By Gabrille Zevin
Published 2014
Genre: Fiction, mystery
AJ Fikry owns a bookstore, and lately it has not been doing well. The bookstore is on a fairly isolated island that gets tourists mainly in the summer months. AJ lost his wife over two years ago. He can’t be bothered to try anymore. He gets drunk, doesn’t clean and is turning into a cranky old man before his time. He owns a rare book that is his most prized possession. He keeps in his home locked away. One night he finds that it has been stolen. This pushes him further into depression, and he is spiraling out of control. One night in his shop, he stumbles down and he finds a little girl reading.
I have to give you some history on this one. The hubby and I took a trip to Oregon and he gave me 1 hour in Powell's Books. If you've never heard of it, look it up. It is massive and my heaven. He was very clear, 1 hour only. BUT WHAT AN HOUR!!! In his defense I can do A LOT of damage in an hour in a bookstore, and he knows it. I needed a time limit, I can get a tad carried away when it comes to books. I know that is news to you! Anyway, it was fantastic. If you are ever in Oregon and you're not at Powell's, then you're wasting your time as far as I'm concerned. I bought this book at Powell's. I fell in love with the title - GASP SHOCK SCANDAL. The title alone, how could she? is what you are asking yourself. Well the joke is on you because it was an amazing book, and my snap title judgment worked out. It was "storied life" that caught me. I just fell for it right then and there. I truly loved the title and I was right, it was beautiful.
I loved AJ as a character, this man so bitter and cynical beyond his years. It endeared him to me. I wanted him to be a person in my life. I felt as though he was someone I could warm up to, and slowly but surely my irritating positivity and chipper-ness would wear him down. (do you like how I just made up a word there, that would irritate him to death!) He wasn't always a bitter person, and I love when the young man who loved life and literature shines through. That is the other thing about him that I love. He loves books too, and has some very definite opinions on books. I like that about him!
AJ Fikry owns a bookstore, and lately it has not been doing well. The bookstore is on a fairly isolated island that gets tourists mainly in the summer months. AJ lost his wife over two years ago. He can’t be bothered to try anymore. He gets drunk, doesn’t clean and is turning into a cranky old man before his time. He owns a rare book that is his most prized possession. He keeps in his home locked away. One night he finds that it has been stolen. This pushes him further into depression, and he is spiraling out of control. One night in his shop, he stumbles down and he finds a little girl reading.
I have to give you some history on this one. The hubby and I took a trip to Oregon and he gave me 1 hour in Powell's Books. If you've never heard of it, look it up. It is massive and my heaven. He was very clear, 1 hour only. BUT WHAT AN HOUR!!! In his defense I can do A LOT of damage in an hour in a bookstore, and he knows it. I needed a time limit, I can get a tad carried away when it comes to books. I know that is news to you! Anyway, it was fantastic. If you are ever in Oregon and you're not at Powell's, then you're wasting your time as far as I'm concerned. I bought this book at Powell's. I fell in love with the title - GASP SHOCK SCANDAL. The title alone, how could she? is what you are asking yourself. Well the joke is on you because it was an amazing book, and my snap title judgment worked out. It was "storied life" that caught me. I just fell for it right then and there. I truly loved the title and I was right, it was beautiful.
I loved AJ as a character, this man so bitter and cynical beyond his years. It endeared him to me. I wanted him to be a person in my life. I felt as though he was someone I could warm up to, and slowly but surely my irritating positivity and chipper-ness would wear him down. (do you like how I just made up a word there, that would irritate him to death!) He wasn't always a bitter person, and I love when the young man who loved life and literature shines through. That is the other thing about him that I love. He loves books too, and has some very definite opinions on books. I like that about him!
I really enjoyed how well the author knew books. As a whole rounded picture, not just reading, writing or buying or selling. But the whole world of books. She showed it to you honestly. At the heart of it, was what books really mean to us. Why and how we keep the stories that we love and how they shape us from a young age.
OK I know what you are thinking... "Elyse, the crotchety man has a child thrown into his life and takes her in which thaws his frosty heart and he can then fall in love and life is good again... what a cliché" Well you are WRONG! It seems to be that way, but it isn't. It is a very nice story told in a new and fresh way. So if that is what you were thinking you should get your hands on a copy and read it. I would read this book again. It was too easy of a read for the magnitude of affection I felt for this book. I think it could easily be a weekend read.
OK I know what you are thinking... "Elyse, the crotchety man has a child thrown into his life and takes her in which thaws his frosty heart and he can then fall in love and life is good again... what a cliché" Well you are WRONG! It seems to be that way, but it isn't. It is a very nice story told in a new and fresh way. So if that is what you were thinking you should get your hands on a copy and read it. I would read this book again. It was too easy of a read for the magnitude of affection I felt for this book. I think it could easily be a weekend read.
My Verdict: Read it!
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What did you think of this book? Did you like AJ or was he too opinionated for you? Did you feel the story was a tired cliché?
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If you liked this, try:
The Book Thief
The Light Between Oceans
Me Before You
The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry
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