Review: I Like You by Amy Sedaris

Title: I Like You: Hospitality Uner the Influence
Author: Amy Sedaris
Pages: 304
Publisher: Grand Central Publishing; Reprint edition (October 22, 2008)
Genre: Non-Fiction / Cooking / Entertaining
Edition: Paperback - many thanks to the publisher for sending me a copy to review!




Perfect for : Personal Use, Hostess Gift, General Gift

In a nutshell: When I first opened this book, I laughed because of all the humor (it really IS a fun book), but then I started to read it and found that I was amazed at all the helpful information it contained! Learn to cook with new recipes, learn how to host a kids party (this can be harder than it sounds!), write a letter to a celebrity asking for an autograph, what to wear to the doctor's office, how to bury (or memorialize) a pet. . . you will find these and many other great tips throughout the book! Not only was it fun, but it was helpful too! Plus, many of the recipes include pictures and they look and sound very yummy! I highly recommend that you get a copy for yourself and get a few extras to give as hostess gifts and birthday/Christmas gifts for the woman who enjoys entertaining and has a great sense of humor . . . or needs one!

PS - make sure you set aside your regular menu and add some of these great recipes in - they really are great!

Extended Review:
Content: The book includes a chapter on "The Art of Hospitality," and sections titled: Hospitality in Action, Jackpot Recipes, Pantyhose, Crafts, And Good Ideas.

Amy has shared her best recipes, hints and tips for 23 different entertaining occasions, including: a blind date, an unexpected guest, grieving, ladies night, entertaining the elderly, when you get to play nurse, clubs, gift giving, etc.

Each entertaining chapter is filled with recipes, tips, tricks and a LOT of humor! But on a serious note, when talking about grieving and funerals, I was not previously aware that you should ask a friend or neighbor to house-sit while at the funeral as some robbers will watch the obituaries and try to break-in while everyone is at the funeral. I mentioned this fact to my sister-in-law, who knew about this fact and has done some house-sitting for friends who were at a funeral. I was amazed that I didn't know this common fact and very thankful to have read it in this book!

Format: Filled with pictures, drawings, recipes, notes, tips, explanations, and real ideas for entertaining situations.

Readability: Fun and easy to read!

Overall: This is such a fun and entertaining, not to mention really helpful book! You won't be able to read through this book without cracking a smile! I think it is a must for every kitchen, and a really great hostess gift for a woman with a good sense of humor.

From the Publisher's Site:
Are you lacking direction in how to whip up a swanky soiree for lumberjacks? A dinner party for white-collar workers? A festive gathering for the grieving? Don't despair. Take a cue from entertaining expert Amy Sedaris and host an unforgettable fete that will have your guests raving. No matter the style or size of the gathering-from the straightforward to the bizarre-I LIKE YOU provides jackpot recipes and solid advice laced with Amy's blisteringly funny take on entertaining. You don't even need to be a host or hostess to benefit-Amy offers tips for guests, too! (Number one: don't be fifteen minutes early.) Listeners will discover unique dishes to serve alcoholics (Broiled Frozen Chicken Wings with Applesauce), the secret to a successful children's party (a half-hour time limit, games included), and much, much more!

First Paragraph (taken from Amy Sedaris' opening letter to the reader):
Dear [your name here],

Whether you live in a basement with the income of a ten-year-old girl or on a saffron farm in the south of Spain, the spirit of hospitality is the same. It's the giving of yourself, a present of you to them from me for us.


About the Author: (From the publisher's site)
Amy Sedaris has appeared in several movies and television shows, and, with Paul Dinello and Stephen Colbert, a co-author of the novel Wigfield, and she co-wrote Strangers with Candy, the hit show on Comedy Central. She's also a regular on The Late Show with David Letterman. She lives in Manhattan with her imaginary boyfriend, Ricky, and her rabbit, Dusty.


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