Helpful Score: 4
Review first published on my blog: http://memoriesfrombooks.blogspot.com/2013/12/a-storied-life-of-j-fikry.html
A. J. Fikry is the owner of a small independent bookstore, Island Books, on a small island, Alice Island. His is the only bookstore on the island, catering to the small year round population in the winter and the burst of business that the summer visitors to the island bring. Surrounding him are the visitors to his bookstore, his wife's sister and her husband, the local police chief who becomes a friend, and the book rep of one of the publishers he deals with.
A.J. is a little lost. His beloved wife died suddenly. His bookstore is not doing well, and his prize possession - a rare book, of course - has been stolen. He is alone and isolated.
One day, an unexpected "package" arrives at his store, and changes his life forever. The story is about what follows that day in A.J's life. Peppered throughout at his notes on a variety of stories, some that I have read and some that are now going on my ever-lengthening to read list.
This book has been described as a "love letter to the world of books" which, of course, immediately appeals to me. It's a sweet story of ordinary people getting through life. That is its appeal. It's real. The fact that the setting is an independent bookstore certainly adds to that appeal. The book makes me feel like I am welcomed into the characters' world and become a part of it. I end the book still feeling warm and cozy.
At one point, A.J. writes, "People tell boring lies about politics, God and love. You know everything you need to know about a person from the answer to the question: What is your favorite book?" This is one of my recent favorites. Wonder what this tells you about me?
*** Reviewed based on a galley received through NetGalley ***
A. J. Fikry is the owner of a small independent bookstore, Island Books, on a small island, Alice Island. His is the only bookstore on the island, catering to the small year round population in the winter and the burst of business that the summer visitors to the island bring. Surrounding him are the visitors to his bookstore, his wife's sister and her husband, the local police chief who becomes a friend, and the book rep of one of the publishers he deals with.
A.J. is a little lost. His beloved wife died suddenly. His bookstore is not doing well, and his prize possession - a rare book, of course - has been stolen. He is alone and isolated.
One day, an unexpected "package" arrives at his store, and changes his life forever. The story is about what follows that day in A.J's life. Peppered throughout at his notes on a variety of stories, some that I have read and some that are now going on my ever-lengthening to read list.
This book has been described as a "love letter to the world of books" which, of course, immediately appeals to me. It's a sweet story of ordinary people getting through life. That is its appeal. It's real. The fact that the setting is an independent bookstore certainly adds to that appeal. The book makes me feel like I am welcomed into the characters' world and become a part of it. I end the book still feeling warm and cozy.
At one point, A.J. writes, "People tell boring lies about politics, God and love. You know everything you need to know about a person from the answer to the question: What is your favorite book?" This is one of my recent favorites. Wonder what this tells you about me?
*** Reviewed based on a galley received through NetGalley ***
Helpful Score: 2
There's not all that much to say about this wonderful little book. There's a little something for everyone in it: humor, romance, mystery. The cast of characters is small but choice, and they don't always behave in the ways that you expect them to.
First and foremost, The Storied Life of A.J. Fikry is a paean to books and all the people who love them. It unfolds with no real surprises, but with a satisfying sweetness and grace. Emotionally, it was the perfect time for me to read this book, and I loved it.
First and foremost, The Storied Life of A.J. Fikry is a paean to books and all the people who love them. It unfolds with no real surprises, but with a satisfying sweetness and grace. Emotionally, it was the perfect time for me to read this book, and I loved it.
Helpful Score: 2
I was given this book to read by a friend of mine who really enjoyed it. I briefly scanned the inside jacket of the book cover to get an idea of what it was about. It didn't strike me as a book that I would typically read, but I am always open to new authors and something different. I thought this was a truly endearing book with wonderful characters. The entire story revolves around A.J. Fikry's book store which he took over after his wife passed away in a tragic accident. Throughout the years, this book store had the ability to change his life in so many ways which he never would have thought possible. Gabrielle Zevin is very talented and does not disappoint!
Helpful Score: 1
Loved this book -- my pick for my bookclub this month. A must read for all bibliophiles..... shows how to raise a child to be a booklover for sure!
Has some suspense, family drama, a crime, romance, and sad ending all rolled into one. Each chapter has a page before the chapter starts that recommends a short story as the main character, Mr Fikry, a bookstore owner who was widowed young, prefers short stories to novels.
You will love how AJ, an orphaned toddler, and a single bookseller for a publisher come together to form a family on a small island where the bookstore, Island Books, becomes the heart of the town that is reached only by ferry.
Has some suspense, family drama, a crime, romance, and sad ending all rolled into one. Each chapter has a page before the chapter starts that recommends a short story as the main character, Mr Fikry, a bookstore owner who was widowed young, prefers short stories to novels.
