Hi, hello everyone! Welcome back to another discussion question post! This month our book was The Heartbreak Bakery by A.R. Capetta, and we hope you enjoyed it as much as we did. We loved discussing this book, and if you’re interested in what we had to say, keep reading!
Question 1: How do you think Syd’s realization of having magical baking powers helped with Syd’s character development and self-discovery as the story goes on?
Caitlyn: I just love the concept of magical baking powers, because there is a magic to baking, and at least for me personally, when I bake I put a lot of love and joy into whatever it is that I’m making and I want people to feel that when they eat my bakes. I love how passionate Syd is not just with baking, but with all emotions, and to me it just makes sense that those feelings would come out in the bakes!
After going through a break-up with long time girlfriend, W, Syd is definitely feeling lost, which is understandable! Because Syd uses baking as a way to process emotions and life situations, those feelings all get poured out into the Breakup Brownies, and while it absolutely wasn’t Syd’s intention for the brownies to break up people, that it did and I actually think it was the best thing that could happen for Syd. The situation as whole, while absolutely stressful, really helped Syd develop a stronger sense of self and come out the other side a more confident and self assured person. I really loved seeing how Syd developed throughout the book and how discovering their magical baking powers helped with that.
Cossette: Just like Caitlyn, I also put a lot of my love, joy — and whatever I’m feeling, into baking. Syd uses baking as a way to process emotions and as a vehicle to talk about Syd’s feelings with other people. Without baking, Syd also wouldn’t have as strong of a sense of community or connection, nor would Syd have been able to realize a few things about Syd’s life.
Mary: I agree with both Caitlyn and Cossette! I think baking was a great way for Syd to take control over something, especially when Syd feels like Syd lacks control. I think it was a lovely way to connect Syd to various communities, and to the people Syd needed most in their life. I don’t bake, like at all, so I can’t really relate to the baking when you’re feeling something, but I loved seeing how Syd utilises that throughout the book.
Question 2: What do you think of the recipes that were scattered throughout the book? Will you be trying any of them? How did they add to your reading experience?
Caitlyn: I absolutely love the addition of recipes throughout the book! Whenever I read a book that has a focus on food, there’s usually at least one recipe described that I’m just dying to try, and I think it’s so great that the author’s adding those recipes throughout the book is starting to become more common! There are quite a few recipes in the book that I want to try! I especially want to try the Honest Pie (peaches and strawberries? Sign me up!), and Agender Cupcakes (raspberry mascarpone filling!), recipes!
I felt that the recipes really helped us connect with Syd, especially since some were “recipes” that described what it was that Syd was going through at that moment. I found those ones especially fun and clever.
Cossette: Similarly to Caitlyn, I always love reading about the recipes mentioned in books! While I don’t always try them — I always have the intention of doing so, and then forget to, I think they add another layer to the book. With The Heartbreak Bakery in particular, it’s a way for the reader to get more insight into Syd’s mind, as the recipes weren’t just normal recipes, but also recipes with Syd’s side notes and internal commentary. I also thought that the recipes here were a good way to break up the chapters!
Mary: I never try the recipes because, like I said above, I’m not a baker. But, I did find the recipes in the book to be fun! Towards the end of the book I felt like they were kinda disrupting my reading flow, but I think that’s personal preference. I liked that it was a little insight into Syd’s brain, and another way for us to get to know them.
Question 3: The Proud Muffin isn’t just the bakery that Syd works at, it’s also a safe haven for many people in the community. How do you think The Proud Muffin added to the story, and do you have a space (or people) that is your safe haven?
Caitlyn: The Proud Muffin is hands down one of my favorite parts of the entire book. Syd often says that The Proud Muffin is a community and a safe place for people and I felt that throughout the entire book. It definitely feels like a home. It’s warm, and cozy, filled with light and laughter and people you know that you can count on. I loved how all the employees really knew and connected with their customers, and they were really a family. The way that they all banded together when the bakery was supposed to close really just shows how important The Proud Muffin and the family they created is.
The community developed at The Proud Muffin is absolutely reminiscent of how I felt as a teenager at my theatre company. The majority of the kids did show after show together, so we really became a family, and the staff was so wonderful that we knew we could go to them if we needed anything. Now that I’m on staff there, I try to continue to do so for the kids that are now participating in our programs. Our theatre company has been my safe place for the last 14 years, and I want to make sure that everyone who comes through our doors feels the same.
Cossette: I loved reading about The Proud Muffin. The Proud Muffin isn’t just an establishment — it’s a community. From the owners, to the employees, and their patrons, everyone genuinely loves The Proud Muffin. The Proud Muffin reminds me of my favorite local coffee shop by work, and I just know that if anything ever happened to it, the local community would be devastated and would band together to save it. I think The Proud Muffin allowed for readers to not only visualize the setting and community better, but also was a stand in for anyone’s safe place.
Mary: Like the others, I loved The Proud Muffin. It was a lot of fun, and you could feel the warmth and love coming off of the pages as you read. I don’t know for sure if I have a particular safe haven in location form, but I definitely have it in activity form. I know if I’m ever down, or just in need of some company, I can rely on one of my best friends to come with me to get a Coca Cola from McDonalds, and we typically sit in the carpark and talk about anything and everything (it’s mainly Star Wars, but that doesn’t matter). Otherwise, I think the ice rink I skate at is very close to becoming a safe haven, I just need to get a little bit less scared of private sessions and go along to them. And, of course, the theatre. A lot of my life is dedicated to theatre, so I would be lost without it.
