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Atlanta Fish Fry
Life's a Fish and then you Fry
Growing up as a kid in Louisiana, AJ Joiner's all-time favorite thing was his grandmoh's Fish Fry. Now that he's all grown up in Atlanta, GA, AJ is working a job he doesn't like and living in a neighborhood he doesn't love – at first.
But when gentrification threatens to strip the community of its authentic charm, AJ hosts a Fish Fry to get to know his neighbors, and he begins to fall in love with each one, despite their eccentricities.
But this tight-knit community doesn't have the money to fend off rich developers and determined city planners, helped by one of their Eddison Fisher.
So AJ decides to throw a second Fish Fry to raise some cash. Despite increasingly-serious issues with his health and his marriage, the event is a huge success.
But it's still not enough.
Can AJ and his new friends throw a Fish Fry big enough to save their neighborhood?
Or will Eddison and his outsider allies destroy everything they love about their home?
Growing up as a kid in Louisiana, AJ Joiner's all-time favorite thing was his grandmoh's Fish Fry. Now that he's all grown up in Atlanta, GA, AJ is working a job he doesn't like and living in a neighborhood he doesn't love – at first.
But when gentrification threatens to strip the community of its authentic charm, AJ hosts a Fish Fry to get to know his neighbors, and he begins to fall in love with each one, despite their eccentricities.
But this tight-knit community doesn't have the money to fend off rich developers and determined city planners, helped by one of their Eddison Fisher.
So AJ decides to throw a second Fish Fry to raise some cash. Despite increasingly-serious issues with his health and his marriage, the event is a huge success.
But it's still not enough.
Can AJ and his new friends throw a Fish Fry big enough to save their neighborhood?
Or will Eddison and his outsider allies destroy everything they love about their home?
197 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 21, 2023
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
April 23, 2023
Atlanta Fish Fry
by Anthony "AJ" Joiner
Thanks Netgalley this was a good one. I really enjoy this book, the beginning took me back and made me cry. I remember my family packing up and moving away from what we knew and away from family. My mother got an amazing promotion. I remember my grandfather having a similar conversation with me that no matter where I go family will always be family. So I felt his pain. I did get upset with AJ, he ignored so much stuff that was in his face. And I know we all can relate to waiting to look at the positive side and not face hard uncertain things. But sir, your boss is talking to you crazy, your head is killing you, your wifey is telling you she want you to respect her opinion. Yet you are so scare if change. Someone need to change your glasses because you are tripping. All and all this was a great book on learning that change will happen no matter if you are ready or not.
by Anthony "AJ" Joiner
Thanks Netgalley this was a good one. I really enjoy this book, the beginning took me back and made me cry. I remember my family packing up and moving away from what we knew and away from family. My mother got an amazing promotion. I remember my grandfather having a similar conversation with me that no matter where I go family will always be family. So I felt his pain. I did get upset with AJ, he ignored so much stuff that was in his face. And I know we all can relate to waiting to look at the positive side and not face hard uncertain things. But sir, your boss is talking to you crazy, your head is killing you, your wifey is telling you she want you to respect her opinion. Yet you are so scare if change. Someone need to change your glasses because you are tripping. All and all this was a great book on learning that change will happen no matter if you are ready or not.
July 12, 2026
At its core, this is a story about community, nostalgia, and what happens when redevelopment slowly erases the places people once called home. Anthony desperately wants to save his neighborhood from being bought out, so he organizes a community fish fry in hopes of bringing everyone together. The problem is…it’s already too late. Many of the homeowners are ready to move on, renters don’t have much reason to stay, and even the house Anthony lives in is being sold by his wife’s aunt.
The fish fry ultimately becomes less about saving the neighborhood and more about preserving a sense of community, and I actually liked that message.
Where the book lost me was its emotional depth. Anthony is dealing with a dead-end job, workplace harassment, subtle racism, a benign brain tumor, throat cancer, and strain in his marriage, yet almost every one of those storylines stays on the surface. The novel introduces some genuinely compelling issues, but never really sits with them long enough for their emotional weight to land. I kept waiting for the story to dig deeper, and it never quite did.
Overall, this wasn’t a bad read. It was light, easy to get through, and had a warm sense of community at its heart. It just wasn’t especially memorable, and I never felt the emotional connection I was hoping for.
A solid 3-star read for me.
The fish fry ultimately becomes less about saving the neighborhood and more about preserving a sense of community, and I actually liked that message.
