TL;DR: I was looking for a book that would make me cry and well, this definitely got the job done! 😅 The Storied Life of A.J. Fikry is every bit as wonderful as everyone told me it would be and I’m so happy that I’ve finally read it! I definitely understand why it’s so well-loved by many. There’s something about Zevin’s storytelling that’s so compelling, emotional and human—flaws and all. I would recommend this to those who enjoy a character-driven slice-of-life story that takes place over part of a lifetime, and for those who love a book about books!

I’ve had this on my TBR for years. It’s a story that many of my bookish friends have recommended to me countless times saying it’s a story I’d love, and they weren’t wrong! Despite enjoying this as much as I expected to, I kind of want to preface this review by saying that I don’t think there was anything particularly “outstanding” about the writing or the story. It has themes that are written about often—loss, love, and life and there were even moments in the storytelling that made me go “hmm, that doesn’t seem right or that’s awkward or I’m not entirely sure that works for me”. Yet, I think there’s something to be said about the simplicity of this slice-of-life story with its messy and realistic characters who are at once flawed, quirky, pitiable, and somehow wonderfully charming. Of course, it’s also a love story to books and the art of stories and storytelling, and what’s not to love in a book about books?

When we meet A.J. Fikry he’s going through A Time™️ with the loss of his wife, a penchant for drinking until he passes out at least once a week, and an increasing apathy for life. He’s the quintessential mid-life curmudgeon who’s rude and a snob to practically everyone. I loved watching his character soften as Maya entered his life and he finally had to consider someone other than himself. Seeing him become a doting single father to the most precocious little nerd was very sweet and I loved how determined he was to ensure that Maya’s mind was constantly nourished. Maya was an adorable toddler, a charming kid, an amusing teenager and 100% a Fikry. This is a slice-of-life story told in weeks, months, and years and I loved seeing how life for father and daughter evolve over the years but also how beautifully the community comes together around Island Books. There are book clubs with the most unexpected readers and (disastrous) book events with the unlikeliest of authors. It was charming and cosy and wonderful! I love the mini-reviews for short stories sprinkled in throughout the book and when I found out what it was for, it broke my feelings just that little bit more (in the best way)!

As I mentioned, there’s a simplicity to Zevin’s writing that worked for this story but I can see why it might not work for some readers. I wouldn’t say there’s a detached quality to it but Zevin writes her characters and the events of their life in a very factual manner, with some humour and subtle heart thrown into the mix. Normally, this would also make it hard for me to connect to a character (especially when it’s character-driven) but it somehow worked for me in this and I felt invested in their happiness. It’s safe to say that by the end, I had a good cathartic cry because L I F E. Also, there was an element introduced that I wasn’t ready to encounter due to parallels in my real-life situation, and despite the “brevity” of these scenes, the impact was like a straight shot to my heart. 🥺

Despite my overall enjoyment of this book, several things kept me from giving it a full five stars. First, the relationship development with Amy felt almost non-existent. She was there in the first chapter then disappeared completely until a little more than halfway through and then suddenly love is in the air. I didn’t not want them to end up together but I also wish we got to see a gradual progression with their relationship change. Second, there was not nearly enough Maya in the end and she’s such an important character that it felt like a big missed opportunity (and a pity she wasn’t given that limelight considering where the story goes).

Content Warnings: Character experiences multiple absence seizures (on the page), cancer (brain) resulting in aphasia, car accident (on the page, minor details) resulting in the death of a side character, death of a spouse as a result of a car accident (recounted), suicide (off-page), alcoholism, child abandonment, infidelity, suicide ideation, miscarriages (recounted)

The Storied Life of A.J. Fikry by Gabrielle Zevin
Rating: ★★★☆☆

A book about a bookshop and its owner—what could be more delightful? Gabrielle Zevin's The Storied Life of A.J. Fikry had all the potential to be a literary haven, yet it fell somewhat short of its promise.

The concept is enchanting: a quaint bookshop on a picturesque island, a grumpy yet endearing owner, and the transformative power of literature. These elements drew me in, hoping for a magical journey through the pages. Zevin’s writing has its moments of charm, and she captures the essence of the bookshop beautifully. The sense of community and the love for books that permeates the story is undeniably appealing.

