Dear Reader

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 06-10-09

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,

Through the years I'd cringe when grandparents would ooh and aah over their darling grandchild to the point of obsession. Photos on T-shirts, bumper stickers plastered on the back of their cars, I'd do my duty and smile, but inside I was taking the pledge to never be unrealistic about how cute, smart or talented my grandchildren were. After all, I clearly remember motherhood. Yes, I loved my children but they weren't always the best or the brightest and truthfully some days I could barely tolerate them and wanted to give them back, but couldn't find any takers.

Of course I'm proud of my grandchildren and I do my best to encourage them. I even called about an afternoon science class for 2½ year old Paul the other day. Paul loves gears and machines and I thought the introduction to simple machines class I read about in the newspaper would be fascinating to him.

"The afternoon class is for 3 to 5 year olds," the woman told me when I inquired. What a disappointment because I knew Paul would love the class. Yes, the instructor had clearly told me that kids had to be at least three years old, but nevertheless suddenly I was determined to get my grandson into that class.

"Well baby Paul, (immediately I retrieved the word baby) of course he's not really a baby anymore, I just lovingly refer to him that way. My grandson Paul is only two years old, and he doesn't talk a lot yet, but he's very advanced for his age. When he was tested at the speech therapy center the specialist said that even though Paul is only two, mentally he tests well above a 3 year old. So you see the actual number, the two year old label, it doesn't apply to him. Paul is really as intelligent as a three year old, probably three years and 6 months in some areas. You should see him put puzzles together, he cracks eggs and mixes them up for breakfast, and he even plays the drums. So maybe you could make an exception? I'm sure my grandson would add a lot to the class."

As soon the words left my mouth, I wished I could go back and retrieve them. I cringed imagining what the instructor must have been thinking, "Oh great, it's another one of 'those' grandparents." But the woman was gracious and let this grandparent down gently without snickering and rolling her eyes. (At least it felt that way through the phone.)

I've had a chance to regroup since that embarrassing conversation and I'm happy to report that I've returned to reality. I love my grandchildren, but the truth is they are simply nice, friendly kids who aren't much different than most other children their age. Except maybe when it comes to the drums--both Paul and his six month old brother James are definitely gifted way beyond any other kids in Sarasota--but of course that's just this grandmother's opinion.

Bitten by the grandmother bug, of course I have photos:
http://www.emailbookclub.com/photo/grandkids0609.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 04-16-09

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,

Would you pay $50 for a fresh loaf of homemade bread? Thirty people in Great Bend, Kansas did 21 years ago when their local library was facing a financial crisis.

In 1988 the small library in Great Bend, Kansas was facing a $10,000 deficit in their budget and when the city council couldn't find any more money to help, James Swan, the Library Director at the time, decided to use his bread making talents to raise the extra money. Swan drafted a fundraising letter offering to bake one of his famous homemade loaves of bread (his bread already had a reputation at the local Farmer's Market) for anyone who donated $50 or more to the library.

Thirty people signed up for a loaf of fresh homemade bread and the bread donations totaled $3,100. What a clever way to raise money for libraries. The bread story got me thinking, I wonder if baking homemade chocolate chip cookies could accomplish the same return for libraries? I'll have to noodle that idea a little more.

It's National Library week and since many libraries are facing budget cuts right now, and some have had to close their doors, I've been promoting my Dear Reader Stimulus Package this week. Here's my idea...

Email a note about why you enjoy your local library (include the name of your library) and I'll forward your comments on to the director and staff--who doesn't like to get compliments? Then, I'll enter your name in a drawing for a $25 gift certificate to Target and if your name is drawn, I'll send your library a check for $25 (that's the Dear Reader Stimulus Package). I have eight gift certificates and eight stimulus checks for libraries. It's a fun way to celebrate and spread some good will. Hundreds of readers have already written, join in the fun. I'm waiting to hear from you.

Thanks for joining in the celebration, send your note to:
Suzanne@EmailBookClub.com

From my Library Email Bag:

"Why I like my library...Kankakee (IL) Public Library.

I am a mother of three boys ages ten, seven and four. Where else can you take them and say, 'Look around and pick out whatever you want, and we can bring it home'? The staff are always friendly and not at all concerned about the noise level that comes with my crew.

