Author Archive
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Tuesday, October 5th, 2010
Simple, Fresh & Healthy
At the end of the day, gather around the table for a simple, fresh, and healthy meal. That’s Linda Hafner’s no-fail formula for a thriving family. With her farm-fresh focus and divide-and-conquer strategy, it’s entirely do-able, even for those with the busiest schedules.
Linda has developed a repertoire of simple, delicious, and visually stunning recipes that celebrate local seasonal produce. She’s a master at cooking in easy increments, so that meals come together in a flash at the end of a busy day. In the time it takes to cook a pound of pasta, Linda can prepare her vibrant Pure Plum Tomato Sauce from scratch. Her signature After-Dinner Salad is much easier, and more nutritious than a prepackaged salad mix drenched in preservatives and processed salad dressing.
And, while fresh, healthy meals are Linda’s priority, she’s also famous for fabulous, indulgent desserts such as her Sublime Strawberry Trifle and Happy Birthday Chocolate Cake. With Linda, it’s all about finding the balance between nourishing the body and fueling the family spirit.
About: Linda Hafner
Paperback: $19.95 (ISBN: 9780825305573)
Cooking
192 pages
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BEAUcoup Books Lover- All Things Jane Austen
Friday, October 1st, 2010Hello World!
I have decided the subject of my second post to be my ultimate favorite: the originator of chic-lit, the forebearer of feminism, the pioneer of wit, the advocate of romance, the preeminent heroine herself, Jane Austen. I comforted myself a few nights ago with the delicious film version of Sense and Sensibility starring Emma Thompson, Hugh Grant, Kate Winslet, and many others, which promptly renewed my obsession with Ms. Austen, inspiring me to dig out my worn copy of Emma for yet another read. Side note- Ladies, if ever you want to convince that man in your life that Jane Austen is actually smart and funny, and not just for girls, force him to watch Sense and Sensibility. I swear, I have had great success turning anti-Austen ‘bros’ into guys who can at least respect her with this movie.
Generations have grown up with her work, women all over the world are in search for their Mr. Darcy, and there is no doubt the entertainment world has been forever influenced. I’m pretty sure that every one of her books has been turned into at least one movie, if not more than one. And now the publishing world has decided to cash in on Austen’s appeal with more and more books a la Austen.
One of the more popular books I enjoyed was The Jane Austen Book Club by Karen Joy Fowler. This was also turned into a movie, but as usual, the book was considerably more charming and interesting. The book follows a group of women, and one man, who decides to read all of Austen’s work together. Of course, each of them finds new meaning in her words, and Austen helps them all through life’s challenges. There is drama, romance, and some really fun discussions about Jane.
Another popular book turned movie is Becoming Jane Austen by Jon Spence. This book is a great look into Jane’s world as it chronicles her relationship with Tom LeFroy through letters to her sister Cassandra. Jane is just as witty and interesting in her personal letters as in her books for publication. Of course Jane knew a thing or to about romance, and this book proves it. It depresses me a little, though, that Jane didn’t have the happy ending like Elinor, Marianne, Anne, Catherine… every single one of her heroines.
Yet another realm of Austen literature is the 2009 Pride and Prejudice and Zombies by Seth Grahame-Smith. Very…interesting. This book takes the plot and basic text of the original book and adds elements of zombies, turning the Bennett sisters into trained zombie hunters. The climax is even more exciting when Lady Catherine challenges Elizabeth to a fight to the death for Mr. Darcy, and of course Elizabeth defeats Catherine and her squad of ninjas. I can’t help but wonder what Ms. Austen would think of such a diversion from her book. Who knows… perhaps she would appreciate Elizabeth’s newfound bad-assness.
If zombies are not for you, but Pride and Prejudice is, try The Annotated Pride and Prejudice edited by David M. Shapard. If you’ve read the book a billion times over already, this is a good choice for the next round. It has over 2,300 annotations, including definitions, anecdotes, and interesting literary commentary.
