Thursday, October 9, 2008

Review: I Like You & Giveaway

Summary: I LIKE YOU is an "entertaining guide to entertaining" and includes recipes, complete meal plans, decorating suggestions, music choices, conversational ice-breakers, and hospitality tips to create the perfect evening at home. The book has scrapbook feel, including color as well as black and white photos, illustrations, and craft patterns. Whether it's an intimate night for two or a ladies' luncheon for twenty, Sedaris offers her own advice to make guests feel welcome and the host look good. I LIKE YOU is the essential handbook for full-scale entertaining the Sedaris way.

The inspiration for I LIKE YOU comes from Sedaris's own domestic expertise. A notorious baker and cook, her famous cheese balls can be bought at Gourmet Garage and her cupcakes at Joe Coffee in New York City. Sedaris covers all aspects of home entertaining. Sample chapters include: A Greek Dinner Date; Grieving; Entertaining Children; A Rich Uncle Comes to Visit; Baby Shower; The Elderly; Cooking for Oneself; Picnic; and a variety of courtships, such as dating a hunter, a dieter, or an alcoholic. All chapters contain tips, hits and misses, and end with a critical evaluation of the event or a letter from a guest. -- Warner Books Press Release


I was very excited when I received a copy of Amy Sedaris' I LIKE YOU: HOSPITALITY UNDER THE INFLUENCE from Hachette Book Group USA. I LOVE cookbooks! It's not that I cook a lot, but I do love looking through cookbooks (especially ones with lots of pictures.) And, I LIKE YOU is a really big cookbook (over 300 pages) filled with tons of pictures. I couldn't wait to sit down with a cup of coffee and look at all the recipes!

I remember awhile back when I saw Amy Sedaris on The Martha Stewart Show promoting her cookbook; and I thought she was a hoot! I had a feeling that her cookbook wouldn't be like any other cookbook that I own. Well after reading through this book, I can now say for sure that this is nothing like any other cookbook that I've ever seen. There are lots of recipes, but this book is so much more than just a normal cookbook. This book is a very entertaining (and often times, outrageous) cookbook!

If you're not familiar with Amy Sedaris, you should really check out her website. I think she is a riot! This book captures Ms. Sedaris' hilarious personality perfectly. I had so much fun reading this book, and I found myself laughing out loud many times. I also love how there is just so much happening on each page. You could read this book over and over again and still find new things to laugh at. While much of this book is truly "out-there" and wacky, there are actually some great entertaining tips and recipes mixed in.

Not only is this book chock full of recipes that are actually do-able, but it also has lots of helpful entertaining hostess tips (as only Ms. Sedaris can give.) There are lots and lots of pictures -- some are of the recipes, buts many are of "decorating ideas" and "crafts." Ms. Sedaris even says that, "This book is so visual, a monkey could enjoy it." You can read an excerpt of her cookbook here. And you can even see some of the sample recipes here.

The paperback version of I LIKE YOU will be available on October 22nd; and I am so happy to say that I have up to five copies of I LIKE YOU to share with you. For every fifteen comments that I get, I will give away one book -- that means if I get 30 comments, I will giveaway two; 45 comments, three books, etc. up to five books. Please leave a comment with your e-mail address for one entry. If you would like to be entered two times, blog about this contest with a link back to this post. I will continue to receive entries until Friday, October 17th at 11:59 p.m. EST; and I will announce the winner(s) on October 18th. Unfortunately, this contest is open to US mailing addresses only. A big thanks to Hachette Book Group USA for offering this giveaway.

72 comments:

Anonymous said...

This looks like a hoot! Count me in!

teresakayep at yahoo dot com

Anonymous said...

I love cookbooks, too. Enter me, please!

Anonymous said...

I forgot to add my email - milou2ster(at)gmail(dot)com

S. Krishna said...

Ooh, I'm totally in for this one!

skrishna [at] skrishnasbooks [dot]com

Mom of 5 Boys said...

sounds fun! I'd like a chance to win too!

