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Jan and I were looking for something, fun, something frivolous, something quick, and something that would possibly makes us lol. We picked up Southern Lady Code with the hopes it would fit the bill.

“If you don’t know what to do with the rest of your life, make your bed. If you’re going to be a couch potato, at least fluff the pillows. If you can’t afford pearls, red nail polish is your best accessory. If you don’t have time to do your nails, smile and stand up straight.”

Jan’s review

Southern Lady Code: “If you don’t have something nice to say, say something not-so-nice in a nice way.”

After a couple of books that were misses,  Marialyce and I decided to go a different route and read a book of humorous essays. We were ready for some laughs.

At 224 pages this is a quick, easy read, perfect as a palate cleanser. Helen Ellis is witty and snarky and delivers more than a few lines that made me chuckle out loud. Other essays were misses, but overall I would recommend it as a good book to toss in the beach bag.

*many thanks to Edelweiss, Doubleday, and the author for a free copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

Marialyce’s review

This was a fun easy read, just a couple of hours of stories that were suppose to inform Southern ladies about the way they act, which of course is always the correct way. Being a transported Southern lady, I was anxious to see what I needed to do to be part and parcel of the Southern Lady culture. Along the way, I picked up a few pointers, chuckled a few times, and pretty much liked the essays presented.

You can’t be a Southern lady though without the term “Bless your heart” a phrase that has more meaning and innuendo then I ever imagined. Sadly though it was missing in these essays, but that being said the bits and pieces we learn about Southern ladies was cute and full of whimsy. While some of the essays made me chuckle, there were some that seemed to fall a bit on the not so funny side for this Southern lady. However, on the whole this collection is a good way to while away one’s time on the beach or traveling.

Jan and I read this one and are interested in looking into this author’s other stories. Recommended to those who long for a book that has short bits and pieces of a culture many of us embrace as our own.

Thank you to Helen Ellis, Doubleday Books and Edelweiss for a copy of this book which is publishing today!

and here’s the author:

HELEN ELLIS is the author of American Housewife and Eating the Cheshire Cat.Raised in Alabama, she lives with her husband in New York City.