Sy Montgomery—poet and scientist, National Book Awards finalist, and New York Times bestselling author of The Soul of an Octopus: A Surprising Exploration into the Wonder of Consciousness—will join us to speak about her most recent book How to Be a Good Creature—A Memoir in Thirteen Animals.

Sy Montgomery has been chased by an angry silverback gorilla in Rwanda and hunted by a tiger in India. She has swum with piranhas, electric eels, and pink dolphins in the Amazon. Her work has taken her from the cloud forest of Papua New Guinea to the Altai Mountains of the Gobi. She has snorkeled with wild octopus in Mexico and French Polynesia and cage dived with great white sharks.

How to Be a Good Creature—A Memoir in Thirteen Animals reflects on the personalities and quirks of thirteen animals—Montgomery’s friends—and the truths revealed by their grace. She explores vast themes for both animals and people: otherness and sameness; love and empathy; loss and despair; passion; gratitude; forgiveness; and most of all, how to be a good creature.

Join us after the conversation for a book signing of How to Be a Good Creature (available for purchase) and a bonfire in the garden.

This project is supported by Science Sandbox, a Simons Foundation initiative dedicated to engaging everyone with the process of science