Dear Reader

Dear Reader Column 09-30-08

Join my email book club. Over 350,000 people read 5-minutes a day. To see what books I'm featuring this week, go to: http://www.dearreader.com/

Dear Reader,

How am I going to decide what to pack the next time I have to fly? I'm not planning a trip any time soon, but for some reason when I woke up this morning I started worrying about the consequences of the new airline baggage rules.

For me, the consequences are huge.

Psychologically it's going to be a real challenge to travel light. I realize there are much bigger problems in the world, and some enterprising companies even offer possible packing solutions, like mix-and-match outfits for traveling. But those "never wrinkle, must-haves for the seasoned traveler," none of that stuff has ever been in my suitcase and probably never will be.

Traveling for me means going to the prom--especially when I'm flying to New York City. A chance to get dressed up, to wear one of those cute little numbers from the "New York side" of my closet, where shoes and accessories have been carefully selected for a finite, finished look, each outfit pre-choreographed and prom-worthy. But I fear these new baggage rules and charges are going to leave me feeling "stood-up" at my next prom.

I look forward to going to the prom because this writer's every day wardrobe consists of a T-shirt and a cotton skirt, or a T-shirt and crop pants. Sometimes I never even get out of my pajamas and other days I recycle, because I can't wait to get to my laptop, so I can pick up the story where I left off yesterday--and if yesterday was a particularly great writing day--I grab yesterday's skirt hoping for a repeat performance.

Other days even though I start the day dressed, if I'm having trouble writing the least little bit of irritation can drive me crazy. So piece-by-piece I get rid of irritations--and you get the picture--it's simply easier and roomier to wear my nightgown. But I do throw a color coordinated T-shirt over the top, so I look presentable just in case the doorbell rings.

In the past my dear husband has been a "packer-enabler." Whenever I worried I might be taking too many pieces of luggage, he lovingly said it didn't matter. But now even he admits I might need a packing alternative and he suggested this idea: mix clothes with cookies. When I fly to New York I ship bags of chocolate chip cookies, so they're waiting for me when I arrive at my hotel. (I take a bag of cookies along to every one of my appointments.) Maybe there's room in that cookie shipment for a few prom clothes? Publishers love it when I hand them a bag of homemade cookies, so I'm sure they wouldn't mind if I showed up smelling like a chocolate chip cookie, too.

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

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

READ THE CLASSICS: One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest by Ken Kesey and enter the free Penguin Classic's Drawing. Go to: http://tinyurl.com/65j7z7

 

Dear Reader Column 09-29-08

Join my email book club. Over 350,000 people read 5-minutes a day. To see what books I'm featuring this week, go to: http://www.dearreader.com/

Dear Reader,

One more day--and I'll choose the winners of this month's Chocolate Chip Cookie Giveaway. Tell me something interesting about yourself. That's what I asked readers to do when they entered the cookie giveaway. Everybody's got a story to tell and readers have been telling me some interesting tales. To enter go to: http://tinyurl.com/4mrb98

Kathy knows how to write a great lead..."I have a little secret...I am into politics. When I was a kid and even now, politics held 'dirty word' status in the Midwest where I come from. But a few years back I found myself saying yes, when I should have said no and now I am the Mayor of my city. The pay is small, the town even smaller--population 240 including cats and dogs! But in a silly way it makes me feel like I'm doing something big. Like I'm right up there with Bloomberg and Daley--same job only on a smaller scale. I have another full time job as a Social Worker, but that's not near as exciting. How many social workers can anyone name? Please consider me for cookies, I'm far too busy to bake."--Kathy B.

"I am now 80 years old. I live in the house I was born in, sleep in the room I was born in, and sleep in the bed I was born in. But--I have a new mattress!"--Joanne F.

"Something interesting, huh? Well...at 37 I had to have a hip replacement. How did I celebrate my brand new hip? With a hip new life! I took up fly-fishing and got back on my Harley! Great job with the book club!"--Kim M.

"My husband and I have applied to the Peace Corps. We are waiting to hear if we'll be accepted. We are both in our early 70s. It is exciting to think what the future might bring us. Where will we be in a year from now? What language will we be speaking? What challenges will we have to meet in a new country and culture?"--Ruth E.

