A Twist of the Wrist: Quick Flavorful Meals with Ingredients from Jars, Cans, Bags, and Boxes

Average customer rating:

A 'must' for any public lending library catering to busy - but gourmet - home cooks.

Fails to deliver, little ingenuity

A Twist of the Wrist

Cookbook

More Complex Than The Title Suggests

A Twist of the Wrist: Quick Flavorful Meals with Ingredients from Jars, Cans, Bags, and Boxes
Nancy Silverton
Manufacturer: Knopf
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

General | Cooking, Food & Wine | Subjects | Books
General | Quick & Easy | Cooking, Food & Wine | Subjects | Books
General | U.S. Regional | Regional & International | Cooking, Food & Wine | Subjects | Books
Gourmet | Special Occasions | Cooking, Food & Wine | Subjects | Books
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Vegetable Harvest: Vegetables at the Center of the Plate

Chocolate and Zucchini: Daily Adventures in a Parisian Kitchen

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The Best Make-Ahead Recipe (The Best Recipe)

ASIN: 1400044073
Release Date: 2007-03-27

Book Description

Award-winning chef Nancy Silverton has conquered the gourmet world as the original dessert chef at Spago and founder of the celebrated La Brea Bakery. Her recipes are legendary, innovative, and delicious. However, in the last few years, there has been a great shift in cooking toward the Home Meal Replacement (HMR), better known as “takeout.” It’s impossible to spend hours in the kitchen after a hard day’s work, so more people are buying prepared foods and frozen meals, compromising taste for convenience. Realizing that people’s hectic workdays don’t afford everyone the time to re-create her epicurean triumphs, Nancy has come up with the perfect solution . . .

Enter, the jar!

Compiling a list of her favorite products that come in jars—and cans, bags, and boxes—Nancy has created easy-to-follow recipes that require less than thirty minutes to prepare. With this book there’s no need to sacrifice flavor, sophistication, and taste just because you’re spending less time chopping, cleaning, cooking, or baking. Nancy’s shortcuts not only allow us to produce quick and easy meals at home, they let us bring back the pride and the joy of creating gourmet meals for our family and friends.

A Twist of the Wrist contains 137 quick and delicious gourmet recipes from salads to pasta to meats and desserts, such as:

Cumin Shrimp and Chickpea Salad with Roasted Carrots
Creamy Corn Soup with Bacon and Cheddar Crostini
Orzo with Dried Porcini Mushrooms, Radicchio, and Aged Balsamic Vinegar
Boneless Pork Chops, with Creamy Polenta and Fennel Pollen
Seared Rare Tuna with Tomato-Olive Salsa
Dulce de Leche Ice Cream Pie with Hot Fudge Sauce, Cajeta, and Salty Spanish Peanuts

In addition to Nancy’s own creations, she includes recipes concocted with prepared ingredients from some of her chef friends, including Sara Foster, Tom Colicchio, Charlie Trotter, Mario Batali, Suzanne Goin, Ruth Reichl, and Jean-Georges Vongerichten.

There is also a pantry section, telling us where to get—by the Internet and mail order—the best of all things canned, jarred, and bottled.

This charming and utterly indispensable cookbook is suited for any type of cook, whether you’re an on-the-go gourmand or you just love flavorful, accessible meals at home. A Twist of the Wrist fits perfectly into today’s modern lifestyle and is a must-have for the contemporary kitchen.

Customer Reviews:

A 'must' for any public lending library catering to busy - but gourmet - home cooks........2007-07-27

Chef Nancy Silterson is the original dessert chef at Spago and founder of the La Brea Bakery, but here shifts her attention to compiling a list of favorite products that come in convenience jars, cans, and boxes, along with recipes which need less than 30 minutes to prepare. From a Cream Corn Soup with Bacon and Cheddar Crostini to Seared Lamb Chops with Ratatouille, mouth-watering color photos of finished products accompany tips on how to blend quick ingredients with fresh for optimum home cooking. A 'must' for any public lending library catering to busy - but gourmet - home cooks.

Diane C. Donovan
California Bookwatch

Fails to deliver, little ingenuity.......2007-07-18

This cookbook does not deliver on its premise.

Often the only "larder" ingredient is a single box of pasta, can of tuna, or a jar of roasted peppers. The olive oil or mayonnaise may also come from a jar, but that's hardly revolutionary. I would have preferred the book to include classic larder cooking, old family secrets, and novel twists on larder cooking. If you are an experienced cook, and you already know that you can make a dinner out of tuna, capers, and some olives, and this book will provide you with little insight. As in many Nancy Silverton books (I have several), many recipes have a feeling of "I just slapped this together for dinner, and I thought it was good enough to publish."

The book also fails to include any Asian, or specifically Japanese dishes, which are renowned for springing to like from simple ingredients like noodles, miso, nori, etc. Dried ingredients, such as seaweeds, mushrooms, beans, or rice and mung bean noodles are not addressed. Frozen ingredients, a secret to many kitchens, are ignored. Coconut milk and peanut butter, staples of asian and african cooking are neglected.

