Dear Reader

Dear Reader Column 07-31-07

Join my email book club. Over 330,000 people read 5-minutes a day. To see what books I'm featuring this week, go to: http://www.dearreader.com/

Dear Reader,

My philosophy is there's always a good news, bad news side of everything. And last winter, when I was in New York City, the bad news was the weather forecast--torrential sleet and rain all day long, which meant it was going to be impossible to get a cab. And since I had several business appointments, I asked the hotel concierge to get me a driver for the day. And that's when I discovered the good news, my driver, Jerry.

"Hello, I'm Jerry and it's a pleasure to serve you today."

I was already stressed thinking about the complicated day ahead of me and I really wasn't in the mood for talking, but first impressions are important. So after I gave Jerry the address of my first appointment, we started to chat. At first it was just the pleasantries people exchange. I live in Sarasota, Florida, Jerry was from Mexico and he came to the States when he was 15. I was a writer, Jerry and his wife Gracie owned the limo company--and soon we were talking like old friends.

Jerry loves his work because he meets a lot of smart and creative people. He said that he always learns something from the people who ride in his car. And then he turned and looked back at me, "Ms. Suzanne, I will learn something from you today."

It was like I was queen for a day. Usually I'm standing in the street flagging down a cab, feeling tense, hoping I'll make it to my next appointment in time. But spending the day with Jerry, it certainly didn't feel like I was working.

"Just sit right there, Suzanne. Let me help you out of the car."

Umbrella in one hand and his other hand extended to help me over the huge puddle by the curb, Jerry walked me up to the door of the building and ushered me inside. "Here's my cell phone number, call when your appointment is finished and I'll meet you right here."

An hour later, true to his word, Jerry was waiting for me and his kindness and gracious manner continued throughout the day. It was one of the most delightful days I'd ever spent in New York City, but unfortunately now it was time to say good-bye.

"Jerry, do you remember when we first met this morning? One of the very first things you told me was that you knew you would learn something from me today. But before I leave, I need to let you know that I learned something from 'you' today."

Suddenly I got very nervous, and was actually having second thoughts about telling Jerry the story, but I'd come this far so...

A couple of years ago, when I was out for an early morning walk, a car drove by me and then it turned around and drove by me again and again. The third time the car went by, the four Hispanic men inside started yelling lewd and suggestive obscenities at me. I figured it was just guys doing what guys do, but then when they drove up along side of me and slowed way down, I had the feeling they were going to get out of the car. I was scared to death. I started running. They were still yelling at me, and I just kept on running until I got home. And after that incident I was too scared to go for my early morning walk, but what troubled me even more, was that whenever an Hispanic man would greet me and say hello--I remembered the men from my early morning walk and felt afraid. I knew it wasn't logical, but I couldn't seem to help myself.

"But now things are going to be different, because today I got to know a kind, considerate, and wonderful person. So the next time I meet an Hispanic man, I won't be thinking about my early morning walk, instead I'll smile and return his gracious hello, because I'll remember you, Jerry."

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

Suzanne Beecher
Suzanne@DearReader.com
http://www.DearReader.com

P.S. Write a "Dear Reader" column, get it published, win 54 books, (most of them signed) and a book bag. Can you help me out while I'm on vacation this year? For guidelines, deadline and prizes, go to: http://tinyurl.com/349g6k

READ THE CLASSICS: Fifth Business by Robertson Davies and enter the free Penguin Classic's Drawing. Go to: http://tinyurl.com/3x9eam

Dear Reader Column 07-30-07

Join my email book club. Over 330,000 people read 5-minutes a day. To see what books I'm featuring this week, go to: http://www.dearreader.com/

Dear Reader,

Author Jane Cleland reads along with us every day at the book club. I haven't had the pleasure of meeting Jane yet, but her publisher said that Jane loves the book clubs, and I think you'll love her latest mystery, Deadly Appraisal. It's this week's bonus book.

Sample Jane's book, and then send an email and tell me what you think of it. I'll make sure Jane gets to read your comments and when I receive your email, you'll automatically be entered in a drawing for a copy of Deadly Appraisal. (I have 20 copies to give away to readers.)

To sample Deadly Appraisal by Jane Cleland, go to:

http://tinyurl.com/2om5nq

Enjoy the read and thanks for taking the time to send feedback. I know Jane will love to hear from you.

