Clay Jannon, a San-Francisco web designer, finds work during a rocky economy as the 10 pm – 6 am clerk at a 24-hour book store. While there is not a lot of action during these strange nighttime open hours; the few people who do come in are not purchasing books, but checking out large strange volumes from the far corners of the store as allowed by the store’s owner, Mr. Penumbra.
Clay suspects that store must be somehow doing something illegal through these so-called “customers” and lending of books…but in his searching, Clay discovers something much bigger than the volumes that occupy the store….
What is it about books about books? I mean really… how dorky can I get? Yet, when a title mentions a book store, or a book club… I want to know more.
Mr. Penumbra’s 24-Hour Book Store by Robin Sloan is a fun read, or in my case listen. The narration of Ari Flaikos (new narrator to me) was fun and perfect for this read. Ari gave me flashbacks of the amazing narration of Will Wheaton, and those are words of praise coming from me.
In this book, push sensible realities aside and just dream for a bit of a secret group that is centered around a book store… and not giving too much away…. perhaps…. many book stores. But how does one get to be part of the elite group? And what happens when things are not going as they should be? You are going to have to find yourself a copy of this book or grab it on audio to find out!
I enjoyed this listen and think others who like to read about book stores and bookish themes will as well.
- Audible Audio Edition
- Listening Length: 7 hours and 41 minutes
- Program Type: Audiobook
- Version: Unabridged
- Publisher: Macmillan Audio
- Audible.com Release Date: October 2, 2012
Book Journey 
I’m glad to hear the audio version was good. I love this book
It was a fun one!
I’m thinking this might be the next selection for my husband and I when we road trip. Thanks for the suggestion!
This would be a fun one for your trip!
Reblogged this on The Redhead Bibliophile and commented:
I loved this book too! Books about books, what could be better? Thanks to Book journey for the review.
Thanks for re-posting! 😀
I thought about reading this, but then got distracted by other books. I’m not a Will Wheaton (the actor) fan, but have never listened to one of his narrations, so I may give him a try since you think so much of him. There’s nothing worse than listening to a bad narrator.
I am not a big Wheaton fan either but when he narrated Ready Player One… I searched out everything he has narrated… brilliant… seriously, you must try him!
I loved the audio as well. And books about books are the absolute best! 🙂
Right! 😀
I could NOT get into this book. Everyone else seems to love it though… maybe I should try on audio?
The audio was fun… give it a try 🙂
This was a fun read!
Yes!
This sounds really good- “a secret group” and bookstores- that alone makes me want to read it! I had this one on my radar a while back and it sorta fell off, but I may need to reconsider and get it. And who wouldn’t love a 24 hour bookstore?
I would totally hang out in a 24 hour book store!
We read this in our book club and really enjoyed it. I’m going to link this review on LISTEN UP here:
http://libraryofcleanreads.blogspot.ca/2014/09/listen-up-monthly-link-up-of-your.html
So glad you like it too! A book about books and a mysterious bookstore. Just that was enough to get me reading this one.
Thanks Laura – I always forget to link up!
I haven’t read this one yet. Maybe soon, I’m going to suggest it to my F2F book club when we meet on the 16th.
Nice! It could make for some fun discussion!
I’m glad you enjoyed it! I loved it and the narrator as well.
Fun book!
I enjoyed reading it, but I’ll have to get a copy of the audiobook. Thanks for reminding me.
Sure 🙂
I loved this book! Was on my “Best of 2012” list and was so fun and quirky!
It really was engaging!
This is one of my very favorites of the summer.