Parties Books

The infamous Shakespeare quote "Parting is such sweet sorrow" came to mind as I closed the cover of THE DIVORCE PARTY. Instead of a lighthearted banter about divorce parties ala the chic set, I found a riveting story about love that causes us to reflect on our own relationships as we read about the events of Gwyn and Thomas Huntington's early love and 35-year marriage. As we see the outward signs of Gwyn and Thomas's relationship --- a photograph on the wall of a smiling, happy couple who have the look of love --- we realize it could be any one of us. Now Gwyn and Thomas are getting ready for a divorce party to celebrate their parting with a toast from a bottle of 1945 Château Mouton-Rothschild.

Gwyn sets an elegant and surprisingly vindictive stage for her own divorce party. Hiring your soon-to-be-ex-husband's lover to cater this event at the family estate, Huntington Hall, is a gusty move, and there is an impulse to cheer for Gwyn. Gwyn has read that a "graceful" divorce party is in vogue and "a parting ritual" that can help all family members "replace animosity with harmony." Gwyn's journey through the 35 years of her marriage, the memories, the divorce-eve sex with Thomas, the conversations with her children and with herself dominate this vital look at love. With statistics hovering around at 50% of marriages ending in divorce, we wonder, Should Gwyn have reflected on her marriage sooner? Would it have made a difference?

When do you know a marriage is over? Up to the last moment, before the parting toast, Thomas treats Gwyn with civility, going through the motions of his marriage as if it were just another day. In Thomas's old patterns, the reader sees some of the reasons why they are about to host a divorce party. Gwyn knows Thomas better than he knows himself and forces him to acknowledge his secret lover, Eve, in front of her at the gathering. His lack of reaction to the meeting between Gwyn and his new lady reaffirms his weak character. We are left thinking that she's better off without him, but our heart breaks when Gwyn realizes in that moment that Eve is "first" for Thomas and the last bit of hope drops out of her. Gwyn reveals, "...even if she knew it was all going to end here, Gwyn would have chosen him anyway." Dave gets to the heart of true love in a way that makes the reader believe in love in the face of divorce.

Attending the divorce party are Gwyn and Thomas's two grown children --- 33-year-old Nate and 25-year-old Georgia, who are involved in new and already complicated relationships of their own. Nate has a new love and is bringing home his fiancée, Maggie, for the first time. When Maggie finds out about Nate's secrets, she wonders if she will end the day with or without him. Where do they go from here? "There's no starting over, Nate," she says. "So, we'll figure out a way," he says, "To start here." Georgia and Denis have a young love, one that is new enough to try hard to believe and not disappoint. In vivid contrast, Dave poignantly writes Gwyn's thoughts about her impending divorce: "She isn't angry. She isn't hopeful. She is simply done. Gwyn is done trying to pick up what cannot be saved." Dave paints all the faces of love with unnerving insight.

Love is an ever-changing story, one whose ending is unfinished. Is divorce the new happily ever after? Each writes his or her own love story for better or for worse. Let's not forget the power of romance. "Any love story can end well."

--- Reviewed by Hillary Wagy

This book is lovely and moving and wonderful. An accessible and fun summer read but not one without real insights into the humanity that drives us all. I've got a major crush on Laura Dave.

The Divorce Party is one of the most oddly moving books I've read in a long time. Since I finished reading it, I have been trying to sort out what, exactly, makes it work so well. Certainly, it captures the emotions of complex people in complex relationships in incredibly lovely prose. It is funny, and surprisingly heartwarming, and hard to put down. And yet it goes beyond that somehow, in a way that so few books do. There is some little bit of magic that it delivers. It leaves you hopeful for your own relationships, and for your ability to embrace your future, whatever it has in store.

Laura Dave is an amazingly talented writer. Her first book, London is the Best City in America was incredible, and this one might even be better if that's possible. Once again, the insight into the many layers of each of the characters is impressive and makes you realize how so many things in life are simple and complex at the same time. Even though the book takes place over a single day, by the end it seems that you've known the characters for a long time.

