Chapter Two Hundred Twelve: Candyfreak

I just finished listening to Steve Almond's (nonfiction) book Candyfreak: A Journey through the Chocolate Underbelly of America, and let me say that this was a really fun listen!  While it does have the occasional dark moment, Almond's joy (Sorry, I couldn't resist!) for all things candy is infatuating.  He delves into the sales and manufacturing of several regional candies, from my one of my very favorites (NECCO's Sky Bar) to ones I'd never heard of (Twin Bing, anyone? Big Hunk?).  His focus on the little guys of the candy world not only serves as a cultural exploration of various parts of the U.S. (he travels throughout the country to visit small candy factories) but also introduces a quirky cast of characters, as the people running these small candy companies tend to be as weirdly passionate about candy as Almond is.  If you like candy, or if you're looking for a light but fascinating non-fiction experience, give Candyfreak a try.