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

Suzanne Beecher
Suzanne@DearReader.com 
http://www.DearReader.com

AUTHORBUZZ: Summer is the perfect time to discover these five new books from these captivating authors: Lloyd Jones, Mr. Pip; Judy Gregerson, Bad Girls Club; Paul Weidner, Memoirs of a Dwarf at the Sun King's Court; Lori Handeland, Hidden Moon; and Joy Nash, Immortals: The Awakening. Go to: http://authorbuzz.com/dearreader

WRITE A DEAR READER column, get it published, win 54 books, (most of them signed) and a book bag. Can you help me out while I'm on vacation this year? For guidelines, deadline and prizes, go to: http://tinyurl.com/349g6k

READ THE CLASSICS: Fifth Business by Robertson Davies and enter the free Penguin Classic's Drawing.
Go to: http://tinyurl.com/3x9eam

Dear Reader Column 07-27-07

Join my email book club. Over 330,000 people read 5-minutes a day. To see what books I'm featuring this week, go to: http://www.dearreader.com/

Dear Reader,

I have a liver dinner date this evening. Sounds exciting doesn't it? The word liver can do that to a person--get them all excited. Okay, so I admit I never imagined myself looking forward to a liver dinner date, but nevertheless I am. First time and all, you know--and I'm even going to take my camera--not to take pictures of the liver necessarily, my liver dinner date is with two good friends and I thought I should have the waiter take our picture for posterity.

When I was a kid, my mother used to serve liver at least every two weeks. It was frightening. As soon as I saw Mom slicing up a big piece of liver into little liver servings, and dipping them in flour and heating up the oil--I started phoning friends.

"Have you eaten yet? Can I come over for dinner? I just got a new Beatles album and I'll bring it along. You can even keep it for a week. I really need to come to dinner." And if those calls didn't produce a liver reprieve, I'd dial friends of friends. "Hello there, I'm Ginger's best friend and she thought we should get to know each other, have you eaten yet? By the way I just got a new Beatles album..."

Mom liked liver because it was cheap. It didn't matter that I hated the stuff. "This isn't a restaurant, you'll eat what I serve." And of course the other half of that sentence was something about not wasting food, so I was forced to sit at the table until I ate every single bite of the liver and onions on the plate in front of me. Oh did I forget to mention the onions? Not that they made the dinner anymore palatable. The onions were cooked in the same pan as the liver.

My only salvation was ketchup--lots and lots of ketchup. Dump on the ketchup, pinch your nose with two fingers and then shove as big of a piece of liver as I could get down my throat without choking. Gagging produced no sympathy at the liver dinner table.

By now you're probably wondering why I'm looking forward to my liver dinner date this evening. Well, it started as a joke. My two friends were kind enough to invite me to a home cooked birthday brunch a couple of months ago, so I thought I would reciprocate and invite them out to dinner. And I thought we'd all get a good laugh when I invited them to a liver dinner, but to my surprise I've been hanging around with liver connoisseurs. And they assure me they know all the four-star places to get a tasty liver dinner.

So I'm a tad ambivalent, but still excited--I'm sure liver tastes different when you're an adult. Doesn't it? I haven't decided what I'm going to wear to my first grown-up liver dinner, but for sure I'm bringing a bottle of ketchup.

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

Suzanne Beecher
Suzanne@DearReader.com 
http://www.DearReader.com

P.S. Write a Dear Reader column, get it published, win 54 books, (most of them signed) and a book bag. Can you help me out while I'm on vacation this year? For guidelines, deadline and prizes, go to: http://tinyurl.com/349g6k

READ THE CLASSICS: Fifth Business by Robertson Davies and enter the free Penguin Classic's Drawing. Go to: http://tinyurl.com/3x9eam

Dear Reader Column 07-26-07

Join my email book club. Over 330,000 people read 5-minutes a day. To see what books I'm featuring this week, go to: http://www.dearreader.com/

Dear Reader,

It's become a tradition--every month I bake two dozen of my famous homemade chocolate chip cookies for one book club reader. But I always receive hundreds of entries, and since many readers know how to do some pretty good sweet-talking, I always end up baking for more than one person.