Laura Dave has done it again! This is a terrific book by an incredibly talented author! Dave puts her characters (each poignantly portrayed) at the intersection of messy and difficult circumstances. Each is trying to do his or best - we feel and root for some, and resent others. Working towards a dramatic and suspense-filled denouement, Dave keeps us engrossed in this finely crafted work, full to the brim with insight, pain, catharsis, wit - and ultimately, great humanity and wisdom. You will not be able to put it down!

Wow! My husband and I bought this to keep us entertained on our long beach trip drives. We had so much fun with it last summer and look forward to doing it again this summer. We are both 80's children and thought we knew everything 80's music....we were wrong. We didn't do it as a game but more as a filler to keep us entertained....it did the job!

Dude. Get this book. But be careful because you'll get addicted to it and then you'll have to buy Things That Make You Go Hmmm: The '90s Music Party Game too.

My friends and I had a great time quizzing each other with this book. It's the perfect mix of challenging questions and nostalgic fun. This would be a great gift for any child of the 80's.

My favorite new party game! I got this book and played the game with some friends and was fully entertained for hours. "Don't Dream It's Over" is full of 80s questions that you'll know, drive yourself crazy trying to remember, or will be just plain baffled by. Invite over a couple of 80s neophytes, turn it into a drinking game, and watch the less 80s savvy get wasted. Well worth the price.

My husband and I attended both high school and college in the 80s, and we're still such huge fans of 80s music that our 2003 wedding had an all-80s music theme! So, you can imagine how thrilled I was to discover this book, which contains 10 "Quiz Sets" of 100 questions each--that's right, 100 questions all about 80s music. I have to admit, I consider myself pretty knowledgeable when it comes to the crazy, corny music of that great decade, but I didn't get past the back cover before I was stumped ("name the three Prince hits where the letter "u" is substituted for the word "you" in the title"--I could only think of one!).

Author Martin Quinn provides several different ways in which you can use the book for a party game, from the "Everybody Wants to Rule the World" version (no teams) to the "Don't Worry Be Happy" version (a drinking game). Also, each of the questions is given a point value, from "1" being the easiest to "5" being the hardest. This is the only part of the book that didn't quite work for me, as some of the 1-point items are pretty tough, whereas "what starts with Q, ends with T, and commanded you to 'Bang Your Head' in 1984?" appears on the first page as a 3-point question (c'mon, you've got to know this one!). Overall, however, I know this book will provide me, my husband, and our friends with hours of entertainment, and I highly recommend it for any 80s music fans.

I'm so late to this party - I feel like a complete douche. I enjoyed this so much I couldn't really form rational words to describe, especially since all of the other reviews, at least combined, did such a thorough and accurate job. (except what's up with someone giving it only 4 stars?)

This system needs more stars.

Several people already beat me to this and nailed it. Still, I wanted to write something. So I'll start by confirming what they say is so true.

I wish I would have discovered this sooner and can't wait for more. There was something about The Fart Party, I don't know what... But I read it so fast it was like I absorbed it. I couldn't pull away, meanwhile I have ~3 other books I like a lot but haven't been able to finish in several months.

If anyone is looking for some good clean dirty entertainment this is now my official first suggestion.

Even if Julia did axe the snarky bit about fixed gear bikes in our illustrated interview, the fact that I make a cameo is reason enough to spend your money on this book. And I say that even though I'm not seeing a dime from my image, text or illustrations being published.

Hell, I even paid for my copy (yes, me, the dude who gave Julia permission to reprint the interview). But that's because I'd seen it all before online and it made me laugh, and I like to throw money at people who make me laugh (intentionally) from time to time.

This is a real solid piece of quality work. Funny, well drawn, and thoughtful. Looking forward to more.

