Bliss

Now that we're near the end of October, I'm trying to catch up on my never-ending 2012 TBR (to be read) pile.  I'm being quite picky about the books that I finish, which is why I haven't had much to blog about in the way of chapter books. Luckily, I just finished a delightful, funny, and silly read. Even if you're not a baking aficionado, you'll want to pick up Bliss. 

The townspeople of Calamity Falls are obsessed with the Follow Your Bliss bakery, owned and operated by the Bliss family.  Little do they know that the bakery's scrumptious cake, cookies, croissants, and other treats have secret magical ingredients that stave off any little troubles and traumas in town.  When the Bliss parents are frantically summoned to help eradicate a terrible flu epidemic in a nearby town (their almond croissants seem to be excellent flu antidotes), the Bliss children are left to their own devices...until a mysterious "Aunt Lily" dramatically announces her presence. A magical cookbook, an epidemic of townspeople speaking, walking, and even driving backward, and crazed teenage girls (not to mention brutally honest librarians) create an untold amount of chaos, until twelve year old Rose saves the day. 


As you can guess, there's an enormous amount of silliness within the story, but there's also a great deal of truth and warmth, as awkward Rose slowly gains confidence in herself and learns the true value of family (over the chance of glamor and potential stardom).  Thankfully, these "life lessons" (which, since two main characters are preteen/teens, include good and bad crushes) are not preachy at all and come quite naturally to the story.  If you're looking for a tremendously fun read, you really need to read Bliss.  If you loved it as much as I did, you'll be ecstatic to know that a sequel (in which Rose and her siblings must find secret ingredients in Paris!) will be released in February.