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4.5 stars
This ARC book is one of my favorite reads of 2019. [a:Robin Sloan|2960227|Robin Sloan|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1524283679p2/2960227.jpg]'s writing has improved so much since [b:Mr. Penumbra's 24-Hour Bookstore|43422608|Mr. Penumbra's 24-Hour Bookstore (Mr. Penumbra's 24-Hour Bookstore, #1)|Robin Sloan|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1546275180l/43422608._SY75_.jpg|6736543]. I was impressed by the depth and stylistic choices he made in this novel. For example, there's the lovely emails sent back and forth between Lois and Beo. Instead of interrupting the flow of the story, these emails add a fun parallel to the characters' individual experiences. More than anything, I couldn't believe how much I loved Lois! This wholesome and lovable heroine is smart, down to earth, fearless and thoughtful. I related to her on every level. We're both vegetarians, dedicated bakers of bread, Hogwarts alumni and classical music lovers.
PREPARE TO GET HUNGRY. This book is the perfect company for those who bake and read. Baking bread is my favorite activity and I often do so with a podcast going. I want to search for an audiobook version of this to listen to while I knead dough!
The first chapter had me hooked. The quote: "Here’s a thing I believe about people my age: we are the children of Hogwarts, and more than anything, we just want to be sorted," let me know immediately what kind of book I was reading. I was more than happy to dig in! I was consumed by the beautiful story of self-discovery. Everything felt new to me, from Lois's name club to her job at a tech company. It's a wonderful feeling to discover a character's story that is so like your own but yet so different.
This story is unique in the genre of magical realism. It's inspirational and it's a standalone. While Lois's story inspires readers to try something new in their lives, it also makes it clear that no journey will ever be like hers. Even after Jaina steals the starter (I'm still mad at her for that!) her journey will never be like Lois's. Lois alone knows about the musical secret of her sourdough starter. It's fitting justice that Jaina will never appreciate the starter's true beauty.
The only reason this book isn't rated 5 stars is because I wanted it to go on forever! I already miss the characters at the Marrow market. Also, did anyone else get the feeling that Horace was from the book [b:Mr. Penumbra's 24-Hour Bookstore|13538873|Mr. Penumbra's 24-Hour Bookstore (Mr. Penumbra's 24-Hour Bookstore, #1)|Robin Sloan|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1345089845l/13538873._SY75_.jpg|6736543]??? He felt familiar to me. It is too much of a coincidence that Horace has his own bookstore hoard and is an archivist. I can't remember if there was a character named Horace in [b:Mr. Penumbra's 24-Hour Bookstore|13538873|Mr. Penumbra's 24-Hour Bookstore (Mr. Penumbra's 24-Hour Bookstore, #1)|Robin Sloan|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1345089845l/13538873._SY75_.jpg|6736543], but if there wasn't, this feels like a missed opportunity! I love the idea of Sloan's books being linked to each other.
This ARC book is one of my favorite reads of 2019. [a:Robin Sloan|2960227|Robin Sloan|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1524283679p2/2960227.jpg]'s writing has improved so much since [b:Mr. Penumbra's 24-Hour Bookstore|43422608|Mr. Penumbra's 24-Hour Bookstore (Mr. Penumbra's 24-Hour Bookstore, #1)|Robin Sloan|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1546275180l/43422608._SY75_.jpg|6736543]. I was impressed by the depth and stylistic choices he made in this novel. For example, there's the lovely emails sent back and forth between Lois and Beo. Instead of interrupting the flow of the story, these emails add a fun parallel to the characters' individual experiences. More than anything, I couldn't believe how much I loved Lois! This wholesome and lovable heroine is smart, down to earth, fearless and thoughtful. I related to her on every level. We're both vegetarians, dedicated bakers of bread, Hogwarts alumni and classical music lovers.
PREPARE TO GET HUNGRY. This book is the perfect company for those who bake and read. Baking bread is my favorite activity and I often do so with a podcast going. I want to search for an audiobook version of this to listen to while I knead dough!
The first chapter had me hooked. The quote: "Here’s a thing I believe about people my age: we are the children of Hogwarts, and more than anything, we just want to be sorted," let me know immediately what kind of book I was reading. I was more than happy to dig in! I was consumed by the beautiful story of self-discovery. Everything felt new to me, from Lois's name club to her job at a tech company. It's a wonderful feeling to discover a character's story that is so like your own but yet so different.
This story is unique in the genre of magical realism. It's inspirational and it's a standalone. While Lois's story inspires readers to try something new in their lives, it also makes it clear that no journey will ever be like hers. Even after Jaina steals the starter (I'm still mad at her for that!) her journey will never be like Lois's. Lois alone knows about the musical secret of her sourdough starter. It's fitting justice that Jaina will never appreciate the starter's true beauty.
The only reason this book isn't rated 5 stars is because I wanted it to go on forever! I already miss the characters at the Marrow market. Also, did anyone else get the feeling that Horace was from the book [b:Mr. Penumbra's 24-Hour Bookstore|13538873|Mr. Penumbra's 24-Hour Bookstore (Mr. Penumbra's 24-Hour Bookstore, #1)|Robin Sloan|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1345089845l/13538873._SY75_.jpg|6736543]??? He felt familiar to me. It is too much of a coincidence that Horace has his own bookstore hoard and is an archivist. I can't remember if there was a character named Horace in [b:Mr. Penumbra's 24-Hour Bookstore|13538873|Mr. Penumbra's 24-Hour Bookstore (Mr. Penumbra's 24-Hour Bookstore, #1)|Robin Sloan|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1345089845l/13538873._SY75_.jpg|6736543], but if there wasn't, this feels like a missed opportunity! I love the idea of Sloan's books being linked to each other.