by
3.69 of 5 stars
To know the Sweet Potato Queens is to love them, and if you haven't heard about them yet, you will. Since the early 1980s, this group of belles gone b read full description

reviews

Feb 07, 2009
I laughed until my face hurt when reading this book.
I am now reading another one of these books and love it.
If you are Southern you will especially love the humor in this book
when you read words like "yamamaanddem" that only we can relate to.
guarenteed laughs on every page because every woman can relate to
each chapter.
1 comment like (4 people liked it)
Aug 08, 2012
Ashlie rated it: 5 of 5 stars
What can I say about the Sweet Potato Queens. You won't believe until you read it, that's for sure. I think this novel, and the women in it, represent what is great about the modern southern woman: unlike the past, we don't feel that we NEED a man, but if we can get one (or a couple) we sure know what to do with them!

Much like my review, this book is not to be taken seriously. It employs a lot of stereotypes about men that aren't necessarily true, but at the end of the day, it is hilarious. Read More...
2 comments like (1 person liked it)
Feb 25, 2008
Kattie rated it: 4 of 5 stars
Hilarious girly book. It is a quick easy read about the theories of the author and how the sweet potato queen (and then queens and their followers,) came to be. You do not have to be from the south to enjoy the stories of the author and her attitude.
These are women that I would love to hang out with for an evening, even if I don't totally agree with their menu of snacks. If you are interested in their food, you might want to look at the cookbook, which is stories about food and the recipes to fo More...
0 comments like (1 person liked it)
Jan 15, 2013
Peter rated it: 4 of 5 stars
A couple 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."

I won't even try to describe the Houseguest's Dilemma: "...all the lights blazed More...
Apr 11, 2011
Aviva rated it: 4 of 5 stars
I picked up this book because I was out of things to read and it was just sitting on a friend's coffee table. It's totally what the Ya-Ya women would do if they were real people. Which is why I love it.

Okay, so basically this woman decided that she wanted to have a little fun, and guess what, she WAS a queen. Not one of those insipid beauty queens that's only got the crown for a year, no, she was a queen all the time (after my own heart, I tell you what) and she decided to make her presence kno More...
0 comments like (1 person liked it)
Apr 19, 2010
Danna rated it: 5 of 5 stars
I read this again to recover from the disappointment of "Are You There, Vodka? It's me, Chelsea" and once again I enjoyed every minute! Jill Conner Browne isn't afraid to bring on the sass and crass, so fans of Chelsea should love it, too. Why do I love this book and not the other? First of all, it's simply written so much better. The common turns-of-phrase and the order of the chapters flow together into a complete experience whereas Handler's book was more like a collection of random stand-up More...
Mar 24, 2009
Alison rated it: 5 of 5 stars
I received this book as a get well soon gift from My Favorite Aunt while I recovered from surgery. She said I would laugh so hard I'd cry while reading it. Simply put: she was right. Read, howl, cry with laughter, repeat. Over and over again.
0 comments like (2 people liked it)
Mar 22, 2011
Chapple rated it: 3 of 5 stars
"We knew we had what we needed to declare ouselves Queens of whatever we chose. No pageants for us. No way would we ever consider groveling and posturing for a bunch of strangers, in full view of a live audience, in the pitiful hope that, for reasons of their own, they would decide to give us their paltry crown. Need I point out that not only are those crowns arbitraily awarded, there's a very tight time constraint issued at the crowning. You get that crown for one year and one year only, sweeti More...
Nov 03, 2008
Tiffany rated it: 1 of 5 stars
Lets see, it seems like I actually learned one thing, I just cant remember what it was because it was so insignificant. I absolutely hated this book and feel like it was a huge waste of time. The only reason I finished it was because it is for our new book club. I felt like it was 200 pages of really lame and annoying fat lady blabbing. ugh. There were about 3 paragraphs of interest on the last 2 pages, mostly in quoting others, but too little, too late. what a piece of crap.
4 comments like (5 people liked it)
Feb 08, 2011
Kristen rated it: 4 of 5 stars
In this book Jill Conner Brown teaches life lessons and tells the story of how the Sweet Potato Queens actually came into existence.