You will love how AJ, an orphaned toddler, and a single bookseller for a publisher come together to form a family on a small island where the bookstore, Island Books, becomes the heart of the town that is reached only by ferry.
This was recommended to me by one of the YouTuber's I used to watch (it was awhile ago and I am blanking on the name). This ended up being a well done book that I think book lovers will really adore. This was one of those books that could have been something really really amazing but didn't quite make it there for me because of the rushed and sad ending.
I listened to this on audiobook and Scott Brick did an amazing job with narration. This is one of those books that was a real pleasure to listen to.
The story is mainly about a bookseller named A.J. Fikry who ends up with a young toddler girl in the midst of having a very bad year himself. His decision to keep the toddler and raise her as his own completely changes his life.
The book is also about Alice Island and the people who live there and how their lives are enhanced and/or changed by A.J. Fikry.
I was drawn into the story right from the beginning and was completely sucked into the life of Fikry and the other Alice Island residents. There are a ton of bookish references in here which I adored.
My only complaint with the book is that the end took a very depressing turn that left me feeling very sad and down. Additionally things felt a bit rushed and just unfinished at the end of the book. If not for the last few chapters I would have given this 5 stars. I am just not a huge fan of books that leave me feeling really down and depressed.
Overall this was a great book that, for the most part, I really enjoyed. I would recommend to all you book lovers out there; there is a lot in here for us book lovers to relate to. It's also just a sweet and special story of one man's life struggles.
I listened to this on audiobook and Scott Brick did an amazing job with narration. This is one of those books that was a real pleasure to listen to.
The story is mainly about a bookseller named A.J. Fikry who ends up with a young toddler girl in the midst of having a very bad year himself. His decision to keep the toddler and raise her as his own completely changes his life.
The book is also about Alice Island and the people who live there and how their lives are enhanced and/or changed by A.J. Fikry.
I was drawn into the story right from the beginning and was completely sucked into the life of Fikry and the other Alice Island residents. There are a ton of bookish references in here which I adored.
My only complaint with the book is that the end took a very depressing turn that left me feeling very sad and down. Additionally things felt a bit rushed and just unfinished at the end of the book. If not for the last few chapters I would have given this 5 stars. I am just not a huge fan of books that leave me feeling really down and depressed.
Overall this was a great book that, for the most part, I really enjoyed. I would recommend to all you book lovers out there; there is a lot in here for us book lovers to relate to. It's also just a sweet and special story of one man's life struggles.
A lovely tale of finding love and loving books and literature. No surprises but an easy and very pleasant read.
A book-lovers' book. A cynical book-lovers' dream. Amusing throughout.
I read a lot of fluff. It's what I like but about every 20 - 30 books I read something and think, "Wow, that was really good!" And that is what happened when I read this book. I loved the characters, the setting and the story in general. A.J. was cynical, sardonic and somewhat bitter but as the story progressed a small child changed him and you get to share that transformation which had great appeal to me. There was a little bit of romance, a little bit of mystery, a lot about books and friendships with a little sadness thrown in. I hope you enjoy this book as much as I did.
I picked this book up, because it was a staff pick in a bookstore. I couldn't put it down. AJ Fikry is the lead character and you see his transformation through life. His wife has died when the story begins. Other things befall him, some good some bad. It was the perfect book to give you a pick me up.
I loved this one so much. I ended up with two copies and want to pass this heartfelt novel with someone else who will appreciate it. you wont regret this journey
I really enjoyed this novel. I liked the characters and the way they interacted with each other. Something about the quaintness of the writing always made me pick it back up and want to read more. One thing I thought was lacking was any type of real excitement. The book just goes on, there isn't much build up when something big happens...it just sort of happens and then it's over. For me, this is a meandering book for a rainy (or snowy) type of day.
I loved this story. It was well written, easy to read and a delight to those of us who love to read!
Highly recommend! What a great book. Every emotion will be provoked as you read this tale. What a I appreciated most was the author's real command of what makes a story great. At times you are simply reading about the life of others, people you could even know, but every detail and thread of story is wrapped up by the end and understood without being cheesy or dulled. I read this book fast and did not want to put it down to actually function in my daily life. Take it on a plane and you will probably be finished by the time you arrive at your destination, but be prepared to bring along a sense of humor and some tissues.