However, beyond the charm of the bookshop, the story felt somewhat average. The plot meandered through predictable turns, and while A.J. Fikry's character had potential, his journey didn’t quite resonate as deeply as I had hoped. The narrative, though cozy, lacked the depth and emotional impact that could have made this book truly unforgettable.

There were moments that shone—A.J.’s interactions with the eclectic cast of characters, the unexpected twists of fate, and the occasional literary references that warmed my heart. Yet, these bright spots were sporadic, and the story as a whole didn’t leave a lasting impression.

The Storied Life of A.J. Fikry is a pleasant read for those who love books about books and cherish the idea of a bookshop at the heart of a community. It’s a charming, light read, perfect for a lazy afternoon, but don’t expect it to ignite the same fire that other literary works might.

I hate to say this but this is one of my very few NetGalley DNFs. I was really looking forward to it but sadly it’s just not working out for me. I made it to 21% and don’t feel like I have any kind of connection to the book. The setting is interesting enough but the plot feels rushed so far and the characters aren’t people I really want to continue following. If I do feel in the right mood to return to it, I will update my review here.

I don’t even know where to begin with this review considering the beauty that was this read! It was a five star read for me and if I could give it 10 out of 10 as well, I would! The characters have crawled into my heart forever…I won’t forget this novel….please everyone READ THIS NOVEL ASAP!!! Lastly, Thank you NetGalley for this ebook ARC! #forevergratefultonetgalley

Such an enjoyable, touching book! I'm so glad I finally read this one. It has been on my TBR a long time. I loved Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and this had similar emotional resonance. AJ Fikry is mired in the despair of his wife's passing the year before. He's only in his early 40s, but feels his life is over. He's shaken out of his depression when a young girl is left at the bookstore he owns on an island off the coast of Massachusetts. AJ ends up adopting her and opening himself up to other people in his community and enjoying life again. On his journey to healing, we meet Amelia, who is a publishing rep. who visits the bookstore quarterly. She was such a wonderful character. I loved AJ's growth and the full cast of characters. What a wonderful story!

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for providing this ARC. All thoughts are my own.

This debut being published in 2014 and having more than 250.000 ratings on Goodreads, I'm rather late to the party.
However, in 2022 it was adapted to the screen and the book was available with a new cover based on the motion picture: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt10643926/

A book about a book shop and its owner.
That can't go wrong, can it?

Well, the opinions of my friends were quite varied and this seems to be a typical 'love it or hate it' kind of book.
Based on my 4* you immediately see on which side I belong.

Some of the more negative reviews mention the overuse of clichés and sentimentalism.
None of these bothered me. On the contrary, I thought the story had some original takes on several aspects, which gave it more depth than several other books I've read in the genre.
Does that mean that everything was entirely realistic? No, but I did enjoy it nevertheless.

The structure of this book was also to my taste.
Every chapter is introduced by a reference to another book or short story, most of which can be read online.
It isn't necessary to read them beforehand, but it adds a nice touch to the whole.

As this introduction to author Gabrielle Zevin suited me really well, her book 'Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow' already figures on my physical book shelf.
Looking forward to read more from this author!

*Thanks to NetGalley and Algonquin Books for providing a digital copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

THE STORIED LIFE OF A.J. FIKRY started out really good, and then, unfortunately, my love for the main character fizzled out along the way.

I think part of loving this book came from knowing practically nothing about it. It was full of so many surprises along the way . THE STORIED LIFE OF A.J. FIKRY is a story of love, loss, and second chances. I cannot recommend this one enough!!

3.5 stars.

It was a nice story that I really enjoyed despite its shortcomings that I'm now looking back on. It had the trope of grumpy old man whose life changes after someone enters it a la A Man Called Ove. But somehow, at the end of the book, I'm left asking the question, "What?" It doesn't do the grumpy bookseller bit particularly convincingly or maybe that's just part of the character arc. Plus, every character seems unconvincing, something that's made even more stark because of the jumping between points. There are huge blanks in the timeline that the author leaves for the reader to imagine until the point where the explanation comes about. I also understand that ending is to show how the bookseller's life has come full circle but it somehow sticks out as eh. I don't even know how to explain that!

