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Christmas Cookie Club #1
The Christmas Cookie Club
Every year at Christmastime, Marnie and her twelve closest girlfriends gather in the evening with batches of beautifully wrapped homemade cookies. Everyone has to bring a dessert and a bottle of wine, but this year, it’s their stories that are especially important. Marnie’s oldest daughter has a risky pregnancy. Jeannie’s father is having an affair with her best friend. Taylor’s life is in financial freefall. Rosie’s husband doesn’t want children, and she has to decide, very soon, the fate of her marriage. On this evening, at least, they can feel as a group the impulses of sisterly love and conflict, the passion and hopefulness of a new romance, the betrayal and disillusionment some relationships bring, the joys and fears of motherhood, the agony of losing a child, and above all, the love they have for one another. As Marnie says, the Christmas Cookie Club, if it’s anything, is a reminder of delight.
288 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2009
139 people are currently reading
3013 people want to read
About the author
Ann Pearlman
15 books139 followersAnn 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 LIVES, ANGELS, and the STORY OF MR.BLUE are illustrated short stories.With HIS EYE IS ON THE SPARROW, Ann returned to memoir as part of Shebooks first launch in late 2013.
Ann studied writing at the University of Michigan, attended workshops at Sewanee and Squaw Valley Writers' Conferences
When she's not writing, Ann making art (in fact, her work has been in galleries throughout the US.) dancing, and hanging out with family and friends.
read more and see her art: www.annpearlman.net
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 LIVES, ANGELS, and the STORY OF MR.BLUE are illustrated short stories.With HIS EYE IS ON THE SPARROW, Ann returned to memoir as part of Shebooks first launch in late 2013.
Ann studied writing at the University of Michigan, attended workshops at Sewanee and Squaw Valley Writers' Conferences
When she's not writing, Ann making art (in fact, her work has been in galleries throughout the US.) dancing, and hanging out with family and friends.
read more and see her art: www.annpearlman.net
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 862 reviews
December 21, 2025
DNF. I thought this would be about women's social get-togethers filled with fun and friendship, sharing the small delights of the season (cookies!) and celebrating the highs and lamenting the lows of life. It was much more serious than I expected with much misfortune and tragedy in just the first disc, some of which was too detailed, especially in relation to what a reader might be expecting in this sort of read, or in this season. I don't see this getting any cheerier and have decided to move on to a brighter read.
November 11, 2009
Ugh! I've been seeing all the new Christmas fiction coming out this time of year, and I was hoping for a light Christmas story to get me in the holiday spirit. This is not that book. Think cancer, dead babies, horrific accidents, family deaths, and domestic abuse. Each chapter starts with a recipe and tells the story of a club member. Between chapters are short histories of various baking ingredients (butter, sugar, flour, etc.) which are completely random and have nothing to do with the stories. Feel free to skip this one.
September 30, 2009
This is possibly the perfect book club book.
Every year, on the first Monday in December twelve women get together to share cookies, recipes and stories. The past year has been very eventful for many of the members. Some express joy, others sadness, and one the terrible loss of a son. They listen, laugh and cry. Their bond strengthens each of the women as they get ready to move on to another year and look forward to another Cookie Club meeting.
I loved the format. Each chapter highlights one of the women and starts off with the recipe for the cookie they have brought to the club.
When you are finished reading it keep it in the kitchen. You are going to want to bake and share the cookies with your family and girlfriends.
Every year, on the first Monday in December twelve women get together to share cookies, recipes and stories. The past year has been very eventful for many of the members. Some express joy, others sadness, and one the terrible loss of a son. They listen, laugh and cry. Their bond strengthens each of the women as they get ready to move on to another year and look forward to another Cookie Club meeting.
I loved the format. Each chapter highlights one of the women and starts off with the recipe for the cookie they have brought to the club.
When you are finished reading it keep it in the kitchen. You are going to want to bake and share the cookies with your family and girlfriends.
November 16, 2019
With the Christmas season coming up, I feel like this is a good book to recommend. This book might have some flaws, but it also has a lot going from it, from touching stories to great recipes. It may not be a great work of literature, but it is a warm and a satisfying read. Moreover, The Christmas Cookie Club isn't exactly light reading. This novel deals with some serious issues and problems. I think I expected a light book and book about Christmas but this novel offered more than easy holiday reading. What I particularly liked about it was how it focused on female friendship and endurance. Many of the ladies in this book were there for one another and there was something comforting about getting to know women who care about other women. By that I mean there were some lovely female friendships in this book.
Some difficult situations were described in this one, such as experiencing loss, miscarriage and an end of a relationship, but at the same time there is something therapeutic about this novel. Maybe it has something to do with author’s profession. This book is about life just as much as about death. It shifts between funny and tragic, between happy and sad moments. Some themes and questions it deals with and perhaps even tries to answer include:
-How to deal with the death of a loved one,
- How to deal with the cheating and the lying of your loved ones (and yourself),
- How to deal with financial problems and other struggles in life,
- How to embrace yourself,
- How to deal with your insecurities.
I would even go as far as describe this one as a novel about women's friendship. The narrator and the protagonist of the book is the chief of the cookie club, the ones who tells all the stories (I have to wonder, though. How come she is the only one who knows them all?). Her narration isn't clean cut so it might be difficult to follow. There are a lot of digressions, really a lot. I normally don't mind them but as they happen as the new characters are introduced it can be confusing. When you add 12 characters whose stories we get to know, you can see how all of it can be difficult to take in.
