As you can see from the image, this is a Playaway title. A Playaway is a pre-loaded audiobook- just plug in your own headphones. I've been enjoying this format as I commute to work and like listening to a book- especially nonfiction- this one can be found in the YA nonfiction collection at the Pitkin County Library. (This title is also available in print.)

As a journalist, Steve Almond, can certainly write, but it is his obsession with candy that makes him uniquely qualified to write a book called Candy Freak. As mentioned in the prologue “The author has eaten a piece of candy every single day of his entire life. The author thinks about candy at least once an hour. (and) The author has between three and seven pounds of candy in his house at all times.”

Part historical documentary, part travel log and no-small-part love story, Candy Freak is Steve Almond’s ode to his emotional bond with candy. As he travels the country visiting the small confectioners who, in some cases, are still struggling to produce their locally famous candies, he meets the people and visits the factories that keep the dreams alive. Has anyone out there ever tasted a Goo Goo Cluster, Five Star Bar, Peanut Chew or Twin Bing?

Our love affair with chocolate began in 1893 at the Columbian Exposition in Chicago. Before the Big 3 (you guess) bought everyone out and before it became impossible to get a candy bar on the check-out aisle at Wal-Mart without outrageous ‘slotting’ fees, small candy companies abounded. From Boston, Almond starts his cross-country travels from Philadelphia (Goldenberg Candy- Peanut Chews) to Hayward, California (Annabelle Candy- Rocky Road & Abba-Zaba) to rediscover a forgotten past. With a delightful use of language, Almond mixes literary wit with chocolate to produce an uproariously funny confection. I highly recommend it to anyone- its nostalgic and delicious!