Girls Most Likely chronicles the lives of four African American women from the fifth grade to their 30th high school reunion. This book had me hooked from the first page, which doesn’t happen with me as much anymore. It starts off with Vaughn, who is rescued from the class bully by popular Irene Keller. Through Vaughn, we learn how their relationships solidify through their individual problems. Vaughn’s story ends the day they graduate high school. Irene’s (”Reenie”) story picks up right after high school and takes us through her unwanted pregnancy and a disastrous marriage. Su’s story begins after Reenie dumps her ex-husband for good. She is tries to come to terms with her parents’ mistakes and a betrayal with one of her friends. Finally, we have Audrey, who is determined to succeed at all costs. Her voice is the strongest of all the narrators. However, I enjoyed reading about each of these women and how they overcame the obstacles in their lives. I got a good sense of what it was like to grow up, go to college, and enter the workforce as a female African American. Sheila Williams pulled this off very well. Her writing style is vibrant and will have you laughing out loud at times. Highly recommended.

The story begins in 1958, when Calliope “Calley” Dakin’s father is brutally murdered in New Orleans. Everybody in the small town of Tallasee, Alabama suspects her mother, Roberta Ann Caroll Dakin of killing him for his money, including her mother. It seems that everybody was after her father’s fortune and out to control Calley, who can talk to the dead. I enjoyed reading about the characters in Candles Burning. By the time I reached the 400th page, I was anxious to find out what happened to her father and why Calley’’s great aunts were going to such elaborate lengths to her and her brother, Ford, on a tight leash. I eventually did and enjoyed the black humor at the end. Candles Burning started out as Michael McDowell’s book in the beginning. But when he passed away, Tabitha King decided to complete it. She states in the very beginning that he would have ended it differently. I’m not familiar with either author, but I am familiar with the Kings’ political beliefs. Tabby’s liberal slant rang loud and clear as she wrote about Calley’’s revenge. But for the time period that ended the book (Vietnam), it fit. Recommended.