Comments on: Review: Cherries in Winter, Suzan Colon

By: zibilee

zibilee — Mon, 05 Apr 2010 21:21:46 +0000

Oh boy! This book sounds like it would annoy the heck out of me! My husband has been out of work since December, and life here has been pretty rough. I can't imagine how mad it would make me to have to read about her so called "economies". I actually think it might be in bad taste to publish this book right now, during a time where people are losing their homes left and right. I will be skipping this book! Thanks for the very honest review! .-= zibilee´s last blog ..The Lunatic, the Lover, and the Poet: A Novel by Myrlin A. Hermes - 384 pgs =-.

By: Suzan Colon

Suzan Colon — Sat, 03 Apr 2010 14:49:21 +0000

Hi Meghan and everyone,
First of all, I’d like to thank you for taking the time to read “Cherries in Winter.” I know there are so many books and so little time–that’s always been my situation!–so I just appreciate you giving the book your attention.
Second, I’m so sorry to hear that you didn’t like it. There have been some misunderstandings about my intentions with the book; one example is the pasta recipe. That was actually supposed to be a joke, and I can see my aspirations to be a comedian should probably be laid to rest!
The other is the misconception that I’m a poor little rich girl complaining about not being able to afford expensive face cream anymore. Since you read the book, you know how I grew up, which was living a very hand-to-mouth existence. Our telephone was turned off several times because we just didn’t have the money to pay the bill. Food was simple out of necessity. And we got by just fine on very, very little.
I have been extremely fortunate as an adult–but not because I had any trust fund or any kind of inheritance given to me. I used the lessons I learned as a kid to save as much money as I could since I started working as a mother’s helper at the age of 13. I’ve also worked very hard in my industry, and I was fortunate enough to make a nice salary at a job or two. Which balances out the many times I’ve made far, far less, so I guess it’s all relative in the end…
At any rate, I’m glad you liked my family’s stories–they really were an inspirational bunch My intention with the book was to make people who were hit hard by this recession realize that our families have been through this before and gotten through it, as we all will. And I thank you again for giving me, and that message, a chance.
With my best regards to you and all your visitors,
Suzan Colon
Author of “Cherries in Winter”

By: Beth F

Beth F — Sat, 03 Apr 2010 13:26:43 +0000

I requested a copy from Shelf Awareness when it first came out -- but when I read "I might be a bit harsh, but I’m not sure someone who had a six-figure job, continues to do freelance work, and has a year’s worth of savings is really the person to listen to about hard times," I realize that I am going to have a TON of trouble relating. I'll probably flip through it and give it a try. .-= Beth F´s last blog ..Stats Posts: What Are They Good For? =-.

By: heidenkind

heidenkind — Fri, 02 Apr 2010 20:31:02 +0000

Wow, this book sounds like a self-indulgent mess. I think I'm going to stay far away from this one. I heard about a book on the news where a woman spent only $1/day at the grocery store for a whole year! Now that's cost savings. Spoiler alert: she was freakishly skinny. .-= heidenkind´s last blog ..Botticelli by Frank Zoellner =-.

By: Nymeth

Nymeth — Fri, 02 Apr 2010 18:00:48 +0000

“And could I deal with her unhappiness that she had to switch to a cheaper face moisturiser when I can’t justify buying any?”

Same here I’m glad she never actually complains, but I have the feeling this book would annoy me all the same.

By: Aarti

Aarti — Fri, 02 Apr 2010 16:35:58 +0000

Oh, this sounds disappointing. I don't think I can read it, either. I think the idea is good, but obviously in execution, she wasn't focusing on the right things. I can't believe that there is an entire recipe that is just spaghetti with store-bought sauce! Ugh. However, at the same time, I guess it's what you make of it. Yes, she's not poor, but she IS poorer than she used to be and did (in a really odd way, admittedly) cut down on her expenditures. And maybe in that way, just consciously doing that and considering the situation made her rethink her lifestyle? I don't know- I didn't read it and probably won't but hopefully she gained some nugget of knowledge! .-= Aarti´s last blog ..With Reverent Hands: A Sundial in a Grave: 1610 =-.

By: Amanda

Amanda — Fri, 02 Apr 2010 14:48:10 +0000

There’s not much that I hate more than poor little rich girl stories. Yuck.

By: bermudaonion (Kathy)

bermudaonion (Kathy) — Fri, 02 Apr 2010 13:36:05 +0000

I may not be able to relate to this one either. We’re pretty much middle class and have been able to withstand the economic downturn fairly well, simply because we’ve never been able to justify the types of expenditures you mentioned.

By: Michelle

Michelle — Fri, 02 Apr 2010 12:23:08 +0000

Ugh. I probably couldn't stand to read this one, either. When the whole economic downturn thing happened, I couldn't stand to read a lot of things in the New York Times because they were just rich people complaining about how they had to learn to cook at home instead of going out to fancy restaurants every night, or who had to stop sending their kids to really expensive tutors or boarding schools. I say, when you have to worry about making the house payment or putting food on the table, then you can complain publicly about a lack of money. .-= Michelle´s last blog ..Review: Fallen by Lauren Kate =-.