4.5 stars. The Wisdom of Hair by Kim Boykin is a powerful novel about love, healing and forgiveness. It is also an emotional story about friendship and finding family when we least expect it. Please click HERE to read my review in its entirety. ( )

Wisdom of Hair is very much a coming of age story. It also has a Steel Magnolias feel to it, which I love!

Zora is a character you either love, or hate. I have a feeling for her that's somewhere in between. When she decides it's time to liver her life away from her mother, she is so strong. Zora tries so hard not to become her mother, but there are times it seems she's headed down that same path. Her friend Sara Jane is pretty awesome. She's the friend all girls wish they had. She doesn't judge Zora for her decisions, and runs to her side anytime she needs the help.

The pacing is slow, but in a good way. It's a lazy, summer day read. Zora doesn't always make the right decisions, but she's done great in deciding who to place her trust in. It's easy for her to make friends, and the ones she has will do anything for her. Emotions run high at times. There are times you are laughing your butt off, and times that you want to curl into a ball and cry.

This is a very realistic storyline. Although it takes place in 1983, the same events still happen everywhere today. You just hope that those in this situation find a great outcome. I definitely recommend this book. Even if you want to tell Zora how dumb she's being, you'll still empathize with her. She does what she thinks is right at the time, and deals with whatever the consequences may be. ( )

When I fist began this book, I was immediately taken in by Zora and her escape from life with her Judy-Garland-obsessed alcoholic mother. However, as Zora embarked on life in her new apartment and began beauty school, I started feeling like this was going to be another star-crossed romance in which a woman hitches her star to the first handsome man she sees and they all live happily ever after. In her quest to "save" Winston from his alcoholism, Zora very nearly loses herself. Fortunately, she comes to her senses (but I won't include spoilers).The story also paints an excellent picture of the many facets of alcohol and it's use (and abuse). Honestly, this one didn't leave me hanging on the edge of my seat. However, it was interesting enough to continue with. I'd definitely like to see a sequel. I'd like to know what happens to Zora in the future- whether she continues with her independence or succumbs to her mother's way of "living her life like it wasn't worth anything unless she had a man under her roof."

Read this book if...
*you love southern fiction
*you love stories of friendship
*you love stories of finding strength and independence int he face of adversity ( )

The Wisdom of Hair is a southern story of love, friendship, healing, forgiveness, courage, and learning to let go. You will learn that in life, we often deal with diseased and pained relationships in our lives, and some times, we just have to cut them out of our lives, as we do with haircuts.
Zora Adams, main character of the book, grows up in life in abandoned and despairs. Her mother is an alcoholic, and brings men in and out every evening of Zora’s life. Zora finally had enough of her mom and called out for help; she embarks on a new life, and starts unfolding her own dreams. Zora becomes a best friend to Sara, and Sara adds that bright of color to Zora’s life, and to the book!
There are two love stories within this book.
Zora and Winston, Zora feeds herself to Winston by fixing him meals, and through that Winston provided a place to live for Zora.
Sara Jane and Jimmy love at first sight, and their love blooms before your eyes as you continue to read the book.
I can tell you that the story is absolutely great, lovely read, through the writing and the reading. It is definitely necessary read. ( )

I thought, okay, a light and frothy book to ease my mind from the heavy-handed contemporary fiction writers of late. However, this was just utterly ridiculous. The premise is interesting -- I liked the idea of following the journey of a down-on-her-luck girl going through hairdressing school. But the characters are completely and utterly predictable, down to a fat woman named "Mrs. Girtha." I mean, really?! ( )