Where the book lost me was its emotional depth. Anthony is dealing with a dead-end job, workplace harassment, subtle racism, a benign brain tumor, throat cancer, and strain in his marriage, yet almost every one of those storylines stays on the surface. The novel introduces some genuinely compelling issues, but never really sits with them long enough for their emotional weight to land. I kept waiting for the story to dig deeper, and it never quite did.
Overall, this wasn’t a bad read. It was light, easy to get through, and had a warm sense of community at its heart. It just wasn’t especially memorable, and I never felt the emotional connection I was hoping for.
A solid 3-star read for me.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 6, 2023
i enjoyed this sweet little book, the message it conveyed and the sense of community it created. The comments on change are gonna stick with me for a while.
thank you netgalley
thank you netgalley
April 26, 2023
My Reaction: Such a warm and inviting read and about my favorite: FOOD!
Review:
"Life's A Fish and Then You Fry."
I was very happy to have received a copy of this ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. After viewing the cover and reading the synopsis, it sounded like a story that I could really get into. AND I DID!
Atlanta Fish Fry is the story of Anthony Joiner whose favorite memories of his childhood are attending his grandmoh's fish fries in Louisiana where he grew up. There was something about the coming together, the fellowship and the fantastic food (cooked with love) that he'll never forget. And now that he's grown up and moved to Atlanta he finds himself in a similar situation as his grandmoh so many years ago. There's a new developer in town and he's buying up all the property in their neighborhood and selling it to the highest bidder: whether it be large complexes or Starbucks.
Anthony is at an interesting point in his life as he's trying to juggle a dead-end job, confront a long standing serious medical condition, and now stop the threat of gentrification in his neighborhood. His grand idea is to host a fish fry to try an save the neighborhood.
What I enjoyed most about AJ's story is that it is very relatable and like him, I love a good fish fry. I loved to see a community rally together to stave off big business and the calamities of gentrification. With a cast of eccentric characters and the heart and soul of a down home gathering written all throughout, it was enjoyable read. There were times when the story felt rushed (towards the end, and perhaps even the medical diagnosis could have been explored more). Overall it was good read!
Review:
"Life's A Fish and Then You Fry."
I was very happy to have received a copy of this ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. After viewing the cover and reading the synopsis, it sounded like a story that I could really get into. AND I DID!
Atlanta Fish Fry is the story of Anthony Joiner whose favorite memories of his childhood are attending his grandmoh's fish fries in Louisiana where he grew up. There was something about the coming together, the fellowship and the fantastic food (cooked with love) that he'll never forget. And now that he's grown up and moved to Atlanta he finds himself in a similar situation as his grandmoh so many years ago. There's a new developer in town and he's buying up all the property in their neighborhood and selling it to the highest bidder: whether it be large complexes or Starbucks.
Anthony is at an interesting point in his life as he's trying to juggle a dead-end job, confront a long standing serious medical condition, and now stop the threat of gentrification in his neighborhood. His grand idea is to host a fish fry to try an save the neighborhood.
What I enjoyed most about AJ's story is that it is very relatable and like him, I love a good fish fry. I loved to see a community rally together to stave off big business and the calamities of gentrification. With a cast of eccentric characters and the heart and soul of a down home gathering written all throughout, it was enjoyable read. There were times when the story felt rushed (towards the end, and perhaps even the medical diagnosis could have been explored more). Overall it was good read!
May 3, 2023
After Anthony left Louisiana as a kid, he felt unmoored. Now, living and working in Atlanta, he and his wife Renee live in a cul-de-sac, but don't really know their neighbours. Anthony decides to throw a Fish Fry, like his grandmother used to hold, to get to know everyone around him. It's a success, and boosts his spirits as he hates his job, keeps experiencing bad headaches and refuses to see a doctor about them, and finds out that their small neighbourhood is being bought up by developers for redevelopment.
Anthony gets the idea to raise funds to help with the purchase of the local corner store, an anchor in the area. With the help of his easygoing cousin Michael, Anthony goes full on into holding the best Fish Fry, choosing not to pay attention to Renee's increasing frustration with him. Things come to a head when his life pretty much explodes, and he has to choose what's really important to him and who he wants to be.
I loved the growing sense of community in the small neighbourhood Renee and Anthony lived in. The personalities of all the characters are big and likeable. I liked Anthony's personal journey, as well as the positive changes to all the ideas he had of the people around him.
The prose mostly flowed well, though I found the beginning a little slow.
Thank you to Netgalley and to Sterling & Stone for this ARC in exchange for my review.
