The Chocolate Diaries: Secrets for a Sweeter Journey on the Rocky Road of Life
By Karen Scalf Linamen
When I first picked this book, I figured it was a fiction book, and I always enjoy a good book. But later I realized it wasn’t. So at first, I was a little disappointed, but when I got it in my hands and flipped through it, I got excited again. However, since I was in the middle of a few other books, I set it aside. Then life hit - specifically someone in my extended family died. This book was just the thing I needed to see beyond the immediate pain.
No one’s life is easy; everyone experiences different bumps in the road. But for women, chocolate sure makes those bumps a little easier... Karen Linamen starts out the book with a very good illustration of life, taken from the Food Network’s show Chopped. On one episode the contestants had to chocolate and sardines and make something appetizing with them. Often that is like our lives. We are given a basket of life experiences that in and of themselves are a mix of quite unappetizing things mixed with some very wonderful ingredients. Our job is, like the contestants, to make something special out of those ingredients.
This is is a book for any woman who has ever broken up with a boyfriend, dealt with the death of a friend or loved one, or faced any type of hard time. Linamen uses personal stories in every chapter. The book is filled with gems that will encourage every woman and help her find that sweeter journey (not to mention, there are a few great chocolate recipes at the end of each chapter too!). Here are just two of those gems:
18 Ways Love Is Just Like Chocolate (pages 28-29)
1. Everybody needs chocolate
2. Chocolate can be bitter, although most of the time its sweet.
3. The benefits of chocolate far outweigh the sacrifices.
4. Very few people will turn down the gift of chocolate.
5. Chocolate can get very, very messy.
6. Even when it's messy, chocolate is still very, very good.
7. Chocolate is habit forming
8. Sometimes, bitter things, covered in chocolate, turn out better than you thought they would.
9. Chocolate can make things stick together.
10. Chocolate should be savored.
11. Chocolate makes the world go 'round.
12. Chocolate is a great remedy for the blues.
13. Chocolate may look a little different under heat and pressure, but its still chocolate.
14. Chocolate can make you live longer.
15. There is no substitute for good chocolate.
16. Sometimes chocolate is good therapy.
17. Never take chocolate for granted.
18. You're never too old to be a connoisseur of fine chocolate.
“Prayer. Friends. Laughter. Tears. What a recipe for healing! Throw in some chocolate and there’s a good chance you could fix the world.” (page 125)
"I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review"
To read an excerpt from this book:
Here’s the book from the publisher:
1 comment:
Hi Charity,
Thank you so much for reading my book "The Chocolate Diaries" and sharing your thoughts. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your extended family. Yes, you're right... life has a habit of interrupting our lives, doesn't it? Consider yourself hugged by me! :)
I loved your thoughts about my book, and am so glad I've found your blog. I'll be sure to check back as I can and see how you're continuing to encourage women with your insights!
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Hugs,
Karen Linamen
Humorous Inspirational Speaker for Women
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