As a longtime fan of Fannie Flagg, I had high hopes for this compilation, but unfortunately, it didn’t quite live up to my expectations. While Flagg’s signature warmth and storytelling style are still present, I struggled to connect with the characters and their journeys. The stories felt somewhat dated and lacked the emotional resonance I’ve come to expect from her work. I found myself disengaged and simply pushing through to finish. It’s always a joy to read Flagg’s familiar voice, but this particular collection didn’t capture the vibe I was hoping for.

Been a fan forever and this one doesn't disappoint! Strong characters, complex and emotional plot, it just pulls you in and keeps you there - and when you're done you want to start reading it all over again because you don't want to let it go ...

Fannie Flagg gives her readers a nice collection of short stories. While interesting none has the appeal of the "Whistle Stop" stories or the characters she created in them. Thanks to #NetGalley#Somethingtolookforwardto#FannieFlagg

This is a fairly short book made up of short stories. Each story is about characters from a different part of America and some of them intertwine with each other in some way. There is one character who gets multiple chapters throughout the book. Another character’s story bookends all the others and brings them together.
I enjoyed the creative story about a boy’s science project and the Special Agent Frawley story was sweet. I also liked a story about a young man who is rehabilitated by a mysterious church.
I will admit that I do not generally enjoy short story collections. I never feel that I have time to get to know the characters and I’m left wanting more time for the plot to answer my questions. So my criticisms of this book may come from that, or maybe I just don’t understand the humor. I did not find this book humorous or whimsical at all and the stories were predictable. The description says that it is about bringing people together by looking at lives from all around the US, but I actually found it to be mean-spirited. The people(or sometimes animals) are caricatures and their dialogue is often flat and wooden. There is little style-distinction between them. The main thread I saw was that people who take it slow, live in rural areas, and enjoy simple things are better humans than those who live in cities. The city-dwellers are silly, anxious, unappreciative, maybe cruel, and have no knowledge of how the world works. They are extremes with nothing in between.
I absolutely love Fried Green Tomatoes, but this collection was not for me.
I received an ARC of this book in return for my honest review.

Something to Look Forward To, by Fannie Flagg, is a collection of short stories mostly about small-town America. These are "feel good" tales that showcase resilience, humor, and creativity in dealing with life's adversities and foibles. Although a few critics have labeled these conservative and biased, this liberal-leaning city girl found them uplifting, positive, and encouraging. Thanks to NetGalley and Random House for the opportunity to read a digital ARC. It was a pleasure.

Georgia pages and beyond: a month’s worth of must-reads from Peach State thrillers to epic fantasies

By Tom Mayer

Tmayer@RN-T.com

It's always time for a good book, and this month’s new releases span Atlanta suspense, gothic horror, sweeping fantasy and thoughtful meditations on aging. Whether you crave a Buckhead murder mystery, a reimagined "Mulan," or Louis Sachar’s adult debut, there’s something for every reader — thrillers, literary gems, and more.

'Bless Your Heart' (Crooked Lane Books) by Leigh Dunlap
Atlanta takes center stage in this debut thriller about the murder of a wealthy Buckhead Little League coach. Detective Shay Claypool, a single mother from the opposite side of town, is thrown into a world of privilege and secrets that tests both her instincts and her patience. A sharp blend of social satire and suspense, it’s a page-turner that Southern crime fans will devour.

'House of Monstrous Women' (Berkley) by Daphne Fama
Set against the turbulence of 1980s Philippines, this gothic horror novel traps its heroine inside a childhood friend’s home, where a sinister contest unfolds. Witchcraft, rebellion and survival blur together in a narrative that’s as unsettling as it is urgent. It’s a chilling pick for readers drawn to haunted houses with a political edge.

'Escaping Denver' (Blackstone Publishing) by Teague Bohlen
Spinning out of a hit podcast, now in its fifth season, this novel plunges readers into the dark mysteries beneath Denver International Airport — conspiracies, shadow governments and worse. What begins as an adventure quickly turns into a desperate fight for survival. A must for fans of speculative thrillers and immersive, multi-platform storytelling.

