By Ellie George, Type of Book: Contemporary Fiction
Once in a while, a book comes along that reminds you why reading can feel like coming home.
The Storied Life of A.J. Fikry is one of these such books, and I am a better reader for it. The story follows the pessimistic A.J. Fikry, a widower who lives alone and runs a struggling independent bookshop. To make matters worse, he’s just lost his extremely valuable collection of rare Edgar Allen Poe poems. But an unexpected package at the door gives him a chance to miraculously start his life anew and set things right- no matter how dead-end he thought things may be.
The best way I can describe this book was that it felt like I’d just lived a miniature, fulfilling life. Zevin’s writing style of dry-humored wit and heartwarming dialogue entrapped me to a point of obsessive page-turning. It was the perfect combination of intricate storyline and meandering observations about life and literature. To put things simply, I found myself underlining quotes left and right, without ever managing to lose an ounce of interest in the actual plot points of the story. Similar to Coehlo’s The Alchemist, but without the sermon-like lessons. One specific aspect of the book I loved was the generational divide. The story not only followed A.J., and his way of viewing the world, but also Maya’s.
This ensures the enthrallment of both readers who have much to reflect on, and those who are young, and have much to learn. If you are a lover of books about books, accompany A.J. Fikry on his journey through heartache and into purpose.
Favorite Quote: “We aren’t the things we collect, acquire, read. We are, for as long as we are here, only love. The things we loved. The people we love. I think these really do live on.”
Ellie George, an avid reader, is a local resident now a student at the University of South Carolina.
Eatontown Memorial Student is 10,000th Child to Benefit from Free Vision Screening by New Jersey’s Eatontown Lions Club The Eatontown Lions Club began its sixth year of vision screening with a bang on Thursday, September 14, 2023. As a result of partnering with the Eatontown and Ocean Township School Districts the Lions club provided the 10,000th free vision screening. On Thursday in recognition as the 10,000th screening recipient, Ashton Vassor, an eighth-grade student at Eatontown’s Memorial School, was given a citation and gift card from the Lions Club. Ashton has been screened annually by the Lions since second grade. Also given a Lions Club Certificate was Memorial School Nurse Lucy Craig, one of the first Eatontown School District nurses to collaborate with the Lions when vision screening began in 2017. She was Ashton’s school nurse at Meadowbrook School when his vision was first screened. Working in conjunction with school nurses, vision screenings are done annually by the Eatontown Lions in September and October for students in Pre-K through 8th grade. “We really appreciate your help as well as the support of the Lions. Your work and partnership with us make a difference. The vision screening process as well as the resources the Lions provide to our students if a vision problem is discovered help our students to be in a better position to learn and succeed. Thank you.” said Scott T. McCue, Superintendent Eatontown Public Schools More than 12 million school-age children in the United States have some form of vision problem. Many vision problems run the risk of becoming permanent if not corrected by the time the eye reaches full maturity. Vision also plays an important role in education. According to educational experts, 80 percent of learning is visual. “Early screening leads to early detection, which helps ensure that children get the follow-up care they need,” said Club President Linda Butler. “We want to make sure that cor