Parties Books

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.

A great read and informative even for someone knowledgeable on the topic.
He gets a little crossed up when it comes to KW hrs and KW but what the heck, the book is so thorough otherwise that you have to cut the guy some slack. It still gets a 5 in my book.

I've recommended Boston's books to several people, and those who bit were very thankful. Boston is knowledgeable and fun to read: read the fine print of the subtitle! My wife was especially happy I found this book and was not turned off by the Y2K part of the title, since it opened my eyes to how much better a father I can be. It's not really about computer crashes, but rather how to become educated the way Americans were a few generations ago...how to survive. In many ways we've lost the ability to do just that, the further we get from the Depression or a war which makes demands of the populace. How would your family get along without public utilities or grocery stores? It's not a book of fear-mongering but of common sense and thinking ahead. Unless you're a farmer and hunter on 40 acres, you'll likely learn much from Boston. You might even develop a new, fun hobby which will improve your quality of life, regardless what the future holds.

a full rundown of life when things go south . dont get be left in the dark with out it

I just bought this not to long ago and it was worth every penny.

It's much better than many books that claim to actually be the end all be all of prepardness. From food storage, putting some gold away in case the bottom drops out of our economy and a detailed explanation on gold and silver, firearms, ammunition, off road vehicles, communications, power and light, advice on medical kits, transportation, what people should be considered threats, where to move and what advantages a certain area can do for you and your family, it's in there.

Although the title has Y2K in there, it only has a couple chapters on Y2K and the rest of the book is still valid. There is also quite a bit about how fragile our society is and why a disaster can have far reaching and long lasting effects and why you should prepare for such an emergency.

Buy this if you're looking for a prepardness manual, you won't be disappointed. It's alot better than most of the other manuals out there. I should know, I've wasted a few bucks here and there and have bought some of those other manuals that claim to cover everything. And if you buy 3 books on this subject, you'll end up with a dud as well. This book actually does cover everthing you should think about before, during and after a disaster.

It's a classic and I'll be keeping it.

This is an excellent book to get you ready for whatever is coming--computer collapse after a cyber terror attack, a civil uprising locally or nationally, bad weather or just everyday living. The chapters on food and electricity are worth the price alone. I recommend you also buy "Boston's Gun Bible" for an in depth look at guns you need, though this book hits well enough for those that are not "gun nuts". It gave me valuable insight on what I need versus what I THOUGHT I needed.

Well worth the money. I am thinking of buying several copies for gifts to family members!

This book was amazing! There was so much information inlcuding speech from a survivor Virgina Reed. I really enjoyed it. I couldn't put it down. The detail and everything was incredible and it made me want to learn more! A great 'reed'!

This book is a brief account of the families who moved west to claim land in California, only to be rebuffed at the last few hundred miles by topography, thirty (plus) feet of snow, and careless timing. The book reads very easily, and is amply speckled with colloquial diologue of the day, as copied from letters and notes written by those of the Reed/Donner Party who were stranded in the Sierra Nevada snows that winter. That original dialogue is compelling, and evokes a feeling of despair for what those writers must have been witnessing. The account could have included a bit more of the beginning miles of the venture, which may have been better background for the story. Missing particularly was background depth of those who joined the convoy of wagons, livestock and people on foot. Those add-on people became very important players in the final tragedy at Donner Lake, and I was left wondering about them, and why they were taken in by the Reed and Donner travelers. This book is not gruesome, nor as horrifying as some published accounts I have heard about. It is straight forward, and does not over-do nor sensationalize the terrible acts of survival that became the only choice for these pioneers.

Having lived near the Donner area and driven over Donner pass countless times this book was very interesting and enjoyable to read to find out about the lives of the people who risked it all to move west. I highly recomend this book!

I think this book is very good. I only knew that The Donner Party could not get to California. I learned soooooo much from reading this book. Now I want to find out more about the Donner Party.I would Highly recomend This book. It was very interesting,and I really enjoyed it.

I thought that the Donner Party was a very interesting book. It's one of those books that you can't put down because you keep wanting to see what is going to happen next. The author, Marian Calabro, was very descriptive and made the book which could have been very boring, was actually very interesting and exciting to read. I know that when I read it I felt like I was there with Virgina Reed and the rest of the Donner Party. I believe that even if you aren't that interested in pioneers and such you will enjoy this book. However I will have to admit it was depressing in parts and it is definetly not an uplifting book. How ever it also will make you admire the strenght the Donner Party had to get throught there hardships and struggles they had to endure. The book also has lots of extra information in the back and it has special features like Virgina Reed's diary and The chronilogical order of how the events took place.
Rebecca P.

Diane surely knows moms-to-be have a lot to think about! With her witty guide to writing thank you notes, she gives moms-to-be and new moms the words to pen gracious and thoughtful thank you notes. If you're worried how to write a thank you note for a gift you'll need to return- have no worries- she even gives guidance on that!

I got this book for my friend who is pregnant with her first baby, and looking through it - I wish I had this a few years ago when I was writing all my baby thank you notes! This book gives you inspiration and ideas for every gift imaginable. With a new baby, anything that saves you time and stress is a lifesaver.

Who has the energy to think of meaningful things to say in a thank you note after just having a baby?! This book saved me so much time and stress when needing to write all those baby thank you notes. Very well written and classy book.

Moms-to-be get helpful samples of personalized thank you notes for gifts received from baby showers in Diane Quast's book, The Pregnant Pen. The sample notes for every gift imaginable are creative and gracious. What shower guest wouldn't appreciate a well-written thank you note for their gift? This book also gives etiquette tips for the expectant mom concerning her baby shower. This little book will take the struggle out of thank you note writing and even includes a sample registry for items needed for the baby. And the cover is adorable! I heartily recommend it.

Patricia Mendez
Author, Easy Entertaining for Beginners

This book is necessary for every mom-to-be! The etiquette tips are very helpful, and priceless are the sample thank you notes suitable for most baby gifts. These notes make the often formidable task of note writing easy, fast and sincere---and takes lots of pressure off the new mom! Get it!

Short novella about Mia's 16th birthday, her grandmere's attempts to film it for MTV, her best friend's craziness, and issues with her boyfriend. Just another day for Mia. Short, sweet, fluff book that reminds me why this series continues to be a guilty pleasure. Grade: B+

This is a very short story about Mia's 16th birthday. It is very cute and filled with lots of moments between Michael and Mia that make you feel warm and fuzzy. Very Cute!!

I'm not going to go over the plot with you,I'm just here to tell you what I like and dislike. What I like? That's easy. Meg Cabot has once again outdone herself with this novel. Like I said, I'm not going to go over the plot, so you will have to read it or wonder for the rest of your life(okay, exaggeration). Dislikes: Just one. IT IS NINETY-SIX PAGES! I know, I know. Book 4 1/2 was fifty pages. What is the problem here? I'll tell you: This isn't a in-between book. It is supposed to be equivalent to 150 page novels previously written by Meg Cabot. Not to mention the fact that 4 1/2 had pretty much NO plot, whereas this one has a real setting, story, and more than ten characters.
That is all I have to say. Oh, yeah, one more thing:
READ THIS BOOK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

This book was great! Meg Cabot really outdid herself. However, I wish it were longer. There is certainly enough plot, but only 96 pages? Really.
All in all, I would say it is a great book. You would be best getting it at a public library, because for $9, you only get 96 pages[hardcover].

I won't delve into the plot, since many other reviewers have already done so. Instead, I'll say that Mia is progressively coming into her own, as this installment proves. She may be nervous addressing parents and school officials, but finally she has learned to emphatically lay down the law with her friends, something she certainly had trouble with at the beginning of this series. However, I found it frustrating that the book was over so quickly, especially at full cover price. I highly suggest you purchase a used copy if you don't have lots of money to burn.

SPOILER!
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I also wonder if this book is setting up a possible future romance between Mia and another guy...

Outstanding book for anyone who ever wants to run of elected office. Matt Lewis gives expert tips that are easy to forget when running a full time campaign. After reading this book, it is fun to look back at both winning and losing campaigns and see the mistakes candidates made. I highly recommend this book to anyone who has an interest in politics.

Matt is brilliant at campaign communications. I read the book over a year ago and still refer to it for my campaigns. With primary elections a little over 30 days away, I have spent much more time reviewing the chapters.
Not to mention, Matt is a very down to earth guy who I have been fortunate enough to recieve training from in person. Amazingly, he even responds to my email questions. Just a great book by a stand-up guy who will run a Presidential race here in the near future.

