Dear Reader

Dear Reader Column 12-30-05

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Dear Reader,

Happy New Year! This is my annual New Year's Eve column:

My most memorable New Year's Eve was the year my dress fell apart. Well, actually it was shedding. We'd just moved to Florida and some new friends invited us to their New Year's Eve party. We didn't know anyone else at the party, but I made, without a doubt, a big first impression. I was wearing a brand new, black velvet dress--purchased just for the occasion (and it wasn't cheap)--but it started shedding. Everywhere I walked, I left a trail of huge, black fuzz clumps behind. The dress was literally falling apart from the inside out.

I wasn't aware of what was happening until I visited the bathroom. The floor had two huge, white rugs, so it instantly became apparent that I was leaving a trail. I was horrified. I picked up my "droppings" and headed back to the party.

When I walked back into the kitchen, I looked down at the floor and sure enough, there was my dress, all over it. No one else seemed to notice the trail that I'd left around the house. But like a run in your stocking, I was sure they were aware and not saying anything just to be kind.

My first thought was to walk around the kitchen--shuffling my shoe along the floor--so I could sweep up my black fuzz balls. But then I realized that as fast as I was rounding up those little buggers in front of me, I was leaving a new crop behind. My backup plan was to find a dimly lit spot and stay put. And I did, until we left.

I can only imagine what that couple must have thought the next day when they cleaned up from the party! Maybe they thought I'd brought a pet.

Thanks for reading with me. It's so good to read with friends.

Suzanne Beecher
Suzanne@DearReader.com 
www.DearReader.com

Dear Reader Column 12-29-05

Join my email book club. Over 300,000 people read 5-minutes a day. To see what books I'm featuring this week, go to: http://www.dearreader.com/

Dear Reader,

Suzanne's on holiday, so today we're running "The Best Of."

It's in my genes. No doubt I could trace it back through our family tree. A hand-me-down, mother-to-daughter bad habit. Instead of hanging up my clothes when I take them off, I set them on the ottoman in front of my dressing table.

When I bought my antique ottoman, (which by the way is gorgeous) I had visions of sitting on it in front of the mirror: brushing my hair, trying on earrings and hats, a scene right out of a Greta Garbo movie. But this is real life. I rarely sit on my ottoman. Instead, I've discovered it's a handy place to put my clothes.

"When are you going to hang up those clothes?" my father used to complain daily to my mother. Her pile of yesterday's outfits would continue to grow on the corner of her dresser, until her closet was thread-barren. Then she'd spend an evening sorting and hanging things up.

Yes, it's a bad habit, but I always look for the positive side of things. I realized the other night when I was watching a "who-dun-it" show, that if a detective ever questioned me--"Suzanne, where were you three weeks ago on Tuesday at 8 p.m.?"--all I'd have to do to jog my memory is peel off the outfits I'd stacked on my ottoman, digging down until I reached the day in question. Because I can always look at an outfit and remember where I was and what I was doing when I wore it.

Thanks for reading with me. It's so good to read with friends.

Suzanne Beecher
Suzanne@DearReader.com 
www.DearReader.com

AUTHORBUZZ: free stuff, tours, personal stories. This week's authors: Sean Doolittle, Rain Dogs; Linda Lael Miller, One Last Look and Carly Phillips, Body Heat.
Go to: http://authorbuzz.com/dearreader

Dear Reader Column 12-28-05

Join my email book club. Over 300,000 people read 5-minutes a day. To see what books I'm featuring this week, go to: http://www.dearreader.com/

Dear Reader,

Suzanne's on holiday, so today we're running "The Best Of."

My postman wishes he would have taken a less safe path in life. I asked him one day if he liked his job, because he always seems a little bit on the edge about it. No hesitation, he didn't have to think about his answer. "When I was young, a bunch of my friends went to Vegas. Some of them are dealers now and they love their jobs. Me, I took the safe route, good benefits and all, but no, I don't really like my job. I wish I would have taken a different route." I suggested to him that it's never too late, but I could tell that in his mind, it was.

"I wish I would have..."

Thankfully, I rarely find myself making that statement. It's not that I've always made the best or right choices in my life--far from it. But when I look back over the path that I've taken so far, I wouldn't change a thing--even the bad things--because some of the really horrible choices that I've suffered through, they serve me well today.

When I see someone making an obviously dumb choice in their life and I hear others around me saying, "How could they think like that?" Well, I know firsthand how someone could think like that, because I used to think the same way. Call me crazy, because I was. Ask me why I had such idiotic thinking, why sometimes I ended up in such bad situations, I don't know for sure. But I do know that anything can happen to anyone.

