SUSAN S. (susieqmillsacoustics) -
Helpful Score: 4
What a fun and magical journey! From the 15th century first publisher, to a secret society on a mission, on through the doors of Google and to the world of special effects. With codes and puzzles and clever resources, these wonderful characters form friendships, loyalties, and dreams. And, if that weren't enough?-a glow in the dark cover (maybe it's own code?) just for the sheer joy of it!!!
Leah C. (leahc) reviewed Mr. Penumbra's 24-Hour Bookstore (Mr. Penumbra's 24-Hour Bookstore, Bk 1) on + 16 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
Amazingly magical book. I picked it up because I liked the cover and ended up LOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOVING it!
Sarah A. (saffy03) reviewed Mr. Penumbra's 24-Hour Bookstore (Mr. Penumbra's 24-Hour Bookstore, Bk 1) on
Helpful Score: 1
Fun! Filled with adventure and a touch of whimsy.
Gretchen O. (gretchen952) reviewed Mr. Penumbra's 24-Hour Bookstore (Mr. Penumbra's 24-Hour Bookstore, Bk 1) on
One of the most original novels I've ever read. Loved the affirmation of books even in our digital world. Even better was the cover in a pitch black room!
Heather F. (AZmom875) -
Honest I read the whole thing. I just slogged through it. It just wasnt for me. Hey my book cover didnt glow in the dark.
The characters are great and memorable, even the puzzle and mystery was really well written, but I just didnt like the cyber events. I couldnt wrap my mind around the wonderful things the groups were building and making via technology. Also this mystery didnt really give the reader clues to help them solve the mystery, it just told us what we found, as Clay solved it. Does that make sense? I was reading about someone solving something, but not really able to see if I could figure it out cause I wasnt given clues. I just had to take all the cyber mystical stuff and answers as truth.
The book isnt flawed, it just wasnt a book I enjoyed. I was not the target audience.
The characters are great and memorable, even the puzzle and mystery was really well written, but I just didnt like the cyber events. I couldnt wrap my mind around the wonderful things the groups were building and making via technology. Also this mystery didnt really give the reader clues to help them solve the mystery, it just told us what we found, as Clay solved it. Does that make sense? I was reading about someone solving something, but not really able to see if I could figure it out cause I wasnt given clues. I just had to take all the cyber mystical stuff and answers as truth.
The book isnt flawed, it just wasnt a book I enjoyed. I was not the target audience.
Cameron-Ashley H. (BigGreenChair) reviewed Mr. Penumbra's 24-Hour Bookstore (Mr. Penumbra's 24-Hour Bookstore, Bk 1) on + 461 more book reviews
While I was really caught up in the storyline for the book, and it was a brain tickler to read, I cannot give it above three stars---I'd give it 5 stars for the idea of the book plot, and 5 stars for entertaining me, but an overall 3 stars for a book that I'd ever want to read again or keep on my 'keeper shelf.'
Suzanne J. (09suzij) -
Pleasantly geeky while still including books. It was eye-opening to see what our future might look like in a data-driven society.
Barbara L. reviewed Mr. Penumbra's 24-Hour Bookstore (Mr. Penumbra's 24-Hour Bookstore, Bk 1) on + 988 more book reviews
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.
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.
Joe Z. (zelman) reviewed Mr. Penumbra's 24-Hour Bookstore (Mr. Penumbra's 24-Hour Bookstore, Bk 1) on + 215 more book reviews
Old knowledge vs. new knowledge with a bit of mystery thrown in there makes this a delightful read. Books vs. Google (and Google is not portrayed as evil here, just a different player in the knowledge game). Clay needs a job in the worst way. His dot.com went out of business and one evening he stumbles across a bookstore that turns out to be oh so much more than your average used bookstore. Mr. Penumbra, the owner, is a bit of a mystery himself and asks Clay, what do you seek in these shelves. Clay soon befriends a girl who lives and breathes the Google universe and together with other interesting characters they start a quest to discover what lies in Mr. Penumbra's book shelves. Such an interesting read of paper vs. electronic while not really saying which side is better. I thoroughly enjoyed this book.
Cyndi J. (cyndij) reviewed Mr. Penumbra's 24-Hour Bookstore (Mr. Penumbra's 24-Hour Bookstore, Bk 1) on + 1032 more book reviews
Very pleasing story balancing "old" technology vs "new", with both as necessary parts of a new whole. Almost all the characters are charming, and the one that isn't, isn't evil, just unwilling to give up past ways. Good sense of place using San Francisco and New York as sort of the old vs. the new. Amusing, entertaining, a little mystery and a little magic, and a happy ending for all. Paper book lovers and e-book lovers both should like it.
loregess reviewed Mr. Penumbra's 24-Hour Bookstore (Mr. Penumbra's 24-Hour Bookstore, Bk 1) on + 175 more book reviews
A book about books: can it get any better? Yes, it can. If youre into technology, using Google as your go-to seeker of information, solving puzzles, cracking codes, and city life, this ones for you. This book has truly made me appreciate the wealth of information I can gather from a few key strokes, and it has sparked in me a new found interest for the art of the old ways of printing books. Paper and technology can co-exist and this book does a fine job of combining the two.
Raise your hand if you Googled any of the following while reading this book:
The Dragon-Song Chronicles by Clark Moffat
Festina lente
Dolphin and Anchor
Grifo Gerritszoon
Aldus Manutius
The guy responsible for creating the glow-in-the-dark book cover, Rodrigo Corral
Favorite quote: There is no immortality that is not built on friendship and work done with care. All the secrets in the world worth knowing are hiding in plain sight.
Raise your hand if you Googled any of the following while reading this book:
The Dragon-Song Chronicles by Clark Moffat
Festina lente
Dolphin and Anchor
Grifo Gerritszoon
Aldus Manutius
The guy responsible for creating the glow-in-the-dark book cover, Rodrigo Corral
Favorite quote: There is no immortality that is not built on friendship and work done with care. All the secrets in the world worth knowing are hiding in plain sight.
