The Table where We Meet: Lessons Learned from Dinner with 1000 Strangers

by Jess Janz

We all want to be known. Most of us just don't know how to begin.

When Jess Janz found herself craving deeper conversations—but trapped in a world of small talk—she took a leap. What started as a casual idea in a hair salon soon became Dinner With a growing movement where guests gather around a table, introduce themselves without ever mentioning work, and share who they are beyond the job title. No scripts, no expectations—just curiosity, courage, and a seat at the table.

In The Table Where We Meet, Jess reflects on what she's learned from hosting dinners with more than a thousand strangers across North America. With essays that are both tender and practical, she explores what it means to belong, how to ask better questions, and why connection requires us to risk being truly seen. Alongside her insights are unforgettable stories—funny, heartbreaking, deeply human—that reveal how much we all have in common when we finally let our guard down.

This is a book for anyone who's ever felt alone in a crowd, tired of surface-level chatter, or unsure how to bridge the gap between isolation and intimacy. The Table Where We Meet is a guide, a memoir, and a quiet revolution—one dinner at a time.

Genres: Nonfiction

256 pages, Hardcover

Expected publication July 14, 2026

Reviews

[Emmy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you so much sourcebooks audio for this ALC! This audio was such a refreshing listen! It definitely shows you a positive perspective on life. Even though we as individuals may face our own struggles, we’re not alone. I enjoyed the sense of community and reaching out. I loved how the author is the narrator for this one, it makes it feel even more genuine.

[Kat · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you’re looking for an audiobook that feels like sitting down with a warm, compassionate friend while also giving you a much needed mood boost, look no further.

Jess Janz both wrote and narrated The Table Where We Meet, and I love when authors read their own work. It creates a more intimate experience and adds an extra layer of authenticity to their words.

The book centers around a simple but powerful concept: bringing strangers together over dinner to discuss anything except their jobs. While our careers are often something we work hard for and take pride in, they shouldn’t define the entirety of who we are. Through these conversations, Jess encourages listeners to look beyond titles, have deeper discussions with the people around them, and even reconsider how they view themselves.

The stories that emerge from these dinners are equal parts inspiring, thought provoking, and heartwarming. By the end, I found myself wishing Jess hosted these gatherings somewhere closer than Toronto so I could experience one myself. At the same time, I wondered whether the concept would work as well in places where people feel more divided or less willing to open up to strangers.

When the audiobook ended, I wasn’t ready for it to be over. I could have happily listened to many more stories and conversations. This book felt like a warm hug, and it’s one of those rare listens that I can easily recommend to just about everyone.

[Heather Lang · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25⭐️
Dinner With Strangers began as a desire for Jess to find a deeper connection with people. Bringing together strangers to share a meal and share what matters most to them, without sharing what they do for work. Giving people a chance to share who they are without that career identity. Through essays, we follow along as Jess shares all that she learned in these dinners that are heartfelt, funny and sweet.

I was fortunate to start my friendship with Jess first as an “internet friend” and then as a guest at the very first Dinner with Strangers. People could easily say my review would be biased based on these two facts; however, I can honestly say that the Jess you will get to know in these essays is exactly who she is as a person. My motivation to join the first dinner was a longing for a deeper connection with people, a thorn in my relationship at the time. I took a chance. And this is what this story shares. How people can do small tangible things to develop meaningful and deep relationships with others. And the importance of these things to your life. You don’t have to have dinner with strangers to be intentional and impactful. Jess shares in her tender and funny way the value of mindfulness and relationship building. She shares how it doesn’t have to be hard to be worthwhile.

[Leora · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a beautiful memoir. The Table Where We Meet is thoughtful, reflective, and full of quiet wisdom. I found myself highlighting so many of the author’s observations about human connection, the ways we show up for one another, and how we choose to present ourselves to the world.

One idea that particularly stayed with me was the concept of gathering around a table with strangers where no one is allowed to talk about their job. It challenges us to think about who we are beyond our careers and titles, and whether we define ourselves too much by what we do instead of who we are. I found that perspective incredibly refreshing and thought-provoking.

Throughout the memoir, the author shares poignant reflections on relationships, vulnerability, and community. Her journey is deeply personal, yet the lessons feel universal. The writing is warm, inviting, and encourages readers to slow down and consider what truly matters.

