Mid-Columbia Reads 2025
In partnership with Columbia Basin College, Mid-Columbia Libraries is proud to welcome New York Times bestselling novelist Shelby Van Pelt for this year's Mid-Columbia Reads literary festival. The author will present Thursday, Nov. 13 at 7 pm at the Columbia Basin College Gjerde Center, located at 2600 N. 20th Ave. in Pasco. This event is free and open to the public and will not require tickets. As part of the Mid-Columbia Reads program, Mid-Columbia Libraries will be giving away copies of "Remarkably Bright Creatures," while supplies last. Additional books will be available for purchase at the event through Barnes & Noble.
- Doors open, 6 pm
- Author presentation followed by Q&A, 7 pm
“Humans. For the most part, you are dull and blundering. But occasionally, you can be remarkably bright creatures.” -Shelby Van Pelt
Shelby Van Pelt is the New York Times bestselling author of “Remarkably Bright Creatures,” a breakout debut novel that became a book club favorite and has sold over two million copies.
Since its release, has been translated into multiple languages, earning critical acclaim and a devoted readership. The novel was a Read with Jenna Today Show Book Club pick and is currently being adapted for Netflix.
Van Pelt grew up in the Pacific Northwest and now lives in the suburbs of Chicago with her family. Before becoming a novelist, she worked in tech and wrote short stories. She began writing her debut novel during National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo), proving that it’s never too late—or too unexpected—to start telling your story.
When she’s not writing, she’s likely reading, enjoying nature, or spending time with her two kids and two cats. Learn more about the author at shelbyvanpelt.com.
The Mid-Columbia Reads literary festival takes place Oct. 1 through Nov. 13. Stop by your local library after Oct. 1 to take home a free copy of Van Pelt's "remarkably "Bright Creatures," while supplies last.
This program encourages communities throughout the Mid-Columbia region to engage with the same books and come together to explore and celebrate the written and spoken word. We strive to build community through the collective experience of reading, thinking, and discussing ideas and themes that raise important social issues while also building future readers in our region.
Remarkably Bright Creatures:
After Tova Sullivan’s husband died, she began working the night shift at the Sowell Bay Aquarium, mopping floors and tidying up. Keeping busy has always helped her cope, which she’s been doing since her eighteen-year-old son, Erik, mysteriously vanished on a boat in Puget Sound over thirty years ago.
Tova becomes acquainted with curmudgeonly Marcellus, a giant Pacific octopus living at the aquarium. Marcellus knows more than anyone can imagine but wouldn’t dream of lifting one of his eight arms for his human captors—until he forms a remarkable friendship with Tova.
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