Seashells, Gator Bones, and the Church of Everlasting Liability: Stories from a Small Florida Town in the 1930s is a book that will make you laugh and want to move right into the fictional town of Toad Springs, Florida as soon as possible. Sixteen individual stories make up this book and they all connect together through the same wonderful characters. We are privileged to share in many of their everyday events and attend the county fair, go to church and the women’s sewing circle; spend time in school with the teacher and students; deal with neighbors; experience heartache and love and bingo games. There is a very unusual gator ranch, fights between cats and dogs and their owners, and so much more hilarity. We are introduced to Hester, Gladys, Sweetie, the Stroudamores and other unforgettable townspeople.
As I read each story, I thought 'this one is my favorite' until I finished the next one. I particularly enjoyed seeing so many real people I know in the pages of Seashells, Gator Bones, and the Church of Everlasting Liability. Susan Adger has written a gem and each short story is a work of art. This would be a perfect TV series concentrating on a different story but featuring the same people each week. This book is a wonderful summer read while sitting on the porch or at the pool and sipping a refreshing iced tea. Please do not pass up this extraordinary book. A must-read!