The Cookie Cure: A Mother-Daughter Memoir of Cookies and Cancer

by Susan Stachler, Laura Stachler

When twenty-two-year-old Susan Stachler was diagnosed with cancer, her mother, Laura, was struck by déjà vu: the same illness that took her sister's life was threatening to take her daughter's too. Heartbroken but steadfast, Laura pledged to help Susan through the worst of her treatments. When they discovered that Laura's homemade ginger cookies soothed the side effects of Susan's chemo, the mother-daughter duo soon found themselves opening Susansnaps and sharing their gourmet gingersnaps with the world.

Genres: Memoir, Book Club

304 pages, Paperback

Published February 6, 2018

Reviews

[Sherri Thacker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow!! What a heartwarming memoir!! Now I want some Susansnap cookies!!

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a wonderful book. Maybe my review cannot be unbiased as my name is Susan and I also had Hodgkin's Lymphoma when I was around the author's age. Reading it brought back so many memories of that time, both good and bad. The author is correct when she states more than once to her mother that she will never be the same after having cancer and surviving it (and the hellish treatments). And I think she has already discovered that it is true. And it is true in a good way. Read this book, it was great. I even bought some of their cookies!!

[Dlmrose · Rating 3 out of 5]

3+

[Cassandra · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received a complimentary copy.

I was connected with most of the book, but felt it lacked in certain story potential. I think the pace was set to medium and even though as a fellow survivor I could relate to some of the moments, it just did not really push forth for me. It is a mixed review feeling because I do like the book, but not so much that it moved me in a huge impactful way.

[Randomiris · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5⭐️
Quick read. Anyone touched by cancer will relate. Business storyline was also interesting.
I think the story would’ve benefited w/ the help of a more experienced co-author. Also wanted an update about another family member’s health that had been part of the story until the end of the book.

[Hope · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a college senior, Susan Stachler is diagnosed with the same kind of cancer that killer her Aunt Susan at age 28. Susan chronicles her life beginning with the diagnosis. Her mother, Laura, writes a "letter" at the end of each chapter to her deceased sister, Sue, to help tell the story from another perspective.

Simultaneously, with Susan's diagnosis, Laura is attempting to open a bakery out of their garage. They discover that Laura's homemade gingersnaps help with the side effects of the chemo treatments. (Additionally, Susan's father, Ken is battling cancer.)

When chemo and radiation are completed, Susan begins working in her mother's bakery. Laura and Susan rename the gingersnaps in honor of both Susans: Susansnaps. They work tirelessly to create a very successful bakery in Atlanta.

Throughout this journey, mother and daughter, do their best to make each day count and be positive. The best example of this from the book is: Laura says, "Let's make it a good day" instead of "Have a good day". This reminds us that we cannot always control what happens to us; however, we can control our response to these events.

[Roach · Rating 3 out of 5]

As someone with chronic health issues and family members that have had cancer, I really, really liked this book; for the most part. I would say, the first 2/3 of the book are about cancer and what that means even when you do beat it. Continuing life after chronic illness is an odd thing, and I really, really loved that part. I would tear up sometimes over certain parts, especially in the letters to Aunt Sue.

The last 1/3 lost me, though, as it shifted from being about Susan, her relationships, and life to being mostly business focused. -- It doesn't help that their family is clearly well off, being able to afford cancer treatment even after her father is laid off. Then being able to do what, from how it's written, was not a very profitable business for a while.

It went from being such a personal and lovely book to something very, impersonal, and almost odd in comparison to how it started.

[Bookworm · Rating 2 out of 5]

In need of a lighter book to sandwich the rather sad and awful content of my previous one, I thought this would be a pleasant change of pace. A mom/daughter memoir of a young woman who faces the same cancer that took her maternal aunt. So we have a book co-written as the two navigate dealing with cancer and the discovery that making cookies helps ease the side effects of treatment for Susan.

