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My Berlin Kitchen – Away We Go!

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This is my friend Gemma. Isn't she pretty? I love that smile. She's been a loyal reader since the very beginning, always demanding new posts, eating my leftovers (we lived two floors apart from each other for a few years in Queens) and bugging me about when I'd ever get around to writing a book. Oh pshaw, I'd reply and get back to baking cookies or making pizza or whatever I had to do that evening for dinner. I'd feel flattered and a little embarrassed too, but mostly I didn't think I had it in me at all. So consider me the most surprised of anyone that I did do it in the end. I did it! I wrote a book!

It has been, no joke, one of the biggest thrills of my life to hear and see, via Twitter and Facebook and emails and Instagram (I'm @wednesdaychef there), the book landing on all your front steps this week. I can't stop pinching myself. I have loved hearing your first impressions and seeing the recipes appear as finished dishes in your kitchens. Actually, even more than loving it, it has been blowing my mind. How is this my life?

And tomorrow we start the first leg of our crazy journey, baby in tow, across the pond. (Pleasegodlethimsleep.)

This is where I'll be reading over the next two weeks:

Friday, September 21st, 7:00 pm:
LOS ANGELES, CA – Vroman's Bookstore

Saturday, September 22nd, 2:30 pm:
SAN DIEGO, CA – Adventures by the Book, Westgate Hotel

Monday, September 24, 7:00 pm:
SEATTLE, WA – University Bookstore. Bonus: Tara Austen Weaver will be hosting this!

Tuesday, September 25th, 7:30 pm:
PORTLAND, OR – Powell's Books

Wednesday, September 26th, 6:00 pm:
SAN FRANCISCO, CA – Book Passage

Thursday, September 27, 12:00 pm
SAN FRANCISCO, CA – Rakestraw Books

Thursday, September 27, 7:00 pm:
SANTA CRUZ, CA – Bookshop Santa Cruz

Sunday, September 30, 5:00 pm:
WASHINGTON, DC – Politics & Prose

Monday, October 1, 7:00 pm:
NEW YORK, NY – Powerhouse Arena

Tuesday, October 2, 7:00 pm:
BOSTON, MA – Harvard Book Store

Can't wait to see you there. And to give my friend up there with the shiny eyes a big old hug. Living up to someone else's hopes for you is a pretty spectacular feeling. Living up to something you never in a million years thought you could do is stratospheric.

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61 responses to “My Berlin Kitchen – Away We Go!”

  1. Evy Avatar
    Evy

    Yay! Received your book on Amazon–simply loved it! Great! Posted a review under my amazon name: “bordertejana”…best of luck on your book tour!

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  2. Kathy Avatar
    Kathy

    I started reading your book last night and can’t put it down. It is FANTASTIC! We are having a nice rainy day here — perfect for reading! Congratulations.

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  3. Michelle Avatar
    Michelle

    I cannot wait to get my hands on a copy! Congrats and have a wonderful tour!

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  4. Christy Avatar
    Christy

    Hooray! I read your book cover to cover last Friday, and I am counting down the days until you come to Seattle. See you next week!!

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  5. Christa Avatar
    Christa

    I will be en-route back from a business trip in Chicago when you are reading in LA — so sad I will miss it!! I loved your book and I have so many pages bookmarked to cook, once I can bear to turn the oven on again (it’s hot in Southern CA!). Hope your tour is wonderful!

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  6. Britta Avatar
    Britta

    Received your book from Amazon a few days ago – I forgot I pre-ordered it months ago, so it was a nice surprise! Absolutely wonderful. Keep up the great work!

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  7. Victoria Avatar
    Victoria

    The book is wonderful. I wanted to wait; I wanted to hold off; I wanted to read it S-L-O-W-L-Y, word by word, and savor it.
    But no.
    After one little sneak peak. I put my other book aside and read and read and read until finally at 2:23 a.m. Sunday night, I reached the last page.
    I smiled, and laughed, and occasionally sniffled my way through the whole delightful tome. Good one. Congratulations.
    CAN’T WAIT TO SEE YOU.

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  8. Debra Weiner Avatar
    Debra Weiner

    I am so sorry that I won’t be able to go to your New York book signing (will be heading out to Rome). I am sure that your tour will be splendid!

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  9. Kristin | The Pearl Onion Avatar
    Kristin | The Pearl Onion

    I love that Gemma’s pretty face made it to your blog! I’ve been reading your book and loving it. I especially am enjoying right now learning about your life in your younger years–what an interesting life you have lived, Luisa!

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  10. Suzy Avatar
    Suzy

    Amazing! See you when you get back. x

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  11. Karey Avatar
    Karey

    I pre-ordered your book and I’m expecting it to arrive any day now! I cannot wait! In others news, I’m completely distraught that the day you’ll be visiting Brooklyn…near MY neighborhood, I’ll be at some depressing, soul-sucking work meeting in Charlotte, NC. I will, however, be at a work meeting in Seattle next Monday in Seattle, which I see you will be as well! If there is any chance to sneak away from the horrific happy hour/work mixer I’m sure they have planned for us, then I’ll be at the University Bookshop. Can you tell how much I love my job 🙂 Best wishes on your book tour!!

