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Candy and Me: A Love Story
The memoirs of a woman with a sweet tooth recount the major events of her life as they were experienced through candy consumption, from her childhood loves and friendships, which were marked by conversation hearts, to her mature relationships, which were celebrated with ice cream.
197 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2003
6 people are currently reading
302 people want to read
About the author
Hilary Liftin
19 books58 followersHilary Liftin is a ghostwriter/collaborator specializing in celebrity memoir. Since 2006 she has worked on fifteen books, ten of which hit the New York Times bestseller list.
Hilary has also written three books under her own name. The first, Dear Exile, is letters that she exchanged with her co-author, Kate Montgomery, when Kate was in the Peace Corps in Kenya and Hilary was in New York. It was published by Vintage in 1999 and is still in print. Candy and Me: A Love Story is Hilary’s memoir told through different kinds of candy.
Hilary Liftin grew up in Washington, DC. She is a graduate of Yale University, where she was the editor of the Yale Literary Magazine. Before becoming a full-time writer in 2006, Hilary worked in the publishing industry for ten years, She lives in Los Angeles with her husband and children.
MOVIE STAR BY LIZZIE PEPPER, which Library Journal called “the beach read of the summer,” is her debut novel.
Hilary has also written three books under her own name. The first, Dear Exile, is letters that she exchanged with her co-author, Kate Montgomery, when Kate was in the Peace Corps in Kenya and Hilary was in New York. It was published by Vintage in 1999 and is still in print. Candy and Me: A Love Story is Hilary’s memoir told through different kinds of candy.
Hilary Liftin grew up in Washington, DC. She is a graduate of Yale University, where she was the editor of the Yale Literary Magazine. Before becoming a full-time writer in 2006, Hilary worked in the publishing industry for ten years, She lives in Los Angeles with her husband and children.
MOVIE STAR BY LIZZIE PEPPER, which Library Journal called “the beach read of the summer,” is her debut novel.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 87 reviews
February 1, 2023
3.5***
Subtitle: A Love Story
Paperback subtitle: A Girl’s Tale of Life, Love and Sugar
Hilary Liftin has had a lifelong addiction to candy. I can relate. I consumed quite a lot of sugary treats as a child. One of my uncles (my mother’s brother) was a pastry chef and had his own bakery. Another uncle (my father’s brother), had a grocery store; I was so jealous of my cousins because I believed they could have all the candy they wanted for free. (I was wrong about that, of course.)
As she recalls her childhood, adolescence, and young adulthood, she reflects on the many candies she consumed, adored, sought, hoarded and absolutely without guilt enjoyed. Some of these I had never heard of (Bottle caps?), others were also among my favorites, (Junior Mints, Orange Slices and Circus Peanuts), and still others we will have to agree to disagree on (I love Starlight mints, she can’t abide them; she loves candy corn, I’d sooner kiss a sheep.)
We have, both of us, learned to live with a sweet tooth, and moderate our consumption. But it was sure nice to take a walk down memory lane, when penny candy was plentiful and I had a whole DIME to spend on it!
Subtitle: A Love Story
Paperback subtitle: A Girl’s Tale of Life, Love and Sugar
Hilary Liftin has had a lifelong addiction to candy. I can relate. I consumed quite a lot of sugary treats as a child. One of my uncles (my mother’s brother) was a pastry chef and had his own bakery. Another uncle (my father’s brother), had a grocery store; I was so jealous of my cousins because I believed they could have all the candy they wanted for free. (I was wrong about that, of course.)
As she recalls her childhood, adolescence, and young adulthood, she reflects on the many candies she consumed, adored, sought, hoarded and absolutely without guilt enjoyed. Some of these I had never heard of (Bottle caps?), others were also among my favorites, (Junior Mints, Orange Slices and Circus Peanuts), and still others we will have to agree to disagree on (I love Starlight mints, she can’t abide them; she loves candy corn, I’d sooner kiss a sheep.)
We have, both of us, learned to live with a sweet tooth, and moderate our consumption. But it was sure nice to take a walk down memory lane, when penny candy was plentiful and I had a whole DIME to spend on it!
