Thursday, December 20, 2012

Great gift ideas for Music Lovers!!



An illuminating portrait of one of Canada's most brilliant and defiant musical icons.

From the moment Joni Mitchell's career began -- with coffee-house bookings, serendipitous encounters with established stars, and a recording contract that gave her full creative control over her music -- the woman from the Canadian wheat fields has eluded industry cliches. When her peers were focused on feminism, Mitchell was plumbing the depths of her own human condition. When arena rock was king, she turned to jazz. When all others hailed Bob Dylan as a musical messiah, Mitchell saw a fraud burdened with halitosis. Unafraid to "write in her own blood," regardless of the cost, Mitchell has been vilified as a diva and embraced as a genius, but rarely has she been recognized as an artist and a thinker.

This new portrait of the reclusive icon examines how significant life events -- failed relationships, the surrender of her infant daughter, debilitating sickness -- have influenced her creative expression. Katherine Monk captures the rich legacy of her multifaceted subject in this offbeat account, weaving in personal reflections and astute cultural observations, and revealing the Mitchell who remains misunderstood.
Wondering if science could explain how he survived his 40-year avalanche of drugs and alcohol, Ozzy Osbourne became one of a handful of people in the world to have his entire DNA mapped in 2010. It was a highly complex, $65,000 process, but the results were conclusive: Ozzy is a genetic anomaly. The "Full Ozzy Genome" contained variants that scientists had never before encountered and the findings were presented at the prestigious TEDMED Conference in San Diego-making headlines around the world. The procedure was in part sponsored by The Sunday Times of London, which had already caused an international fururoe by appointing Ozzy Osbourne its star health advice columnist. The newpaper argued that Ozzy's mutliple near-death experiences, 40-year history of drug abuse, and extreme hypocondria qualified him more than any other for the job. The column was an overnight hit, being quickly picked up by Rolling Stone to give it a global audience of millions. In TRUST ME, I'M DR. OZZY, Ozzy answers reader's questions with his outrageous wit and surprising wisdom, digging deep into his past to tell the memoir-style survival stories never published before-and offer guidance that no sane human being should follow. Part humor, part memoir, and part bad advice, TRUST ME, I'M DR. OZZY will include some of the best material from his published columns, answers to celebrities' medical questions, charts, sidebars, and more.

From acclaimed musician and author Dave Bidini comes a brilliantly original look at a folk-rock legend and the momentous week in 1972 that culminated in the Mariposa Folk Festival.

July, 1972. As musicians across Canada prepare for the nation's biggest folk festival, held on Toronto Island, a series of events unfold that will transform the country politically, psychologically--and musically. As Bidini explores the remarkable week leading up to Mariposa, he also explores the life and times of one of the most enigmatic figures in Canadian music: Gordon Lightfoot, the reigning king of folk at the height of his career. Through a series of letters, Bidini addresses Lightfoot directly, questioning him, imagining his life, and weaving together a fascinating, highly original look at a musician at the top of his game. By the end of the week, the country is on the verge of massive change and the '72 Mariposa folk fest--complete with surprise appearances by Bob Dylan, Neil Young, Joni Mitchell, and yes, Lightfoot--is on its way to becoming legendary.

A miracle of still-plentiful hair, raw sex appeal, and strutting talent. The frontman of one of the most influential and controversial groups of all time. A brilliant musician with a career spanning over four decades. A testament at once to British glamour and sensual decline. The ultimate demigod of rock. 

Bestselling biographer Philip Norman offers an unparalleled account of the life of a living legend, Mick Jagger. From middle-class schoolboy to rebel without a cause to Sixties rock sensation and global idol, the myth of the inimitable frontman of the Rolling Stones is unravelled by Norman with astonishing intimacy. Jagger charts his extraordinary journey through scandal-ridden conspiracy, infamous prison spell, hordes of female admirers and a knighthood while stripping away the colossal fame, wealth and idolatry to reveal a story of talent and promise unfulfilled. Jagger is shown in all his paradoxical glory: understated yet ostentatious; the ultimate incarnation of modern man's favourite fantasy--"sex, drugs and rock 'n' roll"--yet blessed with taste and intelligence; a social chameleon who couldn't blend in if he tried; always moving with the Jagger swagger, yet modest enough to be self-deprecating. 

This revelatory tour de force is ample tribute to a flawed genius who reconfigured the musical landscape.

Long acknowledged as one of rock music?s most intelligent and literary performers, Pete Townshend?guitarist, songwriter, singer and founding member of The Who?at last tells his wild story in this candid and immersive autobiography. Raised in west London by an eccentric grandmother, while his parents were off living the early post-war, rock 'n' roll lifestyle, Townshend describes a frenetic childhood of displacement and abuse. Then, in high school, everything changed when he met Roger Daltrey and formed a band that would travel the world, earning fame, fortune and critical acclaim. In Who I Am, Townshend brings us from the inner sanctum of Eric Clapton?s drug-ridden hotel rooms to the feet of Jimi Hendrix and his electric kool-aid guitar; from the first trial performance of Townshend?s rock opera, Tommy, in a London bar to his infamous arrest (and acquittal) on child pornography charges. 

With his trademark eloquence, fierce intelligence and brutal honesty, Pete Townshend has created a work of literature that stands as a primary source for popular music?s greatest epoch. Readers will be confronted by a man laying bare who he is, an artist who has asked for nearly sixty years: who are you?

