ekatayama's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Grief, Death of parent, Infidelity, and Abandonment
Minor: Infertility
ju_harue's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
inspiring
lighthearted
sad
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
5.0
Que leitura incrível! Eu sabia pouca coisa antes de ler, e que bom que foi assim, pois cada momento de descoberta, trazia aquele sentimento de “não acredito!”. A autora escreve maravilhosamente bem.
O que, em teoria, poderia ser uma história bem clichê e previsível, foi na verdade, cheia de plot muito bem amarrados. Uma grande homenagem ao universo literário.
É incrível o que Zevin faz em apenas 186 páginas. Ao mesmo tempo, é profundo mas também é rápido, mas nunca superficial. O tempo nesse livro, foi um ponto alto, a forma como é descrito, me pegou. Os personagens são cativantes, peculiares e extremamente bem construídos.
Se estiver em dúvida, a respeito de ler ou não, meu conselho é se jogar sem medo na leitura. Amei demais e mal posso esperar para ler outras obras da autora.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Medical trauma, Suicide, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Emotional abuse, Abortion, Cancer, Car accident, Abandonment, Death, Grief, Infertility, Infidelity, Terminal illness, Alcohol, Mental illness, and Pregnancy
Minor: Suicidal thoughts and Vomit
casmith512's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Car accident
Moderate: Death of parent, Suicide, Terminal illness, and Grief
Minor: Vomit, Infertility, and Gaslighting
hkburke2's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
"speaks to the necessity of encountering stories at precisely the right time in our lives"
After reading the first page of this book I was gifted I realized I'd read it before (with the other cover, which is cutely depicted on the cover of this new edition). Apparently I thought it deserved 3 stars the first time (to review written), but I'm not sure if I was stingier with stars or didn't like it as well.
This time around I enjoyed the writing, sense of humor, and cozy, fast pace. I also probably took more issue with the adoption plotline, which was handled too casually for me in this reading with my current understanding of the process/trauma. It does fit with the vibe of the book but that makes it feel kind of like a device instead of an exploration of how it would impact the people involved. I expect some readers will love it for that, but it rubbed me the wrong way here (probably the same way some reviewers have left negative comments about the medical content/errors, which wasn't as problematic for me right now).
Always, quick read, lots of jabs at emotional content, pretty surface level and cozy though if that's what you're up for!
After reading the first page of this book I was gifted I realized I'd read it before (with the other cover, which is cutely depicted on the cover of this new edition). Apparently I thought it deserved 3 stars the first time (to review written), but I'm not sure if I was stingier with stars or didn't like it as well.
This time around I enjoyed the writing, sense of humor, and cozy, fast pace. I also probably took more issue with the adoption plotline, which was handled too casually for me in this reading with my current understanding of the process/trauma. It does fit with the vibe of the book but that makes it feel kind of like a device instead of an exploration of how it would impact the people involved. I expect some readers will love it for that, but it rubbed me the wrong way here (probably the same way some reviewers have left negative comments about the medical content/errors, which wasn't as problematic for me right now).
Always, quick read, lots of jabs at emotional content, pretty surface level and cozy though if that's what you're up for!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Suicide, Abandonment, Grief, Suicidal thoughts, Miscarriage, Vomit, Car accident, Infertility, Infidelity, Suicide attempt, and Terminal illness
Minor: Ableism, Alcohol, Medical content, Death of parent, and Fatphobia
morganperks's review against another edition
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
slow-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
Content Warnings
Moderate: Terminal illness, Abandonment, Infidelity, Miscarriage, Grief, Suicidal thoughts, Death of parent, Cancer, Car accident, Death, Infertility, and Suicide
Minor: Alcoholism, Vomit, Racism, and Alcohol
smashlier's review against another edition
lighthearted
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Suicide, Car accident, Death, Cancer, Abandonment, Infertility, and Infidelity
kelly_e's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
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
5.0
Title: The Storied Life of A.J. Fikry
Author: Gabrielle Zevin
Genre: Contemporary Fiction
Rating: 5.0
Pub Date: April 1st, 2014
T H R E E • W O R D S
Endearing • Immersive • Quick
📖 S Y N O P S I S
A.J. Fikry is the owner of Island books, which he ran with his wife, Nic. Following her sudden death, A.J.'s life has fallen apart - the bookstore is struggling, a prized collection of poems has been stolen, and he drinks himself to sleep every night. Somethings got to give, and it does when A.J. encounters two people; Amelia, is a young sales rep for Knightley Press and a little girl named Maya. An unforgettable tale of transformation and second chances, and the power of books.
