Suck Your Stomach in and Put Some Color On!: What Southern Mamas Tell Their Daughters that the Rest of Y'all Should Know Too

3.5 (not quite 4) stars-ish?This book was an effort to assuage my constant homesickness and boy did it help! (At first, that is.) Her distinct writer's voice comes across very naturally and conversational, and I truly did laugh out loud at the reminiscences. I think she succeeded in capturing the good ol' fashion spirit by recounting how mamas teach manners and standards, and by collecting tried-and-true idioms we've all heard. Also, being a decent size read, I was impressed how quickly I was tearing through it. However, about halfway in, all her opinions, judgements, and even hypocrisy was galling and the Southern charm was starting to tarnish for it that my progress slowed down. What kept coming to my mind was: How small does a person's life have to be that most of their opinions are tirades based on magazine headlines? She kinda needs to come off her high horse, or try sweeping her own porch before sweeping someone else's, or remember that opinions are like, well, I'll stop right there now. It's her book after all and she can write what she pleases. Just take her with a grain of salt.

Great job, Shellie! Reading and laughing all the way through is like telling my own story and many of my friends growing up in the south. Your candor, moral truths and unadulterated humor is like chatting with the girl next door. The world needs more real life content like this and less political correctness . Thank you Shellie....this was a delight to read. A breath of fresh air and giggles all along the way!

Such a cute read! I'm from Maryland and if you believe, half of us feel we are Southern and half do not! So I was rightly confused all of my 48 years though my heart always ached for Southern wisdom. After reading this book, and with all of the clever sayings dotted throughout it's official, I'm southern through and through! The book is well-written and is a true homage to the the authors mom. It flows from her youth to her own marriage & children at a fast pace. It's a delightful read. The only negatives is it references some things from 2007 the big Britney Spears shaving her head, and that dated the book. Editor should have caught that, especially for advice books, as they are usually read & reread for years to come. She also didn't touch on the subject of men do NOT do women's work at all ever in the South. We all know that, so OWN it! It's okay, it's charming! I can't wait to read her other books. And I will just keep it to myself that yes Marylanders put Old Bay on everything! And is usually the secret ingredient in casseroles, fried chicken, and deviled eggs! Hon!

This book brought back a lifetime of memories that I hadn’t thought about in years. I had no idea that so many other women shared the same stories that have made by southern upbringing so colorful and unique.

Funny and thoughtful book. My mother was full of these "mamaisms" and I find myself quoting them also. The author is very candid about her life and handicaps as a child and is an inspiration of overcoming them to become a wonderful writer. The sense of humor and candid references to her Christian background helped me relate to the author in many ways. I found this book an easy read and one that I could read in small portions without loosing the context. I hope to read more books by this author. The recipes at the end of the chapters were a nice treat.

I thought I would love this book, but it’s less about the south in general and more about the writer’s personal life. I didn’t make it past the first chapter.

I had the priviledge of meeting Rhonda Rich in Louisville, KY several years ago at a Toyoto Conference for Women. She is delightful and I own many of her books. She is someone I think portrays THE SOUTHERN WOMAN better than most authors and I personally will buy her books and enjoy them for years to come.I am a Southern Lady and will be FOREVER, so not only do I like what she writes, I relate to what she says. Was delighted to see that she is still publishing and thriving. She is a great role model for ALL women, Southern or NOT.

Shellie took me back home with her wonderful recounts of Southernisms. Although I grew up in the same generation as her daughter, many of those Southern sayings stand the test of time. She is witty, charming, and wise. A true Southern Belle who makes you feel just as welcome in her book as she would her home. The recipes as the end of each chapter are just icing on the cake.

Great