'I Become Her' (Thomas & Mercer) by Joe Hart
On their honeymoon, Imogen’s husband, Lev, vanishes overboard and reappears with no memory of what happened. When fragments of his past surface, Imogen’s doubts spiral into suspicion. With its tightly wound tension and emotional undercurrents, this novel will appeal to fans of psychological thrillers such as “The Last Mrs. Parrish “The Couple Next Door.”

'Some Recollections of St. Ives' (Skyhorse) by David Mamet
Told through a wry perspective, this novel masquerading as a memoir of the fictional Charles Hollis, captures four decades at the venerable St. Ives School. Pulitzer Prize-winner Mamet (“Glengarry Glen Ross”) blends sharp observation with satire in a story that probes the traditions, hypocrisies and private codes of academic life. Lovers of campus novels and literary fiction will find plenty to relish.

'The Magician of Tiger Castle' (Ace) by Louis Sachar
Known for “Holes” and other classics, Louis Sachar makes his adult fiction debut with a whimsical, Renaissance-inspired fantasy. A reluctant magician, a kingdom in peril and a princess whose heart defies politics form the backbone of this playful yet thoughtful tale. Part memoir, part fairy tale, it’s a reminder that Sachar’s gift for storytelling only deepens with time.

'Eternity’s Blade' (Blackstone Publishing) by William Collis
Prince Soh’shoro lives in a valley where no one dies — until he discovers the dangerous magic … to kill … within himself. Trained by warrior monks as an assassin, he must confront not only an outside world bent on shattering his people’s fragile immortality, but the question of whether eternity is worth killing for. Fans of epic fantasy and martial-arts-inspired adventure will find themselves swept away by Collis’s richly imagined debut.

'Something to Look Forward To' (Random House) by Fannie Flagg
The beloved author of “Fried Green Tomatoes” returns with a collection of interconnected stories, each offering a different spin on the resilience of an American life. From a great-grandmother bridging generational divides to a city dweller reinventing herself, Flagg captures the humor and heart of everyday survival. A warm, witty reminder of why her storytelling endures.

'The Dragon Wakes with Thunder' (Ace Books) by K. X. Song
This second half of Song’s duology (“The Night Ends With Fire,” 2024) reimagines “Mulan” with grit and grandeur. Imprisoned and betrayed, Hai Meilin faces rebellion, supernatural bargains and a dragon demanding his due — in blood. A sweeping tale of loyalty, power, and identity, it’s a fitting conclusion for fans of feminist fantasy sagas. It’s also a beautifully produced book with illustrated endpapers, maps, edging, and a cover. No question: Buy the hardcover of this one for the bookshelf and the audio version (Natalie Naudus narrates) for the storytelling. But before you do either, begin with “The Night Ends With Fire,” as beautifully packaged and told as part 2.

'The Old Man by the Sea' (Europa Editions) by Domenico Starnone, translated by Oonagh Stransky
At 82, the storyteller Nicola reflects on a lifetime of overlooked details from his seaside home south of Rome. When he’s drawn into the orbit of a younger woman and her family, his final years take an unexpected turn. Starnone weaves memory, humor and melancholy into a meditation on what it means to keep imagining until the very end. Europa always picks international stories of the highest quality and this one is a superior example.

And that’s the monthly wrap-up: From Atlanta’s dark secrets to Rome’s quiet shorelines, from dragon battles to Louis Sachar’s long-awaited adult debut, the month delivers a remarkable range of storytelling. Whatever your shelf leans toward — thrillers, fantasies or quiet literary gems — this month offers a book worth holding onto.

Find the review at multiple newspapers and magazines, including at:
https://admin-newyork1.bloxcms.com/northwestgeorgianews.com/tncms/admin/action/main/preview/site/rome/news/local/georgia-pages-and-beyond-a-month-s-worth-of-must-reads-from-peach-state-thrillers/article_d1c31d96-3d88-4fef-8d54-b290cb89a7e1.html

I read a few of Fannie Flagg's stories in a Great American Literature class in college and one of her books as an adult. I thoroughly enjoyed all of them, connecting with her wit and sense of nostalgia. I was so excited to read her latest collection of somewhat interconnected short stories, Something to Look Forward to. I was so disappointed! I only enjoyed about 2 of the stories. Many made Southerners seem dimwitted and selfish. Others made liberal and compassionate people seem like know-nothing idiots. I think this book got published by name recognition alone because there's not much humor in it, and so many of the stories are just pointless.