Julia Wertz could be called "a fresh new voice on the UG/Indie comic scene" or "a wicked talent to be reckoned with" or "the prom queen of the indie comic sock hop" or a dozen other clever things but none would aptly describe what's going on here.

Yeah, she is a fresh new voice, but her voice has been heard by many already tuned into her via the internet where her comics have a loyal and dedicated following. She's sometimes spiteful, sometimes sweet (often tender, frankly) sometimes self-focused and sometimes offensive but she is always honest and curiously insightful. And funny. Very funny.

Her talent is certainly to be reckoned with because it is obvious with this initial release, she's got much more to say and room to grow in artistic and "literary" terms. And I don't mean this as a criticism.

Indeed, some comic artist/writers might be content with the level and quality of what is presented here, but Wertz is definitely barely hitting her stride. I'd dare others to keep up, because I'd bet a paycheck that she will go further and reach higher than most in her field.

Wertz provides a lot of good stuff here. In addition to dozens of dozens comics (it's not a slim tome, it has considerable heft) we're given the chance to see her style evolve a bit into one that is definitely and recognizable as her own. It's as if we are allowed to see a burgeoning comic artist develop a particular confidence of voice and line that cannot be ignored.

Do yourself a favor and pick up this excellent introduction to "The Fart Party." Keep an eye out for Wertz in the coming years as she continues to present us with her own peculiar view of love, work, play and life. I really can't wait to see what she produces in the years to come, because if this book is any indication, it will be even more amazing.

Buy this book, folks. Now. You'll be glad you weren't late to the party.

Maybe you've been reading [...] for a few years. Maybe you have all of Wertz's minicomics. Maybe you have never even heard of a fartparty. It doesn't really matter, because this book is a must have for all three categories of reader. This is no slim and fast read, but a great chunk of a book that will keep you laughing and sighing until the end. Oh, and Wertz even explains how the name came about in case you were wondering.

This anthology of Wertz's comics start at the very beginning of her foray into the comics medium, but even at the start and without much experience, she proved to have a natural talent for making pictures and words in boxes that pack a punch. Maybe it was her background as a writer or just an inborn wit, but she hit the ground running and has been making great work since the start, and this book covers the first year and a half or so of that process.

Wertz draws in a style that is completely her own and never seems to have fallen into the trap of imitation which many young cartoonists do. Though simple, the strong black and whites express her point of view on the world better than any realist style ever could. Its exciting to see Wertz develop as an artist over the course of the book, but she never loses that edge she has had from the start.

I could go on about the fartparty, talk about the story line that runs throughout the book, or the different characters that we get to know through Wertz's eyes, but that would take away the fun of discovering it for yourself. This book is definitely worth the pricetag, especially since it is a book you can re-read many times without the jokes getting stale. It has a prime spot on my bookshelf and I recommend that you add it to your collection as well.

Most people are neither "True Conservatives" nor "True Liberals/Progressives but rather a mixture depending upon the issue.
I know I am certainly that way.

We all want to think that if the other side just knew the "facts" as we know them, they would think just like us. But the world doesn't work like that. We all have our biases and filter information accordingly.

Before the introduction the author quotes Dale Carnegie: "In talking to people, don't begin by discussing the things on which you differ. Begin by emphasizing--and keep emphasizing--the things on which you agree. Keep on emphasizing, if possible, that you are both striving for the same end and that your only difference is one of method and not of purpose."

This is absolutely right-on-target.

That goal for most American's is: FREEDOM, OPPORTUNITY AND SECURITY for all.

Bernie Horn's "Framing The Future" will interest both political activists and students of American politics. Horn makes the case why, and how, progressives need to change their tactics - less preaching to the choir, more persuasion of the swing voters who actually decide elections.

