Book Nook - Table for 51: Lessons Learned from Sharing Meals Across America

 I recently had a chance to read Table for 51: Lessons Learned from Sharing Meals Across America. In the book, Shari Leid takes readers on a cross-country journey where every meal with a stranger becomes a window into the human experience.

From bustling cities to small-town diners, Shari’s 50 States Project wasn’t about sightseeing—it was about storytelling. Each of her 50 dinner companions offered unique perspectives shaped by their age, race, politics, religion, and lived experiences. These heartfelt conversations became a treasure trove of wisdom, revealing powerful lessons about resilience, connection, and the universal threads that tie us all together.

I really enjoyed reading the book. It was a fascinating glimpse into the lives of dozens of people, sometimes with surprising insights. The conversations covered a wide variety of topics, and Shari did a great job of presenting these conversations in an entertaining and interesting way. Projects like this can help bring people together and help people focus on the common ground.

Shari's journey is a powerful reminder of how small moments—like a meal with a stranger—can reveal universal truths and leave lasting impacts.

Shari Leid is a former litigator-turned-mindset coach and the dynamic force behind An Imperfectly Perfect Life, LLC. Renowned as a friendship expert and national speaker, Shari’s insights reach far beyond individual coaching sessions. She’s been interviewed on major networks including ABC, NBC, CBS, FOX, and CTV, and was profiled on NBC’s TODAY show in April 2023. She’s written for and shared her expertise with HuffPost, Real Simple, PureWow, AARP, TIME, Woman’s World, Toronto Sun, and Shondaland. She is the author of The Friendship Series, which includes three books: The 50/50 Friendship Flow (2020), Make Your Mess Your Message (2021), and Ask Yourself This (2022). She received the honor of being selected as a speaker for TEDxEustis 2025. Find her online at animperfectlyperfectlife.com and follow her on Facebook, Instagram and TikTok.