The Red Address Book

Book #12 Read in 2019 The Red Address book by Sofia Lundberg Doris is an elderly lady living in Sweden, whose only family is a great-niece, Jenny, in America. Doris has health issues and ends up in the hospital. She has kept track of everyone she has ever met in a red address book, though most have now "dead" marked by their names. Doris has been writing her life story down for Jenny to read--about her missed love with Allan, surviving World War 2, losing her job etc. This is a fascinating read and I highly recommend it. I borrowed this book from the public library.

Librarian: What a beautiful story. This is the kind of story that I always hope historical fiction novels are going to be, but seldom are. That being said, I do worry that some readers will ignore this one, because a.) it's a work in translation, and many American readers tend to overlook European works (though the fact that this book originates in Sweden may help, as Swedish authors tend to have a favorable reputation with American readers) and b.) it's format is rather unique. The memoir-esque style of the book serves it well, and really helps to highlight the story, but I worry that it could alienate some readers who are expecting a more straightforward novel. Reader: Historical fiction is a genre that is almost always on my "genres I should read more of" list. I mean, it's a genre that I only occasionally read, even though I normally enjoy it when I do. This book serves as yet another reminder of why I need to read more of it. This little tale of a life lived to its fullest is the kind of story that makes you feel all the things, in part, because of the sheer simplicity of the narrative. This is the story of a life. It is nothing more, and nothing less. Doris, is not some chosen one, not some tragic heroine. She is just a woman who lived her life as it happened, without some overarching narrative driving things. And that's what makes this book so beautiful. It reminds us that in the end we're all just people on a journey that seems ordinary as it happens, but is really something rather extraordinary. Reading Challenge: PopSugar 2019 - A Book Set in Scandinavia