How To Be A Good Creature By Sy Montgomery - Review by Sy Jessica Gentry

A book that has stayed with me for a long time and that I will re-read, whether that’s in part or in entirety, is How to be a Good Creature by Sy Montgomery. Each chapter focuses on a different animal that the author raised, studied, or interacted with.. Montgomery reflects on the personality of each animal and the relationship she built with them, as well as the lessons she learned from each experience that helped shape her life. Each creature, whether it was a tarantula or a dog, left an impact, and I loved being able to empathize with how important the creatures in our lives are. It was humbling to think that if we get too wrapped up in our own lives, we could miss out on opportunities to learn from the smallest living things that show up in our lives and offer us a necessary perspective. I especially loved the chapter on the octopus, which led me to discover her other book, Soul of an Octopus. This book brought me to the realization that I am just a speck in a world full of creatures working collaboratively for our life experiences. It can also be read on a superficial level, in which each chapter is a unique story about a different creature and the adventures the author had with that creature. This book is one of my feel-good favorites, and I highly recommend it as an easy, accessible pick-up and put-down book for when you need to escape your own world.