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  12. Renae Avatar
    Renae

    I picked it up today! It’s gorgeous. Just getting started….. love it!

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  13. Carrie Avatar
    Carrie

    I just ordered it!! Have already heard the most amazing things about it and can’t wait to read it myself! Am going to come to your reading in NY. Can’t wait! So happy for you.

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  14. keiko Avatar
    keiko

    Have fun Luisa, your book is so beautiful! x

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  15. Erik Avatar
    Erik

    She sure is purrdy. See you in NYC, safe travels.

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  16. Mihaeko Avatar
    Mihaeko

    Yay!!! I’m so very happy for you. And so disappointed that I’ll be on vacation when you’re in Brooklyn. Congratulations Luisa, on the book and having such a dear, truly beautiful friend.

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  17. Susan Avatar
    Susan

    I’ll see you on Sunday, 30 September in DC!

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  18. Amy Avatar
    Amy

    Hooray! I’m so happy for you, Luisa. Safe travels across the pond.
    (PS. Would you be able to do a reading in New Orleans by any chance?)

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  19. Emily Avatar
    Emily

    I have not ordered your book yet, but I plan to. I’ve been reading your blog for ages now and it’s been one of my favorite places to come for recipes. I can’t tell you how much I wish I had that meatball recipe when my babies were new and I was a terrified and hungry new mother (I will tell you: my children adore them which = super-win!) Best of luck to you on your book tour with your beautiful baby! I’ll probably not make it to your SF visits but not because I don’t want to: these kids don’t cook for themselves yet.

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  20. Carla Avatar
    Carla

    Can’t wait to read it!! Safe travels to the US and a wonderful time reading from and signing thousands of copies of YOUR BOOK!!
    So when in Berlin on your book tour list?!

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  21. gurjeet Avatar
    gurjeet

    Am going to come to your reading in NY. Can’t wait! So happy for you.

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  22. kristina - no penny for them Avatar
    kristina – no penny for them

    so exciting, luisa! safe travels, and many amazing moments – first reading tour and first US cross-country for the little one all rolled into one!

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  23. Zwerg_Strelizie Avatar
    Zwerg_Strelizie

    Congratulations to your life! How does it fell to have done everything right?
    Love.your.blog.

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  24. chika Avatar
    chika

    what a tour! with a small baby in tow! but i hope you’ll have great fun, wish i was anywhere close to any of the places (as opposed to the other side of the pacific ocean, that is).
    i wanted to read your book slowly, perhaps one chapter a night or something, keeping it for a nice little bedtime reading for as long as i could. but alas, it only lasted a couple of nights… through a lot of chuckles and occasional wet eyes. now i’m excited to get back to it for recipes to try – as a matter of fact a cake/bread came out of the oven earlier today and it’s already gone. can’t wait to try the meatballs, fruit bread, and apple tart among other things. it’s a beautiful book luisa. congratulations!

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  25. Sasha Avatar
    Sasha

    Congratulations Luisa!
    I’ve been curling up with the book since it arrived and I have already made the rolled omelet with jam two days in a row for breakfast.
    Will you be doing any readings in Germany?

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  26. bob minder Avatar
    bob minder

    you not only grew up with erbsensuppe and fake baked beans, but between your own voracious appetite, your dad, and me with all of the anne of green gables books, jacob two-two meets the hooded fang, a stranger came ashore, dogsbody, toad for tuesday, tuck everlasting, the indian in the cupboard, the real Pinocchio and Wizard of Oz, Pollyanna, number the stars, all those nasty roald dahl stories, and more picture books than waves in the sea. i intend to have a good one all wrapped and ready for hugo when you come to boston! bob of extended day runkle.

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  27. Nuts about food Avatar
    Nuts about food

    In bocca al lupo… and don’t worry, you will survive the trip with little Hugo. The book tour, I don’t know… never had one of those! You go girl.

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  28. Adrienne Avatar
    Adrienne

    Yahoo! See you in Boston 🙂

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  29. Emily Avatar
    Emily

    I just finished reading your book, Luisa, and relished every word of it! It’s been a long time since I’ve enjoyed a read that much, or identified with the author so much. Half the time I felt like I was reading my own thought processes and emotional reactions. Congratulations! You should be SO proud! Good luck with the touring! And, I’m still pulling for a quick added stop in Minneapolis. Missing getting to meet you is enough to make me wish we hadn’t moved away from Boston. 🙂

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  30. ileana Avatar
    ileana

    Picking up my copy today after work. Can’t wait! Congrats and best luck on your book tour, Luisa. Wish you were stopping in Florida!

