You Don't Sweat Much for a Fat Girl: Observations on Life from the Shallow End of the Pool Paperback – August 16, 2011

Despite reading some reviews that disparage Rivenbark's new book, I bought it based on prior enjoyment of her writing talent. SCORE! Oh yeah, this is Celia at her barking best...hilarious. Not every page of every book is a laugh riot, but overall, has Celia ever let you down? Well, that's what I thought too, and my trust was rewarded. Now, some of her language may be a bit hardcore for the prissier among us, but get over it and laugh. I love that Celia takes on current events rather than traipsing through the sepia-toned days of growing up Southern. That's good too, and will always be near and dear to us, but Celia gives a needed and rollicking voice to current human foibles. Give the woman a dais and prepare to grin, chuckle and wish she lived next door. Rock it, Celia!

Celia Rivenbark can make anyone laugh, anytime. I've spent the last few nights trying to read something else as my husband lies beside me guffawing, hee hawing and just chuckling out loud -- he is reading the latest book. I finished it before him and he was itching to get his hands on it, particularly as I tended to guffaw, hee haw and chuckle as well. Great book, as all of her are . . . also catch her column in the Myrtle Beach Sun on Sundays. It's often laugh out loud funny and a great way to start a Sunday.

Few books make me smile and laugh out loud. Janet Evanovich can do it, and now Celia Rivenbark does it. You can read a chapter and let it go, or you can read the whole thing. You will love her and her family and her no nonsense way of looking at the genteel south. I have now purchase all of her books and they remain one of my favorites. I have even passed them on to friends who need a quick pick-me-up. Life is tough, we don't always have to read about it being tough. These are a wonderful, happy release. I used to read Erma Bombeck, bless her heart, now Celia has filled that void.

i expected hilarity, but it felt a bit whiny in spots. and I don't like the "duh" reference to the husband.

Very funny. I adore Celia Rivenbark! The last one I read by her was "you can't drink all day if you don't start in the morning" and I liked that one a little better, but this one gave me plentiful giggles! I would recommend it for anyone who enjoys snark and sarcasm

I have read everything i can get my hands on of Ms. Rivenbark`s so far and this one is the most "straight up" so to speak. She spares nothing in her descriptions of what she thinks of other mothers at meetings, having an only child and just all together being southern. Personally i think if women would listen to the way she thinks then kids especially little girls would have more manners but also more of a mind of their own. Not being such a clone of the other kids, or a wanna-be of what they see on tv nowadays! I loved it!

Rivenbark takes you on a hilarious journey in the South. Being a Southerner myself I found I was nodding in agreement throughout the book. To a non-Southerner (or Yankee as we fondly say) it provides insight into why we are the way we are. Her humility provides the proverbial cherry on top. Warning-she has been known to include delicious recipes from time to time.

Where does Celia come up with this stuff? Another absolutely hilarious look at everyday life for us Southern women, and how to cope with the predicaments of society. Loved it more than biscuits and gravy!