The Storied Life of A.J. Fikry: a novel

It’s funny how book titles come your way.  This little gem was chosen by our Church Ladies book club and when it was first offered up I remember thinking it was going to be a bore…just based on the title- I guess.

Much to my surprise this book was the sweetest love story I have ever read.

A. J. Fikry is an unhappy, mean spirited bookstore owner of Island Books.  He recently lost his wife, his book sales are diminishing and his love of literature is waning.  When we meet him, he seems alone and lost.  If things couldn’t get much worst- someone leaves a young child (2yr. old) in the bookstore.  A beautiful little girl named Maya.  The girl’s mother, feeling helpless herself, plunges to her death in the local sea.  A.J., knowing the child will not do well in foster care, chooses to adopt the child. Well, as you can imagine the baby steals A.J.’s heart and we are given a front row seat to his transformation.  Suddenly he is happy- smiling, his world is turned upside right and his book sales are going through the roof with the addition of baby books and children’s stories.  As A.J. and Maya’s relationship flourishes so does the town.  And so does A.J.’s love life.

Honestly, I loved this story.  With the setting in a bookstore and the main character’s love of literature, then throw in a witty, precocious child- and you have the ingredients for a delightful page turner.