October 28, 2011
I wasn't convinced that this book would work, especially as I've never heard of a lot of the sweets, let alone tasted them. Okay, I've had sugar, cocoa, ice cream, Flake, an assortment (I remember the 20 cent mix fondly), candy canes, Tic Tacs, fudge, Snickers, candy floss (cotton candy), and I think Starburst. And Jelly Belly is a recent comer here - they're the only gelatin-free jelly beans I can get for my son.
Anyway, I read this book in one sitting (except for a short walk to the kitchen to get chocolate). It all ties together so nicely. Her life as narrated by candy. It works so well, and she's obviously thought about it a lot. Plus the pictures are perfect. The layers of the Earth and the layers of the Fireball, the candy-mint continuum, etc. I thought the cutesy pictures would be annoying, but they were a great part of the book, especially for some of the candy that I wasn't familiar with. I learned something, even - American Smarties are different to British (and by extension, Australia and NZ) Smarties! Completely different shape - what's with that?
I actually think she might be my mirror image - chocolate is to me what candy is to her. I ate lollies as a kid, but it was always chocolate that was and is my downfall. I wouldn't steal my brothers' lollies, but a packet of chocolate biscuits in the cupboard wasn't going to last long (nobody wanted to be the one to open the packet, so I'd open it at the other end and eat the biscuits, the packet still looking unopened, until finally someone would open the packet at the front end and find one biscuit left). So the story of her eating her brother's ice cream from the other end connected with me. Actually, I could relate a lot more to the author than to her far more sensible brother - he just seemed odd.
Mind you, what I've tasted of American chocolate is pretty bland and sickly (my only visit to America I was so excited to try Hersheys kisses and other treats that were mentioned in books, and none of them lived up to the hype), so maybe if she tasted some decent chocolate she'd convert from candylover to chocoholic.
And it does show that the quality of your teeth is in some way genetic, that she hasn't had teeth problems despite her life-long addiction. And no great weight problem so far. Bitch.
Anyway, I read this book in one sitting (except for a short walk to the kitchen to get chocolate). It all ties together so nicely. Her life as narrated by candy. It works so well, and she's obviously thought about it a lot. Plus the pictures are perfect. The layers of the Earth and the layers of the Fireball, the candy-mint continuum, etc. I thought the cutesy pictures would be annoying, but they were a great part of the book, especially for some of the candy that I wasn't familiar with. I learned something, even - American Smarties are different to British (and by extension, Australia and NZ) Smarties! Completely different shape - what's with that?
I actually think she might be my mirror image - chocolate is to me what candy is to her. I ate lollies as a kid, but it was always chocolate that was and is my downfall. I wouldn't steal my brothers' lollies, but a packet of chocolate biscuits in the cupboard wasn't going to last long (nobody wanted to be the one to open the packet, so I'd open it at the other end and eat the biscuits, the packet still looking unopened, until finally someone would open the packet at the front end and find one biscuit left). So the story of her eating her brother's ice cream from the other end connected with me. Actually, I could relate a lot more to the author than to her far more sensible brother - he just seemed odd.
Mind you, what I've tasted of American chocolate is pretty bland and sickly (my only visit to America I was so excited to try Hersheys kisses and other treats that were mentioned in books, and none of them lived up to the hype), so maybe if she tasted some decent chocolate she'd convert from candylover to chocoholic.
And it does show that the quality of your teeth is in some way genetic, that she hasn't had teeth problems despite her life-long addiction. And no great weight problem so far. Bitch.
October 9, 2009
I have to admit to being a sucker for a quirky memoir. A previous favorite of mine is Encyclopedia of an Ordinary Life by Amy Krouse Rosenthal, the author of Little Pea. Where she wrote her life story as a series of encyclopedia entries (in alphabetical order, of course), Hilary Liftin has looked at her life according to all the different types (and vast quantities) of candy she has eaten in her memoir Candy and Me.
Liftin begins her book by describing how she would sneak cups of powdered sugar which she would mix with butter to make little powdery lumps to eat. She'd keep eating even beyond the point of her mouth feeling like chalk. She later pays her brother to buy her stashes of candy which she eats in bed. She hides the wrappers behind her bed.
