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Tony Shalhoub is making his literary debut. The Emmy-winning actor announced a new book co-written with his daughter Josie Adams. Titled ‘We Thought They’d Never Leave: Musings on Food and Family’, this heartfelt project transforms decades of family stories into a memoir and cookbook hybrid.
🔥 Quick Facts
- Book Title: We Thought They’d Never Leave, Musings on Food and Family
- Authors: Tony Shalhoub and Josie Adams, co-written and announced February 24, 2026
- Release Date: October 27, 2026 from Gallery Books
- What’s Inside: 20 family recipes, family stories, and memoir vignettes celebrating 50 years of tradition
From Cookbook Plan to Heartfelt Memoir
When Tony Shalhoub and Josie Adams first started the project, they envisioned a simple family cookbook. But something magical happened as stories emerged.
According to Shalhoub, “before I knew it, we had created something closer to a memoir.” The actor further explained that working with his daughter was fulfilling. Josie helped turn decades of recipes and stories into something coherent, making the archive of memories deeply meaningful to him.
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Celebrating Family Traditions and Door County Summers
At the heart of the book lies a 50-year-old family reunion tradition in Door County, Wisconsin. This annual gathering brings together 10 siblings, their children, and their children’s children in what Shalhoub describes as joyfully chaotic.
Shalhoub reflected on family moments that span generations, from his childhood in a Lebanese-American household in Green Bay to today’s bustling summer gatherings. The book captures meals, mishaps, and small moments that link one generation to the next.
A Collaboration of Love and Legacy
Josie Adams, who founded House of Water, a woman-led production company, collaborated deeply on the project. For her, this book represented more than creative work. She wanted to preserve family stories before they slip away, ensuring that generations understand their heritage and connection.
| Detail | Information |
| Release Date | October 27, 2026 |
| Publisher | Gallery Books |
| Recipes Featured | 20 family recipes |
| Book Category | Memoir and family history |
“It’s more than a cookbook; it’s a love letter to my family, the traditions and recipes that define us, and the reunion my parents started over 50 years ago. If it captures even a little of the noise and affection of that one chaotic week each year, I’ll be happy.”
— Tony Shalhoub, Actor and Author
What Makes This Book Special for Marvelous Mrs. Maisel Star
Tony Shalhoub, best known for Monk and The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, has earned Emmy, Tony, and Golden Globe awards throughout his distinguished career. This book marks his first major literary project, combining his voice with authentic family narratives.
The book promises readers rich vignettes drawn from Shalhoub’s parents, siblings, and countless summers crowded around long tables. Each recipe carries history, anchoring the broader family saga in something tangible and delicious.
Will You Order This Book When It Arrives in October?
Josie Adams expressed profound gratitude for the process, explaining that working with her father opened new perspectives on family. She gained the chance to see him not just as her dad, but as the child of her grandparents, the brother to her aunts and uncles.
Preorders are already available wherever books are sold. The book invites readers into the kind of loud, affectionate, ever-growing family reunion that somehow always makes room for one more at the table. Will this heartfelt family memoir become your next literary obsession?
Sources
- People Magazine – Exclusive interview with Tony Shalhoub about his new book announcement and creative process with his daughter
- Gallery Books – Official publisher synopsis and October 2026 release date confirmation
- Josie Adams – Official website and House of Water production company details about the author collaboration
