Those sassy southern belle-dames are back. Hallelujah. Fans of the Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood will leap for joy. And, to be fai...
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Sep 20, 2010
Michelle
rated it: 
Where do I begin?
First, I know this has nothing to do with the actual story, but I needed a place to vent my frustration. I also know that I shouldn't be so superficial nor should I judge a book by it's cover, but I have to say a serious, okay maybe not significantly so, but still, a distraction was the author's "glamour shot" on the back cover. Those ultra short, choppy bangs and drawn in eyebrows turn what would otherwise be an okay face into an old lady who looks like More...
First, I know this has nothing to do with the actual story, but I needed a place to vent my frustration. I also know that I shouldn't be so superficial nor should I judge a book by it's cover, but I have to say a serious, okay maybe not significantly so, but still, a distraction was the author's "glamour shot" on the back cover. Those ultra short, choppy bangs and drawn in eyebrows turn what would otherwise be an okay face into an old lady who looks like More...
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Mar 15, 2010
Hannah
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I finished Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood about a week ago, and I was excited to start this book, but it was huge bummer!
The book consisted of a bunch of stories. that was it-just stories, no plot. the stories were entertaining, and reading wasn't a PAIN, but there was stuff that bothered me like:
1. it was more of a bible then a story! i could tell from the first book that religion was important to the characters, but this was over the top. every page was a prayer, every pag More...
The book consisted of a bunch of stories. that was it-just stories, no plot. the stories were entertaining, and reading wasn't a PAIN, but there was stuff that bothered me like:
1. it was more of a bible then a story! i could tell from the first book that religion was important to the characters, but this was over the top. every page was a prayer, every pag More...
Jan 04, 2010
Rebekah
rated it:
Last night I finally finished Barbara Kingsolver’s The Poisonwood Bible and though I consider it a good thing to have read, it was not entirely my style. I am not in a heavy mood right now and the story of a missionaries family torn apart by themselves and the jungle in the Congo is not necessarily what I wanted to read.
But read it I did and so now I will let you know about it. 4 daughters and two parents head to the inner jungle to “convert the heathen.” I had mixed reactions to this so More...
But read it I did and so now I will let you know about it. 4 daughters and two parents head to the inner jungle to “convert the heathen.” I had mixed reactions to this so More...
Mar 11, 2009
Kerry
rated it: 
Now that I have read all three of Rebecca Well’s Ya-Ya books, I can honestly say that while Divine Secrets was the most intellectually satisfying of the three, Ya-Ya’s in Bloom was the most emotionally satisfying.
It’s mostly a matter of tone. The books seem somewhat like a continuum… or maybe more like working through the stages of grief and recovery. In Little Altars Everywhere, I felt the author dwelled on the broken, angry, bitter aspects of the Walker family history. In Divine S More...
It’s mostly a matter of tone. The books seem somewhat like a continuum… or maybe more like working through the stages of grief and recovery. In Little Altars Everywhere, I felt the author dwelled on the broken, angry, bitter aspects of the Walker family history. In Divine S More...
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May 29, 2011
Jaclyn
rated it:
If I had read this ten years ago, I probably would have given it five stars. After all, in high school, I was obsessed with all things Ya-Ya. Seriously - I read Little Altars Everywhere and Divine Secrets multiple times. I loved Sidda and her artistic take on the world. I loved the idea of friends being best friends since childhood. I loved the Southern phrases and the references to entertainers through the decades. And, of course, I loved the drama of it all.
Now, while I enjo More...
Now, while I enjo More...