Mostly, this cookbook provides a suite of FRESH food, with garnishes made from jars, cans, bags and boxes.

A Twist of the Wrist.......2007-07-18

Really disappointing. Boiler plate in almost every recipe, almost all of which is way below the author's usual standard.

Cookbook.......2007-06-27

We returned this item. My husband had read a review in a newspaper about this and it did not live up to the review. It was more of a gourmet cookbook,not what he expected.

More Complex Than The Title Suggests.......2007-05-23

The recipes are for sophisticated preparations that happen to use commercially prepared ingredients. The recipes, while very good and interesting, are not quick unless you are an advanced chef who would otherwise prepare these dishes from total scratch. My wife returned the book unused.

Knitting Rules!: The Yarn Harlot's Bag of Knitting Tricks

Average customer rating:

Stephanie Pearl McPhee's Knitting Rules
My Husband Loved It!
Knitting
Must have for any knitter
Delightful!

Knitting Rules!: The Yarn Harlot's Bag of Knitting Tricks
Stephanie Pearl-McPhee
Manufacturer: Storey Publishing, LLC
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Humor | Entertainment | Subjects | Books

General | Crafts & Hobbies | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books

Knitting | Crafts & Hobbies | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books
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ASIN: 1580178340

Book Description

Stephanie Pearl-McPhee, the best-selling author of At Knit’s End: Meditations for Women Who Knit Too Much and celebrated blogger and humorist of the knitting world, is back! Funnier than ever, Pearl-McPhee continues her running dialogue with her knitting compatriots — cheering them on to ever-greater heights in the climb to make knitting universally recognized as THE peak life experience.

Both a celebration of knitting and a sourcebook for practical information, this book is a collection of useful advice and emotional support for the knitter. Pearl-McPhee examines essential truisms of knitting, side by side with tongue in-cheek warnings, realities, and fantasies about the act of knitting and the people who do it.

In chapters on everything from yarn needles, gauge, and knitting bag essentials to hats, socks, shawls, and sweaters, Pearl-McPhee unravels the mysteries of what it is that makes knitting click, from the inside out. She dares to question longstanding rules and uncover the true essence of what makes a hat a hat, a sock a sock, and so on. Insights into why certain techniques work encourage knitters to take control and knit in the way that works best for them. As she says, “There are no knitting police.”

The result is an illuminating, liberating (and hilarious!) look at knitting that will comfort the experienced knitter, surprise the mainstream one, and entice the beginner.

Customer Reviews:

Stephanie Pearl McPhee's Knitting Rules.......2007-09-21

I love this book and I have learned several things. I enjoy reading Stephanie Pearl McPhee's book and love her "low" key views.

My Husband Loved It!.......2007-09-12

While I was meandering through the local yarn shop checking out the yarn, my husband found himself in the book section. He started reading this book and eventually bought it for me. It's great (and so is he)! I thought I was the only one with a stash. Her section on gauge is priceless --- and true!

Knitting.......2007-07-29

I love this book. Each time I feel as if I'm about to go 'round the bend in knitting or buying knitting supplies, or hating to swatch, or hating a particular project, I read sections of the book that apply, and I'm back to feeling completely normal. It reminds the knitter that we knit because we enjoy it, so we need to stop treating it like a bad job when we get frustrated. Or just stop knitting for awhile!

Must have for any knitter.......2007-07-25

BUY THIS BOOK! It's awesome! I learned so much from reading it and it was entertaining bathtub reading to boot.

Delightful!.......2007-07-23

While not exactly a 'how-to', this funny and light-hearted advice is well-taken. I've just found Stephanie's blog and the more I read of her, the more I want to knit!

Average customer rating:

read it before you buy it
Great For All Girls
The most AWESOME GIRL POWER fairy tale ever!!!
Corny, but cute
Princess Power!

The Paper Bag Princess (Classic Munsch)
Robert N. Munsch
Manufacturer: Annick Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Action & Adventure | Literature | Children's Books | Subjects | Books

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ASIN: 0920236162

Amazon.com

Elizabeth, a beautiful princess, lives in a castle and wears fancy clothes. Just when she is about to marry Prince Ronald, a dragon smashes her castle, burns her clothes with his fiery breath, and prince-naps her dear Ronald. Undaunted and presumably unclad, she dons a large paper bag and sets off to find the dragon and her cherished prince. Once she's tracked down the rascally reptile, she flatters him into performing all sorts of dragonly stunts that eventually exhaust him, allowing her to rescue Prince Ronald. But what does Prince Not-So-Charming say when he sees her? "You smell like ashes, your hair is all tangled and you are wearing a dirty old paper bag. Come back when you are dressed like a real princess." (At least he has the courtesy not to mention that the princess's crown resembles a dying sea anemone.) In any case, let's just say that Princess Elizabeth and Prince Ronald do not, under any circumstances, live happily ever after. Canadian author Robert Munsch celebrates feisty females everywhere with this popular favorite, and Michael Martchenko's scratchy, comical, pen-and-ink drawings capture the tongue-in-cheek quality of this read-aloud crowd pleaser. (Ages 4 to 8) --Karin Snelson

Book Description

The Princess Elizabeth is slated to marry Prince Ronald when a dragon attacks the castle and kidnaps Ronald. In resourceful and humorous fashion, Elizabeth finds the dragon, outsmarts him, and rescues Ronald --- who is less than pleased at her un-princess-like appearance. Full color throughout.

