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Ann’s Year In Books

Ann’s 2024 Year in Books

Take a look at Ann’s Year in Books, including some fun facts about their reading.

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Ann Pearlman’s Followers (139)

Ann’s Bookshelves

to-read (18)
currently-reading (1)
read (545)
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Ann’s Friends (700)

Sef Hughes

256 books | 731 friends

Melissa

554 books | 53 friends

Colleen

9,134 books | 1,486 friends

Darryl Greer

430 books | 4,994 friends

Justin

668 books | 163 friends

Yaritza

18,171 books | 3,097 friends

Stacy

686 books | 28 friends

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5,131 books | 483 friends

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Ann Pearlman

Goodreads Author

Born

Washington D.C., The United States

Website

http://www.annpearlman.net/

Twitter

@AnnPearlman

Genre

Literature & Fiction, Social Sciences, Graphic Novels

Member Since

July 2011

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Ann Pearlman was nominated for the Pulitzer Prize and National Book Award for INFIDELITY which was also made into a Lifetime movie. Her first novel, THE CHRISTMAS COOKIE CLUB has been translated into 6 languages and is a national and international bestseller. A GIFT FOR MY SISTER, following characters first introduced in The Christmas Cookie Club won a prize for best fiction. THE LOTTERY, the third in the series, was published in the fall of 2014.
Ann also writes non-fiction. INSIDE THE CRIPS is the story of a gang member from L.A. and KEEP THE HOME FIRES BURNING sent Ann on a national TV, (Oprah) radio and print tour. She wrote a cookbook with her friend, and hostess of her cookie club, Marybeth Bayer, THE CHRISTMAS COOKIE COOKBOOK. OTHER ...more

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Popular Answered Questions

What’s your advice for aspiring writers?

Ann Pearlman I’m often asked how I write, how I am sufficiently disciplined to actually get books completed, so I thought I’d share some of my tricks and routines.…moreI’m often asked how I write, how I am sufficiently disciplined to actually get books completed, so I thought I’d share some of my tricks and routines.

First, I’ve been writing since eighth grade, jonesing for the feeling I received completing an assignment. We were asked to write thank you notes for a painting our school received. The painting was of two girls sitting on a beach, behind them was the sea, stretching to the horizon. As I wrote about the sea I was transported into a sensation of taking dictation from the universe. Re-experiencing that sensation propels my writing. I write because I love it; I write because I want that feeling again. Weeks later, when I’m editing, I cannot tell which prose was awe-inspired and which was written prosaically.

For years, I didn’t have the luxury of writer’s block, stealing time to scribble notes in between my job, and running my kids around various activities after school. Each moment stolen to write was precious.

Then I discovered the glory of automatic writing: Get up early, before anyone else is up, and immediately write, do not edit yourself, just inscribe the words that come to you. The only experience between dreams and writing were brushing my teeth and coffee. My language was richer so I habituated myself to write first thing in the morning. Slowly, I rescheduled my life around my writing, instead of pushing it between the edges of my other requirements. My kids growing up made that easier.
So I wake with the sun. I write at least five days a week. At least four hours a day. I don’t let myself be interrupted until I’ve done several hours. Then I’ll eat breakfast, answer calls, emails, twitters, etc.

Other tricks: I have words that I have forgotten, igonored in a bowl. I notice them once again in something I’ve read, write them down, and put them in a bowl. Occasionally, I pick one out to flutter (see, that was one…) into my prose.
If I get stuck, I drum. Yes, I play a Djembe hand drum and the repetitive rhythm seems to encourage ideas. So does jumping up and down on a trampoline.

I work out. This is important. After years on the computer, if I didn’t work out, do yoga, and use an ergonomically correct keyboard, I suspect I’d be crippled by carpal tunnel syndrome.

Music provides an added layer of texture to my setting. Writing Inside the Crips, I listened to the hip hop and gangsta rap ( Snoop Dog, Ice T, N.W.A. ) that set the rhythm and the texture of Colton’s life. Writing a scene that takes place in Detroit in the 70’s, I listen to The Jackson 5, Aretha Franklin, Martha Reeves, etc. Sometimes when I’m writing, sometimes when I’m driving or working out my ipod surrounds me with sounds that ebb the time and place into my soul. I ended up so entranced by the rhythm and rhymes of rap that Tara in A Gift for My Sister became a rap artist.

