Sourdough by Robin Sloan

“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.”

How do you describe a book like Sourdough? When I first read the synopsis I wasn’t sure what to make of it, but I did know two things: it sounded odd and quirky, which I really like in books, and it is written by the author of Mr. Penumbra’s 24-Hour Bookstore, which I liked very much. So I was quite happy to sit down and enjoy the journey, one that turned out to be thoroughly enjoyable and as odd and quirky as the synopsis.

Sourdough follows Lois Cleary, a software engineer at a robotics company. It is a position she gladly accepted but her new life in San Francisco leaves much to be desired, as her days are consumed by work and leave her mentally exhausted. Her one enjoyment comes from a sandwich shop with mouthwatering food, which becomes a daily indulgence and leads to a friendship with the two brothers who run it. When the shop closes, Lois is gifted the starter for the delicious sourdough bread, and she soon discovers a love of baking that leads her on an adventure that includes a secret and innovative farmers market.

I found this to be such an enjoyable novel and couldn’t help but smile throughout. It is quirky with compelling characters and a surprising amount of depth. Lois’ experiences and feelings towards her work are very relatable as she grapples with reality versus expectation, finding passion in life, and a sense of community in a new place. I am a big fan of Robin Sloan’s writing style, which I enjoyed in Mr. Penumbra’s 24-Hour Bookstore and was happy to find again in Sourdough. This is a fun and at times thought-provoking novel that I would recommend to fans of odd and quirky reads.

Sidenote: do not read while hungry, and beware that it will make you want to take up baking. 😉