Parties Books

This is the best book I could find that had party planning and entertaining tips, tricks, recipes, decorations etc. Not only is this a gorgeous book to look at, but it really contains some useful and fun info inside!

The book is divided into 3 celebration sections: Annual Celebrations (holidays), Occasional Celebrations (shower, BBQ, Birthday) and Anytime Celebrations (Cheese Party, Dinner Party & Dessert Party). What is awesome about this book is that it takes you through the ENTIRE planning process from when to send out invites and also an example of an invite, to the seating charts, decoration ideas, when to start preparing for the party in days prior, a sample menu and recipes for the party, even games for the party. They even go into detail such as which kind of utensils or platters you might need/want, how much to make for a crowd of a certain size, etitquette questions and even clean up and wrap up suggestions. I don't think there's anything this book has not thought of or included! I love it, and my sister borrows it every chance she gets.

My favorite part about this book is that there are SIMPLE and EASY tips for those of us who aren't professionals or naturals at entertaining (yet)! There's actually recipes I could make and not pull my hair out, as well as party favors, invites, decorations I could see myself using. That is a rare find when often many books go to the other side with way too elaborate planning ideas. Not to mention, the 4 color pictures in this book are gorgeous and the instructions/tips included are easy to understand. This is a great book for anyone who likes to entertain, or who would like to make entertaining simpler, easier and their parties a bit more unique and fun!

This book is so fun! You will get tons of easy and creative party ideas from this book! Highly reccomended!

I love this book. I actually purchased this one and the magazine as a gift. I intend on purchasing several more down the road as gifts.

I bought this book for my daughter for a Christmas present and she said it was exactly what she wanted.

This is a great book full of clever, easy party ideas. Every detail is covered, from invitation design to seating arrangements to games and entertainment ideas. The recipes are simple yet sophisticated. Can't wait to use it!

As a white middle class generation x'er, I knew nothing of the Black Panthers or Huey Newton that was based on personal knowledge or experience. What I had heard was that they were radical, dangerous, and hated white folks. That seemed overly simplistic, so I decided to look into the black power movement for myself. Of all the books I read on the movement (Malcolm, Eldridge Cleaver, SNCC, Soledad Brother, etc...), Revolutionary Suicide was the best.

First off, Huey is the best writer of all the writers I read on the subject. That includes both the primary books and the secondary interpretive books written by historians. Huey's writing reflects his life philosophy, he lives for the people and therefore writes for the people. He doesn't seek to impress the reader with a fantastic grasp of the english language. He writes simply and matter-of-factly, much as a good journalist does. This to-the-point writing style more engrossing than any of the other books I read on the movement.

Second, Huey, unlike many other movement leaders, doesn't look to hog the glory for himself. He is very upfront about what he was responsible for and what he collaberated on with others. He passes the glory around liberally (some would say too much) to spread the power to the people.

Finally, this book will give you a primary understanding of who Huey P. Newton was and what he was really about. Did he hate white people? Did he advocate armed revolution? Was he a murderer and thug? Read it for yourself.

If you want to attempt to get into the mind of Huey Newton, then read this book. Reading his autobiography gave me a view of the Party I have never felt. This gave me an understanding of how and why the organization was started and also some insight on the life of Huey. You will defintely have a different view of the Party once you have read this. So read, read, read, and keep reading, and educate yourself about this incredible man and organization.

This book is one of the first and only unaltered accounts of the Black Panther Party by somebody who was in it. The book is in Huey's compassionate voice. This book dispells rumors about the BPP Huey set the record straight. This is my favorite book of all time its a book for the ages.

What can I say, that hasn't already been said? Huey P. Newton was a very complex individual, and I find myself reading a section over a second time to digest what was written. It's worth it no doubt. When you start to read this book, you will not be disappointed, Newton sheds light on even personal matters like falling in love, and views on family. This is great if you want specifics on Mr. Newton himself, and not just the BPP as a whole.

If you're going to study the Black Panther Party, you of course must check out a story of its preminent leader. I thoroughly enjoyed this book. He gave me an understanding what it meant to be a radical Black activist during the 60s and 70s. It meant that you had to be courageous, committed, and five steps ahead of the cops, the FBI, and informants.

