Something to Look Forward To by Fannie Flagg is a warm, witty collection of interconnected stories about Americans finding inventive, often humorous ways to face life’s surprises. With charm and insight, Flagg celebrates resilience, hope, and the joy of laughter in challenging times.

I’m a big fan of Fannie Flagg’s work, and her books have been some of my favorites over the years. This one felt like a bit of a departure, and I didn’t connect with it quite as much as I had hoped. While the quirky, creative spirit of Flagg’s storytelling is still here, the unusual motivation behind the short stories left me wanting more. The thread meant to connect them felt tenuous, and just when I was ready to settle into a story, it would end, sometimes after several pages, sometimes after only one or two. The warmth is there, and the epilogue delivers a meaningful message that attempts to tie it all together, but I was left feeling like I’d only sampled the Fannie Flagg buffet when I wanted a full plate. I think I’ll stick to her full-length novels, which I’ve loved in the past, rather than seek out her short stories.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the advanced copy of the ebook in exchange for an honest review.

I have been a Fannie Flagg fan for years. When I saw this new book, I jumped at the chance to read it. I didn't take the time to read the book blurb. It took me by surprise that this was a book of short stories.

The stories were about regular people, some a little bit quirky, most of them dealing with an issue in their lives. Some stories were only 2-3 pages long, some a bit longer. A few seemed pointless. And, a few were interesting. The stories did not seem connected but a few of the characters reappeared in different stories.

It was just an ok read. I would definitely read another novel by Ms Flagg but, these short stories just didn't appeal to me. Maybe it was because I didn't realize that was what it was.

I lived the cover. Very homey.

Thank you to NetGalley and the Publisher for the Advance Readers Copy.

Almost a novel told in vignettes rather than a collection of short stories. Flagg presents 30 (that's a lot) of short (very short) stories about people facing and dealing with change that will eventually be for the better. They are interconnected with characters from one family appearing repeatedly. This isn't one for short story fans especially but Flagg's fans will enjoy it. Thanks to netgalley for the ARC. It's hopeful and positive which is most welcome these days.

I had no clue this was going to be a book full of short stories (because, to be honest... I do not usually read book descriptions), but I must say I was pleasantly surprised. I have not read a book of short stories in a very long time, and these were great. There was a mix of sad and funny, and a few of the stories interconnected, which was a super fun twist. I found this the perfect book to read at the beach, because the short chapters made it easy to put down to run into the water for a bit to cool off. It was also thought provoking and gave me insight into life and the world and how others may view it. I must say I LOVED me some Velma. She was just a hoot and I loved getting to know her in various short stories throughout this book! I would definitely consider a Fannie Flagg book again in the future.

I’m not generally a reader of short stories, but I’ve read all of Fannie Flagg’s books, so I wanted to read this collection of 30 stories. These stories are set all over the country—though mostly the midwest and south—and at various times.

The message is that the simple elements of life are what matter, and that we should focus more on the beauty around us and less on material things and alienating ourselves from each other due to differences that don’t really matter. That’s great, and often the stories are sweet and touching, but sometimes the message isn’t well served by its setup. For example, one of the early stories seems to have the message that a woman who pursues a professional career will end up alone and lonely. In other stories, 87-year-old Velma’s simple farm life in Kansas, where all is bucolic splendor and neighborliness, is contrasted with that of her ludicrously stereotyped California granddaughter and great-granddaughter. Fox News couldn’t do a better job slamming California “wokeness” than Fannie Flagg does here. She’s entitled to paint characters however she likes, of course, but I was rolling my eyes at the one-dimensional California characters. The stories are bookended by a framing device of a superior faraway galactic civilization observing and analyzing earth. These two chapters seemed clunky and not really necessary.

Though this isn’t comparable to Fannie Flagg’s other books, it’s worth reading for the appeal of some characters and their stories.

It's hard to say more about this novel that isn't already said in the blurb describing it. This is a collection of 30 short stories, many of them interconnected. The stories often have an unexpected twist but they almost all end on a positive note. My favorite was 83-year old Velma who lives in Cottonwood, Kansas, and is trying to connect with her granddaughter and great-granddaughter who live in California. She is always hopeful that they will come to visit her soon, although they always have a reason why it's not a good time for a visit. There are several chapters about Velma but I thought her appearance in "Something to Look Forward To" was clever and a very suitable final look at Velma. Overall, this is a fast and very enjoyable read!

There is something warm and comforting about a Fannie Flagg book. Everyone has heard of Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Cafe, and I loved that one, but she has also written numerous other books that I have loved. This collection is no different, and it was filled with Flagg’s usual humour and heart.

This set of stories brings the reader to small-town America with endearing characters and charming tales. I loved how her stories revolved around community and finding friends in the least likely of places. Her characters enjoy the simple joys of life. They feel like friends, and they turn the ordinary into extraordinary. The writing is simple yet poignant, and though I admit it isn’t for everyone, it was everything I needed right now.

