The Soul of an Octopus: A Surprising Exploration Into the Wonder of Consciousness by Sy Montgomery
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I knew I would find this book enchanting, even before I read it, as I've been fascinated by marine life consciousness these last few years. From the first pages, I found the author's writing familiar and inviting, taking us up close and personal, enchanting us--like she had been--with the stroke of an octopus.

I also felt the author's disappointment with each loss, and the wonder at each new love. The quirky aquarium staff and characters further humanized the story and though their entrances were brief, I experienced them each as three-dimensional and worth getting to know.

At times I felt like the story would never end (and it wasn't necessarily a story I didn't want to end...) but given the individual relationships with each octopus, I can see why the author strung out the story as she did.

I am left fully aware that the octopus is one of the earth's most misunderstood creatures, having gotten a really bad rap, while in fact it is, as the author suggests, possibly one of the most wise and wondrous, as would be an intelligent being from outer space.

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The Midnight Library by Matt Haig
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I was drawn into The Midnight Library when the main character (Nora's) depression surfaced as "I don't really feel like living any more," which eventually points to existential depression. This resonated with me and I've talked to at least half a dozen women for whom it is the same. My life is good, everything's going along fine, but I'm kinda over it all.

Nora's exploration of the different paths and exponential possible outcomes for every action taken in life, is intriguing up to a point. If it were "new" to me, I would've been more fascinated, but this is a familiar topic so it didn't blow me away, by any means.

What did keep me reading, however, was that Matt Haig identified this malaise and has authentically experienced it himself. I felt slightly less alone in the darkness.

As for Nora and how it all wraps up, I'll leave that for the reader. Hint: I did smile and have a moment with myself, especially after the Jean Paul-Sartre quote:
"Life begins on the other side of despair."

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