From a literary perspective, Something to Look Forward To is a heartfelt reminder that Fannie Flagg remains one of America’s most gifted chroniclers of everyday resilience. In this latest work—a loosely woven patchwork of short stories—Flagg revisits the deeply humane, often humorous, and always hopeful tone that made Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Cafe a modern classic.
The structure of the book, with its interlinked vignettes set across small towns and cities in America, mirrors the unpredictable rhythms of life itself. Each story is grounded in personal struggle—loss, loneliness, generational gaps, unexpected change—but Flagg approaches these challenges not with cynicism, but with grace, humor, and a keen eye for emotional detail. Whether we’re sitting on a porch with Velma in Kansas or following Helen’s bold reinvention in upstate New York, each narrative feels intimate and immediate, like a letter from a friend who really gets it.
From a thematic standpoint, Flagg excels in capturing how ordinary people cope with uncertainty—through community, wit, stubbornness, or sheer imaginative grit. The characters are eccentric without being caricatures, vulnerable without self-pity. They reflect the American heartland not as a monolith, but as a vibrant and diverse emotional landscape.
There is also a gentle but unmistakable undercurrent of optimism throughout the book—a belief that even in a world that feels increasingly confusing or fragmented, people can still surprise us, and themselves, with small acts of courage and reinvention. Agent Frawley, in particular, adds an unexpectedly poignant and slightly surreal twist that broadens the emotional range of the book in a quietly profound way.
For longtime fans, this is classic Fannie Flagg—equal parts funny, touching, and wise. And for new readers, Something to Look Forward To offers the perfect entry point into a body of work that celebrates the extraordinary resilience of ordinary lives.
In short, this collection lives up to its title: it truly gives readers something to look forward to, something to feel good about, and—perhaps most importantly—something to believe in.

I loved Fried Green Tomatoes and was excited to read short stories by Fannie Flagg.

Instead, I got an entire book of conservative drivel.

The depictions of left coasters were disgusting, making it seem like people with compassion were frivolous idiots.

Each of the stories is loosely connected. The alien storyline was the most interesting but was still not great.

I am thoroughly disappointed.

Thank you to Net Galley and Random House for the ARC. All opinions are my own.

Reading Something to Look Forward To: Fictions reminded me once again why I adore Fannie Flagg’s writing. Her stories have that rare quality of feeling both deeply familiar and wonderfully fresh, like sitting down with an old friend who always knows how to make you laugh, think, and feel at home. This collection of short stories carries her signature warmth and humor, with threads that tie together in subtle, satisfying ways. There is something so comforting about her voice, like comfort food for the heart and mind, and every time I pick up one of her books, I know I’m in good hands. This one was no exception.

I love Fannie Flagg's books. This one was a little different as it's a series of somewhat connected vignettes, but they all have the Fannie Flagg charm and warmth and humor. It was a delight to read one of these before bed each night! Thank you for my copy.

Fannie Flagg does not disappoint in her newest book! This has all the charm you have come to love from a Fannie book and you will find yourself thinking about the characters long after you finish it. Such a great read!

SOMETHING TO LOOK FORWARD TO by Fannie Flagg is a set of loosely connected short stories with bookend pieces involving alien lifeforms commenting on human behavior. The stories jump back and forth across several decades and some reprise characters. Overall, they are enjoyable, filled with Fannie Flagg's homespun individuals and ultimate goodness, but are not especially memorable or moving. Her fans (note size of her name on cover) will be pleased and there certainly are moments of amusement and reflection: "Now they force you to do everything online, and you can't get a real person on the phone to save your life. Hell, if I wanted to talk to a machine, I'd talk to my vacuum cleaner."

3.5 stars overall

Having been a big fan of Fannie Flagg in the past, I jumped at the chance to read her newest book without realizing it's just a collection of short stories. While Fannie's humor and lighthearted storytelling are still present, something fell flat for me. The stories are old fashioned and hard to relate to but it is an easy read. My thanks to Random House for providing a review copy via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

Nobody should ever say that Fannie Flagg doesn’t give us our money’s worth! There are over 30 short stories in this nifty collection, and I enjoyed it thoroughly. My thanks go to NetGalley and Random House for the invitation to read and review; had it been necessary, I would have paid hard cold cash for this collection, and I seldom say that.

