Mama Makes Up Her Mind : And Other Dangers of Southern Living

Rating:
Summary: What I think About Mama
Review: From the beginning of "Mama makes up her mind", you know that mama is not your average person. Bailey White tells about her up bringing in the deep south. Her mother, who is referred to as mama through out the entire book, is a humorous yet crucial part of the stories along with many neighbors and family members. Some of the best qualities about this book, are the humor that Bailey White includes in all of the stories whether they be light hearted stories, like "Dead on the road", or a more serious theme like "Porsche". In "Dead on the Road" when a prissy relative comes to eat one evening, she compliments mama on the quail and asks her how she manages not to have a single piece of shot in the whole bird. Mama recites where she picked the animal up and the car that hit it, "Intersection of 93 and Baggs Road, green late model pickup, Florida tag." Another good quality is that Bailey's writing is very easy but gets the point across. It is enjoyable and paints a mental picture for every scene. In the story "Summer Afternoon" she talks of a lake that her aunt used to take her to. She was also very descriptive about the sounds around her. She talked about the alligator that swam to shore and bellowed at her aunt's command. After the alligator passes on she says that at night sometimes she can almost hear the bellow. I think that every one of Bailey's stories teaches me something. Each memory has a special meaning to it. In one of the stories about a garden she grew, she talks about how much she wanted a huge field of flowers to be able to walk through. For years she slaves day after day over the garden, but when she finally has it the way she dreamed of it being, she no longer wants to relax and just walk through it, she wants to keep gardening and keep changing the variety. She explains how much she grows to love the garden and how one dream fades but another is born. These are the kind of morals and lessons Ms. White's stories have. These were just some of the stories and wonderful qualities of Bailey's writing. There are so many more memories of relations and friends that share the qualities of the ones above and many have their own unique twist. Over all, this book was a fun filled and enjoyable experience.

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Summary: Absolutely great family reading!
Review: How fresh and quirky! I brought this book along for my enjoyment on a vacation, but my laughter prompted demands from my family to "share." It's become bedtime story material! We sometimes wipe tears of laughter away with our kisses goodnight as well as thoughtful, somber embraces. Bailey White's stories succinctly capture the unexpected joys, beauties and sorrows of relationships and families.

Rating:
Summary: Southern humor at its best!
Review: I don't know when I have enjoyed a book as much as this one! I've probably read it a dozen times and I never get tired of it. Bailey White captures the real characters that we who were raised in the real South know so well. As a teacher, the chapter about the Titanic really touches my heart. Her mother must have been a real Southern treasure - Bailey White is, too!

Rating:
Summary: Southern humor at its best!
Review: I don't know when I have enjoyed a book as much as this one! I've probably read it a dozen times and I never get tired of it. Bailey White captures the real characters that we who were raised in the real South know so well. As a teacher, the chapter about the Titanic really touches my heart. Her mother must have been a real Southern treasure - Bailey White is, too!

Rating:
Summary: The Eccentric South
Review: I guess I was assuming a novel about the gracious South; but no, its about the totally eccentric and whacky South and I enjoyed every minute of it. This book of quick and touching anecdotes is not your typical novel but a nice refreshing read between heavier material. I will be looking forward to experiencing more of Ms White's work.

Rating:
Summary: Great book!!!
Review: I had the privelege of having Bailey White as my first grade teacher (12th grader now). It is kind of funny to read things in the book that I can remember her teaching. Mrs. White is a great teacher and a great author.

Rating:
Summary: Great book!!!
Review: I had the privelege of having Bailey White as my first grade teacher (12th grader now). It is kind of funny to read things in the book that I can remember her teaching. Mrs. White is a great teacher and a great author.

Rating:
Summary: The most entertaining book yet!
Review: I have thoroughly enjoyed all of Bailey White's books and this is my favorite. She is refreshingly honest and hilarious at the same time. I laughed out loud constantly while reading. I live in Bailey White's home town and I can tell you that most of her stories are based on true stories and actual people but greatly improved! A great commentary on life in the South.

Rating:
Summary: It's not really as funny as Fannie Flagg -- but what is?
Review: I laughed out loud. Highly recommended.

Rating:
Summary: Funny and truthful
Review: I loved the characters in this book. Very seldom do I laugh out loud when I read, but Mama and her daughters were portrayed so truthfully that I had to chuckle at the reality of it all. I especially enjoy White's depiction of rural southerners. We seem to get a bad reputation in so many novels and movies that it has become quite refreshing to read about kind, intelligent residents of the South. (They do exist, you know.) "Gardening" and "Non-Representational Art" were both particularly memorable.