Monday, October 17, 2011

Book Review: The Chocolate Diaries

Recently, I have had the chance to read The Chocolate Diaries by Karen Scalf Linamen. Subtitled Secrets for a Sweeter Journey on the Rocky Road of Life, it just sounded like something I needed to read.

From the publisher:

Ready to Make Some Sweet Changes?
Karen Linamen dishes up a satisfying blend of moxie and mocha, sharing stories from dozens of women who reveal savvy strategies for embracing a sweeter life—even while traveling rocky roads. If you’re hungry for more joy, reasons to laugh again, ideas to help you heal, and reliable hope leading to a sweeter future, this journey will leave you satisfied.

Funny, transparent, and uplifting, The Chocolate Diaries is like taking a road trip with good friends who are wise about life. And while you’re at it, indulge (just a little) in the quirky recipes for concocting chocolate delights out of whatever ingredients you can round up in your kitchen. The road may still be bumpy, but you’ll be having too much fun to care.
Basically, this is a bit of a self-help (for women), a bit of funny "laughter is the best medicine" bits, a lot of talk about chocolate, and a few recipes besides.


What I like about this book, well, it's a few things.

  • The chapters are fairly short, and they stand alone.  I can read a chapter on Sunday afternoon, then read another before bed on Wednesday... and I don't have to backtrack to try to remember what point she was trying to make.  The other way of phrasing this might be that the book is a bit disjointed.
  • Linamen is entertaining.  With a "hanging out with your girlfriends" feel throughout.
  • Each chapter includes recipes.  Some are just ideas, some are full fledged recipes.  Most sound really good.
  • The overall message is incredibly uplifting.  
You can download an excerpt here and see for yourself!



I would truly appreciate you for "ranking" my review with the link above.  That helps me to have a wider selection of books to review.  Thank you!


Disclaimer: I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group in exchange for this review.

No comments: