I bought this book at the dollar store thinking it was a Christmas cookie cookbook. I was happy to find I had bought a novel and even happier when I started reading it and discovered it was a good story. There are some sad parts, but that is how life is. The history of common ingredients was interesting, the stories of each member of the cookie club rich and very real. I was already planning on planning a cookie exchange before I bought this book and now I have some really good ideas. If you are interested in cooking and stories about strong, but flawed and realistic women, you will enjoy this book. I can't wait to try some of the recipes.

Share/Like this Review?

I ordered this book thinking it would be a sweet Christmas story of friends. I was disappointed with the foul language and immorality. I was glancing through it and did not even read it. Big disappointment.

Share/Like this Review?

I found this book intriguing. I have a group of lady friends who act as support and encouragement for each other much as these ladies did. I enjoyed the format of a cookie exchange because I make several hundred cookies each Christmas myself.

I would recommend this for anyone who enjoys reading about the strengths, sharing, and encouragement of women and how they support each other throughout life's trials and successes.

Share/Like this Review?

This was such a fun light hearted book to read. Didn't want to stop and put it down!

Share/Like this Review?

On the first Monday in October the Supreme Court begins a new session. After a long summer away, the Supremes regroup to hear an array of cases hand selected by the jurists. And while the individual Supremes change over the years, the traditions and rules march on. On the first Monday in December The Christmas cookie club holds its annual party. After a year spent pondering what to make, the cookie members rejoin to share the specially chosen cookies and their stories. And while individual members come and go, the traditions (e.g. no chocolate chip or bar cookies) and the party continues.

As Marnie, the leader of the Christmas cookie club explains:

Twelve of us gather with thirteen dozen cookies wrapped in packages. Homemade of course . . . .

We take turns telling the story of the cookie we have made. Somehow each story is always emblematic of the year. We pass out our packages and donate the thirteenth dozen to our local hospice . . . .

The Christmas cookie club is about giving, not just the yummy morsels we share with our girlfriends and our families but also with people we don't know who are having a bleak time and might appreciate a wrapped sweet.

Each chapter in The Christmas Cookie Club by Ann Pearlman is devoted to one of the twelve club members. The chapters start with a cookie recipe followed by an adversity the woman faced during the year and concludes with a brief history of a cookie ingredient used in the recipe, such as flour, almonds, cinnamon, etc. While this layout is unusual it makes for a rich novel on three levels: interesting recipes; compelling fiction; and fascinating non-fiction.

My main criticism of the novel is that by focusing on a chapter on each member it is often confusing to keep track of twelve different plotlines. Also, because of the need to shift to the next character's story, I did not bond with any of the characters apart from the narrator Marnie who shares each woman's story. In addition, some readers may be offended by the strong profanity used in parts of the novel. While other readers looking for light seasonal fare may be troubled by the serious issues the women face (e.g. death, infidelity, financial disaster, cancer, betrayal).

Overall, The Christmas Cookie Club captures the true spirit of the season: the importance of good friends and family to see one through life's trials and rejoice in the blessings.


Publisher: Atria (October 20, 2009), 288 pages
Advance Review Copy Provided Courtesy of the Publisher.

Share/Like this Review?

I enjoyed this book. Not so much for the story line, but for the history of the ingredients and the info about each cookie. The story is about 12 women who meet each year to exchange Christmas Cookies, about the cookie they created and why, and about an ingredient they used in the recipe for their cookie. I actually made the first five recipes and they were delicious. I plan on making the last seven sooner than later. If you love stories about women and cooking than you'll enjoy this one.

Share/Like this Review?

I really enjoyed this book! It had wonderful stories about the women in the cookie club that started with a couple of friends. It depicts real life stories that tug at your heartstrings. It also creatively gives cookie recipees you wouldnt easily find and incorporated the history of certain ingredients. I absolutely loved it!

Share/Like this Review?

This book looked like it might make a nice book to give as a Christmas gift to some friends with whom I have done cookie exchanges. I am glad I read it before buying it for them.

