The Red Address Book, Sofia Lundberg, Alice Menzies

This is a lovely saunter through the life of 95-year-old Doris, as remembered through the names in her address book and told to her great-niece in story form.

After her father unexpectedly passes, 12-year-old Doris' mother, able to care for only one of her two daughters, turns Doris out. Doris finds work with a wealthy Swedish woman, where she cleans and helps care for the woman's house and guests. It is here where Doris meets life long friend, Gosta, an older man who cares for Doris as a father figure.

Within a couple of years, Doris moves to Paris, where she works as a live mannequin in upper-end shops and poses for magazines. Bathed in the finest clothes and make-up, Doris meets and falls in love with Allan, an American whose mother is French. As WW2 breaks out, Doris' younger sister, Agnes, comes to live with Doris when their mother dies. Through twists and turns, Doris and Agnes end up in America, where Agnes starts a family.

Back in Europe, and now considerably aged, Doris' only remaining family is her great-niece, Jenny, who lives in America. When Doris takes a fall and lands in the hospital, Jenny brings her baby to Sweeden to be with Doris. It is here that Jenny learns about her family's history and secrets and helps Doris reunite one last time with her only love, Allan.

Extremely well-written, this beautiful story floats along smoothly and without too high of highs or too low of lows; just a nice journey.