Anthony gets the idea to raise funds to help with the purchase of the local corner store, an anchor in the area. With the help of his easygoing cousin Michael, Anthony goes full on into holding the best Fish Fry, choosing not to pay attention to Renee's increasing frustration with him. Things come to a head when his life pretty much explodes, and he has to choose what's really important to him and who he wants to be.
I loved the growing sense of community in the small neighbourhood Renee and Anthony lived in. The personalities of all the characters are big and likeable. I liked Anthony's personal journey, as well as the positive changes to all the ideas he had of the people around him.
The prose mostly flowed well, though I found the beginning a little slow.
Thank you to Netgalley and to Sterling & Stone for this ARC in exchange for my review.
February 22, 2023
I am a little confused if this was a memoir or a light fictionalization of Anthony’s actual life.
The book centers around AJ and Renee who live in a neighborhood in Atlanta that is threatening to be torn down and yuppi-fied.
The first part reads a little slow, AJ was a little kvetchy at times, with his wife taking better care of him, than he of her (in the book). He gets the idea to organize a fish fry like his grandmoh used to throw in Louisiana. It’s about a neighborhood rallying and coming together and has some really tender moments. Towards the end he deals with some health issues (which I read were true) and changed the tone of book. The book was ok.
Thanks to NetGalley for the arc
The book centers around AJ and Renee who live in a neighborhood in Atlanta that is threatening to be torn down and yuppi-fied.
The first part reads a little slow, AJ was a little kvetchy at times, with his wife taking better care of him, than he of her (in the book). He gets the idea to organize a fish fry like his grandmoh used to throw in Louisiana. It’s about a neighborhood rallying and coming together and has some really tender moments. Towards the end he deals with some health issues (which I read were true) and changed the tone of book. The book was ok.
Thanks to NetGalley for the arc
March 29, 2023
This is a fun, homey story. AJ loved his grandmother’s fish fry in Louisiana when he was growing up. Now that he has grown and moved to Atlanta he missed those. He doesn’t like his neighborhood or job. His tight-knit community is hit with gentrification that no one wants. AJ sets out to have a fish fry like his grandmother used to have. The reason is to get his neighborhood to come together to fight gentrification. The characters in the story are lively, likable, and relatable. AJ encounters health and marriage issues, but will he prevail? The writing style of the author is excellent. I love the book cover which resonates with the storyline. I recommend this book to book clubs. I give this book 4 stars.
May 1, 2023
**3.5 rounded**
A very big thank you to NetGalley and the publisher Sterling and Stone for giving me the opportunity to read this ARC in exchange for my honest review.
The cover is what initially drew me to this book, but the synopsis definitely got me to stay. This is the first book I have read that food was an important focal point in the story so I was excited to dive in. This is a fast paced and fun story about Louisiana born and raised/Atlanta living Anthony Joiner and the obstacles he's faced with once he learns that the community he lives in is being overtaken by gentrification. What I liked most is the strong sense of community displayed. There are plenty of people who can relate to their neighborhood changing right in front of their eyes and feeling powerless in the situation. However; I thoroughly enjoyed reading how no matter what the challenge the entire community were willing and eager participants. Majority of the characters were likeable and relatable, very reminiscent of the people I come across daily. Now I must be honest my least favorite character was the main character. How he chose to handle certain situations more specifically pertaining to his marriage just rubbed me the wrong way and at times had my blood boiling lol. This book is advertised as fiction, but to me it came off a little memoirish lol. All in all if you're interested in a quick read that focuses on the importance of community AND that will leave your mouth salivating THIS is it.'
A very big thank you to NetGalley and the publisher Sterling and Stone for giving me the opportunity to read this ARC in exchange for my honest review.
The cover is what initially drew me to this book, but the synopsis definitely got me to stay. This is the first book I have read that food was an important focal point in the story so I was excited to dive in. This is a fast paced and fun story about Louisiana born and raised/Atlanta living Anthony Joiner and the obstacles he's faced with once he learns that the community he lives in is being overtaken by gentrification. What I liked most is the strong sense of community displayed. There are plenty of people who can relate to their neighborhood changing right in front of their eyes and feeling powerless in the situation. However; I thoroughly enjoyed reading how no matter what the challenge the entire community were willing and eager participants. Majority of the characters were likeable and relatable, very reminiscent of the people I come across daily. Now I must be honest my least favorite character was the main character. How he chose to handle certain situations more specifically pertaining to his marriage just rubbed me the wrong way and at times had my blood boiling lol. This book is advertised as fiction, but to me it came off a little memoirish lol. All in all if you're interested in a quick read that focuses on the importance of community AND that will leave your mouth salivating THIS is it.'
