What We're Reading: Debbie

Can't Wait to Get to Heaven by Fannie Flagg

Another charmer from Fannie Flagg (remember her from the celebrity panels of TV game shows?). This one opens with octogenarian Elner Shimfissle falling out of her fig tree after being stung by a swarm of wasps. Her ambulance trip to the hospital is just the beginning of her adventurous travels. Elner's high-strung niece, Norma, and the entire town go into a tizzy over what happens next. This is a very funny story, full of love and surprises, and folks pondering over "why we are here". Many of the characters come over from Flagg's earlier novel, "Standing in the Rainbow" (another great book), but it's not required to read that one first to love this one. If this sounds like your cup of tea, also read "Redbird Christmas" by the same author. Visiting a world created by Flagg is always a treat for me.