Nonfiction: Secrets of the Octopus by Sy Montgomery

This beautifully illustrated book explores the alluring underwater world of the octopus—a creature that resembles an alien lifeform, but whose behavior has earned it a reputation as one of the most intelligent animals on the planet. The author reveals how the large and capable brain of these creatures occupies their whole body–not just their heads—and they can actually adjust their genetic makeup to respond to the demands of the environment. And the work divulges how octopus mothers give their all in order to bring forth a new generation. With this offering, acclaimed author Sy Montgomery—known, thanks to her bestselling book, as the "octopus whisperer"—returns to the species she knows and loves, offering current and compassionate stories about the scientists on the front lines of octopus research and conservation.
A companion book to the National Geographic 3-part television special of the same name from 2024.