It is not that I think twelve characters are too much. I've read book with much more characters and did not get confused. I think the part of the problem are dialogues that lack life, or perhaps better to say, they sound too much alike. All the characters seem the same in dialogues, filled with the same kind of witty remarks and sudden emotive love talk. The life stories of all the characters are great, there is attention paid to details but something is missing. Perhaps it is just that they aren't developed enough. I get that it is hard to develop that many characters, but maybe if the dialogues were more personalized, it would have made a difference. This way I felt like their voice is missing. At times it was hard to tell who is who. In a book like this, I think it is really important that all the women have a voice of their own. How are you to distinguish them otherwise? It is quite hard to tell them apart between all that information about food and infinite digressions?
It must be hard, writing about such relaxed moments as a casual evening with friends. I actually think that it is more difficult to write about an evening filled with love than with hate. To conclude, great ideas, great story...characterization? Unfortunately the characterization is definitely lacking in this novel. Nevertheless, I've liked it. It’s a nice mix of serious and funny. The culinary aspect of it is very fun as well.
How are you not to like a book filled with so many good receipts? Especially when one likes baking or cookies and I do like cooking. I'm definitely a foodie, a typical Taurus. No surprise then in my enjoying all that information about the history of food and spices that kept coming along as I was reading. The Christmas Cookie Club sound like a excellent idea, btw. I can imagine cookie clubs popping out.
On overall, I did enjoy this novel. The stories it features are touching and sometimes even inspiring. Even if we don't really get to bond with the characters, it was still nice getting to know their stories. Maybe the characters did sound all a bit too much like one another, but their stories felt genuine. Finally, the format of the book was interesting. All the recipes and food talk were quite enjoyable too. I can definitely recommend this one!
Some difficult situations were described in this one, such as experiencing loss, miscarriage and an end of a relationship, but at the same time there is something therapeutic about this novel. Maybe it has something to do with author’s profession. This book is about life just as much as about death. It shifts between funny and tragic, between happy and sad moments. Some themes and questions it deals with and perhaps even tries to answer include:
-How to deal with the death of a loved one,
- How to deal with the cheating and the lying of your loved ones (and yourself),
- How to deal with financial problems and other struggles in life,
- How to embrace yourself,
- How to deal with your insecurities.
I would even go as far as describe this one as a novel about women's friendship. The narrator and the protagonist of the book is the chief of the cookie club, the ones who tells all the stories (I have to wonder, though. How come she is the only one who knows them all?). Her narration isn't clean cut so it might be difficult to follow. There are a lot of digressions, really a lot. I normally don't mind them but as they happen as the new characters are introduced it can be confusing. When you add 12 characters whose stories we get to know, you can see how all of it can be difficult to take in.
It is not that I think twelve characters are too much. I've read book with much more characters and did not get confused. I think the part of the problem are dialogues that lack life, or perhaps better to say, they sound too much alike. All the characters seem the same in dialogues, filled with the same kind of witty remarks and sudden emotive love talk. The life stories of all the characters are great, there is attention paid to details but something is missing. Perhaps it is just that they aren't developed enough. I get that it is hard to develop that many characters, but maybe if the dialogues were more personalized, it would have made a difference. This way I felt like their voice is missing. At times it was hard to tell who is who. In a book like this, I think it is really important that all the women have a voice of their own. How are you to distinguish them otherwise? It is quite hard to tell them apart between all that information about food and infinite digressions?
It must be hard, writing about such relaxed moments as a casual evening with friends. I actually think that it is more difficult to write about an evening filled with love than with hate. To conclude, great ideas, great story...characterization? Unfortunately the characterization is definitely lacking in this novel. Nevertheless, I've liked it. It’s a nice mix of serious and funny. The culinary aspect of it is very fun as well.
How are you not to like a book filled with so many good receipts? Especially when one likes baking or cookies and I do like cooking. I'm definitely a foodie, a typical Taurus. No surprise then in my enjoying all that information about the history of food and spices that kept coming along as I was reading. The Christmas Cookie Club sound like a excellent idea, btw. I can imagine cookie clubs popping out.
On overall, I did enjoy this novel. The stories it features are touching and sometimes even inspiring. Even if we don't really get to bond with the characters, it was still nice getting to know their stories. Maybe the characters did sound all a bit too much like one another, but their stories felt genuine. Finally, the format of the book was interesting. All the recipes and food talk were quite enjoyable too. I can definitely recommend this one!
March 12, 2012
A true chicklit filled with heartwarming friendships between women and lovely cookie recipes. Even though I only awarded two stars, I enjoyed reading it. The reason that I found this book merely ok is because I did not feel the emotions of the characters. There are so many of them, it's difficult to create a mental picture for each of them (which I reckon is absolutely needed to be able relate to the characters).
However, it's a fun quick read and does get one in the christmas and baking spirit! :)
However, it's a fun quick read and does get one in the christmas and baking spirit! :)
November 1, 2009
I hate books that are about horrible people. This book could have been so uplifting, but everyone in it is either having an affair, thinking of having an affair, or their spouse is having an affair. Disgusting! It does come with recipes that I would like to try, though.
September 16, 2020
This delightful book with its gorgeous cover of a woman holding a tray of cookies in one hand and a glass of wine in the other was given to me by a good friend for my 50th Birthday, 8 years ago. I swear it feels like it was only yesterday I received this book, lol. All thanks to the backlist challenge it’s now sitting on my keeper bookshelf rather than in the TBR mountain.
A light read with some sad tales though still a really fun read and the cookie recipes at the beginning of each chapter… yum yum.
The facts behind each baking ingredient (almonds, cinnamon, ginger, sugar, etc) and the function it performs in the finished product at the end of every chapter was informative and extremely interesting. I loved the idea of 12 friends gathering together for their yearly Christmas cookie club party where cookies are exchanged and each friend shares a story about her cookies she chose to make that year, we also learn about the lives of each woman in their own chapter told through the main character’s eyes.
Onto the sequel soon.