Yet another is Confessions of a Jane Austen Addict by Laurie Vira Rigler. If you’re not opposed to the idea of time travel, then this book will be tons of fun. A woman wakes up in the body of a lady in Regency England, and not even her Jane Austen addiction has prepared her for all the troubles of the times. This book is bound to give your imagination some ideas when day-dreaming about being Jane’s best friend.
The last on my list for today is Jane Austen: The World of Her Novels by Deirdre Le Faye. This is a great addition to the Austen education for people already versed in her characters. With illustrations and maps, biographical information, summaries and contemporary opinions of Austen’s books, and meticulous descriptions of all things Regency England, this book helps to create an even more thorough vision of Austen’s novels.
Even with all of these additions to the Austen library, you can never go wrong with Austen herself. So break out your old copy of Pride and Prejudice, or find a new copy of one you haven’t gotten to (Northanger Abbey is totally underrated), and keep Austen alive.
That’s all for now!
Beaufort in the Press
Monday, September 20th, 2010Today’s a big press day for Beaufort! First, here’s an article I wrote as a guest-blogger for Publishing Perspectives:
Market Crash: How to Publish a Bestseller in 33 Days
And here’s the accompanying conversation about whether ebooks have done away with the need for traditional lead times:
What Can Digital Publishers Learn from Traditional Publishing’s Long Lead Times?
And on a different note, one of Beaufort’s titles (Sherry Jones’s The Jewel of Medina) has been given a nod as one of
Twelve Books Guaranteed to Turn (Almost) Anyone into a Censor
Pick up a copy to celebrate Banned Books Week
FREE BOOK!!!
Tuesday, August 24th, 2010We are giving away Advance Reader Copies of Jeff Foxworthy’s new book Hide!!!, illustrated by Steve Björkman!
Contact publicity@beaufortbooks.com to recieve your copy today!
At Our Core: Women Writing About Power
Thursday, August 19th, 2010
Sandra Haldeman Martz — whose bestselling anthology series celebrating women’s lives brought us I Am Becoming the Woman I’ve Wanted (winner of a 1995 American Book Award) and If I Had a Hammer: Women’s Work — explores another profound issue for women: our concept of power in our lives. At Our Core: Women Writing about Power articulates the awesome breadth and subtlety of what power means to women.
These stories, poems, and photographs convey the phenomenon of women being in control of their own lives. We know these women — some of whom have been hurt physically, emotionally, or spiritually — who yearn to be understood, to be allowed to participate as equals, to live each day with peace.
Breathtakingly honest and courageous, these voices honor and validate women’s uniquely personal definitions of power. Women will cry and rejoice at the searing beauty of these intimately familiar stories.
About the Author: Sandra Martz
ISBN: 978-0-918949-86-8
$12.00 Paperback
7.00 x 9.50 in.
Buy It Now:
The Ruling Class
In this profound and incisive work, Angelo M. Codevilla introduces readers to the Ruling Class, the group of bipartisan political elites who run America. This Ruling Class, educated at prestigious universities and convinced of its own superiority, has everything to gain by raising taxes and expanding the reach of government. This class maintains that it knows what is best and continually increases its power over every facet of American life, from family and marriage to the environment, guns, and God.
It is becoming increasingly apparent that this Ruling Class does not represent the interests of the majority of Americans, who value self-rule and the freedom on whose promise America was founded. Millions of Americans are now reasserting our right to obey the Constitution, not the Ruling Class. This desire transcends all organizations and joins independents, Republicans, and Democrats into The Country Party, whose members embody the ideas and habits that made America great. The majority of Americans feel that the Ruling Class is demeaning us, impoverishing us, demoralizing us, and want to be rid of it.
About: Angelo M. Codevilla
Paperback: $12.95 (ISBN: 9780825305580)
Political Science
160 pages
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B.E.A.U.tiful – the new intern’s first blog
Tuesday, July 6th, 2010Hello World!
I am the new Beaufort Intern and I am ecstatic to be here. I won’t keep you long today since I’m not really sure what hard hitting topics to talk about but here are some basics you should know about me.
