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

Title: The Storied Life of A.J. Fikry

Author: Gabrielle Zevin

Genre: Contemporary Fiction

Synopsis: 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 Chief Lambiase, the well-intentioned police officer who's always felt kindly toward him; from ismay, his sister-in-law, who is hell-bent on saving A.J. from his dreary self; from Amelia, the lovely and idealistic (if eccentric) Knightley Press sales rep who persists in taking the ferry 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, he can only see them as a sign of a world that is changing too rapidly. And ten a mysterious package appears at the bookstore. It's a small package, though large in weight --- and unexpected arrival that gives A.J. 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., for the determined sales rep Amelia to see her curmudgeonly client in a new light, 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.

My Rating: 4.5/5

My Review:

This book is the perfect pick-me-up after a stressful day. Zevin creates a world that anybody can relate to and writes in a way that connects with the reader. As a lover of books myself, it was a lovely experience to read a book about the power of books and the profound effect a single story can have on our lives. The plot carries a few unexpected twists, while remaining predictable enough to be an easy vacation read. The characters have relate-able quirks that make them feel like they could be members of your own community. The over-arching them of redemption and renewal makes this tender tale one that I will be reaching for again and again.

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