MR. PENUMBRA’S 24-HOUR BOOKSTORE

I'm partial to just about any novel about an old, charming bookshop. This story is a bit different, though: part mystery, part sci fi fan fiction, part new world vs old world adventure. Our narrator/bookshop clerk is a would-be Silicon Valley sleuth who embarks on a mission to discover the truth behind an ancient society, while his journey highlights the tension between old school books and new school technology. This was a wild departure from the rest of my bookshelf but a fun diversion nonetheless!

One scene is set in NYC on Fifth Avenue's museum mile, one of my favorite stretches of city blocks anywhere. Our hero is snacking on falafel from a street vendor, so here's my healthy take on that dish: baked falafel on baby arugula greens with tzatziki, lemon juice and stem-on cherry tomatoes. Next time I'm at the Guggenheim I'll grab a wrap from a food cart and report back how mine stacks up!