"My wife and I just celebrated our 20th wedding anniversary. I am 50 years old and I was looking to make plans for the 'golden years.' Our daughter is 16 and we are making plans for her to go to college. However, we just found out we are expecting our second child! My wife and I are both in shock and will appreciate any comfort food you can ship out to us."--Alex M.

Melissa met her husband thanks to chocolate chip cookies..."We both attended the same Superbowl party in 1997. My contribution was cookies. He LOVED them and searched me out to say so. We married in 1999 and the rest is history. However, to this day I am unable to replicate the taste and texture of the batch that day!"--Melissa S.

"On the twenty fourth of last month my wonderful wife of almost 65 years went to be with the Lord. She suffered with AZ for a long, long, time. I keep telling myself she is in a better place but, oh how I miss her. While she was in the nursing home for seven years, I went to be with her every morning and stayed until after I fed her lunch. Now I am having trouble knowing how to fill that void, thus I have joined the book club looking for a way to spend my time and I will say it helps a little. Thank you for providing this service, God Bless."--Dan M.

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

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

AUTHORBUZZ: New authors, old favorites--all wonderful books you can win. Anna Kennedy, Not Stupid; M.J. Rose, The Reincarnationist;  Michael Largo, Genius and Heroin: The Illustrated Catalogue of Creativity, Obsession, and Reckless Abandon Through the Ages; Debbie Macomber, A Cedar Cove Christmas; Linda Lael Miller, The Rustler--A Stone Creek Novel; and Laura Griffin, Thread of Fear. Go to: http://authorbuzz.com/dearreader

READ THE CLASSICS: One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest by Ken Kesey and enter the free Penguin Classic's Drawing. Go to: http://tinyurl.com/65j7z7

Dear Reader Column 09-26-08

Join my email book club. Over 350,000 people read 5-minutes a day. To see what books I'm featuring this week, go to: http://www.dearreader.com/

Dear Reader,

I said good-bye to Flat Stanley this past Monday. Shipped him Priority Mail back to Abigail, the second grader at North Liberty Elementary School in Indiana. Readers continue to write in about Flat Stanley: Chelle Carevlae, a hot air balloon pilot in Kenya, said Flat Stanley was one of her passengers on a balloon safari over the Maasai Mara Game Reserve last year. "Hello to Stanley from Kenya!"

Melinda was introduced to Flat Stanley when she was staying overnight in a castle in Europe. "A grandma was traveling with Flat Stanley, collecting 'flat' souvenirs to mail back home to her grandson."

There's a Flat Stanley musical and Marleen Steele invited me to the Giant Center in Hershey, Pennsylvania. "If you're in Hershey (yes the town where the streets are shaped like Hershey Kisses) I'm sure Flat Stanley would be glad to have you in the audience!"

To cushion Flat Stanley's ride and to give Abigail a keepsake, I printed out photos of Flat Stanley's adventures in Florida, put them in a photo album along with the card Flat Stanley received from a book club reader and I included a letter of my own:

Dearest Abigail,

Thank you for sending Flat Stanley to visit me and my husband and our cats in Sarasota, Florida. My husband and I love it when our almost two year-old grandson Paul comes to visit, and having Flat Stanley living with us for two weeks felt like another grandson around the house. We had a wonderful time.

Flat Stanley met a lot of new friends and changed some lives. One of the 365,000 people who read my column (and who lives nearby in Florida) had a letter and some marble cheesecake delivered to my house for Flat Stanley. Reading about him must have touched something warm and kind in her heart. It was so thoughtful of her to take the time to send something special to Flat Stanley.

It's my belief that such little things in life make the biggest difference. When you smile at someone, help your neighbor pull weeds in their flower garden, say thank you when someone does something kind, put a note or a picture you drew on your Mommy or Daddy's pillow, or send your friend Flat Stanley to visit Suzanne and Bob Beecher in Florida--these are the things that people never forget. When you do the little things, you leave a big impression on someone's heart.

I hope you enjoy the photos, a memory book of Flat Stanley's visit. There is plenty of room for more pictures. I thought you might like to start putting together your own photo album. My Grandma Hale was a shutterbug (used to take all the pictures in our family) and I'm so glad she did. I love to look at pictures of myself when I was little.

