“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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I really enjoyed this book, the literary allusions and references were fun,
and I liked that characters a lot.
Moving and powerful – strongly recommend!
Well-written dialogue between characters, intereating story line and not a happily ever after. It is a good read.
As a person who loves words, reading about someone who loves words was so much fun! It was a great story and hated to see it end.
simple story
I love love love this book as will any book lover! I’m sure to reread it. And recommend it to everyone I know who loves to read. It is witty & touching. A fairy tale for readers. Read it.
Really liked the story a lot until the end. Not one I would have picked.
I like this book loving shop owner who was caught up in life changing experiences. Surprises, mystery and life changes for many involved. A good read.
I loved that the story is about books, people who sell books, people who like to read books and have a whole story built around this. If felt like every day people which is refreshing once in awhile. Get away from vampires, crime dramas, or unicorns and dragons (all of which I read). Really enjoyed and read rather quickly.
I loved this book so much. It snuck up on me while reading and I was hooked. I couldn’t put it down. Great characters, especially Fikry.
Pretty fast paced but I liked the characters.
this was a “life goes on” type of book. The inclusion of snipets of other authors and their books was a refreshing change for beginning each chapter.
The thinking and word use by this author are interesting but I just haven’t been captivated by the story line. I’m putting the book down and might go back to it sometime. I rarely leave a book unfinished. I prefer mysteries so perhaps this just wasn’t for me.
The title of the book said aren’t you curious to know what I’m about. I know a book is good when I read the first two pages, and keep reading and before I know it I’ve read the sample. The sample is to short. I buy the book. What a delightful book regardless the trials. I liked it did not dwell on the the tragedies nothing graphic, like next, and life goes on. However, as I get closer to the end I’m not liking it. I would have given it five stars, but I did not enjoy the ending at all. It still was a good (novel)
Unusual characters, well developed as the years pass in the “Island Bookstore” owned by AJ Fikry. Entertaining!
I bought it on a whim and found it to be worth the time reading. It’s characters were quirky and interesting. A very satisfactory read.
I liked it. It was an easy read but intelligent with information about other books. Loved the characters.
I enjoyed the book and the way it was written. This book was our neighborhooy book club selection. I was also reading a Man called Ove. The two books helped to understand the issues both men faced losing a wife. Likewise the influence of other characters helped both men re enter a life worth living.
I read it not long ago and for the life of me, I can’t remember a thing about it. Not a particularly memorable read, apparently.
Delightful book!