To enter this month's Chocolate Chip Cookie Giveaway and to read about some of the past winners and see their photos, go to:

http://www.emailbookclub.com/photo/cookie0707.html

I'd love to bake for you, but you have to enter the drawing.

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

Warmest regards,
Suzanne Beecher
Suzanne@DearReader.com 
http://www.DearReader.com

AUTHORBUZZ: An author wants to hear your wedding horror stories! Win signed copies and discover books you'll read and never forget from these terrific authors: Brenda Janowitz, Scot on the Rocks; Raven Bower, Apparitions; Christina Askounis, The Dream of the Stone; Jude Deveraux, Someone to Love; and Deborah Davis, Not Like You. Go to: http://authorbuzz.com/dearreader

READ THE CLASSICS: Fifth Business by Robertson Davies and enter the free Penguin Classic's Drawing. Go to: http://tinyurl.com/3x9eam

Dear Reader Column 07-25-07

Join my email book club. Over 330,000 people read 5-minutes a day. To see what books I'm featuring this week, go to: http://www.dearreader.com/

Dear Reader,

When I'm writing a column it can go in two different directions: the truth or what I wished the truth was. Writing about what I wished the truth was--is the toughest thing for me to do.

I can change the ending if I need to; finesse the story so it feels better than what really happened, so I no longer need to feel embarrassed for the people in it. Or I can write a story through the innocent eyes of a little girl, who's pretending, but still--I know the truth.

My story may be part fairy tale, but fairy tales have their place. Make-believe so hard 'til I really believe it's true, those stories give me hope, they replace the memory with a rewrite of how I wished things would have been. How I imagine most people wish things would be.

Writing the truth is easy when everyone is happy by "The End." It makes a wonderful story. But some stories in my life, oh how I wish someone would have written them differently a long time ago, and not left it up to me. Because writing about what I wished the truth was--is the toughest thing for me to do.

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

Suzanne Beecher
Suzanne@DearReader.com 
http://www.DearReader.com

P.S. Write a Dear Reader column, get it published, win 54 books, (most of them signed) and a book bag. Can you help me out while I'm on vacation this year? For guidelines, deadline and prizes, go to: http://tinyurl.com/349g6k

READ THE CLASSICS: Fifth Business by Robertson Davies and enter the free Penguin Classic's Drawing. Go to: http://tinyurl.com/3x9eam

Dear Reader Column 07-24-07

Join my email book club. Over 330,000 people read 5-minutes a day. To see what books I'm featuring this week, go to: http://www.dearreader.com/

Dear Reader,

I was an only child, so when I was growing up it was never an option for me to blame someone else. Whenever my mother would yell, "Who tipped over the shampoo bottle? Who forgot to put the mayonnaise back in the refrigerator? And who was jumping off of the kitchen wall and put her foot right through it?" The 'who' was always me and it was always me 'who' got in big trouble. (Except when I put my foot through the kitchen wall. My mother yelled for effect, but only scolded me with a "wink-wink" because she'd been after my dad to add-on to the kitchen anyway, and so he finally did.)

Nope, since I was the only 'who' in the house, I couldn't ever blame anyone else for anything. But I'm sure making up for it now. It's become my secret bad habit--blaming other people. Whenever I can't find something, well obviously it's because some other nincompoop forgot to put it away. How dare they? It's a 'secret' bad habit, because I never actually pronounce sentence on the guilty nincompoop face-to-face, I just think about it--a lot and sometimes for a long time.

Three years ago I went on a business trip and when I returned and was unpacking my suitcase, I couldn't find my watch. I've never loved a watch more. It was a gorgeous watch--a square silver face with a big wide orange band. Usually big watches look ridiculous on my arm, because my wrist is so small, but this watch looked stunning. I knew for sure I'd taken it on my trip, because I remembered wearing it to dinner, but the watch didn't come home with me.

What happened to it? Obviously the housekeeper, at the hotel, must have stolen it.

No doubt about it. I was sure that's what happened, and it's the story I stuck with until yesterday...when I unzipped a "hidden" pocket in my suitcase, (a pocket that I couldn't ever remember using and didn't even know existed) but there it was--my missing watch.

