Candyfreak : A Journey through the Chocolate Underbelly of America (an Alex Awards winner) (Alex Awards (Awards))

by Steve Almond | Literature & Fiction |
ISBN: 1565124219 Global Overview for this book
Registered by PokPok of Vista, California USA on 3/15/2008
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10 journalers for this copy...
Journal Entry 1 by PokPok from Vista, California USA on Saturday, March 15, 2008
6 stars: Enjoyed parts of it.

Steve Almond goes around the United States, touring various small, independent chocolate factories, to find out where the nostalgic candies went: Valomilks, Abba-zabas, Goo Goo Clusters,etc.

Entertaining, although occasionally the author said some things that jarred me. I actually found my favorite line to have absolutely nothing to do with the topic at hand.

I'm going to make this one a bookring. Each participant is to send along some candy, preferably not from "the big 3" (Nestle, Hershey, Mars) to the next participant.

Also, please post here, so we can all see what kind of candy you included.

I am sending Abba-zabbas, a favorite of mine, and talked about in the book.

Journal Entry 2 by PokPok from Vista, California USA on Saturday, March 15, 2008
Book ray participants:

When you send this book on, enclose some candy for the next participant. Preferably a smaller brand, not from the "big 3" (Mars, Nestle, Hershey). I hope people find some fun treasures!

Participant order:

Fig1178
LoriPed
BigBird2002
innae
300dogs
KrazyKatLaydee
lucy-lemon
solskinn
hippolein
mellonhead
PokPok


Released 16 yrs ago (3/24/2008 UTC) at Controlled Release in Controlled Release, A Bookcrossing member -- Controlled Releases

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Mailing off tomorrow to start the bookring! Enjoy the book and the candy!

Journal Entry 4 by Fig1178 from Walnut Creek, California USA on Tuesday, April 1, 2008
Received in the mail yesterday...thanks! I have already started this book and love the author's style. Also, it's a plus that Amy Sedaris gives it a good review on the cover! Will send it on its way as soon as I'm done.

Journal Entry 5 by Fig1178 from Walnut Creek, California USA on Wednesday, April 9, 2008
Almost ready to send on to LoriPed - loving this book! Am PMing her now to get her address so I can zip it right out to her, hopefully in the next few days. Will post with shipping details when I send it.

Journal Entry 6 by Fig1178 from Walnut Creek, California USA on Thursday, April 17, 2008
LOVED THIS BOOK! I will definitely look for more books by this author, really loved his style. You will relive your childhood with this bittersweet look at our favorite candies, and there are so many still available (mostly regionally) that I've never tasted. Time to check out those retro/nostalgic candy websites. Leaves you with an admiration for those smaller, independent candymakers.

Sending on to LorePed tomorrow, and will post shipping details.

Journal Entry 7 by Fig1178 from Walnut Creek, California USA on Wednesday, April 23, 2008
Out in the mail today to LoriPed. Because it took longer to mail than I planned, I shipped it Priority, so LoriPed - you will get it on Friday!

Also, PokPok check you doorstep too - something to arrive for you on Friday as well.

Hope everyone enjoys the book!

Journal Entry 8 by loriped from Keizer, Oregon USA on Saturday, April 26, 2008
Received this book yesterday. Tucked in the envelope along with the book was a package of Pop Rocks (strawberry flavored). Of course my 14 year old daughter was standing right next to me when I opened the package, and she immediately started asking who the candy was for. Being the nice mom I told her she could have it, and off she went. Of course I did have an ulterior motive, because I could see the rest of the candy in the bottom of the bag---individually wrapped Mary Jane peanut butter candies. My husband and I are enjoying these soft little chewies. Thank you Fig1178 for the candy and thanks PokPok for starting this ray. I am between books so I will be starting this today.

Journal Entry 9 by loriped from Keizer, Oregon USA on Saturday, May 17, 2008
Just an update: I will be finished with this book this weekend and will post early next week. This has been an interesting read. There are so many little interesting facts in here that occasionally I find myself rereading a section just to make sure I am remembering things correctly. I will post again when book gets mailed out.

Journal Entry 10 by PokPok from Vista, California USA on Monday, May 19, 2008
I had to "butt in" to say that you can buy a lot of the candies mentioned, at www.vermontcountrystore.com

They specialize in hard to find items; I've used them for years. I see a number of them mentioned, including Valomilks, which I'm really tempted to try, GooGoo Clusters, and many others. They've got old favorites of mine.

Enjoy!

Pokpok

Journal Entry 11 by loriped from Keizer, Oregon USA on Wednesday, May 21, 2008
I finished this book this weekend and must say that it brought back some memories that were buried deep. I can remember my mom taking my sisters and I to see Elvis movies on hot summer afternoons. As much as we enjoyed sitting in a cool movie theatre watching Elvis reruns in the late 60's, I remember even more eating the candy. We didn't get a lot of candy as kids except around the holidays, but if mom had the extra money she would treat us to a box of popcorn and candy. I almost always asked for Junior Mints, Milk Duds or a candy similar to Mike and Ikes. I have forgotten the name. As a kid I didn't like biting into a candybar, but I loved the small individual pieces in boxes. I think it was because I wanted to be able to save some for later and saving a half eaten candybar just didn't appeal to me. To this day I still love Junior Mints.

Mailed off to the next person in line today. You should get it in the next day to two. I sent it Priority as I didn't want the candy to get too soft. Enjoy.

Journal Entry 12 by winginnaewing from Aurora, Colorado USA on Saturday, May 24, 2008
The book (and candy!) made it to Colorado...in fact, when I got back home from a vacation and then work training out of town, I had THREE bookrings waiting for me! I will endeavor to read this one as soon as possible and get it back on its way. Will decide on what candy to send after I read the book (though I will probably include a bar of Fair Trade chocolate, because we have tons of it)

Journal Entry 13 by winginnaewing from Aurora, Colorado USA on Tuesday, June 10, 2008
i finished the book this morning, however, I have to wait to send it off, because i ordered some candy -- and its not here yet!! (and yes I went a little overboard with the candy..300dogs will just have to deal :-)

I enjoyed the book a lot. It was most entertaining when he was talking about the candy itself (not just listing it). The book gave a bit of insight into the world of a candyfreak - and more. I have to agree with PokPok, my favorite line in the book doesn't refer to candy...I will add it here, highlight to read it (not that I think it ruins anything in the "plot" of the book, but it is at the end, and I don't want anyone to read it unless they WANT to)
from page 253..."This was how Americans had chosen to react to the terrorist attacks of September 11. Rather than asking ourselves why a bunch of pious lunatics hated us so much, we hired security guards to sift through our bags. These minor mortifications made us feel safe, and seemed a fair penanace for not having been blown up, and for living in such unconscionable comfort."

i do have 300dogs address, and will be sending the book (and the massive amounts of candy -- I just kept thinking of new things to add -- I will put the list here when I mail it) as soon as the candy arrives!

Journal Entry 14 by winginnaewing from Aurora, Colorado USA on Friday, June 13, 2008
The candy has arrived...and here is a list of the massive amounts, and why?

Creepy Pops - because lollipops are good for you, I have a bag of these in a drawer at my desk for sweets emergencies
Slow Pokes - I LOVED these as a kid, there always seemed to be a few that I got for Halloween
Curly Wurly - my favorite candy bar as a kid was the Marathon bar, sweet nostalgia claims this is close
Sen-Sen - my dad's favorite candy, I never liked it -- licorice = ick
Zotz - MMMMMM, fizzy. My husband hasn't ever had them, so I bought a bunch to share
Pop Rocks - only don't eat them with Coca-Cola, or you will die like Mikey ;-)
Equal Exchange Dark Chocolate bar - because fair trade is a good idea
Hot Cocoa mix - to be saved for a cold winter night of course...
Smarties - when I was in middle school, the big thing was to smash these and snort them, pretending they were coke -- weird...I just like to eat them
Dots - a couple boxes left over from what was sent to me
Necco wafers - because you should try the purple ones knowing they are clove flavored (weird -- and thank you Steve Almond for finding that out)
A package of Bubble Yum - because...YUM

OK, yes, I went a little crazy, but I love candy -- and well, as adults we don't get to have it as often as we should. Not really. Anyway, I will be Priority mailing this off, with a cold pack to 300dogs, today or Saturday. -- Delivery Confrimation # 9101 8052 1368 3067 8763 19

Journal Entry 15 by 300dogs from Jackson, New Jersey USA on Friday, June 20, 2008
So, finally in New Jersey, it has cooled off enough to turn off the air and open up the windows. As I was opening up the front door to let in the fresh air, I noticed a package on our porch. We NEVER use our front door. It only gets opened to let in the sunshine for our dogs to sunbathe in!! These past few weeks, it was way too hot, even for the dogs.

