The Storied Life of A J Fikry by Gabrielle Zevin

We read to know we're not alone. We read because we are alone. We read and we are not alone. We are not alone.

Readers love to read books about bookstores and booksellers. I love bookstores, and can easily spend hours in one - just browsing the shelves, picking up novels and reading the jackets, looking at the selections that the booksellers recommend. I confess many of my books come from the library or online, but I do try to buy some books from our local bookstore. So what could be better than a book about a bookstore? 

A J Fikry owns a bookstore on an island off the coast of Massachusetts. He gets most of his customers during the summer in the tourist season. He's a bit grumpy and opinionated, but somehow lovable. And then one day he finds something in his store that will change his life forever. 

I loved all the literary references in the book; it was fun to hear the fictional Fikry give his opinions of fictional works that I've read! This is a quick, fun read that will make you want to travel to this imaginary island, pull up a seat and spend the day in this bookshop.  Recommend. - June