A central theme in Framing The Future: How Progressive Values Can Win Elections And Influence People" by Bernie Horn (a senior director for policy and communications at the Center for Policy Alternatives in Washington, D.C.) is that for the last seven years, the federal government has been disastrously dominated by a small cadre of neo-conservative ideologues in both foreign affairs and domestic issues. The only antidote to the damage done to America's prestige abroad and our economic foundations at home in an American style democracy is the election of a majority of responsible progressives to the halls of congress and the White House. "Framing The Future" is based upon sound research, polling, and testing methodology to create simple step-by-step instructions on how political and social progressives can best and most effectively articulate their positions on the issues of the day (especially during electoral contests) and employ successful strategies to gain back the levers of government to advance their own solutions to the political, social, cultural, and economic problems that currently beset our nation. Simply stated, "Framing The Future" should be considered mandatory reading for every political activist, candidate for political office, and social issue advocacy group in the country.

Diane C. Donovan
California Bookwatch

A really interesting read that all Democratic candidates should see. A total blueprint on how to take back the power of words the Republicans have stolen.

Framing the Future is a must read for anyone advocating progressive issues from health care to world peace, Bernie Horn does a great job of showing us how to frame progressive issues in way that people can understand and support.

I'm a firm believer that good poetry teaches children a great deal. Not only about the subject at hand, but about the lyric nature of our language and good bit about spelling and sentence construction as well.

Thus we all welcome David Costello's brilliant book, "Here They Come!" Not only is the poetry good, but the topic is fun and treated with great humor. Text follows so you can judge yourself. {my Amazon 'Look Inside' feature would load any pages and I can't tell if it's a problem on my side or theirs.}

Here comes our chance for a Halloween fright,
For this is the place every Halloween night
Where the scariest creatures are known to appear,
And that's why the party is here every year:
Where the path in the woods takes a bend and a turn,
Round a circle of stones where a fire can burn
And light up the scene by the old hollow tree.
It's an excellent place for a party to be.

Five Stars. Not in the least scary. Good artwork that appeals to children. The poetry is first rate. The plot involves two little `creatures' whose mother has told them that they are in for a good party and an ultimate scare. A scare that is not from what your children might expect.

Mr. Costello's debut work is beautifully illustrated and the story is witty. Although it is written for small children, my nine year old son enjoys reading it to my 4 year old daughter. The book is also being used in his fourth grade poetry class. I highly recommend it!

My 2 year old received this beautiful book last Halloween and even now in April he regularly requests that we read it before bedtime. How can I refuse? Mr. Costello's lyrical gift is matched only by his brilliant illustrations. We look forward to more high quality children's books from this talented author.

Incredible art work. Beautiful and fun! Great story for every halloween... a new tradition. Wicked sense of humor.

"She says that a scare lets you know you're alive." Great introduction to all the creatures that go boom in the night and exist on Halloween with exquisite creative illustrations and cute rhymes. "Gremlins come waddling followed by trolls, an ogre comes strolling with cinnamon rolls." Funny unexpected twist in the last few pages of the story will make you laugh. Possibly the greatest Halloween book I've ever had the joy of reading. David Costello's first children's book is a smash!

This book has wonderful art and wonderful, nonsense rhyme. It is great fun to read aloud to children, and have them read along. It's just the right length for a read before nap,or a cuddle on the couch. The story appeals to children, since it's about having fun your own way. The characters are silly and appealing. We love it! Of course, having lived in Kalamazoo, I am a real fan. I send it to all new grand-nephews and -nieces. But you don't have to be from Kalamazoo....just love the sound of words!

I just moved to Kalamazoo, Michigan. My friends from back home in pittsburgh sent me this book for my birthdya as a joke, but I love it! Now, I really can relate to going to a party in kalamazoo, but the book is much wackier than real life! :)

I went to a party in Kalamazoo is a great book for children. The illustrations are wonderful! It is as plesant to read as it is to look at. It is a must have if you have ever lived in kalamazoo!