Still, overall, it was a quick, engaging read, especially because there's so much literature in there. Given, I haven't read a majority of the books mentioned, but they were familiar enough to make me smile at the glint in Fikry's eyes or narrow my own at some people's irreverence to it. Like I mentioned at the beginning, I did enjoy it and I see why people are attracted to Gabrielle Zevin's writing.

Liked this book a lot. A little slow at times, but enjoyed the writing and characters. Looking forward to more books from this author.

A.J. Fikry has been waiting for retirement. After his wife passed, he maintained their bookstore, but always knew he could stop any time he wanted by selling his rare collection of Poe poems… until they were stolen. A.J. begins to isolate himself from friends and the town, but when a toddler is left in his shop, mother nowhere to be found, A.J. feels compelled to care for the girl. And in doing so, he remakes his life.

This book was one of those heartwarming stories that you don’t see coming. When I picked up this book it was honestly more of an easy read to check off of my NetGalley backlist. It seemed like it should be short and sweet. But I discovered along the way the joys of community, reading, and choosing to take care of someone else for no personal gain.

A.J. was a character I couldn’t help but root for. He’s a grumpy character that has sunshine thrown at him from every angle. Watching him grow was a real pleasure. I think there’s something so satisfying about watching a character finding hope and love after tragedy. It’s hard to not love a book like that.

In the end, this book was a solid 4 star read for me. My only regret is that it felt a little short. I would have loved to drift in this world a little longer, but also I can see how there wasn’t too much plot left to share by the end. This will definitely be a book I come back to again someday.

Thanks to Algonquin Books for a gifted copy prior to the paperback and movie adaptation releases. I’m seriously regretting having pushed it so far down the TBR list!

Loved reading this book! Especially Loved how all the characters' stories were woven together. I felt like a knew these characters and loved watching them grow throughout the book.

Outstanding! I will read and enjoy anything Gabrielle Kevin writes! She is top notch!
This book is one that any book lover would automatically enjoy!

This is the first time I'm reading Gabrielle Zevin's work and I wasn't disappointed. The Storied Life of A. J. Fikry has so many bookish themes that the nerd in me was ready for it. A bookseller on a small island who is a E. A. Poe scholar - yes, please! At first this was all I knew about the book. I didn't read any reviews, summaries, or watch the movie, and I was delightfully surprised. This story has comedy, romance, mystery, and wholesomeness. The characters are heartwarming and you get a slice of life when reading this. They are the focus of the book and they are charming. Zevin's writing is beautiful and there's an ease that allows you to get lost in the story. The pacing is more like mini episodes or stories that are stringed together so at times it may seem slow, but sticking with it to the end is worth it. The pace increases in the second half of the book and that it took me by surprise because then it was done. I was heartbroken.

Overall this was story was like a comforting hug - warm, cozy, and full of love. I would highly recommend this book to those who enjoy quirky, charming characters in a slice of ordinary life story. Thank you to Algonquin Books and NetGalley for an ARC of this book.

I'm not sure why I waited so long to pick this one up. It was beautiful, charming, wholesome and I loved the quirkiness of the characters. Book lovers will relate and enjoy following the life of A.J. - our grumpy bookseller, as he experiences life in so many different ways- the good, the bad and the ugly. You're rooting for him all the way through, once you understand him and what shaped him into the testy man he is when you initially meet him.

A book about a bookstore owner and a book rep and BOOKS. It's a sweet story, maybe a little too sweet and predictable and wrapped up with a bow, but still mostly fun to read. I enjoyed the letters and I adored Lambiase.

This was a great book to listen to. The book is 5 stars. The audio is 5 stars. The story of AJ, Amelia, Maya, and the other characters is easy to follow, with plot twists. It kept me interested from start to finish.