The premise was nice and I was glad that the end was happier than many of these types of memoirs but I agree with the critical reviews: the book isn't very good. Another, more experience co-writer or ghostwriter would have been a boon for the book.

Still, overall it might be a nice gift or maybe even a book club type of book. I'd recommend it as a library borrow but for the right situation and right reader it might be a good purchase.

[Michelle Watrin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Choosing not just to have a good day but to ‘make it a good day’ is a great reminder I will take from this autobiography. The weaving of cancer journeys of Susan and her aunt orchestrated through letters from Susan’s mom was powerful. Some of the content seems guarded, which is fair, but I can’t help but wonder if the reader was given a true look at moments of despair that must have come throughout both the journey of health as well as a new business. There was not a reveal of how this family survived financially through these treatments with no health care insurance when Susan’s journey began, and there must be other cancer patients wondering if this happy ending was a bit too sugar coated. However, the mother-daughter relationship and the growth of their company is an amazing insight to silver linings.

[Sue Fernandez · Rating 4 out of 5]

I would give this 4.5 if I could. I don't know how I missed that it was a memoir, so I started reading it as fiction, thinking, "Wow...interesting story." Then, partially through, I looked up "Susansnaps," and realized it was a memoir. The story is told between mother and daughter, with the mom writing notes to her sister, who passed years before, from cancer. This is a good read for people looking to start a business, for those who have cancer and need hope, who know someone with cancer, or someone who enjoys baking. Really...it's good for anyone. It was interesting, and as I said, I thought I was reading fiction, so it was well written. Thank you to NetGalley and Sourcebooks for an e-ARC of this title.

[Stephanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I originally saw this book when I was browsing through the library. The cover caught my attention, and I am very glad that I read it. The daughter, Susan, was battling cancer at around the same time when her mom decided to open a bakery that ran out of their garage. As Susan became more involved in the business, it was clear that the mother daughter duo balance each other. They both have a different set of strengths that when put together there is nothing they can't accomplish. It is a sweet story about the love between a mother and daughter and perseverance in the face of any challenge or hardship. The book is well-written and almost reads more like a fiction book than a memoir due to Susan's writing style.

[CapnKath · Rating 5 out of 5]

My sister Peggy sent this book and some Susansnaps to our brother Walter. I thoroughly enjoyed this story of a mother and a daughter who opened a gingersnap business together. The daughter had cancer and this is the story tells her story and her family's story with cancer and the cookie business. I read the first 236 pages to my brother Walter who had brain cancer. He died before we finished the book. He enjoyed the story and the cookies. Rest in peace Walter. You did a good job, a really good job. We are proud of you and we love you.

[Suzanne · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sweet and powerful story.

"Since coming out of treatment, I'd become sensitive to people complaining." (page 177)

"If you've ever felt like your burden is more than you can bear, Mom and I are here to encourage you not to stop, but instead to persevere, because a better version of you may well be waiting on the other side. Life might not be perfect, but you can choose to be unsnappable." (page 282)

[Nancy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book discusses the survival and journey of a young woman diagnosed with Hodgkin's Disease, and her supportive family's evolution into a very successful company. Susansnaps is still in business, and, if you do a Google search, you can find where they are located and even place an order. I'm glad I found this book at a second-hand shop. You do not always have to be able to afford something new to find something wonderful!

[Barb · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the heartwarming true story about a young woman, Susan Stachler, and her fight against cancer with the support of her family. While she was undergoing chemo her mother made her gingersnap cookies to settle her stomach. They shared the cookies with other cancer patients and realized that everybody loved these cookies. So when her treatment was complete her mother and Susan started a gingersnap cookie baking business. Read it- this book is uplifting and inspiring.

[Monica Albright · Rating 4 out of 5]

What an emotional roller coaster. Didn't help that I was attempting to read this while watching kids ride roller coasters. And it was not a pretty public cry that I was doing. I had to put it aside and finish it at home. It was quite well written, especially since it was not done by professional authors. Thank you for sharing your journey and your personal thoughts and feelings.

[Cathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved Susan's story, about being diagnosed with cancer and her journey along with her mom to create a cookie company Susansnaps, gingersnaps with help cancer patients and bring a smile to their faces.
She shares the awful truth about treatment and the struggles getting their product marketed, always with a positive, uplifting perspective. Life is for the living!

[Jody · Rating 4 out of 5]

A sweet inspirational novel about taking lemons and making lemonade or making ginger snaps in this case. The book lacked a certain depth (the dad was barely mentioned although he had cancer and had lost his job, how did they pay for all of their medical expenses) but it was certainly worth reading and the bond between Susan and her mother was very moving. I will be ordering those Susansnaps!

[Michelle Ule · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fast read, the story of a young woman who came down with the same cancer as her father and aunt, persevered and with her mother began Sunsanaps--a cookie company.

I enjoyed the story, cried at the right moments and marveled at how a mother and daughter could work so hard to create a company that honors cancer victims, survivors and those who love them.

[Annie · Rating 3 out of 5]

A very sweet memoir about mother/daughter duo battling cancer and making the most of a terrible situation. Their journey and the evolution of the "Susansnaps" cookies was interesting and very inspiring. It was a quick read and a little too perfect and sweet at times, but I did enjoy it. Great read for a bookclub.

[Esther · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excerpt of full review from Cozy with Books

This was a wonderful and heartwarming memoir. There were plenty of challenges and tough times that Susan and Laura had to go through, both during treatment and during their days in trying to expand their Susansnap business; going from being based in their home’s garage to an official shop. They take some major steps, such as taking the leap in purchasing a booth spot at a market, trying their luck with seeing if they could sell to major companies, and even in accepting interviews. In addition to all of this, Laura’s husband, Susan’s father, Ken, was fighting his own battle with cancer; non-Hodgkin’s disease. Through all of their hardship, they persevere and continue to press on even when, at times, feeling like failure is right outside the door, but never giving up. The mother and daughter duo made each day count, whether it was a good or bad day.

A heartwarming, and at times, emotional and hard, read. I enjoyed this book, the journey of both Susan and Laura through treatment and their business days, all the positive messages about never giving up and the importance of taking one step at a time.

[TheGirl InTheLyrics · Rating 5 out of 5]

Found this at the library & almost didn’t check it out. So glad I did. What a heartwarming tale of love and courage. Susan wrote in such a way that is so down to earth, like talking to a friend. Highly recommend.

[Jana · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very nice story about how a cookie company came into being due to a battle with cancer. The author was diagnosed in her early 20s with lymphoma. I appreciated her sharing this journey, and how starting a cookie company with her mom helped her heal, move on and give back.

[Jessica Risser]

This book took FOREVER to read. My heart aches as I read their story but I would often fall asleep reading it. Not sure if it was b/c I was reading late at night or b/c the writing style was very simple even for a memoir.

[TRAY_C · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good story that I enjoyed. I thought it would be more of Susan's story and less about the business. The news story, magazine info and media stories about the cookies took away from the main part of their story. Did make me order cookies though!!

[Liz Sergent · Rating 5 out of 5]

I saw this book on FB and after ordering some cookies and books for some friends diagnosed with cancer, I decided I better read it. It is an uplifting book about a family who has been hit with cancer and how they navigate through the challenges. I enjoyed this book and would recommend.

[Alysha · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautiful story. I love reading triumphant feel good stories but man did this also make me cry.
More than once. 😄 I cried HARD a few times.
It's worth the listen but just be prepared to feel some feelings and deal with them.

[Pam Kirst · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting approach, and lots of good thoughts on how to talk to/be a friend to someone with cancer.

[Maura Muller · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pretty damn inspiring!

[Lisa Hall · Rating 5 out of 5]

a story simply told, this is a story of how cancer impacts an entire family, and in this case spurred creative development of a family business.