Full of playful language, candy-like illustrations, and a zest for life, this fun loving and funny book promotes language skills while encouraging imagination and participation. It is the kind of book that entertains and teaches at the same time (which is, of course, the best kind). It is the kind of book that I, as an adult, enjoy reading to children again and again. It is the kind of book that simply makes me feel wonderful -- a great gift for anyone under 8 years of age, and for the people who love them.

What are you doing ten years from today? Well, we are all going to a party, where we'll meet amazing people (and animals), and anything can happen ... as long as it's fun. Colorful illustrations and a collection of favorite activities make this road trip a first-class party. This was fun to read ... even a couple times in a row. It will remind you of reading a Dr. Seuss book, but it is unique, too. We like how it blends in fun, creative activities with real places that are also great (family) destinations.

This is one of the best books ever! Our family has enjoyed this book for years! Sometimes we even act out the parts. It is so entertaining. It started us on a Nicholas Allan kick where we seek out his books. Some are rather irreverent, such as The Queen's Knickers, but all in good fun. Jesus' Christmas Party is the best one.

This charming story gives a realistic spin to how things really might have been out there in Bethlehem. It makes me laugh everytime I read it, and it makes a wonderful skit that our family loves to put on at Christmas time

I love this book. I bought three, two to give away and one to keep. I have it sitting on the coffee table. People pick it up, think it's a cute kid's book and read through it. I can always tell when they get to the end...there is a little sigh and a look of peace! It reminds us of the true meaning of Christmas. That our lives are hectic, just as the inn keepers night was, but he took time to celebrate the baby's birth!

The simple line drawings are accessilble to all. the innkeeper certainly didn't know what he was in for when he let Mary and Joseph use the stable. Despite the bright light and all the interruptions the innkeeper finally gets in the spirit of things. A short, sweet look at the joy everyone had at the birth of a special baby.

The poor inn keeper keeps getting woken up because two tired travelers need a place to stay, they need blankets, there is a bright light in the sky, three wise mencome looking for a baby...finally he storms down to the barn to give them a piece of his mind but stops when he sees the "lovely" baby. In his excitement he runs and wakes all the people staying at the inn to tell them about the baby!

As usual with Martin's series books, there's a nice crossover with mentions of the Baby-Sitters Club and some of the story taking place in school (The Kids In Ms Colman's Class series). It's a nice way to get readers of one series reading another - and the best part is, if you DON'T read the others, you're not lost.

Karen's going to have her very first sleepover and all the girls in her class are invited! She's so excited that she's invited everyone before she has had time to send out the invitations, so her best friend Nancy knows she's been invited. Still, when everyone else has gotten their invitation and hers hasn't arrived, her feelings are hurt and she and Karen fight. Trendy Pamela Harding moves to town and comes to Ms. Colman's class. Karen invites Pamela and UNinvites Nancy, a move she regrets when it appears that Pamela is going to spoil everyone's fun.

I'm hoping that Little Sister #10 addresses Pamela, because I think that story had a nasty little girl ending and Karen, while goofy, is never really mean. Other than the fact that I didn't particularly like the way that part of the story ended, Karen's Sleepover was the usual, great Martin.

I'm 22 and I still think it's the bomb! I enjoyed reading about all the fun things they did at the sleepover party and what they were doing when they were supposed to be asleep and all. I first read it when I was about 9 or something like that and I loved having sleepover parties and going to them but this book inspired me to make those nights even more creative.

even thoughi'm fifteen, I LOVED THIS BOOK!
Karen's dad said she could have a sleepover. But, when Nancy Dawes tattles on her for doodling in her school math book, Karen gets mad. Nancy thinks she didn't get an invitation, (because it got lost in the mail.) but when she gets it, Karen un-invites her and invites the new girl named Pamela Harding to her sleepover instead. But Pamela turns out to ba a snot. She thinks The Wizard Of Oz is a baby movie, (It Isn't.) And she says pizza gives her bad breath. Karen feels so bad, she Re-invites Nancy. It's a great book...