And since most of it's happened to me, I think sometimes it makes it easier for me to talk to anyone, about anything. Because chances are, I've been there.

Thanks for reading with me. It's so good to read with friends.

Suzanne Beecher
Suzanne@DearReader.com 
www.DearReader.com

Dear Reader Column 12-27-05

Join my email book club. Over 300,000 people read 5-minutes a day. To see what books I'm featuring this week, go to: http://www.dearreader.com/

Dear Reader,

Suzanne's on holiday, so today we're running "The Best Of."

Every afternoon at four o'clock when my Grandpa Hale got home from work he'd turn on the television, sit down in his green reclining chair, and watch cartoons. He'd laugh right out loud at "Tom & Jerry," "Mighty Mouse," and "Heckle and Jeckle." I never thought it was the least bit strange, because I was a kid, and I sat and laughed right along with him. But I'm sure that other adults must have found his daily make-believe ritual a bit odd.

I thought about Grandpa Hale the other day when I was reading a book review. The reviewer had written that the main character--a stranger in a small town--was conceited, spouted shaky logic and his "platitudinous pontificating" was unchallenged by other characters.

But by the time I finished the book, there were tissues strewn all over the floor. I realize an author should try to set the scene with realistic facts. The characters should say things that we might expect someone in their situations to really say. But sometimes I just don't care if things can't be wrapped up in tidy, little sensible packages. I don't want to call in CSI to take samples and see if the DNA rings true.

It might be foolish, but it felt good to pretend that a stranger could really come into town, be mysteriously wise and compassionate, and help people solve their problems--at least for the two hours it took me to read the book.

It's not always easy for me to find my way into the land of make-believe. Sometimes I could use a little help. It's too bad Grandpa Hale isn't still around, because he seemed to have found the secret.

To see my Grandpa Hale and me, go to:
http://www.emailbookclub.com/photo/gramps.html

Thanks for reading with me. It's so good to read with friends.

Suzanne Beecher
Suzanne@DearReader.com 
www.DearReader.com

Dear Reader Column 12-26-05

Join my email book club. Over 300,000 people read 5-minutes a day. To see what books I'm featuring this week, go to: http://www.dearreader.com/

Dear Reader,

Suzanne's on holiday, so today we're running "The Best Of."

"There's a crack in everything and that's how the light gets in."
--Leonard Cohen

I keep that quote handy in my mailbox. It gives me a sense of contentment and always makes me smile. And I feel proud of myself every time I read it. Proud--because I'm a little bit strange and I run with it.

There are a lot of little wacky, off-balance things in my personality, and sometimes I consider chasing them away. I get concerned that someone else might think they're a little too strange. But then Leonard Cohen's words remind me that, even though some people might consider them "cracks" in my personality, the cracks are how the light gets in. And in my case, that light makes me creative, and (I think) a pretty interesting person.

So, if you think you're different--if you worry about whether there are too many "cracks" in your behavior--don't change. That's how the "good stuff" gets in.

Thanks for reading with me. It's so good to read with friends.

Suzanne Beecher
Suzanne@DearReader.com 
www.DearReader.com

AUTHORBUZZ: free stuff, tours, personal stories. This week's authors: Sean Doolittle, Rain Dogs; Linda Lael Miller, One Last Look and Carly Phillips, Body Heat.
Go to: http://authorbuzz.com/dearreader

Dear Reader Column 12-23-05

Join my email book club. Over 300,000 people read 5-minutes a day. To see what books I'm featuring this week, go to: http://www.dearreader.com/

Dear Reader,

A few years ago, I tried my hand at writing some poetry--an amusing version of 'Twas The Night Before Christmas, and now it's become a tradition at the book clubs.

Okay, I admit it's a bit hokey, but it's really kind of a catchy little number once you start reading it. It's got a syncopated beat, and if you throw in a little sing-song rhythm, you'll be smiling by the end of it.

And if you're really daring, you can listen to me recite 'Twas The Night Before Christmas at the Book Clubs. The link is at the end of my column.

'Twas The Night Before Christmas at the Book Clubs

'Twas the night before Christmas and in every house
all good book club readers were clicking their mouse.

They'd hung all their stockings, decorated their trees
And now it was time to sit down and see
What their email had brought them on this Christmas Eve.

A five-minute break to read a good book
Was just what they needed, but oh my--look...

When they opened their email, no read could be found.
"Oh no, we're afraid Suzanne went out of town.
Could she have forgotten to send us our read?
How could she do this in our time of need?"

