Something to Look Forward To by Fannie Flagg
*Advanced Reader Copy*
Publish Date: August 19, 2025

Fannie Flagg does it again! Reading one of her books is like wrapping yourself in a cozy blanket on a rainy day: comforting, familiar, and heartwarming. Curling up with a Fannie Flagg story feels as soothing as a bowl of chicken noodle soup.

In Something to Look Forward To, each chapter is a standalone glimpse into the life of an ordinary person. The characters, time periods, and settings vary, but the thread connecting them all is beautifully simple: everyday people navigating joys, struggles, and the messy, wonderful business of living.

Themes of humanity, love, perseverance, and the quiet beauty of daily life are woven throughout. Without giving too much away, I’ll just say this: the stories will make you smile, remind you of life’s every day blessings, and leave you appreciating the little moments.

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House for the Advanced Reader Copy.
#SomethingtoLookForwardTo #NetGalley.

Full disclosure: I love Fannie Flagg; the world needs all of the Fannie Flagg it can get. Something to Look Forward To felt a bit like a light blanket on a chilly day or a nice breeze on a warm one. There was nothing to bog me down, nothing too tangled or burdensome. Instead, especially through Velma, readers are treated to Flagg's gentle reminders to be kind, to remain hopeful, to try to understand "the other." She also holds up a mirror to our society, where older people tend to be relegated to the back of the room. The things that are important to them fall under harsher, younger, trend-hungry eyes. Maybe it's always been that way, but it seems that in the world of influencers and social media, it's uglier now. Flagg shows us this without beating us over the head with it. Readers would do well to remember that the elderly who are at times callously shushed or diminished were likely, at one time, the "influencers" of their day. Marion Thornton's Downsizing story struck such a chord with me, especially the condescension from the women who came to organize and stage her house. If you are looking for an angst-filled, engrossing thriller of a novel, this isn't it. For readers who are more inclined to sit for a minute or two with what they've read, chuckle at the truths Fannie Flagg shows us, and consider the effects of how we treat people, this collection of related stories is exactly what is needed.

This is a delightful compilation of short stories that beautifully capture life's various stages and moments. Fannie's writing style is understandable, making the characters feel familiar and relatable. Many, if not all, of the situations depicted resonate with the reader, reflecting the evolution of society.

You will enjoy weaving in and out of eras you may or may not have lived through. I appreciated the inclusion of a few characters whose narrative was continued, which added a personal connection. These stories help the reader ponder their own relationships and conduct towards others. It's yet another heartwarming and emotional connection, reminiscent of a close-knit community.

Thank you, NetGalley and Random House, for the advanced reader's copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

#NetGalley #SomethingToLookForwardTo
#RandomHouse #GeneralFiction #ShortStories #Hometown

Something to Look Forward To by Fannie Flagg was such an entertaining read that I finished in a few hours.
A well written story that kept me hooked from the very beginning.
The characters draw you in and keeps you flipping the pages.
They are realistic and very well developed.
I really enjoyed the writing style. I found myself hooked, turning the pages.

Thank You NetGalley and Random House for your generosity and gifting me a copy of this amazing eARC!

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/7850442862

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/something-to-look-forward-to-fannie-flagg/1146839030

Fannie Flagg’s Something to Look Forward To is a joyful, heartwarming collection that perfectly showcases her quirky wit and deep empathy for human nature. Thirty interconnected stories invite the reader into small-town worlds filled with endearing characters who find connection, humor, and sometimes surprising wisdom in everyday life. A few stories truly lingered with me—the tender moments between Velma and her great-grandchild, the bittersweet resilience in “Don’t Forget to Write,” and a whimsical reincarnation tale that blends playfulness with quiet reflection on life’s mysteries. Flagg has a rare gift for balancing humor with pathos, turning ordinary interactions into moments of warmth and insight. Through her storytelling, community feels alive, friendship feels earned, and laughter and tenderness coexist on every page. By the end, the collection leaves you uplifted, smiling, and reminded of the small joys and human connections that make life rich—and why we always have something to look forward to.

Thank you to NetGalley for an advanced digital copy of this book.