1. I am obsessed with books, television, and movies. (Hence the title of this blog is from Jim Carrey’s popular movie Bruce Almighty)
2. I am still in college (ONLY one more year left! ::gasp::) and just got back from studying abroad in Ghana, which to my friend’s despair is all I will talk about.
3. My current goal in life is to meet Neil Patrick Harris. It would be “legen…wait for it…dary”
4. I love swimming, reading, and long walks on the beach 😉
Currently (Book) The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo. Apparently is all the rage now since I have seen at least three people reading it on the subway daily, so far I’m captivated. (T.V Show) Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Having missed out on most of the ’90s, I am trying to find the antithesis to the ridiculous Twilight craze. (Movie) All About Steve. There is rarely a movie I don’t like, but this might be on that list. Fell asleep while watching it, but that might have just been exhaustion from the Fourth of July Weekend.
I hope this will be the start of a B.E.A.Utiful friendship!
– -Carol “recently rediscovered my love of fig newtons” Monteiro
An American Amnesia
In An American Amnesia, respected political commentator Bruce Herschensohn reexamines the incredible actions taken by the 94th Congress and American citizens which led to South Vietnam’s infamous surrender, an event which mars our military record and haunts our political landscape to this day. Drawing on notes, speeches, writings and other primary sources from the 1960s and 1970s, Herschensohn fills in gaps in the historical record and warns against the danger of succumbing to a similar voluntary amnesia in the future.
January 23rd, 1973: the United States, South Vietnam, North Vietnam, and the Viet Cong sign the Paris Peace Accords, guaranteeing the right of self-determination to the South Vietnamese people.
April 30th, 1975: President Duong Van Minh of South Vietnam announces the nation’s unconditional surrender to the North, ending the decade long conflict and enabling the merger of both countries into the Socialist Republic of Vietnam. What happened in two short years to cause such a dramatic reversal?
About: Bruce Herschensohn
Paperback: $22.00 (ISBN: 9780825306327)
E-book: $4.99 (ISBN: 9780825305610)
History
192 pages
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Beau and Arrow – the old intern’s last blog
Tuesday, June 22nd, 2010I am sorry for the huge delay since the last blog, but sadly my days at Beaufort Books are coming to an end. I have been training the new intern, Carol, who is great, you’re gonna love her!
I simultaneously find it hard and easy to believe that it’s been five months since I began this internship at Beaufort Books. It has been quite the adventure, and I’m glad you all got to tag along for the ride. I remember when I was first informed about my blog duties, I was actually, contrary to my typical behavior, really scared. What am I blogging about? Who out there in WWW will care? I legitimately had no idea what to expect – out of the internship, out of my last semester of college, out of this blog. I’ll admit, I’m still in the question mark phase of my life, but five months later I am without a doubt a little bit less confused. If there is one thing I know for sure, it’s that I don’t want to give up writing, probably ever.
Speaking of writing, this blog began as a literature and publishing-related blog, and I will continue that on through to its last. I just recently read Suzanne Collins’ Hunger Games and its sequel, Catching Fire. It is edge of your seat suspense, and a phenomenal summer read, because the third installment hits shelves August 24th. There’s also a movie in the works, it’s YA, so it’s never pretentious, and your blogger loves it. ‘Nuff said.
Here is the last segment in my connections list:
Remember that rocker-looking famous dude from my building? The one I always see in the elevator? Well, last week we rode up together again, and we got to chatting (he’s a little chatty), and at some point I put out my hand and introduced myself as Rachel, fully sure this semi-famous man would gladly inform me of his first and last name, thereby giving me full swing to Google him. Unfortunately, all I got was a first name, and it’s Ricky. Not at all helpful. Well, you’ll just have to trust me that there is a semi-famous rocker dude who always rides in the elevator with me. And he knows my name now.
