doralanda13's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
fast-paced
5.0
rebbemcc's review against another edition
5.0
Books like this are my favorite. Charming and sweet and about books. I smiled the whole time reading except when I was a little weepy, and even then, it was the best kind of weepy.
celandine's review against another edition
5.0
I liked this book more than I thought I would. Charming without being too over the top quirky, with characters that grow and evolve, all rotating around a massive love of books.
nglofile's review against another edition
3.0
Exactly the kind of story that many will adore. Though perhaps a bit predictable and overly saccharine for my personal taste, it's easy to dilute any criticism with an acknowledgement of its charms.
I'll only add that for a book that is so transparently a love letter to bookselling, even to the point of pandering, it doesn't do justice to the real appeals of bookstores nor of reader interactions. Instead, it relies on speeches about chain stores and online vendors and overly simplified tirades against e-readers. Such a missed opportunity.
audiobook note: I wouldn't have thought Scott Brick would be a good match for this book, but that sorely underestimates him. His expert modulation of tone, pacing, and volume well handles the variances among the curmudgeonly, the sweet, the struggling, and the affectionate.
I'll only add that for a book that is so transparently a love letter to bookselling, even to the point of pandering, it doesn't do justice to the real appeals of bookstores nor of reader interactions. Instead, it relies on speeches about chain stores and online vendors and overly simplified tirades against e-readers. Such a missed opportunity.
audiobook note: I wouldn't have thought Scott Brick would be a good match for this book, but that sorely underestimates him. His expert modulation of tone, pacing, and volume well handles the variances among the curmudgeonly, the sweet, the struggling, and the affectionate.
jenniferrandphd's review against another edition
4.0
"The Storied Life of A.J. Fikry" by Gabrielle Zevin, narrated by Scott Brick, is a heartwarming tale. A.J. Fikry, the cantankerous owner of Island Books, faces a series of misfortunes, including the loss of his wife and the theft of his cherished rare book. But everything changes when a toddler with a poignant note from her mother appears in his bookstore.
This book delves into A.J.'s life, the transformation of his bookstore, and the unexpected joys that unfold. Amelia Loman, the Knightley Press sales rep, adds a delightful twist to the story, making it even more charming.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book, finding it much more engaging than TTT by the same author. Gabrielle Zevin's storytelling is captivating, and the characters are endearing. "The Storied Life of A.J. Fikry" is a heartwarming tale of love, books, and the transformative power of both.
ainsley_b2's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
saachipahwa's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
inspiring
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
elif1oner's review against another edition
4.0
I read this book only because I wanted to read something else from Zevin. It did not disappoint, I finished it in a day. I love how this author writes and will be reading more from her.
bookedinthebakery's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0