You won't see no sad and teary eyes 
When I get my wings, and it's my time to fly
Just call my friends and tell them
There's a party, come on by
So just roll me up and smoke me when I die


In Roll Me Up and Smoke Me When I Die, Willie Nelson muses about his greatest influences and the things that are most important to him, and celebrates the family, friends, and colleagues who have blessed his remarkable journey. Willie riffs on everything: music, wives, Texas, politics, horses, religion, marijuana, children, the environment, poker, hogs, Nashville, karma, and more. He shares the outlaw wisdom he has acquired over eight decades, along with favorite jokes and insights from friends and others close to him. Rare family pictures, beautiful artwork created by his son Micah Nelson, and lyrics to classic songs punctuate these charming and poignant memories. Willie Nelson has touched millions, and none more deeply than his family, friends, and bandmates, several of whom share, for the first time, intimate stories about the Red Headed Stranger. 

From teaching a granddaughter to play the guitar to touring with the Highwaymen, from picking cotton while growing up in Texas to being home with the tribe on Maui, Willie takes you on the tour bus and, through candid observations and vivid recollections, gives you a front-row seat to his remarkable world. But beware: "You know you shouldn't be reading this BS, it could ruin you for all time to come," he says. "You could end up a social outcast like me, an outlaw!"

At once a road journal written in his inimitable, homespun voice and a fitting tribute to America's greatest traveling bard, Roll Me Up and Smoke Me When I Die—introduced by Kinky Friedman, another favorite son of Texas—is a deeply personal look into the heart and soul of a unique man and one of the greatest artists of our time, a songwriter and performer whose legacy will endure for generations to come.

Newly updated, this fascinating biography features more than 50 exclusive interviews with stars who knew the iconic performer
Looking at the reality behind Queen's flamboyant front man and lead singer, this biography explores Mercury the person—amusing, loyal, and generous, yet with a dark side to his personality. It discusses his frequent use of cocaine and how it heightened his tendency toward excess, both on and off the stage. It also looks at the women in his life, covering his bizarrely enduring relationships with his first love, Mary Austin, and his long-time confidante, Barbara Valentin, who speaks here for the first time. It also offers new and intimate stories by those who knew him well, such as Malcolm McLaren, Tim Rice, Richard Branson, Cliff Richard, Bruce Dickinson, Mike Moran, Wayne Eagling, Zandra Rhodes, and Susannah York.




The story of the life and loves and work of Leonard Cohen, the poet, songwriter and singer.  this detailed biography draws on scores of new intervews conducted with Cohen's band members past and present, his business associates, editors, friends, fans, producers, colleagues, enemies and peers.  It features an authoritative summary of every Cohen album with insights and recollections supplied from the musicians who appeared on the recordings.  Also featured are many previously unpublished photographs.







Featuring exquisitely crafted, one-of-a-kind guitars from Fender's custom shop, this calendar is sure to please even the most discerning guitar and music aficionado. (Wall)












Get down with rock, R&B, jazz, blues, funk, and Latin rhythms!Groove to the beat in no time with this ultimate rockin' guide! Whether you're dreaming of starting a band, striking the snares, or simply playing a hand drum, this interactive book-and-CD package makes it easy to pick up the basics. Complete with new information on contemporary rock styles and beats as well as rhythms from around the world, this guide is all you need to become a talented, versatile drummer.Discover how to Bang out basic rhythms --with or without sticks. Understand fundamental drumming techniques. Explore other percussion instruments. Find the perfect drum set. Purchase, tune, and maintain your drums. All this on the CD-ROM MP3 files of each rhythm and beat that you can play along with Rhythms for hand drums -- from the bongos and congas to the surdo, tar, and udu Solos to amaze the other members in the band.


The long-awaited update to the bestselling Piano For Dummies-featuring a new audio CD. Have you always wanted to play piano? This revised edition of the popular Piano for Dummies makes it easier and more fun than ever. If you don't know how to read music, this book explains in friendly, uncomplicated language all the basics of music theory and applies it to playing the piano. And if you've been playing piano for a while – or took piano lessons when you were a child but haven't played since – you can pick up some valuable tips to improve your playing or use the book as a refresher course.This new edition features fresh and updated practice lessons, teaching techniques, and musical examples, as well as a new audio CD with examples for all pieces presented in the book. You get expert information on left- and right-hand piano techniques; playing scales, melodies, harmonies, and chords; and practicing to improve your technique.Everything you need to start playing piano today. Plenty of popular musical pieces and songs, with companion audio CD to play along with Instruction in playing various musical styles, from classical and rock to blues and country. Blake Neely is an Emmy-nominated composer and accomplished pianist who has composed numerous TV and movie scores. If you've always wanted to tickle the ivories like a pro, Piano For Dummies, 2nd Edition is your ideal resource!

Have you always wanted to learn to play guitar? Who wouldn't? Think of Jimi Hendrix wailing away on his Stratocaster. . . Chuck Berry duck-walking across the stage to "Johnny B. Goode". . .B.B. King making his "Lucille" cry the blues. No doubt about it—guitars are cool.

