Dear Reader

Dear Reader Column 07-16-09

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,

Who eats orange Popsicles? Apparently hundreds of readers do, because my mailbox was flooded with orange-loving emails last week. Some were from irked orange readers, others offered alternatives or were pitching their favorite flavor. If you missed the original 168 orange Popsicle column, go to: http://tinyurl.com/l2zk39

From My Orange Email Bag:

"I found this morning's diatribe on popsicles to be one of your most amusing (and relatable) columns yet. I, too, suffer from this product dysfunction. As for your popsicles, I did a little quick math. Based on 168 orange popsicles, packaged 12 per box, you purchased 14 boxes. Since the division came out exact, I'm left to ask whether you actually tried an orange Popsicle. Are you sure you are dissatisfied? Perhaps you should send back only 167 so that it will appear as though you actually sampled the offending novelty."--Carrie Davis-Kujath

"Suzanne, I have been 'reading with friends' for a while now and I have thought of writing often. And I just couldn't stop myself this time. I LOVE the orange popsicles. I refuse to eat the grape (yuck) and the cherry reminds me of liquid cough medicine. There has to be more orange lovers out there--somewhere."--Billie Hickman

"Suzanne, my favorite popsicle since I was a child is orange. It's the first flavor I'd pick from the box. I've never heard anyone so vehemently against orange until now. But the real purpose of my email is to tell you, to try Edy's popsicles. The ones we get around here come in three flavors, lime, raspberry and grape. Not an orange in the box!"--Margi Pomeroy

"Now I know you're crazy!! Orange popsicles are the BEST!! Next to orange pop."--Jeanne T.

"Hi Suzanne, Normally I agree with your opinions and thoughts but today I am firmly against. Orange popsicles are the best! I also prefer orange lifesavers--the cherry ones are way too sweet."--Cathy G.

"I'm embarrassed to admit after reading your column this morning that I love orange popsicles!! Wow, NOBODY you know likes them?? They were always the first ones I ate out of the box when I was a kid. I haven't had one in ages. I'll have to go buy a box." --;p

"Suzanne, you are the strange one. I love orange Popsicles and orange sherbet, etc. Everyone in Florida should like oranges. Sorry about that."--Gareth

"Suzanne, I am one of those people who like Orange Popsicles. Actually, they are my favorite, then I would eat the cherry, but the grape would pile up forever in my freezer until I found someone to eat them. I really do enjoy your columns and today's is the first one that I ever wrote in a comment on, because I thought you needed to know someone out in the world really does like orange popsicles. (I'll keep on reading with you.)"--Marlene Schultz

"No-o-o-o-o-o-o-o, orange popsicles are the best! That's why the company puts more orange in the box than any other flavor. Is the Florida humidity affecting your taste buds?? As my Grandma used to say, if we all liked the same stuff, there wouldn't be enough to go around."--Marlene Pittsburgh, PA

Thanks for reading with me, (even if you do love orange popsicles!) It's so good to read with friends.

Thanks for the laugh,
Suzanne Beecher
Suzanne@DearReader.com
http://www.DearReader.com

AUTHORBUZZ: With so many new books out every week, we promise that there are five that deserve your attention: Kwei Quartey, Wife of the Gods; Mary Guterson, Gone to the Dogs; Phyllis Norton Hoffman, Honey, It's All in the Shoes; Susan Mallery, Straight From the Hip; Clyde Ford, Whiskey Gulf. Go to: http://authorbuzz.com/dearreader

* This month's Penguin Classics book is The Stone Diaries by Carol Shields. To comment on the book and enter the Penguin Classics Drawing, go to: http://tinyurl.com/JulyClassics

 

Dear Reader Column 07-14-09

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,

This month's Penguin Classic The Stone Diaries by Carol Shields, has arrived and I have Penguin Book Bags to give away to seven lucky readers.

Preview this month's book, share the Classics with a friend, encourage them to sign up for a book club and give them a great summer recipe, too. I've designed some fun flyers that tell people how to join, and it includes one of my favorite recipes, Orange Poppy Seed Cake. It's the perfect summer recipe, so easy, because I cheat when I make it from "scratch."