As she grows up she has money and greater access to candy. She prefers the sugary ones. I personally can't imagine being this addicted to sugar. My weakness if chocolate my consumption is no where near as high as the 12.1 pounds per year for an average American and I can't fathom eating 12.6 pounds or more of "non-chocolate" candy per year. I just can't. (For numbers see Allbusiness.com)
So part of reading Candy and Me was the freak show aspect. I gawked at what and how much she was eating at any given point in her life. My husband can attest to me reading some of the descriptions out loud to him. The book fascinated me and horrified me at the same time.
Despite her addiction to sugar, Liftin comes off as an otherwise normal, happy and well adjusted individual. Her writing style is charming and I'd probably love talking to her if we were to meet in person.
I received the book through BookCrossing. It was not sent to me for review.
Liftin begins her book by describing how she would sneak cups of powdered sugar which she would mix with butter to make little powdery lumps to eat. She'd keep eating even beyond the point of her mouth feeling like chalk. She later pays her brother to buy her stashes of candy which she eats in bed. She hides the wrappers behind her bed.
As she grows up she has money and greater access to candy. She prefers the sugary ones. I personally can't imagine being this addicted to sugar. My weakness if chocolate my consumption is no where near as high as the 12.1 pounds per year for an average American and I can't fathom eating 12.6 pounds or more of "non-chocolate" candy per year. I just can't. (For numbers see Allbusiness.com)
So part of reading Candy and Me was the freak show aspect. I gawked at what and how much she was eating at any given point in her life. My husband can attest to me reading some of the descriptions out loud to him. The book fascinated me and horrified me at the same time.
Despite her addiction to sugar, Liftin comes off as an otherwise normal, happy and well adjusted individual. Her writing style is charming and I'd probably love talking to her if we were to meet in person.
I received the book through BookCrossing. It was not sent to me for review.
June 25, 2012
I love candy and I love this book. Hilary Liftin writes unabashedly about her rabid sweet tooth and her love for all things sugar coated. She effectively uses her changing tastes for and relationship with various candies as a lens through which to examine her life. Liftin is so honest and so entertainingly self-effacing that you can't help but like her. This book will make you nostalgic for candy you haven't had since you were a child and grateful for the sweetness that already exists in your life.
June 27, 2017
It repelled me more than enthralled me. I'm a candy addict myself but I'm no where near the gluttonous proportions of Hilary Liftin. Wowza. I think I just couldn't get past the massive amounts of candy that she consumed. You know, as she admits somewhere in the first 1/4 or 1/3 of the book, after the first few handfuls of candy, it's just not as satisfying and the taste and enjoyment of the candy (or food consumed) is gone. It seemed she was mostly mindlessly consuming---while reading a book, watching a movie, etc. It was just gluttonous and it just repelled me. Sorry.
January 18, 2011
A quick, fun read but not nearly as good as Candyfreak: A Journey Through the Chocolate Underbelly of America. It reads like a blog.
May 24, 2010
A "Sweet" little memoir, literally.
August 29, 2010
I don't know why I even read this. Lobotomy moment.
January 13, 2012
I love candy, and this is one of the best books I've ever read.
July 8, 2017
It's not (nor does it try to be) an artistic endeavor. It's a simple, quick read that will delight any who have a sweet tooth (especially those who were born around the same time and remember the same candies). The author gives us her memoirs based on the candy/sweet that she links with the memory. It's PG-13 in a couple spots (so parents read it first and decide for yourselves if your kid can handle it). It's a perfect fun, summer read.
November 30, 2020
There is something utterly charming in the way life memories are tied to candy and written about with simplicy and clarity. It's led me to wonder what themes I could organize my own life narrative around. I'm still mentally searching, but I applaud the creativity of this author who did it so well and provided the rest of us easily consumed entertainment, a few pages at a time.
December 23, 2020
I LOVE this book! I've actually read it twice. It's just such a unique way to write an autobiography - your life events as told by the candy that shaped them. Also such a great mentor text to use for a writing assignment!
May 5, 2018
Quick read, and made me hungry for a lot of different candy! I liked this unexpected style of memoir, where the author looks at her life through the different candies she’s eaten.
