Neither of us wanted to leave Portland. What a beautiful place! The morning of our departure, I was on the local morning television show (a link to this as soon as I'm no longer posting from my cellphone) talking about the book before we sped off to the airport to catch a flight to San Francisco.

But that flight was delayed by cloud cover, which made the rest of the day a game of catch-up as we hustled from appointment to appointment. I arrived at the reading at Book Passage in the Ferry Building a few minutes late and totally frazzled, only to see, in the group awaiting the reading, so many familiar faces from all the different parts of my life that I almost burst into tears. (You will be glad to know that I kept it together. Wouldn't that have been awkward otherwise? Ha!)

The next day, I drove out to beautiful Danville, San Francisco a faraway glittering jewel, to a lunch and get-together at the totally inspiring Rakestraw Books. I'm telling you, this book tour is making me want to open a bookstore or something. After a ride back to the city and a quick cone at Bi-Rite (malted vanilla, ho!), we drove down to Santa Cruz where I found myself contemplating getting a job at Bookshop Santa Cruz if only so I could be friends with the charming booksellers there. (Do you think it could work?) They had prepared meatballs, Pflaumenkuchen and Christmas cookies from the book for the crowd, who were amazing, full of great questions and tips on Quark-making machines (I know! More on this when I'm back at a computer).

When we had to leave the West Coast the next day, I was beset with melancholy. I'd loved every minute of the tour thus far. Los Angeles already felt so long ago. I didn't want the tour to end (still don't) and flying east meant one thing: only a few days were left.

***A note to my New York readers! The event tonight starts at 7:00 pm at Powerhouse Arena in Brooklyn Heights. I can't wait to see you there. Oh, and wine and cheese will be served!***

My Berlin Kitchen: Bay Area Book Tour Update

My Berlin Kitchen: Bay Area Book Tour Update

My Berlin Kitchen: Bay Area Book Tour Update

My Berlin Kitchen: Bay Area Book Tour Update

My Berlin Kitchen: Bay Area Book Tour Update

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23 responses to “My Berlin Kitchen: Bay Area Book Tour Update”

  1. Mai Lowe Avatar
    Mai Lowe

    Luisa! I loved every second of your reading in Santa Cruz – it was SUCH a delight to finally meet you in person after having followed your blog for so long! To be honest, it felt a little bit like meeting a celebrity, because I was quite nervous and turned full on red when you got to signing my book :). Thank you so much for coming!! I’m so glad I have a picture of us from your visit!

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  2. stefb Avatar
    stefb

    Luisa, the feeling at Bookshop Santa Cruz is mutual: you’re fantastic! xo

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  3. Anne Avatar
    Anne

    So glad you enjoyed the Bay Area – plus you got to eat my favorite ice cream, ever! Makes me homesick…

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  4. laura k Avatar

    It was great to meet you briefly in San Francisco (we talked for a second about Laura Ingalls Wilder), and I’m LOVING your book so far. I’ve never felt such kinship with you when reading your blog, but in your book I’m continually struck by how similar we are in so many ways.
    I also book Bookshop Santa Cruz: I went to college in SC and that bookstore was one of my favorite places. One of my college friends still works there! And I’ve fantasized, myself, about quitting my job and moving back down there to work at the Bookshop.
    I hope the rest of your book tour is just as awesome. Thank you for putting yourself through what must be an exhausting amount of travelling so that we can all meet you and feel just a little bit closer.

    Like

  5. stacey snacks Avatar

    Luisa,
    That wallpaper looks like a Firmdale Hotel?
    Anyway, hope to see you in NYC………

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  6. Barrie Avatar
    Barrie

    Luisa! It was so nice to meet you tonight in NYC. What a great way to kick off October (full moon too!). It was a pleasure to hear you read and to hear your (charming) answers to our questions.
    Enjoy your few precious hours here before you have to jet off again.
    Barrie

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  7. Sofia Avatar
    Sofia

    Louisa,
    I was so disappointed that I could not make it to your appearance in Pasadena! I too am a working mom with a little babe at home & I just couldn’t swing it that night. How in the world are you hoping in & out of planes, eating out, and BLOGGING with a tiny baby?!
    As usual, you are an inspiration. Hopefully I’ll catch you the next time around!
    I can’t wait t dig into the book!
    Much love,
    Sofia

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  8. Rebecca Avatar

    Awww, I grew up in Danville, CA. I’m so glad you were able to see Rakestraw, and what a lovely time for the people there, I am sure, to get to see you. I am so glad you had a great trip, and I wish you all the best on the continued tour. Your book looks amazing!

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  9. Gerlinde de Broekert Avatar
    Gerlinde de Broekert

    Dear Louisa
    I so enjoyed your talk in Santa Cruz and I am reading your book and your blog. I was born in Germany and moved to Boston and then to Santa Cruz. Your book is very close to my heart, Thank you .
    Here is the website and address for the Quark – yogurt maker :
    German Corner
    C/0 Davitt Publication
    P?O. Box 70, Keno Or 97627
    E-mail: sales@ german-usa.com
    http: // store .german-usa.com
    I used this machine for years and it works like a charm.
    Gerlinde

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  10. Gerlinde de Broekert Avatar
    Gerlinde de Broekert

    Oh boy,
    I should have googled the above address before posting. That web site now has a different quark machine than I have. Mine is a Salton yogurt maker and they are available on amazone.
    I’m sorry
    Gerlinde

    Like

  11. Victoria Avatar

    Your reading at Powerhouse Arena was wonderful.
    It was lovely to see you, glimpse Max, and hear Hugo! What a precious triumvirate.
    Have a great day in Boston.

    Like

  12. Honeybee Avatar
    Honeybee

    Thank you for the update! I wish I could be there. I just got your book yesterday and started reading right away. I LOVE it but it made me a bit sad, too. Our second baby is due in a few weeks and I am ultrasensitive when it comes to things such as children being separated from their mothers/fathers. Hormones… I’m so excited about reading this book that I’m actually considering only reading one chapter a day, something my father does with books he really enjoys. I always found that very silly – so far! I’m not sure I have his willpower, though!
    Ok, end of rambling comment.

    Like

  13. Anna Avatar
    Anna

    So glad you liked Portland! I never grow tired of exploring this little city (or even just Powell’s). Did you go out to eat anywhere? Come again sometime.

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  14. Don Avatar

    BABA is a volunteer organization for book artists in the San Francisco Bay Area. The group puts on exhibitions and the annual Book Arts Jam as well as monthly …

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  15. Elizabeth Avatar
    Elizabeth

    Just caught a bit of your standing-room-only stint at The Harvard Bookshop. I wanted to stay longer but arrived too late to sit or see, and my feet were killing me. Only benefit of my tardiness was that I got to make adoring faces at your sweet son (and undoubtedly sort of freak out his lovely caretakers). He’s really just impossibly delicious looking!

    Like

  16. Ilka Avatar
    Ilka

    How nice that you finally get to eat your greens so desperately missed in Berlin! When I preordered your book I expected a cook book and I was surprised to receive a memoir. I truly enjoyed reading the story of your life and your description of some of my favourite foods from German cuisine (Käsekuchen, Pflaumenmus, Gänsebraten …) that I grew up with and still love. My mother knows how to bake that famous Stachelbeertorte. And with your help I may even master the art of making tart pastry. The last one was a greasy, crumbly desaster.

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  17. Kat Collins Avatar

    Hi Luisa! I won an ARC copy of your book on Goodreads.com and am devouring it now. Well…reading it, that is. 🙂 I’m really enjoying it! And I’m so happy to have found your blog. I look forward to following your culinary journey.
    The foods sound delicious. I’m definitely going to try making some of them. I’m a closet cook…completely self-taught and obsessed with food.
    And a review of your book will be posting on my own blog on 11/15/12!
    http://www.kat-collins.com/
    Congrats on the book, tours, blog, etc., etc.!!

    Like

  18. Dawn Avatar

    Just finished your book (sadly) and I loved every page. I am making Gabriella’s Ragu alla Bolognese tonight and it’s divine. I reviewed your book on my blog, too. Enjoy your tour!

    Like

  19. Anna Braun Avatar
    Anna Braun

    Luisa,
    I was at the Ladies Literary Tea in San Diego. I so very lucky to be seated with two lovely ladies who are followers of your blog and they were telling me about your background. I’m a blog-following-newbie and it seems to be the perfect time to dive in and read back toward the beginning while you are traveling.
    I just LOVE your book. I immediately went home the first afternoon and made the poulet saute a la paysanne provencale. YUMMY!
    You were such a delight to meet!
    I’m so glad I got to be part of your book tour. BTW, your son is sooo cute and so smart. Trying to talk at 3 months!! You can tell he is very loved.

    Like

  20. michel317 Avatar
    michel317

    i always like your post
    thanks for this
    dainik bhasker

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  23. wedding transportation san diego Avatar

    I like to read books specially in the travel time. I have small library at my home. Keep sharing.

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