To enter this month's drawing, simply print out some flyers, distribute them, then send me an email, (please include your name and address in case you're a winner) and I'll enter you in the drawing for your own Penguin Book Bag. It's my favorite book bag.

To print copies of the recipe flyer, go to: http://www.supportlibrary.com/nl/users/test/mweb/path23-15.html

**You can get a discount on the Classics all year long at the Penguin site. Use the code "Dreader10" when you purchase Classics.

**Congratulations to the Weekend Crossword Puzzle winners of the Dolly Madison Muffin Mix recipe cards: Cathy Feola-Thompson, Tammy Oskey, Josie Roetemeyer, Tillie Ray and Todd Smith.

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

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

SEARCHING FOR YOUR NEXT BIG THRILL? Read the "Between the Lines" feature interview with Jonathan Kellerman then read about great thrillers from: Chris Kuzneski, Blake Crouch, James Scott Bell, Howard Shrier, Vicki Hinze, John Gilstrap, Carolyn Haines, Dakota Banks, Eric Wilson, Julie Kramer, Robert Gregory Browne, Leslie Parrish, Eric Stone, John M. Wills, Mike Lawson, Robert Liparulo and Laura Caldwell. Go to: http://www.thrillerwriters.org

Dear Reader Column 07-13-09

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'd never met, but it felt like I was visiting an old friend when I stopped by Ruth Farello's house to drop off her book club prize. Ruth was one of our first Weekend Crossword Puzzle winners and since she lives in Sarasota (where I live) I decided to personally deliver her prize.

"I know so much about you from reading your column, I feel like you're family," Ruth said when she hugged me at the door, and it felt that way to me, too.

I'd even brought some of my family with me. My husband Bob came along as the camera man, and I brought grandson Paul along because he's just so darn cute. Ruth had invited two of her close friends, Gloria and Margaret, and we all sat down for coffee, cookies and cupcakes decorated red, white and blue for the 4th of July. And to our surprise in the middle of our coffee and cupcakes two-and-a-half year old Paul sat himself down at Ruth's piano and gave a recital.

To see a photo of my visit with Ruth and Paul's recital, go to: http://www.emailbookclub.com:80/photo/ruth-prize.html

Read about Dana, another Money Maze winner, who loves the Stillwater Public Library. Go to: http://www.emailbookclub.com/photo/Money-Puzzle070709.html

The Weekend Crossword Puzzle winners will be announced in Tuesday's column.

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

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

AUTHORBUZZ: With so many new books out every week, we promise that there are five that deserve your attention: Kwei Quartey, Wife of the Gods; Mary Guterson, Gone to the Dogs; Phyllis Norton Hoffman, Honey, It's All in the Shoes; Susan Mallery, Straight From the Hip; Clyde Ford, Whiskey Gulf. Go to: http://authorbuzz.com/dearreader

 

Dear Reader Column 07-10-09

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,

It's the weekend (well almost) and it's time to do a little tasty research. Treat yourself to our second Weekend Crossword Puzzle. There are twenty puzzle questions that will entice you to cook something this weekend, or at least inspire you to enter today's drawing. You'll find all of the answers at my Recipe Blog. Whether you decide to do the puzzle or not, be sure to enter today's drawing. I have five handwritten copies of my Dolly Madison Muffin Mix recipe to give away and they'll arrive in a plastic cover. The Dolly Madison Muffin Mix keeps in the refrigerator for four weeks, so you can make a few muffins every morning with your coffee. (And it's one of the answers to the Weekend Crossword.) You'll find the Dolly Madison Muffins and all of the other answers to the puzzle at:

To enter this week's giveaway go to: http://www.emailbookclub.com/photo/crossword070909.html

And today's the last day to enter the "First Reader" contest with author Nate Kenyon. Email him at:  nate@natekenyon.com

Have a wonderful weekend. I hope you enjoyed this week's book.

