The Next Best Book Club discussion

Hi all!

I am sorry I am a whole day late with the discussion thread.

Who's picking this one up with us?

Edit:
*It appears we've lost our discussion leader. Anyone want to step up and take the lead for this month?

Hi,

Even though I am an author this is going to be my first online book club book. I just got the book and the story looks interesting. Am going to start it today. Now that you don't have a leader does that mean there will be no discussion about the book?

No, you guys can all jump in at any point and talk amongst yourselves, if you like. I can't lead it, I haven't read it and won't be getting to it this month, sadly.

hey Lori - I read this a while back - let me take a peep and i should be able to lead the discussion

Thanks so much Dee. You're the best!

lol! i'll take my payment in wine ;)

hey guys - Dee here - i've been part of TNBBC for several years now, rarely participate in group reads because i'm not that organized, but since i've actually read this months book, I said i'd help out - so bear with me ;)

I hope everyone has a great month of reading

quick show of hands (ok, I swear i'm not a teacher, but this works for my guys in the military too)

1. who has already read The Storied Life of A.J. Fikry?
2. who hasn't read it, but is looking forward to it?
3. who hasn't read it, but is kind of skeptical about it?

Hi Dee,

Red wine or white? I started reading this book yesterday because it was this month's pick. I was looking forward to getting into the story. To be honest I was loving it until around page 70. I would have stopped then except that it is this month's pick and I wanted to part of it.

I did read it a while back for my library's book club. Pleasant story with some twists but moves along very quickly. Finished it in one day. Some things I didn't see coming at all, but probably should have in retrospect. Loved the local aspect of RI and Hyannis, even though there is a fictional island. Many sad elements with lots of positivity sprinkled throughout.

I read it about a year ago - I'll have to see if I still have access to it (it was an e-book) to do a quick review but I recall having mixed feelings about it. (Georgette's note above struck a chord with me immediately.)

Georgette wrote: "Hi Dee,

Red wine or white? I started reading this book yesterday because it was this month's pick. I was looking forward to getting into the story. To be honest I was loving it until around page 7..."

i'm going to have to find my copy and look up pg70 because i don't remember anything really from reading (it was over a year ago that I read it)

so i'll admit i found a pretty good online discussion guide and when i was reading it, this question caught my eye and i think its a good question that you can answer wherever you are in the book

Why do you think the author chooses to set the book on an island? How does the island setting reflect A.J.’s character?

Dee, It was a little before page 70. Don't want to give out that information about story to anyone who hasn't read it yet. Felt that was too easy a way to change AJ.

Dee wrote: "so i'll admit i found a pretty good online discussion guide and when i was reading it, this question caught my eye and i think its a good question that you can answer wherever you are in the book

..."
I think Ms. Zevin chose an island to already set up a feeling of isolation from the outside world. This setting is perfect for A.J.’s character. He’s always isolated himself in a world of books. So A.J. really is an island in himself.

To answer the first question I just started to read the book and I'm a little skeptical. I decided to pick it up because my new years resolution was to not spend any money on books until I work my way through my massive to be read pile and this one was available at my local library. I was looking forward to it because I love books about people who love books, but was immediately turned off by AJ rattling off to Amelia what he doesn't like to read.

I'm about 40 pages in would say that the island setting helps to establish AJ as an outsider. He lives in small town and runs a customer facing business, he runs into the same police officer three times in these first pages, his wife was a local and his in-laws still live there and yet he still feels like he doesn't belong.

I don't normally pick up the book of the month (my library isn't great and I have so many books already that I'm trying to get through) but the summary of this book interested me.

So far, so good. I find the little quotes/reviews about books in between the chapters interesting rather than annoying at the moment, although like Rachelle I wasn't too impressed by AJ being a bit of a book snob to Amelia but then we saw his side of the story on it, so I carried on reading :)

Lucy wrote: "I don't normally pick up the book of the month (my library isn't great and I have so many books already that I'm trying to get through) but the summary of this book interested me.

So far, so good..."

Like Lucy I also enjoyed the quotes and reviews in between the chapters. I finished the book last night.

Just began this book- only on page 9 and I'm already laughing out loud.

The book begins well and is engaging but then does seem to lose focus after the first quarter of it - it feels as if it was written in two spells with quite some time in between them. Significant life events are barely mentioned and I feel that, for someone as literary as AJ, certain books would resonate with these times and play a more significant part in his notes to Amelia.
I did read some comments on another thread about the audio book version seemingly 'missing' some parts of the story, I thought the same about the Kindle version but that's just the way the story is written!