February 10, 2020
Such a fun read! Loved reminiscing about the candy that I loved (and still love) as a kid. Brought back great memories!!
December 19, 2023
Hilarious and heartwarming memoir told through the author’s relationship with candy.
October 23, 2021
Read it once on my own, and again for a book club. An enjoyable trip down memory lane via the taste buds, especially for a sweets addict like me.
October 12, 2012
My Amazon review: It has easily been fifteen years (when I worked at Morrow's Nut House in Cape May, NJ for the summer) since I have had the candy known as fruit slices. Today I had a quarter pound (and they were delish!). Hilary - I can only blame you.
This fabulously fun book combines sweet with bittersweet in an all out original twist on the memoir. Composed of 57 anecdotes, some only a half of a page in length, this quick read details a life lived through candy consumption, but this is not another blow by blow memoir. While the reader certainly gets a general overview of the author's life there is not a sense that you have lived with Liftin - you do not endure her every waking moment, every high and low, just the important points (i.e.: the candy...). And while you know you like her, and easily identify with her childhood follies and romantic foibles, you realize the author is just a normal gal, like your best friend from high school. Of course the memoir is profoundly marked by the enjoyment of pound after pound of nostalgic confections and Liftin's descriptive abilities and word-play make your mouth water.
But Liftin does not glamorize her "addiction", or leave us with a book of fluff. She struggles with her ability to identify, but inability to define, her addiction to candy. The worry that it is biological and inescapable vs. the worry that it is psychological and just an easy way to make her feel good about herself (or is it a sly combination of the two?) is no doubt the same worry we have all struggled with regardless of what our own addiction is.
Patrick Barth's chapter heading illustrations and illustrated "Candy Timeline" and "Candy Math" charts must not be overlooked. They completely set the tone of the book and are just great at rounding out an already fun, not-to-be-missed book.
This fabulously fun book combines sweet with bittersweet in an all out original twist on the memoir. Composed of 57 anecdotes, some only a half of a page in length, this quick read details a life lived through candy consumption, but this is not another blow by blow memoir. While the reader certainly gets a general overview of the author's life there is not a sense that you have lived with Liftin - you do not endure her every waking moment, every high and low, just the important points (i.e.: the candy...). And while you know you like her, and easily identify with her childhood follies and romantic foibles, you realize the author is just a normal gal, like your best friend from high school. Of course the memoir is profoundly marked by the enjoyment of pound after pound of nostalgic confections and Liftin's descriptive abilities and word-play make your mouth water.
But Liftin does not glamorize her "addiction", or leave us with a book of fluff. She struggles with her ability to identify, but inability to define, her addiction to candy. The worry that it is biological and inescapable vs. the worry that it is psychological and just an easy way to make her feel good about herself (or is it a sly combination of the two?) is no doubt the same worry we have all struggled with regardless of what our own addiction is.
Patrick Barth's chapter heading illustrations and illustrated "Candy Timeline" and "Candy Math" charts must not be overlooked. They completely set the tone of the book and are just great at rounding out an already fun, not-to-be-missed book.
March 16, 2010
I have an enormous sweet tooth. I used to bake cakes for my dentist in my Easy-Bake Oven. And I love Ms. Liftin's writing. I had read and loved Dear Exile a few years earlier. When I heard this book was coming out, it was like Halloween (my favorite holiday)! Even though I read the book nearly ten years ago, I vividly remember Ms. Liftin talking about when she first ate real fruit - she was in her teens - and she was disappointed that they didn't taste like "grape" and "orange" flavored candy. And the story about how her now husband proposed was insanely sweet (with both meanings of the word.) I immediately went on a hunt for Giant Sweettarts after I read this book, and I continue to this of this book every time I eat them (which is most every time I go on a car trip.) I wish the Giant Sweettarts still came in the old-style option of not Chewy. I wish I could find Bottlecaps. Ms. Liftin writes wonderfully, with a light hand that takes her candy obsession seriously but not too seriously. It is a hilarious, fun read for every sugar addict who knows all the symptoms of pre-diabetes.