Book No.18 in the #20Backlistin2020 Challenge
A light read with some sad tales though still a really fun read and the cookie recipes at the beginning of each chapter… yum yum.
The facts behind each baking ingredient (almonds, cinnamon, ginger, sugar, etc) and the function it performs in the finished product at the end of every chapter was informative and extremely interesting. I loved the idea of 12 friends gathering together for their yearly Christmas cookie club party where cookies are exchanged and each friend shares a story about her cookies she chose to make that year, we also learn about the lives of each woman in their own chapter told through the main character’s eyes.
Onto the sequel soon.
Book No.18 in the #20Backlistin2020 Challenge
December 22, 2009
I have no idea how this book made its way to "best seller" lists and the shelves of mass market media places like Target. The first 2 chapters were good, even promising...but after that it takes a very, very sharp turn. So much information about too many characters is thrown at you so quickly, it is nearly impossible to keep up...I likened it to what it would be like if a book threw up. I rarely part with a book, even if I know I'm not going to read it again...but this one is most definitely going to find its way to the nearest used book store...pronto!
June 13, 2020
Un libro que ensalza la amistad por encima de todo, encarnada en un grupo de mujeres que demuestran su fortaleza ante todo tipo de adversidades.
El club de las brujas de las galletas, como se hacen llamar, está formado por doce mujeres a cuál más diferente pero unidas por un lazo de amistad, da igual si la amistad se forjó en el instituto, en la universidad o es reciente; lo importante es que todas ellas son un apoyo para las demás sin necesidad de que lo pidan expresamente.
Una lectura positiva, emotiva; que sin ser cosa del otro mundo, te entretiene y te ofrece un momento de serenidad y energía positiva.
El club de las brujas de las galletas, como se hacen llamar, está formado por doce mujeres a cuál más diferente pero unidas por un lazo de amistad, da igual si la amistad se forjó en el instituto, en la universidad o es reciente; lo importante es que todas ellas son un apoyo para las demás sin necesidad de que lo pidan expresamente.
Una lectura positiva, emotiva; que sin ser cosa del otro mundo, te entretiene y te ofrece un momento de serenidad y energía positiva.
December 24, 2021
Good book to pass your time, but there is nothing enchanting about it. I loved the addition of cookie recipes (although many of them require ingredients not available in Croatia 😂).
Realistically speaking, this book is a solid three-star read. However, the part with Allie was so disgusting that I had to remove a star. If that woman were a real person, she would've lost her license ages ago.
Realistically speaking, this book is a solid three-star read. However, the part with Allie was so disgusting that I had to remove a star. If that woman were a real person, she would've lost her license ages ago.
December 15, 2020
Cute read. Good Christmas cozy book.
December 17, 2020
Really enjoyed this book. No matter what was going on in these women's lives, they meet every year for their Christmas Cookie Club. It's a testamant as to how your friendships can sustain you through everything in life.
May 25, 2010
"The Christmas Cookie Club" is a short novel which takes place on one December evening. The event is the annual Christmas Cookie party where twelve women exchange cookies and donate some for charity. Each cookie delivery comes with a story, a recipe and a few historical facts about the ingredients. The host of the event is Marnie, who started the club, created the rules and has had a complex life herself.
Even though each chapter is supposed to be about the woman presenting the cookies, it isn't since we hear the story through Marnie's ears and are privy to her thoughts. So basically Marnie goes on tangents, as we all do from time to time, when a word or a phrase reminds her of another event. This is a short novel which in turn is divided into twelve short stories. There are many characters but I didn't get vested in any of them and the narration is mainly done by Marnie. We find out about the ups and downs of the lives of these women, with some insightful comments which get lost somewhere in the narration.
I found this book a bit convoluted, but not hard to read. The many characters were not easy to keep track of, especially since their spouses, parents and children were all part of the interwoven story. I have to admit that the characters are personable and likeable (mostly) and each story is delivered passionately but due to the circumstances, where each woman has a tragic occurrence or a secret, the uber-drama seems to take over from time to time.
For me, melodrama only works if I can make and emotional connection with the character, but because Ann Perlman was trying to keep the book to a reasonable size (or even short) the depth and exploration of character wasn't there.
At the beginning of every chapter there is a cookie recipe and at the end Ms. Pearlman wrote a short history of some ingredient (chocolate, salt, etc.). I think that the recipes and the historical information were certainly a nice touch, if you don't like it then skip over them since they are in between chapters. I don't know why people complain about them taking away from the story since they are not part of the story in the first place - nor do they add any insights or information - they are "extras" and should be treated as such. Maybe if they were included as appendices less people would have complained but as I said, I thought it was properly done and a nice touch.
Please keep in mind, that as a man, chick-lit usually doesn't speak to me.
For example I find it ridiculous that one moment everyone is in tears and the next a "dance party" breaks out.
Does this really happen?
Do women really dance around the kitchen table like they are in some kind of Nora Ephron movie?
If this really happens, good for you and more power.
Even though each chapter is supposed to be about the woman presenting the cookies, it isn't since we hear the story through Marnie's ears and are privy to her thoughts. So basically Marnie goes on tangents, as we all do from time to time, when a word or a phrase reminds her of another event. This is a short novel which in turn is divided into twelve short stories. There are many characters but I didn't get vested in any of them and the narration is mainly done by Marnie. We find out about the ups and downs of the lives of these women, with some insightful comments which get lost somewhere in the narration.
I found this book a bit convoluted, but not hard to read. The many characters were not easy to keep track of, especially since their spouses, parents and children were all part of the interwoven story. I have to admit that the characters are personable and likeable (mostly) and each story is delivered passionately but due to the circumstances, where each woman has a tragic occurrence or a secret, the uber-drama seems to take over from time to time.
