Warm welcome for "A Tea Reader"

As you no doubt know (and if you don't, then I haven't been doing my job), my first book was released in October by Tuttle Publishing. (It had a November release in the UK.) "A Tea Reader: Living Life One Cup at a Time" is a book of essays, old and new, that I collected from tea drinkers from across the globe. Many of you probably remember my initial call for essays. Then I started reaching out to shop owners and tea enthusiasts and experts I knew, asking (begging) them to participate. I cannot tell you how moved I was when people like Jane Pettigrew, Roy Fong, and Laura Childs said yes. Then James Norwood Pratt agreed to let me reprint one of his lovely pieces written for "Fresh Cup" about his first trip to China.

I won't go through the craziness of finding a publisher and bringing this book to the public other than to say that I feel extremely fortunate to work with a publisher that is so committed to its books and its authors. Tuttle is really a wonderful company.

Since the book released it's been a whirlwind. You can see images of some of my readings and book events on the book's Facebook page. It's been great fun choosing the essays to read at the events, meeting some of the essayists for the first time, and seeing some great teashops and bookstores.

If you want to read what others are saying, check out the reviews on the "A Tea Reader" website. You can find a complete list here. I have been overwhelmed by the lovely things that have been said. I was honored when Publishers Weekly and Shelf Awareness selected the book for review. I have been delighted to read some of the well researched and well considered blog posts. It was fantastic to participate in an interview with USA Today that has now been republished in papers from Tampa Bay to Vancouver, from Indianapolis to Ottawa, and many, many places in between. There was also a particularly lovely review in yesterday's "Montreal Gazette."

There is a great deal more fun ahead for this book I know and I am gratified to know that it is finding its audience. I'd love to hear from more of you who have read the book. What were your favorite essays? What are your own favorite tea memories? Have you shared the book with anyone else?