Of course, since I like candy and all sorts of sweet things, I thought that this would be a good book to read. And, it does start out interesting as the author details various interesting facts about candy--and mostly chocolate--in the United States. He travels around the country, talking with various people who are candy freaks like himself and have actually done something with their love of chocolate besides just enjoy the taste silently--whether it's collecting candy bar wrappers from a variety of different sources or open up candy websites. And he tours small candy factories around the country.

However, as he visits more and more places, it seems as if he has nothing new to say about some of these things, and it shows in the writing that he has to really stretch his thoughts and adventures out in order to make the subject into a book.

You can easily find all the candy mentioned in the book, if you're willing to look for it, and look for it in places other than the big box stores such as grocery stores or department stores. ( )

This book was a lot of fun, mostly for the interesting history and nostalgia of various candies. The author's self-depreciating (and sophmoric) humor was kind of funny at first, but near the end it got to me. I felt like saying, c'mon, get to the part about the candy. Ultimately, he always did. His love for candy burns brightly and it's a joy to read about a subject wherein someone has so much passion. The author's junket to four "little guy" candy producers is great and the pride in their creations was awesome. I also thought the information on marketing was very interesting, and really quite sad. I sure felt like an American consumer lemming. You won't look at candy shelving, marketing, production etc. ever quite the same way again. When I put the book down, I immediately spread the word on some of the smaller candy/chocolate makers who use quality ingredients and really care about both the producers of the ingredients, their workers and the ultimate candy consumer. I recommend this highly if you have any interest in candy (and its production) and don't mind a bit of crude humor. ( )

Do you like candy? Steve Almond does--a lot. He turned his obsession into this book, where he travels the country looking at how small candy companies survive and how they make their candy--sampling their products the whole way. This book will make you laugh, make you think, and make you hungry for that perfect candy bar that you haven't seen in stores since you were a kid. ( )

One of my favorites! I actually went online and ordered a Cherry Bing, GooGoo Clusters, and Valomilks. I'm recommending this one to my nonfiction book group because it's such a fun read! ( )

If you liked Fast Food Nation and Supersize Me, you'll love to devour this one. Steve Almond goes behind the scenes of candy-making: who the big firms are and what they're REALLY like. He also makes you pine for the days where monopolists didn't run the candy market by exploring smaller firms. He describes each confection in such delicious detail I guarantee you'll be craving some candy. I absolutely loved this book. Not only was it an incredibly interesting read, Almond is a fantastic writer and keeps you engaged and laughing along with him the whole journey. Look this one up. ( )

I heard rave reviews about this book but didn't expect to find myself constantly apologizing to Tom for all the giggling while reading it in bed. Steve Almond is not only literally crazy about candy but a hilarious and talented writer. His quest to find his favorite candy of yesteryear takes him around America to the last of the independent candy manufacturers. Even when mentioning his personal political or environmental views, Almond never really dwells on them or seems to take anything too seriously ... except candy, of course. Its a quick read that left me with a desire to look for 5 Star Bars, Peanut Chews, Big Hunks ... all that candy that I never heard of before but now long to experience. ( )

Steve Almond is a guy who loves candy. And he also happens to be a writer. So why not put the two together and write a book that explores his obsession with candy as well as visiting small local candy factories throughout the USA.

Being Irish, I didn't recognise a lot of the candy bars mentioned in this book (with the exception of dark Kit Kats), but what I did understand was this author's passion and humour when it came to the subject of candy. Parts of this book will have you laughing out loud. He is never afraid to be open and honest, and you will finish this book with a sense of connection to the author.

As part of his research, Almond arranged to visit several small regional manufacturers throughout the states, including Philadelphia (Peanut Chews), Sioux City (Twin Bing), Nashville (Goo Goo Cluster), and Boise (Idaho Spud). The character portraits drawn of the factory owners and employees are endearing, but the author's fascination with the machinery used to create candy and his obsessional thieving fresh bars from the production line when not being watched are hilarious. Also amusing are his efforts to avoid candies containing coconut.

This is one sweet treat of a book. ( )

As I began reading this, I was compelled to shovel down handfuls of Runts. Halfway through, I stopped to go to the store and buy a couple of candy bars. You know, for tasting.After finishing, I've decided that I'm going to start a podcast, discussing the differences between various candy bars. The theme song will be "Candy Bars", by Grand Buffet. Jason will be my cohost. ( )

I read this book while I drove with Erin and my in-laws to Memphis.

It was a pretty fun book.

I tried eating some candy while reading but it gave me a stomach-ache.

