About a month ago I wrote about a book I was reading which had so gripped me that I stayed up late, late, late completely entranced by it. It was ‘Sourdough’ by Robin Sloane. I was hooked, right to the end, which I admit became somewhat fantastical and which I will have to read again. As soon as I’d finished I wanted to read another by Robin, but I decided to pace myself – I needed to catch up with sleep as much as anything. So, in complete contrast I read another excellent book, a biography of Agatha Christie by Lucy Worsley, called, unsurprisingly, “Agatha Christie”. I didn’t get much sleep with that either, as it too was very engaging and I found myself reading one more chapter, just one more chapter. I thoroughly recommend it – it’s sending me back to her novels, and I guess it may be the same for you too!
Back to what I was originally thinking about – the book I ready by Robin Sloan. The title says it all – it’s about sourdough but it’s not a recipe book, or a cookery book – I actually don’t know how to describe it! I do want to have a go at making sourdough, but the book isn’t a guide – I will have to find a friend who can guide me! In the book there are references to an extraordinary (huge understatement) book shop, called Mr Penumbra’s. I wasn’t very surprised to find that there is another book which is called “Mr. Penumbra’s 24–Hour Bookstore”, and you won’t be surprised to know that I am now reading it. And yes, I’m reading into deep into the night!
I have found out that Mr Penumbra was published in 2012, and Sourdough five years later in 2017. In between Robin has written other books:
- Annabel Scheme
- Ajax Penumbra
- Annabel Scheme and the Adventure of the New Golden Gate (Novella; “neither sequel nor prequel to the original Annabel Scheme” novel.)
- The Suitcase Clone
I think it is highly likely I will be reading them at some point!
Lois Elsden 