“I find television very educating. Every time somebody turns on the set, I go into the other room and read a book.”
― Groucho Marx
Right now I am consuming way too much television, and it is not good for my mental health. I have started turning to my favorite books each day to ease my mind, especially books that are filled with beautiful imagery.
I am lucky to have Rizzoli as my publisher. Not only are their books gorgeous, their team is talented and generous. So, to add a little joy to life, we have teamed up to giveaway seven beautiful books, including a signed copy of my book Entertaining at Home.
RULES: I will feature each book over the next 7 days. Simply leave a comment. It could be why you would love to have these books, or what you are reading right now to ease your mind. You can comment each day, and I hope you do, let’s all stay connected. And share with the link with a friend.
You’re Invited: Classic, Elegant Entertaining by Stephanie Booth Shafran
Even if we cannot entertain friends right now, we can stay engaged through beautiful books and setting a pretty table for our family. Los Angeles-based hostess Stephanie Booth Shafran shares her secrets for pretty tables and the art of entertaining.
The Art of the Host by Alex Hitz
Alex gives tips on how to make mealtimes feel special. He also provides great recipes and ideas for Easter dinner at home. Southern-inspired food, generous traditions, and Southern hospitality are at the heart of this book.
The Ladies’ Village Improvement Society Cookbook: Eating and Entertaining in East Hampton
by Florence Fabricant Foreword by Martha Stewart
Gifted with waters brimming with local fish and with farmland that produces a bounty of fruit and vegetables, the Hamptons have long been a destination for food lovers. Now, one of the most historic organizations on the island pairs with legendary food writer Florence Fabricant to capture the local color through a collection of recipes from members of the Ladies’ Village Improvement Society, renowned chefs and celebrities who live or vacation in East Hampton
Made in Mexico: The Cookbook by Danny Mena
Made in Mexico mixes recipes inspired by Mexico City street food, local eateries, and multi-starred restaurants, combining regional traditions and global trends. Breakfast, antojitos, snacks, salads and ceviches, main dishes, and desserts, as well as staples such as salsa roja and tortillas, chef Danny Mena shows American home cooks the depth and diversity of true Mexican cooking in the capital city, with explanations for proper technique and suggestions for ingredient variations.
30 Easy Ways to Join the Food Revolution: A Sustainable Cookbook by Ollie Hunter
Based on the simple principle that local ingredients equal the lowest possible carbon footprint, Ollie Hunter makes the complex endeavor to eat sustainably easy, desirable, and delicious.
Mob Veggie: Big Flavors on a Small Budget by Ben Lebus
Having taken the social media world by storm with his one-minute, how-to-make–a-recipe videos, MOB Kitchen founder Ben Lebus is back with his second book. Great vegetarian recipes using few ingredients and recipes to feed four for around $10.
I will be giving away a signed copy of my book
Entertaining at Home: Inspirations from Celebrated Hosts by Ronda Carman Foreword by India Hicks
Leading party aficionados share their successful strategies for delighting family and friends, offering their personal viewpoints and providing behind-the-scenes details that go into creating memorable occasions. They offer their approaches to arranging flowers, setting the table, selecting menus, stocking the pantry, compiling playlists, and purchasing hostess gifts. Included are a variety of easy-to-master delectable recipes, such as bacon-wrapped pretzels, seafood chowder, spicy gazpacho, and refreshing sangrias.
I love Rizzoli books they are always beautifully shot and edited! I give several every year as gifts!
Would love the Entertaining at home… thoroughly enjoy design and decor
I have to say I am so proud of you and your accomplishments. Love reading your updates and following you on your journey.
Hi! Yes, please!
I am starting to cook now and need ideas. This would be a great thing for me.
Great inspiration for feathering our nests and soothing our souls at home. After all, home is where the heart is, right?
What a wonderful treat during such an uncertain time. Thanks for arranging this, Ronda!