Of course, now, this is Huey's account of the Party. While his is seriously important, the works of other Panthers and scholars who are now publishing works about the Panthers must also be studied. For now that I'm reading a biography on another Panther leader, Geronimo Pratt, I'm very interested in understanding more about the political split that took place in the BPP. Why did Huey expell Pratt from the Party? Why did Eldridge Cleaver turn out to be so reactionary? I look forward to reading other books on the Panthers to answer these and other questions.

My son borrowed this book from the library and I quickly fell in love with the beautiful pictures and wonderful story. I went right to my computer to order it for my preschool class. The book arrived quickly and was in great condition.

My kids and I love to read "Snowmen at Night" and we were equally happy with "Snowmen at Christmas". It is perfect for reading aloud to kids of all ages. The pictures are beautiful and the story is magical.

I love the concept of her snowmen books--that they do things and live a life when we're asleep or not looking. I also own Snowmen at Night, and enjoy both with my children. They love looking at the detailed illustrations and find it funny that snowmen eat and drink and dance, etc. Great book for our Christmas collection.

This illustrations in this one were quite simple and yet very eye catching. The children, without exception, enjoyed looking at, reading and having this one read to them. A little boy builds a snowman, and that night, has a dream. The snowmen and their families have quite a life of their own in the dream. The text, which is set in rhyme, is quite catching and the cildren enjoy it..which is a very good indorsement for any children's book. The text goes quite well with the well executed illustrations which makes this an easy book to read to a group of the little ones. Recommend this one highly.

I bought the book because of the beautiful illustrations. I loved all the "lights" (kind of reminded me of a Thomas Kincaid painting). But then found out later about the hidden pictures. All 3 kids, ages 3, 5, and 7 love to look for them. Some are real easy to find for the 3 year old and some are tougher for the 7 year old.

I was able to read Ms lee's book in 2 hours. I did not read every little detail, I found all the indepth journalling to be more than I wanted to know, but it highlighted her struggles and determination to have a baby. I did not find it helpful per se. IMO it is the kind of book that is best shared with family and friends who know you personally. A great book for her to share with her son one day...

Unless you struggle IF you will never know the pain and heartache. In this book you will see what we go through. You will laugh and cry with each entry.
Another reviewer wrote, "Too much info" If more people spoke out the stigma and embaressment and shame we go threw would lessen.
Thanks Robin for being so couragious to write this book.

Lori

There aren't many people in this world that would open up their most private wishes, struggles and disappointments for others to experience through publishing. This book is a must read for anyone who has struggled or is struggling with infertility - as well as their friends and family members. I read this book in one sitting. It was so compelling to see how each attempt came out that you can't stop reading. I thank the author for sharing her journey with us. And I heartily congratulate her on having the family and son that she fought so long and hard for.

The story of Ms. Lee's journey through infertility is a 'must read' for anyone embarking on their quest for a child. Those who have not experienced this heartache would benefit from learning what it is like to yearn for a child who is seemingly so out-of-reach. It really makes you count your blessings!

This journal is very open and honest. I couldn't stop reading once I started it! The author does a wonderful job of capturing the rollercoaster ups and downs of trying to conceive a child. There are a lot of emotions, both good and bad, that go along with this process and they are all shared within this journal. Financial and social struggles are also seen along the way. This journal is a very good description of the nightmare that infertility can be.

I loved this book, and so did everyone know who has read it. The three sisters are hilarious, and their experiences/conflicts are unique and enticing. I'd recommend this book to anyone!!!

I discovered Liane Moriarty only by chance, but once I read THE LAST ANNIVERSARY, I had to find THREE WISHES as quickly as possible. My only regret is that there aren't a dozen more of her novels already on the shelf, waiting for me to devour them. Seldom does one find a modern women's fiction writer who tells a story with such humor, perception and literate grace. Liane Moriarty's appeal spans continents and generations of readers; my 28-year-old daughter loves them as much as I do. I am anxiously awaiting her next novel!

Loved this book! I eagerly await another title by this author!

This book starts with a scene where 3 triplets are eating birthday cake in a restaurant. One of the women is pregnant and the other throws a fork at her stomach. The scene is told from a bystander's point of view so we don't know the sisters by name yet. The novel then works backward so we can see how they got to this point.

