Samantha Ellis and I share an affinity for Anne Shirley of L.M. Montgomery’s Anne of Green Gables. This precocious, spunky orphan taught me about love, drama and independence in ways I hadn’t considered until now. The most striking thing about … Continue reading
Every once in a while a book will enter my life at the perfect time. Anne of Green Gables illustrated the powers of friendship, positive thinking and a loving family. Harry Potter came into being just as I was facing my real-life 
Draco Malfoy. The poetry of John Keats taught me that beauty could be found in suffering. As I Lay Dying reminded me that different people have differing viewpoints about the same event, and that’s okay.
Mr. Penumbra’s 24-Hour Bookstore had a similar effect. The novel centers on the mysterious happenings of the titular bookstore as told by Clay, the newest employee of the ancient bookseller. The book expertly intertwines the digital and printed worlds, emphasizing the strengths of each and encouraging the reader to embrace new technologies while appreciating old ones, namely books. Penumbra encouraged me not to fret, that these two seemingly separate spheres can work together, that not too long ago a book was considered cutting-edge technology.
Robin Sloan writes in a way that puts his reader at ease. He presented deep, cerebral, abstract concepts using a conversational tone, a witty sense of humor and hilarious pop culture references, which made the novel a pleasure to read; I tore through it in about 5 airplane-filled hours. It was a breath of fresh air. As easy as it was to read, Sloan’s story relies a little too heavily on convenient plot twists, making the novel feel at times like a happy-go-lucky romcom. But that’s okay.Just recently, I decided to go back to school to pursue English literature. Mr. Penumbra’s 24-Hour Bookstore assured me that I was making the right decision. Even if, God forbid, books themselves go extinct and are replaced with Kindle and iPads, stories will remain forev
A week after reading, I am still thinking about Penumbra, mulling over the novel’s themes. I love books like this one, books that stick with you even after you have regretfully read the last page.er and play integral roles in our lives. These are things that should be fostered, cherished and preserved for future generations to appreciate and explore.
Have you read this novel? What did you think, especially concerning the relationships Sloan creates between the ideas of the printed page and the webpage?
Roz Writes 