Sweet treats and good reads are two of life’s greatest simple pleasures. So why not combine them for maximum happiness? These candy bar/book pairings were made for each other. Try one, and you’ll never read the same way again.
The Funeral Ladies of Ellerie County by Claire Swinarski
Esther Larson has been feeding grieving families in Ellerie County for seventy years, but after falling victim to an internet scam, she finds herself in need of help. Enter her granddaughter, Iris, along with newcomer Cooper Welsh, the son of a celebrity chef. The three of them team up to develop a community cookbook that might just be the solution to all their problems.
Pair with: a Toblerone, the ultimate tear-and-share candy — perfect for feeding a village. (Of course, you could also partake by yourself.)
Mrs. Quinn’s Rise to Fame by Olivia Ford
If you love The Great British Bake Off, this one’s for you. With her aging husband’s health declining and no grandkids to occupy her attention, amateur baker Jenny Quinn lands a spot on a British baking show. But as she advances through the competition, old memories, and long-kept secrets threaten to rise to the surface.
Pair with: a Twix — and if you’re feeling particularly ambitious, you can make it yourself!
Nosy Neighbors by Freya Sampson
Elderly curmudgeon Dorothy Darling spends her days snooping on her neighbors. One of those neighbors is Kat Bennett, a young loner harboring a secret. Naturally, the two women butt heads. But when their apartment complex is slated for demolition, and a neighbor is attacked, the unlikely pair join forces to solve the case and save their home.
Pair with: a 3 Musketeers, to symbolize the sleuthing trio of Dorothy, Kat, and Reggie the Jack Russell terrier.
Truly, Madly, Deeply by Alexandria Bellefleur
Romance novelist Truly Livingston agrees to co-host a relationship advice podcast. Except her parents are separating, her fiance’s been cheating on her, and her co-host, divorce lawyer Colin McCory, is a total cynic. But Truly and Colin may have more in common than they realize, and their developing bond could restore Truly’s faith in love or shatter it forever.
Pair with: a Hershey bar, because nothing’s more romantic than a kiss.
Floating Hotel by Grace Curtis
Enjoy your stay at the intergalactic Grand Abeona Hotel, a floating hotel teeming with secrets and mysteries. From guest to staff, everyone’s got a story, and at the center of all these tangled threads is Carl, the hotel’s longtime manager. Floating Hotel’s cozy sci-fi mystery unfolds across multiple perspectives, showing readers the hotel through the eyes of its workers.
Pair with: a Milky Way, naturally.
The Dead Cat Tail Assassins by P. Djèlí Clark
Undead assassin Eveen the Eviscerator is under oath to the Matron of Assassins, resurrected with no memory of her past. She operates under three sworn vows: the contract must be just, don’t kill outside your contract, and finish the job at all costs. But her latest mission may disrupt her new life, forcing her to confront a forgotten past.
Pair with: a Kit-Kat, to mimic Eveen’s dual-wielded blades — and also the snap of breaking bones.
Lifeform by Jenny Slate
Comedian Jenny Slate documents her journey to motherhood in this unique essay collection, divided into five parts: Single, True Love, Pregnancy, Baby, and Ongoing. Slate’s witty, candid reflections take on a variety of inventive forms, from therapy sessions and letters to obituaries and graduation speeches. Equal parts whimsical and vulnerable, Lifeform is a triumphant archive of Slate’s personal growth.
Pair with: a Baby Ruth, of course.
Cher: The Memoir, Part One by Cher
Few can claim to have lived a life as extraordinary as Cher’s. The legendary singer boasts a career spanning seven decades and numerous accolades across music, television, and film. Now she tells her story, one so monumental that it couldn’t be contained in a single book. Part One of Cher’s memoir raises the curtain on her early years, from her chaotic childhood to her unusual relationship with longtime music partner Sonny Bono.
Pair with: 100 Grand, an expensive candy fit for a superstar.
What’s your go-to candy/book combo? Let us know on Instagram, X, or Facebook!
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