This book has been on my Goodreads shelf for almost 4 years! It's even I book that I own, so when I say that I have a long to-read list it is not an exaggeration! What brought me to finally grab this sweet read off the shelf was that I chose it as my Library's book club pick for January.

This novel was a quick read for me. To say I devoured it is the truth. It's not a very long book at only 260 pages either. Zevin introduces us to AJ Fikry, who owns a bookstore in the fictional town of Alice Island and when his life is crumbling after the sudden death of his wife Nic. AJ's life begins to change with a surprise delivery to his bookstore. So begins the storied life of AJ that we are audience too throughout the rest of the novel. (Sidenote: I realize that this is the 3rd book in a row now where the main character has been influenced by grief. That has been completely unintentional, but interesting none the less).

Here's a quote:
" 'The words you can't find, you borrow. 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. My life is in these books' he wants to tell her. ' Read these and know my heart. We are not quite novels. We are not quite short stories. In the end, we are collected works.' " p. 249

This was the most poignant part of the novel for me. As a reader, I can understand exactly what Zevin is expressing through Mr. AJ Fikry's words. If you look at your life as a book, is it really a series of chapters as life is famously compared too? Or, is it rather a collection of sections in various lengths that cover aspects and times of our life which add up to be the complete works of ourselves?

This book is engaging, entertaining, light and heartwarming. If you are a fan of literature and have an appreciation for bookstores and small-towns, you will find charm and joy in this sweet read. You will be rooting for AJ Fikry after the first chapter and you will want the story to continue long after the book ends.