A literary feast of kindred spirits

Get fed in more ways than one at the eight-hour reading series Grain of Salt.

- BY MADDIE CONNORS

ARIANA DREHSLER For The Times

HANNAH FAUST, from left, Chelsea Davis and Alyssah Nevarez read Simone de Beauvoir's "Inseparable" at a Grain of Salt event late January in Chinatown.

In 2025, Kari Kolts was new to Los Angeles and looking to connect with like-minded readers. She stumbled upon a viral literary event on TikTok called Grain of Salt - an all-day reading event that concluded with a four-course meal tailored to complement the novel. Intrigued, Kolts saw that only one ticket remained.

"I said: Well, that's my sign. I have to get it," she said.

Soon, Kolts found herself in a dimly lighted loft in Chinatown, reading a novel and debating it among new friends during the eight-hour event.

She was elated.“Having something where you can sit down and be intellectual in a world that is increasingly anti-intellectual is a breath of fresh air,” Kolts said.

Grain of Salt was founded in August 2025 by Alexis Nguyen and her partner, Kai Nguyen. The couple was inspired to host an event that merges their interests. Alexis is an avid lifelong reader, and Kai works part time as a private chef. The resulting event is an eighthour immersive literary and culinary experience.

“Since their passion is cooking and food, and my passion is reading, we always wanted to do something that would incorporate both of those things,” says Alexis. The couple had previously hosted book clubs in their home, where Kai prepared an elaborate literary-themed dinner.

Last summer, the couple officially launched the Grain of Salt reading series. The first event — centered on “It Lasts Forever and Then It’s Over” by Anne De Marcken — was an overwhelming success. “It’s been so successful thus far, and we've sold out all of our events. It’s been such a great experience,” says Alexis. “Our last event that we launched a couple of days ago sold out in 30 minutes.”