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It's Not about the Cookies
Samantha Stark hasn't been home to see her family in fifteen years. She has a long dead brother with whom she shares long conversations, a mother she blames for nearly everything, two sisters who carry their own baggage, a friend who survived junior high with her and understands why she hasn't gone home, and a husband who thinks it's time. Sam has a ready made list of excuses to not go back, but even though they top the list, deep down she knows...it's not about the cookies.
332 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2008
2 people are currently reading
30 people want to read
About the author
K.A. Thompson
20 books5 followersI'm currently living in mega-metropolis Dixon, CA (population 17,000) with a Spouse Thingy and two cats (Max the Psychokitty and Buddah Pest, both of whom are far more popular than I...and Max has his own books out there...) I also have an adult son who long ago escaped the confines of parental ineptitude and is pursuing his love of acting. The kid is seriously good--Srsly--so keep an eye out for Curt Thompson.
FAQ: In what order should your books be read?
1. Charybdis
2. As Simple as That
3. Finding Father Rabbit
4. The King and Queen of Perfect Normal
5. (Coming soon) The Flipside of Doubt
It's Not About the Cookies is a stand-alone novel...and the one my mother hates.
And yes, my cat Max has 3 books in the market. The Psychokitty Speaks Out: Diary of a Mad Housecat, The Psychokitty Speaks Out: Something of Yours Will Meet a Toothy Death and The Rules: A Guide for People Owned by Cats.
You can peek inside my head at my blog Thumper Thinks Out Loud.
FAQ: In what order should your books be read?
1. Charybdis
2. As Simple as That
3. Finding Father Rabbit
4. The King and Queen of Perfect Normal
5. (Coming soon) The Flipside of Doubt
It's Not About the Cookies is a stand-alone novel...and the one my mother hates.
And yes, my cat Max has 3 books in the market. The Psychokitty Speaks Out: Diary of a Mad Housecat, The Psychokitty Speaks Out: Something of Yours Will Meet a Toothy Death and The Rules: A Guide for People Owned by Cats.
You can peek inside my head at my blog Thumper Thinks Out Loud.
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
September 6, 2010
So far, this feels a lot like Idiot Girl and the Flaming Tantrum of Death. A series of short life stories...enjoying it so far!
How's this for a storyline...a family full of dysfunction, and the ability to talk through all of their dysfunction, openmindedly, and change their opinions and perceptions of their past. Pretty good story!
How's this for a storyline...a family full of dysfunction, and the ability to talk through all of their dysfunction, openmindedly, and change their opinions and perceptions of their past. Pretty good story!
October 23, 2010
This was a very inexpensive book downloaded to my Kindle to read on a week long camping excursion. When I first started the book, it was somewhat difficult to understand. It begins with the narrator conversing with her dead brother. As it progressed, the author developed the story and it became much easier to follow.
The narrator of this book is a forty-something year old woman who's confined to a wheel chair. She's fat and unhappy with her life, a very negative person, complaining constantly about her miserable upbringing. Now faced with the inevitable, her parents, nearing the end of their lives, she is forced to consider the real possibility of returning to visit one last time. Its been over FIFTEEN years since she's been back home. She has every excuse in the book about why she doesn't want to visit and of course, "Its Not About the Cookies". When she finally acquiesces, the reader has the opportunity to find out its much more complicated. Sometimes, though, things aren't exactly as remembered.
This book is about the main character's personal quest, traveling back to her family, back in time, to get answers to the burning questions about her past and to finally let the "scabs" heal on the wounds she's been picking at for all those years.
A compelling story of life, family and forgiveness and the revelation that it may be much more than a child could every comprehend
The narrator of this book is a forty-something year old woman who's confined to a wheel chair. She's fat and unhappy with her life, a very negative person, complaining constantly about her miserable upbringing. Now faced with the inevitable, her parents, nearing the end of their lives, she is forced to consider the real possibility of returning to visit one last time. Its been over FIFTEEN years since she's been back home. She has every excuse in the book about why she doesn't want to visit and of course, "Its Not About the Cookies". When she finally acquiesces, the reader has the opportunity to find out its much more complicated. Sometimes, though, things aren't exactly as remembered.
This book is about the main character's personal quest, traveling back to her family, back in time, to get answers to the burning questions about her past and to finally let the "scabs" heal on the wounds she's been picking at for all those years.
A compelling story of life, family and forgiveness and the revelation that it may be much more than a child could every comprehend
February 28, 2011
It takes a while to truly figure out why Sam has so many hangups. She seems like a bitter middle-aged woman angry about her life and family in general. Her conversations with Steven at times feel as if she is playing out different scenarios just to convince herself her thoughts are actually headed in a helpful direction. In the end, it was very interesting to see that many of memories were misconceptions that her parents tolerated and allowed her to harbor grudges against them well into adulthood.
February 28, 2010
At first the book felt like many scattered ideas, and it was a little difficult to figure who Sam was speaking to each conversation. Several chapters in it begins to fall together and by the end all the ends are tied up neatly. Sends a powerful message that parents are most of the time trying to do what they feel is best for their kids, and that kids are by nature selfish and have difficulty remembering ALL aspects of the circumstances that shaped their upbringing.
January 4, 2011
This was an interesting story narrated by Sam, a middle aged woman revisiting her past and her family relationships. There is a lot of conversation with her dead brother Stephen which actually sheds some light on the background.
Sam has not visited her family in over fifteen years. When she finally makes the visit, her eyes are opened to differences in the reality and in how she perceived the family relationships when she was younger.
This is a fairly quick easy read.
Sam has not visited her family in over fifteen years. When she finally makes the visit, her eyes are opened to differences in the reality and in how she perceived the family relationships when she was younger.
This is a fairly quick easy read.
March 23, 2011
The first half of this book was a little scattered, and at times, pointless. But... That's a little bit of how Sam felt I guess. The book really redeemed itself for me just before and during the trip home. I thought about my own childhood mis-conceptions and how my life was sculpted from these experiences and impressions. It was good pensive time. Coming from a family of 3 girls - I'm glad I took the trip :)
June 4, 2011
As if being 1/2 paralyzed isn't enough, the main character sure has a family that cannot communicate. A cheap Kindle download that I enjoyed. Interesting story has each member of a family has a different perspective on an important situation in their lives....
February 9, 2011
This book was surprising. It does wander around a bit but in the end it was an excellent book. THe author approaches life struggles in a different way that captures you and helps you to maybe overcome your own struggles.
July 9, 2010
Good book. Takes a lot to remember what is going on because the author goes from past to present a lot in the first part of the book. I would recommend it!
September 24, 2010
Excellent book. This book would be an great choice for a book club. There is a lot to discuss - family dynamics, loss of a loved one, dependence and independence, perceptions, and so much more.
November 25, 2010
I loved this book but mainly as it really made me think about my family and our history
Great read
Great read
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews