We're Just Like You, Only Prettier: Confessions of a Tarnished Southern Belle

I am a victim of Hurricane Katrina. Just before the storm, I bought this book because I am huge fan of southern lit. After the storm, our house was fine but we were out of power for a couple weeks. One of the highlights of the storm was sitting around and passing this book and taking turns reading excerpts to everyone. With so much destruction and devastation around us, it was nice to laugh till we cried, instead of just crying. The men laughed just as hard as we did at a "girl book" We read the book and looked forward to better days.
KS Hattiesburg, MS

Ever since I read the "Sweet Potato Queens Book of Love," I have been hooked on literature for Southern women. When I saw the title of Celia Rivenbark's new book, "We're Just Like You, Only Prettier," I knew this is an author for me. Everything she writes about is humorous and timely, at least for me...having a child when you're a little "more mature," having long pretty nails, taking your precious child anywhere, family, etc. Celia is a hoot! Now I can't wait to read "Bless Your Heart, Tramp." I read "We're Just Like You, Only Prettier" in one sitting. This is a wonderful, entertaining book!

We're Just Like You, Only Prettier, is a whole lot like Bless Your Heart, Tramp...only funnier! This "tarnished Southern Belle" rings out loud and clear, giving her testimony of collards, chicken pan pie and bacon grease to a lost and hungry world. The beauty of the Rivenbark message is that she not only preaches to the choir of southerners--oh no--she invites all of those who seek, no matter their denomination, to turn in their hymnals and listen to the gospel according to Aunt Sudavee, Mama and Them, Princess Sophie and even Carmela Soprano. Sermons include Sister Celia's take on (1) child rearing: "Junior, you either get your scrawny butt off that floor right now or you can just kiss your banana Popsicles good-bye and don't even THINK about that Star Track lunch box!"; (2) men at baby showers: "(they) wear that frozen look of horror that is usually reserved for when they discover that ESPN's showing the world figure skating championships" and (3) weight gain: "30% of overweight people are suffering from the (fat) virus. Lordy, give us a telethon! We can all waddle to the center court at the mall, eat butter-drenched pretzels, and beg for bucks!" So come all ye faithful in need of a good revival and plop down the price for a hard-backed edition as a love offering for the Right Rev. Rivenbark. It's good for what ails you.

I've never read a book in a weekend. Ever. But, I couldn't put this book down! Born and raised in Richmond, VA (which any true Southerner will tell you, is much further south than Atlanta, GA), I completely relate to Celia Rivenbark's rants about Mommy Wars, southern life, and mullets. Unfortunately, I'm just not elequent enough to describe how wonderful this book is. Celia, if you read this, you've gained a loyal fan, and I plan on spreading the word about this book around the office tomorrow... after the painful, but inevitable, staff meeting.

Celia Rivenbark does it again with a fabulous encore to her first book, "Bless Your Heart, Tramp." Celia's short essays are perfect for keeping by the bedside. Read a couple before bed and you're sure to fall asleep with a smile on your face. Although frequently compared to the "Sweet Potato Queen" books, I think Celia's books are a more accurate reflection of the "real" south and the people who live here. The south has become quite the melting pot of people from all over the country (and even some foreigners, believe it or not) and Celia does a great job of depicting the new southern woman who may, in fact, be from New Jersey or EVEN California. The northern stereotype of the southern woman who whiles away her days tending the tulips and daffodils, breaking only to beat the kids and get hubby an evening cocktail, doesn't exist. Celia's stories are hilarious and should ring true to anyone who's spent time in the south with an open mind and a sense of humor.