“Funny, tender, and moving, The Storied Life of A. J. Fikry reminds us all exactly why we read and why we love.”*
A. J. Fikry’s life is not at all what he expected it to be. He lives alone, his bookstore is experiencing the worst sales in its history, and now his prized possession, a rare collection of Poe poems, has been stolen. But when a mysterious package appears at the bookstore, its … at the bookstore, its unexpected arrival gives Fikry the chance to make his life over–and see everything anew.
“This novel has humor, romance, a touch of suspense, but most of all love–love of books and bookish people and, really, all of humanity in its imperfect glory.” –Eowyn Ivey, author of The Snow Child
“Marvelously optimistic about the future of books and bookstores and the people who love both.” —The Washington Post
“You won’t want it to end.” —Family Circle
“A natural for book groups.” —Richmond Times-Dispatch
“A reader’s paradise of the first order.” —The Buffalo News
“A fun, page-turning delight.” —Minneapolis Star Tribune
“Captures the joy of connecting people and books . . . Irresistible.” —Booklist
“A wonderful, moving, endearing story of redemption and transformation that will sing in your heart for a very, very long time.” –Garth Stein, author of The Art of Racing in the Rain
“Readers who delighted in The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society, The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry, and Letters from Skye will be equally captivated by this novel.” –*Library Journal, starred review
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well written, interesting characters and a surprise towards the end.
I loved this book. I’m actually reading it for a second time. It’s a great book if you like reading and books. I won’t say anymore so I won’t spoil the story. But it’s definitely worth reading, you’ll love it. Plus through this service the price is right.
I didn’t plan on loving this book and I definitely didn’t expect the emotional turmoil it caused in me after. This book was fantastic. I literally buy it for gifts for birthdays, I’m constantly telling people who need something to read to go hunt the book down. I can’t put into words why this book has left such and impact on me but it has and I hope that it will have the same affect on those I lead to it. Phenomenal book.
This book did not live up to my hopes. I have found that I generally enjoy books which revolve around a book theme; a mystery, a theft, a long-lost book discovered, a fantasy. I think of such wonders like, “The Shadow of the Wind,” or “The Thirteenth Tale,” and hope that someone will come close to the beauty and mystery of these books. While mildly entertaining in a way similar to a Hallmark movie, or a John Green novel for teens, Zevin has managed to scratch the surface of this type of story, but without depth of character or story.
A Bookseller widower, meets a publisher’s rep, a baby is left in his store, a rare book is stolen from his room, the baby is adopted, the rep and the bookseller marry, death ensues. Who stole the book? Who is the mysterious baby and where did her mother (suicide after dropping the infant at the store) come from and how does she relate to the players?….There is the plot, but I am reluctant to call any of what I have revealed, a spoiler. The writing is pleasant without challenge, the story benign and without substance.
I believe the best classification for this novel is a beach read. There are better books to read, dear reader, and perhaps I should have realized this was what I should have done.
Gabrielle has a certain economy of words. Her characters are believable and very likeable. I will certainly look into this wordsmith’s other works.
I love this book. It is light, sweet, uncomplicated and very touching.
I enjoy stories about non-traditional families…the story is full love and kindness.