A curmudgeonly bookseller on the small island of Alice keeps himself to himself as much as possible. All that changes when he loses an important book, adopts a little girl (left in his shop), marries a woman he was originally unkind to and becomes a bigger part of society. There is no way to describe how all of these actions changes A.J. We see him blossom and we cheer him on. But there is also much sadness in this book (dead parents, dead spouses, philandering spouses). This is a book that must be read to be understood but it's well worth it. Loved the little book reviews at the start of each chapter. I would give this a solid 4 stars.
Great book. Loved it. Read it in 2 days.
Did you ever want to work, or own a cozy Book Store? Or drive the Book Mobile around to share books with others? Have you placed limitations on yourself of what you will or will not read? Or have you often thought of someone else while reading a particular book and said to yourself, " my friend really has to read this book!"
My Book Club just read this book and loved it! This book has many layers and has uniquely incorporated the main character, A.J. Fikry's life with classical literature, and his favorite authors into a letter of love with life lessons to Maya his (somewhat unconventional) adopted daughter. While reading this Book for Book Lovers, you will find mystery, experience sadness and joy, and laugh as The Storied Life of AJ. Fikry unfolds on Alice Island 's Island Books - where "No Man Is an Island; Every Book Is a World".
My Book Club just read this book and loved it! This book has many layers and has uniquely incorporated the main character, A.J. Fikry's life with classical literature, and his favorite authors into a letter of love with life lessons to Maya his (somewhat unconventional) adopted daughter. While reading this Book for Book Lovers, you will find mystery, experience sadness and joy, and laugh as The Storied Life of AJ. Fikry unfolds on Alice Island 's Island Books - where "No Man Is an Island; Every Book Is a World".
I really enjoyed this wonderful novel. It's the story of a young man, A.J. Fikry, who owns a bookstore on and Island in New England. The man lost his wife in a traffic accident and is now on the verge of becoming an alcoholic and a curmudgeon. Then he has a very rare and valuable book stolen from him, Tamerlane, the first work published by Edgar Allen Poe. (I looked on line and found that a 2009 auction of this went for over $600,000!). And then someone leaves a two-year old baby in his shop with a note wanting him to take care of her because she wants her to be raised knowing books. Well all of this changes Fikry's outlook on life. He ends up adopting the child, being more outgoing, finding a new wife, and enjoying life.
Fikry's favorite form of literature is the short story and each chapter gives a brief blurb about a favorite story at the beginning of the chapter. The book is also filled with other literary references to both stories and novels which makes me want to read many of the referenced works. (There is an online list of all the stories and other works mentioned in the book here). As stated on the book flap, this is "an unforgettable tale of transformation and second chances, an irresistible affirmation of why we read, and why we love." I very highly recommend this one to anyone especially book lovers like myself!
Fikry's favorite form of literature is the short story and each chapter gives a brief blurb about a favorite story at the beginning of the chapter. The book is also filled with other literary references to both stories and novels which makes me want to read many of the referenced works. (There is an online list of all the stories and other works mentioned in the book here). As stated on the book flap, this is "an unforgettable tale of transformation and second chances, an irresistible affirmation of why we read, and why we love." I very highly recommend this one to anyone especially book lovers like myself!
I think the author was going for a heart-warming and tear-jerking read, and it had all the potential in the world to be just that, but the characters were too underdeveloped to allow that to happen. The plot too is a bit disjointed in that the author attempts to provide deeper insight into some of the main character's lives, however, she skips back and forth through each of them so quickly, that they all just remain two dimensional.
As with all of the books chosen by members in my book club, I try not to read any of the blurbs or reviews about the book until I've fully read it, so I was really disappointed to go back after reading this book and looking through the book's blurb which is quite misleading and for the most part inaccurate as it relates to the characters' roles within the story. With that said, it wasn't a total disaster, there are some great references to other works of literature which I've duly noted and will go back to at some point and read on my spare time.
As with all of the books chosen by members in my book club, I try not to read any of the blurbs or reviews about the book until I've fully read it, so I was really disappointed to go back after reading this book and looking through the book's blurb which is quite misleading and for the most part inaccurate as it relates to the characters' roles within the story. With that said, it wasn't a total disaster, there are some great references to other works of literature which I've duly noted and will go back to at some point and read on my spare time.
I wasn't sure what to expect from this book. It is a slim volume, only 260 pages.it begins in the middle of a bookstore owners life, at a particular low point, and follows through all of life's many twists and turns. I was surprised by several points in the plot. The story moves along very quickly which keeps it interesting. I found the characters likable. The story touched my emotions on a few levels. Overall I truly enjoyed this book. I would recommend it to just about anyone but particularly parents and booklovers. If you love reading you'll love this book.
