City Reads Bookstore
From Scratch: A Memoir of Love, Sicily, and Finding Home
From Scratch: A Memoir of Love, Sicily, and Finding Home
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A poignant and transporting cross-cultural love story set against the lush backdrop of the Sicilian countryside, where one woman discovers the healing powers of food, family, and unexpected grace in her darkest hour.
It was love at first sight when Tembi met professional chef, Saro, on a street in Florence. There was just one problem: Saro’s traditional Sicilian family did not approve of him marrying a black American woman, an actress no less. However, the couple, heartbroken but undeterred, forges on. They build a happy life in Los Angeles, with fulfilling careers, deep friendships and the love of their lives: a baby girl they adopt at birth. Eventually, they reconcile with Saro’s family just as he faces a formidable cancer that will consume all their dreams.
From Scratch chronicles three summers Tembi spends in Sicily with her daughter, Zoela, as she begins to piece together a life without her husband in his tiny hometown hamlet of farmers. Where once Tembi was estranged from Saro’s family and his origins, now she finds solace and nourishment—literally and spiritually—at her mother in law’s table. In the Sicilian countryside, she discovers the healing gifts of simple fresh food, the embrace of a close knit community, and timeless traditions and wisdom that light a path forward. All along the way she reflects on her and Saro’s incredible romance—an indelible love story that leaps off the pages.
In Sicily, it is said that every story begins with a marriage or a death—in Tembi Locke’s case, it is both. Her story is about loss, but it’s really about love found. Her story is about travel, but it’s really about finding a home. It is about food, but it’s really about chasing flavor as an act of remembrance. From Scratch is for anyone who has dared to reach for big love, fought for what mattered most, and needed a powerful reminder that life is…delicious.
Orders can be picked up from our store in Adenta. Click on this link for google map directions
Shipping Info
Shipping Info
Delivery fees can be paid on delivery. The cost of delivery ranges from GHS 25 to GHS 60, based on your location.
All orders received on business days are processed within 24 hours. Orders received on weekends and holidays are processed within 24-72 hours.
Deliveries in Accra, its environs, Kasoa and Tema, Ghana
Deliveries in and around Accra as well as Kasoa and Tema, would be made within 24 hours after receiving your order confirmation email.
Deliveries outside Accra (Inter-regional Deliveries)
Inter-regional deliveries to areas outside Accra, are made via Speedaf or by bus (VIP, STC) within 48 - 72 hours business days (excluding weekends and holidays) after receiving your order confirmation email. Please reach out to us on +233205302691 whenever you make an order going outside Accra.
Pick ups
Orders can be picked up from our store in Adenta. Click on this link for google map directions
International Shipping
Currently, we do not offer international shipping. We are still working on an affordable means of shipping internationally. Do send an email to orders@cityreadsbookstore.com before making and order if you are located anywhere outside Ghana.
Return & Exchange
Return & Exchange
Books purchased can be returned within a week. This means from the day you received your purchase, you have up to 7 days to request a return, refund or exchange.
To be eligible, your item must be in the same condition that you received it, unused, and in its original packaging. You’ll also need to submit the receipt or proof of purchase.
If your return is accepted, we’ll arrange for a delivery company to pickup. Items sent back to us without first requesting a return will not be accepted.
We make sure our books and all other items are in pristine condition before delivery. In the event where your order arrives damaged in any way (dog ears, broken spine etc), please email us as soon as possible at orders@cityreadsbookstore.com with your order number and a photo of the item’s condition.
If you have any further questions, please don't hesitate to contact us at orders@cityreadsbookstore.com.
Damages and issues
Please inspect your order upon reception and contact us immediately if the item is defective, damaged or if you receive the wrong item, so that we can evaluate the issue and make it right.
Exceptions / non-returnable items
Unfortunately, we cannot accept returns on sale items or gift cards.
Exchanges
The fastest way to ensure you get what you want is to return the item you have, and once the return is accepted, make a separate purchase for the new item.
Refunds
We will notify you once we’ve received and inspected your return, and let you know if the refund was approved or not. If approved, you’ll be automatically refunded on your original payment method within 10 business days. Please remember it can take some time for your bank or credit card company to process and post the refund too.
If more than 10 business days have passed since we approved your return, please contact us at orders@cityreadsbookstore.com.
WANT TO ORDER BOOKS FOR YOUR LIBRARY OR BOOKSHOP AT WHOLESALE PRICES?
Send an email to Priscilla at orders@cityreadsbookstore.com to arrange wholesale orders.