Things I liked from this book:
* the term 'Radioactive Cute'
* The fascination the author had with the candy manufacturers

Things that could have been better:
* The author's breezy style was good, but there were parts where it seemed out of place. ( )

I was totally taken off guard with how funny this book was. I went to read the introduction one day and found myself 30 pages into the book in no time at all. What I expected to be a somewhat dry documentary of the history of candy turned out to be a hilarious personal account of a lifetime spent worshipping candy of all types. I was dying at his various interludes such as "mistakes were made," candy so terrible nobody should ever eat it. After the opening section that documents his interest in sweets, most of the rest of the book is spent with the author taking trips from factory to factory, recording a diverse number of candies and their manufacturing process. I pestered my friends and family for months with anecdotes after reading it. ( )

Entertaining trek through the candy world. Playful and lighthearted. Comic. ( )

No one loves candy more than Steve. This hilarious account of his obsession and the journey through American candy history that it provokes will make you laugh until you cry. And nostalgia city! Remember the Caravelle bar? Remember the Bubble Yum shortage of the 70s? -Steve

http://www.lincolnlibraries.org/depts... ( )

A delectable look at sweets. Interesting facts and a very conversational, engaging writing style. ( )

Caution: This book resulted in a several pound gain caused by a Twin Bings, a few Idaho Spuds, and a box of Old Faithfuls (wonderful!). All in all, a very expensive and hazardous book! ( )

Made me want to take a trip around Canada looking for the same candy explorations that Almond did. Better yet, trip around Great Britain! ( )

funny and informative ( )

Subtitle: A Journey Through the Chocolate Underbelly of America. A chocoholics dream, with plenty of fun and frivolity. Read with good chocolate at hand. ( )

Plot: Candy lover tours several candy factories

Pros: Funny, well-written, interesting, mouth-watering

Cons: None

Other Thoughts: One of the most satisfying books I have ever read. I laughed out loud a few times. I want to try several of the candy bars he mentions that I've never heard of.

Grade: A+ ( )

Picture a magical, sugar-fueled road trip with Willy Wonka behind the wheel and David Sedaris riding shotgun, complete with chocolate-stained roadmaps and the colorful confetti of spent candy wrappers flying in your cocoa powder dust. If you can imagine such a manic journey--better yet, if you can imagine being a hungry hitchhiker who's swept through America's forgotten candy meccas: Philadelphia (Peanut Chews), Sioux City (Twin Bing), Nashville (Goo Goo Cluster), Boise (Idaho Spud) and beyond--then Candyfreak: A Journey through the Chocolate Underbelly of America, Steve Almond's impossible-to-put down portrait of regional candy makers and the author's own obsession with all-things sweet, would be your Fodor's guide to this gonzo tour.

This little book is guaranteed to bring out the candyfreak in anyone who has ever wondered whatever happened to their favorite childhood confection. However much you have thought about it since the age of 10, Steve Almond (who must surely have won an award for "name best suited to book title" by now) has most assuredly thought about it more. And if you want to spend some more time thinking about it, the author has established a web site for exchanging your innermost thoughts on the subject. Great fun and (surprisingly) an education in candy manufacture as well. ( )

Literary skill - Well crafted travelogue, no dull points, some digressions, but none that made me want to sleep or stop reading.
Worldview - Hedonistic Critical Confectionary Tour.
Originality - A great idea: Find the candy manufacturing underdogs and the bars of one's youth.
Enjoyability - Highly enjoyable, light humor in a Seinfeldian kind of way.
Tragedy - emptiness expressed by the writer, his own admission of the shallowness of his pursuit and the real emotional pains he struggles with.
Offensive language - Some. Unnecessary to make the point, but used in the everyday vulgar way our culture expresses itself.
Graphic sexual content - Not really, some suggestive words, some crude humor, nothing graphic. Not for the easily offended.

Best quote - "All around us, darkness was coming to the plains. The children were settling down to sleep and a few adults were murmuring in their little cones of light. I tried to sleep, but the night had called my anxiety out of hiding. I could feel it rippling my stomach, whispering its ancient incantations. You are unworthy of love. Candy will not save you." (pp.176-177)

Price - $1.00 Union Public Library Discard Pile, Baybee! ( )

A candy junkie goes on a quest to find the snacks of his childhood. My close connection to his addiction helped me love this book, but the reporting was lazy (should have been more about evil Big Chocolate) and the memoir was too thin to carry the book. ( )

Having recently lived in Hershey, PA and woken every morning to the smell of chocolate, I can attest to the joy of Almond's freakness. Read this book and then splurge on the largest, creamiest bar of chocolate you can find. ( )

This book is a little gem. And I don't think I want to meet the author. ( )