The readers all panicked, they shivered in fright,
They pined for their emails and settled in for the night.

"Could we have misplaced them? Did we hit the wrong key?
Did it go in our deleted files?" Oh such misery.
And then in a flash, with a stroke of a key,
One by one, they discovered their Christmas Eve reads.

Their eyes how they twinkled, they laughed and they smiled
And they settled into their chairs to read for awhile.

Their hearts were delighted, they felt just like kids,
But it's still such a mystery where that email had hid.
Was it there all the time and they just didn't see?
Or did Santa step in and do a good deed?

Good boys and girls are on Santa's list
And good book club readers he vows never to miss.

It's been a long night, time to climb into bed,
So they shut down their computers and laid down their heads.

But in the quiet of night, before things came to an end,
They heard, "Thanks for reading with me,
It's so good to read with friends."

I wish you peace and joy,

Merry Christmas,
Suzanne Beecher
Suzanne@DearReader.com
www.DearReader.com

*Suzanne's whimsical reading of our annual book club poem, go to: http://easylink.playstream.com/chapter/xmas.rm

When you click on the link to listen to me read, if it doesn't start playing, you might need to install Real Player. Don't worry, it's free. Go to: http://www.emailbookclub.com/real/

Dear Reader Column 12-22-05

Join my email book club. Over 300,000 people read 5-minutes a day. To see what books I'm featuring this week, go to: http://www.dearreader.com/

Dear Reader,

A few years ago, I tried my hand at writing some poetry--an amusing version of 'Twas The Night Before Christmas, and now it's become a tradition at the book clubs.

Okay, I admit it's a bit hokey, but it's really kind of a catchy little number once you start reading it. It's got a syncopated beat, and if you throw in a little sing-song rhythm, you'll be smiling by the end of it.

And if you're really daring, you can listen to me recite 'Twas The Night Before Christmas at the Book Clubs. The link is at the end of my column.

'Twas The Night Before Christmas at the Book Clubs

'Twas the night before Christmas and in every house
all good book club readers were clicking their mouse.

They'd hung all their stockings, decorated their trees
And now it was time to sit down and see
What their email had brought them on this Christmas Eve.

A five-minute break to read a good book
Was just what they needed, but oh my--look...

When they opened their email, no read could be found.
"Oh no, we're afraid Suzanne went out of town.
Could she have forgotten to send us our read?
How could she do this in our time of need?"

The readers all panicked, they shivered in fright,
They pined for their emails and settled in for the night.

"Could we have misplaced them? Did we hit the wrong key?
Did it go in our deleted files?" Oh such misery.
And then in a flash, with a stroke of a key,
One by one, they discovered their Christmas Eve reads.

Their eyes how they twinkled, they laughed and they smiled
And they settled into their chairs to read for awhile.

Their hearts were delighted, they felt just like kids,
But it's still such a mystery where that email had hid.
Was it there all the time and they just didn't see?
Or did Santa step in and do a good deed?

Good boys and girls are on Santa's list
And good book club readers he vows never to miss.

It's been a long night, time to climb into bed,
So they shut down their computers and laid down their heads.

But in the quiet of night, before things came to an end,
They heard, "Thanks for reading with me,
It's so good to read with friends."

I wish you peace and joy,

Warm Holidays Wishes from,
Suzanne Beecher
Suzanne@DearReader.com 
www.DearReader.com

*Suzanne's whimsical reading of our annual book club poem, go to: http://easylink.playstream.com/chapter/xmas.rm

When you click on the link to listen to me read, if it doesn't start playing, you might need to install Real Player. Don't worry, it's free. Go to: http://www.emailbookclub.com/real/

AUTHORBUZZ: free stuff, tours, personal stories. This week's authors: Rochelle Krich, Now You See Me; Sheila Curran, Diana Lively is Falling Down; and Janet Berliner, Artifact.
Go to: http://authorbuzz.com/dearreader

Dear Reader Column 12-21-05

Join my email book club. Over 300,000 people read 5-minutes a day. To see what books I'm featuring this week, go to: http://www.dearreader.com/

Dear Reader,

Suzanne's on holiday, so today we're running "The Best Of."

I was having lunch with a friend and as I was telling her how great the tomato-basil soup was, she interrupted. "I know this sounds strange, Suzanne, but I was thinking about it the other day. I don't think most people are as happy as they could be--because they've stopped singing. When I was a kid, I used to sing all the time. I wasn't very good at it, but it didn't matter. But then when I was eight years old, I decided I was too old to sing out loud. I think I lost some of my happiness that day."