Whoa! of the day: Every single day that I’ve been at Beaufort Books, I have gone to a little place around the corner for lunch called Books and Bagels. It is one of the only kosher places in the area, and it’s a really sweet place, with daily soups (I got a free one last week!). I also find it kind of funny that it’s called Books and Bagels, because there are in total about five books on the shelves at any given time. Unimportant. What is important is that my friend was in Vienna two weeks ago, and in telling me about his trip, reported that he had eaten at this little kosher place he found called…Books and Bagels! I’m going to let you digest that. It is my mission for the day to find out what the connection is between the two. Apparently, there are much more books in the Austrian version of the cafe, which makes a lot of sense if the 19th Street version is an offshoot of it. Addition from the future post-lunch Rachel: Okay, so I just got back from Books and Bagels where I got a free lunch because it’s my last day! I asked one of the workers there about the Viennese Books and Bagels and he thinks either the owner used their ideas, or owns both! Mystery solved! Can someone say uncanny?
What else? I have officially moved to the Jersey shore for the summer. This means the number of persons living in my house has…quintupled? Is that a word? It also means Jersey cops, Jersey hicks, Jersey boardwalks, and most importantly, Jersey moonrise! If you have yet to watch the moon rise, and I have had to convince people in past that yes, the moon does in fact rise, this is a MUST SEE. Trust me. I took NJ Transit today, which made the F Train look like my nephew’s Thomas the Tank Engine toy. Over the weekend I saw billboards toting the following slogan: Jersey Doesn’t Stink! I went to their website, which you need to check out HERE. The concept is hilarious and yes of course I signed the petition. Even though when I arrived at the Secaucus Junction there really was a terrible smell emanating in the air, there are other, more important ways which make Jersey unstinky. One of which includes that your blogger lives there in the summer.
To celebrate the end of my blog, I have compiled a list of mine and your all-time faves. There’s nothing like a little reminiscing for a proper season finale. Here they are in chronological order (because that always makes the most sense). Click on the titles for a direct hyperlink to the blog post.
1) Imperfect Peyton – In this blog, my second ever, I explored my love for Manning and the loss of the Super Bowl. If there is one amazing part of the summer, it’s the fact that when it’s over, number 18 will be back on the field ready to conquer again.
2) Brand New Brand – When Rachel Lily was created, the connections list started, and my road to fame began.
3) Labyrinths – One of my favorites. In summary, I got lost in the city on the way to a book club on Labyrinths. Irony at its best.
4) Family Feud on the F – A look at the ridiculous mind of your blogger.
5) Orange Plates – Here’s something I never told you. According to the weekly website analytics, this blog post received a record-breaking number of hits – almost 250!
6) Random Facts of Blogness – A fan favorite.
7) Random Facts of Blogness II – The sequel.
Sadly, we need to wrap up and say our goodbyes. We have come a long way. Remember the snow day that kept me locked up at home? It’s now a sweltering, melting city out there. We’ve discussed Google, and Apple, great books, great authors and great ideas. I think the randomness of this blog has always kept me on my toes, and I hope you have enjoyed it as much as I enjoyed writing it. Since it’s my last blog post, maybe you’ll all consider commenting? Hm?
I want to thank Erin, who may not work at Beaufort anymore, but truly made my experience here unforgettable in the best of ways. I would also like to thank Margot, who is the backbone of this company, and who really taught me everything I will ever need to know about publishing. I would also like to thank the Midpoint crew – James, Josh, Antonio, Tony, Charlie, Laurie and of course, Eric. I was so lucky to be given this opportunity, and I thank you for making it such a memorable one. And lastly, I would like to thank all of you – friends, family and strangers alike, who have taken this phenomenal journey with me. Although I joked on my very first post about a network of “fans” that I supposedly had, I am very much humbled by the outpouring of support from my blog followers. I have named them without names throughout these last five months, but I hope they know how much I appreciate them. Gracias. You rock my blogging world.
In the words of William Shakespeare – “Parting is such sweet sorrow.”
In the words of Gov. Schwarzenegger – “I’ll be back.”
Your truly,
Rachel Lily
p.s. No seriously, I’ll be back. I am semi-planning to get my own blog somewhere out there. Google me. This is not the last you’ll hear from Rachel Lily. Goodbye Beau and Arrow, hello world!