For me, the middle of the book was best, because it focused on Gemma's story. Gemma is the flaky, endearing, yet smart sister who is scarred by a past relationship. Her fiance died, but no one in her family knew that he was abusive. Because of his behavior, she finds herself bowing out of relationships if the new boyfriend reminds her of the fiance even slightly. For example, one of them asks her to wash the sand from her feet at the beach before getting in the car, and this reminds her of her fiance's wrath when she got sand in his car, so she breaks up with the boyfriend. Gemma is a charming, troubled person and you root for her to conquer her troubles.

One of the other sisters, Cat, is harder to care about. Cat is one of the glass-half-empty people with an enormous sense of entitlement and an equally marked lack of empathy. She feels like she deserves everything in life and takes it out on others when things go wrong. Unfortunately, the last part of the book focuses on Cat.

The third sister, Lyn, is not as well-drawn as the other two. She's a workaholic who has trouble delegating, and her husband presses her to get an assistant to help her with her on-the-go breakfast business (Brekkie Bus).

I also had trouble with something that happened to the girls' grandmother near the end. It seemed completely unnecessary and irrelevant to the plot, on top of being disturbing.

Overall, Moriarty's breezy and clever style, as well as her way with dialogue, makes this book worth reading. But I do wish she had chosen to keep the focus on Gemma and given the grandmother a break.

The Kettle family is quite a trip. There's Nana Kettle, mother of Frank Kettle, ex-husband of Maxine (Max) Kettle, mother of the wackiest triplets on the planet, Lynnette (Lyn), Catriona (Cat), and Gemma Kettle. The girls are long-legged and beautiful, but that's where the similarity ends. Author Moriarty grew up in a family with six children, she being the eldest, so she probably has an excellent concept of what chaos in a family means.

The scene is Sydney, Australia, and the story is about the triplets as they approach their thirty-fourth birthday. There are snippets of their lives from birth, including the divorce of their parents when they were six, the death of the fiancé of one of the girls; marriages, childbirth, miscarriage, unfaithful husbands, etc. There's a good mix of happy/sad/mundane events, but mostly these three girls and their family members try, like most of us, to survive one another. It's quite a hoot. However, there is one aspect of this story I found very disturbing. Since art imitates life, we all know of situations like the one portrayed in the book. All I can say is "Get out!"

Ms. Moriarty not only used prose to tell her story, she included emails between these very modern sisters, which I thought was very clever. In addition, she included vignettes by people who had been "exposed" to the sisters over the course of their lives. These vignettes were presented in italicized text. I liked the feature as it gave the unusual view of the story's characters from people outside the story line.

Carolyn Rowe Hill

Tokyo Mew Mew TOTALLY rocks!!!!!!! Trust me I've read the WHOLE series and they all ROCK!!!!!!! Even Tokyo Mew Mew A La Mode ROCKS!!!!!!!!!

This book was pretty good, with the story advancing along well.

Basically, Ichigo has to find a way to hide her secret from Masaya, but he keeps showing up in places that she needs to transform! The girls all go on a cruise where more aliens show up and send out 'kirema animas' but they stop them. Ichigo turns into a cat when Masaya is around, and he takes her home. But the cliffhanger endings make me sad!! :(

The artwork was cute, just like before! If you have read the series so far, I recommend continuing. However, a warning to newcomers. The storyline is very confusing for people who haven't read the first 2 books, so I recommend reading them first.

~*chikorita1999*~

This is about five girls. They are: Ichigo Momomiya (part cat), Mint Aizawa (part bird), Lettuce Midoriwawa (part porpoise), Pudding Fong (part monkey), and Zakuro Fujiwara (part wolf).
I noticed a big mistake on the page that introduces all the characters. Pudding and Zakuro's pictures are mixed up. It says Zakuro Fujiwara under Pudding's picture and Pudding Fong under Zakuro's picture. So it also says Pudding's name is Zakuro and she is "a cool and beautiful model." That is, obviously, not right. Pudding is not a model and she isn't really that pretty. In this book Lettuce gets a mermaid-like tail with the Mew Aqua when she jumps in the ocean to save a baby.

