HarperCollins
ISBN: 978-1443415781
Published Oct 2, 2012
Trade paperback, 304 pages
Oh, this book was so much fun! What a
great mix of the old with the new, whether it was code breaking techniques both
ancient and contemporary, or dusty book researches versus Google's mighty search engine and geeky technological savoir faire.
Clay Jannon's search for a job lands
him as the night clerk at Mr.Penumbra's 24-hour bookstore. It's a
mysterious place with a few, equally strange people coming in at all
hours of the night to pick up books from the far corners of the
ladder-high shelves at the back of this hole-in-the-wall bookstore.
Needless to say, Clay's curiosity helps him discover a secret society
that leads to adventure, romance, discovery and friendship.
This was a happy and clean contemporary
novel written by a guy without the use of profanity or perverse
stuff! Although it was an easy read it wasn't simplistic. Written in
the first person, we get inside Clay's head and get to see things
from his perspective. He's a funny guy, and I found myself laughing
out loud several times. There was not a dull moment in this novel. Clay comes across as a pretty straightforward and ordinary kind of guy
surrounded by geniuses both young and old. But it's the ordinary guy
that in the end makes a startling discovery that leads to a simple
but profound message. Some may find it anticlimactic. I didn't.
What I liked most about this book is
that we have characters who are seniors, from a different generation
mixing in with the tech-savvy youths of this generation. What a great
combination. Mr. Penumbra is a mysterious character, at once strong
and frail, a representation of both generations. Both respected and
learned from each other. As it should be. Bibliophiles will love the
whole theory of books as precious instruments that carry life
stories.
We chose this book for our book club
and most of us really liked it. It's a positive book, a fun and happy
book. Perfect for when you need a pick-me-upper. The perfect book for
that special friend in your life. One I will recommend to all my
friends.
Note: This book is rated C = clean read.
Reviewed by Laura
Disclosure: I borrowed this book from the library. I was not told how to rate or review this product.
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