Simon wrote: "The book begins well and is engaging but then does seem to lose focus after the first quarter of it - it feels as if it was written in two spells with quite some time in between them. Significant l..."

I agree with Simon and I can understand why people with audio or kindle versions would think that.

Dee wrote: "so i'll admit i found a pretty good online discussion guide and when i was reading it, this question caught my eye and i think its a good question that you can answer wherever you are in the book

..."

Good morning! This is my first time joining in discussion and reading this book (which I actually read in the dregs of last year, but I digress). [SPOILERS AHEAD]

I think the island really does seem to fit AJ's isolation, as Georgette said, but it seems to even be more isolated than that.

He's around people, even on the island, but chooses to spend his time alone. And it's only until his bookstore-island is invaded via a motherless child that he slowly opens up and lets the people of Alice Island into his own private book-island.

Islands don't have to be isolated! They can be connected to others, though the journey may be a bit longer. I think that part is best represented by his slow-to-start relationship with Amelia. But eventually, he lets his isolation melt away, retaining who he is but finally allowing himself to be with others and be contented with company.

Finished this book! I actually really liked it, I thought the ending fit and I liked how all the different characters (and their stories) fit together in the end with the book and Maya's mother.

The only thing I had a problem with was that sometimes the time skips felt a little disjointed? Like it wasn't obvious that time had skipped or it didn't seem connected in some way but that didn't detract from my enjoyment of the book.

I am also finished with the book. I have some strong feelings about the story that I would like to discuss. I don't want to take away anything from any readers who are still reading. At what point can I state what I was disappointed in?

georgette you can whenever you want - just use the spoiler hide option...to do that put the word spoiler between arrows like < > and at the end make sure to add a / before the word

this is a pretty generic question about the book, but i think its a good tie in to goodreads and TNBBC in general

What do you think the future holds for physical books and bookstores?

Dee wrote: "this is a pretty generic question about the book, but i think its a good tie in to goodreads and TNBBC in general

What do you think the future holds for physical books and bookstores?"

I think physical books will always have their place but I think bookstores like Waterstones will struggle a little unless they update with the times a bit more. I know I go to Amazon sometimes when I see a book I might like because I don't want to spend £10-12 on a brand new book which I'll probably only read once. I go to Amazon so I can get a used version. There was a few non-fiction books I liked the look of in WHSmiths but again I was put off by the price.

In the book it mentioned author events and book clubs hosted in the store - I wouldn't mind in my local bookstore started to do some of those a lot more. And maybe a discounted book part of the store, like books that have been returned that have a bent spine to be sold on a discount.

But I like physical books and I don't see them disappearing completely, but I do see the numbers getting reduced.

I know my local bookstore (chain - books a million - has a discount section for books - i think mostly books that there ordered lots of that didn't sell as well as planned...); but I agree with you on the price - for the amount I read, I can't afford to spent $20-30 on hardcover copy of a book; that is where I normally resort to the library; I used to have a couple of decent-ish used bookstores by me, but they have both closed down in the last year

I finished reading the novel a few days ago and I’m sad to say I was very disappointed in it. I really thought I was going to enjoy it. (view spoiler)[ But it was too easy! Everyone knows “A baby changes everything.” We’ve seen it hundreds of times in other stories. I expected more from the author, something new. I like the visual of A.J. getting drunk so he could see his dead wife. I would have liked the story better if when A.J. came into the bookstore that night he found an open book. He could have read a paragraph about a character that would have made him think. And then the next night another open book and a different character. You get the idea. I know this would have been a different story but the author could have had A.J. life change and open up because of his love of books and the characters that live in them.
As a child my mother told me that I’d make friends in books that will be with me the rest of my life. My mother was right. Characters in books have helped frame my view of the world. And I should have been sobbing when A.J. died but I didn’t. First rule of writing Show don’t Tell. In this novel I felt the writing just told me about the feelings and didn’t allow me develop them inside myself./
I can’t believe I am making this review. As an author myself I respect all the hard work that went into writing it. Gabrielle Zevin is a NY Times Best Selling Author. That’s my dream. For now I’m happy when one of my books makes it to the Amazon Top 100 list.
What is it that you think I missed reading this? (hide spoiler)]

Lucy wrote: "Dee wrote: "this is a pretty generic question about the book, but i think its a good tie in to goodreads and TNBBC in general

What do you think the future holds for physical books and bookstores?"..."

