Best-Selling Novel With Upcoming Film Adaptation Is Named Among the 'Best Books of the Decade'
Best-Selling Novel With Upcoming Film Adaptation Is Named Among the 'Best Books of the Decade'
Carly SilvaTue, April 14, 2026 at 4:30 AM UTC
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A fan-favorite novel by Shelby Van Pelt is considered one of the best books of the decade (so far), according to Goodreads.
2022 bestseller Remarkably Bright Creatures — which is being adapted into a Netflix film starring Sally Field— is named on the book reviewing platform's list of the Best Books of the Decade, which ranks the top books released between 2020 and 2029.
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Van Pelt's Remarkably Bright Creatures is included on the list at #17, behind a slew of other modern favorites, like Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros (2023) and Andy Weir's Project Hail Mary (2021.) The book currently ranked as the #1 read of the 2020s decade is The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by V.E. Schwab (2020.)
Remarkably Bright Creatures follows the story of Tova, a 70-year-old widow still coping with the disappearance of her son 30 years prior. After taking up a job at the Sowell Bay Aquarium, Tova forms unique bond with an unlikely friend, a giant Pacific octopus named Marcellus, who ultimately helps her uncover the truth about her son's disappearance.
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With an average Goodreads rating of 4.6/5 stars, Van Pelt's debut novel is adored by fans across the globe, selling over 2 million copies worldwide, per Audible. It was selected as the Read With Jenna Book Club pick in May 2022, and has been nominated for a number of various accolades, including the Goodreads Choice Awards for Readers' Favorite Fiction and Readers' Favorite Debut Novel of 2022.
The heartwarming story is being adapted into a film at Netflix, with Sally Field playing the role of Tova, marking her first movie role since 2023. The film will also star Alfred Molina as the voice of Marcellus, plus performances from Lewis Pullman, Colm Meaney, Dan Payne and more.
Remarkably Bright Creatures releases on Netflix May 6.
Related: 2005 Film Based on a Classic Book Is One of the 'Most Rewatched' Romance Movies Ever
This story was originally published by Parade on Apr 14, 2026, where it first appeared in the News section. Add Parade as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Source: “AOL Entertainment”
