“You know everything you need to know about a person from the answer to the question, 'What is your favorite book?'"  ― The Storied Life of A.J. Fikry

I give this book: ★★★★★

The Storied Life of A.J. Fikry introduces you to a grieving (in the form of grumpy) independent bookstore owner named – you got it – A.J. Fikry. After the death of his wife, A.J. has no real interest in doing anything besides working in his store, getting drunk off cheap wine and surviving on microwaveable meals. When one of his most valuable books goes missing, A.J. pretty much gives up hope for a happy ending ... that is, until a small and very surprising gift is left for him in the bookstore and changes his life forever. With foreshadowing that is so subtle you almost can't notice it, the pages of the book follow A.J.'s life along with a few other key people on Alice Island, including a determined sales rep, a friendly police chief, an adulterous author and more. Like most books that I find myself connected to, this story unfolds much like that of life – one event at a time and somehow also all at once. Complete with a booklist of it's own, The Storied Life of A.J. Fikry covers a lot of literary ground. Just when you think you know where the story is going – just when your attention is focused on one aspect of the story – author Gabrielle Zevin mixes things up. It is this lifelike unpredictability that  makes the work such a wonder.

“The words you can’t find, you borrow. 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. My life is in these books, he wants to tell her. Read these and know my heart. We are not quite novels. The analogy he is looking for is almost there. We are not quite short stories. At this point, his life is seeming closest to that. In the end, we are collected works.” ― The Storied Life of A.J. Fikry

Barnes and Noble Summer Reading Program 2015

This year Barnes & Nobel's Summer Reading Program, "Imagination's Destination," rewards children in grades 1-6 for reading eight books over the summer by giving them another book for free! There is a wide variety of free books to choose from, but hurry up and get reading! This chance to win a free book ends September 7th.

Scholastic Summer Reading Challenge 2015

The Scholastic Summer Reading Challenge asks kids to "Power Up and Read" to set a new world reading record! Kids go online to log their reading minutes where they'll also be able to take weekly challenges and earn rewards. The elementary and middle schools who log the most minutes win visits from authors Michael Northrop (Trapped, the TombQuest series) and Varian Johnson (The Great Greene Heist, Saving Maddie), respectively. But don't delay – this reading challenge ends September 4th.

Sylvan's Book Adventure Reading Program

OK, so this one isn't technically a summer reading program because it goes on all year long – but how great is that?! Book Adventure tests children's reading comprehension by asking them to take quizzes about the books they read. After they've gotten all the questions right on the quiz (one retake is allowed), they'll be awarded points which can be traded in for prizes such as temporary tattoos, a chocolate bar, a free three-month subscription to Highlights and more!

So what are you waiting for? Pick up a book and get reading today!

Click here to discover more summer reading programs!

"The extra cash comes courtesy of million-selling author and literary patron James Patterson, who announced Monday that he has given $473,000 to 81 independent sellers around the country in the third round of his campaign to keep local stores in business. Since launching the program a year ago, he has given more than $1 million to 178 sellers. The money is dispersed in response to specific requests, such as a letter from Left Bank that said Patterson's donation would allow the store to 'breathe a huge sigh of relief as we invest the money we make selling books back into our community.'" – The Associated Press 

This donation is the third installment in Patterson’s $1 million #SaveOurBooks campaign aimed toward supporting independent bookstores in 2014. According to the author's website, he will continue to support indie booksellers in 2015 in addition to championing a new initiative centered on supporting school libraries and inspiring children to become lifelong readers. "'In terms of my charities' effectiveness, I know that a couple of hundred bookstores, thousands of student teachers, and hundreds of thousands of kids who received books from me in schools are better off for it,'" Patterson said. "'From my point of view, that's hard to beat.'" – The Associated Press If you are interested in joining Patterson in his honorable quest to #SaveOurBooks please sign the petition and help spread the word on your social media accounts!

James Patterson, the best-selling author of the Alex Cross series and numerous other thrillers.