Home Feed
Home
Search
Search
Add Review, Blurb, Quote
Add
Activity
Activity
Profile
Profile
Ajax Penumbra 1969
Ajax Penumbra 1969 | Robin Sloan
40 posts | 84 read | 111 to read
From Robin Sloan, author of Mr. Penumbras 24-Hour Bookstore, the story of Mr. Penumbras first trip to San Franciscoand of how he got entangled with the citys most unusual always-open enterprise . . . It is August 1969. The Summer of Love is a fading memory. The streets of San Francisco pulse to the sounds of Led Zeppelin and Marvin Gaye. And of jackhammers: A futuristic pyramid of a skyscraper is rising a few blocks from City Lights bookstore and an unprecedented subway tunnel is being built under the bay. Meanwhile, south of the city, orchards are quickly giving way to a brand-new industry built on silicon.But young Ajax Penumbra has not arrived in San Francisco looking for free love or a glimpse of the technological future. He is seeking a bookthe single surviving copy of the Techne Tycheon, a mysterious volume that has brought and lost great fortune for anyone who has owned it. The last record of the book locates it in the San Francisco of more than a century earlier, and on that scant bit of evidence, Penumbras university has dispatched him west to acquire it for their library.After a few weeks of rigorous hunting, Penumbra feels no closer to his goal than when he started. But late one night, after another day of dispiriting dead ends, he stumbles across a 24-hour bookstore, and the possibilities before him expand exponentially . . .
Amazon Indiebound Barnes and Noble WorldCat Goodreads LibraryThing
Pick icon
100%
review
CatLass007
Ajax Penumbra 1969 | Robin Sloan
post image
Pickpick

#ReadAway2024 #SeriesLove2024 I enjoyed seeing Mr. Penumbra as a young man and learning how he became the sprightly senior citizen he became in Mr. Penumbra‘s 24-Hour Bookstore. Recommended.

DieAReader 🥳Great 2mo
TheSpineView Fantastic! 2mo
54 likes2 stack adds2 comments
review
thegirlwiththelibrarybag
Ajax Penumbra 1969 | Robin Sloan
post image
Pickpick

Inspired by @Suelizbeth ‘s review which made me remember how much I enjoyed Mr Penumbra‘s 24 hour book store - I didn‘t know that there was a prequel novella - about how Ajax found the 24 hour bookshop and it was a delight!

quote
thegirlwiththelibrarybag
Ajax Penumbra 1969 | Robin Sloan
post image

That old chestnut

quote
thegirlwiththelibrarybag
Ajax Penumbra 1969 | Robin Sloan
post image

I wish my Mum was weird like this 👀

review
Suelizbeth
Ajax Penumbra 1969 | Robin Sloan
post image
Pickpick

This is a prequel to Mr. Penumbra‘s 24 Hour Bookstore, a backstory of Ajax Penumbra. I didn‘t know that I needed to read this. And now, I want to reread Mr. Penumbra‘s 24 Hour Bookstore. This goes back to the very founding of the bookstore and just pulls you right in. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

thegirlwiththelibrarybag Ooh - I didn‘t know about this one. Reading now. 2y
thegirlwiththelibrarybag @Suelizbeth, he‘s actually got a few short stories - a very happy rediscovery for me! (edited) 2y
Suelizbeth @thegirlwiththelibrarybag thanks for the heads up. I will investigate! 2y
39 likes1 stack add4 comments
review
Robotswithpersonality
Ajax Penumbra 1969 | Robin Sloan
post image
Pickpick

A lovely companion piece to Mr Penumbra's 24 Hour Bookstore. I have every intent of picking up Sourdough because this proves I am enchanted by Robin Sloan's writing style. Of course, there's every possibility I'm charmed by the shared love of books, which always confers warm fuzzies. 🥰📚🔍

8 likes2 stack adds
review
Kaila-ann
Ajax Penumbra: 1969 | Robin Sloan
post image
Pickpick

The prequel to Mr. Penumbra‘s 24 Hour Bookstore. A quick little audio book that tells the back story of Mr. Penumbra and how he got into the bookshop. It was nice but not necessary to have Penumbra‘s backstory.

