Books n Brunch PGH Area

The Soul of an Octopus by Sy Montgomery is a nonfiction book that explores the intelligence, consciousness, and personalities of octopuses through the author's immersive experiences at the New England Aquarium, where she forms bonds with individual octopuses like Athena, Octavia, Kali, and Karma. Blending memoir with scientific study, the book details their problem-solving abilities, unique behaviors, and the profound connections they form with humans, challenging our understanding of consciousness and what it means to be alive.

Key themes and content:

Octopus intelligence:

The book highlights the octopus's remarkable cognitive abilities, such as escaping enclosures, using tools, and communicating through color changes, challenging the traditional view of them as simple creatures.

Individual personalities:

Montgomery focuses on specific octopuses, giving them names and describing their distinct personalities, showing they are not just animals but individuals with unique traits.

Consciousness and the "soul":

Through her interactions, Montgomery investigates the question of octopus consciousness, exploring if these creatures possess a "soul" and what their existence can teach us about the meeting of different minds.

Immersion journalism:

The narrative is built on Montgomery's firsthand experiences, including touching and interacting with the octopuses, making it a personal and engaging read.

Scientific and philosophical exploration:

It combines scientific facts about cephalopods with philosophical reflections on intelligence, empathy, and the nature of life, making it both informative and moving.

Rating:
4.4/5
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Goodreads
Stoner is a 1965 novel by John Williams that follows the life of William Stoner, a quiet man born to a poor farming family who becomes an English professor, experiencing a life of quiet disappointment, professional struggles, and a difficult marriage, ultimately finding solace in literature and an unlikely love affair. The book is celebrated for its beautiful, understated prose and its profound exploration of an ordinary life, making it a modern classic that resonates with readers through its depiction of solitude, love, and the search for meaning.

Rating:
3.9/5
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Goodreads
The Library Book by Susan Orlean is a non-fiction work that uses the unsolved 1986 arson at the Los Angeles Public Library (LAPL) as a starting point to explore the history, evolution, and crucial role of libraries in society. Through deep research and personal reflection, Orlean investigates the fire, profiles librarians and patrons, and examines the broader significance of libraries as community cornerstones, especially in the digital age. It's a blend of true crime, history, and a love letter to the institution of the library.

Goodreads Choice AwardNominee for Readers' Favorite Fiction (2021)

Patrick, or Gay Uncle Patrick (GUP, for short), has always loved his niece, Maisie, and nephew, Grant. That is, he loves spending time with them when they come out to Palm Springs for weeklong visits, or when he heads home to Connecticut for the holidays. But in terms of caretaking and relating to two children, no matter how adorable, Patrick is honestly a bit out of his league.

So when tragedy strikes and Maisie and Grant lose their mother and Patrick’s brother has a health crisis of his own, Patrick finds himself suddenly taking on the role of primary guardian. Despite having a set of “Guncle Rules” ready to go, Patrick has no idea what to expect, having spent years barely holding on after the loss of his great love, a somewhat-stalled career, and a lifestyle not-so-suited to a six- and a nine-year-old. Quickly realizing that parenting—even if temporary—isn’t solved with treats and jokes, Patrick’s eyes are opened to a new sense of responsibility, and the realization that, sometimes, even being larger than life means you’re unfailingly human.