I tend to go through reading spurts. Like if Project Runway, Top Chef, or my dirty little addictions The Bachelor or 24 are on the tube, forget it...I just want my remote. Summertime TV is rubbish and repeats so I'm able to plow through stacks of books. That is, when I'm not playing Candy Land or Mystery Date.

I went through a period of reading historical fiction. Made me feel like I was actually learning something. One of my favorites is City of Dreams by Beverly Swerling. My dear friend Alyssa recommended it to me last summer and I couldn't put it down. This suspenseful saga tells the tale of a brother and sister in 1661 who come to Nieuw Amsterdam to make a fresh start. The story is filled with brothels, bizarre medicine, slave uprisings, murder and even a little incest. Swerling accurately describes the historical beginnings of NYC in a way that doesn't allow you to put the book down. I had to pretend that I had the stomach flu so I could stay in bed and finish this one.

Much to my husband's chagrin, I love to tote a bag full of hardcover cookbooks or fun party planning books to the beach. After everyone's sunscreen is applied and lunch is served, I'm very happy to send off the young'ens on an adventure with Daddy. "Take your time," I say, "I'll just stay here and watch our stuff."

Fete Accompli! The Ultimate Guide to Creative Entertaining by event planners Lara Shriftman and Elizabeth Harrison is very entertaining in and of itself. The book details every stage of throwing a party from the initial concept, party theme ideas, party venue suggestions, flower ideas, how much tequila to buy, advice on menus, how to be a perfect host, sample music, even how to write the perfect thank you note. Each page gives "chic tips" that run from ridiculous (Give a live goldfish in a bag so the party lives on every time your guest sees the fish) UGH, to quite useful (Salt something as soon as you stain it to absorb the stain). They "case study" some really over the top parties they have thrown. My favorite is the Moroccan Roller Skating party. Very kitchy, please read with a grain of salt! This book is filled with very comical stuff. I especially love the sections with celebrity party advice. Who knew that Puff Daddy had party rules or the that Duchess of York prefers pink champagne?

Another great "beach read" is I Like You: Hospitality Under the Influence by Amy Sedaris. Sedaris hilariously shares her style of entertaing from food to d?cor and etiquette. She begins with the guest list and possible guest combnations to avoid, like director and out-of-work actor, psychiatrist and psychologist... and ends her book with Pantyhose Crafts and Good Ideas. After she photo chronicles the proper technique for putting on pantyhose (so funny) we are taught fun stuff to make with old pairs of panty hose. The funniest chapter is "Grieving." Sedaris says, "There is no bigger hospitality challenge." Have fun reading this quirky book and remember to have lots of toilet paper on hand when having a party!

Here's another tasty read. Julie and Julia: My Year of Cooking Dangerously by Julie Powell. It's basically a journal about a girl uninspired by her vapid day job who decides to take a year off and recoup her life by cooking. Every day is a new day or a new recipe from Julia Child's esteemed Mastering the Art of French Cooking. During this year long "project", Julie develops a serious relationship with Julia Child, although she never actually meets her. A loopy confessional filled with sarcasm, drama and lots of wit! --Cheers! HV