https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Wed, 15 Apr 2026 08:47:21 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/hb-book-clubnovember-mr-penumbras-24-hour-book-store-week-1-discussion-spoilers#post-1228912 Wed, 20 Nov 2013 08:40:07 +0000 swurlygurl 1228912@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>It's been a BUSY month - finally got around to get some reading done! Hopefully I can catch up within the next few days to the current thread ;)</p> <p>At this point, what is your theory about the bookstore’s mysterious patrons and what they are doing?<br /> I have no idea - but I'm loving the mystery. They're all older, and eclectic, so I'm guessing it has something to do with taking up a lot of time. I'm also very intrigued that they don't stick around to socialize very much - get their book and get out? I cannot fathom why Clay is not reading these books while at work? Some sort of club though, definitely...</p> <p>It seems like a lot of things are focusing on/comparing and contrasting the new, digital way the world works and the way things were made/done in the past. Do you see this as a large underlying theme? What are your thoughts on it- does the old or new have more pros versus cons?<br /> I feel like this is a huge theme in the book. I don't know how it could tie into the weird book club going on though - I don't see these older members being too involved with computers in any way. Maybe that has something to do with it...<br /> There are a lot of pros and cons to the digital takeover. Pro = amazing convenience ALL the time. Con = constantly connected, no down time. </p> <p>The author has introduced quite a few characters in a pretty short time and even though Clay has obviously been the most developed I feel like I at least semi-“know” most of them. Who do you find the most intriguing so far?<br /> I'm always very suspicious of characters when I get into a book... everyone seems like they're going to do something to upset the secret book club. I'm very wary of Kat and Matt right now... </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/hb-book-clubnovember-mr-penumbras-24-hour-book-store-week-1-discussion-spoilers#post-1209830 Mon, 11 Nov 2013 22:50:26 +0000 wheres_c 1209830@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm behind, so just finished page 69 today.<br /> This is a WAY better read so far than visitation street.</p> <p>@MediaNaranja: I also feel that it's some ancient scholar society!</p> <p>I think Kat is going to be some evil character using clay for access to the books.<br /> I'm curious about Penumbra!<br /> And who is corvina!? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/hb-book-clubnovember-mr-penumbras-24-hour-book-store-week-1-discussion-spoilers#post-1205553 Fri, 08 Nov 2013 21:27:16 +0000 MediaNaranja 1205553@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Ree723: in my edition (hardback) pg 69 is at the end of "the smell of books" chapter, but I'm not sure if it's the same in the paperback edition. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/hb-book-clubnovember-mr-penumbras-24-hour-book-store-week-1-discussion-spoilers#post-1205549 Fri, 08 Nov 2013 21:22:55 +0000 Ree723 1205549@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Just popping in to say that I'm catching up and will be able to participate in this thread soon! Also is anyone else reading it on Kindle? Where are we stopping on the Kindle? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/hb-book-clubnovember-mr-penumbras-24-hour-book-store-week-1-discussion-spoilers#post-1205546 Fri, 08 Nov 2013 21:21:05 +0000 MediaNaranja 1205546@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I've read the whole thing so I will try not to spoil things for everyone else :happy: </p> <p>At that point in the book I thought the bookstore was for some secret scholar society, like some form of ancient knowledge held by a select group of individuals.</p> <p>I think the new vs old way is a big theme in the book. For me I get the appeal of both sides. I LOVE comfy libraries or reading rooms. But I also love my kindle for ease of use. I doubt that paper books will ever completely go away.</p> <p>I love Penumbra! I am really intrigued by how he came to run the bookshop. I also want to know more about the patrons who get books from the waybacklist! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/hb-book-clubnovember-mr-penumbras-24-hour-book-store-week-1-discussion-spoilers#post-1204255 Fri, 08 Nov 2013 10:41:11 +0000 dagret 1204255@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Don't have time to answer the questions yet but the paperback cover glows in the dark - so cool! (Found this out last night when I was reading when our power was out!) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/hb-book-clubnovember-mr-penumbras-24-hour-book-store-week-1-discussion-spoilers#post-1202152 Thu, 07 Nov 2013 13:56:12 +0000 SweetMamaM 1202152@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>At this point, what is your theory about the bookstore’s mysterious patrons and what they are doing?