I Like You: Hospitality Under the Influence

I like this book.

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 show more 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. show less

If you like your cookbooks and hospitality books mixed with a healthy dose of camp, then this is the book for you. Amy Sedaris, who, in addition to being a comedian, runs a cupcake and cheese ball business out of her kitchen, has the ideal qualifications to write this book: she embodies bizarre, quirky humor and truly loves to cook and entertain. In I Like You, you'll find a number of fun recipes as well as some tips on entertaining (that shouldn't be taken TOO seriously--esp. the parts on how to throw a party for children).

When opening your home to a guest, you are saying “I like you, I want you to be comfortable and happy. I like you.” And how would you accomplish this if you've got a twisted sense of humor and have your irony meter set on 'High' all the time? You'd get the book that Martha Stewart would have written if she could take the stick out of her ass and not take herself so seriously.

This is the sentiment that runs through Amy Sedaris’s cookbook. As you read, though, it’s important to keep in mind, Ms. Sedaris is the same woman who brought the world Strangers with Candy and who works frequently with her brother, David (I would love to take a peek at that family’s DNA). If Martha Stewart is too prissy for you, Paula Deen too properly show more Southern, Rachael Ray too peppy, and Alton Brown too smart, Amy’s book is perfect. If you get all your news from the Daily Show, Amy’s book is perfect.

Though I’m sure siblings hate being compared to each other, it’s impossible not to here. Just as David tells witty stories about everything, Amy tells them about cooking and being a good hostess. Sometimes, you have to wonder “Is this part the joke, or the real suggestion.” And the fun is in not knowing.

She peppers the book with Girl Scout-y suggestions and pictures that look right out of a 1970’s Ladies Home Journal. But she gives damn good recipes for pie crusts and actually tells useful suggestions on how to get all kinds of stains out (urine, blood, vomit). Her menu plans and suggestions are great, too. While I seriously doubt I’ll ever play host to a group of lumberjacks, I can see making the Lumberjack Dinner on a winter night for a large group. The party plans should probably be viewed as ways to relax while planning a party, though. I’m not sure how well the game “Gypsy” would go with real children, but it is quite cathartic to think of leaving kids somewhere new and having them find their way home while planning a 6-year-old’s birthday party. Her recipes tend to be very Greek, so I’m not sure I’ll actually cook much of her suggestions, but now I know how to store meatballs in the freezer!

This book covers everything needed for planning a party, from the guest list (with suggestions not to invite the newly divorced couple or other unwise pairings), how to write a good invitation, and what to bring as a hostess gift (NOT flowers). She also considers special occasions, such as having (or being) a houseguest, what to do when your rich old uncle stops by, how to deal with the grieving, and how to take care of the sick and old.

If you were too busy reading Me Talk Pretty One Day to pay attention to your home ec teacher, this book is for you! show less

As someone who generally eschews cooking in favor of...well, any other activity, I was actually inspired by Sedaris's wacky commentary on the art of hospitality to try some of her recipes. So far, the stuffed mushrooms are a big hit at parties, and the tzatziki sauce is surprisingly easy and very tasty. I'm working on Sedaris's award-winning cupcakes, but mine turn out a little dry. Mixed in with her goofy (albeit sometimes appropriate) instructions on entertaining guests are recipes that range from easy to sort of advanced (okay, advanced for someone who doesn't own a whisk) and craft ideas. I can't wait to make my eye burrito.

This book made me laugh out loud. It's a white-trash, speed-inspired embrace. It's the best guide to hospitality--American style--that I've found. Beware Martha Stewart junkies! This book is for failed Brownies and Girl Scouts who sucked at crafts. It proclaims that even screw-ups can succeed in creating a pencil cup festooned with rick-rack! Enjoy!

A hilarious romp through a mock entertaining guide/cookbook. Pure camp, with photos that match the droll, sarcastic tone of the humor. I loved it.

Amy Sedaris has composed an often tongue-in-cheek hospitality book, complete with recipes. Sedaris offers hints for hostesses and guests, and for almost all eventualities, including “cooking under the influence” and “a rich uncle comes to visit.” You will also learn what to do in the case of gypsies, grieving, and rabbits. All extremely useful information, obviously.

Quote: “You can also expect a full menu. Oh, and lastly, on the way out don’t be afraid to become intimately acquainted with my tip jar.”

Maybe I just don’t have the right personality type for this book. I enjoyed the tongue-in-cheek parts, but I got really tired halfway through and was ready for the end, even though there were lots of pictures to speed the show more process up. Maybe if I were more into recipes I would have liked it better, but I tend not to cook since I often light things on fire when I do. Oh, well. show less