Customer Reviews:

read it before you buy it.......2007-09-12

All the hype made it sound like a book filled the sort of things you would want your girls to take to heart- except that the story line is weak and the writing lacking...not worthy of our time....

Great For All Girls.......2007-05-26

Get this book for all little girls (and not so little girls). Our little princesses should not dream about marrying princes. This book is about a princess who saves the prince, only to realize that he's not good enough for her.

The most AWESOME GIRL POWER fairy tale ever!!!.......2007-05-19

I was introduced to this story by my daughter's kindergarten teacher many years ago, and it made me laugh!
Since then, I've read and recommended this story to countless Girl Scout leaders and parents...it's the ultimate "Have confidence in yourself" fairy tale, and every 5 year old girl should memorize it!!! No more damsels in distress waiting to be rescued!
Buy this book and pass it on to future generation!

Corny, but cute.......2007-05-14

My kids thought this book was rather silly, but they liked it, so...

Princess Power!.......2007-05-06

For all of you parents, guardians, and supportive "others" in a little girl's life, PLEASE beg, borrow, or buy this book for her! Every princess needs to know that they can be strong, and it's OK to say No.

1,000 Bags, Tags, & Labels: Distinctive Designs for Every Industry

Average customer rating:

smooth transaction, exact product, nice&easy supplier
Ehhh. A little disappointing...
Must have for inspiration!!
Es bueno, pero pudo ser mucho mejor!
1000 Bags, Tags & Labels Review

1,000 Bags, Tags, & Labels: Distinctive Designs for Every Industry
Kiki Eldridge
Manufacturer: Rockport Publishers
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Design & Decorative Arts | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books

General | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books
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ASIN: 1592531830

Book Description

When attempting to create a bag, tag, or label design that is strong in every respect, you are contending with some of the world's best designers. To compete in this league, you have to know your competition.

Finally, here is a book in which you can find 1,000 examples of brilliant bags, tags, and labels. Fresh ideas from a variety of industries are offered in a format that is as easy to read as any catalog. This book gives you the information you need to know in a quick-hit format, allowing the visuals to speak for themselves. Jam-packed with exciting samples from around the world, this consummate style resource provides you with an abundance of inspired ideas that will help your clients get noticed-and remembered.

Customer Reviews:

smooth transaction, exact product, nice&easy supplier.......2007-05-14

exact product at an affordable price w a smooth transaction

Ehhh. A little disappointing..........2007-02-22

I would totally agree with the above review, Eldridge picks many of the same brands to showcase and perhaps my aesthetic tastes are very specific or my standards are high, but not all of them deserve to be in a book that is supposedly showcasing "good" design. Maybe it's supposed to be displaying a wide range of design taste, but I expected some sort of standard to be selected - for example, there was a plain Ann Taylor carrier bag that they stuck in there (the plain off-white ones - not even the pretty grey ones with the satin handles and pink interiors!), which reinforced my opinions that the book contains more filler and fluff than clever design worthy to be praised.

If you're considering buying this, I suggest you first go to a bookstore and flip through it for yourself.

Must have for inspiration!!.......2006-11-10

I am in love with these rockport books! The 1000 series is an awesome source for inspiration. You can randomly flip through them and something will catch your eye and it starts your creative juices flowing. I would definitely say that these books should be in any design student's library. The 1000 Graphic Elements is the other one that I could not live without!

Es bueno, pero pudo ser mucho mejor!.......2006-07-06

Creo que es un libro interesante, pero sería conveniente que cada una de las piezas producidas que se muestran en el documento llevasen una ficha técnica de diseño y producción mucho más detallada, así como en algunos casos que cuente con el diagrama de construcción de la misma, el sitio de internet, un correo electrónico.

Es interesante pero es como sentarse frete una deliciosa cena, percibir su exquisito aroma e irse!. Me quedé con las ganas de meterle realmente el diente! Ojalá sea en una próxima edición...

1000 Bags, Tags & Labels Review.......2006-04-03

This book has a LOT of great ideas and inspirations. I will say that I wish there was more variety amoung contributors. There tends to be a lot of the same designers contributing work. There is also a handful of work that I would not consider to be worthy of "book status".

Overall I do like the book. Another great book by Rockport "1000 Graphic Elements"...

