REVIEW: Fat is the New 30 by Jill Conner Browne

Book Description

The Sweet Potato Queens® are back and bawdier than ever in Southern belle extraordinaire Jill Conner Browne’s ninth edition of the hysterical series. Having experienced pretty much ALL of the crappy parts of life, Browne feels it is her duty to render whatever assistance she can to her fellow sufferers — and she does so in her own inimitable fashion. 
Her father taught her there are very few situations in life that we really and truly cannot change, and it is up to us to figure out how to either make fun OUT of them — or make fun OF them. And fortunately for the rest of us, Browne is well equipped for both. Including the exploits of the Queen contingent and her family, she delivers applicable tidbits like: 

* Thinking or talking about watermelon can save any negative situation. 
* If you get drunk in Scotland, you can’t have your cow with you. 
* When sanity and reason fail, you can always cheerfully resort to ridicule. 
* Denial means that every situation is perfectly perfect. 
More fun than a Cracker Barrel full of monkeys, Fat Is the New 30 will change your life — or at least give you ideas for making fun of your ownself.


About the Author


Jill Conner Browne is the multiple #1 New York Times bestselling author of nine Sweet Potato Queens® books and has created a global phenomenon--6,200 chapter groups in 37 countries--based upon her philosophy and world-view as recounted through these rollicking, raucous and riotously funny essays. Women and smart men understand that the bawdy, sassy, down-to-earth humor is simply the vehicle by which the greater message is conveyed--that is, one of self-reliance and empowerment, inspiring all to do what makes their hearts sing.

SOURCE: PUBLISHER

MY THOUGHTS

ABSOLUTELY LOVED IT

This was the right book at the right time.  I have never laughed so much at the images described in this book.  I also haven't cried over a dog story like this either.  My book group has read her books in the past and I hadn't revisited them in a long time.  No matter if you have read her work before or not, this book of easy to read essays will have you craving more just like potato chips.  I read this in one night and will have to go dig out my other books to reread again.  

I adored the little "Southernisms" sprinkled through out the book.  I finally got one term "Bless Your Heart" cleared up here.  This can be very derogatory, especially the inflections given to each syllable.  Not being from the South, nor   ever lived there, I never really understood this phrase.  I do now.  It can pretty much mean "you are a moron." But I don't want to get ugly.  Another wonderful turn of phrase that again sums up a plethora of feelings and also is a four letter word that you could actually use.

Even though this is a lighthearted read, there are some serious issues raised.  Conner Browne honestly discusses the loss of her mother with dignity and humor.  Sometimes the only way to deal with loss like this is through seeing something funny in a dire situation.  I applaud her ability to let the public know what she had to deal with.  Oh, and to read her words about how she has weight issues was another touching point. The use of denying everything is something I will always remember!  There are lots of empowering words within her jests.