<br /> I thought that maybe it was some sort of National Treasure/Da Vinci Code type thing.<br /> It seems like a lot of things are focusing on/comparing and contrasting the new, digital way the world works and the way things were made/done in the past. Do you see this as a large underlying theme? What are your thoughts on it- does the old or new have more pros versus cons?<br /> I straddle the divide - I love curling up with an old school book but the Kindle has freed up a lot of space in this book lover house!<br /> The author has introduced quite a few characters in a pretty short time and even though Clay has obviously been the most developed I feel like I at least semi-“know” most of them. Who do you find the most intriguing so far?<br /> I feel like that there is still a lot we don't know about Neel (sp?) and that he's going to be more relevant as the story goes on. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/hb-book-clubnovember-mr-penumbras-24-hour-book-store-week-1-discussion-spoilers#post-1201879 Thu, 07 Nov 2013 12:47:20 +0000 regberadaisy 1201879@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I think they're part of some mysterious league/sect! A la The DaVinci Code. Trying to break some old ancient code or something along the lines of the secret to youth?</p> <p>While I believe technology is progress it is sad that our children will not be brought up in the "simple" life we know. But then again our parents are probably sad that we didn't live the "simple" life <i>they</i> had!</p> <p>I find Ashley (the android room mate) and Kat the potential love interest the most intriguing!<br /> Ashley because she's the most poignant indication of the time period the story takes place.<br /> Kat because I think there is more to her character. Maybe a spy for the "boss"? Or perhaps even Penumbra? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/hb-book-clubnovember-mr-penumbras-24-hour-book-store-week-1-discussion-spoilers#post-1200294 Wed, 06 Nov 2013 18:04:12 +0000 dc yoga bee 1200294@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Part I</p> <p><b>At this point, what is your theory about the bookstore’s mysterious patrons and what they are doing?</b></p> <p>I feel like it's some sort of computer code the patrons are racing to crack.</p> <p><b>It seems like a lot of things are focusing on/comparing and contrasting the new, digital way the world works and the way things were made/done in the past. Do you see this as a large underlying theme? What are your thoughts on it- does the old or new have more pros versus cons?</b></p> <p>I find it interesting, because I'm a child of the modern era, but the comparison between the kindle and paperback books is like whoa! I grew up on paperbacks. I love cover art, the smell of books, and when Clay talked about the smell. mmmmm. I see it as an underlying theme. Each have their pros and cons. The new makes our lives easier and more efficient, however we're so wrapped in our digital age that we're taking pictures in front of the mona lisa to update our statuses that we were there instead of turning around and taking in the experience of actually being there. </p> <p><b>The author has introduced quite a few characters in a pretty short time and even though Clay has obviously been the most developed I feel like I at least semi-“know” most of them. Who do you find the most intriguing so far?</b></p> <p>Kat! For the love of mankind- why does she never change out of that same t-shirt?!? All jokes aside, I find her really interesting, and hope to see her and Clay progress in their friendship into a relationship. That would be an interesting pair! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/hb-book-clubnovember-mr-penumbras-24-hour-book-store-week-1-discussion-spoilers#post-1199298 Wed, 06 Nov 2013 11:17:10 +0000 ALV91711 1199298@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm still on the wait list at the library for this one. Hopefully I'll have it soon so I can catch up and join in. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/hb-book-clubnovember-mr-penumbras-24-hour-book-store-week-1-discussion-spoilers#post-1198441 Tue, 05 Nov 2013 22:31:12 +0000 mrbee 1198441@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I've read the whole book, but will share what I thought early on when reading!</p> <p><b>At this point, what is your theory about the bookstore’s mysterious patrons and what they are doing?</b></p> <p>I thought maybe it was a front for some cult...</p> <p><b>It seems like a lot of things are focusing on/comparing and contrasting the new, digital way the world works and the way things were made/done in the past. Do you see this as a large underlying theme? What are your thoughts on it- does the old or new have more pros versus cons?</b></p> <p>I just moved, so my main thought here is that paper books sure require a lot of packing, moving and unpacking!! I never appreciated my Kindle until after I had to move 23 boxes of books!