I Like You: Hospitality Under the Influence
by Amy Sedaris
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Book Reviews of I Like You: Hospitality Under the Influence
Book Review: Don't waste your time, or money
Summary: 2 Stars
I just received my book from Amazon yesterday, and now wish I could take it back. I read through some of it last night. Many of her jokes seem like she's trying too hard, or just really aren't that funny. I found myself rolling my eyes a lot (like when she said that lesbians seem to all love raw veggie and spinach dip in bread bowl appetizers... wtf?).
As for the tips and recipes, there wasn't anything too spectacular. The layout seemed very disorganized. There were some recipes thrown in here and there, amongst her "stories." Some of the tips seemed very basic, or kind of absurd/silly, and many were just plain tacky (like the suggestion to sell used batteries and other household junk to party guests for a quarter each). One appetizer/snack suggestion called for spitting the chewed up Ritz cracker in your mouth onto a dry cracker, and then eating it. While there were some menus for party themes, with the recipes immediately following, there was another section in the back with a whole bunch of other recipes. I haven't checked to see if there's any sort of decent index yet. But there's little logic to the arrangement. So, good luck finding stuff.
As I flipped through the rest of the book I also notice that many of the pictures are used over, and over, and over again. Like, there was a picture of her in a red checkered dress, with a frowning little girl in her lap, that I saw at least twice. And the picture of the "baked alaska" showed up at least 4 times. And there were many other repeats. Some of the pages looked like photoshop barfed up a collage, with a bunch of random things superimposed all over each other. And Amy was very fond of throwing in pictures of herself in various costumes that really had nothing to do with anything. Then there were all the little sketches and drawings through the book. If a paragraph mentioned a lobster, be prepared to see a bad drawing of a lobster somewhere nearby. If she suggested you use a spatula, hey look! there's a sketch of a spatula only an inch away.
Seriously. Save your money. Or, go to Borders and flip through the book yourself for a bit. If you like it anyway, buy it. But, I'll be hiding my copy in a out-of-public-view bookcase, and certainly NOT with my better collection of recipe books.
That being said, I haven't tried any of the recipes in the book yet. I'll try a few, and if they're decent, I may keep the book. Otherwise, it may end up at a white elephant party, or as a gift for someone I don't particularly care for.
Book Review: So Juicy, You'll Need Extra Napkins!
Summary: 5 Stars
Dear Amy:
This book was great, with many wonderful recipes. The one complaint I have about it is that there is no warning that all of the food in the book is EXTREMELY JUICY, and that if you try these recipes you will need EXTRA NAPKINS.
I had guests over the other night using these recipes and the food was so EXTREMELY JUICY that it splattered the walls. And in fact, I am going to have to repaint! It was so juicy, we quickly ran out of napkins and I had to offer some of my old t-shirts to the guests to wipe away the juice. (Of course we've all done this, I know - but not usually in the kitchen!)
Finally, after dinner was over, I had to take my guests down to the street and turn on the fire hydrant and make them dance through it to clean off! Needless to say, the white lady across the street who watches everything from her window was quite amused -- but my guests, not so much so!
Once back upstairs, my guests and I all had to put our clothing on the radiator to dry, and the dinner party soon disintegrated into another one of those tedious "Shortbus" evenings that we are ALL growing so TIRED of here in Manhattan. ("Oh, no, not again! Can't we just play some Scrabble tonight and microwave some nachos?")
Basically, I would have liked to have had some warning of the high juiciness level of the food. The publisher should put a big sticker on the front cover saying: "Warning! Extremely Juicy Recipes Inside! Purchase Extra Napkins!"
Really, why you don't have your OWN CABLE SHOW is beyond me, maybe you is holding out for two much money or has a bad agent. I would call you a smirking Betty Crocker. Of course, such a show couldn't be on any of the regular networks, but even a show on HBO, Showtunes or Maganavox could be hugely successful in this day of niche marketing. This would be a great show to watch while you are waiting for a plane or something, or even a bus.
Finally, the recipe for chicken looks very tasty and I plan to try it out either on Voting Day, or on Christmas Eve, or else on Super Bowl Sunday when Marv usually comes over with his wife to watch the game. Whichever day I choose, I will make sure that I have extra napkins on hand!
Sincerely,
A Fan
Book Review: Tongue-in-check entertaining advice
Summary: 4 Stars
If you like Amy Sedaris's quirky sense of humor (e.g., Strangers with Candy), and you're into kitsch, then I Like You: Hospitality Under the Influence is just the book for you this holiday season. If you avoid Comedy Central, however, and are uncomfortable around irony-laden humor, you best steer clear because Amy Sedaris's new book is a rollicking romp through tongue-in-cheek entertaining, far more amusing and satisfying than anything Martha Stewart could devise.