This is a great little book covering the basics of public relations. It's full of handy tips. Highly reccommended for Republican campaign workers...

Teaching Elephants to Talk is a quick read and a great handbook for anyone trying to move up in politics. Too often you hear "Republicans don't know how to communicate with voters" but no remedies. Matt offers those remedies.

Teaching Elephants to Talk is a practical and useful tool for campaigns of all types, political, PR or advertising. Matt Lewis shows the reader, in an easy to read format, how to connect to the targeted audience with a succinct and powerful message. It's a great read.

I have everything by him. He is my hero. This book has holidays around the country & he explains why he thinks that holiday is best celebrated in that city. It is David Tutera gold. Get it.

America Entertains was my holiday survival guide! The December in NYC Party gave me so many festive home decorating ideas and amazing recipes. My guests simply couldn't stop eating the Molasses Christmas Crinkles or drinking the Mistletoe Martinis.

Valentines Day is just around the corner, I am already reviewing David's February in New Orleans Chapter. I know my husband will love chocolate-covered rose petals and Sinfully Red Cocktails but I'm guessing I will be enjoying them more than him!!!

David, thank-you so much!!

David is truly an amazing talent who can transform any idea into magnificent! I loved his first book and was so delighted to have book number two. His ideas are fresh, original and imaginative and the recipes are incredible too. If you are looking for the perfect party planning book, this is IT! David Tutera is magic!

A beautiful book to inspire any party planning with out of this world recipes and easy to understand tips for decorating. Many ideas for elegant settings to simple elements with just the perfect menu to enhance each. Stunning photographs will get "your creative" juices flowing. Tutera's tips (Essentials,
Extra's & Extravagances)are very helpful. A must to own if you truly enjoy entertaining!

America Entertains is a must have for everyone. If your looking for entertaining for the holidays and different ways to decorate this book is a must.
David Tutera has the most incredible ideas and the Tutera tips keep you on your toes..
He is a very exquisite and talented designer. I've seen David on "the View" and the Wayne Brady show, And I look forward to more shows to get wonderful ideas that make your house a home and you can enjoy your party.
A must have!!

I love to entertain, but I'll be the first to admit that I'm stuck in a rut. Patricia Mendez's book is the perfect book for every host ... from the beginner who doesn't know what to do to the person who wants to move beyond the usual appetizers. What I love most is the checklist for each theme (I'm a slave to lists), the optional shortcuts (such as picking up some store made items) and the mistakes to avoid. Great themes will leave your guests thinking you're a genius.

I finally broke down and bought a book to help me with my cocktail parties. I wanted to do just a little more than offer Cosco food platters at my get-togethers. Patricia's book has opened my eyes to to the true meaing of entertaining. My husband and I hosted our first "real" party and it was so easy to plan and prepare for and it was way more fun than anything we've done in the past. I'm on my way to true entertaining and can't wait for our next party. The recipies in this book were super easy and delicious that everyone thought I had it catered. I can't wait to give this as a gift for my girlfriend's upcoming bridal shower. Thanks for writing this book!

The title says exactly what this cookbook is all about. Easy Entertaining for Beginners. In the Table of Contents you will find menus like "My First Cocktail Party" and "Family Fiesta". The section `About this book' gently encourages you to take the first step into the world of entertaining and melts away any fears you might have. In the section `Getting started' you will find common sense approaches to planning and preparing by pacing yourself. In the center of the book there are beautiful color pictures of a number of the dishes to temp you with.

The layout of this cookbook is very well thought out. Each chapter contains the following: menu, recipes, a step by step checklist (this walks you through what to do starting up to three days before the event all the way up to the guests arrival), optional shortcuts, party etiquette, mistakes to avoid and tips to ensure success. Some even give you drink and music suggestions.

This book is a good addition to any cooks collection. If you are a beginner, this book will go a long way in helping you become a fabulous host/hostess.

Reviewed by Gina Holland for RebeccasReads (5/08)

Women (and, of course, some men too!) wait and hope for an exciting cookbook to be made that will peak our interest and help us to become better entertainers. I have found one. It was written by Patricia Mendez, and in my opinion, is the best cookbook to come along in a long time. I was amazed by some of the easy recipes that Patricia has put into this cookbook. They are so easy and not at all time-consuming. She has recipes for all kinds of different occasions such as: Romantic Dinners for Two, Dinner for the In-Laws and even for Guys Night Out. Wonder what they are? You need to buy this book and you will be very pleased! Love hot chicken wings? This book has a scrumptious recipe for Hot Wings. Like brownies? This book has some delectable recipes for them.