I’m one of your earliest followers and fan. I have enjoyed seeing your blog posts and FB posts. As a creative and as a business woman myself, you have inspired me in so many ways, personally and professionally. Every Sunday will always be Soup on Sunday for me. As a girl and a book lover and avid reader, I visited bookstores often. But Rizzoli was different. I remember slowly walking into a Rizzoli store and taking my time as all the book displays and the covers were so beautiful! I could not help but open up and turn page after page. Words and literature are important, so important, but sometimes, pictures and art are worth a thousand words and the books in Rizzoli had them. I was fascinated and intrigued in the stories they tell. I still look and search for the beauty in food, places and people that your books tell. Thank you for doing what you do!
All of these books look fabulous!
I would love to win these books – i love to entertain and these books would help point me in the right direction with new tips and recipes!
What an inspiring collection of cookbooks! I’ve been reading home gardening books lately, and am building a raised planter box for a vegetable garden. Looking forward to cooking special meals for family and friends!
Beautiful images and inspirational ideas.
Hope you are doing well and staying safe!
Oh my goodness!!! This is a brilliant idea!! Will bring much happiness during this time, and a wonderful way to spend our time looking at beautiful pictures that give us inspiration!! Thank you for bringing a little excitement and goodness! 💙
Thank you Dana! Please stay safe and well! x
Your book looks beautiful! Congratulations! Thank you for sharing your joy and bringing that joy to others. I love your style of entertaining. I’m working on fixing up a little bayhouse and would love a copy of your book! Thank you! 💙
Ditto to what has already been said! These books feed the soul and remind us of the beauty around us. A little visual self-care during this time of uncertainty. Thank you, Ronda, for inspiring us!
I can always use help and inspiration when it comes to cooking and entertaining. These all look intriguing, and your new book looks lovely. 🙂
please stay well and be safe
So glad you’re back! Enjoying your recipes and as always your style.
Oh thank you so much Anne!!! xoxo
Rizzoli Books are always breathtakingly beautiful! I have many in my personal library. I would always consider it a pleasure to receive any Rizzoli Book as a cherished gift.
Rizzoli is the best! Stay well! xo
These are all beautiful books just when we need more beauty in our lives. How nice of you to offer such a wonderful opportunity! Any one of these books would be a welcome diversion and inspiration!
Stay well and safe Barbara.
Any one of these would be such a welcome surprise for the lucky recipients. Thank you for spreading beauty, joy and inspiration during these trying times.
And thank you for spreading beauty too!!! Stay healthy!
Just wanted to say a big THANK YOU!!!
Thank YOU!!! Be well and safe!
All of my books are giving me life right now during this anxiety filled time…fiction, non-fiction, cookbooks and home and garden. Pure joy. 💙
Me too!!
Reading beautiful books on cooking and entertaining is a wonderful reprieve for me from the angst surrounding us right now. I would love to add these to my small library. Yes, I call macbook collection my “library” as I often read a cookbook and remember dinners past or future.
Wow,what a gorgeous selection of books!.During our ‘new normal’ I have settled into going out my favourite cookbooks and experimenting by making allot of new dishes.I am thoroughly enjoying it.
What a fabulous selection of books! I can’t think of a nicer way to spend my quarantine than to page through these books for beauty and inspiration!
These are the perfect springtime books to read while being quarantined at home and fortunate enough to have my 24 year old daughter here too. We both love these entertaining books and cookbooks. Uplifting and beautiful!!! Happy Easter.
Oh how I miss entertaining right now! Lots of time to read and start scheming for the next gathering when this is all over 💜
Rizzoli books are the best! I’d love to sit down with this pile of treasures and be inspired to cook and decorate!! We can all use a little excitement right now. Thank you for the fun!!
I have been drinking cocktails out of my most beautiful glass bar ware to cheer myself up while being at home. Making the most of it! These books would be such a great distraction, I have found myself looking at some of my books for the first time!
Me too! Books are keeping me sane!
I received Entertaining at Home as a gift this year and love it! This is a great give away!
Oh I love that!! Stay well!
Thank you for being joy during this time. These books would be a perfect start for my daughter who is getting married this year. Fingers crossed! She is a medical student and is stressed with what is happening but she is enjoying cooking new items and making special meals for her fiancé. These would be fabulous to inspire her for many years.
Sending LOVE and PRAYERS!!