Wanda's Book World

Light Bread , the debut novel from Cordell Adams, is based on tales of his own grandmother. Veola Cook feels summoned to improve the life of her community. Her motto is “you see it, you live it, you teach it.” Especially, if she thinks the Lord has commanded it. Veola also happens to be the nosiest woman in Parkerville, Texas.

Set during the late 1960s, the life of the black community is shown not just through Veola’s eyes, but also through a cast of characters, from family members, friends and neighbors. Veola has three children and seven grandchildren to keep up with. Then there is Veola’s next-door neighbor, Loretta Mayfield, who hates Veola’s putting her nose in everyone’s business. There is Fayetta Dewberry, daughter of Veola’s dear deceased friend Melda. Fayetta has returned to town to settle some unfinished business with Leonard Johnson, the father of her children. But, there is another man in Fayetta’s life, Tyrone Walker. He’s a hustler and a skirt-chaser.

Veola is also the housekeeper for three white families. She and her families have a chemistry with each other. They all respect and adore her and listen to her advice, which she gives out freely. She is convinced that she can solve the problems of not only these families, but of all her relations.

When Veola starts investigating who dumped trash on her front porch and trampled through her bushes and who is seeing whom in the middle of the night, she interacts with all of these characters. Veola follows the clues as she makes the rounds to her children, her families, her neighbors and her church.

Adams tells the story of Veola Cook with love and laughter. The novel includes a Readers Discussion Guide for bookclubs.  Adams is an ophthalmologist at Baylor University Medical Center in Dallas. He will be at SIBA in Mobile, AL, at Sweet Tater Pie Publishing, Booth H4. To obtain review copies, stop by and meet him or email him at cordella@flash.net.

Galley Call  by Reeden Wright