The Storied Life of A.J. Fikry in Bound Together

Apr 09, 2014 ☮Karen rated it really liked it

Shelves: overdrive

"I like talking about books with people who like talking about books. I like paper. I like how it feels, and I like the feel of a book in my back pocket. I like how a new book smells too."

I couldn't agree more. Honestly, I think anyone with a heart and a love of books should read this. A struggling book store. Books discussed on nearly every page, books being read, books being written, even living above the bookstore and getting up in the middle of the night to find something to fit a mood. Inte ...more

26 likes · Like · see review

Jul 04, 2014 Meera rated it really liked it

Shelves: contemporary, bookmarks-magazine, bookpage, hive2015

I read this in one day. The story focuses on a bookseller from a fictional island in Cape Cod, MA. He was quirky, snobbish and completely adorable. I enjoyed the story. It fell apart a bit at the end, otherwise it would have been a 5 star read for me. I loved how each chapter started with A.J.'s recommendation of a short story. I'm tempted to read the ones I haven't. I did end up putting one of the Roald Dahl books to my tbr list. ...more

8 likes · Like · see review

Jan 12, 2015 Irene rated it it was ok

Not surprising, I am going to be in the minority with my opinion of this book. True, the setting was charming, an independent bookstore in a small New England community. The characters were generally quite likable. But, it takes more than a quaint setting and likable characters to create a good book. The plot was hackneyed. The characters were poorly developed. The critical details were not believable. When, a quarter into the book, a two year old is abandoned in an empty book store after hours ...more

4 likes · Like · see review

Nov 03, 2016 Laurel Bradshaw rated it really liked it

Shelves: daytimers-book-club, audiobook, literary-fiction, nrgm-selections

Funny, moving, uplifting, with a bit of romance and mystery thrown in. This is a tribute to books, the people who write them, the people who sell them, and the people who read them. My book club (elderly women) loved it. We have read many of the titles that happen to be mentioned in the text. While A.J. and Maya and their relationship is certainly at the center of this book, the side-characters of A.J.'s sister-in-law, Ismay, and his cop friend, Lambiase, almost took on main-character status for Funny, moving, uplifting, with a bit of romance and mystery thrown in. This is a tribute to books, the people who write them, the people who sell them, and the people who read them. My book club (elderly women) loved it. We have read many of the titles that happen to be mentioned in the text. While A.J. and Maya and their relationship is certainly at the center of this book, the side-characters of A.J.'s sister-in-law, Ismay, and his cop friend, Lambiase, almost took on main-character status for me. Even more so with the twist at the end of the book, which I won't give away. Yes, this borders on being a cozy sort-of chick lit novel rather than being literary fiction. Nothing wrong with that! There are readers of crime fiction (Lambiase), readers of romance and chick lit, and readers of prize winners and literary fiction. And maybe that ends up being the whole point of this book. We are all unique, but we are all connected by a love of books and reading.

Book description: From Booklist
In this sweet, uplifting homage to bookstores, Zevin perfectly captures the joy of connecting people and books. A. J. Fikry, the cantankerous owner of Island Books, is despondent after losing his beloved wife and witnessing the ever-declining number of sales at his small, quirky bookstore. In short order, he loses all patience with the new Knightly Press sales rep, his prized rare edition of Tamerlane is stolen, and someone leaves a baby at his store. That baby immediately steals A. J.’s heart and unleashes a dramatic transformation. Suddenly, the picture-book section is overflowing with new titles, and the bookstore becomes home to a burgeoning number of book clubs. With business on the uptick and love in his heart, A. J. finds himself becoming an essential new part of his longtime community, going so far as to woo the aforementioned sales rep (who loves drinking Queequeg cocktails at the Pequod Restaurant). Filled with interesting characters, a deep knowledge of bookselling, wonderful critiques of classic titles, and very funny depictions of book clubs and author events, this will prove irresistible to book lovers everywhere. --Joanne Wilkinson ...more

2 likes · Like · see review

Apr 14, 2014 Anna rated it really liked it

This book was a wonderful start to my reading for 2015. It was a delightful and charming story with characters that I liked and really cared about. All of the characters have a quirkiness about them which made them both engaging and lovable.

Read my full review at: http://leftontheshelfbookblog.blogspo... ...more

2 likes · Like · see review

Jan 02, 2015 Rachel rated it liked it

Shelves: fiction, libraryrealbook

A very well-written and believable romance. After this and Still Life with Bread Crumbs I am beginning to believe it is possible. ...more

1 like · Like · see review

Jan 25, 2015 Claudia Jones rated it really liked it · review of another edition

An interesting read

This book is a good book! I really enjoyed reading and getting to know the characters. I love reading about authors or booksellers!

1 like · Like · see review

Oct 31, 2014 Barbara rated it liked it · review of another edition

This is a story about a guy who owns a book store and doesn't like to be around other people much. Someone leaves him a baby in the store and his heart starts to soften. A good book to listen to as it isn't as long as some audio books. ...more

1 like · Like · see review

Jun 29, 2014 Pat rated it it was amazing

My hand moved from 4 stars to 5 back to 4, but I finally hit the 5 because I loved this quirky book from beginning to end. What is not to love about loving people loving books?

1 like · Like · see review

May 12, 2014 Karen rated it really liked it

Delightful book about a bookstore owner. Finished it in one day.

Like · see review

Apr 14, 2014 Karen rated it it was amazing

Shelves: damn-good, 2014, books-on-books

this was a wonderful reminder of how books are so very very important in our lives. I admit it I have a crush on "my love of book"books. I read them all. I get absorbed..and this was no exception. One sitting, one stay up past my bedtime reading, and now I am dragging this morning..but with a lighter soul for having read this. I am glad I gave Ms. Zevin another chance! ...more

Like · see review