Storied Life of A.J. Fikry by Gabrielle Zevin

Gabrielle Zevin the author of The Storied Life of A.J. Fikry, is a lifelong reader no doubt.  She understands that books are connected to the soul of those who cannot do without them.  She realizes that for some people, reading is an extension of life.  If you are a reader then you too will appreciate this connection that can only be found in literature that is read and shared and loved by people.  In Zevin's novel we find a remarkable celebration of literature, of books, and of the impact that they have on all of us. The main character, Fikry, is a cantankerous, small bookstore owner whose life is forever changed when he finds an abandoned baby in his store.  Shocking everyone who knows him, he decides to adopt this little girl who he names Maya.  Their story unfolds wrapped carefully by their bookstore and the books that they read together.  Other characters come into Fikry's life and all of these people are changed by the bookstore owner and his daughter.  The story sounds so simple but it is so much more.  The main character realizes that people need a way to express themselves that is real and yet not too scary.  He says, "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." Reading connects us with others; books make a wonderful bridge on which people can reach one another.  If you love books this is a book you should not miss.  It is a celebration of a bond that is as old as time.  Read and enjoy being a part of this circle. Read and share your life with others who are like you.  Read, for as Fikry says, "We are all collected works."

Girl On the Train by Paula Hawkins

Girl On the Train by Paula Hawkins


Paula Hawkins, the author of the novel Girl On the Train, chose a tried and true story line showing once again there is nothing new under the sun.  As long as man has been on this earth, he has found a way to sin and cause irreparable damage to those around him.  This book has been compared to Gone Girl but was really quite different especially where the characters were concerned.  The main character in Girl on the Train is a shattered, vulnerable woman struggling to recover from a divorce she did not want.  Many problems existed in her marriage but the most destructive it seems was her infertility.  The need to have a baby drove Rachel to desperation and her desperation led to her alcoholism which led to losing her husband, her job but most importantly, her self image.  Rachel tells us at one point, "I am not the girl I used to be.  I am no longer desirable, I'm off-putting in some way...it's as if people can see the damage written all over me." The story line intertwines Rachel's life with many people who add to her depression.  Her ex-husband and his new wife seem to have the life that Rachel always dreamed of.  They have a darling baby and live in the house that had been Rachel's.  All of the drama of the book is cleverly drawn around Rachel's daily ride on the train that passes behind her former home.  She watches her husband and his family but she also watches the couple who live a few doors down the street.  She imagines what their lives are like and when she sees that something is amiss, she is determined to solve the mystery.  The outcome of her sleuthing is amazing indeed.  The twists and turns the Hawkins builds into her story are truly amazing.  For those readers who enjoy trying to figure out "who done it", this is a fun novel.  The ending will not leave you wanting!