Dungeons & Dragons Dice with Cloth Dice Bag (Dungeons & Dragons Accessory)

Average customer rating:

Useful
Old School Dice
Nice Dice
Too expensive
dungeons and dragons dice highly recommended

Dungeons & Dragons Dice with Cloth Dice Bag (Dungeons & Dragons Accessory)
Wizards of the Coast
Manufacturer: Wizards of the Coast
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Misc. Supplies

General | Puzzles & Games | Entertainment | Subjects | Books

Gaming | Science Fiction & Fantasy | 4-for-3 Books Store | Stores | Books

All 4-for-3 Deals | 4-for-3 Books Store | Stores | Books
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ASIN: 0786935138
Release Date: 2004-09-23

Book Description

Your Fate Is in Your Hands

Pick up your dice, grab your Player’s Handbook, and embark on daring adventures. This accessory for the D&D game will help you decide your fate as you battle fearsome monsters, explore ancient ruins, and discover magnificent treasure.

Contains a complete set of dice for use in the Dungeons & Dragons game:

One 4-sided die
Four 6-sided dice
One 8-sided die
One 10-sided die
One percentile die
One 12-sided die
One 20-sided die

Also includes a cloth dice bag with an embroidered D&D logo.

Customer Reviews:

Useful.......2007-06-27

This was a very useful accessory for the mini Dungeons and Dragons game. Great for first time players!

Old School Dice.......2007-06-25

This is perfect for old-school gamers who insist on dice being of a certain sort and like the traditional pouch arrangement along with the distinctive colors. This item was well worth the time to find.

Nice Dice.......2007-03-09

The dice are nice and a good start for the game. You get everything you need to start playing D&D. The bag is a little small and does not leave room for too much expansion. A True D&D player likes lots of dice and different kinds. You can probably find less expensive dice in a hobby store. You are bascially paying for the bag with the D&D logo.

Too expensive.......2007-03-06

For what you get this item is too expensive. You can get the same number of dice plus an additional percentile dice for $2-3 less in most places. This is not worth the price with all the options for getting your dice from another source.

dungeons and dragons dice highly recommended.......2007-01-28

Excellent! This product was exactly as described and pictured. It made a wonderful gift. My order arrived timely and in good condition. Price was reasonable.

Hip Handbags: Creating & Embellishing 40 Great-Looking Bags

Average customer rating:

Great ideas, poor instructions
Well worth buying!
disappointed
Should have passed on this one
Inspirational, Even For A Beginner

Hip Handbags: Creating & Embellishing 40 Great-Looking Bags
Valerie Van Arsdale Shrader
Manufacturer: Lark Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

Fashion | Crafts & Hobbies | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books

General | Crafts & Hobbies | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books

Sewing | Crafts & Hobbies | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books
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Accessories:

ASIN: 157990601X

Book Description

All the techniques for making a uniquely personal purse are right here. Forty projects offer a wide variety of fabulous choices, featuring great fabrics and design options, including novelty threads, raffia ribbon, straps made of jeweled necklaces and bracelets, beautiful yet easy embroidery, and more. Crafters who really want to start from scratch will find 25 simple sewing projects, all originating from seven basic patterns, ranging from a flat folding purse to an oval pocketbook made from iridescent ruched silk. Another 15 designs use plain store-bought bags as a canvas for creative embellishments, such as transforming a simple black clutch with elegant silk flowers, or turn a basic leather purse into something special with whimsical appliqué. An attractive gallery provides additional inspiration. A Main Selection of the Crafters Choice Book Club.

Customer Reviews:

Great ideas, poor instructions.......2007-09-26

The purses in this book are all variations on a set of basic patterns. The color pictures are great and show a lot of great ideas. The text is written in an entertaining and humorous style that is fun to read. Where this book starts to fall apart is when you go to actually make one of these purses. Vague instructions and errors abound. One one page, the instructions list the size of one pattern piece as different than what the pattern piece is drawn for. The author glosses over how to insert anything but a fabric handle. There are no instructions on how to put in a magnetic clasp or bag feet. And the measly section on how to put in a zippered pocket was so vague that I had to rip out the pocket three times. I finally went to another source to get clear instructions. The book also doesn't give guidance on when to add the extras. Should trim go on before sewing the lining together? Handsewn on afterwards? If the author knows, she's not tellling.

Well worth buying!.......2007-07-29

I first got this book out of my local library and was very impressed with the majority of the patterns (not all but then that's to be expected!), good instructions and the range of alterations to the basic patterns they explored in more detail. Impressed to the extent that I had to buy it. I'm in the middle of making one of the bags and the instructions have been good and to the point. The only downside is that the patterns aren't as exact as I would like and there's a bit of figuring out to do before you can cut into your fabric.

disappointed.......2007-05-31

I start sewing a year ago and I started with bags. So this book really appeal to me. Let me say that I was really disappointed when it arrives from amazon. Actually I didn't even bother to keep it and return it a couple of days later. They're better books on the subject (Make Your Own Handbags)

There's seven different patterns in this book and a few variations on each pattern and embellished bags. For my taste, the bags didn't look great and some of the were overdone (too embellished)
You can have a look at some of them if you google the book on google books.

