Lincoln City Libraries picks Shelby Van Pelt novel for community reading program

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) – Lincoln City Libraries on Monday selected “Remarkably Bright Creatures” for its community reading program.

The One Book One Lincoln program encourages adults in the city and Lancaster County to read and discuss a particular book, officials said.

“Remarkably Bright Creatures,” the debut novel from Shelby Van Pelt, was one of 125 nominations for the reading program.

The New York Times bestseller is “charming, compulsively readable, and full of wit,” the city said in a press release.

“’Remarkably Bright Creatures’ by Shelby Van Pelt is a poignant tale that touches your heart and engages your imagination,” said Mayor Leirion Gaylor Baird in the release. “As Lincoln embarks on this literary journey together, we explore the intricate threads of our connections, the beauty that surrounds us, and the boundless potential within. ‘Remarkably Bright Creatures’ is more than a book – it’s a catalyst for conversations that matter.”

The runners-up for the 2023 program were “Demon Copperhead” by Barbary Kingsolver and “Four Treasures of the Sky” by Jenny Tinghui Zhang, city officials said.

Events, including a virtual author visit, are being planned for September and October.

Lincoln City Libraries has sponsored the annual reading program since 2002.  More information on the program can be found on the library’s website.