On episode # 14 of the MAMP podcast, I get to chat with debut author and actress, Tembi Locke about her beautiful new book, From Scratch: A Memoir of Love, Sicily and Finding Home. From Scratch is the first selection for the My American Meltingpot Book Club. In our conversation, Tembi and I talk about the reasons she decided to write this searing story about life after her husband’s death from cancer; her writing process as a newbie author; what life is like for a Black-American woman in Sicily; raising multiracial children; and the healing power of food. We also chat about the Reese Witherspoon effect on Tembi’s book, since Reese also selected From Scratch for her book club to read. Trust, it’s all good things.
Resources from Episode #14
On this episode’s Meltingpot Minute, I shared my philosophy about summer beach reads and what I plan to read this summer while lounging on the beach in the south of Spain. So far, the following books are going in my bag:
• The Proposal by Jasmine Guillory
• The Wedding Party by Jasmine Guillory
• Crazy Rich Asians by Kevin Kwan
• The Other Americans by Laila Lalami
To learn more about author, Tembi Locke, please visit her website Tembi Locke.com. All of her social handles are there as well.
Tembi also spoke about her online platform dedicated to helping with the grieving process, The Kitchen Widow. You’ll find helpful videos, recipes and resources.
Tembi’s sister is the award-winning novelist Attica Locke. Definitely check out her work if you enjoy smart, savvy thrillers that grapple with race and place. Personally, I loved her book, The Cutting Season.
So much literary love this episode. And we haven’t even had our first virtual book club meet-up yet. Please join us on Sunday June 2, 2019 at 4pmEST on Facebook, if you’d like to take part in our deep dive into From Scratch.
Peace!