This memoir will have you laughing your socks off. Like when Brown tells you about the five men you must have in your life at all times, and how 4 of them can be gay. Brown explains that you need a man you dance with, a man who can fix things, a man you can have great sex with, a man who will do you bidding, and a man you can talk to. What's better, she explains th More...
Jul 19, 2011
Ms. B rated it: 2 of 5 stars
Takes place in Mississippi, much of the humor can be appreciated and understood by anyone living in small town, America. No laugh out loud moments for me, yet plenty of chuckles and smiles on the inside.
I think this book is considered a memoir, yet as I read I couldn't help and think these stories sounded more like exagerated than true. Really, the author, Jill Conner Browne, sits around and lolls most days? Goes to Cancun to get a tan on a whim? Hard to believe when she publishes one of these More...
Mar 31, 2009
Genie rated it: 4 of 5 stars
You don't have to be from the south to enjoy this book but it helps! Many of the stories remind me of events within my own circle of family and friends. Got a laugh out of the description of kleenex box and toilet paper roll covers. One of my aunts used to make these items. Still several of them stored away in a closet.

Sweet Potato Queens Jackson, Mississippi (organized in 1982) refer to themselves as "fallen Southern belles". They stress the importance of a sassy attitude and a good sense of hu More...
Jul 07, 2009
Amy rated it: 5 of 5 stars
If you are going to spend time with the queens you should do it on audio. The book is read by the queen herself author Jill Brown. This book keeps a smile on your face from the first to the last page. There is a bit of head shaking as well, when you think did she really just say that aloud??, not for the faint of heart. These girls(who are middle aged) are brutually honest, tell it like it is, southern belles.
They say a woman needs 5 men in her life. My current beau encompasses 3 of the men, w More...
1 comment like (1 person liked it)
Jan 24, 2008
April rated it: 3 of 5 stars
Fluffy, fun, light read. Shipped to me fresh from my dear friend Helen in Louisiana (of course.)

I believe I actually quoted this book on a recent date when I put a plate of cookies in front of him and said, "I wouldn't be a proper Southern woman without putting something in front of you that has sugar as the main ingredient." Or some-such...
0 comments like (1 person liked it)
Nov 29, 2008
Kelly rated it: 4 of 5 stars
My mother brought this over to me tonight after making Love Lard. I swear, it's much better tasting than the name sounds. Recipe in book.

What a fun, bubblegum read. It is perfect just before going to bed at night because then I fantasize about being a 'Tammy' and putting on green sequins and fake boobs and being oke with it.
8 comments like (1 person liked it)
Oct 17, 2009
Whitney rated it: 5 of 5 stars
Absolutely hilarious! I had this book recommended to me years ago, and managed to stumble across it a while back. This is more than just a "book of love," although it does cover everything on the subject. It also covers various aspects of life, such as how to be incredibly lazy, and what to eat when tragedy strikes (sweet and savory things, sometimes deep-fried, always southern.)

The anecdotes were my favorite part, and I will leave you with this quote:

"My sister, Judy, has always said that she w More...
Jul 06, 2009
Though this book had its charm and some very intriguing thoughts and recipes, I was simply not into it. While there are some very good ideas that I came away with after listening to this, for the most part I just felt a little uncomfortable by the language and actions of these women.

I chose to listen to this instead of read it because I was thinking that having the author do her own narration on the audio book would give it that much-desired edge and reality that other audios lack. I was mistake More...
0 comments like (1 person liked it)
Mar 22, 2012
Janice rated it: 5 of 5 stars
This book is so funny that it inspired me to read all of the other books by Jill Conner Browne and I still buy her new books as soon as they hit the store. She is laugh out loud funny and the delightfully sinful recipes that she tucks into every new book are just "icing on the cake", so to speak! I have seen Jill in person at the Regulator Bookstore in Durham, and she is every bit as funny and friendly in person as she appears to be in her books. Jill's books are so entertaining that they will e More...
Jan 18, 2013
Julia rated it: 1 of 5 stars
To say that I despise this book is not damning enough. On the one hand, I’m glad I read it, because it’s refreshing to be reminded of why I don’t read chick lit: it’s demeaning to women, to men, to everyone on the planet. It makes me feel dirty to read it, not the sex, that was boring, it's the games. There may be a good recipe in it, I’ll find out when I make it for our Messy Housekeepers Book Club meeting next week. It’s for “chocolate stuff,” I intended to make sweet potato pie for our discus More...
0 comments like (2 people liked it)
Jun 18, 2012
Megan rated it: 4 of 5 stars
My book club chose this book. I currently live in southern Mississippi, but have only been here 2 years and am by no means a "southerner". One of our book club members knows the author and is friends with the queens and attends the parade every year.