They love to ride the windowed elevator to the 2nd floor where the entire floor is filled with kids' books and fun places to read...especially the pirate ship! They also like to be able to pick out any movie to take home or just watch in the car. They beg to go, and it has allowed me to read more novels in the last two years than ever before! I also personally enjoy sampling all the music CD's, too...simply awesome. We are truly blessed."--Tricia Mills

I'm anxious to hear about your favorite library. Be sure to write:
Suzanne@Emailbookclub.com

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 these are five that deserve your attention: Mark T. Sulivan, Triple Cross; Arthur Phillips, The Song Is You; Jessica Bram, Happily Ever After Divorce: Notes of a Joyful Journey; Jilliane Hoffman, Plea of Insanity; and James LePore, A World I Never Made. Go to: http://authorbuzz.com/dearreader

Dear Reader Column 01-16-09

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,

If you haven't entered this month's Chocolate Chip Cookie Giveaway, today's the last day. I'll be choosing winners and baking over the weekend. To enter and see past winners, go to: http://www.emailbookclub.com/photo/cookie1208.html

Congratulations to Jane Rosenquist the winner of the movie tickets from Wednesday's column. Have fun at the movies.

From my Email Bag, including a reader's personal movie popcorn suggestion.

"Suzanne, I loved your story [Tuesday] about the pillow-toting, headphone wearing moviegoer. My family always makes fun of me for taking real melted butter with me to the movies. If I'm going to eat popcorn I want the real stuff on it. Unfortunately, all the really good movies are in Kansas City, about 25-45 minutes away depending on the movie I'm going to see, so by the time I get there the butter has set up. I dip my popcorn in the butter anyway."--Robin

"I come from a large family and I have five sisters. Whenever we are all in town we try to go to a movie together. A couple of years ago we went to see the movie 'Hairspray.' We were five of ten total people in the theatre and two people sat directly behind us and sang through the whole movie. I could not believe it! None of us paid eight dollars to hear these people sing the movie! So last year, we went to see 'Mamma Mia' and when an older couple sat behind us I asked them if they were going to sing. They laughed and said no. But then two women sat a few rows behind us and THEY sang the whole movie, and danced, and recited the lines with the actors! I was just in shock. I love going to movies, but no more musicals for me. Unless its the 'Rocky Horror Picture Show,' where you are supposed to sing and talk. Thanks for letting me share,"--Sarah

Remember to keep the bookclubs fun. Read guilt-free (but feel free to sing if you want to). If you get too busy, or go on vacation, you can start fresh at the book clubs every Monday morning.

Have a wonderful weekend.

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 a Between the Lines feature interview with Joseph Finder or literary publicist Tom Robinson then read about great thrillers from Rick Mofina, Erica Spindler, J.T. Ellison, Leighton Gage, John Ramsey Miller, William Bernhardt, Tom Bale, A.J. Hartley, Jeremy Robinson, Joseph Flynn, and Blaize Clement. Visit the January issue of the Big Thrill now! Go to: http://www.thrillerwriters.org

This month's Penguin Classic book is: The Haunting of Hill House by Shirley Jackson. To start reading and enter the free Penguin Classic's Drawing. Go to: http://www.supportlibrary.com/bc/v.cfm?L=drclass&V=B1AFE3A39913&c=CLASSICS

Dear Reader Column 01-14-09

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 husband and I had stopped going to the movie theater because we always seemed to get stuck sitting next to talkers, but we've finally found a partial solution. Now we climb up to the very back row of the theater. When we sit there the odds are usually more in our favor of experiencing a noise-free movie. But after our last movie outing, I'm beginning to think that only the "strange" people sit in the very back row. (I know, I'm sitting there now too, so what does that say about me?)

My husband and I had the back row to ourselves except for one person way, way, down at the other end--until "he" came in.

He was headed our way carrying a huge pillow covered with a white pillowcase and I thought to myself, "there's a strange one," but then I figured he probably had a bad back--so great for him. Here's a guy who's so self-confident that he can carry a queen sized bed pillow with him to the movies.

Wrong. He was a strange one all right. Before this guy sat down--only two seats away from me--he just stood there, holding this huge pillowcase, surveying the theatre with a look in his eyes that was making me very uncomfortable.

What was really in that pillowcase? I was dying to ask and I almost did, but the next thing I knew it was show-and-tell-time. First he pulled out the queen sized bed pillow, then a jacket and the last item was a pair of industrial looking gray and red headphones, the kind you see airport workers wearing outdoors.