💭 T H O U G H T S
Within a couple of pages of starting this book I knew it was going to be a favourite! Here is an endearing story of love and loss, filled with a little humour and romance, and a touch of suspense. The characters, particularly A.J. and Maya, were so human and relatable, absolutely making the novel. I've recently noticed my love for stories featuring curmudgeons, and this one did not disappoint! It isn't all heartache, but a portrait of real life, which is something I absolutely loved. The addition of the bookshop and love of reading were an added touch of magic. The writing was great, with the story flowing perfectly and spanning years.
When I book manages to touch my heart, and evoke all the emotions that's when I know I've found a gem. The Storied Life of A.J. Fikry is an attestation to why we read and why we love. It is a hug in book form and a book that will stay with me.
📚 R E C O M M E N D • T O
• all readers!
• fans of #grumplit
• book clubs
🔖 F A V O U R I T E • Q U O T E S
"'Sometimes books don't find us until the right time.'"
"'It is the secret fear that we are unlovable that isolates us,' the passage goes, 'but it is only because we are isolated that we think we are unlovable. Someday, you do not know when, you will be driving down the road. And someday, you do not know when, he, or indeed she, will be there. You will be loved because for the first time in your life, you will truly not be alone. You will have chosen to not be alone.'"
"Why is any one book different from any other book? They are different, A.J. decides, because they are. We have to look inside many. We have to believe. We agree to be disappointed sometimes so that we can be exhilarated every now and again."
Author: Gabrielle Zevin
Genre: Contemporary Fiction
Rating: 5.0
Pub Date: April 1st, 2014
T H R E E • W O R D S
Endearing • Immersive • Quick
📖 S Y N O P S I S
A.J. Fikry is the owner of Island books, which he ran with his wife, Nic. Following her sudden death, A.J.'s life has fallen apart - the bookstore is struggling, a prized collection of poems has been stolen, and he drinks himself to sleep every night. Somethings got to give, and it does when A.J. encounters two people; Amelia, is a young sales rep for Knightley Press and a little girl named Maya. An unforgettable tale of transformation and second chances, and the power of books.
💭 T H O U G H T S
Within a couple of pages of starting this book I knew it was going to be a favourite! Here is an endearing story of love and loss, filled with a little humour and romance, and a touch of suspense. The characters, particularly A.J. and Maya, were so human and relatable, absolutely making the novel. I've recently noticed my love for stories featuring curmudgeons, and this one did not disappoint! It isn't all heartache, but a portrait of real life, which is something I absolutely loved. The addition of the bookshop and love of reading were an added touch of magic. The writing was great, with the story flowing perfectly and spanning years.
When I book manages to touch my heart, and evoke all the emotions that's when I know I've found a gem. The Storied Life of A.J. Fikry is an attestation to why we read and why we love. It is a hug in book form and a book that will stay with me.
📚 R E C O M M E N D • T O
• all readers!
• fans of #grumplit
• book clubs
🔖 F A V O U R I T E • Q U O T E S
"'Sometimes books don't find us until the right time.'"
"'It is the secret fear that we are unlovable that isolates us,' the passage goes, 'but it is only because we are isolated that we think we are unlovable. Someday, you do not know when, you will be driving down the road. And someday, you do not know when, he, or indeed she, will be there. You will be loved because for the first time in your life, you will truly not be alone. You will have chosen to not be alone.'"
"Why is any one book different from any other book? They are different, A.J. decides, because they are. We have to look inside many. We have to believe. We agree to be disappointed sometimes so that we can be exhilarated every now and again."
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Car accident, Cancer, and Alcoholism
Moderate: Grief, Suicide, Infertility, Miscarriage, and Suicidal thoughts
Minor: Abandonment and Vomit
thewildebookshelf's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Alcoholism, Cancer, Death, Grief, Infertility, Miscarriage, Suicide, and Suicidal thoughts
Minor: Vomit
koplomps's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
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? N/A
4.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Alcohol, Cancer, Car accident, Death of parent, Infertility, Miscarriage, Suicide, and Toxic relationship
beatriks's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I believe I wasn't the right audience for this book as I didn't understand a lot of references. Still, this book was a quick read and quite entertaining.
I liked the fact that there were a lot of fast-forward-moments.
I liked the fact that there were a lot of fast-forward-moments.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cancer
Moderate: Car accident, Infidelity, Miscarriage, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, and Terminal illness
Minor: Death, Death of parent, and Infertility