For me, melodrama only works if I can make and emotional connection with the character, but because Ann Perlman was trying to keep the book to a reasonable size (or even short) the depth and exploration of character wasn't there.
At the beginning of every chapter there is a cookie recipe and at the end Ms. Pearlman wrote a short history of some ingredient (chocolate, salt, etc.). I think that the recipes and the historical information were certainly a nice touch, if you don't like it then skip over them since they are in between chapters. I don't know why people complain about them taking away from the story since they are not part of the story in the first place - nor do they add any insights or information - they are "extras" and should be treated as such. Maybe if they were included as appendices less people would have complained but as I said, I thought it was properly done and a nice touch.
Please keep in mind, that as a man, chick-lit usually doesn't speak to me.
For example I find it ridiculous that one moment everyone is in tears and the next a "dance party" breaks out.
Does this really happen?
Do women really dance around the kitchen table like they are in some kind of Nora Ephron movie?
If this really happens, good for you and more power.
December 1, 2017
Marnie has an annual Christmas party with rules. She invites 12 of her friends and they are to bring a bottle of wine, a dish, and 13 dozen cookies. One dozen will go to hospice and the other cookies will be handed out to the other guests. If you cannot attend the party you must send the cookies. You must also bring the recipe and tell a story as to why you choose that particular cookie.
This has been their tradition. The ladies have shared so many joys in their lives and appreciate the passage of time that has passed. Each of them has also endured disappointment, sorrow, self-disgust, addiction, and loss. One has even experienced the worse thing, the death of a child. They have shared many stories over the years and have grown closer with each passing year.
The book gives us the recipes of the cookies described in the stories and a little history of the ingredients. I tried a couple of the cookie recipes and wasn't thrilled with them. However, some of the ingredient information is interesting.
Baking soda or sodium bicarbonate was first found by the Egyptians in natural deposits and used as soap. When combined with moisture and an acidic ingredient, bubbles of carbon dioxide form that expand with heat. The reaction starts as soon as the ingredients are mixed so you need to bake recipes with soda immediately or they'll fall flat. Whereas baking powder contains sodium bicarbonate but the acidifying agent is included (cream of tartar) and a drying agent, (usually cornstarch). You can make your own baking powder if you have baking soda and cream of tartar. Cream of tartar is made from the sediment of wine production.
Dates were a staple food of the desert of Africa and the Middle East and the essential plant on which human life depended. They have been cultivated for over 8,000 years. Dates, along with olives, figs, pomegranates, and grapes were in the second wave of our planet's cultivated plants. It takes 4-7 years for a date to bear fruit and then they can reproduce for 7-10 years. The fruit we usually buy has been allowed to sun dry on the tree. In Islamic countries, dates and yogurt are the traditional first meal when the sun sets during Ramadan. When we eat dates, we eat the gift from the tree of life.
Many other stories of histories of food are included in the book, such as the story of flour, almonds, nuts, cinnamon, butter, vanilla, sugar, salt, chocolate, and ginger.
Loved the histories of the food and enjoyed the women's stories of their lives that were shared with their friends. It doesn't sound like a bad party!
This has been their tradition. The ladies have shared so many joys in their lives and appreciate the passage of time that has passed. Each of them has also endured disappointment, sorrow, self-disgust, addiction, and loss. One has even experienced the worse thing, the death of a child. They have shared many stories over the years and have grown closer with each passing year.
The book gives us the recipes of the cookies described in the stories and a little history of the ingredients. I tried a couple of the cookie recipes and wasn't thrilled with them. However, some of the ingredient information is interesting.
Baking soda or sodium bicarbonate was first found by the Egyptians in natural deposits and used as soap. When combined with moisture and an acidic ingredient, bubbles of carbon dioxide form that expand with heat. The reaction starts as soon as the ingredients are mixed so you need to bake recipes with soda immediately or they'll fall flat. Whereas baking powder contains sodium bicarbonate but the acidifying agent is included (cream of tartar) and a drying agent, (usually cornstarch). You can make your own baking powder if you have baking soda and cream of tartar. Cream of tartar is made from the sediment of wine production.
Dates were a staple food of the desert of Africa and the Middle East and the essential plant on which human life depended. They have been cultivated for over 8,000 years. Dates, along with olives, figs, pomegranates, and grapes were in the second wave of our planet's cultivated plants. It takes 4-7 years for a date to bear fruit and then they can reproduce for 7-10 years. The fruit we usually buy has been allowed to sun dry on the tree. In Islamic countries, dates and yogurt are the traditional first meal when the sun sets during Ramadan. When we eat dates, we eat the gift from the tree of life.
Many other stories of histories of food are included in the book, such as the story of flour, almonds, nuts, cinnamon, butter, vanilla, sugar, salt, chocolate, and ginger.
Loved the histories of the food and enjoyed the women's stories of their lives that were shared with their friends. It doesn't sound like a bad party!
October 30, 2011
It is that time of year again. Time for Marnie’s annual Christmas Cookie Club. There are eight rules but the most important one is number 7. Which states: It’s always on the first Monday in December (referencing to the annual Christmas Cookie Club). Put it on your calendar and count on it.
There are several new ladies joining the group this year. Marnie can not wait to visit with her friends, share memories, eat food, and of course munching on cookies. The only thing that would make this day perfect is hearing from Marnie’s older, daughter Sky and her having good news. Sky and her husband have been trying to have a child. Sky has had several miscarriages. She is currently four months pregnant and hopefully this time, she will have her baby.
Each woman had a good story to tell. I could see the strong, bond that Marnie and the rest of the ladies from the club had. They knew almost all of each other’s secrets; they have been there during life, death, marriage and divorce. I have to admit that I did like Marnie. She was the glue that held every one together. Plus, I loved that she was known as the “head cookie bitch”.