Should have passed on this one.......2007-05-29

Purchasing this book was a mistake. Nothing in it that I would ever try to make. It goes in the donation bag for sure.

Inspirational, Even For A Beginner.......2007-03-21

I can sew a straight seam on a sewing machine (and that's it !) but this book inspired me to get out there and start making handbags. The patterns and instructions are extremely clear and easy to follow and I particularly like the way the 7 basic shapes are presented at the start as basic calico forms which Valerie then gives variations for.

The other thing I really like as a beginner is Valerie's confidential, fun tone. Its like having a hip girlfriend showing you how to do it - she makes even scary stuff (zips ! linings !) seem straightfoward. This is one of the very very few craft books where I actually read it straight through, including the "boring" technical stuff at the start, because Valerie's tone is so engaging. Good thing too ! Its the boring technical stuff that makes the handbags work, but because its so fun to read you almost don't realise that she's just shown you how to make a lined pocket, or attach a clasp.

I originally picked up this book at the Library because I wanted a pretty nappy bag that didn't cost $180. My prototype was leapt on by my Mum, my sister, and various girlfriends with shrieks of delight and then gasps of amazement that I had made it myself. As I write this, I have two up for sale in a girlfriend's shop, two ordered by my Mum, one by my sister, and one for my God-sister who's just had a baby. I have given one to my sister-in-law and another to a friend for her baby shower. I have even gone and got myself some sew-in labels for my "brand" !! Crazy !!! Who would have thought that one book would spark something like this ?

And its FUN. I have a really short attention span and I keep telling myself "I'll stop when it stops being enjoyable" but I still find myself on the loungeroom floor at 10 at night cutting patterns and matching stripes with a big silly smile on my face. I'm off to a fabric sale to buy cheap chinese brocades to make some of the very "in" wristlets - its such a fabulous excuse to paw over pretty fabrics and trims - and cheap - 'cos you only need a meter and a half to make even the biggest bags.

I would very strongly recommend this book, even for someone who feels unsure of their sewing skills. Several of the pattern can be hand-sewn if you don't have a machine, and there is also an excellent section on how to add trims and embellishment to bought bags. The gallery at the back is fabulous with some really exotic and radical handbags that make my mouth water, and make me determined to get better at this craft - I suspect it will bring me a great deal of joy for a long time to come, and I hope that you'll buy this book (or borrow it from a Library :) and get the same inspiration and enjoyment that I have.

Bitter is the New Black : Confessions of a Condescending, Egomaniacal, Self-Centered Smartass,Or, Why You Should Never Carry A Prada Bag to the Unemployment Office

Average customer rating:

Bitter Is Totally My Style
Bitter I Bought It!
Someone owes David Sedaris an apology
FUNNIEST. BOOK. EVER.
Genius!

Bitter is the New Black : Confessions of a Condescending, Egomaniacal, Self-Centered Smartass,Or, Why You Should Never Carry A Prada Bag to the Unemployment Office
Jen Lancaster
Manufacturer: NAL Trade
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Biographies & Memoirs | Subjects | Books

Women | Specific Groups | Biographies & Memoirs | Subjects | Books

Memoirs | Biographies & Memoirs | Subjects | Books
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ASIN: 0451217608

Book Description

Jen Lancaster was living the sweet life-until real life kicked her to the curb.

She had the perfect man, the perfect job-hell, she had the perfect life-and there was no reason to think it wouldn't last. Or maybe there was, but Jen Lancaster was too busy being manicured, pedicured, highlighted, and generally adored to notice.

This is the smart-mouthed, soul-searching story of a woman trying to figure out what happens next when she's gone from six figures to unemployment checks and she stops to reconsider some of the less-than-rosy attitudes and values she thought she'd never have to answer for when times were good.

Filled with caustic wit and unusual insight, it's a rollicking read as speedy and unpredictable as the trajectory of a burst balloon.

Customer Reviews:

Bitter Is Totally My Style.......2007-09-17

I enjoyed Lancaster's writing style, as I am a fan of snarkiness, bitchiness, and cynicism. However, about three quarters of the way through the book, it started to drag and all of the whining and complaining and bitching did begin to get to me. I started skimming a bit, eager to get to the end of this tale that probably could have done without 50 or so pages.

There were times while reading the book that her spoiled, rich girl/sorority girl, utter obliviousness with regards to manners, money, or tact attitude grated on me. However, her ability to make fun of herself for who she was and to reassure us of how far she has come and what a humbling experience she had kept me from disliking her. I actually would love to have martinis with her and make fun of people.

On the whole, I found Lancaster to be refreshing, fun, and easy to read and relate to.

