The Storied Life Of A.J. Fickry by Gabrielle Kevin

A HUG IN A BOOK
After reading and adoring Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow, I knew I needed some more of @gabriellezevin’s writing in my life. In cometh The Storied Life of AJ Fikry, a book that I’m relatively confident most book lovers will fall in love with.

Meet AJ Fikry, a grumpy 39 year old bookstore owner. He’s been through a very difficult time after the sudden loss of his beloved wife. They started their bookstore, Island Books, together, on Alice Island and now, he’s running it solo. 

He has particular tastes, which most booksellers are aware of, but when Amelia turns up to pitch her publisher’s list, things don’t get off to the best start. Oh — and shortly after, he returns to his store after a trip out to find a baby — a two year old, more accurately — waiting for him. Her name is Maya and her mother has abandoned her there because she wants her to grow up and cared for amongst books.

There was something so completely comforting about this novel. Needless to say, Zevin’s writing is both sublime and nuanced — but as well as that, it js hugely profound. Whilst it did, at moments, feel like a good ol’ hug in book form, I warn you, it takes twists and turns that will have you holding back the tears!

It’s already been made into a feature film which I’m curious to see. But as with the best books, these characters now feel like part of me, their stories are ones I hold dear, and I can’t imagine how they’d seem on the big screen.

Who else has read this one?? I’d love to know what you think ~ S