Reviews

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

netti99's review against another edition

dark emotional sad medium-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? It's complicated

3.25

megan_doyle's review against another edition

emotional hopeful lighthearted sad slow-paced

• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.5

julietem08's review against another edition

5.0

"Maya, we are what we love. We are what we love. We aren't the things we collect, acquire, read. We are, for as long as we are here, only love. The things we loved. The people we loved. And these, I think these really do live on."

I cannot describe the rollercoaster of emotions I went through while reading this book. It reminded me why I love to read, and why we read in the first place. Run to go read this book.

genxreadee's review against another edition

emotional lighthearted 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? No

4.25

a_rose26's review against another edition

emotional hopeful sad slow-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

4.5

berrit's review against another edition

emotional hopeful medium-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

3.75

pb_and_jamie's review against another edition

hopeful lighthearted medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.5

sarzaga's review against another edition

emotional funny sad fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

5.0

nasab's review against another edition

emotional funny hopeful inspiring mysterious reflective slow-paced

4.0

"Why it is so much easier to write about the things we dislike/hate/acknowledge to be flawed than the things we love"

I find myself unable to write this review. Where should i start? The books? A.J.'s personality? Maya? 
First off, It's a cozy read. It talks about books and life and love with a bit of a mystery running in the background. 
I've always romanticized managing your own bookstore, combining that with living on an island is a dream. 
Ugh, my brain is broke. I don't know what to say to give this book justice. 

I almost cried when A.J. died. I think losing your ability to think, understand, and be understood is the worst. It broke my heart when he tried to say something to his daughter, but she couldn't understand. Then, he decided he would try again tomorrow. Only there wasn't tomorrow.

The memoir writer is very interesting. 
Leon Friedman

, aka Leonora Ferris

, made a pretty good point about the impact of books and stories. Does it really have to be real events for it to have real feelings? No, of course it doesn't. I love fiction. I got into reading after I picked up "The Book Thief" ( I loved its mention in the book btw) I was amazed at how written fiction can make me feel so much! And that's the magic of it. It gives you the experience of living multiple lives while we read different perspectives. It also teaches us to have empathy.

"You know everything you need to know about a person from the answer to the question, What is your favorite book?"

"Which book has had the greatest influence on your life?"

I tried to think of an answer to these two questions. I could say The Book Thief since it got me back into reading, and I feel like books affect my life every day. It's also a favorite of mine.

I liked the formal narration style and how, at the beginning of each chapter, we get A.J. POV

, which is making me sad thinking about it now. I hoped the new sales rep was bringing Maya's book. Was that too much to ask for?

To conclude this mess of a review, it was a heartwarming journey, and I liked most of it. 

mcfeel's review against another edition

emotional hopeful inspiring mysterious 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

4.75

I really enjoyed the characters of this book. There’s a lot of tragedy but somehow you appreciate how they find their way or realize when there’s nothing left but to appreciate the smallest moments