Book Review: The Storied Life of A.J. Fikry by Gabrielle Zevin

Book Blurb:

"A.J. Fikry owns a failing bookshop. His wife has just died in tragic circumstances. His rare and valuable first edition has been stolen. His life is a wreck.

Amelia is a book rep with a big heart and a lovely life.

Maya is the baby left on A.J.'s bookshop floor with a note.

What happens in the bookshop that changes the lives of these seemingly normal but extraordinary characters?"

This is the story of how unexpected love can rescue you and bring you back to life, in a world that you won't want to leave, with characters who you will come to love."

This novel spoke to me on so many levels, but most of all, it was a gentle reminder about cherishing. When the love, which resides in the hearts of imperfect people becomes perfect. The kind of Love that is embracing, not maybe in execution, but through intention, and for most of us, isn’t that what we desire? Need? And spend our lives in search of?

And for those of us blessed at this moment to have found that imperfect-perfect love, we know it feeds into our being the reasoning of why and because– not through flamboyant predictors, but through the constancy, much like the gentle sway of a wave or a soft, warm breeze. It is there. We feel it. We know it. We depend upon it. And when it is gone, we mourn so deep that the rawness of its absence never truly goes away.

This book also spoke to the part of us, the human experience willing to take chances. Opening the heart and mind to paths never before considered. Facing challenges that seem terribly insurmountable. Embracing failure with honesty, but realizing it too is momentary.

The Storied Life of A.J. Fikry is a book you will want to feel in your hands as you read. A book you will cherish on your shelf. For those of us who treasure our books like friends, it will be a story that will validate your reasons for voraciously reading, as if you needed any.