Guitar For Dummies gives you everything a beginning or intermediate guitarist needs: from buying a guitar to tuning it, playing it, and caring for it, this book has it all—and you don't even need to know how to read music. Full of photo-illustrated exercises and songs you can play to practice the techniques discussed in each section, this step-by-step guitar guide will take you through the basics and beyond before you can say "Eric Clapton."
  • Helps you choose the guitar and equipment that best fits your needs and budget
  • Shows you how to build strength and dexterity while playing
  • Teaches you to play in different styles, including rock, blues, folk, jazz, and classical
Fully revised and updated, with an all-new interactive DVD packed with video and audio clips that help you learn, tune, and play along, Guitar For Dummies is the perfect introductory guide for any novice acoustic or electric guitar player.



This outstanding collection features 35 selections perfect for all phases of a reception. Songs for dinner and light dancing, the couple's first dance, the father/daughter dance, and the mother/son dance are all represented here, plus some upbeat dance tunes! Songs include: Brown Eyed Girl * Daddy's Little Girl * Dancing Queen * Everything * Fields of Gold * Have I Told You Lately * I Gotta Feeling * I Loved Her First * In My Life * Just the Way You Are * Lucky * My Girl * Twist and Shout * The Way You Look Tonight * and many more. Preview sample pages and audio for each song at (a href="http://www.halleonard.com/listenonline")Hal Leonard Listen Online(/a). Choosing a playlist for your special day has never been easier!







The easiest way for families to learn to play guitar and sing together. Learn to play guitar and sing with your whole family. For parents and older children, this book and DVD combination features simple lessons that make it fun and easy to play songs on guitar right away. For preschoolers, toddlers and infants, the book contains a coloring section, and the DVD includes entertaining teaching segments with our playful puppet "Capo" who helps the instructor introduce musical concepts, then dances and sings along with the music. Preschoolers develop an understanding and appreciation of musical elements including rhythm, tempo and pattern while parents and caregivers play along and join the fun. As an added bonus, the DVD comes with a special code that allows you to visit a special website to download this video series to your iPod, so you can watch and learn wherever you want! Authored for Zone 0.

Wednesday, December 19, 2012

Merrie Christmas Drink Books

Including whiskies from over 20 different countries, a witty, focused, practical guide to some of the world's finest whiskies Avoiding the deliberately obscure, the ridiculously limited, and the absurdly expensive, whiskey expert Ian Buxton has scoured the shelves of the world's whiskey warehouses to recommend an eclectic selection of old favorites, stellar newcomers, and mystifyingly unknown drams that simply have to be drunk. This witty, focused, and practical guide is not an awards list or a list of the 101 "best" whiskies in the world in the opinion of some self-appointed whiskey guru. It's simply a guide to 101 whiskies from around the world that enthusiasts really must seek out and try-love them or hate them-to complete their whiskey education. What's more, it's both practical and realistic as it cuts through the clutter, decodes the marketing hype, and gets straight to the point; whether from India or America, Sweden or Ireland, Japan or the hills, glens, and islands of Scotland-here are the 101 whiskies that every whiskey enthusiast needs to try. Sláinte!

Beer lovers who want to start making their own brew have excellent chances for success if they start with this book! Back in 1980, nearly everybody in America was drinking similar beers. Only a few major brands dominated America's brewing industry, selling palatable but fairly bland beers. At that time, a mere eight craft breweries were doing business in the United States--but those small operations became the start of a trend. Today, the success of more than 1,700 American craft breweries has also inspired a burgeoning home brewing scene. How to Make Your Own Brewskis is both a detailed description of different types of beer and a fail-safe home brewer's recipe book. Offers recipes for the home brewer who wants to avoid those less-than-ideal malt extract kits and brew with wholesome grains All recipes have been field-tested and are easy to follow Describes all needed equipment and ingredients, and tells where to get them Presents recipes for the four basic styles of beer: Pilsner, California Common (the original American craft beer), Porter, and India Pale Ale Features more than 200 illustrations, including many demonstrating step-by-step directions Here is every beer connoisseur's first step toward the enjoyment of rich-tasting and distinctive brews he can be proud to claim as his own and serve to his friends.

The single malt wiskies of Scotland have inspired a passionate following around the world. With Malt Whisky you too can become a connoisseur of this most enigmatic of spirits.
Ian Wisniewski explains how three simple ingredients--water, barley, and yeast--are transformed into a drink of great range and complexity. He takes you on a journey around the finest Scottish distilleries, found in some of the most memorable countryside--from the emotive landscape of Speyside to the picturesque shores of Islay. There is practical advice on the array of malt whiskies available, proving there's a whisky for every palate, with flavours ranging from the elegantly fruity, to richer, rounder, smokier styles. To ensure that you get the most out of malt whisky Ian also provides tips on tasting and serving you favourite dram.
So take time out to savour one of the great pleasures of life, with Malt Whisky.

Roll the dice. Slam the quarter. Flip the cup. Did you win, miss, lose, or guess wrong? Sounds like it’s your turn to drink! Or maybe not, depending on the rules you learned to play by. If you’ve ever gotten into an argument with someone about rules for your favorite drinking game, or just wondered how that insane game at the table next to you is actually played, Fantastic Drinking Games is the book for you. With more than eighty different dice, card, quarter, and cup games, this is the ultimate book for party people!






