The Inviting Life: An Inspirational Guide to Homemaking, Hosting and Opening the Door to Happiness

by Laura Calder

Far more than a guide to homemaking and being a fine host—although it is definitely all that too— The Inviting Life is about how to live each day with a desire and determination to turn the ordinary into something lovely. It’s also a book about why we should bother. Whether the subject is décor, ambience, shopping, feeding weary travellers, mixing cocktails, planning dinner parties, or getting yourself motivated for spring cleaning, Laura Calder affirms the value of our everyday activities and shows how beauty, creativity, and delight have the power to change the world. This one-of-a-kind book is both a page-turning narrative about Laura’s own hosting and home-making adventures and an invaluable work of reference. It’s a spur to ideas for everything from creating a welcoming living space and making a respectable salad, to putting guests at their ease and writing a thank-you note worth receiving. Written with candour and humour in Laura’s inimitable and engaging voice, The Inviting Life offers empowering guidance for anyone looking to take more pleasure in their life and home.

Genres: Nonfiction, Self Help, Cookbooks, Food, Canada, Memoir

344 pages, Hardcover

Published November 7, 2017

Reviews

[Bethany Raborn · Rating 5 out of 5]

This might be my favorite non-fiction book of the year. I love everything she has to say. Some might think it is a bit high-minded, but in reality, there is something important about housework, entertaining, cooking, the "feminine arts" that she reminds us should not be relegated to females only! In this day and age of long work hours, fast food, and rushed days, we need to all practice the art of things that take care and slow, methodical actions. She says it all better, just read it!

[Rowan · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was exactly the lightweight, almost contentless read that I needed right now. It seems to have been written from some floating, elegant, alternate universe. It did not in any way instruct or inspire me, but it did amuse me! Flip directly to the section with "Ten Tips for Entertaining On A Tight Budget" to enjoy a description of potlucks seemingly written by a bemused heiress down on her luck but nonetheless unwilling to let standards slip so far as bringing store-bought hummus to a party.

[Lisa · Rating 2 out of 5]

Aspirational but definitely from a position of privilege

[Jenna Hazzard · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book read like an extended magazine article in Real Simple or Good Housekeeping. However, that's not necessarily a criticism.

[Katie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Is this book idealistic? Absolutely. However, it inspired me to take on a more inviting life. It gave me lots of ideas for how to host and got me thinking about all the aspects that make up a home and how that impacts our overall state of mind and wellbeing. I consider this book a good little manual for finding the joy, artistry and whimsey in homemaking as well as practical and helpful cleaning tips, recipes, and tips for hosting dinner parties and events. I’ll definitely pick this book up again. It’s also just very cute to look at and is filled with adorable illustrations; it’s a nice coffee table book.

[Emma Cochrane · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked the beginning of this book, lots of descriptions of different rooms of a house and how the author makes them feel welcoming.

The rest was hard to connect with. It felt a bit like listening to an older relative going on about the way things ought to be and realizing you live in completely different worlds.

[Nancy · Rating 2 out of 5]

I think I'm at a point in my life where I'm not really sure any of this matters anymore.

[Nicole · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is very inviting! The tone is casual and witty and even though some of Calder's opinions are super old-fashioned bordering on snobby, she manages to express these views in a friendly, approachable way. Some of her tips are common sense (quality entertaining is more about your attitude than the extravagance of your home or the complexity of the meal) but a lot of what she says is a good reminder and a subtle push. Calder is married, so a lot of the book is about entertaining as a couple. I'm not, so I do wish she had focused a few more pages on solo entertaining. There's also a LOT of focus on alcohol - stocking a bar, mixing cocktails, etc. - and, personally, I don't know a soul who has ever thrown a party with this kind of attention to drinking. Maybe this is a generational or regional thing.

Regardless, it's clear that the main point of this book is that the world would be a better place if we all did a little more inviting - whatever that means to us as individuals. I really enjoyed reading this book and it has definitely inspired me to do a little more inviting in 2018!

[Dora · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Inviting Life

I first was introduced to Laura Calder through her TV show French Food at Home. I then explored her cookbooks. I really enjoyed this book as well. I think that it may help some people start inviting friends over more. Ms. Calder does have some very strong opinions but then so do I so I didn’t have a problem when she aired hers. I was able to learn several things from this book which is always a good thing as far as I am concerned. I would recommend this book.

[Maggie Wrobel · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was wonderful! I read the whole thing with a slightly deranged smile on my face. It could have been twice as long! Great insights into hosting, manners and staying spirited in a tough world.

[Gloria · Rating 4 out of 5]

Don't we all love to find someone who thinks along the same lines that we do? Gourmet cook and food writer Laura Calder leads a very different life from mine, but found our philosophies are quite similar.

First, this book offers an interesting combination of practical skills for running one's home. You will get some good ideas, for sure.

This, however, is more about the salon concept, i.e., inviting people into your home and using food as a means to create community. She has strong ideas on hosting and etiquette, but remains quite casual in implementing a get-together. Believes in lots of plants, cleanliness and order, and a good dose of whimsy.