I'm not sure how long this box had been sitting on the porch, but let me tell you...what a yummy find!! My oh my, what a load a candy I received!! Organic dark chocolate, Dots, Necco wafers, Zots, caramel sticks, the list goes on!

Oh, I almost forgot, the book arrived safely and I look forward to reading it!! Innae, thank you for all the candy!! :)

Journal Entry 16 by 300dogs from Jackson, New Jersey USA on Wednesday, July 2, 2008
Ah, the book was good but the candy was even better!! Yummy. Thanks again to PokPok for starting this fun and delicious ray and another big thank you to innae for my boatload of candy!

Next in line is KrazyKatLaydee. I have her address but need to first figure out what type of candy I'll include. With this being 4th of July weekend, I probably won't get to mail it out until Monday.

Journal Entry 17 by 300dogs from Jackson, New Jersey USA on Friday, July 25, 2008
Oh my gosh, I am so sorry that I've had this book for so long! I am going to the post office TODAY!! As for my candy contribution, there is a local candy factory in the next town over called Old Monmouth Candies. In addition to chocolates, their speciality is peanut brittle. The small factory has been around since 1910. Unfortunately they do not offer tours due to insurance reasons. Darn.

Anyway, Candyfreak and a container of Old Monmouth Peanut Brittle will be sent to KrazyKatLaydee later this morning. Thank you PokPok for starting this tasty ray!!

Journal Entry 18 by KrazyKatLaydee from Rolla, Missouri USA on Sunday, August 10, 2008
Found this lovely surprise waiting for me on my front porch after I returned home from vacation! I haven't read the book yet, but I give the peanut brittle that accompanied it 10 starts!

Journal Entry 19 by lucy-lemon from Llandudno, Wales United Kingdom on Monday, November 3, 2008
Oh my gosh! This arrived today, and it was so exciting! I opened it with all my housemates gathered around and they pretty much instantly claimed various items of chocolate. It's amazing. I've never even heard of any of these sweets (although obviously the chocolate covered oreos ring a bell). I am so excited to read this book :-D

22.11.08

Just a note to say I posted this to the next person today. I did enjoy this book a lot, although it probably would have been more enjoyable if I got the references to sweets. I LOVED the Valomilks and Bit-o-Hunny though. I think I'm going to have to save up my money so I can track some down online and stock up. Thanks for sharing, and thanks to KrazyKatLady for the sweets :-)

Journal Entry 20 by wolkenklang on Friday, November 28, 2008
Dear Lucy,
you didn't just make my day, you made my entire month!!! Thank you so very, very much for the great package! :D
I now have a big salad bowl in front of me, full of British and Welsh candy I've never seen before in my life - I'll so munch my way through this!
Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!

Journal Entry 21 by wolkenklang on Friday, November 28, 2008
The candy Lucy sent me is just so much, and so colorful, and so good-looking, and so cool that I'll make a list (for myself, and for everyone else who might decide to order some candy from the UK). Recommendations and babbling about how I liked it will follow as soon as I'll have munched my way through :)

Welsh candy:
Tregroes Toffee Waffles : With Butter Toffee Filling. No artificial colour or flavour (I highly appreciate that!). Lucy says these are amazing. You are right! These are amazing! Really, really good.
(Link: www.tregroeswaffles.co.uk)
Daioni Organic Welsh Semi Skimmed UHT Milk : I've never seen milk in such little cartons before!
(Link: www.omsco.co.uk)
Daioni bach Strawbery flavour Welsh Organic Milk : On the package it says the cool Welsh words: yn llawn daioni - full of goodness. I can't wait to try this, I love strawberry flavour!
(Link: www.trioni.com)