Oct 05, 2010
Ruth
rated it: 
I have found this series to be a little to close to home at times. I enjoyed Little Altars Everywhere. I found it a very interesting depiction of incest which I did not anticipate in the Ya-Ya Sisterhood book which was much more commercial. I listened to the audio of Ya-Yas in Bloom. It was more l linked short stories rather than a cohesive novel. There were stories from the point of view of three generations - Ya-Yas, Petite Ya-Yas and Tres Petite Ya-Yas with a few random town folk thrown
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Feb 05, 2009
Critics generally agree that the bloom may have left the Ya-Yas. The novel, a collection of vignettes about "the time that [insert: _it snowed,' or _we drove to Houston for the Beatles concert']," is more hodge-podge than its predecessors. The Ya-Yas' antics seem stale, their child-raising overprotective. Too many characters, a confusing chronological mix of stories, and a muddled tone give the work an ad-hoc feel. Some bright spots will please fans, however. The dialogue and details
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Sep 28, 2007
Alana
rated it:
seriously, it's as if she was drunk when she wrote this. or gave it to her child to write. or gave it to her drunk child to write.
don't read it, don't don't don't
but if you DO read it, make sure you read and fall in love with the first two books first
don't read it, don't don't don't
but if you DO read it, make sure you read and fall in love with the first two books first
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Apr 17, 2007
Sadaf
rated it:
a terrible attempt to build on her other two ya-ya books. ya-yas in bloom focuses on the ya-ya kids and is dramatically different from wells's other books - both in style and quality.
Aug 29, 2007
Betsy
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At the time I read this, I said: It's certainly a good thing I've read some excellent books this year to offset books like this. ... Apparently Wells needed some quick cash.
Jul 12, 2009
Kristen
rated it: 
The once inherently charming now borders on the tedious as tales are rehashed in an effort to win a new audience. Charming at their most powerful and eccentric, very real women hid a number of serious issues behind the cheerful facade of their bickering and teasing. There was a real sense of generational connectedness that spoke to women, north and south, of the relationship between mothers and daughters and why secrets are kept to protect the innocent. In their current Ya-Ya incarnation, the
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Aug 16, 2010
Krista
rated it:
Listening to Judith Ivey performing these characters is as good as a Broadway show. I laughed, I cried, I held my breath and pulled the car over so I could listen. The book itself is really just a bunch of unconnected character sketches that jump around in time, with no plot and no consistent perspectives. I get the feeling that it was published directly from the author's notebook, where she had written back stories on her characters and their children that never made it into the Ya-Ya Sisterh
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Feb 21, 2009
Sparkles
rated it:
Hunting for something to take on a car trip, I found this in the library. This lent itself to the audio format as it was more like snippets of memories. Kinda like when you are talking to an old friend and say "oh, remember when..." Like, remember the year it snowed? Well I do so had fun listening to the colorful folks tell their version. More than once it made mom and I laugh in the car. Of course I grew up with colorfully fun southern people around me and had a similar nickname.
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Jul 27, 2009
Courtney
rated it:
Another delightful Ya-Ya book from Rebecca Wells.
Ya-Yas in Bloom is told from multiple viewpoints, with some stand alone chapters. Other chapters offer multiple views of the same storyline. There is not a cohesive storyline tying everything together like there was in The Ya-Ya Sisterhood. This book is more about snapshots in time, told from the perspective of different characters. We do get to learn a little bit more about the male characters of the Ya-Ya world.
This boo More...
Ya-Yas in Bloom is told from multiple viewpoints, with some stand alone chapters. Other chapters offer multiple views of the same storyline. There is not a cohesive storyline tying everything together like there was in The Ya-Ya Sisterhood. This book is more about snapshots in time, told from the perspective of different characters. We do get to learn a little bit more about the male characters of the Ya-Ya world.
This boo More...
