Big Girls Do Cry

February 1, 2010
The Big Girls Book Club (whose members must be at least a size 14) is back, but it doesn't play a significant role in Weber's wild follow-up to Something on the Side, updating Egypt Robinson's travails with hubby Rashad and her sister, Isis Connors. Egypt's begun a BGBC chapter in Richmond, Virginia, where she and Rashad, a hedge fund manager, are clearly living large. They're currently sharing their lavish estate with Isis who, after attempting suicide, is still nursing a secret love for Rashad (her boyfriend before he married Egypt) and her married New York lover, Tony. After Egypt learns she's unable to carry a baby to term, she asks Isis to be her surrogate, despite her past with Rashad. Isis agrees but difficulties ensue when the paternity of the baby she's delivered comes into question. Jerome, a gay BGBC member who interferes with the marriage of his BGBC friend Loraine Farrow, and a journo stalker who looks like George Clooney, add to the mix. Weber's in top form with this fast-paced and oh-so-zany soap opera.

February 15, 2010
Sibling rivalry can escalate to open hostility, especially if your sister has married your rich ex-fianc'. But somehow, Isis and Egypt manage to get along. In fact, together theyve founded a unique book club, The Big Girls Book Club, where members have to be at least a size 14. Egypt moves into Rashid and Isis mansion, but the arrangement starts to go south when Egypt realizes her feelings for Rashid, with whom she was involved for 10 years, havent completely died. Popular author Weber (The Preachers Son, 2005; Up to No Good, 2009) fills his books with lifelike charactersflawed, confused, frustrated, and sometimes plus-sized. His latest is perfect for readers looking for an emotion-filled human drama, and Big Girls Do Cry will be a welcome addition to any librarys African American fiction collection.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2010, American Library Association.)