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

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

P.S. Five lucky people will have a chance to become a "first reader" of Nate Kenyon's new work. Email Nate at nate@natekenyon.com with the subject line "First Reader Contest." The winners will receive a signed copy of Nate's new novel, The Bone Factory--and a signed manuscript copy of the first draft of his work in progress, Sparrow Rock. Read his new book even before his editor does. There's a catch, though--he's looking for feedback. Tell Nate what you think of his story and your comments will help him fine-tune the book as it goes through the editing process. Sound like fun? Email Nate, he's waiting to hear from you.

Dear Reader Column 07-08-09

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,

The Popsicle box of 24 gives it top billing, first in the line up..."Orange, Cherry, Grape," but that's not the order at my house. Who eats orange Popsicles? I sure don't! I can't even persuade my grandson to eat the orange dregs piled up in my freezer. At the tender young age of 2 1/2, even he knows what tastes good, so why doesn't the Popsicle company? Buying the 24 economy size box may be the best bargain, (actually it's the only size the grocery stores around me sell) but it's a financial disaster, because 6 are cherry, 6 are grape and 12 are orange.

I got hooked on Popsicles during my six week recovery from a recent surgery; two Popsicles in the morning and two in the afternoon, a total of four every day--not one of them orange. That's forty-two days of eating Popsicles and since there were only 12 edible ones in a box; 6 cherry and 6 grape, there are now 168 orange Popsicles stacked up in my freezer. I considered "going green" and recycling, passing them on to an orange loving friend, but after a quick phone survey, not one of my friends like orange Popsicles either. (Well actually most of my friends hadn't eaten a Popsicle since they were ten--but everyone said "Yuck!" immediately when I mentioned orange.)

I'm usually the odd person out when it comes to being in the "popular consumer group." The nail polish I like gets canceled, the television shows I find entertaining get cut after the pilot, so until I checked on the Internet to see what other folks had to say about orange Popsicles, I figured I was odd girl out on my Popsicle tastes, too. But I'm not alone, "Just Say NO to orange Popsicles" seems to be the consensus.

"Satisfaction Guaranteed!" Is what the message on the Popsicle box says: "If you're not satisfied with the quality of this product or have any questions or comments...send the reason for your dissatisfaction along with the entire side panel of the box and a prompt adjustment of equal value will be made." So, I'm taking Popsicle at their word. I've packaged up the entire side panel from my box along with my "dissatisfaction"--168 orange Popsicles (in plastic zip bags).

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

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

P.S. Five lucky people will have a chance to become a "first reader" of Nate Kenyon's new work. Email Nate at nate@natekenyon.com with the subject line "First Reader Contest." The winners will receive a signed copy of Nate's new novel, The Bone Factory--and a signed manuscript copy of the first draft of his work in progress, Sparrow Rock. Read his new book even before his editor does. There's a catch, though--he's looking for feedback. Tell Nate what you think of his story and your comments will help him fine-tune the book as it goes through the editing process. Sound like fun? Email Nate, he's waiting to hear from you.

Dear Reader Column 07-02-09

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,

Skunk Beans, Siesta Key Hats, Money Mazes, if you've never entered one of my weekly giveaways, you should. Someone always wins and it might as well be you. Ruth was one of the winners in last week's Money Maze giveaway and since she lives in Sarasota, just like me, I'm delivering her prize in person.

My Skunk Bean recipe is on the back of our new Book Club Calling Card. Help spread the word about your book club. Enter today's drawing for a leather calling card holder filled with cards that promote the book clubs. Hand them out to your family and friends. Thanks for spreading the word. I sure do appreciate it. To enter today's drawing (I have 5 calling card holders for readers) and to see the lucky Siesta Key Hat winner from Tuesday's column, go to: http://www.emailbookclub.com/photo/hats063009.html

From my Email Bag:

"Dear Suzanne, I made your Skunk Bean recipe yesterday for a church dinner and they went over big. I only had a little to bring back home with me, but what I brought home was enough for my son and me, and we both loved them. So different from your ordinary baked beans. Love it! By the way I made a double batch."--Always a Reader, Loretta Blimline

*You'll find the Skunk Bean recipe at:
http://www.supportlibrary.com/nl/users/susandemo/mweb/path1-23.html

"Dear Suzanne, I have printed the Weekend Crossword Puzzle and plan to enter. I very seldom win anything but I really, really like that Money Maze. It would be perfect to send my grandson for his 20th birthday on July 8. Of course with a little gift inside! I also live in Sarasota, so I would truly appreciate knowing where you purchased it. My walking is limited and this would eliminate going to umpteen toy stores before I would find it. I have been a fan of your column for several years and can honestly say you give me more chuckles and smiles than a lot of people. Thank you."--Ruth Farello

(Response from Suzanne:)

Ruth, I'll personally be knocking on your door soon, with your winning Money Maze!