Bitter I Bought It!.......2007-09-12

I made the big mistake of bringing ONLY this book on a Transatlantic flight. It turned out to be more annoying than the screaming baby sitting next to me! It read like a bad blog from a very unfunny, fat ex-high-school Thespian. I dragged myself through the first half, and then threw this waste of paper away. I instantly felt guilty, as the airplane lavatory was too fine a receptacle to be expected to hold this trash! Want funny? Read David Sedaris, Bill Bryson or even Nabokov. Skip this pabulum.*

*By the way, Jen, I also HATED the humor-free footnotes!

Someone owes David Sedaris an apology.......2007-08-17

Part of the reason I picked up this book was a quippy little review that said: "Jen Lancaster is like David Sedaris with pearls and a supercute handbag." Usually I try to avoid purchasing decisions based on marketing ploys that follow the line of 'if you like X, you'll love Z', but I AM a Sedaris lover, and I WAS in the mood for a laugh-out-loud funny read, and to that end Mr. Sedaris has never disappointed. But someone owes Mr. Sedaris an apology. The comparison is so far off-base, I think I would have rather spent the afternoon reading 200+ pages of Mr. Sedaris' thoughts ABOUT pearls and handbags, rather than Bitter is the New Black. Most of the major flaws of the book and the writing style have already been covered by other reviewers. Yes, Jen Lancaster is not nearly as amusing, witty, or clever as she thinks she is. Much of what we're supposed to consider humorous seems simply to be re-worked jokes and tired stereotypes we've all seen and heard before. Has this narrator really changed by the end of the book? Where are the moments of introspection, of realization that make us understand she's changed? The moments of true regret that finally win us over to her side, make us actually like and root for her, make us forget how jaw-grindingly irritating she is in the beginning? She never seems to dig deep enough, never goes beyond the obvious, never reveals enough of herself, or shares her true vulnerability with the reader to redeem herself, and thus, we don't really care all that much about her and instead tend to simply agree with the blurb on the book's cover: The [...] had it coming. Indeed.

She begins, for a few scant pages at the very end, to share the true source of her misguided materialism and and to show us the insecure girl from Indiana, but as soon as she touches on something real or tender, the book is over. We can all see through the bombastic personality and hipper-than-thou superiority from the beginning and recognize it right away for what it is: deep seeded insecurity and fear. The only problem is that Jen never QUITE admits it out loud, to us, her reader, and we're left wondering if everyone knows it but her.

What simultaneously disappoints and infuriates me is the sheer lack of polish and skill on these pages. Relying on cutesy 'footnotes', reprints of emails and weblog submissions seems to indicate a laziness on the part of the author, or more likely, a lack of confidence and undeveloped skill. She ardently professes her desire to "be a writer" and yet throughout the book I find myself thinking: then work on your craft! Where is the editor? Who let her publish this material in this form? This is the fifth sentence in this chapter that isn't even gramatically correct.' Some make the arguement that because it's "memoir" and not "fiction" the author is allowed free reign to write how she pleases. There are plenty of well-crafted memoirs that showcase beautiful prose, accomplished storytelling,and impeccable form, and are stitched together with threads so fine you never see the writer's handiwork at all.

Instead, this is another case of a would-be writer throwing together some thoughts, cocktail party chatter, mildly interesting anecdotes, a couple of blog posts, and assembling it under the guise of a book. You can practially see Ms.Lancaster furiously pecking away at her laptop in a rush to get her manuscript to her publisher, all the while wondering "who will play me in the movie?"

And to the protesters who argue, "But this is Chic-lit. It's supposed to be light, fluffy, and mindless," I agree, there's nothing like an enjoyable piece of fluff. And the best kind of fluff is good, strong story-telling at its finest. I'm so tired of picking up books lately, expecting a good read only to get 250 pages of bad, unskilled writing by "writers" who don't even seem to respect their reader enough to work hard at perfecting their craft. Blurting out your inner-thoughts and throwing them down on the page does not make you interesting, witty, deep, and least of all, it doesn't make you a writer. Please, you seem like you might actually have something to say. Work hard at improving your storytelling, because after another book or two, this one-note song will be over.

FUNNIEST. BOOK. EVER........2007-08-14

This was a book chosen for one of my book clubs. I loved it SO much I recommended it to my OTHER book club! I laughed so much I wet my pants! Tragic, but FUNNY!

Genius!.......2007-08-13

Very few books make me laugh uncontrollably, but this spectacular trip into narcissism made the list. The best part (aside from the side-splitting, completely unforgiving, honest humor) is that Jen is a terrific writer who respects grammar while casually departing from convention (footnotes? brilliant.) on a regular basis. This is a quick, easy read for the very busy who need to unwind and laugh...a lot.