Not that it's a bad book; --it was a good book. But the story is a bit depressing at times as the characters' lives (past and present) are recapped. Some folks may appreciate the deep focus on love and friendship, perservering through years full of both happy events and difficult times. I just personally prefer lighter reading to give for gifts at Christmas time.

Tucked in between chapters are cookie recipes, and also interesting information (history, health benefits, etc.) about common cookie ingredients like flour, salt, sugar, chocolate, nuts, cinnamon, ginger.

It's a good book. I would make sure you read it first to know if you would find it an appropriate gift for someone else though.

Share/Like this Review?

I really enjoyed this book. It was not at all what I was expecting, and I really liked it. One that I do highly recommend.

Share/Like this Review?

what a great story; and the information re the different ingredients used in cookie baking as well as the different recipes included makes this book very different from the average novel.

Share/Like this Review?

Cute story, enjoyed the book, passed it to a friend to read

Share/Like this Review?

The book was fun to read. I enjoyed the characters and the actual Cookie Club party. I have had cookie exchanges myself and may start it back up again. I passed the book on to my sister who is in a book club and suggested them to read it before they do their cookie exchange.
I also enjoyed reading the book because it took place in the town I live. It was fun to actually be able to picture where the character where.

Share/Like this Review?

From the beginning, I fell in love with Marnie the main character and her group of friends. The friends were diverse and from all walks of life which gave the book a realism because we pick up friends in our lives through many different ways. As I prepare for my first cookie exchange this year, I loved reading how organized and committed these ladies were to this yearly tradition.

Marnie has quite a group of ladies that surround her. From a new co-grandma to a friend from high school, she gathers 12 women each year to exchange cookies, stories and their lives. All while kicking off the holiday season - what a charming tradition. With recipes for the cookies that are shared at the party, the reader was able to be a part of the cookie club. My one negative thought was the chapters that described ingredients and gave the history of chocolate, sugar and so on - I thought this was a little weird and would have preferred maybe more back story to the characters than these inserted chapters.

This is a sweet/sweat story that is worth adding to your list to read for next year's holiday season. I may even try a recipe or two!

Share/Like this Review?

This was interesting I haven't tried the recipes but I plan too.
Long book.

Share/Like this Review?

I read this book for a book club. I really enjoyed this book. The story is a nice and heartwarming story of friendships. I really enjoyed the ingredient spotlights that the author wrote between each chapter. The recipes are also very cool!

Share/Like this Review?

This was so nice to read this time of year. I am now ready to bake cookies and spend time with my friends. This was an enjoyable read and i liked this author's way with words. Recipes encluded with the fun. Story of friends, new and old. Conflict, passions, hopefulness, sisterly love and betrayal all make for a good read.

Share/Like this Review?

This was a good book. I like the way each chapter started with a cookie recipe. I'm in a bingo club and I recommend it for any one else in a club. Could be a makings of your own book.

Share/Like this Review?

This is a great book, complete with recipies. I wish I had a cookie club like this to belong to.

Share/Like this Review?

This book was very good. Not the usual action packed mysteries that I usually read. But a good book all the same. It is a feel-good book. Now, I am trying to start my own cookie club to bring my sisters and I closer.

Share/Like this Review?

As the title indicates, each year, a group of friends meets before the holiday season to do a cookie exchange. We quickly learn, however, that the cookies are really just an excuse for these friends to get together, one of the few times a year that all of them are together to share with each other.

This novel hit a familiar cord with me, as someone who had previously read The Friday Night Knitting Club series. The ideas behind the two books are similar a great reason for a fabulous group of ladies to get together and share their lives on a regular basis. I wanted to know these ladies, to share in their lives, or at the very least start my own kind of cookie club.

To read the rest of my review, please visit:
http://www.dorolerium.com/?p=3204

Share/Like this Review?

I loved this book enjoyed it so much !!!

Share/Like this Review?

Full of friendships and delicious cookies a delightful read for the holidays! Even some recipes if you feel like baking!

Share/Like this Review?

This was a pretty good book! I enjoyed it.

Share/Like this Review?