"Thanks for the fabulous Siesta Key hat as well for the books you introduce us to, and the inspiring and funny daily column--it's my favorite part of the morning!! Hugs from your devoted reader."--Sabine

*Be sure to enter today's drawing, go to: http://www.emailbookclub.com/photo/hats063009.html

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

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

AUTHORBUZZ: New authors, old favorites--all wonderful books you can win: Nate Kenyon, The Bone Factory; Emilie Richards, Happiness Key; Carla Neggers, The Mist; Hank Phillippi Ryan, Prime Time; and Gaelen Foley, My Wicked Marquess. Go to: http://authorbuzz.com/dearreader

 

Dear Reader Column 06-30-09

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,

Congratulations to the winners of the Puzzle Box Giveaway: Gary DeRemer, Dana Bilyeu, Linda Brown, Markenna Pharr and Ruth Farello. Hundreds of readers had fun doing the Dear Reader Column Crossword Puzzle over the weekend.

Even though I gave readers a Hint Link, so they could find the answers to the crossword puzzle, most people didn't use the link because they didn't want to cheat. Or as Bethany put it, "I had to think hard on a couple of them, but I didn't want to fudge and get help on the answers."

I found readers' cheating comments amusing. How can you cheat on a puzzle that is just for fun and you don't even have to finish it, in order to enter the free drawing? But deciding what's cheating, I admit it's a very personal and confusing issue. My husband finds it amusing when he asks if I've written today's column and my reply is, "Yes, but I cheated." When it comes to my writing, I consider it cheating when I search through old column notes I've started, but never finished. (I have two huge boxes filled with notebooks.) And I've definitely crossed over the cheating line when I discover some old column notes that for some reason didn't seem finished at the time. But then when I read what I'd written, a column was there all along I just didn't see it. Stealing old column notes and on top of that, not adding anything new--now that's definitely cheating! But as my husband reminds me, "Suzanne, how can it be cheating? Didn't you write those notes in the first place?"

You see how confusing deciding what cheating can be?

Is it cheating when I buy potato salad at the store and doctor it up with diced hard boiled eggs, parsley and paprika? Is it cheating when I wear tummy tucker panty hose, so I can slide into my favorite little black dress? (Well, the answer to that last one is no, because if I didn't eat anything when I had that dress on, I wouldn't need that tummy tucker panty hose in the first place. So when I first put the dress on, I didn't really need the extra tuck in the tummy, so it wasn't really cheating. Was it?)

If you missed the Weekend Crossword, it's still online. Give it a try, I think you'll enjoy it--and you have my permission to cheat or fudge or flimflam, or bamboozle or whatever you want to call it. Because you can't possibly cheat, it's just for fun. Here's the link: http://www.emailbookclub.com/photo/crossword062409.html

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

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

 

Dear Reader Column 06-25-09

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 loves it when I spill food on my shirt, because for years he was the slob. It was one of his amusing trademarks. He never seemed to notice, but I could spot lunch leftovers on his shirt, from way across the room. But now the table has turned. If I want to know what we ate for lunch, I look down at my own shirt. Today's menu: Cream of tomato soup, (yep and there's the orange smudge to prove it) and that Dove Bar I tried to secretly eat for dessert, a sliver of chocolate makes a huge statement on a light blue, dry clean only blouse.