30 likes1 stack add
blurb
tpixie
Ajax Penumbra 1969 | Robin Sloan
post image

Had fun reading both Mr. Penumbra books.Also enjoyed reading Sourdough both for #LitsyBookClub & #CoverToCover now I‘ve got to find Robin Sloann‘s Kickstarter book, Annabel Scheme! 🥖 📚 🥖

Daisey Someday I have got to get around to reading more of his books! 5y
tpixie Ajax is about 2 hours. It‘s a prequel. 24 hours was kind of fun. Light reads. Easy farming listens!! 5y
67 likes1 stack add2 comments
blurb
umbrellagirl
Ajax Penumbra: 1969 | Robin Sloan
post image

Brief diversion with a library hold, the prequel to Mr Penumbra 👍🏻, and now back our regularly scheduled reading. #myyearwithagatha

RamsFan1963 Oh Boy!! I didnt know there was a prequel. 5y
umbrellagirl @RamsFan1963 it‘s more of a short story or a novella, but I liked it. 5y
tpixie @RamsFan1963 @umbrellagirl yes I just listen to the audio it was I think $2.99 on iBooks- so I didn‘t use my audible points! Fun little read 5y
RamsFan1963 @tpixie Thanks for the heads-up. 5y
tpixie 🥳♥️📚 @RamsFan1963 (edited) 5y
70 likes1 stack add5 comments
review
GypsyKat
Ajax Penumbra 1969 | Robin Sloan
post image
Pickpick

I loved Mr. Penumbra‘s 24 Hour Bookstore, so it was fun to revisit that universe in this short prequel. I would honestly read a whole series about this if I could! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

MinDea I did not know there was a prequel! 6y
ValPenny This sounds great! 6y
TheDaysGoBy @MinDea Me either! How cool 6y
GypsyKat @MinDea @ValPenny @TheDaysGoBy It‘s short, but it‘s a fun read/listen. I wish there was more! 😆 6y
122 likes7 stack adds4 comments
quote
Mskt6891
Ajax Penumbra: 1969 | Robin Sloan
post image

blurb
Leftik
Ajax Penumbra 1969 | Robin Sloan
post image

Up next!

Chelleo Didn‘t know there was a prequel!! 7y
BookaholicNatty Whhhhhaaaattttttt!!!!! A prequel!!!???? 7y
Leftik @BookaholicNatty @Chelleo it‘s a short novella! But still good! 7y
9 likes2 stack adds3 comments
review
The.Intentional.Reader
Ajax Penumbra 1969 | Robin Sloan
post image
Pickpick

I really liked this little novel. A good set up for Mr. Penumbras 24 Hour Bookstore.

Autumnscribe Does one need to read this before embarking upon reading Mr. penumbra's 24 hr. Bookstore? (edited) 7y
The.Intentional.Reader @Autumnscribe absolutely not! I read 24 hour first about 5 years ago and just read Ajax a couple months back. It gives a better picture of how Penumbra got into the secret society and what it does. Highly recommend both!!! 7y
Autumnscribe @The.Intentional.Reader thanks! I am really looking forward to reading them both! (edited) 7y
17 likes3 stack adds3 comments
review
SoniaC
Ajax Penumbra 1969 | Robin Sloan
post image
Pickpick

Such a fun quick little read. I really enjoyed it. I could resist it after 24 Hour bookstore. It was a perfect complement. Last book of 2017.

51 likes2 stack adds
blurb
Crinoline_Laphroaig
Ajax Penumbra: 1969 | Robin Sloan
post image

Sooo yeah I'm totally reading short books to up my Goodreads Number. Next up Alan Cumming's You Gotta Get Bigger Dreams. At just over 3 Hours on Audible, I can finish it today. 😬 #bookishconfessions #134 #11days2go #listenwhileyouwork #goals

cathysaid 😂😂 7y
36 likes1 stack add1 comment
review
Crinoline_Laphroaig
Ajax Penumbra: 1969 | Robin Sloan
post image
Pickpick

Fun to see young Mr Penumbra and learn his story. Quick read I finished it in about a hour. Love the list of books that where at the book store in 1969.

