Southern Living, New York-Style

I Like You: Hospitality Under the Influence by Amy Sedaris

In the first of this book's three increasingly loopy introductions, Amy Sedaris writes, "This is not a joke cookbook. I don't like joke cookbooks because I can't take them seriously." This is at once true and not true of I Like You. Turn to any page in this book, and you're sure to encounter an image or a line that makes you shoot Scotch out of your nose*. But at the same time, almost every recipe, craft idea, or entertaining tip that appears here is pure gold.

The food sections contain an appealing mix of traditional Greek cooking, comfort food, and accessible haute cuisine, as well as a collection of recipes from Sedaris's lucrative side job -- selling cupcakes and cheese balls out of her apartment. I've got a zillion index cards sticking out of the book right now, and two dishes on the menu for this week (Brady's making Dimpleton's Pan-Fried Steak and I'm making the simply-named, but delicious-sounding Chicken on the Stove).

But more than that, this is a book that will make you want to throw a dinner party. I've always been a better party guest than host**, but after reading this book, I feel that the deepest, mistiest secrets of throwing a good party have been made known to me, and that I could maybe pull it off.

Reading this book also made me think about the great dinner parties I've been to, and how, while the basic tenets of hospitality were the same, it was the unique quirks in party-hosting styles that made things memorable and reflected the hosts' personalities. That said, if you ever find yourself in Madison, Wisconsin for an extended period of time, you should make it a point to endear yourselves to Nathan and Abby, and get asked to their house. Hosts with the most, 'nuff said.
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* for example, the sheet cake with "Come Home Dad" written in chocolate sprinkles or the instructions for making a cat toy our of a tampon
** Mary's Tips for Being a Good Party Guest (and Getting Asked Back)
1. Bring booze or a pumpkin log.
2. Take your turn engaging the party guest who a) has had too many drinks and wants to talk at great length about Pancho Villa, b) has not had a conversation with anyone except their children in a month, or c) is smoking outside, alone.
3. If the host leaves the party to do dishes, relieve him/her of these duties, or at least help clear and scrape plates.
4. Use a coaster.
5. Always stay one drink behind the host.
6. Know when to leave, and say 'thank you.'

Jackie-O

What Would Jackie Do?: An Inspired Guide to Distinctive Living by Shelly Branch and Sue Callaway

For once I agree with Publishers Weekly, who asks in their review of this book, "what would Jackie think about having her name attached to this...?" Still, I, for one, am glad this book is out there. Effortless etiquette is a skill that too few of us possess.

Plus, as style icons go, no celebrity or First Lady can touch her.

Take this, for example. Then think about every celebrity you've seen wearing oversized sunglasses in the past two years. While Jackie O looks classy, yet trendy, the same look on Nicole Richie just makes you want to reach for a can of Raid.

And Laura Bush might be the closest thing to a classy-looking First Lady we've had since 1963, but it doesn't change the fact that she has crazy eyes (and yes, if you do a Google image search for "laura bush crazy eyes" you get results).

If you like...: Go Fug Yourself, or quirkily amusing self-help books like Nerve's Guide to Sex Etiquette for Ladies and Gentleman (a very funny and useful book peppered with hilariously prim etiquette book-speak like "only the vulgarian would..."), this book is for you.