As she says in her preface to this book, one of Fannie Flagg's :"great joys of my life has always been observing other humans as they go about living their daily lives." And that is what this book is about. A WONDERFUL collection of short stories (some barely a page long) about Americans, just normal everyday Americans, living their lives to the best of their abilities.

From the widowed great-grandmother in Kansas who has lost her daughter and has a tenuous-at-best connection to her granddaughter and great-granddaughter living in Berkley California, to the older woman unexpectedly left for a younger woman, to a surprising hero, a masterly answer to an unwinnable situation, and a mysterious survival and triumph. These are just US, in all our glory. You will root for them, sympathize with them, cry for them and finally see that what happens is meant to be.

And Agent William Frawley (named after the actor who played Fred Mertz in I Love Lucy), who visits to find out all about this planet and what makes it tick. Well, he finds out a LOT, but most of it is so foreign to his home planet that he can't quite comprehend it.

Read this book!! You will love it as much as I did!!

This wasn't a novel but a collection of short stories/vignettes about everyday small town life and what it means to be a human in these modern times. A lot of them were quite funny, but a lot of them fell flat for me. A quick, short read.

I'm not usually a fan of short stories but I love it when the stories connect (even briefly) with one another (Elizabeth Strout!) which is what Fannie Flagg did so successfully here. I LOVED Fried Green Tomatoes - who didn't and was excited to read another of her offerings. I adored the quirky characters she artfully creates and how each story encourages you to reflect on the nuances present in everyday life. Fannie Flagg's writing helps you to enjoy the "normal" in life just a little more. Thanks to Netgalley and Random House for this ARC . Enjoy this cozy read! You will be glad you did.

Fannie Flagg’s upcoming collection, Something to Look Forward To, is exactly what its title suggests: thirty interconnected stories filled with warmth, humor, and keen insight into human nature. While every piece carries Flagg’s signature charm, a few stories truly stood out for me. The tender, funny vignettes about Velma and her great-grandchild beautifully capture the challenges and love involved in bridging generational gaps—Flagg skillfully balances empathy with lightheartedness. “Don’t Forget to Write” struck a different but equally memorable note, blending heartbreak and resilience in a way that feels both quirky and deeply human. And then there’s the reincarnation story—whimsical, imaginative, and quietly profound, offering a playful take on life’s big questions while keeping Flagg’s optimism intact. Together, these highlights showcase what Flagg does best: crafting stories that make us laugh, reflect, and ultimately feel connected to the small miracles of everyday life. This collection is a literary hug—warm, hopeful, and exactly the kind of book I’ll recommend for anyone who needs a lift.

Thanks to Netgalley and Random House for this ARC . This is my honest review.

This had 30 short stories that really did give me something to look forward to. I really enjoyed just reading a few at a time I even found myself rushing to get back to it.

I will be buying a copy copies to hand out for the holidays

My thanks to NetGalley, the author and publisher for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This book was reminiscent of her former titles, such as fried green tomatoes (which I read repeatedly in school and is a comfort book). It was funny, heartwarming and sentimental.

DELIGHTFUL VIGNETTES OF AMERICA

Fannie Flagg is back with a new release, and as the title suggests, she offers readers Something To Look Forward To! This collection features 30 short stories set in towns across the USA. Flagg introduces us to a delightful cast of characters that truly represent the heart and soul of our country. If you have read any of Flagg's previous works, you'll find she has a knack for creating quirky characters that add a touch of humor to her stories. Several of these characters appear in multiple stories, which adds an enjoyable connection throughout the collection. In a unique twist, Flagg introduces a special character: Special Agent William Frawley, an alien sent to observe humans who has only ever seen life in black and white. Overall, this book is both quirky and entertaining.

Random House and NetGalley provided me with a copy of this book, and the opinions expressed here are my own.

I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again: Fannie Flagg is pure chicken soup for the soul in book form, and her latest gem, “Something to Look Forward To”, is absolute perfection!

This delightful read is a collection of chapter-long stories, each set in a different American town. Every story is filled with warmth, heart, and insight, often weaving in a warning as well. Flagg captures such a wide range of situations and conflicts that there’s truly something here for everyone to relate to on a personal level.

From laughter to tears—and every emotion in between—this book serves as a reminder of why Fannie Flagg remains such a beloved storyteller. I absolutely adored it and cannot recommend it enough. It deserves a solid 5 shining stars!