The NaPro Technology Revolution
Dr. Thomas W. Hilgers draws on decades of medical experience to provide educational and revolutionary insights into the world of women’s health. The NaPro Technology Revolution provides real solutions to real problems such as infertility, repetitive miscarriage, menstrual cramps, postpartum depression, PMS, prematurity prevention, ovarian cysts, hormonal abnormalities, irregular/abnormal bleeding, chronic discharges, polycystic ovarian disease, and family planning.
Hilgers sheds light on abnormal ovarian function, an issue that millions of women unknowingly suffer from. His methods have proven to assist infertile couples nearly three times more successfully than those who use In Vitro Fertilization, without the dangers of early abortions, frozen embryos, or high rates of multiple pregnancy.
The NaProTechnology Prematurity Prevention Program cuts the rate from the national 12.7% to 7%. The NaPro Technology Revolution discusses what every woman has a right to know about her body, her health, and her future!
About: Dr. Thomas W. Hilgers
Hardcover: $39.95 (ISBN: 9780825306266)
Medical/Women’s Health & Fertility
464 pages
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Beau and Arrow – Blog Like a Butterfly, Spell Like a Bee
Wednesday, June 9th, 2010A couple of things to discuss.
Numero uno: The iPhone4 was introduced by Mr. Midas this week. My father the techie (who has already tried to pre-order it), boasted about his future toy and its glamorous features that put my Berry to shame. 5 megapixel camera, hi-def video, clarity 4x the iPhone3, and so on. But one of the most important new features of the iPhone4 is that the iBookstore will now be accessible to the phone, with over 5 million e-books already available. Additionally, all downloaded books can be loaded to any computer and device, even the iPod! Google Books better make their move quickly, or the Golden Boy will take over as usual. To sum up: e-books are the future of the publishing industry, and Apple is taking the bite.
Numero dos: One of my friends was very insulted to be excluded from the last blog post. About the last blog post! It has so far received a record-breaking number of comments, and I’ve heard a lot of buzz about it, so thank you readers for keeping the Random Facts of Blogness legacy alive. Anyway, so my friend is all insulted, but I explained to him that he missed the deadline to contribute. Either way, his complaint reminded me that he downloaded the Webster’s Dictionary app to his phone because of some words I had used in my blog. Here’s my thing with words. We’re…involved. I love words like people love math or sports. I can’t believe I’m admitting this publicly on a blog, but I used to read the SAT vocabulary book…for fun. What?! I’m allowed! I think broadening your vocabulary is vital to someone who enjoys writing and reading. Also, when Marty Markowitz called Don Lemon’s voice “melifluous” I was slightly proud to know what it meant (unlike Don Lemon who admitted ignorance). Also also, I have always been a very good speller which brings me to….
Numero tres: The Scripps National Spelling Bee! I tivoed the Friday night program and somehow convinced my friends to watch it with me. I won the 4th grade spelling bee on the word “soldier”. Now, without tooting my horn, which I hope I don’t seem to be doing a lot this blog, I consider myself a pretty good speller, as far as normal people and spelling are concerned. But these kids! The Scripps National Spelling Bee finds children and words that are so far beyond the norm, it seems like a big conspiracy. These are obviously high-IQ, mega-nerds who spend their time memorizing etymological roots and foreign, extinct languages. I was blown away by their smarts, but unlike previous years, none were nerdier enough to provide good entertainment. Either way, the show was fun to watch, if not solely for the overdramatizing of a dumb spelling bee. I was very much disappointed to see that in the final rounds of play “gnocchi” was one of the words given. Anyone who’s ever been to a restaurant knows how to spell gnocchi. The girl was jumping for joy, lucky kid. She didn’t end up winning, another mega-genius did. I wonder how Scripps National Champion looks on a resume…?
Numero cuatro: The World Cup is nearing, and I could not care less. The media has done a pretty good job trying to make me care about this sport I know nothing about, and it’s just not working for me. We have our football, you have your futbol, I’d say we’re about even. When I went to London a few years back, David and Victoria Beckham were more famous the queen. Who deserts that for the LA Galaxy?
Hasta la proxima semana,
Rachel Lily
p.s. Not sure why I went Spanish today.
