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Wednesday, August 18, 2010

The Cookbook Collector

Alas, we have time for yet another summer read! Here is a book by Allegra Goodman, a new author to our bookclub. Her novel is called The Cookbook Collector and has already received plenty of praise:
"The Cookbook Collector will appeal to readers who seek the pleasures of a beach read – romance, lovers' betrayals, depictions of jet-setting people with money and power – but who also crave substance: solid prose, well-crafted scenes, developed characters, abundant literary allusions and plenty of food for thought. She captures the world with intensity and humor, using characters who become dear, but never flat. The cookbook collector of the novel's title refers to one who would rather collect cookbooks than cook, someone who would stand apart from the world instead of participating in it."
- Dallas Morning News

"Looking for a delicious read? Allegra Goodman has whipped up a delectable mix of intelligence, relevance, wit, romance, moral complexity, bibliophilia, dot-com start-ups and family secrets in her luscious fourth novel, The Cookbook Collector."
Salon

"Allegra Goodman mixes up a lively stew of characters from the cotcom-era bubble: bold young software titans, Berkeley tree-huggers, bibliophiles and a pair of investment savvy rabbis. The plot may be IPO-centric, but the novel is old-fashioned and wildly romantic."
Time
So many reviewers can't be wrong now, can they? Let's see for ourselves and get reading!

25 comments:

  1. Hello, book clubbers. Thank you for choosing my book to read! Please feel free to send any questions my way at www.allegragoodman.com or on my Facebook fan page.

    Cheers,
    Allegra Goodman

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  2. Allegra,

    Thank you so very much for visiting and posting a comment to the Chicken Lit'ers. We can't wait to dive into your book and contact you personally with questions/comments we encounter along the way.

    Such an honor!

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  3. That is awesome news that you found our little bookclub! Thank you so much for stopping by I am sure that we will have lots of questions for you as we read!

    Take care,
    Becca

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  4. Just starting ch 15 here and really enjoying this book. The story hits home with me since I'm a Computer Science major who once worked as a Software Engineer - brings back memories to when my employer's IPO turned employees into stock-fanatics. Good times!

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  5. Don't hate me, but I didn't pick up the book all weekend so I am just into chapter 3. I will catch up to you this week. Hoping to be caught up to you soon!

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  6. No haters here! Can't blame you for not picking up the book while on primo-resort vacation. I'm still in ch 15 after starting my daughter's 'The Hunger Games' series by Suzanne Collins today. It's a YA series with so much hype that I couldn't resist. The third book 'Mockingjay' releases tomorrow - couldn't resist being in on that. ;)

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  7. Is it a good series? Was thinking about getting it..

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  8. Yes, it's very good! You should get it... I recommend.

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  9. Finished 'The Hunger Games' book 1 today - WOW. Must tag team book 2 w/daughter until she finishes, then we're off to read book 3 'Mockingjay'.

    MEANWHILE, I'm nearing the end of ch 15 in TCC and see meaning in the title of the book now. This could get very interesting!

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  10. B,

    I am having to listen to this book. My left eye is completely inflamed again. So I just bought it on Audible and listening to it. I really don't want to keep you waiting. I will have plenty of time to listen tomorrow, since Mitch has jury duty starting tomorrow. So sorry.

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  11. No problem whatsoever, Becca. I'm just glad you're listening while I read - thank you! Sending a few extra prayers up today in hopes of a quick recovery from that dratted eye trouble. ((hugs))

    Starting ch 20 here. Not saying a word until you catch up w/me.

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  12. Am listening to chapter 11 right now. Very good book. Not liking John right now. Not at all. I think he is coming off as mean and jealous. Am I right?

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  13. You are right, Becca - that guy cannot be trusted. Not sure what Emily sees in him! Well... he did grow up in Nebraska, so he's got something going on there. ;)

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  14. Hi, just started chapter 17. Very interesting book!

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  15. Just hit part 6, chapter 23..all I can say is wow!

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  16. ch 28 here... you ain't seen nothin' yet! ;) No spoilers, I promise!

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  17. Chapter 28 here too..oh my god, this is hard. Harder than I thought. I flew home from Maine right before 9/11.

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  18. finishing ch 29 here - it just gets better and better!

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  19. Amazing... just amazing. I enjoyed this book on so many levels - where to start? From tech stocks to sisterhood, finding long lost relatives, falling in love, and remembering where I was and what I was doing on September 11, 2001. My goodness what a great read!

    Bravo, Goodman: 5 out of 5 stars.

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  20. I loved this book, though in the beginning it was slow. I loved the ending!

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  21. Agreed about the slow beginning, but great writing/character development. And that ending... yes, WOW.

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  22. Currently on ch 'Claire - A Comedy Life'. Seems easier to read if I don't put the book down too often. It's like I get on a roll and understand the voices better. Lola is the perfect strength for Claire who doesn't seem to fit the Hollywood mom persona. Now to see how Lucy does with Jeff & Helen until Lola's ready to take her place... maybe?

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  23. I am to Lola "The American Sex Kind of Love", how far from me are you?

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