Mr. Penumbra's 24-Hour Bookstore (Mr. Penumbra's 24-Hour Bookstore, #1) in Crazy Challenge Connection

Jun 11, 2014 Book Concierge rated it it was amazing

Shelves: favorite, literary-fiction, mystery, audio, books-about-books, adventure, concierge, library, friendship, contemporary-fiction

Audiobook read by Ari Fliakos

Clay Jannon is an out-of-work web-designer who happens upon a small bookstore with a help-wanted sign. His curiosity (and ability to climb a ladder like a monkey) lands him a job on the night shift at Mr Penumbra’s 24-Hour Bookstore. Clay soon realizes that something very strange is going on. There are few customers, and most of them don’t buy anything but rather “check out” obscure volumes from the “Waybacklist” available only to members of some unknown club. Or is Audiobook read by Ari Fliakos

Clay Jannon is an out-of-work web-designer who happens upon a small bookstore with a help-wanted sign. His curiosity (and ability to climb a ladder like a monkey) lands him a job on the night shift at Mr Penumbra’s 24-Hour Bookstore. Clay soon realizes that something very strange is going on. There are few customers, and most of them don’t buy anything but rather “check out” obscure volumes from the “Waybacklist” available only to members of some unknown club. Or is it a cult? Intrigued Clay corrals his friends into helping solve the mystery of the bookstore, and the games begin.

What an absolute delight! This wasn’t at all what I was expecting and at first I was a little taken aback. But before I knew it I was completely immersed in this odd world of bibliophiles and pilgrims looking for THE ANSWER. This is a literary adventure, a fantasy quest, a tale of friendship, a coming-of-age story and an exploration of man’s search for meaning all in one. It pays homage to Old Knowledge while celebrating New Technology, and encourages us to look to the past while envisioning the future.

I loved the characters from the gnome-like Penumbra to the stripper who loves biographies. Sloan puts together a group of individuals with unique skills and resources who share one major quality – a desire to push the boundaries and explore. The characters are strange and loveable, obtuse and insightful.

And the settings! Oh, my stars …. What I wouldn’t give to be able to visit Penumbra’s 24-Hour Bookstore, the Google campus, the Consolidated Universal Long-Term Storage warehouse, or the mysterious Festina Lente Corporate headquarters and its underground library. I could feel the chill, hear the whir of machinery, smell the books, and I swear the dust made me sneeze repeatedly.

Ari Fliakos does a marvelous job performing the audio version of the book, which includes some wonderful sound effects when one character is listening to an audio book! And I applaud the producer’s restraint in NOT including sound effects for all the wonderfully onomatopoeic words Sloan uses – pop, tinkle, click, flip, snap
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14 likes · Like · see review

Dec 05, 2012 Melissa (ladybug) rated it liked it

Shelves: yearly-challenge

I really liked the story, but it didn't make much sense. Does that make sense? (lol) I kept being bugged by all the references to Google and other technologies. I had more problems but am unable to articulate what the problems were. :( ...more

9 likes · Like · see review

Nov 15, 2012 Barbara ★ rated it really liked it

Shelves: zz-cover-yellow, read-2013, challenge-books, mystery-thriller, x-set-in-usa-california

This definitely wasn't what I expected though I truly have no idea exactly what I did expect as this was a book chosen as a group read not something I, myself choose to read. It was surprisingly enjoyable though the ending left a lot to be desired. It was rather rushed and totally anti-climactic. I totally missed Manutius' message. (view spoiler) ...more

6 likes · Like · see review

Feb 24, 2015 Nancy rated it liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: contemporary

I kept wavering between really liking this book and really not liking it. Yes, it was quirky. Yes it was an interesting look at the intersection between traditional books (or OK - Old Knowledge) and technology. But I just found the characters irritating. I think the intention was for them to be funny, but I found them all just that bit too self-absorbed. Perhaps that was just me though. So I didn't hate it, but it isn't a book I would necessarily return to in a hurry. And I am rather glad I read ...more

4 likes · Like · see review

Aug 16, 2015 Catsalive rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: 2015

4.5 ★s

Other people have reviewed this quite extensively, so I'll just say that I truly enjoyed this unusual book. Clay and his friends are likeable, & I enjoyed his hunt for the answers. What's it about? It's hard to say, but I think it's about friendship & finding your niche in the world - & books, of course. I don't just love the smell, I love the look & feel of them too, not to mention the contents - & I like to reorganise my shelves just to play with them.

Recession has shuffled Clay Jannon o ...more

2 likes · Like · see review