The Storied Life of A. J. Fikry

Product Description


MP3 CD Format
The irascible A. J. Fikry, owner of Island Books—the only bookstore on Alice Island—has already lost his wife. Now his most prized possession, a rare book, has been stolen from right under his nose in the most embarrassing of circumstances. The store itself, it seems, will be next to go.One night upon closing, he discovers a toddler in his children’s section with a note from her mother pinned to her Elmo doll: “I want Maya to grow up in a place with books and among people who care about such kinds of things. I love her very much, but I can no longer take care of her.” A search for Maya’s mother, A. J.’s rare book, and good childcare advice ensues, but it doesn’t take long for the locals to notice the transformation of both bookstore and owner, something of particular interest to the lovely yet eccentric Knightley Press sales rep, Amelia Loman, who makes the arduous journey to Alice Island thrice each year to pitch her books to the cranky owner.


Review


"The Storied Life of A. J. Fikry reminds us what saves us all from a life of loneliness and isolation: our sense of empathy; our ability to love and be loved; our willingness to care and be cared for. Gabrielle Zevin has written a wonderful, moving, endearing story of redemption and transformation that will sing in your heart for a very, very long time."-- "Garth Stein, author of The Art of Racing in the Rain"


"In this sweet, uplifting homage to bookstores, Zevin perfectly captures the joy of connecting people and books . . . Filled with interesting characters, a deep knowledge of bookselling, wonderful critiques of classic titles, and very funny depictions of book clubs and author events, this will prove irresistible to book lovers everywhere."-- "Booklist"


"Sometimes funny, sometimes true to life and always entertaining . . . A likable literary love story about selling books and finding love."-- "Kirkus Reviews"


"This novel has humor, romance, a touch of suspense, but most of all love--love of books and bookish people and, really, all of humanity in its imperfect glory-- "Eowyn Ivey, author of Snow Child"


"Zevin is a deft writer, clever and witty, and her affection for the book business is obvious."-- "Publishers Weekly"


About the Author


Gabrielle Zevin is the author of Elsewhere, Memoirs of a Teenage Amnesiac, All These Things Ive Done, and Because It Is My Blood, as well as two novels for adults. Of her writing, the New York Times Book Review said, Zevins touch is marvelously light even as she considers profundities. She lives in New York City.