Jill said...

I have it, so no need to enter me. I just wanted to echo your thoughts...this book was hilarious, yet, you're right, there are good recipes along with the humor. You can tell she's a really good cook. This is a must-own!

Linda said...

Wow, great sounding book! The chapters titled "cooking for oneself" and "rich uncle comes to visit" sound like they are made for me.

Bridget said...

We've posted on Win A Book. Thanks, but do not enter us in the contest.

Stacie said...

I LOVE cookbooks so definately want to be entered to win!
Staciele(at)netins(dot)net

Stacie said...

I blogged about the giveaway.
http://sincerelystacie.blogspot.com

Karlie said...

You know how much I love cookbooks!!

Janicu said...

*waves hand*, count me in! :)

Susan said...

Wow, you're doing some awesome giveaways right now. So cool. Enter me for this one, please!

Lenore Appelhans said...

How cool! I do need some new cookbooks. E-mail address is in my blogger profile!

Anonymous said...

I need to add some spark to my cooking. Please enter me! thebluestockingsociety (at) gmail (dot) com.

traveler said...

What a wonderful and unique book. It is so appealing and special. What a joy to read. Thanks.
rojosho(at)hotmail(dot)com

Chesh said...

Would love to win this. It looks like fun!!! :)



angelleslament @ gmail.com

shelburns said...

I am a cookbook lover as well! Please count me in. I will blog about it here:

http://www.writeforareader.edublogs.org

Amanda said...

Oh I've been wanting this ever since it came out. Too cool! Thanks!

Unknown said...

I love cookbooks and Amy Sedaris is hilarious. Count me in!

Thanks!

Unknown said...

I have blogged about it on my sidebar here: http://janelsjumble.blogspot.com/

Laura H said...

I am not a great cook my self but I'm always looking for recipes for my family. I like the combo of food and laughter. Please enter me.

petite said...

Delightful and lovely. I am fascinated with this great combination of food and story and thanks for this chance.
saubleb(at)gmail(dot)com

Holly (2 Kids and Tired) said...

Awesome giveaway. I've wanted to read this. I blogged it too. http://2kidsandtiredbooks.blogspot.com/2008/10/giveaways_09.html

kamewh said...

I would love to be entered!

kerin0874 (at) yahoo (dot) com

Anonymous said...

Awesome! Love all your contests go girl:) Love cookbooks too
bookroomreviews@hotmail.com

Anonymous said...

I love to cook and I love cookbooks! Count me in!

shelburns said...

Sorry for the double comment, but I forgot to leave my email.

shelly dot burns at cfisd dot net

Alyce said...

I would love to win this! I am definitely not a natural when it comes to entertaining.

akreese (at) hotmail (dot) com

Cassie said...

Ah, I love Amy Sedaris. I'd like an entry please!

Dawn M. said...

Oh, that's just too funny! I've got to try for this one. Count me in!

Thanks! :0)

Shelley said...

Sounds great! Count me in.
Thanks:
saz at chainreader dot com

Alea said...

I checked this book out from the library once and it was hilarious! I'd love to enter!

aleareads@ gmail dot com

Anonymous said...

I've wanted to read this forever!

sundaygirl at gmail dot com

anne said...

It would be a wonderful experience to read and enjoy this unique and enticing book. Thanks.
elliotbencan(at)hotmail(dot)com

ellie said...

A cookbook and a story. Sounds absolutely original and sweet.
bencanada1(at)yahoo(dot)com

Icedream said...

I have seen her on television and I think she is so funny. Please enter me!

waitmantwillie(at)hotmail(dot)com

Wrighty said...

I got a chance to glance through this book and it's a riot! Amy Sedaris is very funny and there are all kinds of gems in her book. Please include me in this contest and thanks for the opportunity!

5wrights1@verizon.net

a real librarian said...

I love Amy Sedaris!! Thanks for the chance to win!!