Billy Munnelly’s annual wine handbook is an accessible and friendly guide that makes buying wine as easy as going grocery shopping. Munnelly gives advice on purchasing wine by the mood, pairs the wine with food and has written an extensive section of wine tours in Ontario. Have fun with wine without getting too serious or snobby!









Rod Phillips has spent another year tasting and rating the wines on the shelves of the Liquor Control Board of Ontario. Now in its fifth edition, The 500 Best-Value Wines in the LCBO is a proven bestseller. 
The book rates each wine on a five-star, value-for-money scale, provides a concise, no-nonsense description and suggests food pairings. And there is space to add your own notes after you've tried Rod's suggestion. 
No wine consumer in the LCBO will want to head to the store without this definitive guide. And the appeal of this guide goes beyond the LCBO—chances are you will find many of these wines in most wine stores in Canada. Take advantage of the good- to great-value wines available at reasonable prices, and try something new if you tend to buy the same wine time after time. 
With updated information and carefully researched reviews, this book is the most comprehensive LCBO wine guide there is. Bottoms up! 


Winner of the 2007 IACP Cookbook of the Year Award

Winner of the 2007 IACP Cookbook Award for Best Book on Wine, Beer or Spirits

Winner of the 2006 Georges Duboeuf Wine Book of the Year Award

Winner of the 2006 Gourmand World Cookbook Award - U.S. for Best Book on Matching Food and Wine
 

Prepared by a James Beard Award-winning author team, "What to Drink with What You Eat" provides the most comprehensive guide to matching food and drink ever compiled--complete with practical advice from the best wine stewards and chefs in America. 70 full-color photos.

The hippest, hottest, most happening bar guide for generation X-ers and anyone young at heart. Its colorful, MTV-type design makes this the perfect party bar guide—a great gift! From an Alabama Slammer to a Surfer on Acid, here are 50 fun and delicious mixed drinks, shots and shooters conveniently arranged in alphabetical order for easy access. 4-color photographs throughout. 96 pages.

Food Lover's Cook book ideas!!


Weight-conscious food lovers no longer need to deprive themselves of the ever-popular cuisine of Italy. Award-winning celebrity chef and #1New York Times bestselling author Rocco DiSpirito's latest Now Eat This! book is the solution . 

In his signature style, DiSpirito has recreated 100 classic Italian recipes to be healthy and low in calories and fat-yet still full of flavor. After travelling to Italy and perfecting the dishes side-by-side with the chefs who make them best-the Italian mamas-he offers sinful pastas, sauces, and desserts you never thought you could eat while keeping healthy, including: Spaghetti with My Mama's Meatballs, Mozzarella en Carozza, Chicken Parmigiana, Hand-Torn Pasta alla Bolognese, Sausage and Peppers, Classic Cannoli, Chocolate and Hazelnut Espresso Budino, and much more! 

NOW EAT THIS! ITALIAN proves that Italian food doesn't have to be calorie-packed to be delicious. All under 350 calories, these full-flavor, low-fat recipes are sure to indulge your appetite without packing on the pounds.



It’s the best of street food: bold, delicious, surprising, over-the-top goodness to eat on the run. And the best part is now you can make it at home. Obsessively researched by food authority John T. Edge, The Truck Food Cookbookdelivers 150 recipes from America’s best restaurants on wheels, from L.A. and New York to the truck food scenes in Portland, Austin, Minneapolis, and more.

John T. Edge shares the recipes, special tips, and techniques. And what a menu-board: Tamarind-Glazed Fried Chicken Drummettes. Kalbi Beef Sliders. Porchetta. The lily-gilding Grilled Cheese Cheeseburger. A whole chapter’s worth of tacos—Mexican, Korean, Chinese fusion. Plus sweets, from Sweet Potato Cupcakes to an easy-to-make Cheater Soft-Serve Ice Cream. Hundreds of full-color photographs capture the lively street food gestalt and its hip and funky aesthetic, making this both an insider’s cookbook and a document of the hottest trend in American food.



Sometimes all you want after a long day is a little bit of comfort. And what better place is there to sit back and enjoy some than at the dinner table? 

Nothing says comfort like a warm, homey, all-in-one-dish dinner. It's a delicious way to welcome people to the table without the fuss of preparing multiple, complicated recipes. And when your one-dish wonder comes fromCanadian Living, Canada's most trusted cooking authority, you know it's going to turn out perfectly.

The One-Dish Collection offers tasty options to satisfy your cravings. Inside, you'll find hearty meat-and-veggie soups and stews, filling dinner salads, simple skillet suppers (complete with fresh biscuits on top!), rich casseroles, flavour-packed pastas, creamy risottos and more. Add a sprinkle of helpful tips and advice from Canadian Living's cooking experts, and you have a recipe for dinnertime success.

- 6 recipe chapters, each focused on a single food category: soups, stews, hearty salads, casseroles, skillets and simmers, and pastas and risottos
- 80+ colour photographs
- Most recipes includes the major components of a balanced dinner (protein, starch and some vegetables)
- Simpler dishes come with suggestions for super-easy sides to round out the meal
- Helpful sidebars and tips sprinkled throughout 

A distinctly educational cooking primer for the whole family with more than 100 recipes that can be made by children.

