Young @ Heart Book Group and Vox Octopus Populi

You never quite know what to expect from this group of eager readers. One book inspired a sharing of other octopus themed titles across an assortment of book genres.

Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt
Love it or hate it, no-one seems to sit in the middle with this book about the unexpected relationship between a grieving widowed cleaner in an aquarium and a giant Pacific Octopus. Narrated by three characters, the main criticism seems to be that everyone wants to hear more from Marcellus the Octopus, and less from Cameron the whiny loser. Less about how ‘lit’ the gym is; more about loss, death, friendship and interconnectedness please.

The Mountain in the Sea by Ray Nayler
Love this near-future thriller. When a species of dangerous, hyperintelligent octopus with language and culture is discovered, a tech corporation bent on exploitation faces off with a marine biologist attempting to communicate. There are fortunes to be made, advancements to be leveraged, personhood to be discovered. Predictable so far. But no one has asked what the octopuses think….and what they might do about it. Buckle up it’s a bumpy ride.

Eight Arms of Inspiration: The Octopus Art Project by Jinxi Caddel
Published in 2013 it’s an oldie but a goodie. In honour of the octopus, over 400 artists use various media to present their interpretation. Photos, tattoos, sculpture, glass, bronze and rather startlingly...cake.

The Octopus and I by Erin Hortle
Ostensibly this is a well written story of a woman coming to terms with breast cancer and mastectomy (in all its emotional unpleasantness). Set on the Tasmanian coast, animal voices add another layer to this book. A poetic opening from an octopus and a strange and beautiful closing thought from a seal deepen ideas about ecology, humanity, culture and power.  We may not like all the characters all the time, but it’s worth a go.

Inky the Octopus by Erin Guendelsberger, illustrated by David Leonard
No Hawkes Bay list could be complete without a mention of this children’s book. The true-life story of Inky from Napier Aquarium who dreamed of bigger things and did a moonlight flit to deeper waters. Full of facts, but also a daring tale of tentacled escape and adventure.  Watch the YouTube version with your grandkids.

Havelock North Library's Young @ Heart book group meets on the first Thursday of the month at 10:30am.

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