The Christmas Cookie Club is the perfect Christmas gift. Besides being a fun read, it has yummy recipes and I learned some things about the origin of some of the ingredients like butter, ginger, almonds and wheat to name a few. All that is left to do is wrap this book up and stick a bow on it and you will score a Big “Thank you”.
There are several new ladies joining the group this year. Marnie can not wait to visit with her friends, share memories, eat food, and of course munching on cookies. The only thing that would make this day perfect is hearing from Marnie’s older, daughter Sky and her having good news. Sky and her husband have been trying to have a child. Sky has had several miscarriages. She is currently four months pregnant and hopefully this time, she will have her baby.
Each woman had a good story to tell. I could see the strong, bond that Marnie and the rest of the ladies from the club had. They knew almost all of each other’s secrets; they have been there during life, death, marriage and divorce. I have to admit that I did like Marnie. She was the glue that held every one together. Plus, I loved that she was known as the “head cookie bitch”.
The Christmas Cookie Club is the perfect Christmas gift. Besides being a fun read, it has yummy recipes and I learned some things about the origin of some of the ingredients like butter, ginger, almonds and wheat to name a few. All that is left to do is wrap this book up and stick a bow on it and you will score a Big “Thank you”.
February 10, 2010
There were so many things wrong with this book! I really wanted to love this book but it just fell flat.
1-The story is told about 12 women but only one woman tells that story. Somehow she is part of everything in everyone's life. Also, while she would be describing something important in another woman's life, she would wander into her own life and make it all about her. It was quite annoying.
2- I can't even count how many times she mentioned the little wine glass ornaments that distinguish which glass is which. Seriously, it was mentioned way too many times. Does she have some kind of stock in this product and want to make sure people know how cool they are? Annoyed me more than it should have.
3- She tried way to hard to make you like these women when pretty much none of them were likeable. All the characters were flat and had nothing that I really cared about. I think she tried too hard to write her characters like the ones from "Friday Night Knitting Club".
I could go on and on, let's just say I was incredibly disappointed by this book, the writing and everything in between.
1-The story is told about 12 women but only one woman tells that story. Somehow she is part of everything in everyone's life. Also, while she would be describing something important in another woman's life, she would wander into her own life and make it all about her. It was quite annoying.
2- I can't even count how many times she mentioned the little wine glass ornaments that distinguish which glass is which. Seriously, it was mentioned way too many times. Does she have some kind of stock in this product and want to make sure people know how cool they are? Annoyed me more than it should have.
3- She tried way to hard to make you like these women when pretty much none of them were likeable. All the characters were flat and had nothing that I really cared about. I think she tried too hard to write her characters like the ones from "Friday Night Knitting Club".
I could go on and on, let's just say I was incredibly disappointed by this book, the writing and everything in between.
October 18, 2010
I love this book. The fun started for me last Christmas when I came across The Christmas Cookie Club by Ann Pearlman. It centers around a group of ladies that gather every Christmas season to make and exchange cookies. It sounds perfectly simple, but there are some rules for cookie club hopefuls. The publisher sent me this book in exchange for an honest review and I fell in love with it at first read. The warm of the authors, Ann Pearlman and Marybeth Bayer shines through the whole book.
This companion book to the novel, Christmas Cookie Club, tells you how to start your own cookie club, and a whole book of recipes and suggestions to make your cookie club the best it can be. It made me want to start one right now!
My favorite part of the book are the cookie recipes. Divided into cookie types, the recipes are well thought out and there are so many it will take awhile to possibly run through them all.
An excellent gift for the baker in your household this holiday season, or maybe just an early Christmas gift for yourself!
Check out The Christmas Cookie Cookbook by Ann Pearlman and Marybeth Bayer.
This companion book to the novel, Christmas Cookie Club, tells you how to start your own cookie club, and a whole book of recipes and suggestions to make your cookie club the best it can be. It made me want to start one right now!
My favorite part of the book are the cookie recipes. Divided into cookie types, the recipes are well thought out and there are so many it will take awhile to possibly run through them all.
An excellent gift for the baker in your household this holiday season, or maybe just an early Christmas gift for yourself!
Check out The Christmas Cookie Cookbook by Ann Pearlman and Marybeth Bayer.
Did not finish
November 24, 2019Christmas 2018 - Naughty
No. Just no. DNF'd very quickly.
With a title like "The Christmas Cookie Club" one might be forgiven for assuming this would be a lighthearted holiday read. Not so much. Within the first few minutes I listened in horror to a litany of multiple miscarriages; premature death from leukemia; adultery; and a divorce.
Happy Freaking Holidays.
PLUS, when I read unnecessary boring details, I often joke about the author writing, "Then I inhaled. Then I exhaled." I shit you not, in this book, the NARRATOR ACTUALLY SAID THAT during an excruciatingly minute description of how she was baking some pecan cookies.
No. Just no. DNF'd very quickly.
With a title like "The Christmas Cookie Club" one might be forgiven for assuming this would be a lighthearted holiday read. Not so much. Within the first few minutes I listened in horror to a litany of multiple miscarriages; premature death from leukemia; adultery; and a divorce.
Happy Freaking Holidays.
PLUS, when I read unnecessary boring details, I often joke about the author writing, "Then I inhaled. Then I exhaled." I shit you not, in this book, the NARRATOR ACTUALLY SAID THAT during an excruciatingly minute description of how she was baking some pecan cookies.
December 7, 2018
I gave up on this 2.5 chapters in, when I got a several page tutorial about flour at the start of chapter 1, and then a tutorial about almonds at the start of chapter 2.
After each of the tutorials, the book seems to get even more confused about its genre, as there were then several pages for the cookie recipes.