You may want to go to France after reading, visit open-air market places, create unique place settings, and try new recipes. Lots of personal anecdotes included. Loved this overall. Only ding is that she entertains excessively (3x/week) which hardly anyone does, but it's her thing and that's fine...for her.

[Risa · Rating 3 out of 5]

‘The Inviting Life’ stems from Laura’s deep love of hospitality, a passion she’s nurtured her whole life and based in food. (A phenomenon I’m recently discovering I might have a passion for as well!) I was surprised that she covers a lot more than actual / pure hosting though. She brings it back to the space, your space and how it doesn’t matter if you’re renting or you own your home, what truly matters is the ambience and presence. Every space is fit for invitation and gathering and waiting for your entire home to be ‘picture perfect’ is unrealistic and holds you back indefinitely.

The book is a quick, playful and delightful read with a few recipes scattered between. Nothing life changing or revolutionary but it could be just the right tone of book for the right person.

[Hayley · Rating 2 out of 5]

If I’d have known what this book was really about, I probably wouldn’t have read it. It’s not really a book of hosting tips and tricks. It’s more like stories from the author’s life, with a few tips scattered in. It’s pretty pretentious (there’s a whole section about hiring a chef and telling kitchen staff not to carry mobile phones, which is not something the average person will be doing) and the author clearly comes from a place of privilege. It actually did have some decent ideas in it though, if you managed to find them within all the personal anecdotes.

[Felice Lam · Rating 2 out of 5]

The first 15-20% of the book started strong as I was eager to learn more about the art of hosting and I seemed to have connected with the beginning phases of the book.

Then, it turned into a memoir and random factoids about her partner which I think is fine if you're into the author's life. However, if you're not, then you might get lost in the shuffle of it all after over 300 pages.

I scanned the rest of the book but can't say I retained anything. Though, I was pleased to relearn the French word, "dorveille." So, that's a winner! :)

[rebecca ☆ the cozy fangirl · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought this book was warm and inviting (no pun intended). It’s a great guide to homemaking and hosting—something that would have been helpful before I had my own home. The author writes from her experience and knowledge passed down from family as well as what she’s learned living in France. I learned a couple of handfuls of homemaking hacks. Not only that, but many of my same thoughts were expressed in The Inviting Life when it comes to homemaking.

[Lisa James · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a delightful book. Being familiar with Laura Calder from her TV series I could actually hear her voice as I read. Just as the title states it is filled with inspirational information on not only hosting but making life special in general. The hardback, small size and textured cover were so nice to touch and hold.

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was amazing! The author is very funny and the book covers a whole lot, but my favorite thing about it is the practical advice she includes — specific advice about cleaning, decorating & furniture layout, supplies needed for cozy guest rooms, how to get better sleep, entertaining on a budget, guest lists, etc. This is pretty much my new bible.

[M M · Rating 4 out of 5]

Inspirational someone younger.

As a big fan of the author and her cooking show, I was expecting to be inspired to be more creative. I think to a younger person starting out, the book would be inspirational. As an older woman, and an established cook who hosts dinner parties frequently, I didn’t find it as valuable as I had hoped.

[Lori Schrock · Rating 4 out of 5]

Laura makes me want to give hosting a higher priority in my life. I appreciate her approach to home and hosting - perfection is not the goal, but instead being yourself and offering what is most comfortable for you. She's also got a wonderful sense of humor. Highly recommend this book if you are feeling in a rut with homemaking/hosting.

[Jocelin · Rating 4 out of 5]

I did not know the author prior to reading this, the book was a gift from an always thoughtful friend. I completed adored this book, and took away helpful tidbits. I especially loved “A Digestif”, which reminds us all to celebrate the life we have, even during tough times like these.

[Maria · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was more of a journal type book than anything else, mostly consisting of the author's instrospection on various stages and aspects of her life. I found the guidelines/ tips very basic and not anything that I did not know before, and I'm not sure how this can be helpful to anyone really.

[Kate · Rating 2 out of 5]

This woman holds dinner parties several times a week! That's a lot of entertaining. I don't know how that doesn't get very expensive, but if that's what they like to spend their money on, great!

First part about homemaking, particularly making the kitchen a place you want to be in. Other half about how to host parties. Admittedly this did make me want to host some dinner parties! I think I am more of a cocktail party kind of person, though.

[Kaytlin Koehn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I don't know that I would say this book was captivating. But it was a book that I learned so much from. New inspiration for hosting, a note to mind my table manners, and thoughts to make my space inviting. She has a great vocabulary that adds spice and makes me run for my dictionary.

[Lynne · Rating 4 out of 5]

3. 5 stars

[Kay Bowen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Witty, literate, fun.

[Denise · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not a novel, but reads like one. Miss Laura on television hopefully the show will return.

[Madelyne! · Rating 4 out of 5]

A light informative read. Biggest area was parties, and that's not my thing. But interesting to read :)

[Yioti · Rating 3 out of 5]

Easy and pleasant read. Charming stories. She managed to inspire me to do more regarding home life. LC clearly has no kids or pets. I reckon it would be a different book if she did.

[Colette Connors · Rating 4 out of 5]

It is a homey,happy,how to book on living the entertaining life.

[Adriana · Rating 5 out of 5]

Quite a fun and insightful read. I have a lot to learn!