Average customer rating:

Fantastic Felted Fantasy!
DO NOT BUY THIS BOOK - NOT WORTH THE PRICE
Great!
Twelve Bags Fulled
Lovely bags, well written patterns

Twelve Bags Fulled
Terry L. Ross
Manufacturer: Terry Ross Designs
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
Similar Items:

ASIN: 0979189403
Release Date: 2007-01-31

Product Description

A collection of knitted and felted handbag patterns inspired by each month of the year.

Customer Reviews:

Fantastic Felted Fantasy!.......2007-05-19

What wonderful pieces to knit & felt! So different & diverse from what you see out there today! The pictures in this book are so well done & you're really able to see what the product will look like when it's completed. That helps you as the person creating the piece and as motivation to do more with felting. I also truly appreciate the concise and easy to understand nature with which this book was written. I never felt the author wasn't trying to help me understand the terms and process, whether I was a beginner to felting or not. All in all, I saw this book as good for beginner or expert alike because of the wonderful pictures and the way each pattern was so expertly explained.

DO NOT BUY THIS BOOK - NOT WORTH THE PRICE.......2007-04-30

I am so disappointed in this book - I can't believe I wasted my hard earned money. There are only two patterns that I would even think about making - the others STINK!!! The pages are made from cheap feeling paper and the photography is something that a 5 yeard old could do. This book is not worth 24.95 - plus tax and shipping!!!! I counted the pages - there are only 31 with pattern info and the rest are "fillers". In my opinion - not worth the money. I am going to find out how to send it back to Amazon!!

Great!.......2007-04-12

I found Terry's book very informative and exciting. I am a novice knitter and felter, and I did not feel intimdated. Way to go, Terry!!

Twelve Bags Fulled.......2007-04-10

Extremely disappointing and not worth the price. I was so angry when I saw it and I showed it to fellow knitters who all told me to return the book to Amazon. The patterns except for the cover are very ordinary and the book has so few pages that I could not believe how I was taken in. Word of advice, don't buy this "book"!

Lovely bags, well written patterns.......2007-03-23

This book is beautiful and offers some inspiring embellishments for handbags. While the bags are relatively simple, the decorations are gorgeous! This book has great ideas and I know I will make a few of them. I would have liked some more unusual shapes and examples.

Bag the Elephant!: How to Win and Keep Big Customers

Average customer rating:

If you want to go hunting for big business revenue, this is the why and how guide to success.
Bag the Elephant!: How to Win and Keep Big Customers
BAG THE ELEPHANT is packed with tips and motivational advice.
Great Strategies for Thinking (and handling) Big Customers
Not For Everyone In Sales!!!!!

Bag the Elephant!: How to Win and Keep Big Customers
Steve Kaplan
Manufacturer: Bard Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

General | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books

Customer Service | Industries & Professions | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books

Systems & Planning | Management & Leadership | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books

ASIN: 1885167628

Book Description

Bag the Elephant! is more than a strategy book; it's packed with proven guidelines, tools, and techniques. Throughout the book you'll find stories, derived from the author's real-world experience, that show you how to put the strategy to work.

Customer Reviews:

If you want to go hunting for big business revenue, this is the why and how guide to success........2007-08-06

It is obvious that Steve Kaplan really understands the processes and organizational support needed to not only land business with big accounts, but also to grow the account, sustain your business with them, and not have the big company become a liability to your other business. He shares all his information very clearly and simply, but never simplistically. There are even lots of cute pictures of him with a real life elephant to illustrate his points. Yes, they are a tad cutesy. However, they are easily forgivable because of the valuable of the serious information provided.

Sure, he provides a program for landing that important first sale, but he also stresses the importance of matching the right kind of salesperson to that account. He also shows you how to get additional business with other customers within a huge account. And he stresses aspects of working with their internal bureaucracy that less experienced businesses will not know.

For me, the material on how to design your business to properly support a big account is key to your success and a likely area where many businesses slip up in the excitement of landing that first big contract. I also think his discussion of the very real dangers of letting a big account dominate your revenues is spot on.

A very good book on sales for those looking to up their revenues by selling to big companies.

Bag the Elephant!: How to Win and Keep Big Customers.......2007-07-15

Bag the Elephant: How to Win & Keep Big Customers states that all businesses have three potential futures: the snail trail, the arc of the shooting star, and the bag the elephant track. Most businesses follow the snail trail. They put in long hours servicing a large number of small clients always trying to keep one step ahead of bankruptcy.

Some talented entrepreneurs become shooting stars. These individuals find a unique niche that propels their business into instant success. However, since these businesses don't have the foundation to support such growth, they soon find themselves in a game of catch up. Like shooting stars, these businesses usually die a quick death.

A few businesses follow the Bag the Elephant track. These businesses land and keep the big customers whose large orders will carry the business. This strategy not only increases the business short term growth but also assures long term security. Bag the Elephant: How to Win & Keep Big Customers focuses on this final strategy giving step by step instructions, helpful tips, and straightforward ideas on how to not only attract the big customers but how to build a strong foundation to support and keep these big customers.