The latest addition to the best-selling RIVER COTTAGE cookbook series inspires the entire family to venture into the kitchen to prepare delicious, wholesome food together. THE RIVER COTTAGE FAMILY COOKBOOK features a comprehensive repertoire of more than 100 recipes and kitchen projects that cooks of all ages will enjoy: making butter, curing bacon, planting a kitchen garden, and more. This complete cookbook will show kids how quality ingredients are produced, while teaching lifelong lessons about meaningful cooking and eating. 

"Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall is a brilliant, argumentative British cook and food writer . . . [His] recipes happen to be terrific, for meat and other things: His chocolate-chip cookie recipe in THE RIVER COTTAGE FAMILY COOKBOOK finally released my children from years of sub-standard attempts." --Cynthia Zarin, GourmetReviews





"Bring me moose meat! You will not be sorry!" So says Whitehorse author and cook Michele Genest to the hunters in her circle. Wild is wonderful when it comes to Genest's creative treatments for northern viands, with exciting ideas such as moose cooked in Yukon-brewed espresso stout and finished with chocolate, lime and cilantro, Arctic char marinated in grappa and then hot-smoked, or roasted spruce grouse draped in a sour cream and Madeira sauce. As much culinary adventure story as cookbook, The Boreal Gourmetcombines a portrait of northern life with an exploration of wild or "country" foods in gourmet recipes for the home cook. These recipes are inspired by a diversity of countries, traditions and kitchens, and spring from a love affair with the indigenous foods that flourish in the boreal forests and river valleys of the Yukon.

Whitehorse author and chef Michele Genest has recipes for every season supported with information on such northern plants as Artemisia frigida, or pasture sage, and its effect on the flavour of the wild Dall sheep that graze on it, the mysteries of morel mushrooms and tips on where to find them, and advice from Dawson City's Uncle Berwyn on the proper use of birch syrup.

Taking us from salmon, spruce tips and gourmet greens to recipes for artisanal sourdoughs and festive solstice menus, The Boreal Gourmet is an unprecedented collection to inspire both the serious gourmand (who will want to search out wild ingredients in his or her own backyard) and anyone with an appreciation for the culinary delights available north of sixty.




 Feast is written to stand alongside Nigella’s classic and best loved book, How to Eat. Comprehensive and informed, this stunning new book will be equally at home in the kitchen or on the bedside table.

A feast for both the eyes and the senses, written with Nigella Lawson’s characteristic flair and passion, Feast: Food that Celebrates Life is a major book in the style of her classic How to Eat, applying Nigella’s “Pleasures and Principles of Good Food” to the celebrations and special occasions of life.

Essentially about families and food, about public holidays and private passions, about how to celebrate the big occasions and the small everyday pleasures — those times when food is more than just fuel — Feast takes us through Christmas, Thanksgiving and birthdays, to Passover and a special Sardinian Easter; from that first breakfast together to a meal fit for the in-laws; from seasonal banquets of strawberries or chestnuts to the ultimate chocolate cake; from food for cheering up the “Unhappy Hour” to funeral baked-meats; from a Georgian feast to a love-fest; from Nigella’s all-time favourite dish to a final New Year fast.

Evocative, gorgeous, refreshingly uncomplicated and full of ideas, Feastproclaims Nigella’s love of life and great food with which to celebrate it. Packed with over 200 recipes from all over the world — and from near home — with helpful menus for whole meals, and more than 120 colour photographs, Feastis destined to become a classic.


Nothing says comfort like a warm, homey, all-in-one-dish dinner. It's a delicious way to welcome people to the table without the fuss of preparing multiple, complicated recipes. And when your one-dish wonder comes fromCanadian Living, Canada's most trusted cooking authority, you know it's going to turn out perfectly.

The One-Dish Collection offers tasty options to satisfy your cravings. Inside, you'll find hearty meat-and-veggie soups and stews, filling dinner salads, simple skillet suppers (complete with fresh biscuits on top!), rich casseroles, flavour-packed pastas, creamy risottos and more. Add a sprinkle of helpful tips and advice from Canadian Living's cooking experts, and you have a recipe for dinnertime success.

- 6 recipe chapters, each focused on a single food category: soups, stews, hearty salads, casseroles, skillets and simmers, and pastas and risottos
- 80+ colour photographs
- Most recipes includes the major components of a balanced dinner (protein, starch and some vegetables)
- Simpler dishes come with suggestions for super-easy sides to round out the meal
- Helpful sidebars and tips sprinkled throughout


Millions of people love Ina Garten because she writes recipes that make home cooks look great; family and friends shower them with praise and yet the dishes couldn’t be simpler to prepare using ingredients found in any grocery store. In Barefoot Contessa Foolproof, the Food Network star takes easy a step further, sharing her secrets for pulling off deeply satisfying meals that have that “wow!” factor we all crave.

Start with delicious Dukes Cosmopolitans made with freshly squeezed lemon juice, plus Jalapeño Cheddar Crackers that everyone will devour. Lunches include Hot Smoked Salmon, Lobster & Potato Salad, and Easy Tomato Soup with Grilled Cheese Croutons, all featuring old-fashioned flavors with the volume turned up. Elegant Slow-Roasted Filet of Beef with Basil Parmesan Mayonnaise and show-stopping Seared Scallops & Potato Celery Root Purée are just two of the many fabulous dinner recipes. And your guests will always remember the desserts, from Sticky Toffee Date Cake with Bourbon Glaze to Salted Caramel Brownies.