This was lovely. Easy, a bit sentimental, lessons are imparted, books are talked about, people understand how unreasonable they are acting but can't help themselves. Everyone is very self-aware but this was great, I guess a bit unrealistically realistic? lol
I couldn't put it down, one of those quiet type of books that will get under your skin if you let it. Bittersweet, and a little messy, just like life.
I couldn't put it down, one of those quiet type of books that will get under your skin if you let it. Bittersweet, and a little messy, just like life.
SUSAN S. (susieqmillsacoustics) -
This is a delightful read with wonderful characters! The literary references along the way are a nice addition for us book lovers, too. Much laughter, a few tears, but a heartfelt journey that shouldn't be missed.
**Thank you Algonquin and Netgalley for providing this in exchange for an honest review**
A.J. is the owner of small bookstore, Island Books. In the year and a half since his wife died, he has been slowly destroying his life with a mixture of alcohol and a constant diet of frozen foods. Due to a health issue he has had his entire life, A.J. goes to see his doctor. During this visit, A.J.'s obvious depression shows. The doctor recommends exercise. A.J. used to run during his school days, so he figures why not give it a go. Upon returning to the bookstore after one of these runs, he discovers a toddler has been abandoned in his store. A.J. decides he can not allow this beautiful, little girl to enter the Foster care system. A.J. is probably the least qualified person on the island to raise a child. He is always cranky, snobbish, and still grieving the loss of his wife. This little girl, Maya, will change the lives of A.J. and the residents of Alice in ways that no one could ever imagine.
I really, really enjoyed this. Before I picked this up, I went through a two week reading slump. I must have picked up and put down no less then 20 titles. This sucked me in from the first few pages. This isn't a deep book, but it is one of the most enjoyable I've read this year. I wish more authors wrote characters the way Zevin does. This is more character than plot driven. Even though I enjoy character driven books, I do feel most of them drag here and there. It isn't uncommon for me to skim small sections with this type of book. That wasn't the case here. I found myself reading this as slow as I possibly could to make it last longer.
I highly recommend this book
A.J. is the owner of small bookstore, Island Books. In the year and a half since his wife died, he has been slowly destroying his life with a mixture of alcohol and a constant diet of frozen foods. Due to a health issue he has had his entire life, A.J. goes to see his doctor. During this visit, A.J.'s obvious depression shows. The doctor recommends exercise. A.J. used to run during his school days, so he figures why not give it a go. Upon returning to the bookstore after one of these runs, he discovers a toddler has been abandoned in his store. A.J. decides he can not allow this beautiful, little girl to enter the Foster care system. A.J. is probably the least qualified person on the island to raise a child. He is always cranky, snobbish, and still grieving the loss of his wife. This little girl, Maya, will change the lives of A.J. and the residents of Alice in ways that no one could ever imagine.
I really, really enjoyed this. Before I picked this up, I went through a two week reading slump. I must have picked up and put down no less then 20 titles. This sucked me in from the first few pages. This isn't a deep book, but it is one of the most enjoyable I've read this year. I wish more authors wrote characters the way Zevin does. This is more character than plot driven. Even though I enjoy character driven books, I do feel most of them drag here and there. It isn't uncommon for me to skim small sections with this type of book. That wasn't the case here. I found myself reading this as slow as I possibly could to make it last longer.
I highly recommend this book
This was a fun little story, pretty predictable, great beach read. Nothing heavy. Very expensive little book if buying it at the bookstore like I did for book club.
loved this book. Great little story. Easy to read and the story went full circle to give you a great satisfaction at the end when you finish the book.
Book Description
"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 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
My Review
This book is a tribute to the love of books. It's a novel about people connecting with people connecting with books. The writing is lovely, the characters vividly and strongly drawn. I enjoyed the fact that the main character was a bookstore owner and we learned all about the books he loves throughout the story. The book held my attention starting from the first moment I began reading. If you love reading books, do not miss this one!
"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 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
My Review
This book is a tribute to the love of books. It's a novel about people connecting with people connecting with books. The writing is lovely, the characters vividly and strongly drawn. I enjoyed the fact that the main character was a bookstore owner and we learned all about the books he loves throughout the story. The book held my attention starting from the first moment I began reading. If you love reading books, do not miss this one!
This is a captivating little book with a heart.
A.J.Fiskry is the owner of an independent bookstore on an island off of Hyannis. He is a grumpy, irritable widower in his 40's whose life turns around when he adopts a two year girl and then meets the love of his life. Unfortunately, the ending is sad and left me deflated.
A.J.Fiskry is the owner of an independent bookstore on an island off of Hyannis. He is a grumpy, irritable widower in his 40's whose life turns around when he adopts a two year girl and then meets the love of his life. Unfortunately, the ending is sad and left me deflated.
