Lots of Candles, Plenty of Cake
by Anna Quindlen
Lots of Candles, Plenty of Cake by Anna Quindlen holds a well received rating of 3.71 out of 5, based on 12.8K reader ratings. First published in 2012. The book spans 182 pages.
About Lots of Candles, Plenty of Cake
In this irresistible memoir, the #1 New York Times bestselling author writes about her life and the lives of women today, looking back and ahead - and celebrating it all - as she considers marriage, girlfriends, our mothers, faith, loss, all that stuff in our closets, and more. It's odd when I think of the arc of my life, from child to young woman to aging adult. First I was who I was. Then I didn't know who I was. Then I invented someone, and became her. Then I began to like what I'd invented. And finally I was what I was again. It turned out I wasn't alone in that particular progression. As she did in her beloved New York Times columns, and in A Short Guide to a Happy Life, Quindlen says for us here what we may wish we could have said ourselves. Using her past, present, and future to explore what matters most to women at different ages, Quindlen talks aboutMarriage: "A safety net of small white lies can be the bedrock of a successful marriage. You wouldn't believe how cheaply I can do a kitchen renovation."Girlfriends: "Real friends offer both hard truths and soft landings and realize that it's sometimes more important to be nice than to be honest." Our bodies: "I've finally recognized my body for what it is, a personality-delivery system, designed expressly to carry my character from place to place, now and in the years to come. It's like a car, and while I like a red convertible or even a Bentley as well as the next person, what I really need are four tires and an engine."Parenting: "Being a parent is not transactional. We do not get what we give. It is the ultimate pay-it-forward: We are good parents, not so they will be loving enough to stay with us, but so they will be strong enough to leave us." From childhood memories to manic motherhood to middle age, Quindlen uses the events of her own life to illuminate our own. Along with the downsides of age, she says, can come wisdom, a perspective on life that makes it both satisfying and even joyful. So here's to lots of candles, plenty of cake.
| Detail | Value |
|---|---|
| Author | Anna Quindlen |
| Published | 2012 |
| Pages | 182 |
| Genres | Biography & Memoir, Non-Fiction, Biography & Memoir, Fiction, Chick-lit |
| Average Rating | 3.71 / 5.00 |
| Total Ratings | 12,792 |
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Frequently Asked Questions
What genre is Lots of Candles, Plenty of Cake?
Lots of Candles, Plenty of Cake is categorized as Biography & Memoir, Non-Fiction, Biography & Memoir, Fiction. Its primary genre classification is Biography & Memoir.
Is Lots of Candles, Plenty of Cake worth reading?
Based on 12.8K reader ratings, Lots of Candles, Plenty of Cake has an average score of 3.71 out of 5.00, which is considered "Well Received."
How many pages is Lots of Candles, Plenty of Cake?
Lots of Candles, Plenty of Cake has 182 pages. It is a relatively quick read.
Who wrote Lots of Candles, Plenty of Cake?
Lots of Candles, Plenty of Cake was written by Anna Quindlen. It was first published in 2012.
What is the ISBN for Lots of Candles, Plenty of Cake?
The ISBN-13 for Lots of Candles, Plenty of Cake is 9781400069350.0.
Data sourced from community book ratings and reviews. Last updated: April 15, 2026