For Ina, “foolproof” means more than just making one dish successfully; it’s also about planning a menu, including coordinating everything so it all gets to the table at the same time. In Barefoot Contessa Foolproof, Ina shows you how to make a game plan so everything is served hot while you keep your cool. There are notes throughout detailing where a recipe can go wrong to keep you on track, plus tips for making recipes in advance. It’s as though Ina is there in the kitchen with you guiding you every step of the way.

With 150 gorgeous color photographs and Ina’s invaluable tips, Barefoot Contessa Foolproof is a stunning yet infinitely practical cookbook that home cooks will turn to again and again.

Chef Michael Smith, Canada's most popular chef, is passionate about cooking and sharing great food and flavours. Inside you'll find Michael's all-time favourite recipes, the ones he cooks regularly in his own home kitchen—lots of wonderful, memorable flavours that you'll enjoy with your family and friends. 

Chef Michael Smith's Kitchen features over 100 fabulous, easy-to-make recipes, each with a mouth-watering photo. Start your day with French Toast Sandwiches Oatmeal Crusted with Blueberry Stuffing and Marmalade Mint Butter or Apple Pie Pancakes with Caramel Syrup. Enjoy Coconut Crusted Chicken with Mango Mint Salsa or Honey Mustard Barbecue Baked Baby Back Ribs, or a great fish dish like Grilled Tuna Steak or Pan Seared Scallops with House Wine Sauce for a wonderful dinner. You'll also find lots of recipes for delicious vegetables, grains, and side dishes like Nutmeg Roasted Sweet Potatoes with Wilted Baby Spinach or Sausage Sage Bread Pudding. And of course, Michael's Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter Cups and Triple-Treat Creamsicle Marshmallows are sure to become your favourite treats to finish off any meal. 

Chef Michael invites you to enjoy cooking his favourite recipes and to make them yours.




Dripping Thighs, Sticky Chicken Fingers, Vanilla Chicken, Chicken with a Lardon, Bacon-Bound Wings, Spatchcock Chicken, Learning-to-Truss-You Chicken, Holy Hell Wings, Mustard-Spanked Chicken, and more, more, more!

Fifty chicken recipes, each more seductive than the last, in a book that makes every dinner a turn-on.  

“I want you to see this. Then you’ll know everything. It’s a cookbook,” he says and opens to some recipes, with color photos. “I want to prepare you, very much.” This isn’t just about getting me hot till my juices run clear, and then a little rest. There’s pulling, jerking, stuffing, trussing. Fifty preparations. He promises we’ll start out slow, with wine and a good oiling . . . Holy crap. “I will control everything that happens here,” he says. “You can leave anytime, but as long as you stay, you’re my ingredient.” I’ll be transformed from a raw, organic bird into something—what? Something delicious

So begins the adventures of Miss Chicken, a young free-range, from raw innocence to golden brown ecstasy, in this spoof-in-a-cookbook that simmers in the afterglow of E.L. James’s sensational Fifty Shades of Grey trilogyLike Anastasia Steele, Miss Chicken finds herself at the mercy of a dominating man, in this case, a wealthy, sexy, and very hungry chef.  

And before long, from unbearably slow drizzling to trussing, Miss Chicken discovers the sheer thrill of becoming the main course. A parody in three acts—“The Novice Bird” (easy recipes for roasters), “Falling to Pieces” (parts perfect for weeknight meals), and “Advanced Techniques” (the climax of cooking)—Fifty Shades of Chicken is a cookbook of fifty irresistible, repertoire-boosting chicken dishes that will leave you hungry for more.

With memorable tips and revealing photographs, Fifty Shades of Chicken will have you dominating dinner.



Following the success of the hit television series Everyday Exotic, Chef Roger Mooking and his producer Allan Magee bring together the most delicious of his 52 inspiring episodes. Using the concept of one main exotic ingredient, Roger demystifies the ingredient through its flavour and aroma, empowering the reader to embrace them in their cooking. Mix in your standard midweek recipes and you have new classics that your entire family will love.

From Monday's standard meatloaf, to Sunday's traditional roast chicken, it's easy to learn how to embrace new taste sensations that turn those tired midweek recipes into fresh and exciting new meals. With Roger and Everyday Exotic by your side, you have the perfect go-to guide for solving that seemingly impossible question, "What should I make for dinner tonight?"

Explore dishes like:
Lime Leaf Chicken with Lime Mayo
Coriander Meatloaf with Cilantro Pesto and Tomato Chutney
Curried Macaroni and Cheese Pie
Five Spice Lamb Burgers
Saffron Halibut Packets

And as Roger insists, you eat first with your eyes. So discover your own inspiration for plating each recipe in the accompanying beautiful presentations found within each vibrant and colourful photo throughout the book.





Tuesday, December 18, 2012

Great Gift Ideas for the Film, TV and Drama Nut!!

Every script, every episode of the innovative, hilarious, and absurdMonty Python's Flying Circus, one of the most influential television series of all time, is include here, plus hundreds of annotations, behind-the-scenes stories, interviews, and more, as well as photographs, drawings, and Terry Gilliam's iconic artwork.