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Jul 19, 2011
Jane
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I read this book on a vacation. It was a light read which consisted of chapters of a short story flavor rather than a novel. I found the first portion of the book to be the best with my interest failing towards the end. Some stories/chapters seemed so out of place and I found the numerous comments relating to religion to be too much for me. The book explains how the ya ya sisters originally formed a link and how their children also formed bonds of their own. I have to wonder if the author was
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Jan 24, 2012
Kw
rated it:
A nice collection of short stories featuring various Ya Ya characters's experiences, all neatly tied together with a big red Christmas bow at the end. Enjoyable, but I still don't get the deification of Mary. I never will. I found the man-made religious stuff in this to be a bit tedious at times. Still, the book has its charms and some cute humor with lots of Louisiana-specific references, including Dark Roast Community Coffee (the only one my husband will drink) and a Christmas party menu t
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Aug 04, 2010
Rrshively
rated it:
I have almost nothing in common with the lifestyles of the women in this book, but I still enjoyed it very much. I thought a couple of the chapters were 2-star chapters and a couple were 5-star, but my overall rating is 4 stars. I especially enjoyed the thoughts about religion expressed in this book. I am a protestant, but I am familiar with the guilt from not being perfect. My favorite character turned out to be Baylor, both as a little boy and a man. There should be more like him around!
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Jul 29, 2011
Michelle
rated it:
Quick read - characters were familiar, but there was really no plot. Basically just a book of stories about the characters from 'Divine Secrets of the Ya Ya Sisterhood' which was so much better than this. I felt like I could have picked it up anywhere and read. Enjoyable anyway, and it was nice to see the lighter side of many of these characters, because 'Divine Secrets' was wonderful, but sad and heavy at times.
Ultimately, I think the author just wanted to capatalize on the Ya Ya More...
Ultimately, I think the author just wanted to capatalize on the Ya Ya More...
Apr 11, 2011
Scarlett.speaks
rated it:
I don't remember reading this book before, but apparently I did. I love the Ya-Ya sisterhood and this book isn't any different than any of the other ya-ya books. They're raising hell and everybody around them wants them to either shut up or fall flat on their faces. This book fleshes out a lot of the stories from the other books. Like the time Teensy stuck a pecan up her nose or the time Aunt Jez got Vivie tickets to see the Beatles. Read it if you like this sort of thing and really, who wouldn'
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Mar 23, 2010
Reese
rated it:
If you happened to have noticed how long the status of YA-YAS IN BLOOM has been "currently reading," please don't imagine that this novel must not be interesting. If speed-reading were an Olympic event (in any season), I would qualify for participation in the Special Olympics. But enough about me, let's move on to my opinion. The book (get ready for a fresh phrase) is a "page-turner." (I just turn pages slowly.)
As someone who read Wells's LITTLE ALTARS EVERYWHERE More...
As someone who read Wells's LITTLE ALTARS EVERYWHERE More...
Oct 17, 2009
Havva
rated it:
I think I liked this book better then Divine Secrets, although that's not actually saying much.
I enjoy books like this, written from a perspective I can't even imagine by someone who grew up in a time and place so different from anything I'm familiar with, regardless of the plot. Which is good because this book doesn't have much in the way of plot. Some lovely memories though.
On second thought additional comment not printed for fear of giving offense.
Anyone really More...
I enjoy books like this, written from a perspective I can't even imagine by someone who grew up in a time and place so different from anything I'm familiar with, regardless of the plot. Which is good because this book doesn't have much in the way of plot. Some lovely memories though.
On second thought additional comment not printed for fear of giving offense.
Anyone really More...
Sep 01, 2008
Diane
rated it:
Meet the Ya Ya Sisterhood in their younger days. Ya Yas in Bloom starts in 1930 with Teensy being taken to the doctor because she has shoved a pecan up her nose. She meets Vivi there and her pecan becomes immortalized for all patients to see in the years to come.
Then Teensy and Vivi plot to meet Necie because they are sure she is the famed Coco Robichaux that Genevieve, Teensy’s mother, tells them about all the time. Caro is brought into the group and The Ya Ya Sisterhood is bo More...
Then Teensy and Vivi plot to meet Necie because they are sure she is the famed Coco Robichaux that Genevieve, Teensy’s mother, tells them about all the time. Caro is brought into the group and The Ya Ya Sisterhood is bo More...