March 29, 2009
This was cute. Liftin's memoir of her life is centered around all things candy. Candy Corn, Jellybeans, Snickers, Junior Mints, Bottlecaps, Skittles, Circus Peanuts, Taffy, Twizzlers, Necco Wafers, and Starburst--all of these and more have played a prominent role in her life. She flashes back to her life beginning with Bubble Burgers on through to Meltaways. Each candy reminds her of a specific time or event in her life. As she grows up and eventually falls in love, candy is slowly replaced by more important human interactions; but it never disappears. This girl is serious about her candy.
It was cute, but not terribly terrific. I'd give it 2 1/2 stars, sometimes rounded up to three. Maybe because I've never really been into a lot of sweets (Liftin's Halloween candy was gone the next day--mine was still lurking around at Easter), it didn't really "get" me. In fact, there were sometimes that I felt a little sick just reading about the amount of sugar she ingested. But it is a cute memoir, written in a unique way. Super-fast read.
It was cute, but not terribly terrific. I'd give it 2 1/2 stars, sometimes rounded up to three. Maybe because I've never really been into a lot of sweets (Liftin's Halloween candy was gone the next day--mine was still lurking around at Easter), it didn't really "get" me. In fact, there were sometimes that I felt a little sick just reading about the amount of sugar she ingested. But it is a cute memoir, written in a unique way. Super-fast read.
February 1, 2012
A life story punctuated by candy, or a candy story punctuated by life events--is there any difference between them? Liftin records every texture, every sensation, every experience in great detail, sharing her love for (or addiction to) any form of sugary sweet. From eating cups of powdered sugar with a spoon at seven years old to a marriage proposal in a package of Bottlecaps, candy has always been a part of Liftin's life--and she's willing to share it with you.
Very brief personal essays centered on candy. Nothing that's research-based (in fact, she talks about the terrible name of the Reese's FastBreak, but is apparently unaware of its much-improved Canadian identity, the Sidekick), but a very quick and engaging read all the same. Adding this to the 12th-grade booktalk list, because what's more exciting than candy?
Very brief personal essays centered on candy. Nothing that's research-based (in fact, she talks about the terrible name of the Reese's FastBreak, but is apparently unaware of its much-improved Canadian identity, the Sidekick), but a very quick and engaging read all the same. Adding this to the 12th-grade booktalk list, because what's more exciting than candy?
December 21, 2007
I buzzed through this book online for free, courtesy of Microsoft. If I'm going to read an e-book, I'd prefer something formatted for my Visor, as it's much more portable, but I'm never one to turn down free - esp since I'd wanted to read this book.
Much like its main topic - it was light, fluffy and sweet, with a chewy center. Hilary discusses her obsessive relationship with all things sucrose-laced, and how, as love becomes more important in her life, candy becomes less important. Mostly humorous, with the occasional wistful look at an awkward adolescence and early adulthood.
It's a quickie read, and as such, I'd recommend it as a library or other freebie read - I wouldn't buy it in hardback, unless I found it used.
Much like its main topic - it was light, fluffy and sweet, with a chewy center. Hilary discusses her obsessive relationship with all things sucrose-laced, and how, as love becomes more important in her life, candy becomes less important. Mostly humorous, with the occasional wistful look at an awkward adolescence and early adulthood.
It's a quickie read, and as such, I'd recommend it as a library or other freebie read - I wouldn't buy it in hardback, unless I found it used.
October 11, 2011
This was an interesting book, her life's memories all wrapped up in her memories about candy - every event in her life is somehow tied to a certain type of candy. Although, unlike most memoirs, this one doesn't HAVE a lot of memories, you don't really learn her whole life story, because most of the book is writing details and merits of the different candies she focused on in her life.
I thought I was a sugar addict, but after reading this I realize that I'm not quite so bad...sure, I enjoy candy probably a bit more than most but I'm not obsessed and candies don't remind me of certain times of my life.
But, good on her for figuring out how to turn her love of candy into a story that keeps a person reading and entertained.
I thought I was a sugar addict, but after reading this I realize that I'm not quite so bad...sure, I enjoy candy probably a bit more than most but I'm not obsessed and candies don't remind me of certain times of my life.