Something to Look Forward To by Fannie Flagg is a collection of thirty character driven short stories. The stories vary in length and many of them are interconnected. My favorite involves Velma who is eighty-three years old and lives in Cottonwood, Kansas. She loves her granddaughter and great-granddaughter dearly, but they live in California. Velma is always asking them to visit, but the granddaughter always has a reason why they cannot. Velma is very upbeat and finds joy in the simplest things (such as a field of blooming flowers or her chickens). I had to crack up at Velma’s comments on modern ideas (they/them through her for a loop). I was a tad disappointed at how Velma’s story ended. Some of the stories were better than others. The alien story did not go with the rest of the collection (it was different). Most of the stories, though, had endearing characters, warmhearted humor, and homespun wisdom in true Fannie Flagg style. I liked how she captured the small joys, everyday struggles, and people’s quirks. Fannie Flagg shows us with the stories in Something to Look Forward To that life can be funny, a little messy at times, sometimes odd, but full of good people and love.

I’ve always enjoyed Fannie Flagg’s books, but this one didn’t quite do it for me. It still had her usual lighthearted, fun tone, and I can see longtime fans enjoying it. I think I just realized I’m not a big fan of short story collections—they don’t draw me in the same way as her full-length novels.

Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher, and Fannie Flagg for the opportunity to read this early!

There's something about a Fannie Flagg story that feels like a hug from an old friend. This group of interconnected short stories provides the heartwarming humor and wit she's known for. I thought the way the first and last stories bookended the collection and tied everything together was smart. It felt like she grabbed my attention with a laugh and finished with a wink and a grin. Her upbeat style is balm for a weary soul.

I liked the entire collection which almost never happens as I'm hard to please when it comes to anthologies. I enjoyed this cover to cover and read it in under a day.

An out of this world visitor tries to make sense of Americans. A great-grandmother reaches out to her granddaughter and great-granddaughter in dialogue that made me laugh and broke my heart simultaneously. Patrons of a diner go above and beyond when they hear it will be sold. An ex-wife who devoted herself to a husband who left her for a younger woman works through her grief.

Eccentric, creative, and laugh out loud funny!

4.5 ⭐
Thank you to Random House for providing an ARC via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

This is a collection of short stories but many of them are connected, whether being a follow up to a previous story or from a different point of view. My favorite was Velma.
This is typical Fannie Flagg and an example of why, if I see her name on a book, I want it. I don’t need to read a blurb or check the synopsis. If she wrote it, I’m in. It’s a glimpse into everyday small town life with some good natured humor tossed in. In this book though, she did go out of this world but in a good way.
I received this as a free ARC and am leaving this review voluntarily.

Fannie Flagg is a wonderful writer, able to make her settings, characters and plots come fully alive for readers. Her novels are some of my favorite books and I eagerly await new ones. SOMETHING TO LOOK FORWARD TO is a collection of short stories, sketches almost, that the author has written over the years. They cover the types of situations she explores in her novels, but, while they begin well, they just aren’t long enough to engage. Just as I’m getting invested in the tale, it ends. For short story lovers, this book may fill a need unmet. I needed more. I received my copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

This was a great concept for a short story concept and enjoyed the feel of this book. It was everything that I was wanting and enjoyed in this type of book and enjoyed how each story worked together to make this great collection. It has a strong writing style and glad I got to read this from Fannie Flagg.

Fannie Flagg is like a warm hug for your psyche.

An iconic American writer, Flagg's novels have a way of putting an emotional and humorous twist on some of the worst things that happen in the world.

In her works, she's tackled domestic violence, racism, sexual abuse, and a variety of other issues that society deals with regularly. Still, she does them with a voice that remains hopeful and matter-of-fact in its approach.

In "Something to Look Forward To," Flagg weaves that voice through a series of short stories, each designed to teach the reader something about themselves.

From aliens observing humans (and how funny and eye-opening that was) to women wondering what's next in their lives to ungrateful families getting their comeuppance.

Flagg gives them all her hopeful tone as things meander and wrap up in each story, all linked in their own way, and this reader felt more hopeful when it ended.