May 13, 2023
Atlanta Fish Fry, based on true story, is an immensely interesting fiction book that makes for a great read.
AJ Joiner lives in a neighborhood he doesn't prefer but then things change after a Fish Fry party and he starts liking them after getting to know them better.
Though, soon, some rich developers threatens to tear the neighborhood apart and now Joiner has to save his people and for this he throws second Fish Fry.
The question at heart of the book is: will he be able to save his neighborhood?
The writing style of author is friendly. The book is written crisply and smoothly.
The way the story moves and how has author described the events is a standout feature. All characters are developed beautifully.
The book is, in short, highly entertaining.
Overall, its a book I will highly recommend and a book I enjoyed from first page to the last.
AJ Joiner lives in a neighborhood he doesn't prefer but then things change after a Fish Fry party and he starts liking them after getting to know them better.
Though, soon, some rich developers threatens to tear the neighborhood apart and now Joiner has to save his people and for this he throws second Fish Fry.
The question at heart of the book is: will he be able to save his neighborhood?
The writing style of author is friendly. The book is written crisply and smoothly.
The way the story moves and how has author described the events is a standout feature. All characters are developed beautifully.
The book is, in short, highly entertaining.
Overall, its a book I will highly recommend and a book I enjoyed from first page to the last.
May 18, 2023
Eu peguei 'Atlanta Fish Fry' sem saber muito sobre e ler um livro centrado em uma cultura específica ajudou bastante para aprender diversas coisas novas, especialmente por inglês nao ser minha primeira língua e eu viver em um país diferente do qual a história se passa. Desde o começo da estória, Anthony descreve de forma bem rica os sabores e afetos envolvidos nas Fish Fries da sua infância, então quando o tema principal do livro se torna este tipo de manifestação culinária/cultural, começamos a torcer para a 'Atlanta Fish Fry' acontecer, assim como torcer pelo melhor futuro para os moradores do cul-de-sac, reféns da gentrificação. Todos personagens muito bem desenvolvidos e bem reais.
Nao tem disclaimer se a estória é uma versão romantizada da realidade or nem um pouco, mas eu acho que o tema e o enredo é bem querido e conhecido pelo autor e isso é visível pelo texto. Recomendado!
Nao tem disclaimer se a estória é uma versão romantizada da realidade or nem um pouco, mas eu acho que o tema e o enredo é bem querido e conhecido pelo autor e isso é visível pelo texto. Recomendado!
January 28, 2024
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for this eARC.
Atlanta Fish Fry by Anthony "AJ" Joiner is a heartwarming and humorous novel that explores the themes of community, identity, and gentrification. The protagonist, AJ, is a young man who feels dissatisfied with his life in Atlanta, where he works a boring job and lives in a neighborhood that is losing its soul to development. He decides to host a fish fry, inspired by his grandmother's tradition in Louisiana, to connect with his neighbors and celebrate their culture. Along the way, he faces challenges with his health, his marriage, and his nemesis, Eddison Fisher, who is working with the city to demolish the neighborhood.
Atlanta Fish Fry by Anthony "AJ" Joiner is a heartwarming and humorous novel that explores the themes of community, identity, and gentrification. The protagonist, AJ, is a young man who feels dissatisfied with his life in Atlanta, where he works a boring job and lives in a neighborhood that is losing its soul to development. He decides to host a fish fry, inspired by his grandmother's tradition in Louisiana, to connect with his neighbors and celebrate their culture. Along the way, he faces challenges with his health, his marriage, and his nemesis, Eddison Fisher, who is working with the city to demolish the neighborhood.
July 5, 2023
Anthony Joiner grew up in Louisiana and enjoyed going to his Grandmoh's fish fries. When he and his wife, Renee, attempt to settle in a neighborhood on the brink of gentrification, Anthony decides to throw a fish fry to connect with the neighbors in the cul-de-sac. When a developer swoops in, Anthony throws another fish fry in an effort to save his neighborhood from gentrification.
I just loved this book! I was very invested in the plight of Anthony's neighborhood. The book was sweet. It's a perfect summer read!
I just loved this book! I was very invested in the plight of Anthony's neighborhood. The book was sweet. It's a perfect summer read!
September 26, 2023
Anthony Joiner recollects his childhood memories going to his grandmother’s fish fry’s in Louisiana, where he grew up. The food, fellowship, music and the warmth of family coziness is something you can tell he’ll never forget.
Now that he’s a grown up, Anthony is at a dead-end job, confronting a long standing medical condition, when he decides to host a fish fry to try and save his neighbor from threat of gentrification.
