==Christmas Cookie Club==

Described as 'the perfect recipe for friendship this Christmas', this book jumped out at me from the shelves last year. Most books I buy, I read once and then I have to pass them on to friends and family, or there would never be any room left in my home. Having enjoyed this book so much last year I kept it, and being Christmas soon, I simply had to read it again.

===Synopsis===

Sixteen years ago, Marnie set up the Christmas Cookie Club, the club is about giving, not just the cookies they bake, but also about giving love and support. They take turns to tell the story about why they chose that specific cookie recipe, and each story is somehow emblematic of the year that has passed.

===My Thoughts===

The Christmas Cookie Club, written by Ann Pearlman, is unashamedly Chit Lit. Published last October, the book is currently available to purchase from Amazon for just £4.12 (brand new) or £4.99 on Kindle.
As there are twelve members, there are twelve stories to listen to, and quite often they are interlinked. It can and does, get a little confusing around the middle of the book; I kept flicking back to remind myself who was who. I also had to flick back to see how many characters stories were left, it wasn't that I was bored of the story or anything, it was a case of, is that six or seven, or might it be number eight?

The stories, although very dramatic individually, tended to blend together as one, simply because you really don't get chance to take it all in before the next character started to tell their tale. Occasionally there is a pause in the telling of the characters tales of woe, and this comes as a welcome break.

This book could be classed as twelve stories woven together to make one book, but it doesn't feel that way - It definitely feels like one book, with lots of stories within it. It's very eloquent and beautifully descriptive. It's quite emotive at times, be sure to keep your hankies close, you WILL need them.

This book has a traditional feel about it, of Christmas's past, where everyone gathers, and a festive spirit starts to grow. This is however, written with a modern setting in America, and as such, there are many American references within it; it doesn't detract from the plot though, as it can tend to do in some novels I've read. You get so absorbed with the tales, you don't really notice it.

The characters are well thought out, and you really feel for them. It seems they all have their troubles like everyone else, but although this book could feel quite depressing, it doesn't. It feels uplifting and cheery. You want to shout 'Merry Christmas' at the top of your voice, and it makes you really appreciate your friends and family, and the happiness and healthiness, you will hopefully enjoy this Christmas.

Interspersed within the stories are the recipes of the cookies they bake. I'd like to say that I've cooked some of them, but I haven't as yet. They do add a lovely touch to the book, and give it a homely feel. There are also sections dedicated to the ingredients, i.e. sugar, flour, nuts, and nutmeg; the history of them, and why they are beneficial to both us, and the recipe. Like I mentioned previously - these come as a nice pausing place to put the book down and ponder over what you have read. I can guarantee though, you'll soon be picking this book back up, it's addictive.

Although I love books, lately I've not been much of a reader, a couple of chapters before bed at most, but I really get engrossed with this book, so much so I read it over the course of a day. I'm going to award this book five stars, with the hope that you feel the same way when you read it. This book is staying in my collection forever.

Thanks for reading my review, which is also posted on Ciao.