British candy:
Lily O'Briens Sticky Toffee bar : Can't wait to eat this! From the wrapping: "So what if you're not a size zero, And your partner is no super hero, A small Lily's treat, Can make you complete, And won't cost a load of dinero." :D Haha. By the way it says on the package that this brand is Irish? Wow.
(Link: www.lilyobriens.com)
Paynes Poppets Toffee... : Chewy Toffee in Milk Chocolate. From the package: "I'll never forget my first love; Short, dark and handsome, who said size matters... Hmmm!"
(Link: www.poppets.co.uk)
Paynes Poppets Mint... : Mint Creams in Dark Chocolate. I love mint, too!! From the package: "When I said give me a ring...I didn't mean that kind!" Really good.
Link: www.poppets.co.uk)
GooGoo Supreme : A great name for a candy! :) It also looks like the one I want to start chewing on first. Immediately! Now! It is Milk Chocolate, Pecans, Caramel & Marshmallow. Interestingly it is manufactured in Tennessee; Although having lived in the US I have never seen this in stores though. Wow. I've got a new favourite candy.
(Link: www.googoo.com)
Swizzels Matlow Rainbow Drops : Sugar Coated Puffed Maize and Rice: yummy! Without artifical colours, again. I'm wondering whether I can buy this somewhere around here, because the nutrition facts on the wrapping are provided in German as well as other languages. Recommended! These look a little scary with the bright candy colours, but taste really good.
(Link: www.swizzels-matlow.com and www.lovehearts.com)
Fiesta Fortune Dipper : I've got two of these... And I know what these are! I used to eat something like this when I was little, and I loved it! The package says Strawberry Flavoured lollipop and sherbet dip. Again with natural flavours and colours. Also from the wrapping: "100 different messages to find! what will yours be?" and there's a gypsy on the wrapping. - This candy seems to be Spanish?
(Link: www.fiesta.es)
Barratt Sherbet fountain : Fizzy sherbet with a liquorice dip. Now this candy definitely looks most interestingly: a fountain! :) - Originally from Ireland?
Swizzels Matlow Giant Parma Violets : What a name! This is: delicately perfumed violet sweets. I'm wondering what these will be like... I'm sure I'm going to love them.
millions strawberry : Wow, these smell like strawberry without me having unwrapped them. Looks like something I would've craved while little, can't wait to try these. From the wrapping: "The Tiny Tasty Chewy Sweets".
(Link: www.millionssweets.co.uk and www.goldencasket.co.uk)
Barratt flumps : Fluffy mallow twists, again with natural flavours & colours.
Swizzels Matlow Giant New Refreshers Original Lemon Flavour : I've got two of these. It says they are Original Lemon Flavour Chew Bars with a Sherbet Centre. Yay! I remember something like this from my childhood, it's so great to chew on!
Swizzels Matlow Giant New Refreshers Strawberry Flavour : Two of those, and again: Yay, strawberry! According to the wrapping these are Strawberry Flavour Chew Bars with a Sherbet Centre.
Barratt Fruit Salad : That is the strangest name for a sweet! It says on the wrapping that it is a Raspberry & Pineapple Flavour Chew Bar. Two of these, thanks!
Swizzels Matlow Drumstick Chunky : Naming a candy Drumstick makes sure all the little wannabe-rockers chew it :) It looks really yummy, being an Original Raspberry & Milk Flavour Chewy Lolly.

Wow. Thanks again so much. Opinions and recommendations will follow :)


Journal Entry 22 by wolkenklang on Friday, November 28, 2008
Sorry, I accidentally double-posted my last journal entry.

Journal Entry 23 by wolkenklang on Sunday, January 18, 2009
I started reading this immeadiately when it arrived, but with the holidays and a few exams I didn't get around to reading this book any faster. Sorry for the delay in passing it on!

Well. It is one of those books I have mixed feelings about.

I really enjoyed the author's humor, and I also found the economical facts extremely interesting. He mentioned a few things that are worth being kept in mind, not only regarding candy but pretty much every product there is on the market.