I thoroughly enjoyed both her writing style and the overall feel of the book. It is a gentle, meaningful memoir that reminds us of the importance of connection and the conversations that happen when we allow ourselves to be seen for who we really are.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to preread and review this book.

[Melissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

thanks to @sourcebooks.audio and @librofm who have offered me a couple of very different but good audio choices, based on your mood!

My Nonfiction option was 𝑻𝑯𝑬 𝑻𝑨𝑩𝑳𝑬 𝑾𝑯𝑬𝑹𝑬 𝑾𝑬 𝑴𝑬𝑬𝑻 𝒃𝒚 𝑱𝒆𝒔𝒔 𝑱𝒂𝒏𝒛, coming out July 14th and read by the author. I was drawn to this as it is an exploration of our deep need to be known, how difficult it can be to achieve this goal, and stories of her own life in an effort to pursue authentic connections.

I think this may have been a little bit of preaching to the choir. I am already on board with much of what Janz speaks of, and it is always nice to feel validated. I didn't necessarily learn much, but I did feel a bit more encouraged to not give up looking for and working toward connections beyond the surface level. I did feel like it got a little close to the "chase your dreams" motivational speaker trope, but I settled in that there should be people in your life to whom you can truly tell your dreams. A worthy investment, indeed.

[Francis · Rating 3 out of 5]

I thought that this book (and the author) provided a really beautiful perspective on life and something as complicated as the human condition. I found the questions she asked to be genuinely thought provoking and really influenced me to question some things about how I go about the world . I don't think the writing style necessarily resonated with me and occasionally. I did occasionally find some contradictions between her ethos/resolutions and the actions she would go on to describe moments later. I thought the books was opened beautifully, and the last few chapters were really a highlight for me. A worthwhile read, but not one I find myself wholeheartedly behind. A truly honest and insightful read that is not only rooted in self-reflection, but inspired me to do some reflecting of my own - and for that, I am grateful.

Thank you to HarperCollins for the arc.

[Olivia (Stories For Coffee) · Rating 4 out of 5]

[gifted by Sourcebooks]

Certain nonfiction books find me at the right time in life. One day, this book landed on my doorstep, and it immediately intrigued me, as someone who makes a living off of fostering authentic communities online while struggling to connect with those in person.

Jess' Dinner with Strangers is not only an innovative, fresh idea meant to bring together strangers for one night of authentic connection, but also a reminder that we all crave the same thing, if only we'd reach out our hands to one another. This nonfiction is a warm hug, a soft nudge in the right direction, a collection of memories proving that it's an art to cultivate a warm environment for others to open up and we should create more opportunities for that to happen.

[Vmndetta ᛑᛗᛛ · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book somehow makes me (a very introverted person) want to go out and meet new people. Crazy.

This book made me reflect a lot on how I usually keep people I don't know at a distance. I don't even want to meet them. Reading it made me believe more in myself, like maybe I can handle meeting new people without feeling so anxious. It also hit me that strangers can actually make my days better. The stories in this book show how unique meeting strangers can be once we let our guard down a little.

I really recommend this book, especially if you want to feel more open to meeting people.

[Tiffany (areyoutellingstories) · Rating 3 out of 5]

The idea of the dinner events the author hosts is fascinating to me and sounds like such a wonderful experience. I enjoyed the stories shared from attendees of those events, especially the one about the gentleman and his friend who texted the color of the ties each morning. I would have liked more of these stories or perhaps more of the nuance and process behind setting up these dinners. Perhaps question suggestions to navigate a deeper connection in the world. Overall, I appreciated the encouragement to bring more joy into small everyday interactions.

[Tressa · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a beautiful love letter to being human together. Jess’s perspective and insights resonate deeply. I made note of some questions I’d like to incorporate in conversations to more deeply connect with people and enjoyed her poetic voice shining through as she wove stories and reflections together.

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC

[Lauren · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to the Sourcebooks Audiobook reviewer program for providing me with an audiobook copy of this book.

This audiobook felt like listening to voice notes from an older sister or best friend.

I immediately preordered a physical copy so I could annotate the quotes that I currently have squirrel notes for.

[Haley · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this one!!

The audio narrator (the author) added lots of depth and personality to it.
It was very enlightening and informative, but also entertaining and deep!
Thank you sourcebooks audio for this ALC! <3

[Ellen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jess Janz is wise. She’s created a viable model for reconnection among humans. I’d love to see social programs based on this book. Wonderful work!

[Stefania · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rating of advanced copy received from publisher