I was thrilled to be reunited after three long years, couldn't believe my good fortune, but then instantly I felt like a louse. Because for the past three years, whenever I thought about my orange watch, I was also thinking nasty thoughts about the faceless, nameless, no-good housekeeper who'd stolen it.

It's weird. I wish I could blame it on human nature, or on my parents, because they didn't have any more children, and I was blamed so many times as a child, that now I have a "who-dun-it?-you-did-it" disorder. So I need to transfer those feelings to someone else--and blaming other people is part of my therapy, but unfortunately--I'm still the one and only 'who'--who did it.

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

Suzanne Beecher
Suzanne@DearReader.com 
http://www.DearReader.com

P.S. Write a Dear Reader column, get it published, win 54 books, (most of them signed) and a book bag. Can you help me out while I'm on vacation this year? For guidelines, deadline and prizes, go to: http://tinyurl.com/349g6k

READ THE CLASSICS: Fifth Business by Robertson Davies and enter the free Penguin Classic's Drawing. Go to: http://tinyurl.com/3x9eam

Dear Reader Column 07-23-07

Join my email book club. Over 330,000 people read 5-minutes a day. To see what books I'm featuring this week, go to: http://www.dearreader.com/

Dear Reader,

It's that time of year again! Time to enter the Write a Dear Reader contest.

For the past two years I've invited readers to "fill-in" for me while I'm on vacation. This year my husband and I will be heading back to the Blue Ridge Mountains, but before I leave I'll choose two winning columns. The columns will be published at the book clubs and the winners will each receive 54 books (most of them signed) and a book bag from Vanguard Press.

If you love to write, or if you've never written anything, but thought about it--give it a try. Hundreds of readers enter the contest every year and it's interesting, because at the end of almost every entry there's a note--"Even if I don't win, I had fun and it felt good to write this column. Thanks for the opportunity."

Can you help me out? I'd love to hear from you. Write a Dear Reader column and send it my way. To see the prizes and read the guidelines go to: http://tinyurl.com/349g6k

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

Suzanne Beecher
Suzanne@DearReader.com
http://www.DearReader.com

P.S. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows has arrived!If you'd like to win a copy of the (unabridged) audio version--17 compact discs--approximately 21 hours of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, by J.K. Rowling, send an email to: Suzanne@DearReader.com (you won't receive a response, but not to worry, your name will be entered in the drawing.)

AUTHORBUZZ: An author wants to hear your wedding horror stories! Win signed copies and discover books you'll read and never forget from these terrific authors: Brenda Janowitz, Scot on the Rocks; Raven Bower, Apparitions; Christina Askounis, The Dream of the Stone; Jude Deveraux, Someone to Love; and Deborah Davis, Not Like You. Go to: http://authorbuzz.com/dearreader

READ THE CLASSICS: Fifth Business by Robertson Davies and enter the free Penguin Classic's Drawing. Go to: http://tinyurl.com/3x9eam

Dear Reader Column 07-20-07

Join my email book club. Over 330,000 people read 5-minutes a day. To see what books I'm featuring this week, go to: http://www.dearreader.com/

Dear Reader,

Thanks for taking the time to write. Congratulations to Rachel Feld, the turtle winner. If you missed the turtle column, go to:

http://tinyurl.com/2dfgcw

"Suzanne,

My younger sister is married (I am not) has her masters (I'm getting there) and has a child (I do not).

I constantly have to remind myself that life is not a race and even if it was, there is no reason why we cannot all be winners. After several false starts as a Social Worker, a Youth Group Director, and a Starbucks Barista, I discovered I am meant to be a teacher. I started graduate school this past May, and will graduate in June of '09 with my Masters in Special Education.

Slow and steady (especially the steady part!) has become my motto when balancing work with school with life. Reading your article today reinforced that it is okay, and even good, to take things slow and to have fun along the way. Thank you!"

Best, Rachel Feld

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

Warmest regards,
Suzanne Beecher
Suzanne@DearReader.com 
http://www.DearReader.com

P.S. Write a Dear Reader column, get it published, win 54 books, (most of them signed) and a book bag. Can you help me out while I'm on vacation this year? For guidelines, deadline and prizes, go to: http://tinyurl.com/349g6k

READ THE CLASSICS: Fifth Business by Robertson Davies and enter the free Penguin Classic's Drawing. Go to: http://tinyurl.com/3x9eam

Dear Reader Column 07-19-07

Join my email book club. Over 330,000 people read 5-minutes a day. To see what books I'm featuring this week, go to: http://www.dearreader.com/

Dear Reader,

It's that time of year again! Time to enter the Write a Dear Reader contest.

