Hello!
I just finished reading the book, Mr. Penumbra’s 24 Hour Bookstore by Robin Sloan.
I have been looking forward to reading this little number for some time and have heard great reviews!
From Amazon:
The Great Recession has shuffled Clay Jannon away from life as a San Francisco web-design drone and into the aisles of Mr. Penumbra’s 24-Hour Bookstore. But after a few days on the job, Clay discovers that the store is more curious than either its name or its gnomic owner might suggest. The customers are few, and they never seem to buy anything―instead, they “check out” large, obscure volumes from strange corners of the store. Suspicious, Clay engineers an analysis of the clientele’s behavior, seeking help from his variously talented friends. But when they bring their findings to Mr. Penumbra, they discover the bookstore’s secrets extend far beyond its walls. Rendered with irresistible brio and dazzling intelligence, Robin Sloan’s Mr. Penumbra’s 24-Hour Bookstore is exactly what it sounds like: an establishment you have to enter and will never want to leave.
Like I said, I could not wait to read this boo, but…I did not like this book. I could not wait to stop reading it. I would pick it up and say, “I wish this book was done.” But I kept reading because the gal who suggested I read it said it has a great unexpected twist. It has a twist, but it didn’t do anything for me. I really did not get anything out of this book. This is the first time that I am not going to write any more about a book, because I really don’t have anything to say about this book.
The thing is, is it has gotten rave reviews…consistently. So, I would suggest to pick it up and read it, because many have loved it, so I may have just missed the whole point of the book.
I found the best part was that the cover glows in the dark. I discovered this when we were in LA. I shut off the light and saw the cover of the book glowing. I asked Jason, “Is this book glowing or am I see things?” Thank goodness, he saw that it was glowing too! Best part of the book!
I would give this book 1 star out of 5.