I loved this book! It was another cliffhanger though:( Ichigo turns into a little cat and gets taken home by Masaya! She runs out of his house while he sleeps and some fat alley cat tries to kiss her but she gets saved by another cat, Alto, but then he kisses her! But he did it to turn her human again. A lot more happens in this story but to find out what or how Alto knows Ichigo's secret you have to read this book!!!!

Best volume yet! I have only read up to three though! It is so cute when ichigo turnss into a cat. At the end something shocking happens (not gonna tell!) and there is some rivalry over the love of ichigo. two more aliens get introduced. A little confusing at the beginning though. What do you think is cuter, masaya and ichigo or ryou and ichigo? (...)

Marjorie Meyer Arsht's literary gem of a book takes its reader on a journey of time and places with vivid details, invoking emotions from laughter to tears as the reader takes the challenging, personal journeys right alongside Marjorie. Her writing style makes for an enjoyable reading experience. I recommend it for everyone's personal library regardless of where they live, what their political or religious affiliation. My only complaint is that I wasn't ready for it to end when I came to the last page!

Marjorie's account shows just how much a gifted, caring person can
accomplish with the mind set of overcoming all obstacles of foes, families, and deterrants on the path of making this a better world for having been blessed by such wisdom and perseverance inspired to
improve the lives of others less capable of doing it for themselves.
Alliene and Wylie W. Vale

Yoakum's loss was our gain. This is an exceedingly well-written memoir of a remarkable life. It is the rare memorist who can not only tell her story, but make the reader feel he is right there along with her. I'm ready for her next chapters.

My mother, Elaine Kuper, and I enjoyed the book from our different perspectives---hers, from her active involvement at Beth Israel having taught Sunday School for 25 years (and my grandmother, Lorraine Hofeller having taught for 40 years!) My family's membership of Temple Beth Israel goes back to 1934--My interest focused on the amazing history of Texas politics! This book truly underscores the fact that one person can make a difference!

"All The Way From Yoakum" is a marvelous book about an extraordinary woman. It is an historical document as well--about Jewish life in small-town Texas, the rise of the Texas Republican Party and the evolution of race relations in the South. By any standard, Marjorie Arsht is an unforgettable person and this book brings her vividly alive.
Allan Brownfeld

Abby's having a " HOORAY IT'S SUMMER PARTY " for the whole fifth grade, boys ,the cool girls and everthing. But as soon as she hand out the invitations, she started to worry about what people will think. Will they like the food and drinks? And this question is what Abby worried most: Will they think her bedroom was boring?
Then Abby decided it was a perfect time to give her room a makeover! Until the last minute, will she finish in time for the party?

P.S. Do people actually paint their rooms because they're worry about what people think? I wonder who.

Abbey wants to throw a big party for summer! Then Ms. Bunder asks the class to write a report about their rooms and Abbey realizes how boring her room is. So she turns her room into a Palace of Purple and throws a big party, too!

Abby Hayes is a fifth grade girl. She wants to throw a Hurray its summer party to the whole fifth grade. When she gives the invitations, she wonders if they will think that her room is not cool and then Abby Hayes decides to give her room a makeover. But what if its too late to get a makeover.
I thoght this book was funny.

I think this book is great if you are reading the Abby Hayes
series. It's a great book if your in the 4-6th grades. I really enjoy the Abby Hayes series a lot and read some of them in a day or less. I give this book a great review.

The book Amazing Days Of Abby Hayes the More the Merrier, by Anne Mazer and illustrated by Monica Gesue, is book number 8 from the Abby Hayes series. This story is fiction with hundreds of made-up characters you will love!
In the story, Amazing days of Abby Hayes, Abby is trying to plan a party for the end of the fifth grade year. During the story she struggles along the way to get thing done but at the end... well you can figure that out our self. (I don't want to spoil the surprise.)
I think that the author's writing style is very unquie and diffrent form alot of other stories. She has good word choice and interesting taste in how to do stuff.
I like the way the author, at some points, will write with purple pen. When she does write with it it means that Abby is writing in her journal. I feel when Abby is writing in her journal it is easier to relate to the character. I recommend this book to 3rd-5th grade because I started reading them at 3rd grade and I'm not sure if I will like the series in 6th grade.