BAG THE ELEPHANT is packed with tips and motivational advice........2007-01-07

If you want to land a big account with an impressive sales and marketing strategy which gets that one big customer which can increase profits dramatically, the tips in BAG THE ELEPHANT: HOW TO WIN & KEEP BIG CUSTOMERS is for you. Steve Kaplan is founder of The Different Maker, which provides business tools to help companies small to large. From charging fees and assessing service offerings and competition to profiling sales personnel and approaching a customer relationship like a partnership to ensure big benefits to both sides, BAG THE ELEPHANT is packed with tips and motivational advice.

Diane C. Donovan
California Bookwatch

Great Strategies for Thinking (and handling) Big Customers.......2006-02-25

At just over 200 pages, Bag the Elephant took me a considerable amount of time to actually finish. While the principles are presented quite simply, it's jam packed with tips and strategies that take some time to digest.

The elephant in questions is the large corporate client. The one that brings in the big money. Bag the Elephant walks you through the process of first understanding the elephant, to "Romancing" them and then on to leveraging them for even more gain for you. While focusing primarily on the Big accounts, the principles here can easily be applied to small and medium size accounts, if that is where your target audience is.

Kaplan also dives into common mistakes many people make with their clients and teaches you how to avoid them. I found the fifth mistake most enlightening. Many feel that if they just had that one elephant, then they would be rolling in the dough. But what many forget is that with big elephants come big expenses, and often times, if cards have been misplayed, you'll find profits decreasing rather than increasing after bagging your elephant.

This book is a must read for anybody hoping to hit it big by snagging an elephant of their own. And if you're just a small guy, maybe it's time you start thinking bigger.

Not For Everyone In Sales!!!!!.......2005-10-10

If you sell services to individuals, and do not sell directly to large corporations - this book is not for you!!!!

This book was misrepresented as being for everyone - regardless of the target to which/whom you sell. I soon realized that was little - if anything - in the book that was applicable to the sales of services to individuals. This book caters more to those in need of cutting through the beaurocracy that affects sales to major corporations.

Be careful!

Yankee Magazine's Pantyhose, Hot Peppers, Tea Bags, and More-for the Garden: 1,001 Ingenious Ways to Use Common Household Items to Control Weeds, Beat ... and Save Time (Yankee Magazine Guidebook)

Average customer rating:

Great reading, and garden tips
interesting
Do you want to make your yard a junkyard?
Fun book
Hoot!

Yankee Magazine's Pantyhose, Hot Peppers, Tea Bags, and More-for the Garden: 1,001 Ingenious Ways to Use Common Household Items to Control Weeds, Beat ... and Save Time (Yankee Magazine Guidebook)
Editors of Yankee Magazine
Manufacturer: Rodale Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Gardening & Horticulture | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books

Reference | Gardening & Horticulture | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books

All Deals | Blowout Books | Stores | Books

Home & Garden | Blowout Books | Stores | Books
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ASIN: 0899093957
Release Date: 2006-05-16

Book Description

Why make a special trip to the garden center when the solution to those thorny gardening problems might be lurking right at home? Always on the lookout for inventive new ways to save money, time, and trouble while pursuing their horticultural activities, gardeners will eagerly embrace this clever idea-filled treasury from the editors of Yankee magazine. The great ideas that readers will find include: eliminating powdery mildew with a spray made out of baking soda, water, and liquid soap turning an old wicker basket into a flower planter mixing packing peanuts with soil to help drainage and minimize weight so the containers can be moved easily With more than a thousand suggestions for growing better flowers, winning the weed war, controlling insects, and much more, this is sure to become a well-worn favorite for the avid, thrifty gardener.

Customer Reviews:

Great reading, and garden tips.......2007-09-17

Lots of great garden tips, easy to use products. I learned so much from this book, it is a true keeper for any home.

interesting.......2007-09-17

well, yes if you do Everything in this book your yard will look terrible, but on the other hand who is really going to do ALL of it? some of the ideas were useful, but the best part of the book wasnt something the author wrote about, it was that this book got me thinking in my own way how to reuse stuff i have on hand. So for that reason, that it may stimulate YOUR creative juices, i gave it a four instead of three.

Do you want to make your yard a junkyard?.......2007-05-16

At least the book is amusing with advice like; if your vacuum cleaner quits working, decorate it to be a scarecrow for your garden. Because you can roll it around, it will be more effective than a stationary scarecrow. I did plant an upside-down tomato as a result of reading the book, but not in a kitty-litter box as illustrated. I thought the advice either ridiculous or obvious.

Fun book.......2007-04-04

A nice book with lots of little tips and tricks. My only complaints are that a. I don't wear pantyhose, so some of these aren't relevant hehe :) and b. some of the tips seem kind of repetitive. Other than that, I'm really pleased with my purchase.

Hoot!.......2006-07-28

This book is a real hoot! Many giggles in most chapters. Stuff that really makes sense and that I would never have thought of. Being a re-cycler from waaaay back, this book is great fun.

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