In the beginning of the book he wrote that people have lost their connection to candy because they don't know how it is produced anymore. I think this can be said about every kind of food ... After all, who of us goes out into the fields and harvests and processes their own food? Not knowing where food comes from, where and when it originally grows, and how it is being processed before being purchased in a store is actually a quite disturbing thing ... At least that's what I think.

Then again, I wasn't so much into the author's concise description of the different candies ... It just bored me. I am not that much of a candyfreak after all. (To be honest I am none at all, I just like to try the things in order to know what it tastes like, but that's about it.) In addition to not being that interested in candy and how it is made I couldn't relate to the brands mentioned because I simply don't know them, except for the Goo Goo Cluster, because Lucy sent me one :-D

Two facts I found really interesting that actually don't have much to do with the book's overall content:

*) The author mentioned Austrian winter peas a few times. As an Austrian native living in Austria, I ask you: What are Austrian winter peas??? I've never seen or tasted those, nor have I even heard of them.

*) In the end of the book the author mentioned having visited his grandfather, who apparently was Gabriel A. Almond! He really is, as the book's author mentions, a world-famous political scientist! I just had to do an oral presentation about his work in a class last year ... Fascinating stuff. I think it is quite interesting yet funny that the grandson of such a well-known and rewarded social scientist happens to write a book about candy of all things.

Thank you for the bookray, PokPok, and again many thanks to lucy-lemon for sending me all these great sweets! I am still munching ... :-D

Journal Entry 24 by wolkenklang at RABCK, A Bookcrossing member -- Controlled Releases on Sunday, January 18, 2009

Released 15 yrs ago (1/19/2009 UTC) at RABCK, A Bookcrossing member -- Controlled Releases

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Candy and a Book are now on their way to Finland. Enjoy!

Journal Entry 25 by winghippoleinwing from Helsinki, Uusimaa / Nyland Finland on Tuesday, January 27, 2009
Book and candy arrived today. Thanks a lot PokPok for starting this and solskinn for sending it to Finland. Looking forward to trying out the candies (although will have to share them, as the rest of the family is also eager to try them out) Sorry for the other persons, but have no idea of the names of some of them, except there's two Strauss and a Mozart candy and then still something else (didn't figure out the name yet) and then four very nice looking candies without name that I could find...

Will take a bit before I can get to read the book (and shop for the candies to go with it), but I'm doing my best!

Journal Entry 26 by wolkenklang on Tuesday, January 27, 2009
Sorry I'm popping in, but hippolein for your information here's what I sent you:

Confiserie Heindl
I sent you Mozart and Strauss, as well as the Grazer Uhrturm (that's my favorite chocolate of those!), and either the Riesenradl or Sissi, I'm not sure anymore.

And here you can find the Swedy bar:
Swedy

Enjoy the sweets!

Journal Entry 27 by winghippoleinwing from Helsinki, Uusimaa / Nyland Finland on Sunday, February 8, 2009
Good I like chocolate, otherwise this book would have been one big torture ...
This being said, it was well written, with a certain sense of humour you could expect from someone who lives only for candies. The idea was great to try to visit all kind of places and to write about it, was nice to read the ideas the writer had about all different ways to produce candy bars.

I have the address of the next person, but will have to go to shop before I can send the book off (would not be fair on the next one to get it without the candy to help her through the book!)
Thanks a lot PokPok for putting up this Bookring (or was it Ray?)

Journal Entry 28 by winghippoleinwing at By mail, A Bookring -- Controlled Releases on Monday, February 9, 2009

Released 15 yrs ago (2/9/2009 UTC) at By mail, A Bookring -- Controlled Releases

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This book continues its journey around the world, all the way from Finland to Texas. Hope it arrives safely and the mail leaves everything in there!

Journal Entry 29 by mellonhead from Austin, Texas USA on Tuesday, February 17, 2009
Yay! Thank you so much hippolein! Candyfreak arrived quickly and in perfect condition. Thank you for the Dumle and Marianne candy bars. I'll try to post the picture I took of them.

4/14/09 - I'm almost finished reading this and I wanted to give a quick note that I love this book! I love Steve Almond's writing style. I find it hysterical.

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