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randisworld's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
These stories were hilarious and heart-warming. Probably one of the best short story collections I’ve ever read.
dandelionfluff's review against another edition
4.0
Wow, J. California Cooper is such a valuable voice in literature. Capturing that African American dialect, showing this wonderfully genuine, human side to life... These are great short stories, ones that made me laugh and reflect a bit. I think my favorite line was "climbing to the top of the rain." Lakes and rivers, they lay flat for you to swim through, but the rain? You've got to work to make your way above it to the silver lining.
It's a real shame that she passed away last year, but at the age of 82… I guess people can't live forever in the physical fashion! So thank you, Miss Cooper, for everything you've given us. Have a good time up there amongst the silver lining.
It's a real shame that she passed away last year, but at the age of 82… I guess people can't live forever in the physical fashion! So thank you, Miss Cooper, for everything you've given us. Have a good time up there amongst the silver lining.
literary_lain's review against another edition
5.0
Laugh out loud stories, relatable stories, make you want to smack the main character stories. Loved this collection.
iamlorna's review against another edition
5.0
I love all of the stories. The stories have so much wisdom and insight!
stunnerz25's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
5.0
I love J. California Cooper and re-reading homemade love (via audible) was worth it. Like many of her writings, she puts the laughter in the tragic stories that make up most of the stories in Homemade Love.
Cooper writes like the seasoned adult she was, revealing life's truths in a simple way, often illustrating how we complicate life on our own. Her stories in this book are so relatable and for me, the secret to a good book is its ability to draw in the reader to reading slowly and eventually step into the shoes of the characters and live their lives.
Each story is a treasure trove of wisdom, love, hope, pain, and all the deep feelings of our lives. I laughed and couldn't decide which was my favorite. I definitely recommend this to anyone who wants to read something "deep".
#Playlist...i took time to listen to some songs in between listening to the audiobook and they can be found here...https://open.spotify.com/playlist/3BgzGoFIef263avhbtsukw?si=e771ef7bae474fce
Cooper writes like the seasoned adult she was, revealing life's truths in a simple way, often illustrating how we complicate life on our own. Her stories in this book are so relatable and for me, the secret to a good book is its ability to draw in the reader to reading slowly and eventually step into the shoes of the characters and live their lives.
Each story is a treasure trove of wisdom, love, hope, pain, and all the deep feelings of our lives. I laughed and couldn't decide which was my favorite. I definitely recommend this to anyone who wants to read something "deep".
#Playlist...i took time to listen to some songs in between listening to the audiobook and they can be found here...https://open.spotify.com/playlist/3BgzGoFIef263avhbtsukw?si=e771ef7bae474fce
casasaut's review against another edition
funny
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
mefrost's review
funny
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
lulureads365's review against another edition
5.0
This is my second time reading this collection of short stories and I fell in love with J. California Cooper all over again. She was an excellent story teller. Each story deals with love, different types and on different levels. There are some powerful lessons in this little book.
lilcoppertop's review against another edition
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Death of parent, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Excrement, Grief, Incest, Pedophilia, Pregnancy, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, and Toxic relationship
Minor: Bullying, Child death, Miscarriage, and Murder
arisbookcorner's review
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
"I choose the name 'Homemade Love' because it is love that is not bought, not wrapped in fancy packaging with glib lines that often lie. It is not full of false preservatives that may kill us one way or another. Is usually done from the bottom up, with care, forethought, planning, and consideration for others. [...] Homemade goes a long way. Usually lasts longer than we do. So, I said, I would like some Homemade Love. Have some." (Author's note)
This was indeed a more cheerful and fun short story collection! And unlike A PIECE OF MINE the stories all seemed to have a different lesson although the narrator's voices did blend together. They all sounded like sage older Black women prone to using aphorisms and sly innuendos which isn't the worst trait in the world for a narrator. I adored this collection, the stories were straightforward and sweet. Occasionally they veered into being overly sentimental or moralizing but that wasn't a frequent occurrence. Cooper's raunchy sense of humor is even more present here than in her previous collection, sex is very openly and frequently discussed. I was especially moved by a number of her stories centering on older women who either despaired of ever finding love or ever loving again. Those stories didn't settle for the women finding mere contentment, they either fall in instalove or learn to love and still have great sex (or better sex than in their first marriage).
'Spooks' is undoubtedly the standout because it's nuts in the best way. It's over the top and somewhat perverse but it was really unexpected! There also seemed to be less of an overt Christian tone in these stories. There's still a strong sense of right and wrong but faith isn't discussed as much. That was neither a good or bad thing for me but I wanted to point it out in case people felt strongly about that content. Additionally once again it's hard to tell where precisely the stories are set, the author smoothly moves from the country to the city. And regionally it's not clear so I don't want to assume it's the South. Cooper's sly humor is also present even when not related to sex, one of her characters proclaims her reluctance to farm, "And I'm mighty careful to stay away from things even look like they close to slavery" (28, 'Happiness Does Not Come in Colors'). I have literally had this same thought when it comes to staying on a farm or even going apple picking so I was greatly amused that Cooper had a similar thought in the 1980s (and surely writers before her). Also Cooper's writing on interracial relationships might be my favorite, she's just so funny. She doesn't pass judgement on interracial relationships but there was one section about what happens when a Black man passes away and his white wife inherits his land that took my breath away, "I ain't gonna draw this out no more cause there ain't nothin to say nohow! Cept that his white woman inherited all that land! All that dream! All that work! Yes...they got it back! All that land heavy with his folks' blood, sweat and tears. Didn't cost her nothing!" (115, 'Having Fun'), I was unexpectedly moved. But she doesn't punch down on interracial relationships, another one of her stories reminds readers that it's what's on the inside and how they treat you and your people that matters more than skin color. A cliche reminder but the story was uniquely told.
