Waiting on Wednesday is the brainchild of Breaking the Spine, although Jill isn’t hosting this meme anymore. In any case, I will continue to post Waiting on Wednesdays, simply because it’s one of my favorite posts to do each week:-D
I was so excited to discover this book last week, when several bloggers listed it in their Top Ten Books for the Second Half of 2017 lists, and I immediately knew I wanted to feature it this week:
In his much-anticipated new novel, Robin Sloan does for the world of food what he did for the world of books in Mr. Penumbra s 24-Hour Bookstore
Lois Clary is a software engineer at General Dexterity, a San Francisco robotics company with world-changing ambitions. She codes all day and collapses at night, her human contact limited to the two brothers who run the neighborhood hole-in-the-wall from which she orders dinner every evening. Then, disaster! Visa issues. The brothers close up shop, and fast. But they have one last delivery for Lois: their culture, the sourdough starter used to bake their bread. She must keep it alive, they tell her feed it daily, play it music, and learn to bake with it.
Lois is no baker, but she could use a roommate, even if it is a needy colony of microorganisms. Soon, not only is she eating her own homemade bread, she s providing loaves daily to the General Dexterity cafeteria. The company chef urges her to take her product to the farmer s market, and a whole new world opens up.
When Lois comes before the jury that decides who sells what at Bay Area markets, she encounters a close-knit club with no appetite for new members. But then, an alternative emerges: a secret market that aims to fuse food and technology. But who are these people, exactly?
Leavened by the same infectious intelligence that made Robin Sloan s Mr. Penumbra s 24-Hour Bookstore such a sensation, while taking on even more satisfying challenges, Sourdough marks the triumphant return of a unique and beloved young writer.
Sourdough by Robin Sloan. Releases in September 2017 from MCD/Farrar, Straus & Giroux. Mr. Penumbra’s 24-Hour Bookstore was one of my favorite books of 2012, and even though it’s taken five years for Sloane’s next book to come out, that’s OK. This sounds totally wacky and the speculative elements are a little suspect, but I’m still looking forward to seeing what this talented author does next. And, sourdough! *Update: I just got approved for this on NetGalley, so any Sloan fans head over there!*
I’m not sure what to think about this one but I admit you have me curious. I don’t know that I’ve ever imagined picking up a book where bread is almost a main character!
Barb (boxermommyreads) recently posted…Can’t Wait Wednesday (109)
I agree, the story sounds bizarre, but I just have to read this because of the author!
Food and technology, a peculiar (sentient?) sourdough starter and an IT engineer – it’s a weird mix but one that might turn out into a great read. Thanks for sharing! 🙂
Maddalena@spaceandsorcery recently posted…Novella Review: SERVANT OF THE CROWN, by Brian McClellan (Powder Mage 0.2)
hahaha This one does sound super quirky but Penumbra’s was a ton of fun. I’ll probably read it. I love me some sourdough. lol
Bonnie @ For the Love of Words recently posted…Waiting on Wednesday – All the Crooked Saints by Maggie Stiefvater
This really does sound quite bizarre – but equally fascinating and intriguing. Sour dough – who’d have thought it. I think I”m absolutely going to have to read this without a doubt.
Lynn 😀
I have not read Mr. Penumbra’s 24-Hour Bookstore, but I’ve heard so much about it and the author! Maybe I should give this one a try…
Mogsy @ BiblioSanctum recently posted…Waiting on Wednesday 06/07/17
Does sound a little different but I might pick it up just because I liked Mr. Penumbra’s so much…
Greg recently posted…Why Comic Movies Need To Follow The Comics More
Thats my reason exactly. I loved Mr. Penumbra so I’m pretty sure I’ll love this as well.
This sounds like great fun, Tammy:). The book I’m now waiting for is A Taste of Marrow, after having just finished reading River of Teeth, which I thoroughly enjoyed.
sjhigbee recently posted…While the Morning Stars Sing
Oh me too Sarah! I think Taste of Marrow comes out later this year:-)
I loved Mr. Penumbra’s 24 Hour Bookstore when I read it, so I’ve got give this one a go!
Danya @ Fine Print recently posted…Review: Betrayals by Kelley Armstrong
It was pretty unique, right? This sounds even MORE unique!
What an unusual and original plot this is! Great find Tammy!
That is a… very strange premise 😀 I’m not sure what to make of it. But congrats on getting approved!
AvalinahsBooks recently posted…Is There Super Fun Scifi, But Not For Teens? YES.