Full of laughter and sentimental moments, this collection is the perfect feel-good escape and a heartwarming reminder that there is sunshine after the rain. This is the perfect example of feel-good fiction, and I am so here for it. It left me feeling optimistic and with a big smile on my face, because we always have something to look forward to.

All. The. Stars.

Fannie Flagg's novels are among my favorites. If you're a fan (or just looking for a heartwarming read), this is the book for you. Instead of a novel, this time Flagg has compiled a group of short stories that are somewhat interconnected. Some are downright funny, some are teary & sad, some are set in present day, some are set in the past, and some left me scratching my head or wanting more.

I admit that I'm not really a fan of short stories. They tend to leave me with a feeling that something is missing. Many of these stories left me feeling that way -- "What? That's the end??!! Where's the rest of the story?" But others are just perfect. It's a great "feel good" book that also raises some questions and elicits deep thoughts about life, death, aging, friendship, relationships, and more. This would likely be a great book club book since it's pretty easy reading, but also offers plenty of fodder for discussion.

While this was not my favorite of her books (I definitely prefer her novels), I did enjoy the humor, the "down home" flavor, and the colorful characters that are such a familiar part of Flagg's writing. Loved it, but wish she would take a couple of these and expand them into full blown novels.

Book: Somethings to Look Forward to
Author: Fannie Flagg
Publisher: Random House
Genre: Short Stories, Fiction
Pub Date: August 19, 2025
My Rating: 3 Stars
Pages: 288


Fannie Flagg once said that what the world needs now is a good laugh. And that is what she gives us in these thirty stories about Americans finding clever ways of dealing with the curveballs life throws at us.
Although I am not a fan of short stories I am a fan of Fanny Flagg!

There are thirty short stories, many interconnected – all are character based- some characters are fun & unique, some with emotional trauma, some stories were too short, then there are the stories of regular folks who might live in your neighborhood.
Although I still love Fannie Flagg, I also still am not a big fan of short stories.
I know there is the right audience for these stories who will just love it!

I, of course, will definitely read another Fannie Flagg novel!

Want to thank NetGalley and Random House for this early eGalley.
Publishing Release Date scheduled for August 19, 2025.

A Book of short stories some connected that will give a a warm feeling. Full of interesting characters and delightful settings this is the perfect book to take your mind off anything and be immersed with these people. Warm, insightful with some humor this book is wonderful and inviting

2 stars

A short-story cycle centered on the experience of aging in the contemporary world and the many divides between arbitrary groups, especially generational ones, <i> Something to Look Forward To </i> promises—but doesn’t quite deliver—classic Fannie Flagg observational humor mixed with reflection.

Unfortunately, I think Flagg is at her best when writing longer-form stories, where we have a chance to spend many years with a character and see how their different sides come subtly to the surface under different situations. In these flash-fiction vignettes, the only characters who have much depth are those who appear in recurring roles, like Nancy and Velma (who appear in several stories, and who we get glimpses of over time). Characters who show up in only a single vignette aren’t given enough sketching-in to feel real, if anything more like the setup for a joke. There’s one short story about two Catholic priests that I wouldn’t be surprised to some day see in a “Fwd: Fwd: Fwd: Fwd: From Grandma” e-mail chain.

Flagg’s concerns in this book, as outlined in a disappointingly bland alien-observing-Earth framing device, are how to age gracefully in a world constantly bombarding you with ragebait and the increasingly divided and individualistic nature of American communities. These are worthy topics, and I wish Flagg had examined them in a novel rather than teasing them with these short stories, which lack the teeth and insight of her greater works.

I have read and loved many Fannie Flagg novels, and I hope she someday writes another. But I’d be comfortable advising prospective readers to skip this particular title—it doesn’t bring much of substance to the table.

According to Goodreads, “Fannie Flagg once said that what the world needs now is a good laugh. And that is what she gives us in these thirty warmhearted, often hilarious, always surprising stories about Americans finding clever ways of dealing with the curve-balls life throws at us.” Well, certainly there are lots of curve-balls out there for all of us these days, and knowing the type of humor that Flagg has given us over the years, this was a great time to put out a whole bunch of fun stories, some of which have their own curve-balls included!

I’ve always said that a good short story is a joy to behold. What makes it good is when there are twists or good bang at the end. Admittedly, as much as Flagg made me smile and laugh with most of these stories, there were a few that didn’t work as well for me. For example, the science fiction ones aren’t really my thing, although they weren’t all about aliens and did have some earthy, human touches, which helped. Also, although I’ve been exposed to Flagg’s take on what happens after we die, from her novel “The Whole Town’s Talking” so I wasn’t surprised that she’d include a little reincarnation into one of these stories. Sorry, but… again, not my thing.

That said there were quite a few of these stories that were real winners. For example, the blurb talks about Helen from Ithica – yeah, that one was just top notch for me. It had all the elements you could ever wish for in a short story, from how Helen starts out devastated, and how she seems to try to cope with her husband leaving her, all tied up with a smack-in-the-face surprise ending that was just delicious! Sorry if that’s a bit vague, but remember, no spoilers! This story was by far my favorite of the collection, and just what you’d expect from Flagg.

