The Perfect Host

The fifth of ten volumes that will reprint all Sturgeon's short fiction covers his prolific output volume contains 15 classics and two previously unpublished stories, including "Quietly." The Perfect Host provides enough of a representative sampling of Sturgeon's "greatest hits" to give the uninitiated a good sense of what all the fuss was about way back when. At the same time it offers a generous selection of alternate takes and rarities, notably several of Sturgeon's best forays into other forms of genre writing, plus previously unreleased cuts and liner notes.

A DARK ANCIENT ENEMY LIES WITHIN A GATEWAY BETWEEN EXISTENCES— WAITING TO BE INVITED INTO THE MATERIAL WORLD Since the beginning, mankind has asked whether we exist after death. Through the ages, we have developed our beliefs from religious sources and those who claim that they have been in contact with the dead. To date, we still have no real scientific evidence to suggest that there is an afterlife. Until recently, no genuine or serious scientific research has been undertaken. Damien Driscoll always had a profound interest in the afterlife—ever since an event that occurred during his childhood. After his mother’s funeral, the young boy was confronted by an apparition of his dead mother. Years later, Damien became a renowned anaesthetist based at St. Bartholomew’s Hospital in London. He eagerly agreed to become involved in a research project involving near-death-experience phenomena. He interviewed several patients who had NDEs and, with the help of the hospital, managed to gain a research grant. The ultimate plan was to raise the profile of the hospital. During his research, he discovered that two of his patients (during their near-death experiences) were confronted by the ghost of a troubled girl seeking help to right a wrong. This opened up a dangerous mystery involving events from the hospital’s grim past. This is the story of a man in pursuit of the truth, which will have serious implications for him and the whole of mankind.

A fun, informative guide to hosting the perfect party every time. "Every dinner party experience I’ve had in the last ten years at Corey’s has been incredible. But practice really does make perfect and I can now honestly say there is nowhere I’d rather be in the world than at his table ... I can’t begin to express the relief I felt in reading this book and realizing there was a method to his success." - Sarah Polley, from the introduction We’ve all been there: twenty minutes before guests arrive, and you’re unsure if you’ve got enough wine, or enough chairs, or whether your friend is a vegetarian or a vegan. Hosting a dinner party is hard, but Corey Mintz can help. For his popular Toronto Star column, "Fed," he has presided over 115 dinner parties, every week opening his home to strangers and friends alike in an effort to perfect the craft of hosting. And in How to Host a Dinner Party, he shares everything he’s learned in a hilarious handbook that will appeal to everyone — from those throwing their first dinner party to seasoned entertainers looking to enhance their skills. This book guides readers through everything they need to know about hosting, starting with the golden rule — that the goal of a dinner party is to have fun with our friends, not to show off our cooking skills. It will explain why we like to gather for dinner, when we should host, who we should invite, what we should cook, and how we should cook it. Featuring recipes, anecdotes, expert analysis, and an endless bounty of how-to tips, it is the essential guide to perfecting the art of welcoming people into your home.

The Art of the Visit is an invaluable resource for the socially minded. During tough economic periods people tend to visit with family and friends for a mini-vacation instead of taking more expensive trips. This practical and humorous guide establishes the ground rules for successfully spending time with those people who are most dear to us. Full of anecdotes from the author's experiences, The Art of the Visit illustrates the dos and don'ts of extended visiting from start to finish so that the reader can become the perfect host and/or the perfect guest.

I was fourteen then. I was sitting in the car waiting for Dad to come out of the hospital. . . She was hanging out of a window on the second floor of a near ell of the hospital. Her hair was dank and stringy, her eyes had mud in them, and her teeth were beautiful. She was naked, at least to the waist. She was saying "Mister!" and she was saying it to me. The Perfect Host is a dark and chilling story of madness and possession. Theodore Sturgeon was one of the most influential genre authors of his time and this surprising story will show you why.

This is an all-you-need-to-know guide to modern entertaining, packed with delicious recipes from well-known author, Felicity Cloake.

Alex Hitz, "the very best host in the world" says the Wall Street Journal, shares more than 100 timeless, tried-and-true recipes for classic comfort foods to serve with his inimitable style of gracious entertaining. Having played host to the A-list and beau monde from Atlanta to Park Avenue to Beverly Hills, Alex Hitz is a consummate entertainer and bon vivant--who can really cook. Elegance, comfort, and wit (and always a little decadence) suffuse every detail of every delightful and delicious occasion. Defying diets and trends, Alex treats guests like family with rich, Southern-inspired food and the generous traditions of Southern hospitality. Conceived as full menus, each occasion offers recipes and tips for ultimate success, from his always- perfect-every-time Thanksgiving table and epic Boxing Day buffet to a bright Easter brunch and an intimate Valentine's Day supper. In addition to twelve expertly curated menus, Hitz provides can't-fail recipes for his essential dishes, classic recipes every confident cook should have in their back pocket, from perfect vinaigrettes and homemade mayonnaise to Bel-Air Onion Puffs, Risotto alla Milanese, To-Die-For Ale-Braised Brisket, and Caroline's Tipsy Ambrosia. Ever the raconteur, Hitz delivers common-sense rules--including for the art of being a guest, and what always or never to do as a thoughtful host--providing readers with the skills and confidence to establish their own signature style.

Melanie Stryder refuses to fade away. The earth has been invaded by a species that takes over the minds of their human hosts while leaving their bodies intact, and most of humanity has succumbed. Wanderer, the invading 'soul' who has been given Melanie's body, knew about the challenges of living inside a human: the overwhelming emotions, the too-vivid memories. But there was one difficulty Wanderer didn't expect: the former tenant of her body refusing to relinquish possession of her mind. Melanie fills Wanderer's thoughts with visions of the man Melanie loves - Jared, a human who still lives in hiding. Unable to separate herself from her body's desires, Wanderer yearns for a man she's never met. As outside forces make Wanderer and Melanie unwilling allies, they set off to search for the man they both love.