most, one hundred and sixty days remain until my sentence is complete.

• That wasn't Will's norm, But then, nothing is normal when you lose a child.

• Conscience does make cowards of us all.

• Entering someone's home is always an intimate act.

• You don't recover. Not all the way. But you do move on. You have to.

• I would trust Tova with my life. I did trust her with my life, more than once. Just as I trusted her with my death.

• Humans. For the most part, you are dull and blundering. But occasionally, you can be remarkably bright creatures.

The Palace Of Illusions

Author: Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni

Genre: Fiction, Mythology

Rating: 4 out of 5

Pages: 360

Date Started: 20 February 2023

Date Finished: 28 February 2023

My book club selected this as the 'Book of the Month,' and I had the pleasure of revisiting it, having first read it in April 2013. Stories featuring the strong female characters of the Mahabharata have always held a special fascination for me, and this book was no exception. The narrative delves into the life of Princess Panchaali, tracing her remarkable journey from her birth in fire to her role as a woman with five husbands who are determined to reclaim their father's kingdom. Throughout the story, Panchaali gracefully maintains a delicate balance as she stands by her husbands through years of exile and a harrowing civil war that involves the most prominent kings of India. Alongside these grand events, the story never loses sight of her strategic battles with her mother-in-law, her complex friendship with the enigmatic Krishna, and her clandestine attraction to the enigmatic man who poses as her husbands' most dangerous adversary. Draupadi, or Paanchali as she is known, is an incredibly intriguing character, navigating the complexities of having five husbands and enduring the challenges of her upbringing as a princess. Her ability to analyze every situation and every individual she encounters throughout her life keeps readers thoroughly engrossed in her story. This novel does an outstanding job of redefining the world of warriors, gods, and the ever-manipulating hands of fate through the fiery and compelling character of Panchaali. It's a captivating journey that anyone with an interest in epic tales and strong, dynamic female protagonists will appreciate.
Favorite lines from the book:

• What is the most wondrous thing on earth? Each day countless humans enter the Temple of Death, yet the ones left behind continue to live as though they were immortal.

• Let the past go. Be at ease. Allow the future to arrive at its own pace, unfurling its secrets when it will.

• The humiliated enemy is the most dangerous one.

• “A situation in itself,” he said, “is neither happy nor unhappy. It's only your response to it that causes your sorrow.

• Expectations are like hidden rocks in your path—all they do is trip you up.

• That seemed to be the nature of boons given to women—they were handed to us like presents we hadn't quite wanted.

• “In righteous war, you fight only with men that are your equal in rank. You don't attack your enemies at night, or when they're retreating or unarmed. You don't strike them on the back or below the navel. You use your celestial astras only on warriors who themselves have such weapons.”

• “And who decided that a woman's highest purpose was to support men?”

• She who sows vengeance must reap its bloody fruit.

• Time is the great eraser, both of sorrow and of joy.

So Long, Chester Wheeler

Author: Catherine Ryan Hyde

Genre: Fiction

Rating: 3 out of 5

Pages: 304

Date Started: 1 January 2023

Date Finished: 4 January 2023

I was drawn to this book on the recommendation of a book group I follow, and the synopsis promised an engaging start to my year of reading. The narrative revolves around Lewis Madigan, a young, unemployed, gay individual who, somewhat reluctantly, finds himself providing end-of-life care for his difficult, homophobic neighbor, Chester Wheeler. Lewis's motivations are primarily financial, and he has to tolerate the insufferable Chester while running errands and being on call. The story is set in motion through exchanges of barbs, bickering, and the push and pull of a tumultuous relationship, with Chester ultimately making a poignant request. The premise revolves around Lewis's journey to fulfill Chester's dying wish: driving him to Arizona in a rusty Winnebago to visit his ex-wife after thirty-two years of estrangement—for the last time. This one-week, two-thousand-mile journey becomes an illuminating experience for Lewis, providing insights into the life and secrets of a man he is only now beginning to understand. It's a story of a neighbor, a stranger, and an unexpected friend, each finding closure on a complex past. The book offers a fast-paced and engaging narrative, but it leans towards a somewhat predictable storyline with fewer unpredictable twists. While I enjoyed the story, I felt it lacked depth in its portrayal of the characters and the reasons behind their actions, beyond the surface-level differences that exist when people become comfortable with each other. Additionally, the resolution of problems in the story seemed to occur more swiftly than one might expect in real-life scenarios. Nonetheless, the book did effectively address themes of forgiveness, grace, trust, despair, and end-of-life situations. It was a well-executed story, but I couldn't help wishing for a bit more depth to truly delve into the intricacies of the characters and their experiences.

Favorite lines from the book:

• It's weird how you think you know what a person thinks and how they feel, but then it turns out you only knew what they chose you to know. How there are two whole people in there, and one is a perfect stranger.

• When you catch a glimpse of your reflection unexpectedly, it's like seeing yourself from the outside.

• A human brain is a very odd place to live your life. And that's really all I have to say about that.

• Treat people well, otherwise, you might die and no one will notice or find it especially relevant to their life.

• I was dismantling a man's entire life. Going through everything that had ever meant anything to him, and deeming it all unworthy of keeping. In most cases, unworthy of keeping by anybody.