The Storied Life of A. J. Fikry by Gabrielle Zevin

I guess Book Page said best. The Storied Life of A. J. Fikry “…is as enchanting a book as you will read this year.” And so it is. Although it is a love story, it is NOT, I repeat, NOT chick lit. There is a cop in it, so guys, you can read it and not be embarrassed.

So, I said it is a love story but it is the love of a man and literature, the love of a man and a child, the love of a man and a woman. It is not false or mushy or contrived. It is genuine love.

I’m finding that less and less do I want to summarize the plot of some of these wonderful books that I’ve recently read. Even a short synopsis may taint your opinion before opening the cover. So instead, the format is interesting. Each chapter begins with A. J.’s short analysis of a short story, because to him good short stories are the ultimate in writing achievements. Then it goes on to tell the story, somehow relating it to the critique.

A. J. Fikry is the owner of Island Books on Alice Island, Washington State, thus the book connection. That is the extent of my synopsis. You’ll have to take my word and the word of most of the critics who have reviewed the book. It’s worth reading. As a matter of fact, I’m toying with the idea of buying a copy (I borrowed my library’s copy). That’s how much I liked it. It’s on the top of my list of 2014 adult books. I think teens might like it as well. The Storied Life of A. J. Fikry. After you read it, let me know what you think.