Al-Saadiq Banks' (six series) Block Party books were definitely 5 star reads! If you haven't read his books I suggest you read each book from the beginning of the series all the way to the very end, because Al-Saadiq Banks answers each and every one of your questions in his final book. Characters that you were wondering about, from past books are in this book and that will make all the pieces in the puzzle fit. I hated to see the series end too, but I can't wait til' his new novel "Strapped" gets released later this year. Al-Saadiq if you are reading this I am a fan of yours for life!!!!!!!!

I HAD WAITED FOR THIS BOOK OR ANY BOOK FROM THIS PARTICULAR AUTHOR FOR A WHILE NOW, HE IS MOST DEFINITELY 1 OF MY FAVORITE AUTHORS, I LOVE THE AUTHOR'S MINE , HIS LINGO, HIS PERSONA!!!!! I AM NOT SURPRISED THAT HE BLEW ME AWAY WITH THIS BOOK,BUT FOR SOME REASON IT TOOK ME FOREVER TO FINISH READING THIS BOOK,NOW I KNOW THE REASON WHY IT'S CALLED SAVORING, I DIDN'T WANT IT TO END!!!!! I LOVED DRE'S CHARACTER IN THIS BOOK,THE MAYOR IS THE S#@%!!!! TONE THE LAWYER HE'S THE S%$# AS WELL!!!! MUMIT DAMN MAN ,LATIF I'M GLAD HE WENT OUT,HE WAS STARTING TO MAKE SUCKA MOVES (GETTING HIGH)!!!! I'M GLAD YOUNG CASH DIDN'T GIT IT!!!!! MAN I COULD GO ON FOR DAYS WITH THIS BOOK !!!!OH YEAH HE'S DEFINITELY HAS TO WRITE A BOOK IN WHICH TRAUMA GIT DEALT WITH, DON'T LET HIM WALK!!!!THANKS FOR THE UPDATES OF PRIOR CHARACTERS OF OTHER BOOK SHY AND SINCERE (MY FAVORITE)MIRANDA ( CAUGHT EM SLIPPIN) MY ALL TIME FAVORITE!!!!! PLEASE, PLEASE DON'T HAVE ME WAITING FOR TOO LONG FOR THE NEXT HOT JOINT!!!!!!!

Fort Dix , New Jersey - The Mayor sits before a small feast of delicacies. Despite his lavish lifestyle, his green jumpsuit and the concrete walls are constant reminders that he is no longer a free man. He often dreams of being on the streets. He has a helluva lawyer in Tony Austin aka Tony Cochran and can almost taste his freedom. But ultimately he knows his fate does not rest in the hands of his lawyer or even the judicial system. One man trumps them all. He knows that with "Brick City Massacre" his man Al-Saadiq will wrap up his True 2 Life series. Did the `Free the Mayor' movement work? Did the phone calls, emails and reviews have any bearing? Will the Mayor finally be freed?

"Block Party 3: Brick City Massacre" is an opportunity to settle old scores, resolve ongoing issues and get updates on some favorites. In style and substance, Al-Saadiq Banks has earned his spot as one of street lit's greatest natural resources. He captures the lifestyle of the streets with devastating accuracy. Banks knows his readers and gives them exactly what they want even if they don't know it. (Yes, I'm still mourning Cashmere .) His investment in vivid character development pays off in this character driven storyline that moves flawlessly from start to finish. Without detracting from the main story, Banks guides readers on side trips that only further solidify this novel and keeps them engaged. The brillance of Al-Saadiq Banks and "Block Party 3: Brick City Massacre" is undeniable.

Reviewed by: Toni

True 2 Life Series in order:
No Exit (True 2 Life Street)
Block Party
Sincerely Yours (True 2 Life Street)
Caught 'em Slippin'
Block Party 2: The Afterparty
Block Party 3/Brick City Massacre

Al-Saadiq Banks' True 2 Life series is a compelling series of books about the streets; a story of some people's reality. The final chapter, Block Party 3: Brick City Massacre, is a gritty story of drugs and the love of money. He does a wonderful job of bringing the realities of street-life and placing it at the hands of his readers. If you're looking for the real deal, some one to keep it all the way gangsta and all the way true, with street-life virtue, this is the book you want to read. I highly recommend.