Monty Python's Flying Circus is one of the most popular, important and oft-quoted comedy series of all time. Python's influence on comedy has been compared to the Beatles' influence on music. This landmark work collects the complete scripts for every one of the 45 episodes of Flying Circus: every silly setup, every clever conceit, every snide insult, and ever saucy aside from these classic skits, including "The Ministry of Silly Walks," "The Dead Parrot," "Banter in the Cheese Shop," "Spam, the Funniest Joke in the World," "The Spanish Inquisition," "The Argument Clinic," "The Fish-Slapping Dance," "The Lumberjack Song," and all the rest.

Every script is thoroughly annotated with notes that cover the plethora of cultural, historical, and topical references touched upon in each sketch. Sidebars and commentary throughout include profiles of the principles -- Graham Chapman, Eric Idle, Terry Jones, Michael Palin, Terry Gilliam, and John Cleese -- and interviews with the cast and crew; fascinating facts about technical concerns, set design, and shooting locations; insider stores from on and off the set, including arguments, accidents, and practical jokes; goofs and gaffes; and much more. Also included are thousands of stills and artwork from the shows.

Not only is Kirk Hammett the lead guitarist for Metallica, one of the most successful heavy metal bands of all time, but he’s also the curator of one of the world’s finest collections of monster-movie memorabilia, a collection few people have ever seen. In Too Much Horror Business, Kirk finally unveils his near-mythical treasure trove of rare posters, props, costumes, and toys from the early silent classics to more modern fare. From Bela Lugosi’s annotatedDracula script to the creepy Donnie Darko bunny suit to cool model kits from the 1960s, Hammett has amassed hundreds of items over the years, including priceless international collectibles as well as the quirkier toys of his youth. Alongside scores of full-color, original photographs in this highly designed volume, Kirk offers up thoughts about his appreciation for all things scary and fantastic, shedding light on not only the collection of a lifetime, but the man himself.

Praise for Too Much Horror Business:

“Like a classic record, there are numerous layers to Too Much Horror Business: The Kirk Hammett Collection, and that’s what makes it so utterly rewarding. Plus, it’s damn beautiful to look at. Ultimately, this is one of the best books of the year and a true game-changer. Whether you’re a Metallica fan, a horror fan, or just a reader in general, you need it.” —ArtistDirect.com

Joss Whedon’s Emmy award-winning musical tragicomedy tells the story of Billy, aka Dr Horrible, a budding supervillain who wants to beat superhero Captain Hammer and take over the world... and pluck up the courage to speak to his laundromat crush Penny. With exclusive new material from Joss and the production team, new photos, sheet music and more, this official book is a must for fans!









Project Runway, the groundbreaking reality television series, premiered in 2004. Ten seasons into its run comes the official guide behind the scenes of a television and fashion landmark. In this book, fully illustrated with hundreds of photos, fans will learn how the show began and developed over the years, relive the highlights of seasons past, and learn what their favorite designers are doing today. The book will feature commentary from Heidi Klum throughout, as well as interviews with the people behind the scenes, top designers of ten seasons, and stars of the show: workroom mentor Tim Gunn and judges Heidi Klum, Nina Garcia, and Michael Kors. This is the ultimate source for all things Project Runway.





Put a new face on fun!
No matter what your experience level, you can turn everyday faces into sweet, funny or frightening works of art that move, laugh, grow and always make people smile! The first half of this book features fun, friendly transitions, such as birds and butterflies, puppies and princesses, knights and night skies. Part Two crosses over to the dark side with strikingly horrible, downright unnerving personas, including vampires, zombies, gargoyles and other foul, freakish creeps.



  • Easy-to-follow instruction from two award-winning artists
  • 50 step-by-step projects ranging from simple to more advanced
  • Designs include popular kid and adult themes for parties, performances, Halloween and other occasions
  • Expert techniques for painting remarkably realistic textures, making human features virtually disappear, creating the look of age and other surprising, fool-the-eye effects
Full of friendly instruction for beginners and fresh inspiration for seasoned painters, this book will help you make art as original as the face that is painted!

Over the last century the New York Times’s six leading critics—Brooks Atkinson, Howard Taubman, Clive Barnes, Walter Kerr, Frank Rich, and Ben Brantley—have offered the most authoritative and influential commentary on the Broadway musical. This definitive volume includes the original reviews of the 119 most important , selected by current chief theater critic Ben Brantley and accompanied by photographs from each show’s first production as well as celebrated revivals. From the golden age of the musical, with its divas, legendary directors, lyricists, and choreographers, right up to The Book of Mormon, Brantley gives context to this treasure trove of reviews with a thoughtful introduction and essays that guide the reader through each decade.

Praise for Broadway Musicals:

“A standing O for theater critic Ben Brantley’s staging of Broadway Musicals: From the Pages of the New York Times—the newspaper’s most influential reviewers, from Brooks Atkinson to Frank Rich.” —Elissa Schappell


These fabulous, whimsical paintings, created for his own pleasure and never shown to the public, show Geisel (a.k.a. Dr. Seuss) in a whole new light. Depicting outlandish creatures in otherworldly settings, the paintings use a dazzling rainbow of hues not seen in the primary-color palette of his books for children, and exhibit a sophisticated and often quite unrestrained side of the artist. 65 color illustrations.