When he finally sat down, he put the pillow behind his back, the headphones on his head, and then started rummaging through the zippered pockets of his jacket, pulling out an assortment of snacks.

I felt a little more at ease after seeing what was in the pillowcase, but now my biggest problem was trying not to laugh. This guy looked ridiculous in the huge headphones. (These were not something special for someone who was hard of hearing--they were airport noise-reduction headphones.) It was clear that this was his solution to people talking at the movies. I applaud him for his creativity, but really--I think his headphones "were" the cause of people talking at the movie. I grabbed my paper and pencil out of my purse, I knew I'd be telling you about this one.

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

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

P.S. I have two free movie tickets to any REGAL Cinema, to give away to a lucky reader. You buy the popcorn, I'll buy your tickets! Simply enter to win at: http://tinyurl.com/6vunsz

This month's Penguin Classic book is: The Haunting of Hill House by Shirley Jackson. To start reading and enter the free Penguin Classic's Drawing. Go to: http://www.supportlibrary.com/bc/v.cfm?L=drclass&V=B1AFE3A39913&c=CLASSICS

Dear Reader Column 12-12-08

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,

"Get me my checkbook." I would have gladly paid $500 the other night to have somebody else crawl out of bed when Paul, my two-year-old grandson woke up in the middle of the night. Paul's been staying with my husband and me because his new baby brother is in All Children's Hospital. Wide awake, ready to play some music, Paul just couldn't understand why Grandma wasn't ready to boogie at three in the morning.

Ever since Paul could crawl my husband has been introducing our grandson to musical instruments: the harmonica, guitar, keyboard, upright bass and the drums. Paul's favorites are the keyboard and the drums. In fact he's "practiced" so intensely on the play drum set his parents bought him that he's worn through the drum heads. So guess what my husband bought Paul for a December birthday/Christmas gift combo--his own miniature drum set--the real thing. Cymbals, bass, snare, tom-toms, cow bell, and other noisy gadgets, topped off with a live microphone and amp.

So if you're inviting some guests over this year for a holiday get-together and you're looking for live entertainment, Paul's available and ready to play gigs any hour of the day (discounted rates at three in the morning, I'll pay half). But I warn you he only knows one song.

In lieu of a holiday card, I'm sharing photos and a video of one of my favorite Christmas gifts this year--the gift that (loudly) keeps on giving, my two-year-old grandson Paul and his new drum set. Go to: http://www.emailbookclub.com:80/photo/drummerboy.html

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

Warmest holiday wishes,

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

 

Dear Reader Column 12-08-08

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,

Today I'm doing a little pitch to remind you, one of the best gifts you can give this year is a book. Include a handwritten note and a copy of the invitation to join the book club. Here's the Book Club Invitation link in a print format. Please include it in your holiday cards, gifts and baked goods: http://tinyurl.com/6n3rdf Thanks I sure do appreciate it.

A magical story about one of the selections we've read together, from book club reader Louise Hirschman.

"Suzanne, this is a letter of profound thanks to let you know how far what you do travels.

A number of months ago you featured the book The Soloist by Steve Lopez about the author's experience of finding and helping a homeless man who had graduated from Julliard and was living on the streets in Los Angeles. I was stunned by this selection and immediately checked the book out from my library to read the whole thing. Then I read it again. Then I bought the book and read it yet again. Then I started loaning the book to others, so they could read it too.

For many years I've been volunteering, and now coordinate a program that feeds homeless people. I look always for ways to see the humanity in the people we serve. Because that book so dramatically and powerfully showed some of the difficulties of homelessness and mental illness, it had a profound effect on me. It was a book that 'got it right.'

I started recommending the book to everyone, and even had conversations with total strangers who were reading it. I suggested it as reading choices to both of my regular book groups which are full of women who are very far removed from the poverty in the streets of Los Angeles. Both groups read it, loved it, and we had very good discussions. People were touched deeply and eyes were opened. One woman who, herself had been to a music conservatory, could relate to the incredible pressures of having to perform. Another, a lawyer who has a schizophrenic son found catharsis in the book and could help enlighten the rest of us on some of the legal and mental health issues involved in homelessness. It is not an exaggeration to say that we were all changed by that book.