I wasn't quite sure what prompted her to tell me that story, but it did stick with me. And last week when I was in the CD aisle at a bookstore and saw a burly-looking guy with headphones on--turned way up--singing with reckless abandon, I immediately thought of my friend.

I couldn't help but look at the singing wonder in front of me. And he didn't seem to mind, because when he saw me, he smiled. I wasn't looking his way because I thought he was weird. Actually, I admired him. You've got to feel pretty comfortable in your own skin to sing along. And obviously it just came naturally to him.

When I was a kid we used to sing the song, "If You're Happy and You Know It". If I recall it went like this:

If you're happy and you know it, clap your hands. (clap clap)

If you're happy and you know it, then your face will surely show it.

If you're happy and you know it, clap your hands, stomp your feet, shout "Hurray!". (clap clap)

See you in the music aisle!

Thanks for reading with me. It's so good to read with friends.

Warmest Holiday Wishes,
Suzanne Beecher
Suzanne@DearReader.com
www.DearReader.com

Dear Reader Column 12-20-05

Join my email book club. Over 300,000 people read 5-minutes a day. To see what books I'm featuring this week, go to: http://www.dearreader.com/

Dear Reader,

Suzanne's on holiday, so today we're running "The Best Of."

Every year, same time, same thing. I go through my closet and dresser drawers evaluating, sifting and sorting, deciding what to keep and what to donate or toss.

Looking it over, does it pass my test? Does it look like it belongs in another century? Did I wear it even once last year? And if I did, did I wear it the entire day? It's that last qualifier that's the biggest deal breaker.

I put a pair of pants on the other day; looked in the mirror, and wondered, "Where have these pants been all of my life? Why don't I wear them more often?" But about an hour and 15 minutes later, I vividly remembered why these pants have been sitting in my drawer for the past year.

The last time I had a conversation with these pants, I was in the middle of a two and a half hour flight to Manhattan. I'm sure my seat mate thought that I was afraid to fly--the way I was twisting and turning and bending over in my seat, gasping for air. But really, I was afraid that I was going to have to rip my pants off right there in the aisle. Because no matter how still I sat in my seat, my pants kept inching up higher, tighter and tighter. I was in the grip of a "blue jean" boa constrictor, who knew it was only a matter of time before its prey would succumb.

These pants look brand new--well they are--I've only worn them a total of 3 hours and 45 minutes. I can't bring myself to toss them, so instead I'll donate them, with a disclaimer--"These pants will make you look 'hot', but only for one hour and 15 minutes. Good luck!"

Thanks for reading with me. It's so good to read with friends.

Warmest Holiday Wishes,
Suzanne Beecher
Suzanne@DearReader.com
www.DearReader.com

P.S. To see if you were one of the sixty winners in our Holiday Book Giveaway, Go to: http://www.emailbookclub.com/photo/bookwin.html

Dear Reader Column 12-19-05

Join my email book club. Over 300,000 people read 5-minutes a day. To see what books I'm featuring this week, go to: http://www.dearreader.com/

Dear Reader,

I still ask Santa for new pjs every Christmas. This is one of my favorite holiday columns. Be sure to take a look at the photo.

When I was a kid, my friends thought getting pajamas for Christmas was boring, but not me. New pjs were the highlight of my Christmas bounty. It was the first package I'd look for under the tree. Actually, it was pretty easy to find...it was "shake-less". The quietest package under the tree, but the one that always delighted me the most.

I could always count on Grandma for pjs. They were never boring, but always a little too big in case they "shrunk" or I grew.

When my assistant asked me the other day, "Suzanne, what's the best Christmas present you ever got?" There was no doubt in my mind--no runner up: My red and white jammies with the matching cap to keep me warm. To take a trip with me down memory lane and see me in my favorite pjs, go to: http://www.emailbookclub.com/pajamas.html

Thanks for reading with me. It's so good to read with friends.

(I hope you get pj's this year.)

Warmest Holiday Wishes,
Suzanne Beecher
Suzanne@DearReader.com
www.DearReader.com

P.S. Congratulations to the winners of Everyday Asian by Patricia Yeo and Tom Steele: Marie Giongo, Rosemary Nichols, Dave Knepper, Linda Rorex and Nancy Meacham.

AUTHORBUZZ: free stuff, tours, personal stories. This week's authors: Rochelle Krich, Now You See Me; Sheila Curran, Diana Lively is Falling Down; and Janet Berliner, Artifact.
Go to: http://authorbuzz.com/dearreader