I will admit that at first, I did not like this book. The in-your-face, know-it-all, I'm-the-best-take-it-or-leave-it attitude is not one that I usually read or am friends with. However, the book grew on me a bit. I laughed out loud and enjoyed it.

I More...
Mar 01, 2009
Christi rated it: 4 of 5 stars
Listened to this on in early 2008 (I think). I think listening to her has to make the book better than just reading it. The recipes are the funniest.
0 comments like (1 person liked it)
Mar 16, 2012
Megan rated it: 3 of 5 stars
Technically this is a re-read. I first read The Sweet Potato Queens' Book of Love back in high school with my mom. But I figured since I forget a bunch of it and my life has changed a lot since high school I would give it another read.

The Sweet Potato Queens' Book of Love is part introduction to what a Sweet Potato Queen is and the past of the group and part what Browne personally thinks. Browne informs the audience how she personally began the group The Sweet Potato Queens because she wanted to More...
Aug 05, 2008
Kristin rated it: 4 of 5 stars
I love Browne's no-nonsense approach to pretty much everything in life, from death to doing the deed. She and her girlfriends are examples to women everywhere.
0 comments like (1 person liked it)
Jan 21, 2008
Kelseyk rated it: 4 of 5 stars
lol funny, sassy, and full of heart like all the southern women of my life. the book articulates many of the truths of life in a way you never had the guts to do.
0 comments like (1 person liked it)
Feb 05, 2008
Tonya rated it: 5 of 5 stars
Hilarious. Every edition of the sweet potato queen books are equally funny. They have a great southern redneck way of tackling every issue, big or small.
0 comments like (1 person liked it)
Dec 14, 2012
Lori rated it: 4 of 5 stars
I usually have at least two books going, one on my Kindle and one on my iPhone for those times I'm stuck somewhere and need easy entertainment so I don't die of boredom. Easy entertainment is the key when reading on a phone.. It can't be too heavy or thought provoking since I'm... reading on a phone... and usually in public, active environments. This novel fit that bill perfectly. It's easy to hop right back in where you left off while waiting in line at the DMV and gives plenty of laughs to eas More...
May 10, 2010
Kim rated it: 4 of 5 stars
I wasn’t quite sure what to think of this book when I first saw it. Who are the Sweet Potato Queens? And why are they dressed so strangely? And if this book is so popular in the South, then as a non-Southerner, will I even get most of it? What I found was that The Sweet Potato Queens’ Book of Love is a slyly clever, wittily wise, and wholly hilarious handbook for the modern woman’s life. It’s up to the reader how seriously she takes each bit of insight, but I was delighted to discover an echo to More...
Jun 11, 2012
Holly rated it: 2 of 5 stars
This is a book about women who act like male drag queens. Men in drag is universally understood to be good comedy, but when women walk around in female drag it's funny for about two seconds then you want to walk away. This book has some very funny lines and moments, but after the first chapter, you've pretty much already got everything there is to get out of the book. It's just more of the same for the remaining chapters. I chuckled out loud maybe twice, smiled a few more times. There's nothing More...
0 comments like (1 person liked it)
Apr 10, 2012
Amie rated it: 5 of 5 stars
I am head over heels in love with this woman, her ideals, and all her queens. Its not only HILARIOUS to the point of making you laugh out loud till you pee, but its quite honestly inspiring and just damn good advice. I believe my sisters and I have already tapped into something like this but I've never quite been able to put into words but this book spells it out in a way I never thought quite possible. To be honest, Im a little p*ssed we never thought of this first. :) Golf claps and praises fr More...
Jun 01, 2011
I really enjoyed this book. It made me homesick for my childhood in Mississippi. This is not a story, it's more of an advice book for living. It's a collection of stories about a group of fun-loving women and the lessons they have learned from life. It's off-color and crude. If you are offended by frank discussions about sex or profanity, this book is not for you. But this book made me want to be more like these women, minus the crudeness. They enjoy life and make opportunities for a good time. More...