Reader Feedback
From a UCLA Asian American studies professor
Friday, April 1st, 2011I got a lovely note from an Asian American studies professor at UCLA. It’s exciting to think of the book as a “staple.”
I am writing to say how much my students and I enjoy your wonderful book. It has become a staple reading in a seminar I teach on Asian American history through foodways. From [...]
A photo collage from a reader, Kenneth Cronk
Thursday, December 23rd, 2010The above image was submitted from a reader, Kenneth Cronk.
I did a photo-collage of one of my favorite Chinese Restaurants called Mee Mah. I mentioned this place in a previous email and you said you had never been there.
BUT - Isn’t that you I see sitting there? Sitting in front of those two ladies who [...]
Reader Feedback from The Netherlands
Wednesday, November 25th, 2009Just finished reading your book. What a lovely, well-written, well-researched joy! Thank you!
I received this fun email today from an American living in the Netherlands. Who knew the book had traveled so far? It’s one of the fun aspects of being an author, little pieces of you goes all over.
I actually do [...]
Sometimes You Just Need a Picture of a Dog
Wednesday, September 2nd, 2009This picture was sent to me by Roy Zuckerman. It is Lola from Basel, and she is apparently a big fan of my book.
The Rubber Bands Are Heading in the Right Direction.
Sunday, May 24th, 2009This is a fortune that was sent to me by a reader:
I’m sending you a picture of a fortune I got out of a cookie about five or so years ago. It’s the strangest fortune I’ve ever received and I thought you might like to see it. I’ve kept it pinned on my [...]
A Fortune Cookie Chronicles-Inspired Halloween Costume: Takeout Box
Thursday, November 13th, 2008Jed Lam send me this photo of his Halloween costume, which was inspired by The Fortune Cookie Chronicles. Originally he wanted to go as a fortune cookie but that proved too difficult to make. But he happened to have a takeout box in the fridge. And using that as a model, he just cut up [...]
Fortune Cookie Chronicles, a catalyst for love?
Saturday, April 12th, 2008This is the most adorable fan mail a writer could have hoped to get.
My girlfriend and I love you. You were actually part of the reason we ended
up a couple and The Fortune Cookie Chronicles was one of the first gifts we
bought each other.
He promised to tell me the story another time. (I’m very curious). [...]
Washpost: Where Lee really shines, though, is in describing the people who have cooked, served and delivered America’s favorite cuisine
Wednesday, April 9th, 2008Christine Y. Chen writes a lovely review in The Washington Post (so she too is not excited about the round-the-world chapter).
So now The Fortune Cookie Chronicles have been reviewed by all the major papers (+ the AP!) except The Wall Street Journal…which I doubt would review it anyway (and we haven’t heard any rumblings [...]
My first reported airplane sighting…
Monday, April 7th, 2008An email from a friend, Dan Rosenheck. I’ve had subway/BART/commuter transit sightings before, but this is new. Yay.
I’m sitting down at JFK next to this girl who’s flying down to Buenos Aires…and she’s ripping open a copy of The Fortune Cookie Chronicles! She said she got it because she’s a fan of your work in [...]
A childhood of Chinese moms and dessert struggles
Sunday, February 24th, 2008In my Food and Wine piece, I talk about how desserts totally mystified my family growing up — specifically these “bake sales.” Then I got a note from Patricia Ryan telling a sweet but sad story of her mother struggling with making desserts in her childhood.
Chinese food, desserts, patricia ryan, reader feedback