Octopuses have been in the spotlight over the past few years. Netflix made a documentary called My Octopus Teacher. Comedian John Oliver did a skit about them. The Washington Post declared “The octopus is officially having a moment.”
And then, of course, there’s “that octopus book” that’s been on bestseller lists for years: Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt.
But Remarkably Bright Creatures isn’t the only popular book about octopus intelligence and the majesty of these creatures. Before that, there was The Soul of an Octopus by Sy Montgomery, which is probably where the sea change for the octopus craze began.
Whether you’re wondering what all the fuss is about regarding octopuses, or you’ve already read some octopus books and want more, this list of eight books (’ey!) is sure to grab your attention.
1. The Soul of an Octopus by Sy Montgomery
No one intrigues or inspires quite as much as author, naturalist, and animal-lover Montgomery. As already mentioned, Montgomery’s story is a great starting point into octopus books and a must-read for anyone who may have read Remarkably Bright Creatures sans much previous knowledge of cephalopods.
The Soul of an Octopus is an education on — and a love letter to — one of the most clever and emotionally intelligent animals in the sea. As in all of her books, Montgomery isn’t afraid to dive in and get her hands dirty, exploring alongside the octopuses while showing the utmost respect.
2. Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt
In a lot of ways, it feels like The Soul of an Octopus swam into readers’ hearts so that Remarkably Bright Creatures — a fictional take on a human and octopus relationship where the octopus narrates part of the story — could give readers a hug and never let go.
Van Pelt’s debut follows grief-stricken Tova as she works at the local aquarium. There, she befriends Marcellus, an octopus who possesses knowledge deeper than most humans can fathom. Their friendship grows as Marcellus helps Tova solve the mysterious disappearance of her son — a tragedy that has plagued her for decades.
Remarkably Bright Creatures is creative and comforting, especially for animal lovers.
3. Other Minds by Peter Godfrey-Smith
As we’ve already learned, the octopus is an inherently fascinating creature. But this book takes a different point of view about octopus intelligence than the aforementioned entries on this list, leaning more toward philosophy than natural science or narrative magical realism.
Other Minds ventures to the depths of the ocean’s wonders to marvel at what we’ve learned about octopus minds, and by extension, how those findings affect our understanding of consciousness. Godfrey-Smith is both a philosopher of science and an experienced diver, but perhaps more importantly, he’s an exquisite writer and an empathetic explorer.
4. The Mountain in the Sea by Ray Nayler
Remarkably Bright Creatures is to The Soul of an Octopus what The Mountain in the Sea is to Other Minds: A fictionalized take on the threat and promise of octopus consciousness.
In this Locus Award-winning debut science fiction novel, a species of octopus is found to have not just high intelligence and deep consciousness, but also possible language skills, which intrigues marine biologist Dr. Ha Nguyen. The octopuses also appear to be trying to understand people, creating an existential threat to humanity, which has made great advances in AI but still fears aliens and alien-like creatures.
A philosophical techno-thriller-cum-dystopia with contemplative prose, The Mountain in the Sea will have you seeing octopuses — and yourself — differently than before. “I think what we fear most about finding a mind equal to our own, but of another species is that they will truly see us — and find us lacking, and turn away from us in disgust,” says Dr. Ha in this novel.
5. The Lady and the Octopus by Danna Staaf
Did you know that one of the first marine biologists studying octopuses, particularly argonauts, was a woman? And that she was the one who first realized octopuses can use tools, among other discoveries?
Staaf’s work of nonfiction is an accessible biography of Jeanne Villepreux-Power, a woman scientist born in the late 1700s who established some of the first findings about how intelligent octopuses are. She also created the first aquariums.
The Lady and the Octopus is a hidden history of two fascinating subjects.
6. How to Put an Octopus to Bed by Sherri Duskey Rinker, illustrated by Viviane Schwarz
Get little ones interested in octopuses at a young age — and make sure they brush their teeth each night — with this colorful and silly children’s bedtime story from the author of Goodnight, Goodnight, Construction Site.
Floyd, a young octopus, is bursting with energy, even though it’s approaching his bedtime. The story follows his parents as they try to put Floyd to bed with minimal bubble bath hijinks.
7. Many Things Under a Rock by David Scheel
If you’re looking for a straightforward scientific text about octopuses, look no further than this book by marine biologist Scheel.
Many Things Under a Rock compiles Scheel’s decades of research into octopuses, from whether these tentacled creatures dream to how climate change is affecting them. For every question answered, another two arise — which is part of the allure and mystique of cephalopods.
Despite how much there is left to learn, Scheel is determined to leave no stone unturned.
8. The Octopus by Frank Norris
Only a metaphorical octopus occupies the pages of this classic work of American literature about the railroad industry specifically and the ills of capitalism broadly.
In the late 1800s and early 1900s, political cartoons often portrayed transportation and energy monopolies as evil octopuses with a tentacle meddling in every aspect of the economy. Within that environment, Norris’ social novel — about the struggle of farmers in the San Joaquin Valley due to the exploitative prices and practices of the Pacific and Southwestern Railroad company — was conceived.
