The Storied Life of A.J. Fikry/ Gabrielle Zevin / 260 pgs

I read this book based on a recommendation from a coworker. So glad I did. This is the story of A.J. Fikry, a widowed bookstore owner. Drinking too much and barely living, A.J. has lost his way after the death of his wife. He hits a new low when he passes out one night and has a rare, expensive book stolen from his home. Soon, though, a young toddler is abandoned in his store, he adopts her, and he's back among the living. A.J. is grumpy, at least on the outside, the kind of character I love. Despite its depressing beginning and ending, this is an uplifting book about the power of love and friendship.