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jmgabriel's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.5
maramergens's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
mysterious
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
3.0
I read this sometime in high school and remember really liking it. Then this summer I read the prequel novella as a part of a reading challenge to fulfill the oldest book on my TBR. I really enjoyed the novella and it kind of had me itching for more soft academia mystery vibes, so I started the audiobook. I was disappointed. I hated Clay’s first person narration, especially when he was thirsting over the nerdy tech girl - major incel energy. Kinda hated Kat, too, honestly. Who the fuck wants to live forever? And the fact that his best friend was rich from making CGI boobs was just the cherry on top. It’s a bummer because the concept of the secret society and codes and old books and libraries and fonts was awesome, but the cast of characters gave me the ick.
melloftheball's review
5.0
I absolutely loved this book. It was an amazing adventure that made me fall in love with reading all over again.
periwinkleocean's review
3.5
This wasn't a bad book. The plot was interesting, a little weird, but not bad. The characters were alright, although I wish some had more screen time. The main character was nice, but kind of boring. I didn't actively hate the book, but when I put it down I forgot it existed.
jennasbooknook's review
4.0
I read Sloan's Sourdough last year, and thought it was pretty weird. I didn't realize he was the author of Mr. Penumbra's 24-Hour Bookstore until I picked it up to read it. And I have to say...I like Penumbra more.
What I'm starting to realize, though, is how Sloan likes to take a Very Old Thing (ancient texts, sourdough starter) and combine it with a Very New Thing (Google super-computers, gene sequencing) and see what happens. Although this all sounds very sci-fi (and his novels certainly involve a measure of what is essentially magical realism), most of what he is writing about is actually happening right now. He also likes to take a lot of authentic San Francisco/Bay Area details and weave them into his writing, which, as a current Bay Area resident, I appreciate.
This is the story of a young, fairly technologically-savvy guy and a old, eccentric bookseller and the relationship between them - although it doesn't seem that way at first glance. Both of their supporting casts are masterfully drawn, and when they come together, they fit like a puzzle. I don't know how Sloan keeps all these people straight and intermingles their stories in a way that makes sense and makes you fall in love with them, but he does. There are so many layers to the story, everything revealed little by little, that you can't help but be drawn in. I thought the resolution was absolutely charming and even though the story wraps up quite neatly, I really enjoyed it.
What I'm starting to realize, though, is how Sloan likes to take a Very Old Thing (ancient texts, sourdough starter) and combine it with a Very New Thing (Google super-computers, gene sequencing) and see what happens. Although this all sounds very sci-fi (and his novels certainly involve a measure of what is essentially magical realism), most of what he is writing about is actually happening right now. He also likes to take a lot of authentic San Francisco/Bay Area details and weave them into his writing, which, as a current Bay Area resident, I appreciate.
This is the story of a young, fairly technologically-savvy guy and a old, eccentric bookseller and the relationship between them - although it doesn't seem that way at first glance. Both of their supporting casts are masterfully drawn, and when they come together, they fit like a puzzle. I don't know how Sloan keeps all these people straight and intermingles their stories in a way that makes sense and makes you fall in love with them, but he does. There are so many layers to the story, everything revealed little by little, that you can't help but be drawn in. I thought the resolution was absolutely charming and even though the story wraps up quite neatly, I really enjoyed it.
fictionfanatic's review
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5