For the past two years I've invited readers to "fill-in" for me while I'm on vacation. This year my husband and I will be heading back to the Blue Ridge Mountains, but before I leave I'll choose two winning columns. The columns will be published at the book clubs and the winners will each receive 54 books (most of them signed) and a book bag from Vanguard Press.

If you love to write, or if you've never written anything, but thought about it--give it a try. Hundreds of readers enter the contest every year and it's interesting, because at the end of almost every entry there's a note--"Even if I don't win, I had fun and it felt good to write this column. Thanks for the opportunity."

Can you help me out? I'd love to hear from you. Write a Dear Reader column and send it my way. To see the prizes and read the guidelines go to: http://tinyurl.com/349g6k

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

Suzanne Beecher
Suzanne@DearReader.com
http://www.DearReader.com

AUTHORBUZZ: Tell an author what matters most to you in your life and help raise money for a worthy cause. Plus discover new titles from five terrific authors. Andrew G. Marshall, I Love You, But I'm Not In Love With You; J.B. Stanley, Fit To Die; Kiara Brinkman, Up High In The Trees; Bret Lott, Not Safe but Good; and Luanne Rice, What Matters Most. Go to: http://authorbuzz.com/dearreader

READ THE CLASSICS: Fifth Business by Robertson Davies and enter the free Penguin Classic's Drawing. Go to: http://tinyurl.com/3x9eam

Dear Reader Column 07-18-07

Join my email book club. Over 330,000 people read 5-minutes a day. To see what books I'm featuring this week, go to: http://www.dearreader.com/

Dear Reader,

Dark suit, white shirt, dark tie, and a book and pamphlets tucked underneath his arm. I knew right away who he was, and what he wanted the minute I spotted the "tools" of his trade. So after he delivered his opening line, I butted in and suggested we just cut right to the chase.

I explained that normally, he'd want to show me 'the way' and then I'd try to tell him that I was already taken care of in that department, but nevertheless, he'd still keep right on talking, because he doesn't like "my way" and eventually I'd politely shut the door in the middle of his sentence.

"So here's the thing," I told him, "my writing muse is on vacation and it's been kind of tough going today. You see, when I get to a certain point in a column, I usually call my writing muse and she listens to me talk. And since I'm without someone to listen to me today, and you're here, and you want to talk and hang around my front porch anyway, how about if you listen to me talk about my column and then it will be your turn to talk, and I'll listen. Have we got a deal?"

And before he could really realize what he'd agreed to, I pulled up a lawn chair and told him to sit down and put his feet up."Do you want a glass of lemonade? I think we might be here awhile. I can't quite decide on a lead."

Line by line, I delivered my column and he even laughed in the places I was hoping for at least a giggle. But when I got near the end and I was starting to stumble, because I still needed to do some rewriting, he was getting impatient. He looked down at his watch and when I heard him clear his throat, I was afraid that "persuader" man was going to try to slide-in one of his "this is the way" lines. So I just kept right on going at the end of my sentence, rolling right over the period, not even stopping to take a breath--then I slid right into the next sentence and when my substitute muse's attention started to wane even more--I reminded him that we had an agreement.

"Doesn't it say something in that 'persuasion' book you're totin' about keeping your side of a bargain?"

I give him credit, "persuader" man sat back down and he was a pretty good listener--didn't have too many creative suggestions, but then again that wasn't part of our deal. And soon it was his turn. But by then, the sweat was running down his face, (it was 98 degrees even in the shade) and in all fairness, he probably forgot his lines because I'd interrupted his usual presentation flow.

"Not to worry," I told him. "My muse takes two vacations a year, give me your card and the next time she leaves town, I'll call you."

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

Suzanne Beecher
Suzanne@DearReader.com
http://www.DearReader.com

READ THE CLASSICS: Fifth Business by Robertson Davies and enter the free Penguin Classic's Drawing. Go to: http://tinyurl.com/3x9eam