Available now!
TABLE for 51
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.
As you read the Table for 51 you will discover:
- The courage to challenge fears about belonging.
- The magic of shared meals in building connection.
- The strength found in embracing life’s changes.
- The power of heartfelt conversations to reveal purpose.
Testimonials
“Shari Leid’s Table for 51 is a testament to the power of face-to-face conversations in a time when too many people are hiding behind screens.”
- Nina Badzin, Host of the Dear Nina—Conversations About Friendship podcast
“This beautiful exploration is a testament to the power of connection and the importance of understanding one another.”
- Dana Frank, National Best-Selling Author of Get Up and Get On It: A Black Entrepreneur’s Lessons on Creating Legacy & Wealth
“...Shari Leid’s incredible journey gives us all hope that human connection, no matter how difficult, is possible and can lead to major breakthroughs. Table for 51 proves that when given the chance, everyone has a story to tell and when it’s over a good meal, even better!”
- May Lee, Founder & CEO of Lotus Media House, Journalist, Author, Professor, Activist