I read and reviewed this book for a blog tour, so thank you to the blog tour organiser, author, publisher and NetGalley for my free copy in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

Trigger warnings: mention of dead wife, child abandonment, suicide, alcohol abuse, drug abuse, vomit, losing a loved one, car accident.

The Storied Life of A.J. Fikry is a contemporary literary fiction book about books and the power of words and love. It is a book I don’t think I would ever have picked up or even heard about had it not been for the email from Algonquin Books inviting me to be part of the tour, so thank you so much!

To start off, this is definitely not the kind of book that I usually pick up, as I’m not a fan of literary fiction or even contemporary fiction, I much prefer genre fiction such as fantasy or historical fiction. However, I was intrigued by the blurb and the praise this book received and it very pleasantly surprised me and I found myself reading it in a very short time. The thing that really sold it for me is that it is a book about books, about the love of the written word, how books help and heal and how they help us to love. There were some great literary references that also made me smile. I mean if you are a book lover, you can’t dislike this book for the simple reason that it’s about the love of books!!

I would say this is more of a character-driven book because even though there is a plot, about how A.J. grows throughout the book and with the people around him, but it’s a lot more character-driven in my opinion. I do prefer books to be plot-driven, but the way it was written was done really well here. Which brings me to the writing style. It was beautiful. Truly mesmerising and this is what kept me turning the pages. It was a really effortless style that made me want to know more right then and there, but also the kind of book you wish you had savoured a little longer, or want to read for the first time again.

In my opinion, this is a light “feel-good” book that you can curl up with in front of the fire, under a blanket, with a cup of something warm and something sweet to eat during the cold winter months. It feels like a very comforting read and that makes it perfect for this time of year, or if you’re in a reading slump. It’s also the kind of book that makes you feel a bit lost when you’ve finished it and I’m not ashamed to say that it was a very emotional read for me at the end and made me shed some tears — which is a true feat to accomplish when I’m the reader!

One small negative thing I will say is that I found the middle (about 150 pages in, to about 250 pages) quite slow and just something felt a bit off about the narrative. I can’t put my finger on it, but it might have been the “romantic” parts that felt way too rushed or not detailed enough. I can’t seem to find the words I need and even my brain won’t cooperate, but I suppose it was a bit slower and draggy in between those pages, but that’s only my personal opinion and could be just a “reader’s personal taste” kind of thing, so I wouldn’t let it bother you too much! Definitely give this one a shot for yourself!

Overall, I enjoyed this book and was surprised by it. I was kind of hoping that it would be a cute easy read, and the movie trailer definitely gave off those vibes.

I loved that most of this book took part in Island Books, the bookstore owned by the main character and that his daughter got to grow up there, surrounded by hundreds of amazing books. I think that’s the life all bookworms dream of, so it’s a beautiful thing to read about.

It was a really sweet, beautifully-written heartwarming story with a touch of bitterness at the end that makes you appreciate the whole story, because I won’t hide it from you, the ending is sad, but also uplifting.It definitely deserved the tears I shed about it.

I gave The Storied Life of A.J. Fikry by Gabrielle Zevin 4 stars, and I’m thrilled to have been given the chance to read it for the Algonquin Books blog tour! I’m now going to be picking up her next book that is very much hyped at the moment: Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow. I need more beautiful writing from this author.

If you love light, feel-good, heartwarming stories, books about books and the power of words and love, you love beautiful writing that sweeps you up and makes you cry (but in a happy/sad way!), this is 100% the book for you. I highly recommend it and hope you love it!

Only my 3rd book of the year and I think I already found my favorite! A warm, cozy blanket in book form! I urge you to read this if you haven’t! It’s fast paced and has a little bit of everything: romance, mystery, humor. The characters are flawed but endearing. The love for books and bookish people is evident and makes for a delightful and captivating read.

Gabrielle Zevin does it again. After reading Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow and being blown away, I was excited to read some of her backlist. This book gave me the same general vibe of relationship dynamics with a hint of humor and a lot of heart. It is short and sweet and one of the few books that I wish was longer. As with TomorrowX3, there are some poignant character arcs which added to the whole experience. The characters paired with the setting largely being at a bookstore, this novel is a book worm's dream.