But, good on her for figuring out how to turn her love of candy into a story that keeps a person reading and entertained.
November 1, 2010
So I like candy and have fond memories of eating candy as a child, but Hilary's obsession goes way beyond what I would ever even dream possible! It was truly fascinating to even conceive that someone could eat so much candy and be so thoughtful about it! I love Hilary's writing. I had put off reading this book for a long time, but started it right away when I realized the author was one of the co-authors of Dear Exile, which I thought was fantastic. I'm a little slow sometimes to catch on! ;) Anyway, this was a perfect read for Halloween weekend when I eat more candy in a couple days than I do for the rest of the year! Thanks for reviving so many sweet candy memories, Hilary!
June 27, 2013
Surprisingly interesting and a little bit disturbing - I love candy myself and can never imagine eating as much as Hilary consumed through the course of this book. The stories are woven and sugar-laced with info about all the types of candy that abound though, and I while at first it took me a bit to get into the book, I enjoyed reading about her growing up and learning to control her candy urges (at least a little bit). I too, adore bottlecaps, and her description of them and each candy that she loves was hilarious and great at the same time. I'm surprised I liked this book, and I know I'll never read it again, but it was a sweet, easy read and I liked it.
October 23, 2013
Who can't identify with this book? Who can't feel nostalgia at thinking about favorite candies? I was surprised at my emotional response to this book. Reading of her love of candy corn, I felt a burst of joy at my same feeling (and proper way to eat it!) I was surprised at how quickly I responded to this book. Perhaps because candy is ,ore universal than we realize, but it was so easy to relate and remember as I read this book. It made it personal for me, which is a mark of a good book! While readi you could easily remember how certain candies are tied to certain memories and moments. Granted, I am as much a candy fiend has Hilary Liftin! It was a satisfying, entertaining and quick read!,
October 2, 2009
This was a light and fluffy read with lots of nostalgia. Everyone can remember their favorite childhood candy and the author just about covers them all.
Aside from the novelty of a biography centered around candy, I can’t say this was a particularly interesting read. The author’s life was dull and although she writes well, there’s not much that can make up for a boring story.
Reading this book gave me a stomachache. Unless you have a serious (and I do mean serious) love of candy, I wouldn’t recommend it.
Aside from the novelty of a biography centered around candy, I can’t say this was a particularly interesting read. The author’s life was dull and although she writes well, there’s not much that can make up for a boring story.
Reading this book gave me a stomachache. Unless you have a serious (and I do mean serious) love of candy, I wouldn’t recommend it.
Read
August 7, 2011 I could relate to Hilary's sugar addiction more than I would like to admit here, LOL! A quick & tasty read, I think it should really be read with your preferred candy in hand. I thought some of the pictoral depictions were quite clever and amusing. Like her, as an adult my tastes have somewhat become more refined and I have become more controlled (although I have never been quite at her level thankfully) in my eating however I will never lose my sweet tooth entirely I'm sure. I did enjoy reading this unusual but interesting book!
September 6, 2007
I loved this: I felt a connection to the author, whose addiction to sweets is pretty severe. It reminded me of my childhood, when fighting over who got the good Easter Candy was the high point of the holiday, and rooting through my mother's drawers to find her stash of chocolate was a forbidden delight. It's nice to find I was not alone in this single-minded pursuit of sweetness, and that both the author and I have gotten control over it at last! Nicely written.
August 31, 2008
A cute approach to remembering the highs and lows of growing up. Each chapter is a candy and the memory that coincides with it. It's really disturbing the amount of sugar the author could consume in a day, seemingly without serious side effects. While I always considered myself to have a big sweet tooth, at times I almost felt close a sugar coma when reading of her steady and daily diet of all things sweet.
December 2, 2009
We read the "Assortment" and "Snickers" chapters from this for our first memoir exercise, brought in candy and everything. It went awesomely. "Valencia"--my case study who claims she can't write off the top of her head and is a horrible writer--was the first to volunteer what she wrote about candy and it was fantastic! The kids clapped for her and it was the cutest thing I've ever seen. Me=happy/exhausted.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 87 reviews