Tea Reader: Living Life One Cup at a Time

by Katrina Avila Munichiello

Overview

A Tea Reader is a collection of true stories about memories shared over a cup of tea.

This anthology reveals the ways that tea has changed lives through personal, intimate stories. Explore the varied memories that people associate with this beverage, from deep family moments, to heartbreak, to peace in the face of loss. Author and tea blogger Katrina Avila Munichiello has chosen stories from all types of tea people, including those raised in the tea tradition, those newly discovering it, long-ago tea lovers, and those for whom tea is a career. Together, these writings show that tea is not simply something you drink, but can also provide quiet moments for making important decisions, a catalyst for conversation, and the energy needed to operate in our lives.

Accompanied by charming illustrations, the 58 stories found in A Tea Reader cover the spectrum of life, such as the development of new friendships, beginning careers, taking dream journeys, and sharing life's ups and downs with friends and family. Sure to delight tea lovers old and new, A Tea Reader offers stories that will speak to and inspire you. Sit down, pour a cup of tea, and enjoy.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781462900213
Publisher:	Tuttle Publishing
Publication date:	08/21/2012
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	256
File size:	4 MB

About the Author

Katrina Avila Munichiello is a freelance writer, blogger, and tea lover. Specializing in writing about tea, parenting and food allergies, she has been published in Yankee Magazine, The Boston Globe Magazine, Living Without and others. A native of Maine, Katrina and her family live in Massachusetts.

Table of Contents

Introduction: Falling in Love with Tea

FIRST STEEP: Tea Inspires Reverie

SECOND STEEP: Tea Inspires Connections

THIRD STEEP: Tea Inspires Ceremony and Tradition

FOURTH STEEP: Tea Inspires Career

FIFTH STEEP: Tea Inspires Wanderlust

Editorial Reviews

Like fine wine, savoring a cup of tea involves more than expertise. In this charming anthology, freelance journalist and blogger Munichiello provides a refreshing reminder of the days when tea parties evoked thoughts of friendship rather than political differences. In one passage, a British journalist describes an exquisite Japanese tea ceremony he witnessed in 1897. While Chinese and Japanese drink delicately flavored green tea, in mountainous regions of Pakistan, tea-drinking is an entirely different affair. In 2006, Kirsten Kristensen traveled to Tibet where drinking tea is not only a ritual of friendship, but a diet staple. Perhaps most surprising is an excerpt from a 1931 memoir by Thomas Lipton. His recipe for quality tea—blended specially to take account of regional differences in water—is nothing like the tea bags on supermarket shelves. (Oct.)

Publishers Weekly

"Not only is there a world of tastes and flavors to explore, but preparing and drinking tea provides 'a quiet time to think and contemplate,' says Munichiello, author of A Tea Reader: Living Life One Cup at a Time. In it, she shows the impact of tea on the lives of a cross section of tea lovers." —USA TODAY

"Like a fragrant pot of tea, this well-curated collection of personal narratives is full-bodied, bracing and delicious. Cozy up in a comfortable chair (with your favorite cuppa, of course) and lose yourself in the keen enthusiasm of this convivial group of tea lovers as they weave personal memories and heartfelt experiences about the importance of tea in their lives. This is a richly rewarding compendium that speaks to the passion and allegiance of tea drinkers." —Mary Lou Heiss, co-author of The Story of Tea and The Tea Enthusiasts Handbook

"A glimpse into the lives and souls of people who share a common passion; their unrelenting love for tea. A must-read for tea enthusiasts and those who soon will be." —Joseph P. Simrany, President, Tea Association of the USA, Inc.

"Katrina brilliantly captures the romance and journey of tea." —Tracy Stern, founder of SALONTEA and author of Tea Party and Tea for You

"My recommendation is that reading an anecdote or two with a cup of tea will bring pleasure and appreciation to anyone who enjoys drinking tea." —Shozo Sato, professor emeritus, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign

"While the book's topic alone makes it the perfect gift for the tea enthusiast in your life, the selections all are also skillfully written, whether somber, joyful or educational in tone. Most share a contemplative, peaceful sensibility (often achieved over a cup of Earl Grey). So although at least a passing appreciation for tea will further readers' appreciation, any fan of good writing will enjoy sampling the contents…even, dare it be said, those who prefer coffee." —Shelf Awareness for Readers

"In this charming anthology, freelance journalist and blogger Munichiello provides a refreshing reminder of the days when tea parties evoked thoughts of friendship rather than political differences." —Publishers Weekly

"As for the contents, the author recommends that you get a good cup of tea and sit back to read. I agree totally. This is a book to be taken in with some attention, not rushed through…" —EnglishTeaStore.com

From the Publisher