VANESSA YU’S MAGICAL PARIS TEA SHOP

This delightful confection of a book was as sweet as the delicious pastries described in it! Vanessa Yu is a young woman with a gift that feels like a curse: she can see people’s futures in tea leaves. Living in San Francisco with a loving but overbearing family, and an ability that causes nothing but trouble, she is whisked off to Paris by her aunt for some fortunetelling tutelage. As Vanessa struggles to conquer her gifts, she is swept away in the whirlwind of Paris’s romance, art and most of all, food. But a plot to sabotage her aunt’s tea shop threatens to undo the magic of her trip, and Vanessa must ultimately decide whether her gifts, her relationships and her own identity can be saved.

This story is so charming, exactly what I was in the mood to read. I sought it out for the food, but it offered much more: specifically, a sparkly trip to Paris without the transatlantic flight and jet lag. Vanessa’s reverence for her family’s traditions and loyalties added depth to her character and the story overall. The author’s depiction of racism masquerading as nationalism was spot on, a fitting reminder for continued vigilance. And I loved Vanessa’s touchingly nuanced bond with her Aunt Evelyn, as they worked to explore and redefine Vanessa’s gifts. I recommend this book to anyone looking for an uplifting escape filled with food, family and just the right amount of magic.

It’s impossible to describe all of the food in this story: a traditional Chinese wedding feast, Parisian haute cuisine, pizzas and cacio e pepe, blackberry vanilla and raspberry rhubarb jam, platters of colorful sushi and all manner of pastries and teas. I think I gained five pounds just reading it! Whenever I’m offered too many choices I go with something simple, in this case homemade steamed pork dumplings for Lunar New Year. This was my first time making dumplings and it was so much fun! Thanks to @thebalaboostachef @mimichengs and @thewoksoflife for the recipe and folding videos.