DB 78978 The Storied Life of A.J. Fikry by Gabrielle Zavin
A.J. Fikry, a persnickety recently widowed bookseller, is robbed of his most valuable possession, a rare book of poems, sending him into a deep despair. However, after a toddler is abandoned in his bookstore, Fikry’s outlook on life changes and his bookstore becomes a place where community members from all walks of life come to connect with stories and each other.
This story itself is about how stories can create connections, build community, and foster romance. In my life, it has been a connection point with a number of people.
This is the first book that my wife and I loved together. I read it and immediately handed it to her with a, “Please read this so we can talk about it.” She did and we talked about it together and then to anyone who would listen. We started a short-lived book club to get more of our friends to read it. We’ve recommended it countless times and given it as a gift on more than one occasion.
As a librarian, The Storied Life of A.J. Fikry is the book I have most recommended. It is a book for book lovers, as so many library patrons are. It’s also a sweet and funny book about love (romantic and platonic) and loss.
~ Michael Lang, Director