Thank you again Abigail for sending Flat Stanley. My husband and I will never forget his visit. I would love to hear from you again. Please feel free to write any time. I'll write back, too!

Your friend in Sarasota,

Suzanne Beecher

To see Flat Stanley's final adventures, go to: http://www.emailbookclub.com/photo/flat3.html

Have a wonderful weekend.

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

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

SEARCHING FOR YOUR NEXT BIG THRILL? Read "Between the Lines" interviews, win copies and read about this month's new thrillers from: Don Bruns, Tim Waggoner, Jassy Mackenzie, Mariah Stewart, Katherine Howell and Sharon Carter Rogers. Visit the September issue of the Big Thrill now! Go to: http://www.thrillerwriters.org

READ THE CLASSICS: One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest by Ken Kesey and enter the free Penguin Classic's Drawing. Go to: http://tinyurl.com/65j7z7

 

Dear Reader Column 09-25-08

Join my email book club. Over 350,000 people read 5-minutes a day. To see what books I'm featuring this week, go to: http://www.dearreader.com/

Dear Reader,

We have two different ways to win at the book club this week. If you haven't entered these giveaways yet--there's still time.

September Chocolate Chip Cookie Giveaway. All you need to do is tell me something interesting about yourself--and you're entered. How easy is that? To enter, go to: http://tinyurl.com/4mrb98

Free Book Giveaway. I'm a big nonfiction reader, but this week's alternate book A Foreign Affair by Caro Peacock, held me on every page. Ms. Peacock's writing inspired, entertained and made me believe every now-and-then that I was a character in her story. Such a delightful book. I loved it and I hope you will, too.

Please sample the book and send me a note. The publisher and author would love to hear your thoughts. I also have 15 copies of the book to give away to readers. Go to:  http://www.supportlibrary.com/bc/v.cfm?L=allfiction&V=T1AA4FEE51T&c=SUZ

Also, congratulations to the winners of last week's book giveaway. These lucky winners will all receive their own copy of Reading Magic: Why Reading Aloud to Our Children Will Change Their Lives Forever by Mem Fox: Martha Huntley, Lydia Alejandre, Katy Kramp, Marianne Hickey, Robert Long, Renee Coffman, Margaret Resendez, Ann Reagn, Pat Badolato and Camille Silda.

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

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

AUTHORBUZZ: Win free copies of books you'll read and never forget from these terrific authors; Peter Manus, Fickle; Kimberlee Auerbach, The Devil, The Lovers & Me: My Life in Tarot; Peter Navarro, The Coming China Wars: Where They Will Be Fought and How They Can Be Won; Alan Jacobson, The 7th Victim; and Howard S. Smith; I, Robot. Go to: http://authorbuzz.com/dearreader

READ THE CLASSICS: One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest by Ken Kesey and enter the free Penguin Classic's Drawing. Go to: http://tinyurl.com/65j7z7

Dear Reader Column 09-24-08

Join my email book club. Over 350,000 people read 5-minutes a day. To see what books I'm featuring this week, go to: http://www.dearreader.com/

Dear Reader,

My husband went shopping the other day and came home overly excited about the "Buy One, Get One Free" ketchup offer in the grocery store. Apparently he needs to get out more, but then again come to think of it, I remember writing a column a few years ago about my husband's "thing" with ketchup--and T.P...

We've never run out of ketchup or toilet paper at our house. What do those two products have in common? Nothing, other than for some reason if we aren't well stocked with both of those items, my husband gets a little nervous.

Remember the old familiar, "If you were stranded on a desert island, what two things would you want with you?" question. I'm sure, in fact I'd bet money on it, that my husband's answer would be 'ketchup and toilet paper.'

I don't know why my husband has this phobia about running out of ketchup or toilet paper. It's not like we've ever had to knock on the neighbor's door to ask if we could borrow a cup of ketchup, or beg for a few squares of Charmin.

I lovingly tease my husband, but after visiting some relatives I realized that there are other people in the world who are even more obsessed about keeping track of their toilet paper inventory.

It was the third day of our visit, my husband and I were sitting down to breakfast, and after our hostess asked us how we wanted our eggs cooked she commented, "Boy we seem to be going through a lot more toilet paper since you guys came to visit. What are you doing with it?"

