When I bought Betty Crocker’s Guide to Easy Entertaining at a used book sale back in the 90’s, I just thought it was cool. I didn’t realize it was a first edition. I didn’t realize it’d play a role in my sixth novel, Forever Home, either.
What’s inside?
Take a look at the table of contents:
Would you like to…?
As the title suggests, this book contains more than recipes. It gives suggestions on how to be a good guest as well as how to treat guests well. It also shows examples of handwritten invitations like this one:
Would I love to receive an invitation like that? Absolutely! (I’m waiting!)
Tie-in to Forever Home
Merritt Hastings grows up as a foster child in Forever Home. She collects and reads etiquette books and entertaining books to learn what she thinks she missed growing up. Teaching herself good manners this way, she enjoys having people in her house and making people feel welcome with good food and fun times.
Years ago, I read a book by Steve Martin, maybe Shop Girl. One of the characters reads self-help books to become a better person. What a cool idea! I tailored it to fit Merritt’s needs.
Do you read self-help books? What kind? Do you read cookbooks or do you Google recipes on-line when you need a new dish?
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