Tayari's Blog: Report From The Road: NYC (Uptown)

My publicist, Linda Duggins, is a really prompt woman. She doesn't play around. We arrived at 3pm, in plenty of time for the 4pm reading. But... the place wasn't even open yet. There were about fifteen tense minutes before the doors were opened but it was well worth the wait.

Chololat is one of two lounges operated by Leon (I didn't catch his last name, but if you were in a room full of men and someone said, "Can you pick the club owner out of this crowd?", you'd be able to find him. Dapper, composed, oozing charm. You know the type.) His other business is called "Mocha."

The place was filled with beautiful black folks! Gwen DeVoe, who also co ordinates a fashion/modeling enterprise for plus-sized sisters, invited her models and they were all there, glamazons as far as the eye could see. Book clubbers were there, stylish, coordinated, warm and welcoming. And don't let me forget about the menu. From appetizers to entrees it managed to be fabulous and comfortable at the same time.

My reading was really brief because I managed to lose my voice the night before. (Linda, ever prepared, forced me to suck on an "organic" lozenge that tasted like tree bark and mold. When she looked away, I spit it out, so it's my own fault that I couldn't properly read.) Finally, I croaked out a few pages of The Untelling, grateful for everyone's patience. Then, I indulged in a few medicinal cocktails. (I reccommend the "Chocolat Kiss!".. but then again, the liquer shots in the little chocolate cups were pretty good too.) None of these treats restored my voice.. I could barely tell the taxi driver to take me to the airport this morning! But a good time was had by all.

Much much love to everyone who helped with the organizing, to the people who showed up, showed love, and bought books. And special special thanks to Isis, our wonderful waitress who kept the good times rolling!