Community Reviews
I didn’t instantly warm to this book. In fact, I had set it aside, but a readalong made me pick it up again, and I’m so glad that I did. It is a heartwarming, charming story about a bookstore. Now, I know what you’re thinking, but this book is anything but cliche. Read it. You’ll love it.
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The Storied Life of A.J. Fikry by Gabrielle Zevin
258 pages
What’s it about?
This book was a pleasure to read. A.J. Fikry is an interesting literary character and he surrounds himself with lots of other interesting characters. I usually do not like a novel that is all tied up in a bow at the end, but his was an exception. It was just so charmingly predictable, that I could not help but like it.
What did it make me think about?
How much I would love to own a small bookstore on a small island!
Should I read it?
I think this an awful lot of people would find this small novel charming but it would especially appeal to all the book lovers out there.
Quote-
"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?"
The Storied Life of A.J. Fikry by Gabrielle Zevin
258 pages
What’s it about?
This book was a pleasure to read. A.J. Fikry is an interesting literary character and he surrounds himself with lots of other interesting characters. I usually do not like a novel that is all tied up in a bow at the end, but his was an exception. It was just so charmingly predictable, that I could not help but like it.
What did it make me think about?
How much I would love to own a small bookstore on a small island!
Should I read it?
I think this an awful lot of people would find this small novel charming but it would especially appeal to all the book lovers out there.
Quote-
"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?"
Once I finished this book I wanted to write a review right away, but I had too many feels to get anything coherent out. Then I left the country for several days and had no internet connection. So here I am finally ready to review this amazing book!
Ok so in the beginning I wasn’t really buying it. The narrative was strange and I really did not like A.J. Also, it was not upholding to my expectations. From the summary I expected A.J. to be sweet and a little older. I also completely thought the book was going to more of a mystery that would revolve around the missing book of Tamerlane that was stolen from him. I hardly paid attention to the part in the synopsis that mentioned the “mysterious package” that was left at his shop. And when I got to that part, the “package” was not anywhere close to what I was thinking it was going to be. Everything seemed to be rushed, I was wondering where the mystery was that I had been expecting, and I was wondering why the main character was so unlikable. Obviously my opinion changed.
Once I really got into the flow of the story, I fell in love with it! The characters were so much brighter and the style of writing turned out to be brilliant! The fast paced tone actually made a lot of sense for what the reader is supposed to be feeling and experiencing. I’ve read several books that have to do with books or take place around/in a bookstore and all of them have disappointed me. This one gave me hope because one of my favorite authors (Eowyn Ivey ), as well as others, gave it such amazing reviews. I am so relieved to have ended up loving this book in the end! The only reason it isn’t getting 5 stars is because of the beginning and how long it took me a bit to get into the story's flow. It is a beautiful story that you will give you all the feelings, and if you aren’t crying, or at least holding back tears by the end, then you are missing out.
Always remember, “We read to know we are not alone.”
Ok so in the beginning I wasn’t really buying it. The narrative was strange and I really did not like A.J. Also, it was not upholding to my expectations. From the summary I expected A.J. to be sweet and a little older. I also completely thought the book was going to more of a mystery that would revolve around the missing book of Tamerlane that was stolen from him. I hardly paid attention to the part in the synopsis that mentioned the “mysterious package” that was left at his shop. And when I got to that part, the “package” was not anywhere close to what I was thinking it was going to be. Everything seemed to be rushed, I was wondering where the mystery was that I had been expecting, and I was wondering why the main character was so unlikable. Obviously my opinion changed.
Once I really got into the flow of the story, I fell in love with it! The characters were so much brighter and the style of writing turned out to be brilliant! The fast paced tone actually made a lot of sense for what the reader is supposed to be feeling and experiencing. I’ve read several books that have to do with books or take place around/in a bookstore and all of them have disappointed me. This one gave me hope because one of my favorite authors (Eowyn Ivey ), as well as others, gave it such amazing reviews. I am so relieved to have ended up loving this book in the end! The only reason it isn’t getting 5 stars is because of the beginning and how long it took me a bit to get into the story's flow. It is a beautiful story that you will give you all the feelings, and if you aren’t crying, or at least holding back tears by the end, then you are missing out.
Always remember, “We read to know we are not alone.”
A thoroughly enjoyable read! This is a book for book lovers. It was an unexpectedly heartwarming tale with a few twists and turns thrown in for good measure.
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