36 likes5 stack adds
quote
Crinoline_Laphroaig
Ajax Penumbra: 1969 | Robin Sloan
post image

🤓

blurb
BarbaraJean
Ajax Penumbra 1969 | Robin Sloan
post image

The shortest book I read this year—this was a fun prequel novella to Mr. Penumbra‘s 24-Hour Bookstore. #allthebooksof2017 #shortestbookyouread

Nuwanda I did not even know this existed! Going to check this out--thanks! 7y
BarbaraJean @Nuwanda You‘re welcome! It‘s a quick, fun read—I listened to the audio via Hoopla. 7y
28 likes2 comments
blurb
BekaReid
Ajax Penumbra 1969 | Robin Sloan
post image

Listening to the story of Mr. Penumbra's first trip to San Francisco. Yay for hoopla!

review
jpmcwisemorgan
Ajax Penumbra 1969 | Robin Sloan
Pickpick

I liked the background on Penumbra and I really think this sets up more novellas.

review
Jenken1998
Ajax Penumbra 1969 | Robin Sloan
post image
Pickpick

I was t sure how to mark this. I enjoyed it but it was too short. Tells the backstory of how Ajax Penumbra come to California.. but that's it.. there is a whole cast of characters I now want to know more about

quote
BarbaraJean
Ajax Penumbra 1969 | Robin Sloan
post image

"Well, you know our saying: It's not over until you hold the book's ashes in your hands, weeping at the years you've lost."
"I did not know we had that saying, sir."

tpixie Lol 7y
27 likes2 stack adds1 comment
review
KathyWheeler
Ajax Penumbra 1969 | Robin Sloan
post image
Pickpick

If you liked Mr. Penumbra's 24 Hour Bookstore, you will probably want to read this short book about how Penumbra found the store and came to work there.

review
Victoriahoperose
Ajax Penumbra 1969 | Robin Sloan
post image
Mehso-so

I seriously loved the first book and have told so many people about it. This one was just not great for me. I think it was okay and definitely worthwhile if you are fans of the first one, but it just overall needed more. It felt rushed and there were so many opportunities that were missed to develop the story. I like the overall idea, but it didn't come close to Mr Penumbra at all for me.

Megabooks That's what I've generally heard. ☹️ 7y
11 likes1 comment
review
tracyrowanreads
Ajax Penumbra: 1969 | Robin Sloan
Pickpick

Charming prequel to Mr. Penumbra's 24-Hour Bookstore, makes me hope for other stories of the bookstore.

review
BarbaraTheBibliophage
Ajax Penumbra 1969 | Robin Sloan
post image
Pickpick

This is a quick back story to Mr. Penumbra's 24-Hour Bookstore. It's a light, fun, and imaginative read. I'm glad to know more about how Ajax came to be Mr. Penumbra. Of course, I found Cortiva to be just as endearingly irritating as well.

Once again, like I felt after reading the larger book, I am aching for a visit to the City now. (San Francisco for those in the know.)

MemoirsForMe Oh, I really want to read this. And it sounds like it's time for you to plan a trip! 😊👍🏻 8y
BarbaraTheBibliophage @UwannaPublishme You and I both should! 😎 8y
103 likes8 stack adds2 comments
review
RealLifeReading
Ajax Penumbra: 1969 | Robin Sloan
post image
Pickpick

Last night, after being overwhelmed by children from morning to night, I gave up on my rather depressing current read for a bit and read this cute novella, the prequel to Mr Penumbra's 24-Hour Bookstore. It's only 65 pages so would make an excellent #24in48 read!

KCorter Good call. I am usually reading something heavy, so I like to have some lighthearted and quick reads for those days the kids have drained me. I have been meaning to read this book and Mr. Penumbra since @acorter (and so many people on @Litsy) raved about it last year! Maybe I'll add them both to my #24in48 stack. :) 8y
britt_brooke 💚💚💚 8y
Brenley Woah! I did not know this existed...? Definitely added to stack! 8y
See All 9 Comments
Smangela Would you read this before Mr. Penumbra or still after? 8y
RealLifeReading @Smangela hmm that's a good question. I think I would still read it after actually 8y
RealLifeReading @KCorter you should! They're quick fun reads. This prequel especially. 8y
Lmstraubie Didn't know this existed. Stacking! 8y
144 likes16 stack adds9 comments
review
jessberk13
Ajax Penumbra 1969 | Robin Sloan
Pickpick

A fantastic and compelling backstory to the novel! It makes me want to read it again, and I very rarely reread anything. I enjoyed learning what brought Mr. Penumbra to the 24 hour bookstore!