I can only assume that each chapter was the same, with 12 members of the cookie club - therefore 10 more of these tutorials and recipes to go.
The actual story seemed quite promising, but frankly, I was bored by the time I was three-quarters of the way through chapter 2, and gave up.
After each of the tutorials, the book seems to get even more confused about its genre, as there were then several pages for the cookie recipes.
I can only assume that each chapter was the same, with 12 members of the cookie club - therefore 10 more of these tutorials and recipes to go.
The actual story seemed quite promising, but frankly, I was bored by the time I was three-quarters of the way through chapter 2, and gave up.
January 6, 2022
I’d rate this between a 2 and 3. This book is exactly my cup of tea but I feel like this one fell flat for me. I wasn’t invested in the story like I wanted to be and I didn’t like the cookie recipes AND the little gems of knowledge (I did listen to this on audio so maybe I wouldn’t have minded this so much if I had read it with my eyes) but I would have enjoyed it more with one or the other. I found myself getting bored during those moments and would have to bring myself back into the story when those parts were over. I think my expectations for this book were higher than the reading experience was.
January 2, 2025
Nisam planirala čitati ovu knjigu, ali sam je našla doma pa rekoh da probam. Iskreno, voljela bih da je nisam čitala, ali imam pravilo da svaku knjigu pročitam do kraja koliko god mi je dosadna ili nešto jer kraj možda popravi stanje i ne bi bilo u redu da recenziram knjigu koju nisam pročitala do kraja. U prva dva poglavlja mi dvije situacije o kćeri prve žene i sinu druge nemaju logike, nisam ja doktor pa ne znam točno, ali to je moje mišljenje. Onaj tko je čitao, zna na koje situacije mislim. Previše mi je drame poput hrpe rastava, varanja, smrti. Ne znam, ni to mi nema smisla, doslovno nitko nema sreće i to je pretjerano. Žena iz prvog poglavlja priča u ime svih žena, ali je svako poglavlje o drugoj ženi. Na početku svakog poglavlja piše recept od kolača kojeg je žena napravila za klub, a na kraju su neke činjenice i povijest sastojka i to mi je pomalo bilo dosadno, a recepte nisam ni čitala najviše zbog toga jer mi je font bio nečitljiv. Na kraju saznajemo da je priča napisana po stvarnom klubu i ženama u njemu samo su imena i događaji izmijenjeni. Knjiga ima još dva nastavka, ali nisu prevedeni i poptpuno shvaćam zašto, niti ja ne bih ostale čitala. Ja ne bih preporučila ovu knjigu, ali vi svakako možete pročitati!
December 2, 2020
It's pretty rare that I cry at books, but this one had me reaching for the tissues at least three times.
I got so invested in the little stories and found myself rationing my last few pages so not to finish so quick.
Would definitely recommend as a great Christmas read!
I got so invested in the little stories and found myself rationing my last few pages so not to finish so quick.
Would definitely recommend as a great Christmas read!
December 10, 2019
I am giving it 1.5 stars I thought I had read it before but it just wasn't what I thought it would be. Nothing to do with Christmas at all. I didn't connect with any characters. The whole book is just the day of this cookie club meeting/party. Everyone women having an issue but no real depth in any of the issues or their story.
January 14, 2012
Each year Marnie hosts 11 other friend for a Christmas cookie club. There are rules about how many cookies they need to make (13 dozen- 1 for each member and 1 for charity), what types of cookies they can make (no chocolate chip cookies), and how they must be packaged (creatively, of course). Some women have participated every year of its existence. Others are only able to attend for a few years before moving on. The woman ages span several decades, difference finances, married, single, widowed, and divorced. Some are suffering due to affairs, others are involved in affairs. Some are dealing with death, whereas others have newborn babies, but they're all still friends.
The book takes place over a single night, obviously the night of the cookie party. Each chapter focuses on a different member and tells their story and the basic defining issue they're going through. In a way its format reminded me a lot of Joy for Beginners. For that reason I have some of the same likes and dislikes as I did then. I enjoyed reading each woman's story. But because of the way it was written, I had a hard time keeping track of all the woman. Each time a specific woman was mentioned I had to thumb through the chapters to see if I had read hers yet, and if I had, what her story was.
One thing I loved about this book was each chapter started with a cookie recipe. Of course if it was for example, Rosie's chapter, the cookie was the one she brought to the party. Each time I read a new cookie I thought about making it myself, and there's definitely some I'd love to try.
Another aspect I loved was that in between chapters there was a small history of a given ingredient. For example, they're be a page or two about vanilla, where it would describe how humans first started using it and how that changed over the years. It wasn't expecting this in the book, but I love this type of thing and I was glad to read the small glimpses of history.
I was a little skeptical starting this book in January. I had originally wanted to read this for Christmas, but didn't quite make it. Although to be honest it didn't really matter. Yes, the book does have somewhat of a warm-fuzzy feel to it. But I think if the book was renamed to only The Cookie Club, it would fit just as well. Overall it was a fun book, and I'm glad I found time to read it.
The book takes place over a single night, obviously the night of the cookie party. Each chapter focuses on a different member and tells their story and the basic defining issue they're going through. In a way its format reminded me a lot of Joy for Beginners. For that reason I have some of the same likes and dislikes as I did then. I enjoyed reading each woman's story. But because of the way it was written, I had a hard time keeping track of all the woman. Each time a specific woman was mentioned I had to thumb through the chapters to see if I had read hers yet, and if I had, what her story was.
One thing I loved about this book was each chapter started with a cookie recipe. Of course if it was for example, Rosie's chapter, the cookie was the one she brought to the party. Each time I read a new cookie I thought about making it myself, and there's definitely some I'd love to try.