Even when I caution myself, "Be careful, you're an adult, eat slowly and you won't spill anything," that reminder apparently isn't anymore meaningful than when I'm wearing good shoes, decide to pull a few weeds and twenty minutes later my flower garden looks pristine, but my shoes are ruined. I really should change my shoes and I really should eat slower--but I never listen. After all, I'm only going to pull a 'few' weeds--but we all know that never happens. And there-in lies the answer to why even though I ate today's lunch with the best of intentions, it ended up on my shirt anyway.

The worst part about being a lunch slob is I'm never the first person to notice. It doesn't really bother me when my husband gets that silly grin on his face and points to the chicken salad on my shirt. But then it makes me wonder, "Just how long has it been there?" Was it hanging around when the mailman asked me to sign for the package? Was it there when my neighbor stopped by to say hello? I bet during our entire conversation she was debating whether or not to tell me.

Maybe the solution is to only buy clothes that have a patterned design. Who knows, maybe the women in the Scottish town who invented paisley used to be lunch slobs, just like me.

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

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

AUTHORBUZZ: New authors, old favorites--all wonderful books you can win: George Rabasa, The Wonder Singer; Joanna Hershon, The German Bride; Pamela Samuels Young, Murder on the Down Low; Steffan Postaer, The Happy Soul Industry; and Sabrina Jeffries, Wed Him Before You Bed Him, Book 6. Go to: http://authorbuzz.com/dearreader

 

Dear Reader Column 06-23-09

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,

Hundreds of readers entered this month's Chocolate Chip Cookie Giveaway. Thanks for entering. Everyone said such wonderful things about their local library that I was inspired to choose eight winners this month. I'm cranking up the air conditioning in my Florida kitchen and baking this very afternoon.

Congratulations to these cookie winners:

Joanne Ujiie, she loves the Bret Harte Library in Long Beach, California.

Jeanene MacLean frequents the main branch of the Los Angeles Public Library.

Whitney Meschke wrote a "love letter" about the Toledo-Lucas County Public Library.

Stacey Schoenke feels the Hennepin County Library system is "top of the line".

Adrienne Burke appreciates the folks at the Howell branch of the Ocean Township Library, who assist with her college research.

Terry Gessner visits the Jarrettsville and Norrisville branches of the Harford County Public Library, three times a week.

And finally two book club readers who each work at the library they nominated; David Gillaspy from the Anderson Public Library and Dorothy Vance from the Central Mississippi Regional Library System.

Watch for your cookies this week!

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

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

 

Dear Reader Column 06-22-09

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,

Mary, a reader at the book club, sent me a "just because" email a few days ago and I think I've read it six times already. Sounds kind of silly as I'm writing this down, I mean how much puffing up does a person need? But I had an emotionally rough go of it the other day, and reading Mary's email reminded me that I'm not such a bad person. So I lightened up on myself.

I've created a computer file for emails like Mary's. Emails that are so sweetly and generously written they felt like a Hallmark card the first time I read them, so I save them for a rainy day. Birthday, anniversary, congratulation cards, I'm very thankful friends remember me, but it's the cards and notes that people have sent to me "just because" that I never forget. Thank you Mary.

From my Email Bag:

"Hi, Suzanne, Nothing specific today, just a general happy feeling of gratitude that I wanted to share. Your musings are such a delightful addition to my mornings. Really. Between your ability to laugh at yourself and recognize the human condition we all share, your kindness to animals, your cookie (and pie!)--baking abilities, your generosity and openness with your readers...well, I'm just so grateful to have you to 'tune-in to' every weekday morning. You brighten up my world, Suzanne and you improve my perspective, too. What a gift. Thank you. XOXO,"--Mary

I have "just because" giveaways for readers today. Aprons, books, journals, cookie droppers, (like the one I use when I make chocolate chip cookies) enter today's fun "Just Because Giveaway" go to: http://www.emailbookclub.com/photo/contest062209.html

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

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

AUTHORBUZZ: New authors, old favorites--all wonderful books you can win: George Rabasa, The Wonder Singer; Joanna Hershon, The German Bride; Pamela Samuels Young, Murder on the Down Low; Steffan Postaer, The Happy Soul Industry; and Sabrina Jeffries, Wed Him Before You Bed Him, Book 6. Go to: http://authorbuzz.com/dearreader