Table for 51 - by Shari Leid (Paperback)

Book Synopsis

As seen on PEOPLE.COM, US WEEKLY, NATIONAL ENQUIRER, POPSUGAR, BUSTLE, and MORE!

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.

Review Quotes

"At a time when genuine communication and empathy is elusive, 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

"I wasn't sure what to expect from Shari Leid's latest book. I've read and loved all of her other ones and knew it would be a positive experience. She did not disappoint. She is such a beautiful soul who genuinely cares about other people and is gifted at building relationships. Connecting with 50 women, many of whom she had never met, takes courage. So does sharing her most personal experiences. I am inspired by her and newly committed to connecting with others."--Keryl Pesce, Author, Entrepreneur, and Co-host of the award-winning radio show "Happy Hour" on K104.7FM

"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. Her courage to meet with strangers and acquaintances around the country also reminds us how every friendship starts as a connection with someone we barely know. Shari's story is the push we need to get out of our comfort zones and see the potential for friendship in unexpected interactions."--Nina Badzin, Host of the Dear Nina--Conversations About Friendship podcast

"Table for 51 by Shari Leid takes readers on an inspiring journey through heartfelt conversations across America, where strangers become friends over shared meals. With each encounter, Leid, an Asian American woman, illuminates how our differences are often outweighed by our shared concerns and values, reminding us of our common humanity. 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

About the Author

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.