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.

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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.

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

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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.

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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.

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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.

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

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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!

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

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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.

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