Welcome to Litsy!

Oh Marcellus… you beautiful brilliant creature. Gods this book was a great read! I listened to Marcellus‘ chapters on the audio book and whoever narrated him should have all the hugs. I will admit that I am still crying… and I may have outright sobbed, just a bit. A million and one stars ✨

I cannot believe I relate so much to this octopus 🐙…

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️5/5
This book felt like a hug. I really needed it. 🩵

Octopus are fascinating animals and I really enjoyed this book. I love Marcellus and just wished (as many other reviewers noted) he had a larger role in the story. His sections were my favorite to read 🐙

A story of loss and finding one‘s way as shown from the perspective of 70 year old Tova, 30 year old Cameron, and a 4 year old octopus named Marcellus. I had high expectations for this book and I must admit it fell a little short mostly because I couldn‘t stand one of the characters and was begging for more interaction with Marcellus😆 pictured is my remarkably maybe not the brightest creature Finan😍

As of page 147: I do not like Cameron at all. But I‘ll finish the book anyway.

Will it live up to the hype?

After 4 months, my hold has come in.

5 ⭐️!

I enjoyed the alternating perspectives in this novel. However, the book summary felt somewhat misleading—I found it revolved more around Tova than Marcellus, the octopus. I thought the octopus would play a larger role in the story. The pacing is slow, but the ending was satisfying. I'd recommend this book to others who enjoy character-driven stories. It's an enjoyable read but not deeply impactful.

#WondrousWednesday Thanks for the tag!!
🍂 I only read one book in August, so that was easy 🤭
🍎 It depends on the book. Some books are better read as paperbacks and others make good audiobooks. Ebooks are more of a last resort.
🍁 Based on my Goodreads shelves, fantasy is my most read genre ✨

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It‘s taken me far to long to work through this audiobook but I finally made some good progress while I was painting this weekend. It is so so so good! #LitsyLoveReads

This one ended up being more of a soft pick for me. I really loved Tova and Marcellus; their unlikely friendship really warmed my heart. However, I really couldn‘t stand Cameron. He was such a drag to the story, and his whiny and entitled personality were the worst. I also felt weird about Ethan. I didn‘t feel like Tova ever really welcomed his advances and felt like she was a bit forced to accept the situation. It made me feel a little uneasy.

Was skeptical when a co-worker recommended a book about an octopus 🐙 it‘s not just about an octopus but he‘s pretty great

Love to see this!! Sally Fields will be amazing in this!!

I am the odd one out, aren't I?! 🤣
Bail at page 245.
I wanted to love this, but I found it tedious. I loved Marcellus, but Cameron was an insufferable man child. I just didn't want to pick the book up. I feel this was raved about too much, so I was expecting it to be incredible. A typical example of far too much hype for a book, in my opinion.

Another book club read. This one was an absolute joy! I loved Tova, she was so sweet and it was nice to see her find a more satisfying happiness in her life. Marcellus the octopus was obviously amazing, I loved the chapters from his POV, especially the narration. Michael Urie's tone was everything. This is a very character-driven story, which I love. It's a wonderful representation of a supportive community

#two4tuesday @TheSpineView

1. I keep so many to-do lists!
2. Tagged- absolutely love this book!

@BethM @JenReadsAlot @peaKnit

🥹🥹 Marcellus 🐙

#CatsofLitsy

Kindle deal alert! Darling book!

Definitely felt appropriate to finish reading this on the beach on holiday. Such a sweet book, I loved Marcellus‘ musings on human life - I would have enjoyed more of these. Tova sounds a formidable lady.

Thank you for the recommendation @Bookbuyingaddict

5🌟
I loved this! A perfect read for summer. 🐙 Great characters!

What a lovely book. Beautifully written, a meditation on family and relationships and the bonds that we form. Who knew that an empathetic octopus could bring such genuine feeling to a story, or that the simple way of telling it would make it so perfect? There weren‘t really any surprises, but this book doesn‘t need them — it stands on its unique perspectives and characters, and genuine heart. Absolutely loved it.

