In this American Book Award winning short story collection, J. California Cooper brings to life thirteen moving short stories that explore the threads and nuances of all kinds of love—whether romantic, familial or friendship. Written in the literary folk tradition associated most often with Zora Neale Hurston and Langston Hughes, Homemade Love draws a vivid picture of Black characters finding love in the most unlikely of places.

My Take:
This was my first introduction to J. California Cooper, and it will not be my last. I understand that this collection of short stories was originally published in 1986-these stories still hold up. I would especially recommend this book as a companion piece to bell hooks' love series for a book club: the combination will make for great discussions.

"I choose the name 'Homemade Love' because it is love that is not bought, not wrapped in fancy packaging with glib lines that often lie."

"Homemade goes a long way. Usually lasts long than we do."

Wow, what a beautiful, raw, and real depiction of love in it's many forms. There was something to love about each of the stories, I felt so many emotions from happiness, to sadness, and sometimes anger. At the root of each was the fact that love knows no bounds despite our status of flawed humans.

A few of my favorite stories were Happiness Does Not Come in Colors, Funny Valentine's, At Long Last, and Down that Lonestome Road.

Thank you to Netgalley and St. Martin's Press for the opportunity to be an early reader! I can't wait to add a physical copy to my shelves.

I received a copy of Homemade Love by J. California Cooper from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

A fun compilation of short stories illustrating the nuances of love in communities of color. Each story has its own reality and own color and invites the reader to reconsider what love looks like in its different forms.

Each story shows the reality of different types of love and I love it so so much. I had to get past two stories to get used to the diction used in this book. I want to admit that I struggled at first but I find that the way the narrator speaks is the most effective in getting the readers submerged in the stories.

Good collection of short stories written in the dialect of southern black women. I would say my favorite was The Watcher. This lady so busy minding everybody else's business, she neglects to mind her own, "blive" that!

"My Mama always said when you get tired of being bothered by certain people, lend them some money! You won't see them again!" Some fine wisdom if I ever heard it, "blive" that! This was an enjoyable collection of short stories written in the dialect of southern black folks. This was originally published in 1986 so while the stories are believable, I pray to the Gods of Humanity that women have gotten smarter over the years and no better than to take on some of these men represented in many of these stories that are "restless as a flea with no dog!"

Homemade love is a collection of short stories told in dialect. Each story has its own special story of love.
J. California Cooper's style is the most unique I have read in a long time. I really enjoyed all the stories, and I can't wait to read more!