Book & Social Club Okanagan
this month’s feature
By SHELBY VAN PELT
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.
Ever the detective, Marcellus deduces what happened the night Tova’s son disappeared. And now Marcellus must use every trick his old invertebrate body can muster to unearth the truth for her before it’s too late.
Shelby Van Pelt’s debut novel is a gentle reminder that sometimes taking a hard look at the past can help uncover a future that once felt impossible.
next books on the shelf
By ASHLEY ELSTON
By JOANNA COCKERLINE
What is Apricus?
Apricus isn’t your average book club. It’s a community of people who come together not just to read, but to connect, laugh, and make a difference.
Each year, our members support a local charity through our annual membership donation of $60. This year, we’re proud to partner with Third Space Charity, who provide “pay what you can” counselling across the Okanagan and host community events that bring people together. Your donation goes straight into our charity fund, and because it’s an official charitable contribution, you’ll also receive a tax receipt.
Our book clubs are hosted in private spaces at restaurants, breweries, wineries, and local venues throughout the Okanagan. Members simply cover their own food and drinks at each gathering, keeping things simple and flexible. In the summer, we add in outdoor BYO picnic-style socials.
Alongside book discussions and social nights, Apricus also organises volunteer days with our charity partner and casual extras like hikes or creative workshops when possible. Together, we raised over $25,000 for Mamas for Mamas last year through donations and hands-on support, and we’re just getting started.
At Apricus, we believe that stories connect us, friendships sustain us, and community gives us purpose. Join us and be part of something meaningful, where every page we turn together helps write a brighter story for someone else.
my story
My name is Meaghan. Since the age of 19, I have been in the emergency field, helping others. First, I became a firefighter in my small town. After that, I moved into Search and Rescue, where I spent my weekends hiking up mountains to rescue people. Then, I decided to join the RCMP and become a police officer. Ten years later, here I am today. I won’t say that the career choices I have made were easy on me; I have suffered from PTSD for several years now. But before you start to feel too upset, this is where my story—and the story of this book club—begins.
My passion for helping people has always taken first place in my life, but the way I have chosen to do it has also taken a toll on my mental health. I started going for long walks, and one day, I decided to listen to an audiobook. Before anyone gets upset that I listen to audiobooks instead of reading hard copies, let me explain: I am a mom, I am healing, I am busy, and I am doing my best. Let me tell you, though, this was LIFE-CHANGING. I was getting lost in fiction novels every month and mourning the end of each one. I found a beautiful hobby that brought me out of some low moments.
I realized that there is nothing better than being able to talk with someone after reading an amazing novel—getting their point of view, crying over the characters together, and then watching the movies and complaining that they are nothing like the book! I started planning how I could incorporate my love of fiction novels, the support of others, and still help my community. Then, out of nowhere, Apricus was imagined.
upcoming events
Social Event-
REMARKABLY BRIGHT CREATURES, NOV 30 7PM
Social Event-
FIRST LIE WINS, JAN 25 7PM
Social Event-
STILL, MARCH 29 7PM
my story
My name is Meaghan. Since the age of 19, I have been in the emergency field, helping others. First, I became a firefighter in my small town. After that, I moved into Search and Rescue, where I spent my weekends hiking up mountains to rescue people. Then, I decided to join the RCMP and become a police officer. Ten years later, here I am today. I won’t say that the career choices I have made were easy on me; I have suffered from PTSD for several years now. But before you start to feel too upset, this is where my story—and the story of this book club—begins.
My passion for helping people has always taken first place in my life, but the way I have chosen to do it has also taken a toll on my mental health. I started going for long walks, and one day, I decided to listen to an audiobook. Before anyone gets upset that I listen to audiobooks instead of reading hard copies, let me explain: I am a mom, I am healing, I am busy, and I am doing my best. Let me tell you, though, this was LIFE-CHANGING. I was getting lost in fiction novels every month and mourning the end of each one. I found a beautiful hobby that brought me out of some low moments.
I realized that there is nothing better than being able to talk with someone after reading an amazing novel—getting their point of view, crying over the characters together, and then watching the movies and complaining that they are nothing like the book! I started planning how I could incorporate my love of fiction novels, the support of others, and still help my community. Then, out of nowhere, Apricus was imagined.
Questions & Answers
this month’s feature
REMARKABLY BRIGHT CREATURES
By SHELBY VAN PELT
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.
Ever the detective, Marcellus deduces what happened the night Tova’s son disappeared. And now Marcellus must use every trick his old invertebrate body can muster to unearth the truth for her before it’s too late.
Shelby Van Pelt’s debut novel is a gentle reminder that sometimes taking a hard look at the past can help uncover a future that once felt impossible.
Questions & Answers
my story
My name is Meaghan. Since the age of 19, I have been in the emergency field, helping others. First, I became a firefighter in my small town. After that, I moved into Search and Rescue, where I spent my weekends hiking up mountains to rescue people. Then, I decided to join the RCMP and become a police officer. Ten years later, here I am today. I won’t say that the career choices I have made were easy on me; I have suffered from PTSD for several years now. But before you start to feel too upset, this is where my story—and the story of this book club—begins.
My passion for helping people has always taken first place in my life, but the way I have chosen to do it has also taken a toll on my mental health. I started going for long walks, and one day, I decided to listen to an audiobook. Before anyone gets upset that I listen to audiobooks instead of reading hard copies, let me explain: I am a mom, I am healing, I am busy, and I am doing my best. Let me tell you, though, this was LIFE-CHANGING. I was getting lost in fiction novels every month and mourning the end of each one. I found a beautiful hobby that brought me out of some low moments.
I realized that there is nothing better than being able to talk with someone after reading an amazing novel—getting their point of view, crying over the characters together, and then watching the movies and complaining that they are nothing like the book! I started planning how I could incorporate my love of fiction novels, the support of others, and still help my community. Then, out of nowhere, Apricus was imagined.
this month’s feature
REMARKABLY BRIGHT CREATURES
By SHELBY VAN PELT
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.
Ever the detective, Marcellus deduces what happened the night Tova’s son disappeared. And now Marcellus must use every trick his old invertebrate body can muster to unearth the truth for her before it’s too late.
Shelby Van Pelt’s debut novel is a gentle reminder that sometimes taking a hard look at the past can help uncover a future that once felt impossible.
next books on the shelf
BY JOANNA COCKERLINE
By ASHLEY ELSTON