The Sweet Potato Queens' Book of Love by Jill Conner Browne
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Book Reviews of The Sweet Potato Queens' Book of Love
Book Review: Sweet Potato Queens Keep Life Sweet
Summary: 5 Stars
The Sweet Potato Queens have discovered the secret to happiness; life is what you make of it, and each of these fallen Southern Belles has decided to make life a riot, a romp, a long, involved, and perfectly executed practical joke, a reason for joy. Even while facing the variety of idiots and jerks and creeps (as well as indigenous critters) we come across in this world, the Sweet Potato Queens handle every dilemma with aplomb, humor, and sisterhood. They are also (thank God!) cheerfully addicted to bad food, good drinks, trashy lingerie, practical jokes, and watching beauty pageants with the supreme satisfaction of goddesses who know that the best crown is the one you give yourself, and it's yours for life. They are convinced of their own sovereignty, and what's more, they will convince you of yours.This book relates the history of the SPQs and then swings into a profoundly funny trove of advice and anecdotes. There are also recipes not to be found in any Junior League Cookbook and stories that you must not read while drinking a soda, lest cola come out of your nose from hysterical laughter. When reading this book for the first time, read it with a good friend close by; this is a book so funny is BEGS to be shared, and shared immediately, with someone who will laugh with you.
As long as your girlfriends (or, in certain cases, your boyfriends) have a sense of humor, you will always have the perfect gift for them in this book. I myself keep having to buy new copies because I keep giving them away.
When I reach for this book, as I have time and again, both in blue times and in silly ones, I know for sure I'm going to come away all perked up, grinning and blushing. Life is wonderful, and we can make it up to be so; the SPQs show you how to follow their example with the sassy and wise enthusiasm that is the trademark of a group of women who have declared themselves bona fide goddesses and are having a complete blast with the world at large.
Mix you up some Fat Mama's Knock You Naked Margaritas (the SPQs tell you how to make them) put on some trashy lingerie (they tell you the best place to get it) and invite your girlfriends over and read this book aloud to each other. Put this book on your list of things you must read this year, and put it on your Christmas List for all your gal pals as well.
Book Review: The Ya Yas Come of Age - It Isn't Just A Southern Thing
Summary: 5 Stars
I thought I was the only woman who ever told her spousal unit I only wanted to be put on a pedestal, worshiped and adored, that's all. He thought I was kidding, so I bought a tiara. While he still doesn't get it, I did move up a notch when I whipped up some of Miss Lexie's pineapple casserole. I was thrilled beyond measure when a church friend (or should I say Goddess?) handed me this book and said that I just had to be a Sweet Potato Queen. Well, the cover was amusing, and a few pages into this wonderful book I knew I had received a huge compliment. The naughty but oh so nice Sweet Potato Queens have wisdom and insight for women of a certain age, and deliver it in such a way as to leave the reader laughing out loud (in between rolls on the floor). Not a book to read in public, or possibly to share with your mama. But I've paired it with the latest adventure of the Sweet Potato Queens (God Bless the Sweet Potato Queens!) and found it to be the most marvelous gift to give a friend who already has a twinge of the right attitude. Interestingly enough, it is NOT a regional tome, since Princess Calamity Joan in NEW YAUWK, said "The book almost killed me. I'd get laughing so hard, I'd start wheezing...and then I couldn't breathe at all...and the tears were streaming out my eyes. I'm far too 'edgy' to be a Su'thrun Belle...and at first I thought...Nuts, these gals have a p'tiklar hook on this stuff....and then it dawned on me that the words in the SPQ's tome were words I'd uttered myself years ago, usually to myself, sometimes to other knowing women...and that all these 'insights' are more about the women and less about the geographical location....I'll bet my last dollar that there are SPQ's in Seattle and Sitka!"So - push that button and order at least a couple of these valuable books, `cause you are going to want to own it as a reference/cookbook and you are gonna want to share the fun with your friends. The Princess Lightning Bolt
Book Review: Not just For Women Only!
