Amy SedarisRezensionen

Funny but I'm vegetarian so most of the recipes didn't apply or appeal to me. Hence the two stars.

It's funny. Not something I would have read if it wasn't for her doing it. That is all thx

Not going to rate this with stars. It's just not a book I would like because I am allergic to other people in a party setting. I didn't finish it though I could see its entertainment value.

I like the idea of Amy Seders sending up Martha Stewart much better than the reality. Don't get me wrong, so of this book is very funny. But I found myself out of sync with her sense of humor on more than one occasion. Despite that, I would give anything to be a guest at one of her parties. It wouldn't be boring

Wow, this was weird. Entertaining and even darkly fascinating...but mostly weird.

The joke gets old, but Wigfield is ok.

I laughed more at the ridiculous pictures of crafts and costumes than I did at her writing.

I was really shocked to see the amount of hate this book gets! I thought it would be funny, occasionally thoughtful, and definitely a good time. And it was so much more than that! The characters in the town are so well drawn. There are moments where the satire is powerful, and feels important, but it is done with nuance and without pushing perspectives on the reader (or, maybe I just agree with them more often than I disagree, one of the two).

I read the book and then listened to the audiobook, which is read by the authors, and is even better. It is unclear to me what people would want in this book besides exactly what it is. It's no Moby Dick. But is Moby Dick even Moby Dick?

This book was cute. I love Amy's parody on the world of crafting. Really is a cute book.

The oddest (and funniest) book on entertaining ever. It's very goofy but manages to remind us all that we don't all have to take the Martha Stewart approach.

"This is not a joke cookbook." says the intro. It's true: the recipes look legit (I love the ghost sheet cake with the flaming eyes), and there is a lot of actually good advice. Although, stick-in-the-mud that I am, I was a little put off by some of the references to substance use.

The main philosophy of the book is to make your guests happy and comfortable, and not feel out of place. That's good etiquette. But this particular hostess will go out of her way to accomplish that, with suggestions that, if followed to the letter by a normal (boring) person with regular friends, will get a few odd looks. Creative, yes. Attempt in real life? Hmmm. I suppose if you're in an artistic group then this just might work for you. People will love how Dada it is (shock value! how unusual!) Think ghetto-Martha. So proceed to read with tongue firmly in cheek, because that's how many sections seem to have been written.

I imagine this is what kind of hostess I'd be if I planned and threw a party while inebriated: earnest, intense, well-meaning, but a little wacky, and any filters/censors dissolving by the third glass of strong punch. Like My Drunk Kitchen, but doing a better job at covering up the alcohol/pot fumes and putting on a pretty face.

It's hard to rate this book. Is it in bad taste? Oh gosh yes. Is it funny anyway? Yes. Is it appropriate for families with small children? Nope. I'm going to have to remove some pages if I decide to keep it because I really don't feel like explaining some of the kinkier staged photos to a toddler--especially not the one with implied bestiality. Is this a book that will teach you how to make a lot of cool crafts? Not really. What it is is a book that will give you ideas and help you to think WAY outside the box. And laugh of course. If you didn't like "I Like You--Hospitality Under the Influence" skip this by all means. If you liked it, give this a shot, just don't expect it to be as surprisingly useful.

I did not read the blurb on the back of this audiobook so I thought I was getting a book about various crafts that Amy Sedaris enjoys doing. Instead, I got a sarcastic look at crafts and crafters. Fine by me. I thought most of the book was pretty funny. Some of it probably crossed the line of decency, but I'm pretty hard to offend, so I laughed at it. The only thing I didn't get was the chapter on sex. It didn't seem to fit the rest of the book; like it was thrown in for shock value. I could have done without that one. Everything else got quite a few giggles out of me and was a pleasant surprise.½

Very entertaining as an audiobook. The sound affects are funny. Hard to get the recipes but that's okay. I tried not to snort out loud as I listened to this at work. I don't think it would have been as funny as a printed book.

Sorry Amy, it just didn't hold my attention.

It may just be that I'm not cool enough for this book, but after I was bored and annoyed by the audibook, I checked out the hardcover copy to scan for recipes. I hated the book much more. I felt that most of her tips were obvious, useless, not as funny as she was trying to be, and overall just dumb. The pictures, although I'm sure there was some creative and artistic brilliance involved in making it just so, were offensively UGLY, making even the recipes I had thought I might like to try look disgusting.

If you're interested in amazing recipes like, "The best rootbeer float: Add 2 scoops of vanilla ice cream in your favorite glass and fill with root beer. Serve with spoon and straw.", you'll perhaps just love this book.

I hope that I have enjoyed this book less than anyone else who has ever read it.

I thought the idea of this book was funny, but the contents didn't work for me. I expected to be amused by silly descriptions and wry observations, but instead I was bored by the tediousness of even theoretical crazy-person crafting.

I tried with this one, but ultimately just found it rather stupid & annoying, and gave up shortly after disc #1. And that's a shame, because I enjoyed Amy Sedaris' "I Like You" from a few years back. Oh well. I did find the cover art quite colorful & attractive, if nothing else.½

Love the authors. Didn't love this project.

This book is really fun. If you aren't familiar with Amy and her humor, you might not know what you're getting into, but it's great. It's not meant to be taken TOO seriously (like, I don't think she's advocating taking your kids across town blindfolded and the first one who finds home wins) but it's also not entirely a joke. The recipes and hosting ideas are really great, generally, except for the ones that are obviously jokes. Some of the negative reviews confuse me because it seems so obvious to me what is and is not a serious recommendation, but take it as you will..

Smutty cookbook, hate to have it lying around. Read for bookclub.

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 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.

Read the first 95 pages and laughed hysterically. After that it seemed to get less funny, though perhaps my mood just changed. I tended to skim the recipes (also all of the food photography was less than appealing - very yellowy-orange), but the text is definitely riotously funny at times. Probably not for all audiences, but her wacky brand of humor will definitely appeal to some.

Terrible index.

Just a fun book, if you like her humor. If you are not a fan of David Sedaris, then you probably won't like Amy. She has an offbeat sense of humor, she is willing to go any distance for the gag, and good taste doesn't inhibit her. It is what it is, and what it is is a very irreverent view of the art of entertaining. Would I follow her tips, prepare her recipes? Only for good friends who enjoy the same humor I do. And I would have the local pizza joint on standby to bring the backup meal.