The Best Party Book

"A vintage version of 'Gossip Girl' meets bigger hair." —The Skimm "DiSclafani’s story sparkles like the jumbo diamonds her characters wear to one-up each other. Historical fiction lovers will linger over every lush detail." —People From the bestselling author of The Yonahlossee Riding Camp for Girls comes a story of lifelong female friendship – in all its intimate agony and joy – set within a world of wealth, beauty, and expectation. Joan Fortier is the epitome of Texas glamour and the center of the 1950s Houston social scene. Tall, blonde, beautiful, and strong, she dominates the room and the gossip columns. Every man wants her; every woman wants to be her. Devoted to Joan since childhood, Cece Buchanan is either her chaperone or her partner in crime, depending on whom you ask. But when Joan’s radical behavior escalates the summer they are twenty-five, Cece considers it her responsibility to bring her back to the fold, ultimately forcing one provocative choice to appear the only one there is. A thrilling glimpse into the sphere of the rich and beautiful at a memorable moment in history, The After Party unfurls a story of friendship as obsessive, euphoric, consuming, and complicated as any romance.

In late October 1846, the last wagon train of that year's westward migration stopped overnight before resuming its arduous climb over the Sierra Nevada Mountains, unaware that a fearsome storm was gathering force. After months of grueling travel, the 81 men, women and children would be trapped for a brutal winter with little food and only primitive shelter. The conclusion is known: by spring of the next year, the Donner Party was synonymous with the most harrowing extremes of human survival. But until now, the full story of what happened, what it tells us about human nature and about America's westward expansion, remained shrouded in myth. Drawing on fresh archaeological evidence, recent research on topics ranging from survival rates to snowfall totals, and heartbreaking letters and diaries made public by descendants a century-and-a-half after the tragedy, Ethan Rarick offers an intimate portrait of the Donner party and their unimaginable ordeal: a mother who must divide her family, a little girl who shines with courage, a devoted wife who refuses to abandon her husband, a man who risks his life merely to keep his word. But Rarick resists both the gruesomely sensationalist accounts of the Donner party as well as later attempts to turn the survivors into archetypal pioneer heroes. "The Donner Party," Rarick writes, "is a story of hard decisions that were neither heroic nor villainous. Often, the emigrants displayed a more realistic and typically human mixture of generosity and selfishness, an alloy born of necessity." A fast-paced, heart-wrenching, clear-eyed narrative history, A Desperate Hope casts new light on one of America's most horrific encounters between the dream of a better life and the harsh realities such dreams so often must confront.

Little Mouse is ready to party! But she's in for a big surprise when guests from all over the world arrive on her doorstep. Join the celebration in this fun-filled story, all about welcoming new friends.

INCLUDING BRAND NEW SHORT STORY ‘Compelling, addictive...brilliant’ B A Paris It was just a party. But it turned into a nightmare.

Fashion designer Lela Rose presents an inspiring manifesto for creative and stylish twenty-first-century entertaining. Known for her whimsical fashions, Lela Rose is also a popular and passionate hostess. From the spirited Couples’ Cook-off to a kid-friendly “Primp Your Ride” bike picnic, to an elegant Silver-and-White Christmas dinner, in this book she presents dozens of creative ideas to inspire readers looking for a fresh take on entertaining. Rose’s philosophy is simple: create your own occasions to create your own fun. The themes, colors, seasonality, and activities she concocts for each of her parties show you to how dazzle guests with simple yet unexpected touches. Modernize the traditional bridal shower with a refreshingly retro sewing circle. Turn a ladies’ tea on its head by having girlfriends over for an afternoon tequila tasting. Celebrate your favorite cause by hosting a festive outdoor supper, like the one featured on a Brooklyn rooftop garden. Featuring unique ideas for decoration, recipes for cocktails and key dishes, and tips for throwing everything together in an easy and enjoyable way, Prêt-a-Party will be embraced by a new generation of hosts and hostesses seeking spirited and unconventional good times.

In today's world of texting and social networking, the legendary art of partying has been left to amateurs, wannabes, and party crashers. The true Party Animal stands out from the crowd, dances like a fool, knows the best pranks, gets the girl, and can smooth talk his way out of any sticky situation. The Book of the Party Animal reveals the crucial elements of being a Party Animal, detailing some of history's most famous partiers, compiling a list of the best Party Animal drinks (complete with recipes), and explaining how to rule the dance floor with certified Party Animal moves. The perfect gift for all sorts of occasions, this entertaining guide is sure to improve parties everywhere—one Party Animal at a time.

In book 11 of the Tales of Sasha series, Verdant Valley prepares for an approaching snowstorm. Can Sasha help all the creatures find a safe haven? Sasha and her friends are preparing for the winter solstice celebration. But word arrives from the King and Queen that a snowstorm is on the way. Will it ruin the festivities?

An original story based on the popular Nickelodeon animated show The Loud House! Can Lincoln plan the best party ever? Lincoln realizes that today is his parents' wedding anniversary. He and his ten sisters have tried to celebrate it before-but it's always ended up such a mess that their parents have asked them to never celebrate it again! However, Lincoln is determined to make up for past mistakes by throwing the ultimate anniversary party for his parents this year, even though he only has twelve hours to put everything together. Can he and his sisters pull this off? Or are they doomed to fail more spectacularly than ever?