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Books: CookBooks: Candy
The Time Traveler's Wifeby Audrey Niffenegger List Price: $14.00 Available from Amazon $8.40 On 7-22-2006 
See Item's Page From Publishers Weekly This highly original first novel won the largest advance San Francisco-based MacAdam/Cage had ever paid, and it was money well spent. Niffenegger has written a soaring love story illuminated by dozens of finely observed details and scenes, and one that skates nimbly around a huge conundrum at the heart of the book: Henry De Tamble, a rather dashing librarian at the famous Newberry Library in Chicago, finds himself unavoidably whisked around in time. He disappears from a scene in, say, 1998 to find himself suddenly, usually without his clothes, which mysteriously disappear in transit, at an entirely different place 10 years earlier-or later. During one of these migrations, he drops in on beautiful teenage Clare Abshire, an heiress in a large house on the nearby Michigan peninsula, and a lifelong passion is born. The problem is that while Henry's age darts back and forth according to his location in time, Clare's moves forward in the normal manner, so the pair are often out of sync. But such is the author's tenderness with the characters, and the determinedly ungimmicky way in which she writes of their predicament (only once do they make use of Henry's foreknowledge of events to make money, and then it seems to Clare like cheating) that the book is much more love story than fantasy. It also has a splendidly drawn cast, from Henry's violinist father, ruined by the loss of his wife in an accident from which Henry time-traveled as a child, to Clare's odd family and a multitude of Chicago bohemian friends. The couple's daughter, Alba, inherits her father's strange abilities, but this is again handled with a light touch; there's no Disney cuteness here. Henry's foreordained end is agonizing, but Niffenegger has another card up her sleeve, and plays it with poignant grace. It is a fair tribute to her skill and sensibility to say that the book leaves a reader with an impression of life's riches and strangeness rather than of easy thrills. Copyright 2003 Reed business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition. From AudioFile Although the title suggests that this is science fiction, Niffenegger's charming, emotionally charged novel is much more a love story. Told alternately from the viewpoints of time traveler Henry and his wife, Clare, it's highly enjoyable on audio. Readers Christopher Burns and Maggi-Meg Reed blend their respective chapters seamlessly. Each reader characterizes all roles within a chapter, and the depictions mesh beautifully. Both narrators characterize Korean friend Kimmy in a charmingly amusing voice and lend a light mood to the couple's daughter, Alba. Burns portrays the emotional chaos of Henry's life so genuinely as to cast the listener directly into his pain and joy. The abridged recording leaves one longing for more. J.J.B. 2004 Audie Award Finalist © AudioFile 2004, Portland, Maine-- Copyright © AudioFile, Portland, Maine --This text refers to the Audio CD edition. |
In Cold Bloodby Truman Capote List Price: $14.00 Available from Amazon $8.40 On 7-22-2006 
See Item's Page Product Review "Until one morning in mid-November of 1959, few Americans--in fact, few Kansans--had ever heard of Holcomb. Like the waters of the river, like the motorists on the highway, and like the yellow trains streaking down the Santa Fe tracks, drama, in the shape of exceptional happenings, had never stopped there." If all Truman Capote did was invent a new genre--journalism written with the language and structure of literature--this "nonfiction novel" about the brutal slaying of the Clutter family by two would-be robbers would be remembered as a trail-blazing experiment that has influenced countless writers. But Capote achieved more than that. He wrote a true masterpiece of creative nonfiction. The images of this tale continue to resonate in our minds: 16-year-old Nancy Clutter teaching a friend how to bake a cherry pie, Dick Hickock's black '49 Chevrolet sedan, Perry Smith's Gibson guitar and his dreams of gold in a tropical paradise--the blood on the walls and the final "thud-snap" of the rope-broken necks. The New York Times Book Review, Conrad Knickerbocker The resulting chronicle is a masterpiece--agonizing, terrible, possessed, proof that the times, so surfeited with disasters, are still capable of tragedy. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title. |
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The Devil Wears Prada: A Novel by Lauren Weisberger List Price: $13.95 Available from Amazon $8.37 On 7-22-2006 
