The Sweet Potato Queens' Wedding Planner/Divorce Guide

With the fifth raucous outing in her indefatigable series, Browne and her fallen Southern belles make the leap from trade paperback original to hardcover. This hilarious reference is a one-stop relationship shopper's dream: start from the front and it's a wedding planner; flip the book over and it's a divorce guide. Boasting "around thirteen marriages and eight divorces—so far—not to mention more than 300 combined years of valuable experience," Browne and her fellow Queens offer sage advice, dire warnings and sidesplitting anecdotes for women who could use "some sympathy, some understanding, some refreshments and a little fucking help around here." Between offering tips on how to save money on weddings and avoid manslaughter charges during divorces, Browne also teaches her own language course in Southern-speak, which she dubs "Y'allbonics," and shares recipes encouraging "balloonia" over bulimia. As funny as Browne can be, her powerful underlying message has always been preaching empowerment to women who feel they have no options ("Quit investing your life in a relationship that's bringing you only minimal returns. Don't be skeert of going for more"). No wonder, according to www.SweetPotatoQueens.com, there are nearly 4,800 worldwide chapters devoted to Browne's fun-loving and life-affirming teachings. (Jan.)