Initially speechless, I finally muttered, "I don't know. I guess we use it for the same things most people do."

I refrained from asking for ketchup to put on my eggs.

Later that day I bought two 12-roll packs of toilet paper and stacked them up in the corner of their bathroom. And of course, I bought a couple of bottles of ketchup, too, just in case.

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

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

P.S. Sample this week's alternate book, A Foreign Affair by Caro Peacock. The writing is inspiring and entertaining--I loved it and I hope you will, too. Be sure to enter the drawing for a free copy and let me know what you thought about the book. Go to: http://www.supportlibrary.com/bc/v.cfm?L=allfiction&V=Z1AA4FEE51Z&c=SUZ

READ THE CLASSICS: One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest by Ken Kesey and enter the free Penguin Classic's Drawing. Go to: http://tinyurl.com/65j7z7

Dear Reader Column 09-23-08

Join my email book club. Over 350,000 people read 5-minutes a day. To see what books I'm featuring this week, go to: http://www.dearreader.com/

Dear Reader,

I'm a big nonfiction reader, but today's alternate book A Foreign Affair by Caro Peacock, held me on every page. Ms. Peacock's writing inspired, entertained and made me believe every now-and-then that I was a character in her story. Such a delightful book. I loved it and I hope you will, too.

Please sample the book and send me a note. The publisher and author would love to hear your thoughts. I also have 15 copies of the book to give away to readers. Go to:
http://www.supportlibrary.com/bc/v.cfm?L=allfiction&V=T1AA4FEE51T&c=SUZ

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

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

SEARCHING FOR YOUR NEXT BIG THRILL? Read "Between the Lines" interviews, win copies and read about this month's new thrillers from: Don Bruns, Tim Waggoner, Jassy Mackenzie, Mariah Stewart, Katherine Howell and Sharon Carter Rogers. Visit the September issue of the Big Thrill now! Go to: http://www.thrillerwriters.org

READ THE CLASSICS: One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest by Ken Kesey and enter the free Penguin Classic's Drawing. Go to: http://tinyurl.com/65j7z7

Dear Reader Column 09-22-08

Join my email book club. Over 350,000 people read 5-minutes a day. To see what books I'm featuring this week, go to: http://www.dearreader.com/

Dear Reader,

I baked four batches of chocolate chip cookies over the weekend, so I'm looking for readers to send them to. Can you help me out?

This month's cookie drawing is a "Tell and Bake" drawing. To enter the cookie drawing, simply tell me something interesting about yourself and I'll send you a batch of cookies. Now that's a pretty good exchange, don't you think?

For the entry form and to see photos of some of last month's winners, go to: http://tinyurl.com/4mrb98

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

Have a wonderful Monday,
Suzanne Beecher
mailto:Suzanne@DearReader.com 
http://www.DearReader.com

AUTHORBUZZ: Win free copies of books you'll read and never forget from these terrific authors; Peter Manus, Fickle; Kimberlee Auerbach, The Devil, The Lovers & Me: My Life in Tarot; Peter Navarro, The Coming China Wars: Where They Will Be Fought and How They Can Be Won; Alan Jacobson, The 7th Victim; and Howard S. Smith; I, Robot. Go to: http://authorbuzz.com/dearreader

READ THE CLASSICS: One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest by Ken Kesey and enter the free Penguin Classic's Drawing. Go to: http://tinyurl.com/65j7z7

 

Dear Reader Column 09-19-08

Join my email book club. Over 350,000 people read 5-minutes a day. To see what books I'm featuring this week, go to: http://www.dearreader.com/

Dear Reader,

When did I finally decide to appreciate my own talents?

I was thinking about that question the other day after I finished watching two violin players perform on television. Their performance was beyond entertaining, it was inspiring. As I sat in awe of their talent, I was smiling and thinking to myself, 'Suzanne, you should go and do something great.'

I didn't use to think like that. Used to be, when I experienced a stellar performance, compelling writing, a woman wearing the dress of a lifetime, or the best-of-the-best on "Jeopardy" I wasn't inspired; instead I took a personal inventory. And of course I didn't measure up. Wasn't good enough, talented, smart enough or tall enough--nothing could outshine what I'd just experienced. I didn't feel inspired, I felt defeated. Why even try?