I blogged about the contest here:

http://confessionsofareallibrarian.blogspot.com/2008/10/book-blog-giveaways.html

areallibrarian[at]gmail[dot]com

Me... said...

This looks great! Thanks for the opportunity!

daq_17 at hotmail dot com

pearl said...

Love your delightful giveaway. Thanks for this wonderful feature. A great story and cookbook is so practical and fun.

Rebekah E. said...

Sounds like a great book. Please enter me.
bc429[at]juno[dot]com

bison61 said...

sounds great - I do love cookbooks!

tiramisu392 (at) yahoo.com

Anonymous said...

This sounds like a very fun and helpful book! Thanks!

sj3girls(at)hotmail(dot)com

Booklogged said...

This looks like one of the funnest cookbooks ever. Please enter me.
booklogged AT gmail DOT com

annie said...

I am completely enticed with this wonderful book. Food, glorious food and a story. Sounds wonderful. thanks.

jenna said...

This captivating book would brighten up my day and enhance my culinary abilities. Looks so great.

Rica said...

looks like a good book...sign me up for the give-away!
Rica

Brimful Curiosities said...

Can never have enough cookbooks and ones that amuse are even better!

Anonymous said...

Please enter me!!

penguinqueen(at)hotmail(dot)com

Anonymous said...

Entertaining and outrageous, yay! It sounds like tons of fun!
doot65{at}comcast[dot]net
Elizabeth

Anonymous said...

Oh I've been wanting this forever! Count me in!
luckistarr4 AT gmail DOT com

windycindy said...

My husband and I have only hosted a few parties because I feel rather inept! I could use this book for help with my non-party excuses. Please enter my name in your delightful drawing. Many thanks.....Cindi
jchoppes[at]hotmail[dot]com

Anonymous said...

This has been on my Amazon wish list FOREVER. I would love to win it.

PlanetBooksWorldWide at gmail dot com

Wrighty said...

I've got this on my blog now too. Thanks again!

www.wrightysreads.blogspot.com

Angie said...

Amy Sedaris's "I Like You" sounds like a good book! I didn't see her when she was on Martha Stewart, but from what you said, it sounds like she is my kinda gal! Someone with a sense of humor!

Thank you for the great giveaway!
baileybobby6(at)hotmail.com

Angie said...

I blogged on my blog about your giveaway!
Thank you!
baileybobby6(at)hotmail.com

https://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=6401421277078274147&postID=2693235661617188402&page=1

BoxingKing said...

Another give away! I'll blog about this one as well. Thanks!

bevsclark said...

With chapters titled, "A Rich Uncle Comes to Visit" and "The Elderly" how could you not want this book? Love it.

ChristyJan said...

This looks like a great read! Please enter me.

hawkes (at) citlink.net

Dewey said...

Ooh, I'm dying to read this! Please enter me, and thanks for holding the giveaway.

Alyce said...

I blogged about it here:

http://athomewithbooks.blogspot.com/2008/10/weekly-giveaway-roundup_16.html

mamaloo said...

Count me in, too! I love Amy Sedaris!

TinaW said...

This looks great! thanks. tinawittmer(at)yahoo(dot)com

Diana Dang said...

Throw me in the hat!

faked_sugartone at hotmail.com

Unknown said...

This sounds like a great book, I love looking through cook books too, and I need all the help I can get in the kitchen (ideas wise) Thanks for entering me.

unforgetable_dreamer_always (at) hotmail (dot) com

MOMFOREVERANDEVER said...

she is so funny! mrs.mommyyatgmaildotcom

emily said...

Count me in! :-)

thebeem39(at)hotmail(dot)com

mommyjen99 said...

Please enter me in your contest, this book sounds fun!
jen62728@aol.com

Anonymous said...

i love her!

tcarranco[at]yahoo[dot]com

Wehaf said...

I love Amy Sedaris!

urchiken at gmail dot com

Kimberly said...

This sounds like a very interesting book. I would love to be entered in your contest please? Thanks!

HunnyV "at" Optonline "dot" net