Weekly Mews: Bookish Mewsings (Remarkably Bright Creatures & The Midnight Feast)

I am linking up to the Sunday Post hosted by Kim of Caffeinated Book Reviewer and The Sunday Salon (TSS) hosted by Deb Nance of Readerbuzz  where participants recap our week, talk about what we are reading, share any new books that have come our way, and whatever else we want to talk about. I am also linking It's Monday! What Are you Reading? hosted by Kathryn of Book Date where readers talk about what they have been, are and will be reading.

I did not make much progress in Nikki Payne's Pride and Prejudice this past week as I was more focused on getting my Mystery book club selection finished in time. I just started The Bewitching by Silvia Moreno-Garcia, this month's TBR List Poll pick, and am enjoying it. 

What are you reading right now? 

This past week I finished two books. Let's take a look!

Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt, narrated by Marin Ireland & Michael Urie
(Harper Audio, 2022; 11hrs 16min)

After Tova Sullivan's husband died, she began working the night shift at the Sowell Bay Aquarium, mopping floors and tidying up. Keeping busy has always helped her cope, which she's been doing since her eighteen-year-old son, Erik, mysteriously vanished on a boat in Puget Sound over thirty years ago. Tova becomes acquainted with curmudgeonly Marcellus, a giant Pacific octopus living at the aquarium. Marcellus knows more than anyone can imagine but wouldn't dream of lifting one of his eight arms for his human captors--until he forms a remarkable friendship with Tova. Ever the detective, Marcellus deduces what happened the night Tova's son disappeared. And now Marcellus must use every trick his old invertebrate body can muster to unearth the truth for her before it's too late. [from the Publisher]

This book felt like a big warm hug. I loved every minute of the audiobook. It was sweet and charming, but not overly so. I was not sure what to expect going in. I did think Marcellus, the octopus, might play a bigger role but then was relieved that he did not. It felt more natural the way author Shelby Van Pelt incorporates his role into Tova and Cameron's lives. Odd thing to say, I suppose, given he has anthropomorphic characteristics, but it works. Both Tova and Cameron have come to crossroads in their lives. Tova is getting older and continues to struggle with her grief over her lost son and the more recent death of her husband. Her job as a cleaner at the aquarium means everything to her, but when she falls and is put on medical leave, she feels more alone and unmoored. Then there is Cameron, a listless man who cannot hold down a job and recently broke up with his girlfriend. He leaves his home in Modesto, heading north to Washington state in search for the father he never knew, and ends up taking a job at the aquarium as a temporary replacement for Tova to make ends meet. In his own way, Marcellus tries to bring these two lost souls together in his effort to heal his friend Tova's heart. 

Marcellus is a great character (and I loved the narrator who voiced him), but I think my favorite was Ethan, the grocery store owner, who knew everyone's business and loved rock music. He wasn't so much a busybody, it seemed to me, but rather someone who cared about those in his community. I liked the way he took Cameron, a complete stranger, under his wing. Luckily, Cameron wasn't one to take advantage of that kindness.

Remarkably Bright Creatures is full of heart. Well-written with characters that felt real and I came to love. Grief and loss do not completely disappear no matter how much time passes, and I appreciated how the author gets that point across through her characters--not in a harsh way but in a gentle one. In some ways, the novel was predictable. The outcome was obvious early on, but I was completely okay with that. This is the story I needed right now, and I am so glad I finally decided to give it a try.

The Midnight Feast by Lucy Foley
(William Morrow, 2014, 320 pgs)

Secrets. Lies. Murder. Let the festivities begin...

It’s the opening night of The Manor, and no expense, small or large, has been spared. The infinity pool sparkles; crystal pouches for guests’ healing have been placed in the Seaside Cottages and Woodland Hutches; the “Manor Mule” cocktail (grapefruit, ginger, vodka, and a dash of CBD oil) is being poured with a heavy hand. Everyone is wearing linen.

But under the burning midsummer sun, darkness stirs. Old friends and enemies circulate among the guests. Just outside the Manor’s immaculately kept grounds, an ancient forest bristles with secrets. And the Sunday morning of opening weekend, the local police are called. Something’s not right with the guests. There’s been a fire. A body’s been discovered. [from the Publisher]

I do not think anyone in my Mystery book club expected a lengthy discussion about this month's selection, The Midnight Feast, but we all seemed to have a lot to say. Opinions were mixed: from one person who really liked it, another who said it was better the second time but still felt meh about it, a couple of people who didn't like it at all, and then those of us mostly liked it, but did not love it. I fall into that latter camp. 

