Keynote: This Reese Witherspoon Book Club Pick and New York Times bestseller is “a captivating story of love lost and found” (Kirkus Reviews) set in the lush Sicilian countryside, where one woman discovers the healing powers of food, family, and unexpected grace in her darkest hours.

About the Book: It was love at first sight when Tembi met professional chef Saro on a street in Florence, Italy. But right from the start, the young lovers face a series of threats to their happily ever after. Chief among them, Saro’s traditional Sicilian family disapproves of his marrying a black American woman. Heartbroken, but fueled by love, the couple forges on in the face of this estrangement, building a happy life in Los Angeles with fulfilling careers, deep friendships, and adopting a baby girl. Until they face their greatest threat, one that will upend everything they thought they knew about family and forgiveness.

In the wake of crises and grief, Tembi seeks solace and strength in the Sicilian countryside, her husband’s homeland. There she finds grace and nourishment—literally and spiritually—at her mother-in-law’s table. And with the healing gifts of simple fresh food, the embrace of a close-knit community, and the power of enduring love, she finds the strength to step into a new life.

Luminous, lyrical and complete with 16 recipes drawn from the couple’s culinary adventures, From Scratch is for anyone who has dared to reach for big love, fought for what mattered most, and needed a poignant reminder that life is, after all, delicious.

Published by Simon & Schuster, 2019, 352pages

About the Author: Tembi Locke is an accomplished actor who has appeared in over sixty television shows and films, including The Magicians, NCIS: LA, Animal Kingdom, and Dumb and Dumber To. She is also a TEDx speaker. Her talk, What Forty Steps Taught Me About Love and Grief, traces her journey as a cancer caregiver. She is the creative voice behind The Kitchen Widow, an online grief support community.

Please note: this is a book discussion group, NOT an appearance by the author.

Times for this event are in Eastern Daylight Time in the United States.

Please register at Eventbrite or at the following library link: https://www.nypl.org/events/programs/2020/12/17/online-book-discussion-scratch-tembi-locke