This book was way too cool! I enjoyed every moment of it.I think it was great and I am planning to have a sleepover soon,it sounds like fun.When karen has decided to have a sleepover,she fights with her best friend nancy and she does not invite nancy to her sleepover.Instead Pamela comes and now karen needs nancy's help to stop Pamela from ruining all the fun.I think this book was lovely.

The story takes place at Karen's house. Nancy, Pamela and Karen are the main characters. Karen is a nice girl. She is in the second grade. She has lots of friends. She is funny, but, sometimes she can be serious. Karen and Nancy get into a fight, so when Karen has her sleepover, she does not invite Nancy. Karen wants Nancy's help with solving problems that come up at the sleepover with Pamela. I think this book is fun to read because it was about girls who are always having fun adventures together. Karen has nice friends that look up to her. There was nothing I did not like about the book. Karen is the most interesting character. I learned a lot of things from reading this book. One thing I learned is instead of ignoring my friends when I get mad, I should talk it over. I also learned that nobody likes mean and spoiled people. Lastly, I learned that sleepovers are lots of fun. I would like to read other books by this author like Karen's Cartwheel, Karen's Pumpkin Patch and Karen's Secret.

My daughter got this book for her preschool class and they love listening to her read it again and again. The children remember the Spanish words and their meanings. The pictures really make this book special.

If you don't study the illustrations, you'll miss a lot of extra humor. The writing is great, but the illustrations really add an extra twist of irony, as the excuses made by the friends look more and more foolish given their undescribed actions as drawn on the page. My kids love this book.

The story is about an Iguana and her friends that were organizing a party on Saturday. But iguana had to do everything herslf because the snake, the conejo and the tortuga were only giving excuses so they didn't help. The main characteres are the Iguana, the conejo, the snake, and the tortuga. The tortuga, the conejo and the snake didn't want to help. The Iguana is my favorite character because she was the one who did eerything and she did the right thing. Sometimes I ask my sister if she could help me in something and she allways give excuses for not do it. One time my dad told us to clean a room nd only my big sister and I were cleaning and my other sister was only telling my dad that she had done something alredy. I did like the book. My favorite part was when everyone was in the fiesta having a good ime. My least favorite part was when they didn't want to help her deliver the invitations. If I could, I would change the setting o a prettier. I would rcommend this book to my friend. I hink that my brother Frank would like this book (he is three years old).

I loved the story of The Little Red Hen when I was a child, but I'm going to read Manana Iguana to my children. The Colorful illustrations along with the great fiesta story make this book a must for my library. It was as much fun for me to read as it was for my daughter. The vibrant colors and character's personalities had us anticipating the turn of every page. I also love the story's bilingual element. If you grew up in a "spanglish" home, you absolutely need this book!

My son loves this book. He has several twists on "The Little Red Hen" and this one is one of his favorites. There isn't too much spanish to make the book too hard or lose his interest, but just enough to broaden his vocabulary.

This is such a great song to sing and the book is a fun accompaniment, as well as the CD.
These types of books are great to bring in the car for some family fun time!

This is such a great book. I've used it with many many preschoolers and children, and the remark I always get is "again, again"...

I bought this book for my nephew and the entire family has enjoyed his singing the pages, he had it memorized in no time and he is only 2 years old!!! I would recommend this book to anyone with young children, not just for their enjoyment but for the entire family.

The younger loves the beautiful pictures and singing along. The older loves looking for all the little details in the pictures. They both love substituting the names of the characters for their own friends' names! Both learned their colors through this book without realizing what they were actually doing. This is one book I don't mind reading over and over.

I remember reading this book back in kindergarten and the first grade. It was the first book I ever learned to read. I loved this book so much that I read it until I had it memorized. It's too bad the original cover is not printed in this edition. I'm going to pass this one down to my cousin, Adam, whose only 4. Hopefully, we can continue the tradition so this will be his first book he ever learns to read.