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UW Alumni Book Club

Personal stories, timely topics, transformative fiction… Let’s dig into some amazing books together! All curious readers are welcome at the UW Alumni Book Club.Together, we read a book about every two months. Choose just one or all five — whatever works for you.

“So often we think of reading as a solo activity, but with discussion it improves and elevates the experience.”
—Marilyn Conover Watt, ’76, ’81

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Now Reading:

Remarkably Bright Creatures book cover

Readers’ Choice:
“Remarkably Bright Creatures”

by Shelby Van Pelt

Reading Period: Aug. 2–Oct. 4, 2024

New York Times Bestseller! Tova, a stubborn widow, is on the cleaning crew of her small town’s aquarium. Marcellus, a snarky octopus, is a keen observer of humanity. Set in Puget Sound, this quirky bestselling novel follows their cross-species friendship as it sends ripples across the community.

Shelby Van Pelt
Born and raised in the Pacific Northwest, Shelby Van Pelt now lives in the Chicago area with her husband and children. This is her debut novel.

“Infused with heartfelt humor, Van Pelt’s elegant portrait of a widowed woman who finds understanding and connection with a clever octopus is refreshingly, if surprisingly, relatable.” — Elle

Get your copy:

University Book Store logo

UW Alumni Book Club readers can save 20% on “Remarkably Bright Creatures.” Use code UWAAVANPELT in-store and at online.

*Some restrictions apply. Visit ubookstore.com/disclaimer for full details. Coupon code must be given to cashier to receive discount in-store. Valid through October 13, 2024.

Online Author Talk:

An Exploration of Friendship, Reckoning and Hope with novelist Shelby Van Pelt
Presented by Sno-Isle Libraries

Wed. Aug. 21, 2024 | 4 p.m. PDT | Online

Sno-Isle Libraries of Washington State is hosting an online author chat with the author of “Remarkably Bright Creatures,” and they have extended a warm welcome to members of the UW Alumni Book Club to join the fun! You don’t want to miss this deep-dive exploration of friendship, reckoning and hope — a reminder that sometimes taking a hard look at the past can help uncover a future that once felt impossible. This event is free to the public, but registration is required.

Campus Connections:

The Mysterious Mind of the Octopus

Oregon Public Broadcasting visited the UW’s Friday Harbor Laboratories in 2022. They interviewed Dominic Sivitilli, ’15, ’23, who researches how each tentacle of an octopus can think for itself. (The video also features Lizbeth, a giant Pacific octopus who is great at solving puzzles for shrimp snacks!)

Watch the Video

Octopus Self-Destruct System

The lifespan of an octopus is surprisingly short. Z. Yan Wang of the UW Departments of Psychology and Biology studies the nervous systems of octopuses to better understand their death processes. She discusses her research in this 17-minute interview on the Science Friday radio show, recorded in 2022.

Hear the interview

Up Next:

“James”
by Percival Everett

Reading Period: Oct. 11–Dec. 13, 2024

New York Times Bestseller! Revisit Mark Twain’s classic tale from the point of view of Jim, the enslaved man who escapes down the Mississippi River with Huck Finn. This audacious reimagining shows Jim to be a masterful code-switcher, navigating perilous situations with layers of nuance and insight. Funny, philosophical and terrifying by turns, Everett shines a light on the tactical brilliance that our hero uses to move through a dangerous world.

2024-2025 Reading List

Remarkably Bright Creatures

Reading Period:
Aug. 2–Oct. 4

James

Reading Period:
Oct. 11–Dec. 13

Readers Choice

Reading Period:
Jan. 3–Mar. 7

There's Always This Year

Reading Period:
Mar. 14–May 16

Readers Choice

Reading Period:
May 23–July 25

Two authors from this season’s book list — Percival Everett and Hanif Abdurraqib — will be speaking at Seattle Arts & Lectures this year! UWAA members and UW Alumni Book Club participants save 20% on subscriptions, tickets, and digital passes for all events in the Seattle Arts & Lectures 2024/25 season. UWAA members can find their discount code at the member benefit page, and book club readers will find the info on the UW Alumni Book Club online forum.