Review: Mr. Penumbra's 24-Hour Bookstore by Robin Sloan

Mr. Penumbra's 24-Hour Bookstore by Robin Sloan
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Published: Oct. 2012

When Clay is hired as the overnight clerk for Mr. Penumbra's 24-hour bookstore he feels he will kill a few hours while getting to read some books. What he doesn't expect is there to be a secret society trying to solve a secret code. While the front of the bookstore is your average bookstore (kind of), there is a wall full of books in the back, that can only be checked out, but certain people. Will Clay be brought privy to this information or will he have to assume what is going on? With the help of his friends and Mr. Penumbra, he will try his best to solve the mystery.  

This was a book club selection for January. Overall I thought the book was pretty good. I really didn't see the point of it all, to be honest. These people were all mostly older, in the society, looking for immortality. But we all know that is impossible.  One cool thing about this book is that the cover glows in the dark. 

This book did keep me interested though, and I wanted to know if they were going to find the secret to all these books or if it was going to remain a mystery. I'm not sure if I will read more of Robin Sloan's books but I have read this one and it has been on my TBR for a while.


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To learn more about this book or to order a copy, click the book cover below:

What 'Cha Readin'? Book Club!

 

So I want to start a Book Club.  I know we all may already be in a book club.  I am in one that was meeting once a month until COVID hit.  We are still meeting via zoom, which gave me this idea.   

I want this book club to be a little different though.  I don't want to have a set book that we read each month, that's a lot of pressure for me.   What I would like to do is get to know my readers and others in the bookish community better, by just getting together maybe once or twice a month and just talk about the books we are reading, any books we may be looking forward to, books we recently DNF'd.  

If this is something you would be interested in, let me know.  This isn't limited to people just where I live, I'm hoping I can take this international.  I would do the meetings on Google Meet or maybe Zoom.  If you're interested, let me know by leaving a comment, or send me a message(you can find my email under the contact me tab), or you can click here link to join.

I hope this works and I look forward to hearing from you all.  

Happy Reading!!

Audio Book Review: The Library of Lost and Found by Phaedra Patrick

The Library of Lost and Found by Phaedra Patrick
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Published: March 2019

Martha Storm volunteers at her local library, several days a week. Helping out with the book club and re-shelving the books. One day as she is going to the library for an author event, she sees a man leaving something at the library entrance that is addressed to her. When she opens it up, it's a book dedicated to her from her grandmother, 3 years after her passing. How could this be? What secrets does this book hold? Is her grandmother really dead, or is she still out there somewhere? Martha is determined to find out what is going on and the more she finds out about her past, the more it shapes her future.

Who doesn't love a book about books and libraries and used book stores? I picked up this book mainly for the title alone.

This story is mainly about Martha Storm and her family. Martha helps everyone else and leaves herself for last. She is living in her parents house (they are deceased) and their stuff is in boxes all over the place along with projects she has promised to help other people with. When Martha gets the book, she is eager to share it with her sister, Lillian, who tells her to just drop it and move on with life. But Martha is determined to find out the secrets that her family has kept hidden for decades.

I really enjoyed this story. I felt as though I was there along with Martha, trying to uncover the secrets of her past and bring her current life into a better place. Reading books, telling stories, and hosting book clubs all sound like a glorious life for me. Martha enjoyed all of these things and more. I wonder if there is going to be a sequel to the book, because I really want to know what is going to happen next for Martha.

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To learn more about this book or to order a copy, click the book cover below:

Winning Wednesday--Bookish Giveaways!!

Happy Wednesday my bookish friends!  I have quite a few giveaways for you this week.  Click on Enter in each giveaway to enter your information to win.  On most giveaways, you can click on the book covers to find out more information about the books.  

Enter for your chance to win an Advanced Reader's Copy of The Last Collection by Jeanne Mackin along with a year's subscription to Rocksbox.  Brought to you by Penguin Random House.    Open to US Residents Only--Ends April 1st

Enter for your chance to win the books above in the Southern Favorites Giveaway brought to you by Berkley.  You could win a collection of books by Patti Callahan Henry including a new book coming this summer The Favorite Daughter.   Open to US Residents Only--Ends March 25th

Enter for you chance to win the books above in the We Love Diverse Books Sweepstakes.  Brought to you by Berkley.  Open to US Residents Only--Ends March 22nd

Enter for you chance to win an Advanced Copy of The Bride Test by Helen Hoang.  Brought to you by Berkley.  Open to US Residents Only--Ends March 15th

Enter for your chance to win the two thrilling books above by Louise Candlish.  Brought to you by Penguin Random House.  Open to US Residents Only--Ends March 15th
Enter for your chance to win the books above in the Spring Forward, Fall Back in Time Giveaway.  Brought to you by Berkley.  Open to US Residents only -- Ends March 15th
Enter for your chance to win the items above in honor of Women's History Month. Brought to you by Penguin Random House.  Open to US Residents only --HURRY Ends today March 13th
Enter for your chance to win a trip to New Orleans for The Ultimate Mardi Gras Experience. Brought to you by PureWow.The winner will receive:

• 4-night stay for two at Hotel Le Marais in the New Orleans French Quarter, drinks for two at VIVE! Bar, plus an exclusive Mardi Gras World experience
• $600 towards airfare from Domino, Dwell Magazine, and Brit + Co

Open to US Residents only(except Rhode Island)--Ends March 27th.

Enter to win a $100 gift card from Amazon.  Brought you you by What's Up in YA? by BookRiot.  What's up in YA is a bi-weekly newsletter from Bookriot.

Open to US Residents only--Ends March 31st.

Enter for your chance to win one of five paperback copies of Pottymouth and Stoopid by James Patterson.  Brought to you by James Patterson.            Open to US and Canada Residents only(except Quebec)--Ends March 14th
Enter for your chance to win a hardcover copy of Dirty Little Secret by Jennifer Ryan and a custom Wild Rose Ranch Soy Candle by Peppermill Candle Co.  Brought to you by HarperCollins.  Open to US Residents only--No END DATE, ENTER NOW!Enter for your chance to win one of 50 advanced copies of Rebel by Beverly Jenkins.  Giveaway is on Goodreads, so you will have to be a member and signed in to enter.  Open to US Residents only--Ends March 29thEnter for your chance to win one of 25 advanced copies of The Lemon Sisters by Jill Shalvis.  Brought to you by Harper Collins.  Open to US Residents Only--Ends April 1st.
Enter for you chance to win a copy of The Missing Years by Lexie Elliott. Brought to you by Read It Forward.  Open to US Residents Only--HURRY ENDS TODAY March 13th
Enter for your chance to win an Advanced Copy of Tight Rope by Amanda Quick.  Brought to you by Berkley.  Open to US Residents only--Ends March 19th
Enter for a chance to win one of 3 copies of That's Not What I Heard by Stephanie Kate Strohm.  Brought to you by Bookish First. Open to US Residents Only -- Ends March 25th.
Enter for your chance to win one of 20 copies of My Lovely Wife by Samantha Downing.  Brought to you by Bookish First.  Open to US Residents only--Ends March 20th.
**These giveaways are not associated with What 'Cha Readin'?  Please see official rules for each contest before entering.**