Author. Editor. Journalist. Co-author of “Kitchens of Hope” (June 2025) and “The Ultimate Minnesota Cookie Book” (2024). Former food editor of the Minnesota Star Tribune. leedeanbooks.comhttps://bsky.app/profile/leesdean.bsky.socialhttps://bsky.app/profile/leesdean.bsky.social/post/3mjuyuncyhk23Does this billboard in downtown Minneapolis need a caption? Not really, but here’s one anyway: Minnesota Strong.19 Apr 2026 22:28 +0000at://did:plc:df3nl3mvomjplec7knu7vf35/app.bsky.feed.post/3mjuyuncyhk23https://bsky.app/profile/leesdean.bsky.social/post/3mgjbsfjzu22aDelighted to see that “Kitchens of Hope” has been named a finalist in the FORWARD 2025 Indies Book of the Year Awards. FORWARD interviewed the authors — me, my sister Linda, and Christin Eaton about the book’s focus on immigration and food traditions. The interview is at tinyurl.com32jaccky08 Mar 2026 02:21 +0000at://did:plc:df3nl3mvomjplec7knu7vf35/app.bsky.feed.post/3mgjbsfjzu22ahttps://bsky.app/profile/leesdean.bsky.social/post/3mfpw34is6s2yIt’s a sweet moment to hear that readers like our book! And, yes, indeed, the Italian Almond Cookies are terrific! Thanks! @mngupbooks.bsky.social [contains quote post or other embedded content]26 Feb 2026 00:14 +0000at://did:plc:df3nl3mvomjplec7knu7vf35/app.bsky.feed.post/3mfpw34is6s2yhttps://bsky.app/profile/leesdean.bsky.social/post/3m6y2icsvkc2aHeaded to a favorite spot — a library — for a book talk about the new “Kitchens of Hope,” a volume about immigration and food traditions. Hopkins Public Library in Minnesota, Tuesday, Dec. 2, at 6:30 pm. With coffee and book sales by Cream & Amber.02 Dec 2025 03:58 +0000at://did:plc:df3nl3mvomjplec7knu7vf35/app.bsky.feed.post/3m6y2icsvkc2ahttps://bsky.app/profile/leesdean.bsky.social/post/3m4nsrcfxgc2aThe impact of print! Happy to see 2 books I co-authored on the list from the Minnesota Star Tribune: “Kitchens of Hope” and “The Ultimate Minnesota Cookie Book.”02 Nov 2025 15:23 +0000at://did:plc:df3nl3mvomjplec7knu7vf35/app.bsky.feed.post/3m4nsrcfxgc2ahttps://bsky.app/profile/leesdean.bsky.social/post/3lzhzmbdjs222I’ve got books on my mind , specifically, mine! If you’re in Maple Grove, Minn., stop by Tuesday for a book talk on immigration and food traditions!23 Sep 2025 03:54 +0000at://did:plc:df3nl3mvomjplec7knu7vf35/app.bsky.feed.post/3lzhzmbdjs222https://bsky.app/profile/leesdean.bsky.social/post/3ly6xoeri7s2hBook tour! This is the first of 11 libraries I am visiting. First is in Wyoming, Minn., and then in McGregor, Minn. I love libraries!06 Sep 2025 20:00 +0000at://did:plc:df3nl3mvomjplec7knu7vf35/app.bsky.feed.post/3ly6xoeri7s2hhttps://bsky.app/profile/leesdean.bsky.social/post/3lxt7mad5a22hDelighted to have been part of cooking demos for the Minnesota Star Tribune, at the state fair. Two recipes from “Kitchens of Hope,” a cookbook about immigration and food traditions, were featured by book contributors: a Latvian walnut cake and a German leek tart. Here’s to food that travels!02 Sep 2025 03:50 +0000at://did:plc:df3nl3mvomjplec7knu7vf35/app.bsky.feed.post/3lxt7mad5a22hhttps://bsky.app/profile/leesdean.bsky.social/post/3lsf2dahun22tCheck out the recommended summer books!! There might be a book on immigrants and food … [contains quote post or other embedded content]24 Jun 2025 21:32 +0000at://did:plc:df3nl3mvomjplec7knu7vf35/app.bsky.feed.post/3lsf2dahun22thttps://bsky.app/profile/leesdean.bsky.social/post/3lrsyprarf223Publication day! First sighting in the wild! Immigration stories and the recipes brought from homelands. Timely, inspiring, AND delicious. @uminnpress.bsky.social17 Jun 2025 17:16 +0000at://did:plc:df3nl3mvomjplec7knu7vf35/app.bsky.feed.post/3lrsyprarf223https://bsky.app/profile/leesdean.bsky.social/post/3lrgex7kmms24There’s nothing like print to have