Feb 24, 2010
Kandice
rated it: 
I adore the Ya Yas. I have read this and the other two books about them before, seen the movie countless times, and often wished to BE a Ya Ya. This was my first time audio-ing one. Judith Ivey was the perfect narrator. Her accent was spot on, she did the voices (which I usually hate on audio) perfectly, and if she wasn't tipsy when she was relaying a story from Vivi's POV, then she is one of the best actresses I have ever heard!
I actually prefer this book and Little Altars Everywhere: A Novel More...
I actually prefer this book and Little Altars Everywhere: A Novel More...
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Jan 02, 2008
Mia
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I saw this book in a miscellaneous pile at the library and picked it up by chance. I had no idea where the book lay in the chronology of the series and was very excited to see that it was short story format, like Little Altars Everywhere. However, it was obvious within the first few paragraphs that this is a "new" book that tries (unsuccessfully) to tap into the "old" vibe.
As other readers have already commented, it really feels like an obligation to the publishe More...
As other readers have already commented, it really feels like an obligation to the publishe More...
Oct 24, 2009
Elizabeth
rated it:
I was a big fan of her other two books that told this same story, they remind me of my mom and it's all very pleasant and nostalgic. I was absolutely fine with the fact that this book is going over a lot of the same information (the same way I like to chat with my mom even though I have already chatted with her before), but was a little disappointed that this one was a bit glurgier than the others.
Grade: C
Recommended: If you a. enjoyed her other books, and b. don't mind going o More...
Grade: C
Recommended: If you a. enjoyed her other books, and b. don't mind going o More...
Aug 12, 2011
Ronald
rated it:
My introduction to the Ya-Ya culture. This is a sequel book, but the background information provided was sufficient for me to appreciate what was going on. I found it a delightful read, with one of my favorite types of protagonists (competent, calmly assertive, open-minded women) easily handling some of my most anger-inspiring antagonists (stupid, chauvinist men and bigoted religious lunatics). I learned of this book from its appearance on the New York Times best seller list in 2005.
Nov 01, 2010
Diane
rated it:
This story starts in the 1990's and ends there but the middle wanders through their lives from when Vivian first meets each of the Ya Yas to her children's lives. Although each chapter is a story unto its self the chapter wide together to make the whole story. I found myself delighting when I noticed or this chapter has to do with someone from an earlier chapter. I love the Ya Yas, the Petite Ya Yas and the Tre-Petite Ya Yas. This book touched my heart in some places and made me laugh in others.
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May 05, 2010
Aradia
rated it:
I wanted to rent the movie, 'ya-ya sisterhood' but there aren't movie-rental places in Mumbai (so far as I could find) and none of the dvd sellers had a copy. So I went to the book-seller and found this. I haven't read the first novel in this series, so that may be why I didn't really enjoy this book as much as I thought I would. It was like watching a mediocre after-school special for geriatrics... but again in its defense I didn't read the first novel (just liked the movie).
Nov 30, 2008
Sue
rated it:
Book reading is so subjective, previous readers only gave this one star but I hovered over the five button. SEttled for four stars but I have now read all 3 of the Ya Ya books spread over a couple of years and I loved this one. I loved how each chapter was from the viewpoint of different characters within the book, each incident loosely connected and the writing with underlying humour throughout reflected the craziness and utter devotion to each other of the Ya Ya's.
Aug 02, 2010
Kate
rated it:
My first book on tape! It's been a great experience so far- I love hearing the Ya Ya's come to life, with their fantastic jargon and lovely Southern drawls. However, the further into the story we journey, the less it seems authentic to the characters crafted in the first two books. Nor, is there a coherent plot line, until the end of the book.
I do feel, though, that this lends itself very well to be listened to intermittently in the car, as you don't need to recall what has occurred alrea More...
I do feel, though, that this lends itself very well to be listened to intermittently in the car, as you don't need to recall what has occurred alrea More...