But thankfully somewhere along the way I realized that it's not a competition, I don't have to outshine. Sharing my talents, giving the best I have to give, is all that's required of me.

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

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

P.S. Sample this week's alternate book, and enter the drawing to win a free copy. Go to:
http://www.supportlibrary.com/bc/v.cfm?L=%%list.name%%&V=B1AF54AFA74E&c=SUZ (This is another new format. If you tried it earlier in the week, please try it again, and let us know if you have any problems, I appreciate the feedback.)

READ THE CLASSICS: One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest by Ken Kesey and enter the free Penguin Classic's Drawing. Go to: http://tinyurl.com/65j7z7

Dear Reader Column 09-18-08

Join my email book club. Over 350,000 people read 5-minutes a day. To see what books I'm featuring this week, go to: http://www.dearreader.com/

Dear Reader,

Let's get right down to business, a run-down of "extras" today at the book clubs.

Check out this week's AuthorBuzz, go to: http://authorbuzz.com/dearreader

Sample this week's alternate book, Reading Magic: Why Reading Aloud to Our Children Will Change Their Lives Forever by Mem Fox and I have 10 copies to give away to readers. Go to: http://www.supportlibrary.com/bc/v.cfm?L=%%list.name%%&V=B1AF54AFA74E&c=SUZ (This is a new format. If you tried it earlier in the week, please try it again, and let us know if you have any problems, I appreciate the feedback.)

Readers like Melanie Abel, wanted to know if Flat Stanley and I would share our Marble Cheesecake Recipe, go to: http://tinyurl.com/5hrhvg

Flat Stanley and I are still recovering from way...too...much cheesecake! It was delicious.

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

Warmest regards,

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

AUTHORBUZZ: Win free copies of books you'll read and never forget from these terrific authors: C.M. Mayo, Mexico: A Traveler's Literary Companion; Lesley Kagen, Land of a Hundred Wonders; Linda Evans Shepherd and Eva Marie Everson, The Secret's in the Sauce; Diana Holquist, Hungry for More; and John Shors, Beside a Burning Sea. Go to: http://authorbuzz.com/dearreader

READ THE CLASSICS: One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest by Ken Kesey and enter the free Penguin Classic's Drawing. Go to: http://tinyurl.com/65j7z7

Dear Reader Column 09-17-08

Join my email book club. Over 350,000 people read 5-minutes a day. To see what books I'm featuring this week, go to: http://www.dearreader.com/

Dear Reader,

Such delightful email I've been receiving lately. Between reverse freckles, white spots and Flat Stanley I've been entertained by your emails every day. Thank you so much for taking the time to write. I sure do appreciate it. If you missed the white spot column, you'll find it at: http://tinyurl.com/5b84od

From my Email Bag:

"Suzanne, a few years ago a dermatologist told my mother that the brown spots on her arms were, in fact, age spots. At 70 years young she has very few of these. However, the doctor reported that the white spots were 'wisdom spots.' She is very pleased with this--she has many, many of these white spots. So I would suggest leaving your white spots ALONE!"--Leigh Anne

"I have those spots, too! (Not to worry.) They're blonde freckles!"
--Pamela

"Hi, Suzanne, your column today made me chuckle (as so many of them do). When I was a children's librarian in Mississippi, one of my favorite books to share with my story time kids was Purple, Green and Yellow by Robert Munsch. The book is about Bridget, who is given a successive series of markers after she promises not to draw on the wall, the floor, herself... Unfortunately, one set of markers makes pictures seem sooo lifelike that Bridget has trouble keeping her promise. Luckily, there is a 'natural' marker in the batch. I wonder if there is such a thing in real life. I've got a few white spots (and a few brown ones too) on my arms that could use a touch up. As always, thanks for sharing parts of your world with us. You are so right about it being, 'Good to read with friends.' Stay well."--PhilisAnn / Managing Librarian King County Library System

*If you haven't sampled this week's alternate book (with a new format--let me know what you think, please) go to: http://www.supportlibrary.com/bc/v.cfm?L=$subst('Recip.list')&V=B1AF54AFA74E&c=SUZ

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

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

READ THE CLASSICS: One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest by Ken Kesey and enter the free Penguin Classic's Drawing. Go to: http://tinyurl.com/65j7z7