HOMEMADE LOVE is a collection of short stories that focus on Black joy and also reminded me why I love being Black. It was unexpectedly therapeutic to read stories about Black women finding love and happiness. The stories are modest but cleverly told in a distinctive unassuming voice. While it can be hard to distinguish a difference in narrators, many of them go unnamed and I think that's because Cooper doesn't want us to focus on them. The point is the stories the narrators are telling and sharing the lessons they learned by observing their family members and cousins. These stories aren't bubbly, there's some hardship and trauma but overall they were pleasant and hopeful. If Cooper's stories go back to being emotionally tough to handle then at least I have this palette cleanser to return to. Next up will either be SOME SOUL TO KEEP (in order) or FAMILY (because I actually own this one and my wallet/overflowing bookshelves need me to make some progress).
OTHER FAVORITE LINES:
"Life is really something too, cause you can stand stark raving still and life will still happen to you. It's gonna spill over and touch you no matter where you are! [...] I hear people say they so bored with life. Ain't nothing but a fool that ain't got nothing to do in this here world" (1, 'Swimming to the Top of the Rain')
"Life is more like the rain. The river and the lake lay down for you. All you got to do is learn how to swim fore you go where they are and jump in. But life don't do that. you always get the test fore you learn the swimming lesson, unexpected like rain. You don't go to the rain, the rain comes to you." (6, 'Swimming to the Top of the Rain')
"We talked. Mostly. about what we want out of life. Not to get rich. But a home, children, love, peace and happiness. All the things we need and some of the things we want" (43, 'Happiness Does Not Come in Colors')
This was indeed a more cheerful and fun short story collection! And unlike A PIECE OF MINE the stories all seemed to have a different lesson although the narrator's voices did blend together. They all sounded like sage older Black women prone to using aphorisms and sly innuendos which isn't the worst trait in the world for a narrator. I adored this collection, the stories were straightforward and sweet. Occasionally they veered into being overly sentimental or moralizing but that wasn't a frequent occurrence. Cooper's raunchy sense of humor is even more present here than in her previous collection, sex is very openly and frequently discussed. I was especially moved by a number of her stories centering on older women who either despaired of ever finding love or ever loving again. Those stories didn't settle for the women finding mere contentment, they either fall in instalove or learn to love and still have great sex (or better sex than in their first marriage).
'Spooks' is undoubtedly the standout because it's nuts in the best way. It's over the top and somewhat perverse but it was really unexpected! There also seemed to be less of an overt Christian tone in these stories. There's still a strong sense of right and wrong but faith isn't discussed as much. That was neither a good or bad thing for me but I wanted to point it out in case people felt strongly about that content. Additionally once again it's hard to tell where precisely the stories are set, the author smoothly moves from the country to the city. And regionally it's not clear so I don't want to assume it's the South. Cooper's sly humor is also present even when not related to sex, one of her characters proclaims her reluctance to farm, "And I'm mighty careful to stay away from things even look like they close to slavery" (28, 'Happiness Does Not Come in Colors'). I have literally had this same thought when it comes to staying on a farm or even going apple picking so I was greatly amused that Cooper had a similar thought in the 1980s (and surely writers before her). Also Cooper's writing on interracial relationships might be my favorite, she's just so funny. She doesn't pass judgement on interracial relationships but there was one section about what happens when a Black man passes away and his white wife inherits his land that took my breath away, "I ain't gonna draw this out no more cause there ain't nothin to say nohow! Cept that his white woman inherited all that land! All that dream! All that work! Yes...they got it back! All that land heavy with his folks' blood, sweat and tears. Didn't cost her nothing!" (115, 'Having Fun'), I was unexpectedly moved. But she doesn't punch down on interracial relationships, another one of her stories reminds readers that it's what's on the inside and how they treat you and your people that matters more than skin color. A cliche reminder but the story was uniquely told.
HOMEMADE LOVE is a collection of short stories that focus on Black joy and also reminded me why I love being Black. It was unexpectedly therapeutic to read stories about Black women finding love and happiness. The stories are modest but cleverly told in a distinctive unassuming voice. While it can be hard to distinguish a difference in narrators, many of them go unnamed and I think that's because Cooper doesn't want us to focus on them. The point is the stories the narrators are telling and sharing the lessons they learned by observing their family members and cousins. These stories aren't bubbly, there's some hardship and trauma but overall they were pleasant and hopeful. If Cooper's stories go back to being emotionally tough to handle then at least I have this palette cleanser to return to. Next up will either be SOME SOUL TO KEEP (in order) or FAMILY (because I actually own this one and my wallet/overflowing bookshelves need me to make some progress).
OTHER FAVORITE LINES:
"Life is really something too, cause you can stand stark raving still and life will still happen to you. It's gonna spill over and touch you no matter where you are! [...] I hear people say they so bored with life. Ain't nothing but a fool that ain't got nothing to do in this here world" (1, 'Swimming to the Top of the Rain')
"Life is more like the rain. The river and the lake lay down for you. All you got to do is learn how to swim fore you go where they are and jump in. But life don't do that. you always get the test fore you learn the swimming lesson, unexpected like rain. You don't go to the rain, the rain comes to you." (6, 'Swimming to the Top of the Rain')
"We talked. Mostly. about what we want out of life. Not to get rich. But a home, children, love, peace and happiness. All the things we need and some of the things we want" (43, 'Happiness Does Not Come in Colors')