There is another big surprise inside the book. Patricia has included some colorful pictures of some of the foods already prepared so that we can take a look at the end result. If only we could taste it too! My daughter of thirteen tried a recipe from the book as soon as I finished reading it, and it came out delicious! I will not divulge which one it was. You need to try them all for yourself!

I recommend this cookbook for people of all ages. It's great for people who love to cook, and also for people who are not certain they can cook, because the recipes are very easy to read and to follow. If you are a beginner, you will soon be able to cook these fantastic foods. The layout of the entire book is absolutely stunning. It is very eye-catching and I just love the front cover. I suggest you go out and buy one, for if not, you are passing up on a great deal. The price is just right for what you can get out of this cookbook. I personally wanted to thank Patricia Mendez for putting this book together, because I'm not really not a great cook, but I made a few of the recipes in this book and my girls were amazed! They actually thought I snuck and bought the food at the store! So next time you are looking for something to help you entertain, pick up a copy of Patricia Mendez's "Easy Entertaining for Beginners." You won't be sorry you did. I look forward to another wonderful cookbook from Patricia Mendez.

Reviewed by Irene Watson for Reader Views (4/08)

What attracted me to this book was the author's comments "you don't have to be a gourmet chef...or a nervous wreck...to throw a great dinner party." I'm certainly not a beginner at entertaining; however, I'm always looking for ways to host a party more easily and smoothly than the time before. Patricia Mendez didn't disappoint me.

Mendez's experience in catering and coordinating events is a boon to aspiring home chefs as she sets out the steps to creating a fabulous party, whether it's a dinner for two or eight, or a tea or cocktail party. She also includes Thanksgiving, 4th of July, and a Mother's Day brunch as well as other occasions.

Each chapter includes an introduction and talk about the party, menu, timeline, optional shortcuts, party etiquette, mistakes to avoid, and tips to ensure success. In the menu section Mendez includes the food, drinks, and music suggestions. At first glance I realized she didn't miss a thing. Mendez even included beautifully colored pictures of some of the dishes. The dishes look wonderful and time-consuming, however, with the information Mendez provides, creating the same look is a breeze.

I had the occasion to entertain a group of female friends so chose to follow "Girlfriends' Tea." The menu included Chicken Salad with Grapes and Walnuts on Mini-Croissants, English Cucumber and Cream Cheese Sandwiches, Scones, Clotted Cream, Brownie Drop Cookies, and purchased lemon curd and strawberry jam. All the recipes were easy to follow and the ingredients are available at any grocery store. I was reluctant to try the scones because of previous failures but to give justice to the book, and this review, I decided to try it one more time. I was amazed at the results. This recipe is a keeper! The step-by-step checklist was well-organized and I followed it to a T. My guests were very impressed and best of all, I wasn't stressed out. I was able to pull off the event without a hitch and still put in a full day at work.

Patricia Mendez's book "Easy Entertaining for Beginners" is a must-have gift for any person setting off on their own or for those embarking on new territory. The simplicity and conciseness makes this book a valuable reference and a guide to pull off an event without stress and worry. The hosts will shine to their guests.

If you're not inherently super outgoing but want to invite friends, neighbors, etc. to your home to socialize, this book will give you many, many ideas to choose from on how to create a warm, friendly atmosphere. Most of the icebreaker ideas and party games are practical and fun. This book is also great for school teachers looking for ways to break the ice in their classrooms on those first couple of awkward days. I confidently recommend this book to those of you who want to throw a party or have a get together, but are hesitating out of fear of what to do with your guests. It's truly a fun book and will bring people together.

The main reason I purchased the book was because I was out of ideas for good party games and activites. This book certainly solved that problem. It has a ton of things for great parties, not lame games either that people throw in just to fill space. This thing is 100% usable. And what else is nice its adaptable, and they show you how. Really great book worth every cent and more. I do have one problem with though. I only have one party to do right now and too many ideas !