Jim Henson's iconic puppet characters, fantastic worlds, and warm humor have delighted millions of people of all ages. His incredibly diverse body of work, from the Muppets to the world of'The Dark Crystal' , reveals his charm and genius to fans old and new. Compiled directly from The Jim Henson Company archives,'Imagination Illustrated' adapts the diary that Jim faithfully kept throughout his career, supplementing it with a trove of little-seen visual material, including rare sketches, personal and production photographs, storyboards, doodles, and much more. Throughout, archivist Karen Falk delves into the behind-the-scenes details of Henson's life and artistic process. Sure to delight anyone who has enjoyed Henson's creations - seeing early drawings of Kermit and Rowlf is like smiling over childhood photos of dear friends - this lovely book celebrates Jim's life and his magic.


"Adding over 100 new works to its roster and incorporating newer media like photography, performance art, and video installations, the new Art Bookfeatures the ways in which the art world has been reinvigorated in the last two decades. . .the book is a good start for those searching for the basic building blocks of a modern art eduction." - The Huffington Post

"The new edition of The Art Book is perhaps the most ideal for newcomers to art but will be enjoyable for almost anyone interested in art." - Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Art City

"The second edition of this popular, comprehensive reference tome has just enough biographical information on each of its alphabetically featured artists from all eras to quickly elevate a cocktail party conversation - or perhaps inspire a passion." - ForeWard Reviews

". . .each new work is a surprise and keeps you interested and on the edge of your seat. Tell me, when's the last time you heard anyone say that about going to an art gallery or opening up an art history text book?" - Blog Critics

"The updated A-to-Z guide of artists from medieval to modern times." - In Style

"Funky, colorful and convenient. . .it's not hard to see where the newness begins. All in all, 100 new works have been added to the alphabetized survey, making this a truly 21st-century reference book on art. Christmas stockings will bulge." - Canadian Art

"The Art Book is worth every penny of its hefty price; this 592-page A-to-Z volume is the art history class you wish you had taken: fun, refreshing, a take-home museum." - Reader's Digest

Tavi Gevinson started the blog, Style Rookie, when she was 11 years old. From the confines of her bedroom in the suburbs, she wrote about personal style and chronicled the development of her own. Within two years, it averaged 50,000 hits per day and fashion designers from around the world invited Tavi to attend and write about fashion shows. Soon Tavi's interests grew beyond fashion, into culture and art and, especially, feminism. Last year when Tavi was 15, she launched ROOKIE, a website for girls like her: teenagers who are interested in fashion and beauty but also in dissecting the culture around them through a uniquely teen-girl lens. ROOKIE broke 1 million page views within its first six days. Lady Gaga called her "the future of journalism."

Tavi's cool-headed intellect shines in ROOKIE, arguably the most intelligent magazine ever made for a teen-girl audience. She writes with a humble but keen authority on such serious topics as body image, self-esteem, and first encounters with street harassment. ROOKIE YEARBOOK ONE collects articles, interviews, photo editorials, and illustrations. Among its 50-plus regular contributors (many of whom are teenage girls themselves) are Lena Dunham, Miranda July, Jon Hamm, David Sedaris, Elle Fanning, Amy Poehler, Paul Rudd, John Waters, Chloe Sevigny, JD Samson, Ira Glass, Aubrey Plaza, Carrie Brownstein, Paul Feig, Fred Armisen, and Winnie Holzman.

This is a beautiful hardcover version of Hamlet!  To be or not to be? Hamlet is, arguably, Shakespeare's most well-known play, with its compelling lead character, stunning language, and philosophical underpinnings. This drama of the procrastinating Danish prince who ponders whether or not to revenge his father's death now appears in a beautifully illustrated edition with annotations by Princeton professor Jeff Dolven.










This edition of a practical instruction manual on how to make a movie has been substantially expanded with detailed information that focuses on digital filmmaking. But whether students work with standard film, digital equipment, or both, they will learn how to-- Formulate story ideas Shoot and edit footage Lay down soundtracks Add special effects Practical projects and exercises are presented to give students an opportunity for hands-on experience. They will also find advice on Putting together a showreel Work in a variety of genres Getting their finished film seen The book's main focus is on short movies, ranging in length from 15 seconds to 15 minutes, and intended for private screenings, festivals, competitions, or broadcasts on TV or the Web. Printed in full-color throughout, this instructive volume features approximately 300 how-to photos and illustrations.


The copy int he store actually have a different cover!

Stage technicians or “teckies” traditionally apprentice for knowledge about their craft. This is a new, unique practical guide for teckies that can be read or used as a reference manual for all aspects of stage lighting, from equipment to lighting a performance space to special effects and design. 


Information is easily accessed through tabbed sections and keywords. The information in each chapter is presented at three levels: “A Quick Start,” enough basic information to get started; “More Info,” more detailed knowledge; and “Extras!” extended technical information and data.

The three strands run visually throughout the guide, enabling students to mix and match their own personal level of study or to fast track through to the information they need on set. The handy-sized, accessible guide is packed with illustrations, pictures, diagrams, plans, and technical data. In addition, a DVD is included that uses video clips to illustrate the text, showing practical use of the equipment and examples of different lighting techniques and effects. The differentiated format of The Teckies Guide makes it equally suitable for school students, aspiring theater-technician teachers, amateur dramatic enthusiasts, or anyone needing a quick on-the-job reference.