The Red Address Book by Sofia Lundberg

☆☆☆☆
Kindle Edition, 304 pages
Expected publication: January 8th 2019 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
About the Book:
Meet Doris, a 96-year-old woman living alone in her Stockholm apartment. She has few visitors, but her weekly Skype calls with Jenny—her American grandniece, and her only relative—give her great joy and remind her of her own youth. When Doris was a girl, she was given an address book by her father, and ever since she has carefully documented everyone she met and loved throughout the years. Looking through the little book now, Doris sees the many crossed-out names of people long gone and is struck by the urge to put pen to paper. In writing down the stories of her colorful past—working as a maid in Sweden, modelling in Paris during the 30s, fleeing to Manhattan at the dawn of the Second World War—can she help Jenny, haunted by a difficult childhood, unlock the secrets of their family and finally look to the future? And whatever became of Allan, the love of Doris’s life?

I wish you enough. Enough sun to light up your days, enough rain that you appreciate the sun. Enough joy to strengthen your soul, enough pain that you can appreciate life’s small moments of happiness. And enough friends that you can manage a farewell now and then.

What a gift this book is to us from Sofia Lundberg. Reading The Red Address Book was a journey through emotions as the characters experience heart warmth and heartache. I enjoyed this book so much I didn't want it to end. Doris, our dear protagonist, makes friends with people that I wish I had in my life. The dialogue is spectacular and I felt as though I was there with Doris. I am in awe.

I enjoyed the evocative descriptions of nature, the villages, and townspeople. I loved that the author focuses on things other than Doris; at those times, the story is especially lively and spirited. I think that you have to love a quirky book to love this one. It was a bit strange and a bit sad but I enjoyed reading it. There were lots of quirky characters to keep me attentive so it was a good book choice for me. I hate saying anything about the ending but I loved it.

This book is unique. I really enjoyed the descriptions of the French countryside and the emotions described in the book. We all experience things different from others and this book captures this well.

Sofia Lundberg touched my heart and soul with The Red Address Book. I loved this book so much. This is one of those books that you want to read slowly to savor each and every page. I highly recommend it.

Thank you NetGalley, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt and Sofia Lundberg for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an impartial review; all opinions are my own.

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