The Yada Yada Prayer Group Gets Tough

The Yada Yada Prayer group faces its toughest challenges yet. From white supremacy groups to interracial churches, lottery money to unplanned pregnancies, the group still manages to find time to get together and pray over all the hot issues in their lives. Heavy and serious topics are discussed making the reader feel like they are watching their evening news. Just be prepared to laugh, cry, get angry..just get ready to feel any emotion you have while reading this book. I felt this book had the strongest message and dealt with the most serious issues discussed in the series so far. I really hate seeing the words of the Bible twisted and used to discriminate against others. How people can actually believe the lies told by these groups is beyond me. This was the first book in the series where I felt that everyone reacted realistically. With the group being so diverse, the race issue was bound to be brought up. It's also amazing how just by being Christians they were able to handle these issues in dignified manners. There is no one saying, "If you trust in God, then you shouldn't worry." While I believe that God will give you peace in stressful situations, it is not realistic to not worry in a time of crisis. Once again Jodi's reactions echo my own, although at one point she felt that she was being selfish for worrying about the safety of her own family instead of worrying about Noni and Mark. I felt that this is not a wrong feeling because your own family should always come first. I also liked seeing the churches come together, and the tension from each side being unwilling to unite is very apparent in society. You don't think about racism happening inside church because everyone is supposed to love each other no matter what. Once again this book really makes you think and pushes your beliefs and faith. With each Yada Yada book I feel more connected to the women and get drawn further and further into the story.

I'M AN AUDIOBOOK AFFICIONADO - & THIS AUDIOBOOK SERIES IS THE BEST I HAVE EVER 'READ' - AS WELL AS HEARD!! INLUDING THE DRAMATIZED AUDIOBOOKS WHICH MY FAMILY LOVES AS WELL .THE 'READER'-BARBRA ROSENBLAT- IS THE MOST AMAZING I HAVE EVER ENCOUNTERED - EVERY VOICE -WOMEN , CHILDREN, ETHNICITY - EVEN MEN - ARE ENTIRELY IDENTIFIABLE W/OUT HER EVEN LETTING YOU KNOW THAT CHARACTERS NAME ! THE STORIES THEMSELVES ARE FOR EVERYONE - LITERALLY GENDER ,RACE, AGE - IT DOESN'T MATTER YOU WILL FALL IN LOVE WITH THESE CHARACTERS . THE ONLY DOWN SIDE IS - AFTER MUCH SEARCHING - THEY ARE NOT MAKING THE 2 BOOKS AFTER THIS ONE INTO AN AUDIOBOOK. THERE REASON WAS ' NOT ENOUGH INTEREST' WHICH TRULY SADDENS ME AND THE MANY MANY OTHER PEOPLE WHO I KNOW HAVE BEEN FAITHFUL LISTENERS. I HAVE RELISTENED TO THE 1ST 4 AUDIOBOOKS IN THIS SERIES OVER 18 TIMES !! ONLY POSSIBLE AS AN AUDIOBOOK THOUGH . PLEASE READ THIS ! EVEN MY HUSBAND ENJOYS IT - THE HUSBANDS & THEIR STORIES PLAY A BIG PART IN THE WHOLE 'YADA YADA THING '- ENJOY !!

The Yada Yada Prayer Group Gets Tough by Neta Jackson is another strong book in the series. This book tackles the heavy issue of racism head-on. In the beginning I found myself (as usual) agreeing with Jodi that ignoring bigots and racists shrinks their power, but by the end of the book, I realized that that is not the answer. When bigots speak up and try to spread their hate, we need to speak up and stop their evil lies before they spread. Jackson continues to allow each character to grow at their own pace, even Willie Wonka the dog's personality is deepening. Jackson deft use of language allows her to speak volumes with only a few words; other authors should learn from her. Even simple conversations move the plot forward and strengthen relationships. This book also has a guide at the back to help you start your own Yada Yada group. If every person who read this book started their own group, the world would change for the better. The next book should be coming out this summer, and I for one can't wait!

What I have liked about this series from the beginning is the honesty. I love how the characters are so real. The lead character Jody, stuggles often with her own beliefs, always expanding her way of thinking and having to come to terms with life outside of her comfort zone. This is of course something that we all have to do, and reading these stories of women not unlike the women in our own lives, helps us to see that we are all struggling, changing and growing. The book addresses issues that are still very much current and vital. The seperation of churches is one topic, as we see two culturally different churches sharing one building, and the realization that their common concerns need to be addressed together. I highly recommend this book, and any of the series to any woman. They are fun, you can definitely relate to the characters, and spend several hours feeling like you are with women you know every day.

But I love how Neta Jackson makes the reader think about the issue of racism within society and also within the church. She does this without being heavy handed and depressing and she manages to make you understand how a lonely and insecure person can be duped by some of the hatred that is out there and even how easy it is for someone on guard against it to fall into a "Them vs. Us mindset"