Wednesday, June 03, 2009

The Sweet Potato Queens' Guide to Raising Children for Fun & Profit (copy)

There are many ways to recommend a book. If I read something great I tell everybody. If a patron exalts the virtues of a certain book, I suggest read-a-likes. If someone is mulling around the library, I ask what they normally read and find the latest in that genre. For hubby, I search out new mysteries that earn star reviews. Then there are those books I only recommend to my friends using a hushed voice.

I used to have an older patron that came in every Monday morning with one goal. She wanted a “good” book for the week. It was one book and one book only, therefore I had one shot to make her happy. The following Monday she would come back with a critique that led us to more books by the same author or something totally different. I felt safe handing her cozy mysteries, Christian fiction and current bestsellers.

One day I was in my office on the phone when she entered. My lovely and highly capable assistant took her request and headed to the paperbacks. Still on the phone they returned to the counter, checked out the book and she went out the door before I could say, yay or nay. I turned to my assistant and asked, “What did you give her?”

“Oh, Nora Roberts,” she said very pleased with herself. (Nora Roberts is a romance writer who makes Danielle Steel, another romance writer, blush.)

When Monday rolled around, I eagerly awaited her return. She came in, slammed the book on the counter and said with a visible flinch, “Too Much Sex!” Smiling, she headed back to her old haunts to find another book. Then she walked back to the counter and began to hem-haw around, possibly waiting on my assistant, for 15 minutes; finally, she came out with it. “Do you have any more by that author?”

The book I am currently reading, The Sweet Potato Queens’ Guide to Raising Children for Fun and Profit by Tupelo native Jill Conner Browne, is filled with debauchery, specifically foul language, sexual tales and crude jokes. Not a book I would place in my mother’s hands.

Number seven in the eight book franchise, this one is funnier than most; although, the original, SPQ’s Book of Love, (1999) is the best. The humor is throughout the pages even penetrating the title as Browne tells readers, “yes…children are reared, corn is raised” and she (rolling her eyes) knows the difference. Psst—girlfriends, you have to read this!

20 comments:

Bookfool said...

Sweet Potato Queens! I'll read anything by Jill Conner Browne. My Jackson friends think she's a little uppity, but I love her writing.

Vickie said...

Excellent tale!

I love the Sweet Potato Queens books!!! I will get this as an audiobook as Jill Conner Browne is a superb narrator of her own work.

maggie moran said...

Well, she is a queen Bookfool! ;D You could read her for the Southern Reading Challenge, hum?

Thanks Vickie! You know, I've nevah heard her, but I bet she is perfect for the part kinda like Eudora reading A Worn Path! The authors' voices work the best. ;D

Tiffany Norris said...

Oh, I love the Sweet Potato Queens. I even have an autographed copy of one of them...and maybe I wore a tiara to get the book signed. ha
Anyway, didn't realize a new one was out! Thanks!

maggie moran said...

No problem, Tiffany. She has a new fiction out, too. It is called American Thighs! I shure get a lot of play out of my cheesy ones, so there is promise for frolicking fun!

Stella said...

Another author to put on my list...

Stella said...

Great review. Sure makes me want to read it!

maggie moran said...

Stella, I would start with the very first if you haven't read Browne before. It is in the nonfiction section and tells all about the beginings ('82) of the Sweet Potato Queen Movement! :D

Anonymous said...

I love the library story. Well done :)

Louise said...

I only read the first Sweet Potato Queens, and didn't realize that it was a whole series ;-)

maggie moran said...

Yay, Stacy! Thanks!

maggie moran said...

Some are fiction too, Louise! I should do a post! :)

Bookfool said...

Well, I could but . . . I'm skipping the challenge because I overbooked myself. I'm taking on almost NOTHING in August because I looked at my July schedule and said bad words. LOL Next year, I'll join in, again. :)

maggie moran said...

I totally understand Bookfool, and we will miss your southern voice. Please visit often though! :D

Did you get a chance to read The Help and possibly meet Stockett? I'll check your blog to see...

California Girl said...

funny story. I love it that the patron was back for more the following week. Aren't some people a kick?

maggie moran said...

Thanks! One book too, California Gurl! I mean I can understand a couple in case one is a dud, but no two would be too many! :)

(Diane) Bibliophile By the Sea said...

This is a fun blog; just came across it by accident. Nice job!

maggie moran said...

Thanks Diane! Please come back and visit often!

Rebecca said...

I loved your description of the lady who wanted more just like that one! We had an elderly lady who would place the latest Sidney Sheldon on the desk and loudly proclaim "Trash!" and then ask for another under her breath. I'm glad other librarians have experienced this paradox.

nomerwahid said...

thank's for sharing info,..!
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