A Red State of Mind–A Good Read

The stack of books on my nightstand is about to get one louder, uh, I mean higher. My blogging friend Nancy French has a new book coming out October 9th–A Red State of Mind: How a Catfish Queen Reject Became a Liberty Belle. If that down home and intriguing title doesn’t grab you, maybe the paperdoll cutout with the big hair will:

You gotta admit, that took some guts. The book chronicles the adventures of a conservative, evangelical former beauty queen reject from Paris, Tennessee as she plunges headlong into the deep, Blue State waters of New York City and Philadelphia. What follows is an often hilarious account of what happens when Southern, conservative values and outlooks clash headlong with liberal, Northeastern notions and worldviews.

But don’t think for a moment that this is simply a conservative screed or hit job. To wit, this excerpt from the introduction:

…since society constantly categorizes people into different camps (Bush or Kerry, Coke or Pepsi, Bo or Carrie), it’s easy to forget both sides have traits we can all enjoy-or at least quirks we can all ridicule. Consider this book a celebration of these cultural idiosyncrasies and enjoy the journey into the dysfunctional family known as America.

Nancy is thoughtful and refective as she writes of her earnest efforts to understand her new friends and neighbors and, in turn, to be understood by them. Needless to say, the sparks fly, but so do the laughs.

So whether one is Red or Blue, there’s something here for everyone to enjoy. Yes, Mary Matalin did write a blurb for the front cover, but I’m betting that old James probably read it on the sly and enjoyed it too (even though he would never admit it). Check out Nancy’s website and order yours today.