So very funny! A gem of joy. ( )

Don’t you just love books written by southern women? You know there will be quirky people, genteel but lascivious behavior, and great food that is the equivalent of a heart attack on a plate. If this is your idea of a good time, you will love the three titles that comprise the Sweet Potato Queens books. The titles include: The Sweet Potato Queens Book of Love, God Save the Sweet Potato Queens, and the latest and greatest: The Sweet Potato Queens Big-Ass Cookbook (and Financial Planner). With a title like that, you know you’re in for some fun. If you tend to be too politically correct or turn bright red when reading some funny but frank thoughts on sex, then I suggest you either don’t read these books, or read them somewhere where no one will see you or be able to hear you laugh.

Jill Connor Browne is the Boss of the Sweet Potato Queens, and it all started with her. Back in the early eighties in Jackson, Mississippi, what would become a worldwide phenomenon was born in the midst of preparations for the first annual St. Patrick’s Day parade. Ms. Browne offered her services for the parade as the Sweet Potato Queen. When her friends caught wind of it, they wanted to be Queens as well. Ms. Browne agreed that the others could participate with her, but that she would be the Boss Queen. And thus it has been ever since.

Now, the Sweet Potato Queens are a sight to behold. Their pictures are on the covers of all the books, and the costumes have gotten progressively gaudier. On the cover of the first book (The SPQ’s Book of Love) they are wearing kelly green miniskirts (with large fake buns and breasts built into them), long red gloves, long red wigs and sunglasses. On the cover of the next book (God Save the SPQs), the original outfits are there, but fringe has been added to the fake breasts, and they’ve now got pink cheerleader boots, pink capes, and of course, tiaras. On the cover of the last book, the capes are gone, but everything else is brighter and more sparkly. Ms. Browne indicates the costumes each weigh about 45 lbs!

Ms. Browne appears to be quite a formidable woman. I know I wouldn’t want to meet a 6’ tall, former fitness trainer dressed in a miniskirt with fake appendages in a dark alley in the middle of the night. At the very least I’m sure I would need extensive therapy after such an encounter. And while it is all meant as fun, some of you men may find some of the things she has to say to be sexist. (See the chapter in The Sweet Potato Queens Book of Love entitled “Men Who May Need Killing, Quite Frankly.” Although in her defense she does note that while some men may need killing, it is almost never a good idea to follow through on that thought.) Throughout the books, however, it is quite clear that Ms Browne holds the men in her life near and dear to her heart, and there is even an honorary male queen!

Ms. Browne’s writing style is colloquial and conversational. She successfully makes you feel you are on the inside of all of the jokes and she is sitting in your living room telling you funny things. I cannot imagine there is a woman out there who cannot relate to at least some of the stories she has to tell. She also makes you regret that you are not sitting in her living room drinking her Fat Mama’s Knock You Naked Margaritas and eating Chocolate Stuff and Twinkie Pie (aka White Trash Trifle). Chocolate Stuff will ensure your death by clogged arteries but at least you’ll die happy. Twinkie Pie is indeed made with massive amounts of Twinkies. The recipes for these things, as well as for Death Chicken, Fried Dill Pickles, Bacon and Eggs Queen Style and many more gastronomic delights are found in the three books, especially in The Big Ass Cookbook. The SPQ’s never met a hunk of cheese or a side of bacon they didn’t like (or consume in mass quantities, with the goal apparently being to reach maximum density). One recipe actually calls for 1 pound of bacon, 6 tablespoons of butter, 8 ounces of Cheez Whiz and 8 ounces of sour cream. Obviously, none of these items may be of any type of low calorie or low fat variety. I love a woman who loves to eat as much as I do! I thought my version of the four food groups was bad (i.e. salt, sugar, fat and caffeine), but I do believe that Ms. Browne has me beat with hers: salty, sweet, fried and au gratin.

If these books don’t make you laugh out loud, then you should probably seek treatment immediately. And they are quite informative. Where else could you read about things like, The Best Advice Ever Given In the History of the World, or learn about The Five Men You Must Have in Your Life at All Times? And lest you think that the SPQ’s are a bunch of women who sit around and do nothing but eat and drink, you should read The Big Ass Cookbook and Financial Planner (so named because if you make the recipes in the book you will indeed develop a fat ass). In this book Ms. Browne tells us about the Queens, who are quite an accomplished group of women. One is an internationally known interior designer, another is a lawyer, and another is a Chief Financial Officer. All of them are busy and accomplished professionals. There are very few true Queens, but many women are allowed to be Wannabe Queens, and of course for the men there is the Spud Studs. Ms. Browne rules them all with an unabashedly iron hand. After all, it was all her idea. I wouldn’t be surprised if she is the reincarnation of Cleopatra. She is smart, funny, completely irreverent, and the personification of sassiness.

If, after reading the books, you think to yourself, “I want to be a Queen and wear a large fake butt and fake breasts, eat myself into a stupor and just be an all around superior being,” then you should check out the last chapter of the Book of Love. Or, better yet, check out their website: www.sweetpotatoqueens.com. Queendom has become a global phenomenon and there are 2445 SPQ groups around the world, including 9 groups here in San Diego.

These books are mostly pure fun, but there is also a great underlying message that women can (and should!) indulge themselves, enjoy each other’s company, eat really fattening stuff without the world ending, and be both proud and happy to be women. Long live the Sweet Potato Queens! ( )

Great follow up to the first book! ( )