There is nothing that can compare with the smell of the pages of a new book. I think everyone who reads will agree with that. But everything changes. Music- went from cylinder records in 1905 to vinyl 78 LP – vinyl 45 – CD – digital. Movies are going through the same process.

I am involved with my local library because schools now don’t have a library in them. The children are to read just on their e-readers. So our library is raising money to have a travel library bus that will bring physical books to them and to senior citizens. Our library has had to change. More computers, more movies and now we have art events. I think the same is going to happen to book stores. They will have to come up with other ways to bring in readers. What’s funny is that Amazon which they say created the end of brick & mortar stores has now opened up a physical book store.

When I lived up in New York I was a guest author in many book stores that no longer exist. Now I live in Florida and they don’t do it as much down here. If book stores had more author events, more guest speakers and book clubs I think that might help. I don’t know. Many Mom & Pop stores are closing. I personally make sure I buy as local as possible. Also when I do go to Barnes&Noble none of the book sellers know their books like A.J. Kikry. And many times I’m directed to order on line anyway.

Just started The Storied Life of A.J. Fikry, am wanting to like it, only 19 pages in, she references some favorite books, so far so good.

So far I think that this book is interesting for a book about books. I didn't know what to expect, I'm a little bit intransigent about the plot as I feel so many books have a similar kind of plot, however, once I get reading I want to finish the story. I think that the Island is a metaphor also of the book itself, as the quote on the book say's 'No Man is an Island,, Every book is a world. Implying that the story involves A.J. A widowed Man, (who is like an island, but events in the story lead other people into his life. (i.e. No man is an island). Compare literary meaning of characters to books, (Every book is a world), compare the world of books to characters, people and the world of stories. Like this theme. The irony of the book being set on an Island.
I think bookstores are a pleasant thing and it reminds me that I want more of them.. Not only the big chain stores that cater to many different people but the smaller ones which are harder to find. I think a good book store offers that ambiance that is difficult to find else where. Quite, yet not boring, but mindful, bright and the kind of place where you can feel fine alone but never know who you might bump into.

Georgette wrote: "Lucy wrote: "Dee wrote: "this is a pretty generic question about the book, but i think its a good tie in to goodreads and TNBBC in general

What do you think the future holds for physical books and..."

schools don't have libraries? what the fuckity fuck! (pardon the language)

Dee wrote: "Georgette wrote: "Lucy wrote: "Dee wrote: "this is a pretty generic question about the book, but i think its a good tie in to goodreads and TNBBC in general

What do you think the future holds for ..."

That's what I thought when I went to a meeting with the library Board. I didn’t believe it. After talking with some mothers of the younger children I found out that some teachers have a little book lending area in their own classrooms. But the schools don’t have a library in them. How sad.

I read this book last year and just loved it.

The island speaks to his isolation,

Love bookstores and physical books and they will always have a place in my heart thise that survive find a way to stay relevant as a meeting spot, coffee or special events.

Question: Do you think this story would only work for a book store owner? Could it have worked if AJ had isolated himself as a man who owned a hardware store and lived in an apartment building in a city?

I think the way that the Characters are "bookish people" is one of the things that make the book what it is. I think if you were going to use another story line such as you suggested a hardware store, you would also have to create a different atmosphere and theme for the book. However, it might be interesting as you suggested to do this in fact, i wonder why she chose bookstore, (aka. probably because she is an author, finds more of a purpose in her writing).
I also liked the way she incorporated other books that I recognized by name into this book. It made me feel as if I was closer to the characters and events. Ha,ha what did you think of the "Late Bloomers" book signing event. Now that couldn't have happened at a hardware store.

Evalani wrote: "I think the way that the Characters are "bookish people" is one of the things that make the book what it is. I think if you were going to use another story line such as you suggested a hardware sto..."

Evalani, I also loved the way other books were incorporated into the story. It made the story so much richer for me. Just a ha ha for you. In the 2014 movie Authors Anonymous with Kaley Cuoco (Penny from the Big Bank) they have an author's book signing event in a hardware store.

See, there is always room for imaginative exploration in writing, you never know how it might turn out. In fact I liked the imagery of a bookstore, I think that this could have been even more interesting with more imagery. The Book signing event was funny and unexpected, I think it was a good opposite point to the sort of Cranky bookstore owner turned optimist. I was a bit confused about who the author was of the" Late Bloomers". It was actually wrote but a woman yes? Pretending to be a man in the book who lost his wife? But then who was at the author's book signing event? A man who played Santa Clause at... So was this a set up of some sort? You would think that A.J. Fickery would have done a better job of knowing his authors before a book signing event or no?

