The Storied Life of A.J. Fikry

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What to expect

BY THE AUTHOR OF THE SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER TOMORROW, AND TOMORROW, AND TOMORROW

'Marvelously optimistic about the future of books and bookstores and the people who love both' Washington Post

A.J. Fikry, the grumpy owner of Island Books, is going through a hard time: his bookshop is failing, he has lost his beloved wife, and his prized possession - a rare first edition book has been stolen. Over time, he has given up on people, and even the books in his store, instead of offering solace, are yet another reminder of a world that is changing too rapidly.

But one day A.J. finds two-year-old Maya sitting on the bookshop floor, with a note attached to her asking the owner to look after her. His life - and Maya's - is changed forever.

Gabrielle Zevin's enchanting novel is a love letter to the world of books - an irresistible affirmation of why we read, and why we love.

Readers say:

'A lovely uplifting book' five star reader review

'Devoured in a day. So much heart and control. Love it' five star reader review

'the writing style and characters made this novel a firm five stars' five star reader review

'This book has become my absolute favourite and not just best of the year but ever. I had to make a new shelf for it on GoodReads. I was completely blown away by it' five star reader review

Critics Review

Zevin has done something old-fashioned and fairly rare these days. She has written an entertaining novel, modest in its scope, engaging and funny without being cloying or sentimental. On top of all that, it is marvelously optimistic about the future of books and bookstores and the people who love both
Washington Post
Packed with the love of a life lived around books
Metro
This wonderful, funny, uplifting homage to bookshops is an absolute treat. I've bought it for everyone I know
Huffington Post
Delightful! I read [it] in one sitting. This novel has humor, romance, a touch of suspense, but most of all love--love of books and bookish people and, really, all of humanity in its imperfect glory
I read this book in one big greedy gulp. A charming and funny love letter to the written word - it will leave you smiling and with a large lump in your throat
Reminds us what saves us all from a life of loneliness and isolation: our sense of empathy; our ability to love and be loved; our willingness to care and be cared for. Gabrielle Zevin has written a wonderful, moving, endearing story of redemption and transformation that will sing in your heart for a very, very long time
Readers who delighted in Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows's The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society, Rachel Joyce's The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry, and Jessica Brockmole's Letters from Skye will be equally captivated by this adult novel by a popular YA author about a life of books, redemption, and second chances. Funny, tender, and moving, it reminds us all exactly why we read and why we love
Library Journal
In this sweet, uplifting homage to bookstores, Zevin perfectly captures the joy of connecting people and books . . . 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
Booklist
A breezy, big-hearted treat, especially if you've ever wondered about the inner workings of America's national treasures--neighborhood bookstores
Zevin is a deft writer, clever and witty, and her affection for the book business is obvious
Publishers Weekly
Sometimes funny, sometimes true to life and always entertaining . . . A likable literary love story about selling books and finding love
Kirkus
I was captivated . . . a touching, funny and uplifting novel that reminds us how books have the power to shape and transform our lives
Psychologies
it's hard not to be charmed by this story . . . Full of knowing literary jokes, Zevin's pithy novel is nonetheless undoubtedly entertaining and remains unconventional enough to cut through the sentiment
Daily Mail
A warm and uplifting story which manages to be witty and quietly subversive while avoiding the pitfalls of sentimentality
Mail on Sunday

User Reviews

Book 5.0
Narration 5.0
5.0
5.0
kpierpoint 07/08/2025
5.0
5.0
This is the third book I’ve listened to by Gabrielle Zevin and once again it doesn’t disappoint. Well written in an economic style that carries you along without having to fill in all the unnecessary detail. Funny, sad and heartbreaking at times, I really enjoyed it.
The narrator was perfect for this book.
PBee 26/08/2024

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