Mr. Penumbra's 24-Hour Bookstore - Robin Sloan

So the first thing you need to know about this book is that it glows in the dark.  I'm serious.  Don't download it for your Kindle, get the hardback and hold the cover up to the light for a few seconds and then shut yourself in the bathroom and check out the glow-in-the-dark book jacket.  It rocks.  Very clever marketing and fun.  It worked for me, I bought it.

Secondly, this book is about a bookstore and books, but it also has a strong techy aspect with a large modern streak in it.  It wasn't exactly what I expected (not a bad thing) but if you don't know a lot about technology, you could get lost.  I thought Robin did a good job of explaining some of the principles without dumbing it down too much and making the reader feel like an idiot.

Now I don't live in San Francisco and I've never been to Google's head quarters but there were a few things that happen in the book that almost seem a little too convenient but that's part of what we love about fiction isn't it?

My favorite parts of the book where spent in the store making discoveries.  I also liked making a connection in my head between minor character Oliver Grone to the Olive Garden and wondering if the author meant for some of those comparisons I was imaging and making some kind of statement about corporate America.  I kinda doubt it.  But that was fun for me.

Overall it was a very good blend of books & technology and I recommend it.

Good Intentions

So I start a blog and pop on the first book I've just finished reading and I think I'm going to be able to keep this up.  Easy, right?  Wrong.  Sorry.  I've still been reading, just not blogging.  I decided not to blog about books unless I've recently read them so I don't ever want to post a review when the book could be stale in my mind or I get some of my facts wrong (which I could still accidentally do).  So maybe if I'm reading something long or just don't have enough time to read I will do "Flashback" reviews of books I haven't read recently but I've read so many times I'm comfortable with writing a post on them.  Hopefully that will help me post more often with life gets busy.

The Ocean at the End of the Lane - Neil Gaimen

I have recently finished reading Neil Gaimen's latest book.  Let me start off by telling you I loved it.  There was an element of magic in there and I loved that he didn't over-analyze and explain how it was all accomplished and what the ramifications were, there was still mystery left once you closed the cover.  When I finished I felt like I was just floating on a little raft down a creek imaging the future of the characters and what could happen next to them, just feeling the story as it could be.

My one criticism isn't really a good one.  There was an element of sex in the book that was upsetting but it was supposed to be.  The character was using it as a weapon and it worked that way.  I'm not criticizing the book or the writing, I just don't care for that practice in general but I can see and appreciate how it fits into the story and why.  There was another incident in the book that just broke my heart.  I don't want to spoil it, but just know this is not for children.

But with that said, I would still highly recommend this book.  It has elements of magic and childhood remembrances and dreams and wonder swirled together very nicely.

Intro

I love books.  I love the way they smell and the way they feel in my hands.  I love that they can make everything else just go away for a while.  I love that you can find yourself relating to someone or something that you would never get a chance to experience in your own life but you feel it through a book.  So I decided to start a blog dedicated to books.  Cause thanks to the magic of the Internet, I can.  So I hope you enjoy my ramblings and maybe find something to read or inspire you in some small way.