The Book That Burnt Toast Built

It's out and we're celebrating! (Yes, I'm buying a plant today.)

Apr 25, 2023

I don’t even know how to write a newsletter today. The book is out! This means everything. Book launches are complicated roller coasters of emotion and I’m alternating between true career high points and, you know, people accusing me of child abuse on the Internet. It’s a lot!

Order FAT TALK!

I don’t have anything cohesive to say about it all right now, so I’m just going to give you some pics from Saturday’s magical event instead.

Here’s the wonderful Julia Turshen who did Saturday’s event with me, and asked such thoughtful questions (because it’s Julia) and made it funny and not awkward when the mic glitched so I wouldn’t be nervous (because it’s Julia). All of my friends were losing their minds to meet her, as well they should. If you aren’t subscribed to Keep Calm & Cook On, what are you even doing.

Here’s a better look at my launch party outfit because I know there will be questions. Dacy found the dress from The Kit (this pattern seems to be sold out but these birds are great, I’m wearing the 2X). The shoes are Anthropologie and old.

Here I am signing after the talk! My best friend Amy took all these pics, by the way, AND drove 5 hours to be there because she is a truly excellent human and yet we failed to take a photo together, which is a real shame because her dress was also amazing.

More signing! And a peek at the Burnt Toast Bookshop titles that Heidi brought to the event, getting me ever closer to my dream of being a Real Bookshop Girl.

The official event was followed by an after party at our house with a bunch of friends and a bunch of TACOS (from Newburgh’s Hudson Taco). My friend Bernard picked up all the food while we were at the talk, and then set everything up with Dan, Amy and I’m not even sure who else because I was still signing books and being so fancy!

Also shout out to my Hot Tub Book Club friends who gave me a PUZZLE OF THE BOOK COVER (pics to come when I finish it!) and my friend Liesa who brought me two kinds of orange snack crackers (IYKYK). And of course to Heidi and Michael of Split Rock and Justice and everyone at the Desmond-Fish Public Library, who made the whole day happen.

OH AND HELLO, WE HAD A BOOK CAKE. Which turns out to be the career milestone I didn’t even know I needed to achieve?! (It’s from Bread & Batter Bakery.)

It was a great day.

And today will be also be great! I’m taking myself plant shopping this morning (obviously) then heading into the city for tonight’s conversation with the brilliant Kelsey Miller at McNally Jackson at the Seaport.

See you tonight NYC!

Then tomorrow night, I’ll be in virtual conversation with Christy Harrison for Women’s & Children’s First Bookstore.

See you tomorrow, Internet!

I’d love to see you at either (or both!) of these events. There may not be book cake but there will be so much good conversation and of course, actual books.

And of course the most important thing you can do to support the book is BUY IT. Especially in this first week when numbers are everything. I know that sounds like it’s very much about me and yes of course my ego is involved. But the more I see the negative reaction to this book (I wasn’t kidding about the child abuse comments), the more I realize just how much we need to make this conversation happen in a mainstream, game changing, bias-ending way.

Order FAT TALK!

Anti-fatness harms everyone. Kids deserve better. We all deserve better. This is one way we get there.