The novel is told from the perspective of several different characters, jumping back and forth in time from before the Solstice to during and after, which in someone else's hands may not have worked so effectively. Lucy Foley gives each of her characters distinct voices, and the weaving of the timelines adds to the building tension. The author's depiction of wealth inequity, the class differences, and the seduction money and power can have over people, stood out for me in the lives and motivations of each of her characters. Francesca is determined the opening of her elite resort, once her grandparents' estate, will go perfectly and she will make sure it does at all costs, even as the secrets of the past threaten to cast a shadow over it all. Francesca's husband, Owen, will do anything to make Francesca happy, buthe also has secrets of his own. Eddie, the son of a local farmer, is working at the resort without his parents' knowledge, knowing they would not approve. The resort is bringing nothing but heartache to the local community, encroaching on their livelihoods, and threatening their woods and beaches. There is the perfect assistant, Michelle; Bella, a guest with an agenda of her own, and DI Walker, who is called in to investigate a suspicious death. And these are just the main characters. There were several side characters who also play a prominent part in in the novel. 

I struggled to get into The Midnight Feast initially. The writing did not grab me and I worried that it was just too dark for me at this point in time. While I found the characters to be be on the one dimensional side, I really liked the way the plot points came together. The author kind of hints at a supernatural element related to the a local superstition of the Birds. Whether that proves true or not--well, you will have to read the book for yourself to find out. I will say that I found the way everything comes together during the final third of the book very satisfying, even if things go a bit off the rails. I was fully engaged at that point.

A monthly feature in which I l share the books I read this month ten years ago. 

(Rating Scale: 5 Paws=Outstanding; 4 Paws=Very Good; 3 Paws=Good; 2 Paws=Okay; 1 Paw=Didn't Like)

The titles are linked to my original reviews of each book when available. 

Looking back over my reading in September 2015:  

The Demon's Librarian by Lilith Saintcrow is such a great title, don't you think? It was one of a few Lilith Saintcrow's books I read that year, and while not my favorite of the bunch, I did enjoy it. 

Next there was My Grandmother Asked Me to Tell You She's Sorry by Fredrik Backman. I was surprised I gave it a 3.5 rating instead of a 4 (it's Fredrik Backman, for goodness sake), but, then again, in reading my thoughts from then, I remember why. Still, I found it to be heartwarming while at the same time heartbreaking. 

When I think of The Other Daughter by Lauren Willig, it is less about the book, admittedly, and more about the fact that it was the first book my daughter had  a hand in picking out for me as a gift (with the help of my husband, of course). Drama, romance, a hint of mystery make up this historical novel set in the Jazz age. I enjoyed it quite a bit.

Bearing It All by Vonnie Davis is the third in the Highlander's Beloved paranormal romance trilogy, of which I liked the first two books more (especially the second book, A Highlander's Passion). This third book pushed me past my ability to suspend my disbelief, I'm afraid, but I still look back fondly on this bear shifter trilogy. 

Do you remember what you were reading ten years ago? Have you read any of these books, and if so, what did you think? 

Following in the footsteps of Deb of Readerbuzz - With all the worries and stressors in life, 

I want to highlight some of the good, even the seemingly small stuff. 

1. Whenever Mouse has an orthodontist appointment in the afternoons, we often will stop in at the mall and wander around. One of those times was this past week. We had such a fun time! She let me read some of her writing over pretzels and drinks, and we chatted about school and whatever else that came to mind. 

2. Nina may not be the most affectionate cat, but she does like to hang out in the same room with is. Here she has her eyes covered with her paws as she naps in the family room as I read. 

3. Tonight was the school marching band and color guard barbecue and open house for family and friends. It was a fun time. The kids played for us and performed the first song from their field show. Everyone was invited to stay for the rest of the rehearsal after if we wanted to, and while a lot of people left, many stayed as well. My mom, Anjin, and I had already planned on staying, so got to see them rehearse the second song of their three song field show. I am always impressed with how the choreography comes together, with so many moving parts (or people, as the case may be). 

 

I hope you have a great week! Let me know what you have been reading!

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