Beau and Arrow – Random Facts of Blogness II
Monday, June 7th, 2010Since my last Random Facts of Blogness was such a hit, I’ve decided to bring it back for a sequel. Sequels are difficult to pull off, but in the world of media and entertainment, people are more likely to back a project that’s already been out there in the global market. Sex and the City 2, Toy Story 3, Shrek 4, James Patterson 78. Unlike these blockbusters, my hit came less in the billion dollar franchise category, but rather it received a whopping 2 comments, and much verbal praise from my loyal readers (love you guys).
-A lot of people ask me to mention them in my blogs. You see, everyone wants to be famous. Sure, my connection list has dwindled, but this is about my 30th blog, and I feel that is an accomplishment in and of itself. But a promise is a promise (I hold nothing more trustworthy than the famed “pinky promise”), and so all suggestions via Blackberry Messenger and my new Twitter account will be addressed.
-My first shout-out goes to someone who is obsessed with middle names as much as me. He is a staunch fan of my blog, a fellow Brooklyn College cafeteria junkie, and my recently wed niece’s best friend. After months of trying to convince me that he’s my friend too, I think now is a good a time as any to admit he’s right.
-My second shout-out goes to one my favorite red-headed cousins, whose request to be mentioned on my blog reminded me about a book he loves, and that I will soon be purchasing: Suzanne Collins’ Hunger Games. Although it is a YA (Young Adult) book, I have never heard so much general praise for a title in a while, and with the third installment coming out in the summer, this could be the beach read I’ve been looking for.
-My third shout-out goes to another friend who wishes for me to speak about his awesomeness. As an owner and driver of a brand new Vespa, and another blog fan, he is pretty awesome.
-Silly Bandz. These colorful rubberbands have taken over children’s wrists across America. Just yesterday my niece was toting the princess collection, referring to the shapes each band takes. Apparently, the makers of Silly Bandz have entered a fad gold mine they definitely never saw coming. The Silly Bandz have become so popular, that schools everywhere are beginning to place bans on them because they are causing such a distraction in the classroom. Ridiculous. Insane. Cool?
-The “love” factor has come into question again. I am thinking to trademark my tagline “It’s sick until it sucks”. But let’s discuss this for a moment. Life is difficult because getting what you want is difficult. When you get what you want, and then lose it, it makes it that much more complicated. When you get what you want, lose it, get it back, lose it, get it back, and then lose it again – go on vacation. If you are yet to get what you want, find something else to want. In all cheesy seriousness, everything will work out if you stay positive.
– Speaking of vacations, a couple of my friends are traveling Europe this week as one last hoorah before work takes over their lives. They are currently in Stockholm, Sweden, where sunset tonight is at…11 PM!! And here’s the kicker. SunRISE is at 3 AM!!!!!! I am flabbergasted by this notion. While I knew that small towns in Alaska have to deal with no nighttime hours at all, I never thought someone I knew could be living through measly moon hours. As a night hawk, and someone who has difficulty getting anything done while the sun is in the sky, I am truly in awe of the Swedish. Their circadian clocks must be ridiculously messed up. (I did my 9th grade biology paper on sleep).
-One of my Twitter friends suggested I speak about Twitter. Here’s my thing with Twitter. I don’t get it. There’s this whole language/vocabulary/etiquette and I have little patience to learn it. I also feel like I need to constantly be witty and that’s pressure. Who needs more pressure in life? I’m not giving up yet. My current celebrities I am following are Conan O’Brien and Dane Cook. Dane Cook tweets A LOT. Too much. I miss Coco but I feel he has a similar pressure to be constantly funny. But hey, that’s his job.
-Another one of my Twitter friends said to blog about how to spend a summer in NYC. As a Jersey Shore summer girl, I will admit ignorance on this subject. This month does feel like summer though, and I feel like I’m melting into the city streets. Keep hydrated people, it’s a global warming world out there!
As with most sequels, nothing can compare to the first. Like my favorite movie of all time, The Matrix, this blog cannot compare to its predecessor, and number 3, if it happens, will be a little worse than this one. Or not?
Adios,
Rachel Lily