Review: The Christmas Cookie Club
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.
Bermudaonion's Weblog 
Nice review – it has me wanting to read the book!
seems a nice book!:D
have a nice weekend!
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.
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!)
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.
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!
Great review. I was sharing the rules the other evening with a friend of mine who is hosting her own cookie exchange.
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.
Sounds like a fun read! I’m off to Facebook to check out the party!
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.
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
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.
I’ve been wanting to read this since I first heard of it. I’m glad to know you enjoyed it!
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…
I have this book in my review pile. Can’t wait to get to it. It sounds like a fabulous book.
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! 😀
Sounds like a fun read! Plus, I love the cover too!
What a wonderful read! All this cookie talk is making me wanting one too!
This book sounds so wonderful. I love books that center around women’s friendships.
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.
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.
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!
I really want to read this book! Thanks for the review!
Your review has me wanting to read the book and eat cookies. Hummmmm.
-CYM
I just love how it inspired you!!! And I would have a serious problem with a club that did not allow chocolate chip cookies!!!
I just love your book and I’m now a cookie bitch myself with Linda’s new club. We really enjoy hearing about the Ann Arbor group! Thanks for sharing your experience with your cookie bitches!
Ellen
Virginia Beach