Many Things Under a Rock: The Mysteries of Octopuses
Octopuses seem otherworldly, and as Scheel examines key mysteries that have driven his work, he unearths just how much there is left to learn about these charismatic cephalopods.
Welcome to the SciFri Book Club page about David Scheel’s Many Things Under a Rock. There’s lots of ways to participate: Get the book, join our community space, attend an event, sign up for our email newsletter, or send us a message via our contact page.
This June, for National Ocean Month and World Ocean Day, the SciFri Book Club will read Many Things Under a Rock: The Mysteries of Octopuses by David Scheel. Octopuses live incredible lives in the oceans—shifting colors, outsmarting predators, and engaging with the world in ways that question our ideas about intelligence. Marine biologist David Scheel has spent decades studying these unreachable animals off the coast of Alaska and beyond. In Many Things Under a Rock, he welcomes us into their underwater world. We’ll learn not just about the biology and behaviors of octopuses, like how they hunt, hide, and maybe even dream, but also the cultural and ecological links that affect their lives, such as climate change. Scheel combines scientific discovery with personal reflection to reveal the complexity of one of nature’s most mysterious animals.
Many Things Under a Rock brings together a range of topics, including evolution, marine biology, anatomy, ecology, animal behavior and more—and we’ll touch on these ideas throughout this Book Club season. You can get your copy from your local bookstore or on Bookshop.org.
This Book Club season kicks off Sunday, June 1, and you can read along with us! We’ll be (loosely) following this schedule, but all our readers are welcome to join us at their own pace:
- June 1-8: Chapters 1-7
- June 9-15: Chapters 8-11
- June 16-22: Chapters 12-16
- June 23-30: Chapters 17-22 + Final thoughts
Plus, we’ll be hosting events throughout the month! Keep an eye out on our website or join our Events newsletter to be the first to know.
There are so many ways to dive in and participate! You can grab a copy of the book (and support the author and SciFri), join the discussion in our online Book Club community, sign up for our email newsletter, or RSVP for our upcoming Book Club events. There is even a young readers edition for aspiring marine biologists. Check out all the details below.
Grab Your Own Copy
If you’d like to purchase a physical copy, we encourage you to start local! Check out the SciFri Book Club partner bookstores and libraries—if you’re in the area, consider supporting your local bookseller or public library (plus, mention our Book Club for a percentage off your purchase at participating shops!).
Want more ways to read? This book is available in a few formats via online retailers, your local library, or elsewhere:
Your local library may not currently have Many Things Under a Rock in its catalog, but many branches offer options for patrons like you to submit book suggestions to librarians. Look for ways to suggest new titles via the Libby or OverDrive app, a form on your library’s website, or a suggestion box at your local branch! There is also a young readers edition for aspiring marine biologists.
Save The Date(s): SciFri Book Club Events
Many Things Under a Rock: Livestream and Q&A with David Scheel
Octopuses have long captured our imaginations, yet much about their lives remains unknown. Marine biologist David Scheel shares his discoveries in Many Things Under a Rock, weaving together the story of one unreachable octopus with deep insights into the biology, behavior, and changing ecosystems that shape these remarkable creatures.
Watch the recording on YouTube
Join us online for a livestream all about the science topics featured in the SciFri Book Club pick for June 2025. Come with your queries and wonderings—we’ll be taking your questions in the livestream comments!
SciFri Book Club June community meeting
Want to meet other SciFri Book Club members, talk about the book selection, and find more resources for deeper learning—all without leaving your home? Our community meeting is the place for you!
This discussion meeting will focus on themes and topics featured in Many Things Under a Rock. You’re welcome to join us no matter your reading progress—come chat with other science-interested folks about evolution, marine biology, anatomy, ecology, animal behavior and more.
Join Our Community Space
And as you start reading, join us on our online community space: the SciFri Book Club is on Mighty Networks, a platform where we can gather, read and discuss science books together. We’ve built this community space to create a better way for readers to stay connected with other Book Clubbers, and we hope you’ll join us there!
Sign Up For Our Newsletter
Subscribe to SciFri Book Club emails to stay updated on our monthly read sand join us for community discussions. We’ll send emails a few times per week.