<p>^ Ha, I have a feeling I started that when I posted the list of choices. Apologies to Gabrielle Zevin! I’m about to make it up to her by selecting The Storied Life of A. J. Fikry as our next selection.</p>
<p>If life were less hectic, my first choice would have been The Hound of the Baskervilles and The House of Silk. But you’re right, now is not a good time. Historically, our April 1st, June 1st, and December 1st books have tended to be slimmer and/or less intense than our February 1st, August 1st and October 1st choices, which can have a little more heft. You can be sure I will be adding The Hound of the Baskervilles and The House of Silk to our list for the next round. </p>
<p>The Storied Life of A.J. Fikry is a book that we are all interested in reading, and I think it’s a good choice for a couple of reasons. First of all, excellent reviews and lots of recent press may make the selection appealing to a wider range of CC readers. Secondly, it’s been a long, tough winter for some of us (waving at SJCM :-h), and there is an element of loneliness and despair in Carson McCullers work that I’m not sure I want to embrace as spring finally rolls in. </p>
<p>Will there be enough substance in the The Storied Life of A.J. Fikry to sustain discussion? I’m encouraged by this review from Library Journal:</p>
<p>
</a></p>
<p>Those feeling ambitious might even be inspired to read (or re-read) some of those short stories mentioned at the beginning of every chapter.</p>
<p>I hope you’re on board with this selection! I think it will be fun and we need a little fun after murders and frog-swallowings and motto taxi accidents. All in favor…? </p>