The Storied Life Of Aj Fikry

1. General Impressions

Gather initial thoughts and broad opinions about the book.

• What did you like most about The Storied Life of A. J. Fikry? What did you like the least?
• Compare the novel to others by Gabrielle Zevin (such as Elsewhere, Young Jane Young, Out of the Easy, and/or Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow) or to similar novels by other authors. Did the novel remind you of any other(s)?

2. Personal Reflection and Connection

Encourage readers to connect the book’s themes and characters with their personal experiences.

• How did you react to A. J.’s initial treatment of Amelia? Has anyone ever been rude to you because of your taste in books?
• A. J.’s life is turned around when Maya enters his life. Have children ever provided a source of healing in your life? Did Maya remind you of any children you know? 
• A. J. experiences isolation, not only through the island’s geography but also because of his wife’s death. Did you relate to his feelings of isolation? Have you had any similar experiences that helped you connect to the character?
• How did you feel about Amelia eventually getting together with A. J.? Would you have done the same, or would you have stuck to your first impression?

3. Societal and Cultural Context

Examine the book’s relevance to societal issues, historical events, or cultural themes.

• How does The Storied Life of A. J. Fikry reflect the importance of literature and bookstores? Has this theme gained any relevance in the past 10 years as book bans become more prevalent?
• How does the book’s setting on a Massachusetts island influence the story? While the island itself is imaginary, you can consider what you know about the culture I Massachusetts or real New England islands.
• How do the book’s themes—The Overlap Between Literature and Life, The Power of Books, Islands (and Isolation), and any others you identified—resonate with today’s world? Do you think the cultural context has shifted between the book’s publication in 2013 and now?

4. Literary Analysis

Dive into the book’s structure, characters, themes, and symbolism.

• A. J. undergoes a significant character arc in the novel. Discuss his transformation and the factors that contribute to it.
• Each chapter title in The Storied Life of A. J. Fikry is the name of a piece of literature that is important to A. J. and his overview of it. Examine the various titles and the authors of the original works. (See the novel’s Literary Titles symbol.) Do these titles reflect A. J.’s character development or emotional journey? How do they add to the story’s impact?
• Discuss the novel’s other symbols and motifs, including Alcohol, Color, and any additional symbols or motifs you identified.

5. Creative Engagement

Encourage imaginative and creative connections to the book.

• If you were charged with adapting The Storied Life of A. J. Fikry into a movie, series, or play, which would you choose and why? Who would you cast in the lead roles? 
• What do you think A. J. is playing on the bookstore’s sound system, based on his taste in literature and his character traits? Do you think it changes over time? Make one or more playlists and share them with your book club, explaining your choices.
• If you were writing about your own storied life, what book titles would you choose for your chapter titles? Make a list and discuss your choices with your book club. Do any books show up on multiple lists?

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