Writing is as much a part of me as breathing. Writing, even if it’s in my journal, imparts meaning to each day.
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What are you currently working on?

Ann Pearlman Today, I completed the final edits, cover, etc. for The Lottery which is the third novel in The Christmas Cookie Club series. Now I wait to see the va…moreToday, I completed the final edits, cover, etc. for The Lottery which is the third novel in The Christmas Cookie Club series. Now I wait to see the various pieces coalesce into a new book which should launch in mid October. I'm excited to see it printed and launched. And of course, I'm eager to hear the reaction of all the readers of The Christmas Cookie Club and A Gift for My Sister who've been waiting to learn what happens next to my characters who I've grown to love so much. (less)

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Ann Pearlman’s books

Average rating: 3.3 · 5,552 ratings · 991 reviews · 15 distinct works • Similar authors

	The Christmas Cookie Club 3.24 avg rating — 4,683 ratings — published 2009 — 54 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Inside the Crips: Life Inside L.A.'s Most Notorious Gang by Ann Pearlman (Goodreads Author), Colton Simpson, Ice T (Foreword) 3.97 avg rating — 518 ratings — published 2005 — 15 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	A Gift for My Sister 3.11 avg rating — 371 ratings — published 2011 — 12 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Infidelity: A Love Story 3.56 avg rating — 96 ratings — published 2000 — 13 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	His Eye is On the Sparrow 3.88 avg rating — 26 ratings — published 2013 — 8 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	The Lottery 3.86 avg rating — 22 ratings — published 2014 — 5 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	The Cookie Club liked it 3.00 avg rating — 9 ratings	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Other Lives: An Illustrated Short Story for Adults really liked it 4.00 avg rating — 5 ratings — published 2013 — 2 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Angels it was amazing 5.00 avg rating — 3 ratings — published 2014	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	The Story of Mr. Blue really liked it 4.00 avg rating — 3 ratings	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars

More books by Ann Pearlman…

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Ann Pearlman's Blog

A Christmas Cookie Club Party during Covid! Yes, we did it!

Last year, as I ended the story about our annual Christmas Cookie Club party I wished everyone a wonderful holiday season. “ And a peaceful 2020.”

Well, we haven’t had a peaceful year. In fact, 2020 is probably the most chaotic, frightening and tumultuous year for our country during our lifetimes. And yet, we develop ways to keep our cherished traditions and friendship groups alive. For me, and

Series by Ann Pearlman

Christmas Cookie Club (3 books)
by

Ann Pearlman (Goodreads Author)

3.23 avg rating — 5,076 ratings

Ann is Currently Reading

Ann Pearlman is currently reading

How to Change Your Mind: The New Science of Psychedelics

by Michael Pollan (Goodreads Author)

bookshelves: currently-reading

read in July 2018

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Ann Pearlman said: " Interesting history of LSD and its use as a therapy especially for addiction. I was glad to hear that it is being explored again to as an adjunct to therapy. I was most interested in the 'trip' via drums and breathing techniques. As someone who drums ...more "

