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oldandnewbooksmell's review
informative
inspiring
fast-paced
5.0
Filled with beautiful National Geographic photography, Secrets of the Octopus explores the underwater world of the octopus and brings to light new information that affirms the underwater, alien-like creatures are one of the world’s most intelligent and complex creatures.
Y’all - this is my first nonfiction book that's not a memoir and/or wasn’t assigned to me in school (which, I’ve been out of school for 9 years, if that tells you anything…). I asked for an advance copy of this off NetGalley because that always gives me a little more pressure on myself to actually read the book and not just say I will. Plus, once I found out this was a companion novel for the newest special coming out, I wanted it even more. Oh man, am I glad I did.
Obviously being my first nonfiction novel, I haven’t read anything by Sy Montgomery before, but I really like her writing. It was informative but I never felt like I was just being thrown the science. It was written in a way that was easy to follow and understand. I was constantly screenshotting and highlighting things all the time. I read this in two days and then proceeded to chat my partner’s ear off about it over lunch the following day.
I learned so many things and am proud to say octopuses are my new favorite marine animal.
Overall, I believe anyone who picks up this book will be walking away a little bit more of a lover of these eight-legged saltwater creatures with this easy to digest novel. This will also get one excited for the miniseries coming out here soon.
*Thank you National Geographic and NetGalley for an advance digital copy of this book in exchange for an honest review
p_cynn's review against another edition
adventurous
informative
lighthearted
relaxing
slow-paced
4.0
intertidalkendy's review
hopeful
informative
reflective
fast-paced
5.0
Fascinating and informative exploration into the world of octopuses! “Soul of the Octopus” is one of my favorite books, Sy is a fantastic writer who evokes such love and compassion through her books. This one is no different.
I love all of the research that is shared in this book, a great insight into so many different avenues of studying and understanding a species. I love how researchers are highlighted but also aquarists and other octopus enthusiasts who aren’t necessarily experts in the field of science, but experts in their own ways. The individual information profiles on different species is also a great addition to the book.
The images in this book are STUNNING!! I also love the reminders of how we don’t need to relate to an animal to care for them and how important compassion is. Empathy comes from knowledge and I think this book does a wonderful job showing that.
I love all of the research that is shared in this book, a great insight into so many different avenues of studying and understanding a species. I love how researchers are highlighted but also aquarists and other octopus enthusiasts who aren’t necessarily experts in the field of science, but experts in their own ways. The individual information profiles on different species is also a great addition to the book.
The images in this book are STUNNING!! I also love the reminders of how we don’t need to relate to an animal to care for them and how important compassion is. Empathy comes from knowledge and I think this book does a wonderful job showing that.
I received a free ARC via NetGalley for this book. Thank you to the publisher and author!
ohclairebear's review
4.0
A huge thank you to this book’s publisher and NetGalley for letting me read this book in exchange for an honest review.
When I was a kid the first place my mom would make us go to, when we visited the Monterey Bay Aquarium, is to see the giant Pacific octopus. It’s always been one of my mom’s favorite animals. Of course they also hold a special place in my heart as well, but I always immediately associate them with my mom. When I saw this book I knew I had to read it.
Sy Montgomery does a great job at explaining the beauty and fascination behind these highly intelligent creatures. The book contains interesting research cases along with commentary from some of the world’s leading octopus experts. Breathtaking images of octopuses (I learned something new!) from around the world are shown throughout the book. The end includes 16 “Octoprofiles” about some of the discussed octopuses in the book. If you have any inclination to learn more about octopuses then this is a great start! You can bet that next time I see an octopus (probably in an aquarium but hopefully in a tide pool), I’ll look at them a little differently now.
Favorite quote:
“We are realizing that humans are not the only beings with sophisticated minds. Demonstrations of cognitive and emotional sophistication are all around us, even in the most unexpected characters.”
When I was a kid the first place my mom would make us go to, when we visited the Monterey Bay Aquarium, is to see the giant Pacific octopus. It’s always been one of my mom’s favorite animals. Of course they also hold a special place in my heart as well, but I always immediately associate them with my mom. When I saw this book I knew I had to read it.
Sy Montgomery does a great job at explaining the beauty and fascination behind these highly intelligent creatures. The book contains interesting research cases along with commentary from some of the world’s leading octopus experts. Breathtaking images of octopuses (I learned something new!) from around the world are shown throughout the book. The end includes 16 “Octoprofiles” about some of the discussed octopuses in the book. If you have any inclination to learn more about octopuses then this is a great start! You can bet that next time I see an octopus (probably in an aquarium but hopefully in a tide pool), I’ll look at them a little differently now.
Favorite quote:
“We are realizing that humans are not the only beings with sophisticated minds. Demonstrations of cognitive and emotional sophistication are all around us, even in the most unexpected characters.”
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