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There are no words to describe how much I adored this book. After having sat on my bookshelf for many months, I finally picked this up and devoured it. The book is only 258 pages so it is a very quick read. The Storied Life of A.J. Fikry is about a bookseller named A.J. Fikry whose life doesn't seem to be going anywhere. His wife died in a car accident a while back and his store isn't making enough money. He is lonely and because of that, he drowns his sorrows in alcohol. His life is completely turned around when he discovers that a young child by the name of Maya has been abandoned in his store. There is a note that says that Maya is to be placed in A.J.'s care because the mother can no longer support her. The mother wants the child to grow up to be a reader and thought the bookstore was the best place to leave her young daughter. The novel then chronicles different events that happen in A.J.'s life once Maya has entered it. It is such a beautifully written story. A.J. is a fantastic main character who is funny and witty but also devoted and caring. After I finished this book, I immediately wanted to pick it up and reread it because it was that good. If you see this book in your local store, don't hesitate to pick it up. I guarantee you will love it.
**Spoiler section ahead! Do not read on if you haven't read the book!**
To me, everything about this book was perfection. I adored all of the characters (except Daniel) and loved seeing the relationships that were built.
Relationships played a huge role in the novel. A.J. went from being a lonely drunk to actually having friends and a family. My favorite relationship was between A.J. and Maya. Right from the very beginning, A.J. cared about Maya. He adopted her after knowing her for only a few days and from that moment on, his life began to turn around. Their father/daughter dynamic was so sweet and I loved being able to watch Maya grow up and A.J. truly step into his role as a father.
In the end, A.J.'s stolen book, Tamerlane, is the true hero of the story. Without it, it is likely that none of the characters would have even met. When Ismay explains to Lambiase why she stole the book, the connections between all of the characters became clear. I loved how intricately the web was woven. Most of the events in the beginning have to do with the book being stolen. It brought the characters together, even if they didn't know it. In the end, it ultimately saves the day when it is returned to A.J. and he can have his surgery.
What did you think of this book?
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