Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
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Book Description
A Journey of Resilience, Reinvention, and Belonging--One Meal, One Story, One Connection at a Time.
Author Shari Leid--abandoned in a cardboard box with no identifying information in Seoul, South Korea, and adopted by Japanese American parents--embarks on a remarkable journey across the U.S. to challenge her father’s fears of being unwelcome because of their Asian faces.
In Table for 51, Shari meets strangers and reconnects with people from her own past, sharing a meal in every state. From bustling city cafés to peaceful countryside tables, each encounter reveals the power of human connection.
Through these fifty heartfelt conversations, Shari discovers the magic of belonging and the courage to embrace change, ultimately ending her turbulent twenty-six-year marriage
About Shari Leid
Shari Leid is a former litigator turned reinvention coach, author and speaker. She is the driving force behind An Imperfectly Perfect Life, LLC.
As a recognized friendship expert and national speaker, Shari’s influence extends well beyond her coaching sessions. She has been featured on major media outlets, including ABC, NBC, CBS, FOX, and CTV, and was profiled on the TODAY show in April 2023. Her expertise has been shared in leading publications such as HuffPost, Real Simple, PureWow, AARP, Woman’s World, TIME, and Shondaland.
Shari hosts the podcast An Imperfectly Perfect Life – Life Unscripted, where she inspires listeners with candid conversations about navigating life’s ups and downs.
She is also the author of The Friendship Series, which includes The 50/50 Friendship Flow (2020), Make Your Mess Your Message (2021), and Ask Yourself This (2022). Her highly anticipated fourth book, Table for 51, is set for release in February 2025, chronicling her remarkable journey across all 50 states in 2023, where she connected with 50 women over shared meals.
In February 2025, Shari will take the stage as a TEDxEustis speaker, sharing her insights and inspiring others to create meaningful, connected lives.
My Thoughts
Shari Leid's "Table for 51: Lessons Learned from Sharing Meals Across America" offers a heartwarming and insightful exploration of connection, community, and the simple power of breaking bread together. Leid embarks on a cross-country journey, hosting potluck dinners for strangers, and in doing so, uncovers the profound human need for belonging and shared experience. The book isn't a culinary guide, though food serves as the central catalyst. Instead, it's a gentle meditation on the stories that emerge when people gather, the unexpected friendships forged over shared dishes, and the universal truths that bind us.
Leid's writing style is warm and approachable, making the reader feel like a welcome guest at her ever-expanding table. She skillfully weaves together anecdotes from her various gatherings, highlighting the diverse backgrounds and perspectives of her guests. From heartfelt confessions to lighthearted banter, each story underscores the importance of creating space for genuine interaction. The lessons Leid gleans are not groundbreaking revelations, but rather gentle reminders of the significance of kindness, vulnerability, and the courage to connect with those outside our immediate circles.
While the premise might seem simple, Leid effectively demonstrates how the act of sharing a meal can dismantle barriers and foster understanding. "Table for 51" is a timely reminder in our increasingly digital world of the fundamental human need for face-to-face connection and the nourishing power of community. It's an inspiring read for anyone seeking to cultivate deeper relationships and find meaning in the everyday act of sharing food and stories. The book leaves you with a renewed appreciation for the power of hospitality and the potential for connection that exists all around us, waiting to be discovered, one shared meal at a time.
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