This book has lots of good ideas and gives ways to adapt them or change them to suit almost anyones needs. In the back, the games are broken down by category (for ex, icebreakers, pre-party games, quiet games, hunts, etc...) and then another section has them organized by name. It has a nice section on party planning, things to think about when throwing a party and motivating guests that will be helpful to any newcomer to party throwing. There are no risque games but lots of them are easily adaptable and can be made less "family oriented" if that is your crowd. The majority of these games are for ADULTS not kids.

This book revolutionized my parties. It is chockfull of practical suggestions for organizing a party, energizing your guests and making your party the talk of the town. I love how the author not only suggests great games, but has the games categorized by what kind they are and when they should be played. Lots of helpful advice on how to warm up your group. I was absolutely amazed at how ENTHUSED my guests became the first time I followed her advice and used the games to make them mingle, break the ice, split a part couples, and get them laughing. It is a hoot. Double thumbs up.

It's so hard to get people together, once they are together you want to keep them occupied and happy. This book was my savior. I had fun gathering all of the supplies and making the games as well as playing them.

The world remembers swashbuckling Antarctic explorer Sir Ernest Shackleton as a selfless leader who would do anything for his men. But this tale of the hardships suffered by his support crew paints a different picture of Shackleton - a charismatic and courageous figure, yes, but also a man whose disorganization and carelessness wasted the lives, health, loyalty and courage of half his party. Three members of Shackleton's Ross Sea party died while leaving supplies of food that Shackleton never used. Historian Kelly Tyler-Lewis uses the survivors' journals and interviews with their families to chronicle the Ross Party's relationships and sacrifices in compelling detail, illuminating the missteps and mismanagement that caused the expedition to go awry. We recommend this study to managers who want examples of how to respond - and how not to respond - in a crisis.

Both sucessful and failed feats of courage are lauded by literature. Many have heard (and read) of the failed expedition of Ernest Shackleton to cross Antarctica. Shackletom failed to even reach the continent, as his ship, the Endurance failed to reach land.

Less well known is the story of the Ross Sea Party -- the group charged with laying in supplies that Shackleton would need as he crossed the pole and returned northward. This book tells the saga of the poorly funded "other half" of the planned expedition.

Focusing more on the shore party, rather than on the shipboard party on the Aurora, the book details the mistakes that were made in the first summer attempt to stock the depots, where Macintosh drove the sled dogs to death and made very little progress, to the stranding of the shore party at the end of the first summer when they were not picked up by the ship.

Presuming the ship lost, and wondering if a rescue would even be attempted during WWI, the 10 men were determined to do the job they were sent to do and proceeded through all odds to strive to lay the depots that Shackleton would never need.

Kelly Tyler-Lewis examines the physical and mental struggles of the shore party including their deep divisions over leadership styles. Culled from the diaries of the expedition, she has weaved a gripping tale of man's struggle against incredible odds.

This book is quite a gripping story both in based in tragedy and triumph.
I saw the PBS special on the Shackleton Journey, but many times, like this, the book is much better.
The book was highly researched and vividly written describing the many astonishing moments of the expedition.
It was a ten-man journey the relies heavily on personal journals about some happy moments and some very terrible times. It goes into detail about the decreasing health of the journeymen and stuggles with scurvey, frostbite, snow blindness and the horrible mental and emotional anguish that many sucumb to on this dangerous 1330-mile mission to Antarctica.

The attractive front-cover design is the first indication of the quality of this work, which is well researched and written and a thoroughly engrossing read. Highly recommended.

I have read nearly every book in print dealing with the exploration and saga of Shackleton and his men. Kelly Tyler-Lewis' book The Lost Men rates as one of the best. The "harrowing story" of these hearty men stranded in the desolate Ross Sea is incredible, for lack of words.

Duty-bound, these men laid the stores for a transantarctic voyage that would never materialize. These were men who risked their own lives to ensure the safety of others whose whereabouts were unknown.

The Lost Men is an epic struggle of man versus the ravages of nature and reveals the triumphs and the tragedies involved. It is a book of determination, leadership and accountability.

Of special interest are the generous notes included dealing with such issues as diet (e.g., Their diet lacked nearly all essential vitamins necessary for such a feat), body temperature (e.g., One man recorded a body temperature of 94.2), and navigation of pack ice (e.g. in 2002 it took two Coast Guard ships over two weeks to break through ice roughly thirty miles to Hut point.)

The Lost Men is an exciting and riveting book. As a two-time traveler to McMurdo Sound, I highly recommend this work.