Summary: 5 Stars
Since this is the 289th review posted here, I can't see much point in writing an actual review. So , here are some of my favorite bits:
The recipes! This was totally unexpected, and I only read them because she's such a good writer. And the names! "Fat Mama's Knock You Naked Margaritas"! " Come Back Sauce"! "Danger Pudding"! -- the latter prepared by boiling an unopened can of condensed milk.... "You shouldn't do any of this yourself, because you could be killed. Come by my house, and I'll make it for us. I'm very brave."
"What to Eat Before and After an Assignation
Well, "before" is a no-brainer; you can't eat a damn thing. If you do, your stomach will pooch out like you're twelve month's pregnant, and it will ruin the lines of your trashy lingerie...."
"Chapter 10, Men Who Signal Danger.
Run away! Run Away!"
Chapter 11, Men Who May Need Killing. Which is where you'll find detailed instructions on what to do if you find a possum sleeping under your bed. At 2:30 AM.
"What would daddy do? He would know, without the slightest hesitation... Daddy picked a fine time to be dead for fifteen years..."
And I won't even try to describe the Houseguest's Dilemma: "...all the lights blazed on, and there stood her hosts, staring in bewildered disbelief at this grown woman squatting over and urinating into their very large mixing bowl."
This certainly isn't a "For Women Only" book -- indeed, it's as funny a book as I've read in quite awhile. You never know with humor, but if you like Florence King ("Confessions of a Failed Southern Lady"), definitely try Browne. And, if you've missed King, you're in for a treat there, too.
Not to be missed, if you're a fan of raunchy slapstick.
Happy reading--
Peter D. Tillman
Book Review: It's the Gospel Truth!
Summary: 5 Stars
Well, imagine our suprise when we came across this book that tells it like it is for women over 40. I think the younger generations would probably still be too dumb to get it, but those of us who rememeber when Miss America was the best looking girl in America rather than some bogus scholarship pagent will enjoy this book. Browne tells it like it is and gives advice that is right on the money. I got the book from a friend who gave it to my Momma to give it to me. Of course, Momma read it first and then passed it on to me. We just thought this book was the funniest thing ever written, but the finest quality of this book is that it is all so true! Momma and I bought copies for all our family and friends. Brown gives advice on everything from how to get what you want from a male EVERYTIME to how to get rid of a possum under the bed. In addition there are a couple of great recipes for overcoming just about any occasion life might offer. If you want to laugh until your side splits or find out that you have kindred sisters out there who miss that thrilling feeling of riding on the back of a convertable with a crown sparkling in sun, then this book is a can't miss. Remember, there are just thousands of books out there to read, and we certainly don't have time to read them all. So, we must BE PARTICULAR. Read this one. It's entirely too good to miss!Book Review: It's Not Easy Being Queen
Summary: 5 Stars
I could not imagine why I would enjoy this book. The idea of being a beauty queen doesn't appeal, I am not from the South, I don't think the only thing men are good for is buying me jewelry. So for several years after The Sweet Potato Queens' Book of Love came out, I ignored it. Then I heard Jill Conner Browne on the car radio and nearly ran off the road from laughing.
The Book of Love is a ridiculously disguised excuse for Browne to dish out heaping servings of advice. It is all good-natured and upbeat, if not always prim and ladylike, if you catch my drift. The Sweet Potato Queens, who receive the ceremonial title of "Tammy" upon reaching Queendom, all know the magic words to get a man to do anything you want him to. They know the Best Advice Ever Given in the History of the Entire World. And they reveal all in this, the first Sweet Potato Queens book.
Fortunately, it is not necessary to dress up like a Sweet Potato Queen to benefit from the Book of Love. In fact, the SPQ costumes look rather like drag queen ensembles. In any case, if you get the audio version, just be careful while you're driving.