“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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A book for our times. Soothing, quiet, moving….a voice we need to hear.
As an author, I love reading books about books and bookstores. in this novel, Gabrielle Zevin doesn’t venture anywhere we haven’t been before. There are plenty of references to the publishing industry that are a plus for writers like me. But the crux of the story is one of relationships between a bookshop owner and an abandoned child, and a woman he falls for. It’s a story that has a comforting effect like a warm blanket on a cold afternoon. The characters are well drawn and fun to be around.
I finished it, and that’s usually a huge determiner in how I rate a book.
Hmmm… What can I say about this story? It’s different! Yep, definitely different.
It’s very well written, probably the reason I finished it. The characters were fleshed out well, even though there were huge leaps in time.
What I didn’t like, and the reason for the deduct of a star. It’s very sad. I hope that’s not a spoiler because, personally, I like to know if a story is sad. It didn’t look sad to me when I picked it up. Even the title font looked interesting.
Anyway, it’s definitely literary fiction. It’s definitely real life. So if you like a well-told story, then I recommend you pick it up.
I don’t think that I’ve ever read a book remotely like this. It definitely has plenty that should appeal to bibliophiles. There’s a bookstore, a bookseller, books, book discussions, and more books. There are also some heartwarming moments, surprising twists and turns, and the main characters are proud nerds.
I found the overall tone of the book to be sad. Personally, I don’t prefer that, and so I mention it for the sake of those who might feel the same as I do. Nevertheless, it’s a sweet story and wonderfully bookish.
One of my top ten favorite books ever!
Maybe it’s just the stage of life I’m at, or recent life experiences, but I found this novel to be very affecting.
I read a comment on another site by someone who thought the book veered into YA and chick lit territory. I don’t see it, but if it is, I guess I need to read more YA and chick lit.
I’m drawn to stories about a bookstore owners, since they are becoming as rare as a black rhino. Mr. Fikry is an original character, experiencing life challenges and learning how to embrace his challenges. He is surrounded by well-crafted characters, in a fully-drawn fictional community.
If that’s “chick lit,” so be it. This is a great book.
This book was so tender! About a grumpy bookseller who just wants to be left alone, but who ends up taking in an abandoned baby. Every chapter starts with a book recommendation because he’s writing it for his daughter. So sweet! A little too much swearing for my taste, but I enjoyed this book!
“The Storied Life of A.J. Fikry” by Gabrielle Zevin is clever, surprising, and grows on you, just like the mini-character who is absolutely delightful.
The main character is not very likable at first . . . but of course, he changes due to circumstances beyond his control.
This is a book I will ponder long after I have shelved it in the “good reads” section of my bookshelf.
One of the sweetest books I’ve ever read. I’m normally a thriller/mystery/action reader, but was captivated by this book
I love this book. I have given this book to a number of people and they all loved it. And if you love books about books you will love it as well.
I thought it started off pretty good I was really into the story. There were parts that were a little slow for me and I kinda lost interest, but I have to say I enjoyed reading about A.J. Fikry’s life. It was both great and hard with some beautiful moments and others incredibly sad. I really liked all the characters and getting glimpses into their life and how they connected to Fikry’s life. I am glad that I gave this book a go and while I didn’t quite love it, it was interesting for sure.
I was drawn into this superbly woven tale from the very beginning. Reading this novel of love and loss and absolute whimsy was an unexpected pleasure that I would highly recommend. It’s a story that takes you into an ordinary life that isn’t so ordinary at all. Reminding us that it’s our own imperfect selves that give us a perfectly wonderful life.
The best book I have read in many a year, and I have read a lot of good books. I savored every word.
I’m always a sucker for books about books and bookshops, and I enjoyed this one a lot. Lots of surprises.
If you love books and bookstores, this one will hook you.
Perfect for book lovers.
This is one book I can honestly say…where have you been my whole life?
I’ve read a few of this author’s other works previously, and while I enjoyed them immensely, it was nothing compared to my love of this book. It’s not that it’s a light piece of fiction fluff to wile away an afternoon. It’s not that it’s full of happiness, and rainbows, spouting messages of good will to all, and a dozen books for every shelf. In fact, the lead character is rather curmudgeonly, set in his ways, and unlikely to change any time soon. He’s been touched by life and not always in a good way, so the store he calls his home is his domain; all others that don’t care for his way of “ruling” know where the door is and to avoid it hitting them on the backside on their way out. He often oversteps the bounds of propriety, thus his favorite flavor ought to be foot, and yet because of his lack of caring about socially acceptable behavior…it’s not. He’s just off the wall enough to make you care, and the changes he goes through (however unwillingly) as his heart opens up (thanks to a rather smart little cookie dropped inside his door) and his world is changed for the better (in part thanks to a not so accurately penned worked and the fab lit agent that turned his attention towards it and her), are remarkable enough to make it stick with you long after the final page is turned.
AJ Fikry is a single, middle aged book store owner on a small island called Alice Island. His wife died two years ago, and he spends his days holed up in his book store and his nights in his small apartment above the store. One day a woman named Amelia comes into his store to review some books that her publishing company is pushing that season. She is met with a very grumpy AJ who tells her that he is used to dealing with people who know what he likes and doesn’t have time for her list.
AJ has a very old and valuable book that he keeps in a secure vault in his apartment. One night, while he is feeling particularly vulnerable, he takes it out when he is having a drink. He passes out and when he wakes up, he finds that the book has been stolen. Even though the police try to find it – the book is never located.
A few days later, a 2 year old girl is found crying, and alone, in his bookstore. She has been left with a note that her mother can no longer care for her, and she wanted her daughter, Maya, to grow up a reader. So she left the little girl in AJ’s care. AJ has no idea why, and while the police are trying to find her mother, a body of a young woman washes up on the island. It is discovered that it is Maya’s mother. AJ – even though he knows nothing about babies – decides he cannot let the little girl go, and decides to keep her.
The book then starts taking leaps in years, instead of months, with each chapter. Maya grows up. AJ meets a woman and gets married. His book store, still the center of his life, remains open and thriving, and he attributes that to having Maya come into his life when he was at his lowest.
Tragedy strikes, and soon AJ needs to make a choice for him and for his family. He wants to make the right decision to insure that his daughter and wife always have what they need.
This was a great, but very short, book. I really enjoyed it. There was a little humor, a little sweetness, and a little real life neatly wrapped up in under 300 pages. While each chapter jumped ahead years instead of days into the future, I didn’t find that it took away from the story. I do find that some books can get overly wordy and detailed just to make them longer. But it often isn’t needed. I didn’t close the book wondering about anything and wishing I knew more about any one character. I think it was just the right amount of story.
I recommend checking out this book. There is a little bit of predictability, but not overly so.
I want this out of my life. I wish the story could have gone on and on. It was beautifully written. A.J. is my favorite character in a long while. Its a sad ending in some aspects, but the bookstore was reborn which was beautiful too.
Read It in one sitting. Beautiful and heart felt. I laughed out loud and cried and then grinned with deep joy. This book is perfect.