A beautiful view for reading this most gorgeous Canada Day. Feeling very lucky☺️🇨🇦

Finally getting to this one — I‘ve heard so many good things I‘m really looking forward to it!

This month‘s book club pick! I loved it. I had been meaning to read this one for a while, so I‘m glad book club finally made me. I wanted more chapters from the perspective of the octopus—he was so funny! It was very well written, emotionally intelligent, and heartwarming. I could have done with fewer descriptions of eels, though!!

I hate characters with age crisis and 30-yo Cameron thought several times how old he was. And 70-yo Tova was living like she had one leg in the grave already. Depressing. I didn't like Cameron: he was lazy & wanted to find his father for the money. Marcellus was awesome!

I was surprised how this was mentioned as a feel-good book somewhere. The ending was happy but it was too coincidental to my liking.

I definitely had too high expectations.

Teetering on the edge of a "Pick" for me - my biggest complaint about this one is just how idealistic this story is. Everything is tied up in a neat little bow - not something I'm a fan of as a reader.

The characters are rich in personality, and the world-building is lush. A quick read, for sure!

This book deals with a lot of heavy subjects, but only at arms length - an edgy summertime/beach read, but lacking some substance for me.

Library book group chose this witty, moving book about a sarcastic octopus, Marcellus, & a widow finding new & unusual friends (like octopi & grumpy Scottish grocers) late in life. Wouldn‘t have been one I would pick, but it was moving, memorable & featured the best sarcastic octopus ever! Surprised by how much I enjoyed this! 5 stars. #litfic #womenover60 #octopusnarrator

Worth the wait?!?

#libraryhold

So good! Loving this library book group pic. The narrator reading the Pacific Octopus‘ chapter is brilliant!

The premise of this book is odd, but I enjoyed it. An octopus befriends an older woman Tova and helps her solve a mystery about her son. In some ways, the storyline is tied up too neatly, but I still found the story endearing and sweet.

I found this book, and Marcellus the octopus, completely charming ❤️

This was one of the most beautiful endings to a book. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Expand Your Horizons 2024: read a book with an animal on the cover ✔️

It took me a bit to understand the flow of the book with multiple POVs, including a perceptive, aging octopus. Brilliantly woven together.

At first I wasn‘t so sure, but I very much enjoyed this charming story about a rather clever and articulate giant Pacific Octopus, and a motley collection of lonely characters trying to sort out questions about their past. It‘s a sweet page turner.

Already 1/3 through! Such a great match for reading by the ocean.

I thought I had packed my next #LMPBC book for vacation but evidently didn‘t. I‘ll start that next week. So I picked this up and think I will be done before we have to head home! Loving it so far!!

Just starting this.... Had forgotten the premise 🐙

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I LOVED this book. I loved all of the characters and was excited to see where this would go. The writing made it predictable in a fun way.
I was curious, so I looked up some octopus videos. And let's just say, this octopus is way cuter 🐙

03.16.2024

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

This book gets all the stars!!! I absolutely loved Tova and Marcellus! ❤️ Truly, a wondrous story that is unlike anything else I've read. 😁

Side note: The narrator had a great voice which made listening to this #audiobook very pleasant.

#animalpov #springskies @Eggs @Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks

Read in February 2024

This was a heartwarming story. I liked and care about Tova and Marcellus. There were predictable parts and others I think were a little abrupt specially that ending. But still, I liked it, how Tova went through her grief, her loneliness, her second chance in life to be with other persons she care❤️3.8⭐️

This may well end up my favorite book of the year.
🧡🐙

Yes, I will be ditching Luckiest Girl Alive for this!

Heart warming story 🐙

I love me some op shopping down time. Had a discount card on this day a while back too as I had 5 stamps on my card. It gives you a discount on the clothes. Woo hoo!

Humans for the most part you are dull and blundering, but occasionally you can be remarkably bright creatures “ 🐙 🥰 what a great book I really do hope someone turns this little gem into a film , so far my favourite read of ‘24 & soooo glad 😌 read it on holiday so could give it the full attention it deserves