From the Bookshelf of Books and Jams Readalong…

The Storied Life of A.J. Fikry

Gabrielle Zevin

Start date: September 1, 2017

Finish date: September 30, 2017

Discussion: Storied Life - September

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Storied Life - September

Part 2 - Page 171-end
By Krista · 10 posts · 32 views

last updated Feb 12, 2018 06:09AM

Part 1 - second half (pgs 79-170)
By Krista · 10 posts · 32 views

last updated Feb 12, 2018 04:47AM

What Members Thought

Apr 02, 2014 Tonya rated it it was amazing

Shelves: 2014-reads

In the spirit of The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society and The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry, Gabrielle Zevin's enchanting novel is a love letter to the world of books-and booksellers-that changes our lives by giving us the stories that open our hearts and enlighten our minds.

On the faded Island Books sign hanging over the porch of the Victorian cottage is the motto "No Man Is an Island; Every Book Is a World." A. J. Fikry, the irascible owner, is about to discover just what tha In the spirit of The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society and The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry, Gabrielle Zevin's enchanting novel is a love letter to the world of books-and booksellers-that changes our lives by giving us the stories that open our hearts and enlighten our minds.

On the faded Island Books sign hanging over the porch of the Victorian cottage is the motto "No Man Is an Island; Every Book Is a World." A. J. Fikry, the irascible owner, is about to discover just what that truly means.

A. J. Fikry's life is not at all what he expected it to be. His wife has died, his bookstore is experiencing the worst sales in its history, and now his prized possession, a rare collection of Poe poems, has been stolen. Slowly but surely, he is isolating himself from all the people of Alice Island-from Lambiase, the well-intentioned police officer who's always felt kindly toward Fikry; from Ismay, his sister-in-law who is hell-bent on saving him from his dreary self; from Amelia, the lovely and idealistic (if eccentric) Knightley Press sales rep who keeps on taking the ferry over to Alice Island, refusing to be deterred by A.J.'s bad attitude. Even the books in his store have stopped holding pleasure for him. These days, A.J. can only see them as a sign of a world that is changing too rapidly.

And then a mysterious package appears at the bookstore. It's a small package, but large in weight. It's that unexpected arrival that gives A. J. Fikry the opportunity to make his life over, the ability to see everything anew. It doesn't take long for the locals to notice the change overcoming A.J.; or for that determined sales rep, Amelia, to see her curmudgeonly client in a new light; or for the wisdom of all those books to become again the lifeblood of A.J.'s world; or for everything to twist again into a version of his life that he didn't see coming. As surprising as it is moving, The Storied Life of A. J. Fikry is an unforgettable tale of transformation and second chances, an irresistible affirmation of why we read, and why we love.

-- I knew I had a hit on my hands the minute I read that we would be reading about books. Who doesn't love reading about books in a book??? I adored it! But AJ, although a gruff character, you have to love him! Each character, A.J., Lambiase, Amelia, Maya, Ismay and a few others -- all are so enjoyable and some not so much.

I fell in love and I read in about 5 hours. Told in little snippets, AJ has gotten a second chance. He is a grumpy man. His wife has passed. After being drunk, he finds someone has stolen his precious copy of a limited edition of a poem book of Edgar Allen Poe's. Then, leaving his door unlocked to go running one day, someone leaves a baby in the bookstore. After finding the mother's body floating dead, AJ decides to keep Maya.

What a wonderful story! I recommend it highly! You will come to love AJ and all the inhabitants! It ended way too quickly for me! Zevin is an author I wouldn't even think twice about putting the book in my cart. When I see her name from now on, it will just be added! Thank you shereads.org and Zevin for such a great read!

I received a copy of the book from the publisher in exchange for my honest opinion! ...more

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Jun 17, 2017 Audrey rated it really liked it

Shelves: book-club

From the Globe and Mail:

"Despite its length – the novel can be read in a single sitting – The Storied Life of A.J. Fikry spans more than a decade. Through the story of A.J. and Maya, Zevin not only chronicles the foibles and idiosyncrasies of small-town life, but explores the depths of grief, yearning and heartbreak. There is a love story, yes, but it’s handled with a sensitivity and genuine clarity that is both surprising and refreshing.

More than anything else, though, The Storied Life of A.J. ...more

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Jul 05, 2015 Nats rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

4.5 stars

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Mar 28, 2014 Erica rated it really liked it

Really loved this. 4-5 stars. This is a book lovers book.

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Apr 16, 2014 Whitney Werling rated it it was amazing

I truly enjoyed and savored every bit of this book. It was entertaining and just felt real. It's a perfect read for book and bookstore lovers. I immediately went to see other books written by this author, because the writing style was unique and the characters felt like people I could be friends with. I would highly recommend this book! ...more

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