Publisher: Picador
Release Date: January 1, 2012
Pages: 288
Format: Paperback
Source: Bought
Series: Mr. Penumbra’s 24-Hour Bookstore, #1
Genre(s): Adult, Contemporary
Synopsis from Goodreads:
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.
“Strange things are afoot at Mr. Penumbra’s 24-Hour Bookstore.”
Mr. Penumbra’s 24-Hour Bookstore is a book that will take you on an adventure like one you’ve never experienced before. Quirky and smart, this book is a must read for book lovers, tech junkies, design enthusiasts, or anyone who just appreciates the evolution of the printed word.
I immediately fell in love with this book, finding it so relatable as one who has a passion for everything that it conquers: literature, technology and design.
The characters were all unique and extremely witty, the story magical, yet real. You along with the characters become determined to decode the codex vitae.
I’m not sure what else to say without giving away the parts best left to discover yourself, except for to read this book. You will not regret it in the least.
Mr. Penumbra’s 24-Hour Bookstore, in my eyes, is a modern classic and will be read over and over by many generations. I genuinely love this book and will recommend it to anyone with a soft spot for books and technology, tirelessly.
P.S. – When can I get that eReader made of leather book material? Someone please invent this NOW!
Books & Cleverness 
So glad you enjoyed this one, Emily! And YES, this generation needs that snazzy eReader.
Me too! You were so right about it! 😀
I haven’t read this but I love books set in bookstores. I recently read Gabrielle Zevin’s Storied Life of A.J. Fikry and loved that. Another favorite is The Cookbook Collector by Allegra Goodman.
Jen @ YA Romantics
The Storied Life of A.J. Fikry is on my TBR too. My mom and her friend have both read it and said I would love it so I’m definitely planning to check it out! 🙂
I NEED THIS!!! OMG ALLMOST ALL MY INTERESTS COVERED IN ONE BOOK!! So glad you enjoyed and posted a review for this!
YES I KNOW RIGHT?! You should definitely check it out!!! 😀
I just finished this book a few days ago and LOVED IT. I included one of Sloan’s quotes in my weekly wrap-up today and agree with you that it’s hard to talk about this book without giving away essential spoilers. Hope to have my review ready for Monday.
So glad you loved it too! The book was very quotable indeed! I can’t wait to read your review 🙂
I’ve been seeing this book on the net a lot lately. I’m glad you enjoyed it. I know, they need an ereader that feels like a book. The best you can do now is buy an expensive cover for it, but it’s not the same.
Yes… I’ve actually seen a book smell spray for eReaders that supposedly captured the smell combination of the paper and ink. I wonder if it really works? Haha 😉
Brilliant review. I hadn’t heard of this book before but you have really peaked my interest. I will definitely have to see if they have this in my library. Thanks for the great review 🙂
Thank you! I definitely recommend it to fellow book nerds 😉
I have just finished this book today! I found the story slowed down a little towards the end but I enjoyed it overall. It was just lovely and the last paragraph made me want to just hug the book
Yes I agree, but I didn’t find that it took away at all from the reading experience for me. I’m glad you enjoyed it, and yes that final chapter got me! I can’t wait to read your review!
I’ve been meaning to read this! About a curious bookstore? Count me in! Plus, I’ve heard the cover glows in the dark? You should try Gabrielle Zevin’s ‘The Storied Life of A.J. Fikry’ if you like this one…it’s also about a bookstore.
Yes the cover does glow in the dark…I’ve seen it myself! And I am really excited to read that one. Gabrielle Zevin is an amazing author!
I agree! I still have to finish her other series though, haven’t gotten my hands on a copy of the last book.
I’ve only read the first of her series and really liked it, but I LOVED Elsewhere!
Mmm that book is on my bedroom floor right now, haven’t touched it yet…
It’s such a wonderful book, I really recommend it!
I read this book back in January and absolutely loved it! It was such a wild whirlwind of a story and I had so much fun reading it. So glad you enjoyed it too. Great review!
So glad that you loved this one too! And thank you 😀
Wow, this does look good!! A modern classic? Okay, I’m interested! Can’t believe I’ve never heard of it! You won me with your lovely review. 🙂
Lola@Seeing Night Reviews
So glad my review introduced you to this wonderful book! 🙂 And thank you for the complement on my review! ❤
This sounds great! I tend to stay away from adult reads {I never know what I am getting into}, but I’m glad to hear that you liked it. I love the cover; the yellow is so eye-catching!
I don’t read a ton of adult either, but every now and then I’ll pick one up for a change of pace. And yes, that cover is so bright! 🙂
Yes! As a girl who codes this book was absolutely wonderful! It was a perfect example of how literature and technology should work together in the future; a perfect mix of old knowledge and new knowledge.