Accepted Reads – Part 6
Welcome back to Accepted Reads! If you've been following along, we wrapped up Part 5 at the end of summer, but now we’re relaunching for spring and summer with five more parts. Whether you’re looking for something thought-provoking, heartwarming, or mind-expanding, this next set of books has something for you. Let’s dive in.
So Big – Edna Ferber
This classic might not be on everyone’s radar, but it should be. So Big follows Selina Peake, a young woman who goes from city life in Chicago to the tough, rural world of a Dutch farming community. It’s a story about resilience, ambition, and the tension between artistic passion and financial success. Ferber’s writing is sharp, and her characters feel real—flawed, determined, and shaped by the choices they make. It’s a book that asks what we truly value in life and whether success is about money, recognition, or something deeper.
Remarkably Bright Creatures – Shelby Van Pelt
If you’ve ever wished an octopus could narrate part of a novel, this one’s for you. (And if you haven’t, trust me, it works.) This novel weaves together the lives of a grieving widow, a struggling young man, and an incredibly perceptive giant Pacific octopus named Marcellus. It’s about loss, connection, and second chances, but it never feels heavy-handed. The heart of the book is its message: sometimes the most unexpected relationships help us find our way.
Merlin’s Tour of the Universe (Latest Edition) – Neil deGrasse Tyson
Astrophysics can feel intimidating, but not when Neil deGrasse Tyson is leading the tour. This book takes big cosmic ideas and makes them feel accessible—like you’re chatting with a really smart, funny friend who just happens to know everything about the universe. It covers everything from black holes to the possibility of alien life, but in a way that’s engaging and easy to digest. If you’ve ever looked up at the night sky and felt a mix of wonder and curiosity, this book is for you.
That’s it for this round! We’ve got four more parts coming this season, so stay tuned for more books worth adding to your list. Let me know if you pick any of these up—I’d love to hear what you think!