This just in...

Al-Saadiq Banks, a long-time, well respected resident of Newark, NJ., has successfully completed a six-book series. Banks, who often downplays that he's an author, has successfully launched one book after the other as well as took part in an anthology published by another well known author/publisher. Al-Saadiq Banks first appeared on the shelves with his blockbuster hit, NO EXIT, in 2004. It was there readers got their very first taste for Banks' unyielding urban style. While NO EXIT proved that Banks was new to the game, as far as editing goes, it also proved to those that his vision and voice wouldn't be silenced. With readers begging Banks to finish and end the long awaited suspense, Banks decided to bridge the gap and invite them to the BLOCK PARTY. Now if there was any doubt in anyone's mind that this man was an author, this newest title customized his seat and readers were strapped in as Banks not only took over the wheel, but shifted full speed ahead. Readers may have gotten a little comfortable, and assumed that they knew what was next, until Banks slipped SINCERELY YOURS, a hood love affair, that not only shows his versatility, but answers questions readers had been dying to know from the first two novels, while further inviting readers into the depths of Banks' world. Just when you thought it was safe to move around the cabin, you were hit with some turbulence, gagged, bound and fearful because Banks CAUGHT 'EM SLIPPIN'. In simple enough terms, this book literally broke the mold. Speechless, and wondering if Banks maybe topped out, traces of AFTER PARTY were found on the scene and people were lined up by the droves for a hit. With the man in high pursuit, and an endless connection, readers wondered what could possibly be next?

BRICK CITY MASACRE is the finale of all finales! Without a warrant it pushes for the indictment, infuriating the haters while entangling the hopeful. If there are lingering questions from the first five novels, characters you were rooting on and freedom that you've prayed for, then WALK WITH ME as Banks sneakily takes you on a high speed adventure through the brutual streets of Newark, behind the walls in Yazoo, MS, and across the world to the Dominican Republic for this star studded conclusion. While reading, I laughed, cried, cheered on the ruthless, and dared the madness to get further out of hand. While this reviewer has openly campaigned for Banks, readers who are in need of change from that fake, unlived street chronicles should step on over to the real, raw and gritty mayhem of TRUE 2 LIFE. A series that is sure to awaken you!

I purchased this book along with several others along the same vane for my Grand Daughters. age 2 and 4 to eventually enjoy as I know they will. I am their Gran Pa and are really looking forward to reading it to them when they are old enough. Great illustrations which go great with a twist of the tale....

I found this book to be unexpectedly emotionally moving. The art is wonderful and the story is lovely. I highly recommend it. Not just for kids. Adults will like it, too. Darkly touching.

Borrowing just a tiny bit from Universal Studios classic monsters, Boris and Bella is a delightfully wicked children's book. Bella Legrossi is the messiest, grimiest monster in all of Booville. Her neighbor, Boris Kleanitoff, is the tidiest, pickiest monster in Booville. Both live all alone as the other monsters cannot abide either of their extreme habits. The neighbors are constantly bickering at each other, and make sure they go out of their way to ignore the other during holidays.

One Halloween, they both decide to throw a bash, inviting all of the other monsters in Booville. But they are both angered and saddened when the other monsters tell them they will not be attending...they are going to Hairy Beastie's party instead! Now Boris and Bella find themselves all alone, yet together wanting to find out just what is so great about Hairy's party. For the first time, these feuding neighbors agree on something!

Boris & Bella is a wonderful children's tale and never fear, despite the appearance of werewolves, mummies, witches, and other assorted monsters, it's never really scary. The fantastic illustrations of Chris Grimly (and how appropriate that name is!) keeps things light and amusing, even when the monsters are feasting on maggot muffins! Lessons about tolerance and acceptance are at the heart of Carolyn Crimi's story. A story too good to read just at Halloween time!

Reviewed by Tim Janson

when this story was read to them. Adults will get the puns. One of the author's best

I got this as a gift from my aunt. It is really fun. Great story and Gris Grimly always does the best illustrations. Good for all ages. Especially lovers of Nightmare Before Christmas or other goulish delights.