Another aspect I loved was that in between chapters there was a small history of a given ingredient. For example, they're be a page or two about vanilla, where it would describe how humans first started using it and how that changed over the years. It wasn't expecting this in the book, but I love this type of thing and I was glad to read the small glimpses of history.
I was a little skeptical starting this book in January. I had originally wanted to read this for Christmas, but didn't quite make it. Although to be honest it didn't really matter. Yes, the book does have somewhat of a warm-fuzzy feel to it. But I think if the book was renamed to only The Cookie Club, it would fit just as well. Overall it was a fun book, and I'm glad I found time to read it.
December 5, 2016
Jeg troede virkelig, at denne bog ville være den perfekte julebog. Titlen, beskrivelse og forsiden gav mig bare julevibes, og jeg var så klar til julehygge. Desværre prøver bogen at være alt andet end lige det. Selve cookie-uddelingen og beskrivelsen af deres hyggelige og hjertevarmende møde, som var dét, jeg ville læse allermest om, fyldte ikke engang halvdelen af bogen. Men det var de beskrivelser, som jeg bedst kunne lide, da de omhandlede deres venskaber og hygge.
Vi hører om de forskellige kvinders historier, samt deres relation til hovedpersonen Marnie, og eventuelt deres forbindelser til de andre kvinder. Hver kvinde har deres egen tragiske historie med dertilhørende problemstillinger, og det hele blev en anelse trist. Jeg er med på, at bogen nok gerne vil beskrive livet i virkelige aspekter - at alt ikke bare er godt, selvom det udadtil kan virke sådan - men det var bare ikke dét, som jeg havde forventet af bogen, og jeg blev derfor ret skuffet.
"When I see a friend heading down a difficult road, how much do I confront, and how much do I accept knowing I'll be there to pick up the pieces? How much am I the listening, loving friend and how much should I point out the danger? How much do I receive and how much do I warn?" - citat side 68.
Når det så er sagt, så rørte nogle af historierne mig dog - jeg er jo ikke iskold. Det er især de forskellige portrætteringer af kærlighed, som jeg bed mærke i, uanset hvilken form for kærlighed det indebar. Derudover starter hvert kapitel med en opskrift på de cookies, som den kvinde kapitlet handler om, har bagt, hvilket virkelig er sådan en fin detalje. Hvert kapitel slutter også med en slags faktaboks om forskellige ingredienser til bagning. Dette var en fin idé, det interesserede mig desværre bare overhovedet ikke. Så alt i alt var bogen en blandet fornøjelse, og dog ikke så juleagtig, som jeg havde forventet.
Vi hører om de forskellige kvinders historier, samt deres relation til hovedpersonen Marnie, og eventuelt deres forbindelser til de andre kvinder. Hver kvinde har deres egen tragiske historie med dertilhørende problemstillinger, og det hele blev en anelse trist. Jeg er med på, at bogen nok gerne vil beskrive livet i virkelige aspekter - at alt ikke bare er godt, selvom det udadtil kan virke sådan - men det var bare ikke dét, som jeg havde forventet af bogen, og jeg blev derfor ret skuffet.
"When I see a friend heading down a difficult road, how much do I confront, and how much do I accept knowing I'll be there to pick up the pieces? How much am I the listening, loving friend and how much should I point out the danger? How much do I receive and how much do I warn?" - citat side 68.
Når det så er sagt, så rørte nogle af historierne mig dog - jeg er jo ikke iskold. Det er især de forskellige portrætteringer af kærlighed, som jeg bed mærke i, uanset hvilken form for kærlighed det indebar. Derudover starter hvert kapitel med en opskrift på de cookies, som den kvinde kapitlet handler om, har bagt, hvilket virkelig er sådan en fin detalje. Hvert kapitel slutter også med en slags faktaboks om forskellige ingredienser til bagning. Dette var en fin idé, det interesserede mig desværre bare overhovedet ikke. Så alt i alt var bogen en blandet fornøjelse, og dog ikke så juleagtig, som jeg havde forventet.
October 25, 2009
The opening line of this book is pretty good, I have to admit:
I am the head cookie bitch and this is my party.
And the premise for the book is also not bad. Every year a group of twelve diverse women gather to exchange cookies that they bake along with the latest happenings in their lives. As can be expected with this kind of story each woman has something unique to bring to the table like: one has adopted a baby internationally, one has a father who is having an affair with her bestfriend, the narrator, Marnie's daughter is in the last stages of a high-risk pregnancy, that sort of thing.
I enjoyed the recipes at the beginning of each chapter, and I have to admit to the craving of cookies throughout the entire book, but the predictable and wooden dialogue left me stale. I think I have mentioned several times on my blog that I love how an author can give a distinctive voice to each character, and in fact I believe that is one of the many markers of good writing. Unfortunately, to me, every single character sounded the same, despite the authors attempt to give some variation in the word choices or mannerisms in some of the characters.
Although Pearlman gave each character an issue or life circumstance, I really had a hard time caring about any of these women, despite really wanting to.
The Christmas Cookie Club is being made into a film to be seen on television.
I am the head cookie bitch and this is my party.
And the premise for the book is also not bad. Every year a group of twelve diverse women gather to exchange cookies that they bake along with the latest happenings in their lives. As can be expected with this kind of story each woman has something unique to bring to the table like: one has adopted a baby internationally, one has a father who is having an affair with her bestfriend, the narrator, Marnie's daughter is in the last stages of a high-risk pregnancy, that sort of thing.
I enjoyed the recipes at the beginning of each chapter, and I have to admit to the craving of cookies throughout the entire book, but the predictable and wooden dialogue left me stale. I think I have mentioned several times on my blog that I love how an author can give a distinctive voice to each character, and in fact I believe that is one of the many markers of good writing. Unfortunately, to me, every single character sounded the same, despite the authors attempt to give some variation in the word choices or mannerisms in some of the characters.
Although Pearlman gave each character an issue or life circumstance, I really had a hard time caring about any of these women, despite really wanting to.
The Christmas Cookie Club is being made into a film to be seen on television.
September 12, 2015
3.5/5
This is the story of 12 women who meet up every December for a cookie exchange. Each brings cookies to exchange, as well as well as a year full of stories and (a lot of) heartache. The story is narrated by Marnie, the “head cookie bitch,” and the host of the annual party. A lot of the story is centered around her life. She has two pregnant daughters, one an unwed eighteen year old, and the other in her 20’s who has had a tough time with her pregnancies. Each chapter is about a different member of the cookie club, all of whom seem to be going through some kind of hardship – cancer, divorce, death of a child – just to name a few.
I thought this was a really cute book about friendship that was nice to read at Christmastime. Though it takes place around Christmas, I really think it could be read and enjoyed any time of the year, so don’t let that deter you. It was a feel good story, though it did have its flaws. My main issue was that there were so many characters and various stories going on in only 270 pages that it could get confusing at times. I felt it would have been better if there were less characters. Nonetheless, I did think this was adorable and inspirational. The beginning of each chapter also starts off with a cookie recipe which is a nice touch. This story definitely makes me want to have a Christmas Cookie Club of my own!
All in all, a nice, quick read about bonds and friendship with slightly too many characters.
This is the story of 12 women who meet up every December for a cookie exchange. Each brings cookies to exchange, as well as well as a year full of stories and (a lot of) heartache. The story is narrated by Marnie, the “head cookie bitch,” and the host of the annual party. A lot of the story is centered around her life. She has two pregnant daughters, one an unwed eighteen year old, and the other in her 20’s who has had a tough time with her pregnancies. Each chapter is about a different member of the cookie club, all of whom seem to be going through some kind of hardship – cancer, divorce, death of a child – just to name a few.
I thought this was a really cute book about friendship that was nice to read at Christmastime. Though it takes place around Christmas, I really think it could be read and enjoyed any time of the year, so don’t let that deter you. It was a feel good story, though it did have its flaws. My main issue was that there were so many characters and various stories going on in only 270 pages that it could get confusing at times. I felt it would have been better if there were less characters. Nonetheless, I did think this was adorable and inspirational. The beginning of each chapter also starts off with a cookie recipe which is a nice touch. This story definitely makes me want to have a Christmas Cookie Club of my own!
All in all, a nice, quick read about bonds and friendship with slightly too many characters.
September 26, 2011
Based on a real club, 12 women meet each year, bring cookies and share stories.
I was sad at the amount of infidelity that occurred in marriages. These women live in a very different world than most of the people I interact with. I need to get out even MORE so I can embrace these kind of women and shine LIGHT into their worlds.
The confusion and warped philosophy about relationships and religion reminded me how truly blessed I am to live in my peaceful little faith-filled home.
I thought it was interesting that the book had historical background for a variety of baking ingredients as well as recipes for each cookie that was made for this particular meeting of the club.
I would not read this book again.
BUT I was inspired. I think I am going to start my own club. 12 women, baking 13 dozen cookies (one for charity), and wrapping them up in pretty little containers for one another. Sharing stories from their year and about their cookies. Appetizer eating, laughing, sharing, candles lit, productive fun.
Favorite quote:
"I know once you're a parent, your safety net is full of holes...any glorious or horrendous thing is possible."
I'm so glad that my safety net is in God and that the glorious AND the horrendous can be used for his glory. But it IS true - BOTH become very real possibilities once your heart begins walking around outside of your body - in the form of children. :)
I was sad at the amount of infidelity that occurred in marriages. These women live in a very different world than most of the people I interact with. I need to get out even MORE so I can embrace these kind of women and shine LIGHT into their worlds.
The confusion and warped philosophy about relationships and religion reminded me how truly blessed I am to live in my peaceful little faith-filled home.
I thought it was interesting that the book had historical background for a variety of baking ingredients as well as recipes for each cookie that was made for this particular meeting of the club.
I would not read this book again.
BUT I was inspired. I think I am going to start my own club. 12 women, baking 13 dozen cookies (one for charity), and wrapping them up in pretty little containers for one another. Sharing stories from their year and about their cookies. Appetizer eating, laughing, sharing, candles lit, productive fun.
Favorite quote:
"I know once you're a parent, your safety net is full of holes...any glorious or horrendous thing is possible."
I'm so glad that my safety net is in God and that the glorious AND the horrendous can be used for his glory. But it IS true - BOTH become very real possibilities once your heart begins walking around outside of your body - in the form of children. :)
January 21, 2023
Ostala sam dužna recenziju za ovu knjigu.
Prekrasna i topla priča o različitim životima 12 žena različitih dobi koje su spletom okolnosti postale prijateljice. Popraćeno receptima ukusnih kolačića i životnim iskustvima, te međusobnim odnosima, ova knjiga je pravo blagdansko štivo.
Osobno mi nisu zanimljivi bili dijelovi o određenim začinima, izgledalo mi je kao rubrika za one koji žele znati više, ali sve ostalo me baš oduševilo.
Prekrasna i topla priča o različitim životima 12 žena različitih dobi koje su spletom okolnosti postale prijateljice. Popraćeno receptima ukusnih kolačića i životnim iskustvima, te međusobnim odnosima, ova knjiga je pravo blagdansko štivo.
Osobno mi nisu zanimljivi bili dijelovi o određenim začinima, izgledalo mi je kao rubrika za one koji žele znati više, ali sve ostalo me baš oduševilo.
May 15, 2015
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!
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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