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  31. Barrie Avatar
    Barrie

    I just got the book in my hot little hands (thanks, UPS). Can’t wait to start reading. Hoping to see you in NYC…

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  32. Diana Mieczan Avatar
    Diana Mieczan

    Have a best time on your book tour and I am getting my copy this week:) I can’t wait..yay! kisses

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  33. krugthethinker Avatar
    krugthethinker

    Woot! I have already devoured your entire book and will be there to see you on Friday in LA!

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  34. K Bossmann Avatar
    K Bossmann

    Congratulations! Gute Reise!!! And please blog about your tour since those of us in the middle of the US aren’t getting to see you!

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  35. dancing kitchen Avatar
    dancing kitchen

    Can’t wait to see you in San Diego.

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  36. Ali Avatar
    Ali

    Just read your book – wonderful! Congratulations!

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  37. kickpleat Avatar
    kickpleat

    I can’t wait to read your book!!! And while I’m a little bummed that Vancouver, BC isn’t on your tour, I’m hoping that I can sneak away to Seattle for Monday! Fingers crossed 🙂

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  38. suysel depedro cunningham Avatar
    suysel depedro cunningham

    Luisa- I remember you from Tufts and read about your book on Gemma’s Facebook. So thrilled for your huge accomplishment and purchased the book immediately! GO JUMBOS!! congrats!! suy

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  39. Harriett Champagne Avatar
    Harriett Champagne

    I’ve spent most of yesterday reading, and it’s been worth waiting for. I’m going to start roasting peppers this afternoon, and maybe even make the tomato soup to deal with this big pile of homegrown tomatoes in my kitchen. Lei e’ meravigliosa, Luisa!

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  40. Lacey Sheldon Avatar
    Lacey Sheldon

    So thrilled for your huge accomplishment and purchased the book immediately! GO JUMBOS!! congrats!! suy.

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  41. Michelle Avatar
    Michelle

    Congratulations! Hope one day I’ll be able to find it in bookstores here in Warschau. p.s. Your pretty friend looks like Rebecca Hall!

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  42. Kath Avatar
    Kath

    Having read the lovely reviews by Rachel and Nancy I have ordered my copy and I am looking forward to curling up with it.

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  43. Kelly M Avatar
    Kelly M

    Congratulations on the book! I picked up my copy yesterday and I can’t wait to start reading it! I’m going to try and get up to NY for your signing but I’m not sure if I’ll be able to. Anyways good luck on the book tour with little Hugo! I know you’re fans are all excited to meet and talk with you!

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  44. Luisa Avatar
    Luisa

    Thank you, all!! Amy – I wish I could come to New Orleans! If it had been up to me, I would have been there. Maybe for the paperback? 😉
    Carla – we are hoping to have a Berlin event for the book in December, stay tuned!
    Sasha – I’ll be doing an event in December, but the German edition of the book publishes next year, so any other cities might have to wait until then.
    BOB!!!! I am speechless!!! It is so amazing to hear from you! And all those books, I remember each one like it was yesterday! A huge hug.
    Emily – wow, I am just so touched. Thank you!!
    K – ok, will do!
    Suysel – thank you!! I always love seeing what Tilton Fenwick is up to. You are so talented!

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  45. Ava Avatar
    Ava

    Hey Luisa, Congrats on the book! BTW, Vroman’s is in Pasadena not Los Angeles. Maybe I’ll see you there.

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  46. Sandy Smith Avatar
    Sandy Smith

    Was so excited to meet you, thank you for beng so sweet can’t wait to start reading the book wishing you the best on your upcoming book tour

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  47. Laura Avatar
    Laura

    I’m a long-time reader and I’m so glad I got to meet you at Vroman’s. Forget the space shuttle – Luisa’s in town! You were great and we really enjoyed the reading. And I’m glad I finally got my hands on your book!

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  48. Uncle Bob Avatar
    Uncle Bob

    Well, I got your book from Amazon (love it, by the way!) and was looking forward to going to your book signing here in San Diego today and then found out that it is at a literary tea event and required a reservation and a $40 fee. Sorry, but I couldn’t do that. I was hoping it would be like other book signings I’ve been to (for Bobby Flay, Giada, and others) where you just lined up and got your book signed. Maybe next time.

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  49. Luisa Avatar
    Luisa

    Uncle Bob – I know, I’m sorry that the event in
    San Diego has such a high price tag. I knew that would be tough for a lot of people to swing! The event was set up by my publicists… I’m so glad you are liking the book, in any case!

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  50. Bonnie Small Avatar
    Bonnie Small

    Absolutely loved chatting with you today at the tea and you were very gracious to remember my golden triangles of long ago! You are just as I expected you would be – so genuine and glowing with joy. The afternoon was well worth the drive and the price – after all, your journey was much longer than mine. The book feels fabulous in my hands and I’ll be off to start reading as soon as I finish my post! Thanks for coming to spend some with us on the west coast. Max and Hugo are YUMMY – no wonder you were drawn back to Berlin. xx

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