Question 4: If you had to describe The Heartbreak Bakery as a baked treat, what would it be and why?
Caitlyn: The first thing that came to mind is a summer fruit pavlova! Pavlovas consist of a few ingredients — meringue, fruits, and whipped cream, sometimes nuts or jam or a curd, if you’re feeling fancy — that when put together create a perfect sweet summer dessert.
When I think of The Heartbreak Bakery, I automatically think of summer. Maybe it’s because the book is set in the summer, or because the hardback edition is this stunning pink and yellow (truly gasped when I took off the dust jacket, it’s insanely gorgeous), but I think I also associate the book with summer simply because it is so joyful. I have never made a pavlova before, but I really want to, and I think when I finally do I’ll have to sit and read The Heartbreak Bakery as I eat it, because I truly believe they’re a match made in baking heaven.
Cossette: If I had to describe The Heartbreak Bakery as a baked treat, I’d describe it as a Schmackary’s Funfetti cookie. Schmackary’s is one of my favorite places to go to whenever I’m in New York, and I’m more often than not craving their cookies. It’s instant joy, and I always associate Schmackary’s with my loved ones and friends!
Mary: I think it’s a macaron – light, enjoyable and perfect in the summer. Macarons bring me a lot of joy, and I know this book brought so many people joy as well. I have a lot of fond memories of my friends eating macarons, so I’m definitely going to go with that.
Question 5: A lot of the recipes scattered throughout the book are related to Syd and the things going on in Syd’s life – put together your own recipe that reflects you
Caitlyn: Oh, that’s tricky. I don’t know if I can really think of a recipe that represents me. But, something I love making that very much so includes all my favorite flavors is what I call my “comfort” soup. I love making a miso broth based ramen soup that has hot sauce cooked in the broth, with ramen noodles, mushrooms and peas! Whenever I’m feeling down or stressed, I usually make that for myself and feel better — yes, I have made it in 100 degree weather after a particularly stressful day. I also love berries, so anything that involves raspberries or strawberries I’m all about!
Cossette: I’m not really sure! The first thing that came into mind was my comfort snack: Peanut Butter Toast with Condensed Milk! It’s a big thing in Hong Kong, and I love having it with my mom’s homemade earl grey bread. It’s just so comforting, and cozy and just the right amount of sweet!
Mary: Equal parts Star Wars, figure skating and falling asleep with the light on mixed together.
Question 6: The Heartbreak Bakery happens over a span of a few days – how did you find the pacing? Did you think it was too fast or too slow? What would you change about it to make it work for you?
Caitlyn: The Heartbreak Bakery does move pretty quickly, but honestly it doesn’t really bother me, mostly because I was super engrossed in the book! Syd and Harley’s relationship progresses pretty fast, but what I appreciated about it was that the two of them had known each other for quite a while before anything happened romantically, which I think made me less bothered by it. I also think that their relationship progressed quickly because they felt so comfortable with one another, and were put in a high-stress situation that typically leads to heightened and escalated emotions. Plus, they’re so young, and isn’t that the time when you’re more open and willing to jump head first into things pretty quickly?
As for the general plot line of the status of The Proud Muffin, and Syd and Harley trying to find all the people whose relationships were affected by Syd’s bakes, I felt that that all moved at a brisk pace, but not too fast for me. As I mentioned above, when you’ve got high-stress situations things should move pretty quickly. I personally enjoyed the pacing!
Cossette: I think the events of The Heartbreak Bakery happened pretty quickly, but I was also so immersed in the book that it didn’t really bother me! I do think that the relationship between Syd and Harley progressed pretty quickly, but I think that when you’re that age, everything you feel is a lot more intense, and so it does make sense in hindsight!
Mary: The pacing was what I mainly had issues with. I think personally it could’ve done with being set over a longer period of time, rather than a few days/a week. Maybe it’s a taste thing, but I didn’t feel like any of the moments had a whole lot of weight to them because they were happening so suddenly and so quickly. However, I do know that time moves this way when you’re young, and I applaud A.R. Capetta for relaying that perfectly. Like I said, it’s definitely a personal preference thing.
Question 7: What other books/media would you recommend etc.
Caitlyn: I would absolutely recommend Sara Bareilles’ musical Waitress, which is one of my favorites. Syd and Jenna use baking as a way to process emotions and life events, so in that aspect, I think they’re a great match. If you particularly loved The Big Gay Texas Bake Off aspect, then you should check out Jennifer Yen’s A Taste for Love, which is a Pride and Prejudice retelling and features a baking competition inspired by The Great British Bake Off.
Cossette: If you’re a fan of the sweet dynamic between Syd and Harley in The Heartbreak Bakery, I would highly recommend Kaitlyn Hill’s Love from Scratch for some more puns and sweetness — Reese and Benny are utterly adorable. Another cute baking-centric book I loved was Laura Taylor Namey’s A Cuban Girl’s Guide to Tea and Tomorrow. Lastly, Carrie Hope Fletcher’s All That She Can See reminded me heavily of this book, although I didn’t love it. Maybe it’ll be a good fit for you!
Mary: I second Waitress and A Cuban Girl’s Guide to Tea and Tomorrow. Although, nothing else is popping to mind. I should definitely pick up some more baking-related books.
Thanks so much for reading our answers to this month’s discussion questions! We cannot wait to discuss our August book, Portrait of a Thief, with you soon!