You would think that A.J. Fickery would have done a better job of knowing his authors before a book signing event or no?

I know of female authors (and male ones) who have hired actors of the opposite to portray them, if they use pseudonyms in certain genres because they want to maintain the facade

for example, a male romance writer is almost entirely discredited, there are a few out there, but if you ask a high volume romance reader, if they would read a male author, the answer is normally a fairly resounding no

Evalani wrote: "See, there is always room for imaginative exploration in writing, you never know how it might turn out. In fact I liked the imagery of a bookstore, I think that this could have been even more inter..."

Evalani, I think what was supposed to have happened was that the woman wrote "The Late Bloomers" and it didn't sell. By having it appear that an old man wrote it made the book sell. The publishers kept the lie going by hiring that old man to act the part of the author, But he did not do a good job of it.

Dee wrote: "You would think that A.J. Fickery would have done a better job of knowing his authors before a book signing event or no?

I know of female authors (and male ones) who have hired actors of the oppo..."

That is just wrong on so many levels. Don't you think? I saw a tweet picture once of a bookstore where all the books were wraped in brown paper so that you couldn't chose the book by its cover. Maybe we authors should just use our last names or numbers.

i don't think its much different from nowadays when you think about it

romance as a genre is looked down upon for being trash even though its a multi-billion dollar industry, yet a male writes something romantic-ish (Nicholas Sparks) and its lauded as being the next best thign to sliced bread with movie deals etc...when there are many female writers who are so much better in general but don't get the attention that he does

Yes speaking of.... I sort of zipped ahead with February's read, hope that conversation is going to start soon. Will we be following the same blog?

Dee wrote: "hey guys - Dee here - i've been part of TNBBC for several years now, rarely participate in group reads because i'm not that organized, but since i've actually read this months book, I said i'd help..."

I listened to the audiobook before I was active on Goodreads when I was active on Shelfari.

Dee wrote: "so i'll admit i found a pretty good online discussion guide and when i was reading it, this question caught my eye and i think its a good question that you can answer wherever you are in the book

..."

AJ has made himself into a bit of an island emotionally, but he also has isolated himself from many of the changes going on in the world around him.

Dee wrote: "this is a pretty generic question about the book, but i think its a good tie in to goodreads and TNBBC in general

What do you think the future holds for physical books and bookstores?"

I think there will always be some as long as they are able to find a way to stay relevant. The closest one to us has some new books, features some local authors and then has a large collection of used books. In addition, you can call and order new books they don't have and get a 20 percent discount, so they stay competitive. However, the ones in our local mall went out of business, but so did a lot of stores because the previous mall owners didn't know what they were doing.

Lately there has been a trend to more people buying paper copies of books than a few years ago, so I think the novelty of kindle and nook has died down. There will always be people who prefer books on paper.

Dee, thank you so much for jumping in last minute and hosting the discussion. I appreciate it more than you can know!

I gave this book an extra star because I liked the cover.

Unfortunately, the book goes downhill rapidly after that. Set on an island off the coast of Hyannis, it is the story of an acerbic bookstore owner whose wife died two years earlier. He's funny, brainy, irreverent as he struggles to keep the store going. He meets an upbeat young woman who represents a book publisher. Along the way is a troubled sister-in-law, an abandoned toddler, a stolen book that is very valuable, and a police chief who hosts a book group that meets at the bookstore.

Plenty of material to work with, right? But the author manages to put together a stilted plot packed with so many cliches and wholly unbelievable plot twists that I found myself groaning out loud at times. This destroys any gains the author made in building interesting characters and setting. Which is a shame given the book's potential. This is one of those times when I wonder--given the many glowing reviews this book has received, including some from prestigious publications--what could they have been thinking?

This novel started with huge promise. I quickly fell for AJ and his bristly kindness to the island and to the ladies in his life. I loved the quotes from other books and how they related to the plot of the story. But SPOILER now. There was so much random death, and for no real purpose. It left me feeling lonely at the end. Another issue - the huge gaps in timeline. The reader is in the rhythm of time passing gently for the first half of the book and the second is full of herky-jerky shifts in time and place. I had a hard time relating to the characters I'd grown to love in the first half of the book.

I'm a little surprised by some of the comments here but I don't disagree with any of the points made. For me, this was a story I really liked. It kept my attention and I enjoyed reading about each character and how the author developed them with time.