This book is available to the public now.

Flagg has always been known for her feminist swagger and perceptive humor. Here she crosses into several genres, beginning with science fiction—a first for this author? ---and continuing on more familiar ground with historical fiction, Southern fiction, contemporary fiction, LGTBQ, and of course, humor. There are a handful that start early and reemerge later, but most are just simple short stories, easy to read and for the most part, filled with the feel-good vibes that we all need right now.

My favorite of them all is “Darla Womble,” a story set in Pot Luck, Arkansas in 2004. Here’s how it begins:

“At 9:18 A.M., in and around Pot Luck, Arkansas, thirty-eight relatives of Darla Ann Womble received a frantic email, which read:
‘DARLA’S NOT DEAD, AND SHE’S MAD AS HELL!’
After seeing the email, two people threw up, one fainted, and another decided he would run for his life. This news came as quite a shock to all, especially since all thirty-eight had recently attended the reading of Darla’s ‘Last Will and Testament.’

It only gets better from there, and it was a near thing since I was eating lunch; I narrowly escaped spraying my cheese enchiladas all over my kitchen! Other favorites are “Beware of Weathermen” and “Don’t Mess with Texas,” both near the beginning of the collection, and “A Thinking Man,” which is near the conclusion.

As with her other works, these stories are primarily from female points of view and will appeal more to women than men; yet I suspect there are a good number of men that will enjoy them as well. I recommend this collection to Flagg’s faithful readers, and to anyone that needs to feel a little better than they do right now.

"Something to Look Forward To" by Fannie Flagg is a collection of short stories, some of which are related to each other and have the same characters.
I don't ordinarily read short stories--I prefer getting into a long, juicy novel. And I didn't realize that this book was short stories. I wanted to read it because I've been a fan of Fannie Flagg forever! It was a little bit of a shock for me when Chapter 1 ended and the next chapter was something else entirely. And then it dawned on me--ah, short stories.
Well, I enjoyed them all and always wanted more when they ended.
Many thanks to Net Galley for an ARC of this book. My opinions are my own.

This was a light and refreshing read — a collection of stories that felt like curling up with your favorite glass of red and binging Hallmark movies. It was the perfect plane ride companion on my vacation: easy to sink into, yet layered with quiet reminders of how beautiful this world can be, warts and all.
For longtime fans of Fannie Flagg, you won’t be disappointed. And for newcomers, shut off your notifications, silence your watch, and allow yourself to take a much-needed break. It is a reminder that the richest stories, like the best lives, are the ones woven through genuine connections.

Fannie Flagg is always a joy to read! This one took me by surprise at first because I didn't do my job and read the description thoroughly, but once I realized it was a compilation of short stories, I dove right in! There are 30 stories total. Some humorous, some sweet, some serious, all enjoyable. Flagg has a knack for creating realistic characters and perfect little stories in just a few pages.

I would recommend this to anyone who likes a good clean read that includes heartwarming stories you can pick up and read anytime. The book is a celebration of the human being, and who doesn't want to celebrate us??

Thanks to NetGalley and Random House for the advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

At first I wasn't sure where this book was going as it started with an alien visiting earth to try and understand why everyone was walking around with something small in their hand staring at it rather than interacting with others - very different to Flagg's usual subjects. However it quickly becomes clear that this is a book of short stories (some linked) that are very much in Flagg's style but not quite right for a full novel.

Flagg manages to be incredibly empathetic in her writing whilst also skewering a lot of modern day life - she is always kind however, even if the characters perhaps don't deserve it.

This was a warm hug of a book and there wasn't a short story in it that I didn't like

When I picked up this book of stories, I was under the impression that the stories were all connected. It is possible that I just missed some of the connections. I loved the reincarnation aspect of the book and there were some very memorable characters throughout. When I have time, I will reread this book--it is good and I would like to find links that I missed. Each chapter alone, was interesting whether I was able to make a connection or not. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the complimentary ARC. This review is my own opinion.