Armed with her own brand of humor and a bottle of liquor, Sedaris is ready for any situation, from the unexpected guest to a death in the family. She explains in detail how to write invitations, plan a menu (by color, texture, theme, flavor, or decoration), and get guests mingling. But she also includes aspects of party throwing you may not have considered, such organizing some sale items to make a little money for yourself. Sedaris insists that she lets guests have their picture taken with her pet rabbit for 25 cents. Also, consider avoiding the following guest combinations: astrologer and astronomer, psychologist and psychiatrist, and serial killer and drunken teenager.
Sedaris offers numerous recipes throughout the book, including some favorites from her Greek family. From "I Remember the War Cube Steak" for entertaining the elderly to spanakopita for a New Year's Day brunch, you'll have the crowd clamoring for more.
You'll also find plenty of comical desserts like the heart-shaped cake that says "Stepmother" and the "Happy Coming Out" cake in the form of a butterfly. Of course, no meal is complete without Amy Sedaris herself covered in icing and sprinkles, and she gives us just that. (Be sure to check out the poster inside the cover for the pin-up version.)
Throughout the book, Sedaris dresses in dated polyester outfits and drops hints on everything from how to put on pantyhose to how to wear a fall (woman's long hairpiece).
The photos (by Todd Oldham, no less) and illustrations are hilarious, and even the book jacket will have you wiping your eyes.
Armchair Interviews says: Surely, we all know someone this book would be perfect for.
Book Review: "Accentuate the positives--medicate the negatives"
Summary: 5 Stars
According to Amy Sedaris, "Hello, and I like you" is what you say every time you invite somebody into your home, without having to hear yourself say it out loud. Sedaris prefaces her work by declaring, "This is not a joke cookbook. I don't like joke cookbooks because I can't take them seriously." I Like You: Hospitality Under the Influence is an oversized, full-color entertainment book full of humor, practical etiquette advice, recipes, decorating ideas, and pure charm from Ms. Sedaris.
Sedaris is full of helpful advice and terminology, such as her description of a barnacle--the one person in your life you can never get rid of and no one else likes. They attach themselves to you and make you believe that if it's weren't for you, they'd have no one. Her advice on barnacles is to see them one-on-one or to invite them to large blowouts at which they can find another shipwreck to attach to.
Other snippets of wisdom:
"Cashiers will notice patterns like ice cream at midnight three days in a row. The same is true for liquor. Rotate your stores."
"Never try to out dress the hostess unless you are the guest of honor, or a transvestite."
"Make a self-esteem collage using pictures of other people you wish you were."
The opening chapters focus on general hospitality tips and tricks. The bulk of the book is about Hospitality In Action, whether you are having a blind date, a rich uncle is visiting, you are hosting a brunch, dealing with children, cooking fast, or even just cooking for one. Sedaris even has a chapter on properly entertaining after a death. Each scenario has recipes, decorating tips, grooming tips, and helpful household hints. The book is illustrated with photos of Sedaris in costumes, hundreds of retro table settings and recipes, and hand-drawn schematics and doodles.
Sedaris has written a coffee-table book which can be read cover-to-cover for educational purposes and then placed in the living room for a quick laugh any time.
Book Review: I like this book.
Summary: 5 Stars
Dear Amy -
I like your book. No, I love it. No, wait, I totally *heart* it, in fact. It is way awesome. Much like you. I bet you throw the craziest parties. Will you kindly invite me sometime? I know I'm one of those annoying vegans who will totally muck up your dinner menu, but I promise to make it up to you by bringing plenty of booze.
Anyway, back to your book. Why do I *heart* it so? Well, the pictures totally kick it; it takes a special lady to pull off the bottomless-but-for-pantyhose look. Your gourmet masterpieces look yummy despite the animal ingredients. And your diy décor is do-able even for the not-so-crafty among us. Googley eyes on peanuts! Who woulda thunkit? And you're so retro, too, Amy! Like a Fiona Apple video, or those `70s douche ads that all us hairy-legged feminist bloggers like to pass around on the internets. I LIKE YOU is, like, the perfect coffee table book for people who think people who have coffee table books are kinda sorta pretentious jerks. For reals.
But wait! There's more! Your book also has words! And they make me laugh, and laugh, and laugh. And then chortle and guffaw. And then some more lolz. Your sections on entertaining the elderly, babycakes (sorry, "children"), ladies' nights and "when you get to play nurse" (not as fun and/or dirt-ay as it sounds) are especially amusing. Even the book flap provides several minutes of enjoyment.
In sum, Amy, you give this misanthrope hope! Plus, you taught me how to locate my vagina with a hand mirror. I will always remember you for that. With much fondness and warmth. Make of that what you will.
hugs & kisses
- k
PS - Did you by chance ever go by the name of Charlene, maybe in the early `80s? Because you totally remind me of Dr. Stephen Colbert, DFA's ex-lover of the same name. No? Whatevs, nm.
PPS - I know it's you.
PPPS - I am eagerly awaiting my dinner party invite.