Book Review: The Storied Life of A.J. Fikry, by Gabrielle Zevin

The Storied Life of A.J. Fikry by Gabrielle Zevin

Published by Algonquin Books on December 2, 2014

Series: n/a

Genre(s): fiction, contemporary

Format & Length: paperback, 258

Source: purchased

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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.

I love a good book about books; The Storied Life of A.J. Fikry not only fits that category perfectly, it also hit all the right notes for me.

“They had only ever discussed books but what, in this life, is more personal than books?”

This had been on my to read list for some time and I’d heard high praise for it but I wasn’t quite prepared for the reading experience this book offered and just how much it spoke to me. It had a little bit of everything I enjoy in a book, with a bookish setting and theme, family, friendship, and romance, and a full range of emotions from sorrow to happiness with a nice touch of dry humor. There was a great combination of plot and character, and I thoroughly enjoyed watching the characters grow and evolve.

“We read to know we’re not alone. We read because we are alone. We read and we are not alone. We are not alone.”

The blurb for The Storied Life of A.J. Fikry is short and sweet and I’m going to keep my review the same. I absolutely adored it and recommend to fans of contemporary books about books.