This is the perfect little summer read. 
 Back when I was in middle school, I read Zevin's Elsewhere and absolutely adored it. Much like that story, Storied Life does not have much of a plot or really a conflict. It is more just the story of people living their lives, yet that doesn't mean it's boring. I fell in love with each of these character and laughed and cried with them. 
 This is also a fantastic book for any book lover. Zevin does not hold back on her explanation about why books are important to our society, and there are not so subtle book recommendations throughout. One of my favorite moments was when an older lady tries to return The Book Thief because it kept her up all night and no book had the right to be that sad. It also fantastically allows characters to like and dislike books without condemning any genres or belittling their existences. I loved the descriptions of the police chief's book club. 
 Read this by the pool or on a beach when you know you should be reading more often because this book will remind you to return to your literary life and make you happy.