I loved how relatable Anthony is and how you can see the community rally together, bringing eccentric characters together for one main goal in mind.
Now that he’s a grown up, Anthony is at a dead-end job, confronting a long standing medical condition, when he decides to host a fish fry to try and save his neighbor from threat of gentrification.
I loved how relatable Anthony is and how you can see the community rally together, bringing eccentric characters together for one main goal in mind.
January 19, 2024
Life's A Fish
There were way too many themes going on here. They could have co existed if the author had developed each subplot. I wasn't a fan of the banter between Anthony and Micheal. It was just childish and annoying after two scenes.
It wasn't horrible, but it wasn't that great either because I needed a better explanation to the headaches and how in the world they could afford the food for the fish frys.
There were way too many themes going on here. They could have co existed if the author had developed each subplot. I wasn't a fan of the banter between Anthony and Micheal. It was just childish and annoying after two scenes.
It wasn't horrible, but it wasn't that great either because I needed a better explanation to the headaches and how in the world they could afford the food for the fish frys.
May 21, 2023
This was a cute quick story about a man working to make a life he is happy with. It isn’t easy and he makes some bad decisions, but he does make some good friends along the way who are willing to help him get to that life. And it does involve a few fish fry events that might make you hungry.
Thanks to NetGalley.
Thanks to NetGalley.
March 28, 2023
A slice of life story about bringing back a piece of childhood and attempting to do some good for a neighborhood at the same time. It's an easy read, nothing too exciting, just a bit of domestic drama at times. The characters are pretty realistic and many of them are likeable.
April 27, 2023
Outstanding
Awesome book. Finished in one sitting. I’m from Birmingham and this just grabbed my attention. Brought back memories of fish fries on my grandma porch. The characters are interesting and mesh together well. Just amazing.
Awesome book. Finished in one sitting. I’m from Birmingham and this just grabbed my attention. Brought back memories of fish fries on my grandma porch. The characters are interesting and mesh together well. Just amazing.
June 23, 2023
Home
The story line kept me struggling a bit. There were a lot of characters, but not a lot of development into what purpose they had in the whole scope of things. It was a fun read. A lot of Seaford and not much money.
The story line kept me struggling a bit. There were a lot of characters, but not a lot of development into what purpose they had in the whole scope of things. It was a fun read. A lot of Seaford and not much money.
November 14, 2023
The main appeal of this book is that it is very endearing. The main character Anthony deals progressively through threats of gentrification through the cultural and very coveted fish fry. Joyner shows a believable plot, common characters, and a realistic ending. I enjoyed the read. 4 stars.
March 25, 2023
This is a fun read that follows one Louisiana boy’s dreams through adulthood in Atlanta.
September 24, 2023
Heart warming and fun book. Entertaining read.
January 22, 2025
Big thank you to NetGalley for the ARC!
This novel tells the story of Anthony, a born and raised Louisiana native living in Georgia with his wife in a house passed down from a family member. The neighborhood is filled with many kooky but authentic personalities. When city developers try to buy the neighborhood property-by-property, Anthony and his wife, Renee, take action and host Louisiana-style fish fries to try and save the neighborhood. Through it all, Anthony is working a job he hates, battling threatening health symptoms, and facing marital problems only worsened by his current situation.
This was a sweet story, but hard for me to get into. At times, the "plot" felt slow-moving, highlighting mundane events that didn't seem too important to the story. The struggles faced by the characters seemed surface-level at best, and much of the dialogue was very cheesy, it-all-works-out-in-the-end type writing.
Overall, the concept was interesting, and left me hungry and wanting to go to a fish fry. Bonus points for some very punny fish jokes, too.
This novel tells the story of Anthony, a born and raised Louisiana native living in Georgia with his wife in a house passed down from a family member. The neighborhood is filled with many kooky but authentic personalities. When city developers try to buy the neighborhood property-by-property, Anthony and his wife, Renee, take action and host Louisiana-style fish fries to try and save the neighborhood. Through it all, Anthony is working a job he hates, battling threatening health symptoms, and facing marital problems only worsened by his current situation.
This was a sweet story, but hard for me to get into. At times, the "plot" felt slow-moving, highlighting mundane events that didn't seem too important to the story. The struggles faced by the characters seemed surface-level at best, and much of the dialogue was very cheesy, it-all-works-out-in-the-end type writing.
Overall, the concept was interesting, and left me hungry and wanting to go to a fish fry. Bonus points for some very punny fish jokes, too.
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews