Marnie is the organizer of The Christmas Cookie Club - a group of twelve women who gather once a year to ring in the holiday season and exchange cookies. Everyone brings thirteen dozen cookies – a dozen for each of them and a dozen for a charity. The club has been meeting for sixteen years and has some strict rules:
- No chocolate chip cookies.
- No cookie bars.
- No paper plates covered in saran wrap.
- No more than twelve in the group.
- You can’t miss a year.
- You have tenure after five years.
- It’s always on the first Monday in December.
- Bring copies of the recipe for everyone.
Since Marnie is the organizer, she is the common bond between all of the women and knows everyone’s secrets. For the most part, these women are supportive of each other through life’s ups and downs, and boy, do they do they have their fair share of struggles.
The Christmas Cookie Club by Ann Pearlman takes place during one of the club’s meetings. A little bit of each character’s back story is filled in so the reader learns how they’re connected to Marnie and how they came to be a member of the club. I enjoyed spending an evening with the ladies of the club. Most of the women in this character driven novel have had their share of adversities and have become stronger because of them. It was a pleasure getting to know them and reading about how their friendships helped them survive the tough times. This book did tug at my heart strings at times and I became teary-eyed at more than one point while reading it.
For me, The Christmas Cookie Club isn’t really a Christmas story at all – it just happens to take place during the holiday season. Instead, it’s a story about the strength of women and the importance of friendship. After finishing the book, I reflected on how lucky I’ve been to know some remarkable women over the years.
The Christmas Cookie Club also includes recipes and interesting information about cookie ingredients such as vanilla and sugar. I found that information fascinating and learned a few new things!
Ann Pearlman is hosting a Christmas Cookie Club Party on Facebook from December 4 to December 8. You can see the details here.
Since this book includes recipes and great information about cookie recipes, I’m adding it to Weekend Cooking, a great feature on Beth Fish Reads. You might want to go over there and check out the other great links included today.
25 Comments
November 14, 2009 at 7:09 am
Nice review – it has me wanting to read the book!
November 14, 2009 at 7:17 am
seems a nice book!:D
have a nice weekend!
November 14, 2009 at 7:44 am
Those are some pretty stiff rules just for a once a year cookie exchange. Tenure? The cookies must be terrific. I’m going to read this to see what this is all about.
November 14, 2009 at 7:49 am
This is the first review in which I’ve seen the rules for the cookies. I think they’re good. Interesting that the list of no-nos doesn’t include “no raw cookie dough” (which I have seen at these exchanges!)
November 14, 2009 at 7:52 am
I have been drawn to this book each time I walk into the bookstore, but never sure if it was a book for me. Your review has made me to decide that I need to give it a try. I absolutely LOVE a character driven novel —- and the setting of a Christmas Cookie Exchange sounds just perfect.
November 14, 2009 at 8:44 am
I’m not a baker, and the closest I’ve come to “making” cookies is slice and bake…but I love a good novel about women and friendships, so this one’s going on the list!
November 14, 2009 at 8:50 am
Great review. I was sharing the rules the other evening with a friend of mine who is hosting her own cookie exchange.
November 14, 2009 at 9:44 am
I love the sound of this book! This has made me extra-excited about the cookie exchange I’m going to on Dec. 6. Maybe I’ll even get creative with the packaging for a change.
November 14, 2009 at 9:47 am
Sounds like a fun read! I’m off to Facebook to check out the party!
November 14, 2009 at 9:57 am
This book sounds great! My mom has been doing a Christmas Cookie Bake with her friends for about 10 years now — they’re up to 20 bakers, but fewer rules than this book club. I loved the huge variety of cookies we would end up after the cookie bake each year. I am going to get this book for my mom to read.
November 14, 2009 at 10:59 am
I have this book in my TBR pile of Christmas books, although a friend who reviewed this for Booklist said the same thing you did. It’s a book about women’s friendship more than Christmas. Thanks for the great review!
Lesa – http://www.lesasbookcritiques.blogspot.com
November 14, 2009 at 11:32 am
This is making me really hungry. I want to sit in front of the fire with my Christmas tree lights twinkling and eat festive food.
November 14, 2009 at 3:55 pm
I’ve been wanting to read this since I first heard of it. I’m glad to know you enjoyed it!
November 14, 2009 at 5:04 pm
in theory, making Christmas cookies, especially an exchange, sounds so great! In reality, I never seem to have the time.
I have to say that I might have an issue with a club that forbids the king of cookies, the chocolate chip. I understand the idea but still…
November 14, 2009 at 8:23 pm
I have this book in my review pile. Can’t wait to get to it. It sounds like a fabulous book.
November 15, 2009 at 3:31 am
I’m so glad to read your review; I have seen this book at the bookstore and I was very hesitant to get it. Now I think I will. Thanks!
November 15, 2009 at 7:33 pm
Sounds like a fun read! Plus, I love the cover too!
November 16, 2009 at 12:52 am
What a wonderful read! All this cookie talk is making me wanting one too!
November 16, 2009 at 10:36 am
This book sounds so wonderful. I love books that center around women’s friendships.
November 16, 2009 at 11:38 am
I’d love to belong to a club like this! I’m adding this to my list. And marking it as a great gift idea for the readers/bakers in my family.
November 16, 2009 at 3:53 pm
Glad you liked this one! Another review I read didn’t rate it as highly, so I am glad to hear that it wasn’t as disappointing as I was first led to believe.
November 17, 2009 at 9:14 pm
Now I know I haven’t read this book but I think I remember hearing about a similar club before. Love books about food so this is going on my wishlist!
November 18, 2009 at 10:28 am
I really want to read this book! Thanks for the review!
November 18, 2009 at 8:40 pm
Your review has me wanting to read the book and eat cookies. Hummmmm.
-CYM
November 24, 2009 at 8:22 pm
I just love how it inspired you!!! And I would have a serious problem with a club that did not allow chocolate chip cookies!!!