THE SECRET LIVES OF DRESSES is a wonderful exploration of the process of discovering your story and appreciating it's beauty and complexity.

Dora rushes home to Forsyth, NC from college after receiving the news that her beloved grandmother, Mimi, has suffered a stroke. Not even bothering to run home to pack, Dora leaves her job at the college coffee shop and hops in her car. Dora arrives to discover that Mimi, the woman who loved and raised her since the death of her parents, is gravely ill. Not knowing how to help, Dora turns her focus to Mimi's love of vintage clothing. Since she arrived without luggage, Dora goes home to rummage through "Dora's closet" for things to wear. The closet if full of vintage clothes Mimi has collected for Dora over the years, but until now Dora has had little interest. Before she realizes it, Dora is wearing vintage dresses and running Mimi's resale shop. While working in the shop, Dora discovers that many of the clothes have a "secret life", a written story or vignette that captures the life (real? imagined?) of the dress. Dora isn't sure what to make of these stories, and wonders why Mimi never told her about them.

Mimi has always wanted great things for Dora, but Dora has always taken the path of least resistance; following whatever path opens before her without really committing or investing. She chose a college because it chose her, and she doesn't have any particular interests. The closest she comes to passion is the crush she has on Gary, her boss, who has never shown any really interest in her, something she hopes to change by graduating early and enrolling as a graduate student (since Gary says he doesn't date undergrads). Now that's she's back in Forsyth everything seems off and the future seems unclear as she watches over Mimi and the shop she loves. Helping her are old friends Gabby and Maux, and new friend Conrad, a handsome contractor who knows what it's like to lose a parents and wants to offer her his support.

I loved the contrast between the clear and poignant stories McKean writes for several dresses, and the struggle Dora is experiencing about her own lack of story. Who is she? What does she want? What matters? Dora has struggled to define herself, and now the circumstances of Mimi's illness force her to do just that. THE SECRET LIVES OF DRESSES is soft, well-made, and will stand the test of time. If you like tales of self-discovery, family, friendship, and a little romance, this book is a good fit for you.