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Summary: Oh to be part of a group of YA YAs ....
Review: I cannot begin to say how much this book touched me. I'm not sure it is possible in today's world of hustle and bustle to have a group of friends like the YA YAs, friends who are always close, whose families become an extension of your own, friends who will love you unconditionally and who will not judge you. I think it's too easy to loose sight of the friendships we develop as we grow up and ultimately apart. For anyone who longs for that unconditional, non-judgemental, absolutely-there-for-you friendship, this book will make you long for it even more. To have had half the fun that the YA YAs have while growing up is almost worth the prices they had to pay. This is definitely a woman's book - I am giving it to my sister to read this weekend since I just finished my copy. And I'm going right out and purchase Little Altars. Enjoy it - but make sure you have plenty of tissues!
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Summary: It warmed my heart
Review: Talk about judging a book by it's cover?? - Believe it or not, the cover is exactly why I bought it. It looked like fun - and that's exactly what it was!!! Anyone woman who has had a challenging relationship with their mother, as well as a very close circle of "ya ya" friends, will certainly "feel" what the lead characters in this book were feeling. I laughed, I cried, I read and read and read. I could not put it down. I sat at the ocean for hours reading this book. My sister was so jealous because she wanted to read it when she saw how much I was enjoying it. You'll love it - I sure did! - Lilly@NJ
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Summary: Ya-Ya's? More like YADA-YADA-YADA!!!
Review: What a major disappointment. I wanted to like this book. I yearned to like this book. I tried, and tried, and tried to like this book. However, the author never convinced me that I should care about this group of cliqueish, priveleged, self-important friends. Too forced, too trite, and too cute, the story limps along, wilting under the hot Louisiana sun. The one time that the plot began to show some intensity, some passion, Vivi is too easily rescued from the evil religious school. Poor thing, she just never fit in. The promise of a personl conflict leading to character development was never realized. The whole sequence left me empty. The author lost my attention and commitment at that point, never to regain it. The Ya-Ya's aren't devine, just disfunctional. YADA-YADA-YADA, there's a whole lot of nothing going on with this book...
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Summary: The Best Summer Read
Review: At a time when I've been unable to hold my mind to anything, along comes this yummy book. What a swell read - fun. How perfect for this long summer. I do not wish I were a Ya Ya. I DO wish more books made me realize, though, that this life is just life. Nothing more. And definately nothing less. Reminding us life is still good when we can sit and enjoy a good cold beer. And remember. Alone or with friends. I will miss this little blue book. I like it.
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Summary: This book was hilarious! I could not put it down.
Review: This book is a must read. I have grown-up with the same group of girls since I was in first grade and this story reminds me of the things we do and the little rituals and sayings only we understand. The Ya-Yas have inspired us to start our own scrapbook so that we can pass it on to our children. It really shows the true meaning of friendship and how important friends are to have in your life. I highly recommend this book even if you just read the Shirley Temple contest part. It's a hoot!
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Summary: Joy, wonder, growing up, looking back
Review: It is not often I relate to characters so intensely in a book. Growing up as a Gen X'er this book speaks to my desires, my wants and wonders. Absolutely love it. Hemingway-esque style- subject matter that spans generations.
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Summary: What an honest, delightful book!
Review: I REALLY liked these characters. I thought they were very honest, warm, funny and quirky. Some parts tended to drag a little but the story kept drawing me back in with it's unique style of writing and twists. It was a fascinating account of a mother's relationship with her daughter, proving the impact a mother can make on a child with the world she creates around that child, and how she uses it to show love . Very unique. I've never read anything quite like it before.
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Summary: Best book of all time.
Review: I read "Ya Ya" first and "Little Altars Everywhere" second and believe that this is how they should be read even though "Little Altars" was written first. I have shared this book with many of my women friends and all reactions were the same - fabulous. This book reminded me of my best friend and myself and some of our adventures of raising four children each as single moms. I feel sorry for people who can't empathize with Vivi. Life is real - not storybook. Vivi had her problems but made life fun. I recommend this book for all who have best friends they grew up with and remain friends with. I look forward to more of Rebecca Wells books. Keep on writin'.
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Summary: Two Thumbs WAY way up...
Review: I don't know if I can be any more enthusiastic than this, but this has got to be the best book I have EVER read. It kept me in stiches. I was enthralled with the language, the sensuality, the history of the Ya-Yas... It reminded me of my mother's group of friends from grammar school that she has kept in close contact with for over 40 years! The Shirley Temple contest was brilliant; I have never laughed myself to tears from reading a book. What a delight! I read Little Altars after Divine Secrets and thoroughly enjoyed it as well. I wait with bated breath for Wells' next installment... I hope she continues the saga!
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Summary: summer escapism at it's best
Review: I jumped right into their family of trials and tribulations and except for the setting, it could have been my own. How wonderful to revisit the 50's and see what it was like to be a Mom in a small town and how the daughter always wondered what her mom was really like as a person...don't we all want to know our family better? Pure summer fun...I'm recommending it to our book club.
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