Loralie I had no idea this was out there! 8y
jessberk13 @Loralie I didn't either, until a week or two ago when I saw it on another Litten's post!! 8y
lynneamch Be sure to wear some flowers in your hair. . . 🎶🌼🎶💕Aah. 1969. 8y
See All 6 Comments
Loralie @jessica Nice! Adding it to my list for sure! 8y
Bette Good to know! 😊❤️👍 8y
mcipher That's so cool! I love s good backstory. 8y
83 likes11 stack adds6 comments
blurb
jessberk13
Ajax Penumbra 1969 | Robin Sloan
post image

Let's see how long it takes to read this one.

TiffReadsAndRuns It's a pretty quick read. I really enjoyed! 8y
114 likes9 stack adds1 comment
review
erzascarletbookgasm
Ajax Penumbra: 1969 | Robin Sloan
post image
Pickpick

I've enjoyed Mr Penumbra's 24 Hour Bookstore & this is supposed to be the prequel to it but I read it after Mr Penumbra's. Anyway, Robin Sloan only wrote this short prequel in concert with Mr Penumbra's paperback release. It tells of the young Ajax Penumbra arriving in San Francisco, in search of a very old book that might possess strange powers & how he ends up at the bookstore that carries his name. Interesting read but the sequel was more fun.

Suzze I liked getting the backstory. 8y
49 likes5 stack adds1 comment
blurb
rach_simone
Ajax Penumbra 1969 | Robin Sloan
post image

#SeasonsReadings2016 I haven't read this one yet, but it is a prequel to Mr. Penumbra's 24-Hour Bookstore. I'm pretty sure I got this at #brlive last year! #SetInLibrariesBookstores

LauraBeth I didn't know there was a prequel! 8y
rach_simone @LauraBeth I only heard about it at Book Riot Live last year! I haven't seen anything about it anywhere else 8y
Jaimelire Didn't know about a prequel...fun! 8y
22 likes2 stack adds3 comments
blurb
Donna_sBookMinute
Ajax Penumbra 1969 | Robin Sloan
post image

Read this 90-page prequel to "Mr Penumbra's 24-Hour Bookstore" as either an introduction or a background to "24." The geographical setting is consistent. But the dateline in the prequel is 30 years prior. Meet young Ajax Penumbra and his associates in this intro to a most unusual bookstore.

20 likes4 stack adds
review
elkeOriginal
Ajax Penumbra 1969 | Robin Sloan
post image
Pickpick

I loved this little novella even more than 24-Hour Bookstore! It filled in some plot holes, flushed out Penumbra as a character, and had the same enjoyable local info as the novel. This will either get you revved up for 24-Hour or will make a lovely dessert afterward.

quote
Donna_sBookMinute
Ajax Penumbra 1969 | Robin Sloan
post image

Congrats Ajax! Condolences to the family of Officer Lemire. Can't recall anything about him. I don't think his name was mentioned until now. I have 16 pages to go. Then on to "Mr Penumbra's 24-Hour Bookstore." It's funny that he sounds old in that title; but in "1969," he's fresh out of college.

blurb
Donna_sBookMinute
Ajax Penumbra 1969 | Robin Sloan
post image

HPB: I lucked up on this prequel to "Mr Penumbra's 24-Hour Bookstore." It's only 91 pages; so I'm reading it before I get my hands on "24." I also found the first of a 2-book series. I've been holding out for it before reading the second one. And look! Both authors share the same last name!

BellaBookNook I never read either or the first book. I love the covers. Let me know what you think. 8y
11 likes1 comment
review
Stephkent
Ajax Penumbra 1969 | Robin Sloan
Pickpick

San Francisco, bibliophiles, and bookstores.

acorter Nice review. 'nuff said. 8y
1 like1 comment