See Item's Page Product Review It's a killer title: The Devil Wears Prada. And it's killer material: author Lauren Weisberger did a stint as assistant to Anna Wintour, the all-powerful editor of Vogue magazine. Now she's written a book, and this is its theme: narrator Andrea Sachs goes to work for Miranda Priestly, the all-powerful editor of Runway magazine. Turns out Miranda is quite the bossyboots. That's pretty much the extent of the novel, but it's plenty. Miranda's behavior is so insanely over-the-top that it's a gas to see what she'll do next, and to try to guess which incidents were culled from the real-life antics of the woman who's been called Anna "Nuclear" Wintour. For instance, when Miranda goes to Paris for the collections, Andrea receives a call back at the New York office (where, incidentally, she's not allowed to leave her desk to eat or go to the bathroom, lest her boss should call). Miranda bellows over the line: "I am standing in the pouring rain on the rue de Rivoli and my driver has vanished. Vanished! Find him immediately!" This kind of thing is delicious fun to read about, though not as well written as its obvious antecedent, The Nanny Diaries. And therein lies the essential problem of the book. Andrea's goal in life is to work for The New Yorker--she's only sticking it out with Miranda for a job recommendation. But author Weisberger is such an inept, ungrammatical writer, you're positively rooting for her fictional alter ego not to get anywhere near The New Yorker. Still, Weisberger has certainly one-upped Me Times Three author Alex Witchel, whose magazine-world novel never gave us the inside dope that was the book's whole raison d' etre. For the most part, The Devil Wears Prada focuses on the outrageous Miranda Priestly, and she's an irresistible spectacle. --Claire Dederer
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
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Daily Candy A to Z: An Insider's Guide to the Sweet Lifeby Editors of DailyCandy List Price: $22.95 Available from Amazon $14.92 On 7-22-2006 
See Item's Page From Publishers Weekly Launched in 2000, DailyCandy's emails quickly became a habit for New Yorkers looking for dish on the latest trends, gadgets, hot new restaurants and sales. This, the site's first book, is an alphabetized compilation of some of the best musings on topics ranging from how to plan a party to coping with enemies in the workplace to how to make a budget (and stick to it). Through it all, the editors maintain a crisp, clear voice with a confident undertone that's rare among lifestyle books. While their advice on men is short, it's prefaced with an admission that relationships aren't easy and that a little humility goes a long way-something you won't read in Cosmopolitan. The book encourages readers to enjoy life on one's own terms, and even goes so far as to admit it's okay to be single. Also included is tongue-in-cheek advice about dining in pretentious restaurants, how to write a good thank-you note and how to dump a friend. Creatively exploring societal niceties as well as the not-so-niceties is what the book does best, and what it lacks in page count it makes up for in content. Copyright © Reed business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. New York Times "The year’s best fashion site." |
Candy Licker: An Urban Erotic Taleby Noire List Price: $13.95 Available from Amazon $10.74 On 7-22-2006
See Item's Page From Publishers Weekly If there was ever any doubt that pulp was alive and thriving, Noire's highly sexy, highly vivid G-Spot dispelled it. This follow-up delivers everything that lovers of this emerging micro genre—black urban erotic chick lit—are coming to expect: cribs full of music, sex, drugs and criminality; many dollars flying by; and an honest, often abused girl just trying to make it through. When Candy Raye Montana hooks up with Harlem rap don Junius "Hurricane" Jackson, she's expecting little more than a respite from serving as bait for stickups for her well-meaning but desperate mother and her mother's junkie boyfriend—and maybe a little luxury. But 'Cane turns out to be a major sociopath (with violent perversions that may be compensations for a small dick). Candy, unhappy and horny, turns to Internet cam mutual masturbation, but when Percy "Knowledge" Graham, Cane's lawyer, comes into her life, the love is real—and deeply satisfying. But Cane knows something's up, and Candy's life is more and more in the balance as Knowledge schemes to find a way for them to make a life together. Candy's first person and Knowledge's third begin to alternate chapters: both are completely absorbing and rarely miss. The cast of bling and trash extras are well-done and well-named. The most direct means to Candy's heart provides the novel's title. (Dec. 27) Copyright © Reed business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. From Booklist Noire writes another sexy, gritty tale about the music industry. Junius "Hurricane" Jackson has a reputation for his genius at recognizing raw street talent. He is CEO of the number-one urban record label, House of Homicide, in Harlem. From coast to coast, Hurricane is as cruel as he is revered. Candy Raye Montana, a redhead with blue eyes, has lived a rough life. To escape the cruelty of serving as lure for her mother's stickups, she sings to keep living. At 17, Candy leaves Brooklyn to follow Nicky Gabriano to Los Angeles for a new start. When Hurricane offers her an audition, she becomes starstruck and shirks her obligations for a chance at fame and fortune. Hurricane claims Candy for himself and puts a lot of money and energy into her career. As her music climbs the charts, Hurricane becomes increasingly abusive and violent. When Percy "Knowledge" Graham, Hurricane's lawyer, comes into her life--their love only complicates Candy's situation. Knowledge schemes to find a way to save their lives and make a new life together. Lillian Lewis Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved |
The Fannie Farmer Cookbook: Anniversaryby Marion Cunningham, Fannie Farmer Cookbook Corporation, Archibald Candy Corporation, and Lauren Jarrett List Price: $30.00 Available from Amazon $18.90 On 7-22-2006
See Item's Page Product Review Marion Cunningham's brilliant revision of this classic home cooking reference addresses "good everyday cooking." Cunningham States that "every meal should be a small celebration," and she eases the preparation of those celebrations with clear, straightforward instructions and hints on how to make the most of every meal through beautiful presentation and balanced nutrition. The chapter on microwaved foods is clear and presents recipes that are simple and taste great. Cunningham's work especially shines in the chapters on baking, as might be expected from her work on The Fannie Farmer Baking Book and The Breakfast Book. Your piecrusts will always be crisp and flaky under her tutelage. From Publishers Weekly In its 13th edition, a classic American cookbook is here revised for the contemporary home cook. Restaurant consultant and San Francisco Chronicle columnist Cunningham has added chapters on microwave and outdoor cooking, cut down on excessive fats and revived lost comfort foods (lemon curd, semolina pudding). Warnings about salmonella and other health concerns are highlighted; abundant new and vegetarian recipes are conveniently marked. Cunningham's 325 additions to the Farmer roster use ingredients from ethnic cuisines, including Mexican and Indian spices and Chinese sesame oil and rice vinegar. Contradicting manufacturers' claims for the microwave oven, she carefully explains its best uses (steaming or braising foods) and offers recipes specifically designed to take advantage of its virtues (quick polenta, bananas in caramel sauce). True to its American roots, this remains an excellent meat-and-potatoes cookbook, but exhibits welcome range--from frankfurters to roast goose, smoked salmon tartare to trail mix--relishing food as a social enterprise. Illustrations not seen by PW. Author tour; BOMC alternate, Home Style Book Club main selection, Better Homes and Gardens Book Club alternate. Copyright 1990 Reed business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title. |
Whatever Happened to Penny Candy? A Fast, Clear, and Fun Explanation of the Economics You Need For Success in Your Career, Business, and...by Rick Maybury and Richard J. Maybury Available from Amazon $14.95 On 7-22-2006
See Item's Page From School Library Journal Grade 8-10-- Maybury has used a series of letters as a clever technique to present some basic economics lessons. In brief chapters, the breezy text explains terms such as recession, inflation, money, the wage/price spiral, and Gresham's Law. But the book lacks thoughtful analysis. Reminiscent of many letters to the editor, Maybury's style of economic reasoning is simplistic and biased against government. The reason big corporations can't buy better tools, he asserts, is that they must "pay so many taxes that they don't have enough money left over." In another passage, government is blamed for "taking money from others." (Civic responsibility and government services are not a part of the author's vocabulary.) He does nothing to promote global understanding by his references to the reliability of money in Chile, Mexico, and Argentina: "I would not like to live there." A caution against blaming others for inflation and recession is followed by an explanation of the role of Jews in Europe before World War I: "Compared to everyone else they were wealthy." A section of the book is devoted to disconnected miscellanea, out-of-context quotations, and a rather subjective list of resources. There are also advertisements for the author's writings, including a financial newsletter for $149. For economic principles, one should look instead to materials published by the Joint Council on Economic Education or Lerner's "Economics for Today" series. --Miriam Hansen, Indianhead Federated Lib . System, Eau Claire, WI Copyright 1991 Reed business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title. Card Catalog Description Explains economics as it pertains to money, inflation, recession, and wage and price controls. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title. |
Dressed to Keel: A Darcy Cavanaugh Mysteryby Candy Calvert List Price: $12.95 Available from Amazon $10.36 On 7-22-2006
See Item's Page Lori Avocato, award-winning author of the Pauline Sokol mysteries "I really loved it! a wild and mysterious cruise . . . twists and turns . . . a bit of romance . . ." Eileen Rendahl, double Rita finalist: Do Me Do My Roots "Candy Calvert has an eye for the outrageous and a voice that bubbles with laughter." |
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