</p> <p>I think that paper books do have one big advantage though: they are inherently social. When someone comes over, they can see what books are on my shelves and start a conversation about them. That's hard to do with a Kindle! And if I think someone might be interested in a book, I can lend or give it to them... also hard to do with an ebook.</p> <p><b>The author has introduced quite a few characters in a pretty short time and even though Clay has obviously been the most developed I feel like I at least semi-“know” most of them. Who do you find the most intriguing so far?</b></p> <p>I actually found myself not really liking Clay... I also liked Penumbra the most so far! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/hb-book-clubnovember-mr-penumbras-24-hour-book-store-week-1-discussion-spoilers#post-1196412 Tue, 05 Nov 2013 06:29:39 +0000 mrsvdv 1196412@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>At this point, what is your theory about the bookstore’s mysterious patrons and what they are doing?</p> <p>It's definitely about breaking some code but I also think it's more than just that! I have no idea what it is, but since there are bookstores like this around the world it must be something bigger.</p> <p>It seems like a lot of things are focusing on/comparing and contrasting the new, digital way the world works and the way things were made/done in the past. Do you see this as a large underlying theme? What are your thoughts on it- does the old or new have more pros versus cons?</p> <p>Yes this is a theme, but I'm sort of hoping a more "meaningful" theme also develops. I mean, the contradiction between the old and the new does make you think about how we do things now vs not even so long ago, and how quickly everything changes and whether that's always a good thing or not, but overall the books vs technology isn't really a gripping theme for me. </p> <p>The author has introduced quite a few characters in a pretty short time and even though Clay has obviously been the most developed I feel like I at least semi-“know” most of them. Who do you find the most intriguing so far?</p> <p>For me, it's Penumbra himself: he knows things we don't (yet) and I think he has an interesting story to tell, although I'm guessing he doesn't hold all the answers? I'm loving the book so far, can't wait to get on with it!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/hb-book-clubnovember-mr-penumbras-24-hour-book-store-week-1-discussion-spoilers#post-1196366 Tue, 05 Nov 2013 02:52:45 +0000 erinpye 1196366@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I've read too far and don't want to spoil anything, but loving this book! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/hb-book-clubnovember-mr-penumbras-24-hour-book-store-week-1-discussion-spoilers#post-1195835 Mon, 04 Nov 2013 19:23:25 +0000 Bao 1195835@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I don't have time to answer the questions right now, but I already finished the book and loved it! Will chime in on this discussion later :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/hb-book-clubnovember-mr-penumbras-24-hour-book-store-week-1-discussion-spoilers#post-1194942 Mon, 04 Nov 2013 13:02:41 +0000 Running Elley 1194942@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p><b> Part I </b></p> <p><b> At this point, what is your theory about the bookstore’s mysterious patrons and what they are doing? </b> </p> <p>I’m not sure- I’m kind of stumped! If I had to guess I’d say that the patrons are breaking a type of code…something literature based obviously. And the patrons of the different locations of these type of bookstore are all working to break it. I’m not sure what the code is related to though! It seems like the “project” has been going on for quite some time.</p> <p><b> It seems like a lot of things are focusing on/comparing and contrasting the new, digital way the world works and the way things were made/done in the past. Do you see this as a large underlying theme? What are your thoughts on it- does the old or new have more pros versus cons? </b></p> <p>I definitely think that it’s a huge part of the basis of the book. Personally I’m more drawn to the characteristics of the older world way of doing things. In relation to books at least, as much as I love the convenience of my kindle, it doesn’t have the same allure of a physical book and the way actual books handle or look on the shelves. In the grand scheme of things I know logically that technology has made fabulous changes that are extremely beneficial, of course. I’m not a very techie person though so I don’t really see the “magic” behind that side.</p> <p><b> The author has introduced quite a few characters in a pretty short time and even though Clay has obviously been the most developed I feel like I at least semi-“know” most of them. Who do you find the most intriguing so far? </b></p> <p>I really like Mat and the Mat/Ashley relationship that’s developing. I thought it was really cute that she was impressed by his first project that he made in the kitchen.</p> <p>ETA: This week's discussion goes through page 69. Next week's discussion will go through the end of Part I. </p>