impact! Thrilled to see my new book, “Kitchens of Hope,” featured in @startribune.com @sharynjackson.bsky.social @uminnpress.bsky.social12 Jun 2025 16:50 +0000at://did:plc:df3nl3mvomjplec7knu7vf35/app.bsky.feed.post/3lrgex7kmms24https://bsky.app/profile/leesdean.bsky.social/post/3ll3dhz2w5k26O Canada, in July 1978 the Taste section of the Minneapolis Star paid homage to our northern neighbor’s provinces with not one but two big food sections on the delights of 1) British Columbia, and 2) Manitoba, including praise for the 3) cooking of Ukrainian immigrants in Winnipeg.23 Mar 2025 22:53 +0000at://did:plc:df3nl3mvomjplec7knu7vf35/app.bsky.feed.post/3ll3dhz2w5k26https://bsky.app/profile/leesdean.bsky.social/post/3ljthyd6ae225I am thrilled to announce a new book focused on the timeliest of topics: immigration, from the journeys of those traveling with hope to the recipes they carried in their hearts. More than 30 immigrants from Afghanistan to Zimbabwe allowed us into their lives and kitchens. June pub date. Pre-orders!08 Mar 2025 02:27 +0000at://did:plc:df3nl3mvomjplec7knu7vf35/app.bsky.feed.post/3ljthyd6ae225https://bsky.app/profile/leesdean.bsky.social/post/3ljlijskgws2nI dropped by @barnesandnoble.com and found a display of 32 copies of “The Ultimate Minnesota Cookie Book.” When I mentioned I was a co-author, the clerk asked me to sign the books. Thanks for the support (and the great — some might say “ultimate” display)! @uminnpress.bsky.social #books04 Mar 2025 22:16 +0000at://did:plc:df3nl3mvomjplec7knu7vf35/app.bsky.feed.post/3ljlijskgws2nhttps://bsky.app/profile/leesdean.bsky.social/post/3ljdrecmuxs2tFebruary was a dark month, and I’m not talking about the weather. Was it really only 28 days? My reading started out serious, but memoirs offered shafts of light that brought relief. As always, books saved the day (and month) for me. What’s on your March reading list? #books01 Mar 2025 20:33 +0000at://did:plc:df3nl3mvomjplec7knu7vf35/app.bsky.feed.post/3ljdrecmuxs2thttps://bsky.app/profile/leesdean.bsky.social/post/3li4bnq32as2nCookie book alert: It brings me joy to see “The Ultimate Minnesota Cookie Book” lined up with “Joy of Cooking,” two indispensable guides in the kitchen! Thanks, @barnesandnoble.com14 Feb 2025 03:38 +0000at://did:plc:df3nl3mvomjplec7knu7vf35/app.bsky.feed.post/3li4bnq32as2nhttps://bsky.app/profile/leesdean.bsky.social/post/3lhrnb64mqs2wCookies and the American Swedish Institute go together like butter, flour, sugar and eggs! It was a sweet afternoon, with cookies from “The Ultimate Minnesota Cookie Book” baked to perfection by @nordicfoodgeek.bsky.social (thanks!) [contains quote post or other embedded content]09 Feb 2025 22:06 +0000at://did:plc:df3nl3mvomjplec7knu7vf35/app.bsky.feed.post/3lhrnb64mqs2whttps://bsky.app/profile/leesdean.bsky.social/post/3lh624hkrj22tMy January booklist kept me (relatively) sane — and busy — this month (see photo). What’s planned for February? For a starter, a memoir appropriate for the month. What could that be? (to be announced in 28 days). Note the library books in the stack, a reader’s best friend #books02 Feb 2025 03:03 +0000at://did:plc:df3nl3mvomjplec7knu7vf35/app.bsky.feed.post/3lh624hkrj22thttps://bsky.app/profile/leesdean.bsky.social/post/3lfsuriw5v22hIt’s official: The Year of the Loon [contains quote post or other embedded content]15 Jan 2025 23:03 +0000at://did:plc:df3nl3mvomjplec7knu7vf35/app.bsky.feed.post/3lfsuriw5v22hhttps://bsky.app/profile/leesdean.bsky.social/post/3lenpvha3gc27Wishing all a full cookie jar in 2025! If you need inspiration, I recommend this new book from Rick Nelson and me. Happy baking in the new year! @uminnpress.bsky.social #baking #cookies01 Jan 2025 04:27 +0000at://did:plc:df3nl3mvomjplec7knu7vf35/app.bsky.feed.post/3lenpvha3gc27