Donut Book or Party Basics for New Nesters

Donut Book: The Whole Story in Words, Pictures, and Outrageous Tales

Author: Sally Levitt Steinberg

The Atkins Diet? Phooey! The South Beach Diet? Feh! What Americans really want to eat is something deep-fried and sugar-packed . . . hence our undying love affair with the beloved donut.

And if anybody knows donuts, it's Sally Levitt Steinberg, America's Donut Princess. As a member of America's royal donut dynasty (her grandfather, Adolph Levitt, invented the donut-making machine), she knows more about this sweet indulgence than anyone else. The Donut Book is the product of Sally's great personal charm and life-long, in-depth donut scholarship.

She covers high points in donut history: the arrival of the first donuts in America with the Dutch settlers in the 17th century, and the donut in World War I, when it became the favorite nosh of the boys in the trenches. She celebrates donut-loving celebrities, from Admiral Byrd to Bill Clinton, as well as some of the most gifted donut bakers on the planet. She visits the campus of Dunkin' Donuts University and reveals the secret that makes Krispy Kreme donuts irresistible. And she identifies the most popular donut in America (glazed) and the runner-up (chocolate).

Then there are the recipes: 29 mouth-watering, soul-satisfying ways to achieve the ultimate sugar rush, from New Orleans beignets to Portuguese malasadas, from Boston crèmes to Alain Ducasse's upscale Donut. And for donut lovers who are willing to hit the road to find their favorite confection, the book comes with an illustrated Donut Lover's Guide to bakeries that serve up the lightest, fluffiest, best dressed, and tastiest donuts.

New interesting book: The Economics Organization and Management or The Making of Economic Policy

Party Basics for New Nesters: More than 100 Fresh Ideas for Holidays and Every Day

Author: Maria McBrid

You did it! You got married and hosted what was probably the most significant party of your life. Now it's time to begin that very important first year as a married couple. Taking your first steps as newlyweds should be an extension of the wonderful events that just took place, paving the way for all of the celebrations to come in your new life together. And there isn't a better guide through this first year than Maria McBride, who knows from experience that spending quality time with family and friends is the healthiest way to embrace and celebrate a new partnership.

With McBride's signature dose of style and elegance, this book guides newlyweds through their new world of couples entertaining, offering ideas for every occasion, including romantic parties for two, weekend feasts, family celebrations, and holidays. Organized by event, each chapter is beautifully designed and filled with photographs that capture the stylish decor, table settings, and menu options that make these ideas extraordinary. From a New Year's Eve midnight buffet filled with crystal vases and caviar shooters, to a Cinco de Mayo celebration highlighted with candlelit trees and salsa-tinis, Party Basics for New Nesters provides newlyweds with plenty of avenues to celebrate and offer a toast to family, friends, and each other.

Ann Weber - Library Journal

McBride, a wedding party planner, shares her ideas for 11 party themes, with suggestions on bar tools, candles, flowers, and glasses and a list of resources to acquire proposed materials. A full-page color photo is adjacent to nearly every page of text. The photos are beautifully staged by Rosa and, frankly, supply most of the book's appeal. There are one to four recipes included with each party theme. The balance of the "basics" has to do with décor; examples include using a galvanized bucket for an ice bucket and using emptied wine bottles as flower vases. Although all aspects of hosting a party are mentioned, the coverage is so minimal that a party novice would not get past procrastination. Any new nester using this book to plan a party would need to consult another source as well. There are plenty of A-to-Z party-planning books available, such as Linnea Johansson's Perfect Parties: Tips and Advice from a New York Party Planner. Not recommended.