There are also a few stories involving Velma, the great grandmother in Kansas who communicates with her grand daughter in California, that were very endearing. Those stories together could have been published on their own as a lovely novella. That said, I think she should have written Velma’s great-great granddaughter more into the last one of that series, since I was hoping there would be some closure/circular aspect to those stories that the ending didn’t provide.

Even so, most of these stories were really fun to read. Flagg infuses all of her fiction with a type of innocence and ease that is very engaging. Without getting overly descriptive, she’s also able to get us placed wherever she wants us to be, and then builds not only the atmosphere, but the various characters so that we can connect with them on many different levels. All of this is done with a light touch that makes you think that Flagg wrote all of them with a twinkle in her eye, and a grin on her face.

All told, this was just the right thing for me to read right now, when things are so unstable across the globe. They grounded me by getting me to concentrate on the lives of people that have nothing to do with today’s politics and upheavals. So, I can very warmly recommend this collection, which will be a fun read for readers of any genre, because she includes so many, and takes us to historical, modern, contemporary, and futuristic settings, as well! For all this, I’m giving it 4.75 stars out of five. Mind you, this is very American-centric, so this might not appeal to as much of a universal audience who aren’t already fans of Flagg’s work.

Nice little book of short stories. Very light, possibly a bit too much but still enjoyable. I really miss Ms Flagg’s old days of Southern tales, fingers crossed we’ll see again.

Fannie Flagg is a treasure. She has such a gift for story telling. Something To Look Forward To is warm, funny, and charming, as it examines what makes humans tick. “If everything on Earth is as beautiful and wonderful as you say, then why are the humans not enjoying it more? What is the reason that they’re all so unhappy?” She explores this question through short vignettes, some interconnected, that delight and challenge you to think about the state of things. “Is time spent doing nothing really wasting time? And why do some people get more time than others? Why do some people take such a chance shortening their time by doing such dangerous things? Why is time all we have?”

It’s a great look at family, friends, and relationships and what we mean to each other. Some of the stories take you by surprise. A big thanks to NetGalley for an advance review copy.

I’m not usually a fan of short stories, because they often end with no resolution, like the author just got tired of writing. But I liked a lot of these – I think it helped that I knew what kind of writer Fannie Flagg is, so I knew what to expect. A lot of the stories were pretty cheesy, but the ones I loved had some sort of twist at the end.

This book is a collection of short stories by Fannie Flagg, showcasing how everyday Americans across the country creatively navigate adversity and unexpected life changes. With humor and compassion, Flagg introduces a cast of memorable characters: from a great grandmother in Kansas to a jilted wife in New York, each finding unique and often surprising ways to overcome challenges. Through these tales, she celebrates human resilience, quirkiness, and the enduring power of laughter.

I’ve always wanted to read more books by Fannie Flagg, and when I got a chance to read an advance copy, I was so grateful but also unsure of what to expect, since I’d read Fried Green Tomatoes a very long time ago.
This book is a collection of short stories, some of which are interconnected, some not, but all of them are portraits of modern American life, mostly of elderly folks.
The stories were captivating and interesting, though not particularly diverse.
What stood out to me the most is how even the briefest stories feel like complete novels. Fannie Flagg has a way of pulling you in quickly, making you care about her characters and their small but meaningful worlds.
This collection is engaging from start to finish and perfect for readers who enjoy character driven stories, small town Americana, and the everyday lives of ordinary people.

Thank you NetGalley and Random House for this ARC!

This author is always a great pleasure to read. She is highly original and imaginative in her story telling and these short stories were no exception. I liked that the characters reappeared in many of the stories combined with other characters throughout. The trademark charm and wit behind the writing was delightful. Thanks for the ARC, NetGalley.

*Something to Look Forward To* by Fannie Flagg is exactly what the title promises—a heartwarming, feel-good story that leaves you smiling. It’s full of Southern charm, quirky characters, and little life lessons tucked between the laughs. I loved how it reminded me to find joy in the simple things. Just a sweet, comforting read.

A wonderful book filled with short stories. Some will make you roll on the floor laughing, some will leave you wistful, and all of them are filled with Ms. Flaggs' excellent sense of love, good humor, and a tiny bit of Southern snark.

This book of short stories is filled with every kind of story imaginable: from Aliens visiting Earth, to murder, family drama, funny stories, and romance. No story takes more than 15 - 20 minutes to read (most are a lot less), but you are never left with the feeling that you were missing out on something because they weren't longer. Ms. Flagg really has a knack for this. I was disappointed to find out that this was a collection of short stories, but once I got into it, I loved it.

*ARC supplied by the publisher Random House, the author, and NetGalley.

Such a charming set of short stories by one of America’s favorite writers of homespun tales. These made me laugh and cry while wishing there were longer novels wrapped around the delightful characters.

Thanks to NetGalley and Random House for the opportunity to read this ARC.