Jul 16, 2018 01:28PM · see review

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Ann’s Recent Updates

Ann Pearlman has read Mating Calls: The Problem with Lexie and Number Seven by Jessica Anya Blau	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
Sep 21, 2024 05:37PM · like
Ann Pearlman has read Owl in Darkness by Zoe Rosenfeld	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
Jul 22, 2024 12:37PM · like · preview book See a Problem? We’d love your help. Let us know what’s wrong with this preview of Owl in Darkness by Zoe Rosenfeld. Problem: Details (if other): Thanks for telling us about the problem. Not the book you’re looking for? Preview — Owl in Darkness by Zoe Rosenfeld <iframe sandbox id="wrongBookKindlePreviewScreen">
Ann Pearlman rated a book liked it Heartburn by Nora Ephron	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
Apr 05, 2024 01:27PM · like
Ann Pearlman rated a book really liked it The Aging Brain by Thad A. Polk	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
Very informative, interesting and relatively easy to read book on how our brains age. And things we can do now, as well as possible future scientific interventions. Highly recommend!
Mar 10, 2024 11:43AM · 1 like · like · see review
Ann Pearlman rated a book it was amazing From the War on Poverty to the War on Crime: The Making of Mass Incarceration in America by Elizabeth Hinton	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
Feb 23, 2024 06:32AM · like · preview book See a Problem? We’d love your help. Let us know what’s wrong with this preview of From the War on Poverty to the War on Crime by Elizabeth Hinton. Problem: Details (if other): Thanks for telling us about the problem. Not the book you’re looking for? Preview — From the War on Poverty to the War on Crime by Elizabeth Hinton <iframe sandbox id="wrongBookKindlePreviewScreen">
Ann Pearlman rated a book really liked it Thick: And Other Essays by Tressie McMillan Cottom (Goodreads Author)	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
Feb 23, 2024 06:23AM · like · preview book See a Problem? We’d love your help. Let us know what’s wrong with this preview of Thick by Tressie McMillan Cottom. Problem: Details (if other): Thanks for telling us about the problem. Not the book you’re looking for? Preview — Thick by Tressie McMillan Cottom <iframe sandbox id="wrongBookKindlePreviewScreen">
Ann Pearlman has read The Passenger (The Passenger #1) by Cormac McCarthy	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
Feb 09, 2024 02:14PM · like · preview book See a Problem? We’d love your help. Let us know what’s wrong with this preview of The Passenger by Cormac McCarthy. Problem: Details (if other): Thanks for telling us about the problem. Not the book you’re looking for? Preview — The Passenger by Cormac McCarthy <iframe sandbox id="wrongBookKindlePreviewScreen">
Feb 06, 2024 11:59AM · 1 like · like · view books
Ann Pearlman rated a book really liked it The Life Within Us: Stories by Michael Lieberman (Goodreads Author)	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
Lieberman's book of stories cover a wide variety of characters, plots and images making for fascinating mini voyages. I also appreciated and realized quickly he grew up in Pittsburgh and his was interested to have a glimpse of his experiences there a ...more
Feb 04, 2024 12:32PM · 1 like · like · see review
Ann Pearlman is now following Michael Lieberman Author of The Lobsterman's Daughter
Feb 03, 2024 02:54PM · like

More of Ann's books…

Quotes by Ann Pearlman (?)

“I am the head cookie bitch and this is my party.”
― Ann Pearlman, The Christmas Cookie Club

16 likes

“Every day we walk a razor thin line between the ordinary and the tragic."...First line of Gift For My Sister.”
― Ann Pearlman

4 likes

“And some man can't be the door to what you want. All a man can do is love you, be family with you, help you fulfill your dreams.”
― Ann Pearlman, A Gift for My Sister

3 likes

See all Ann Pearlman's quotes »

Polls

December is our Yuletide/Christmas selection. Get your votes in by Thursday, November 10th.

A Christmas Party

Georgette Heyer

4 votes, 80.0%

Christmas in Cornwall

Marcia Willett

1 vote, 20.0%

Christmas Camp

Karen Schaler

0 votes, 0.0%

The Christmas Cookie Club

Ann Pearlman

0 votes, 0.0%

Comfort & Joy

Kristin Hannah

0 votes, 0.0%

Christmas in Plains: Memories

Jimmy Carter

0 votes, 0.0%

5 total votes

4 comments

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Topics Mentioning This Author

topics	posts	views	last activity
Readers and Reading: March 2010 reads	50	81	Apr 25, 2010 03:50PM
Every one's Choice: 3 Winners for December	42	33	Dec 02, 2010 05:30AM
The Seasonal Read...: Winter Challenge 2010-2011 Completed Tasks (do not delete any posts)	2578	1106	Feb 28, 2011 09:05PM

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Ann’s Quotes

“Every day we walk a razor thin line between the ordinary and the tragic."...First line of Gift For My Sister.”
― Ann Pearlman

4 likes

“I consider the luck of simply being born, of being plucked out of the cosmos and bestowed with eyes to see, and nerves to feel, and ears to hear. Our senses. Our speech. Our breath. How crucial and insistent our ceaseless moving lungs from our first cry to our last.”
― Ann Pearlman, A Gift for My Sister

1 likes