New York Times bestselling author to speak tonight

Jennifer 8. Lee, New York Times bestselling author, will be on campus at 7 p.m. today at Ernie Pyle Hall to speak about her work.

At the event, Lee will discuss her book “The Fortune Cookie Chronicles: Adventures in the World of Chinese Food” in Ernie Pyle Hall 220. Lee and her book have been featured on numerous shows including “The Colbert Report,” “Good Morning America” and “The Today Show.”

“The Fortune Cookie Chronicles” works to answer questions about Chinese food in America, according to Lee’s Web site.

Who is General Tso and why are we eating his chicken? Where do fortune cookies come from?

The answers to these questions can be found in Lee’s book.

“Lee’s book is insightful,” said Melanie Castillo-Cullather, director of the Asian Culture Center.

Castillo-Cullather said the Asian Culture Center invited Lee to speak at IU not only as part of the Asian-Pacific American Heritage Month, but also because of Lee’s work and message.

Beth Moellers, director of communications for the School of Journalism, said she believes Lee thinks outside the box, which is why students will find
her interesting.

“I think she is a speaker who will relate well to students,” she said. “She is young and will give students a fresh perspective.”

In her book, Lee claims there are more Chinese restaurants in America than there are McDonald’s restaurants, Burger Kings and Kentucky Fried Chickens combined. She says Chinese restaurants are more American than apple pie.

“This book serves to dispel stereotypes of what we think and categorize as either American, exotic or foreign,” Castillo-Cullather said.

The book not only discusses Chinese restaurants in the United States but also the people in the restaurants, Castillo-Cullather said. She said this brings to light the immigrant experience and the issues they face.

Castillo-Cullather also said it would be interesting for people to listen to Lee’s experience in writing this book and the facts she uncovered while working on it. Lee will sign copies of her book after the lecture. Copies will also be available for purchase.

“We hope anyone who has had Chinese food for lunch or dinner would not want to miss what promises to be a delightful treat of knowing how Chinese food is all-American,” Castillo-Cullather said.