The real impact, however, was when I shared some of what I do in the program for feeding the homeless against the background of the book, and related how recent economic issues have dramatically increased the number of people utilizing our program, testing our ability to continue to do what we have done for nearly fifteen years. I asked if they would like to help. I was expecting one or two might come and help serve one night, or donate old coats and blankets, or bring a can of beans or write a check for a few dollars. I got some of that and was grateful, but the biggest thing was when one of the women said that she had just joined on the board of a local foundation that helps with homelessness. Who knew? She said that she would take our program's needs to the board of the foundation for help with our on-going funding needs. It looks like we will be getting some funding for our program that has, for nearly fifteen years, struggled to keep going on whatever donations we could get.

Please know that, by featuring The Soloist, you have helped a small weekly program that feeds a hundred or so homeless people to do its job a little easier and a little better. These people will be a little less hungry because of what you do. This is a big thank you from those people who are unable to thank you.-- Louise Hirschman

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

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

AUTHORBUZZ: Win free copies of books you'll read and never forget from these terrific authors: Phil Bowie, Kllrs; Virginia Henley, The Decadent Duke; Tim Maleeny, Greasing the Pinata; Sherrill Bodine, Talk of the Town; and Dr. Debra Condren, Ambition Is Not a Dirty Word. Go to: http://authorbuzz.com/dearreader

Dear Reader Column 10-16-08

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,

Naughty, being "bad" suggestions and a "frog eggs" grape pie convert...

...From my Email Bag:

"Suzanne, so what does a 'good' girl do when she feels naughty? Go for a run? How boring is that. Get out the grandkids water pistols and lie in wait for someone. Gotcha! Cut off the alarm and sleep in (tomorrow, you're already up today). Feeling bolder, wink at every handsome (and not so handsome) grampa you see today, make 'em think they still 'have it.' Sing Loudly in the shower, the car and the grocery store. And if you're feeling really perky...clean the house wearing silly clothes and playing really loud, crazy music, singing and dancing a la 'Mrs. Doubtfire.' Instead of dinner tonight, play hooky and go to the movies. I hear 'Fireproof' is worth the $$$. Guess that's all the naughtiness I can muster!"--Betsy

"Suzanne, if you need a little suggestion on how to be bad...spike your next batch of chocolate chip cookies with a little cayenne!"-- Karin C.

"Well to be a little bad you could starch your husband's bvd's. Put honey on the toilet handle. Just before your husband heads for the bathroom take some canned air--shake it up and hold slightly sideways so it leave a little cold frost on the toilet seat. Have your navel pierced knowing the only one who will see it is your hubby. Put on some 70's or 80's music and dance around the house singing into your hair brush. LOL Let the little Suzanne out and have free rein for the day."--Laura H.

"Suzanne, if you need some ideas for being bad, here's one. Make a batch of your delicious chocolate chip cookies and don't share them! Then sit down with a big tall glass of milk and eat until you can't eat anymore. Oh wait, that won't work, then you'll have to clean up the kitchen after you're finished and then you'll have to do something to help that tummy ache you have because you ate all of those cookies. Hmmm, well, back to the drawing board. It kind of reminds me of the book I read to my grandchildren, If You Give a Pig a Pancake....are we really prepared for what will happen after we give that pig a pancake? Do we really want to walk down that road? Maybe at our age just thinking about doing something bad is enough satisfaction. Have a good day and thanks for letting me dream about being bad for a minute."--Karen C.

"I'm a convert, Suzanne! That grape pie recipe was the best! My whole family loved it. I made my eldest daughter guess what kind of pie it was, and she couldn't. We finally agreed it tasted something like rhubarb-cherry, but still had its own unique flavor. My younger kids helped me squeeze the pulp out of the grapes. I think their favorite part was comparing them to frog eggs and eyeballs and snot. But when the pie came out, no one was cracking jokes anymore. They were asking for a fork! Thanks so much for the eye-opening, yumacious recipe. I can't wait to make it again."--Mary

* Interested in checking out the "frog eggs" pie? Go to: http://www.emailbookclub.com/photo/grape.html

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

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

AUTHORBUZZ: Win free copies of books you'll read and never forget from these terrific authors: Ginny Aiken, A Cut Above; David Morrell, The Spy Who Came for Christmas; Deidre Knight, Red Fire; Allison Brennan, Playing Dead; and Dr. Nancy Kay, Speaking for Spot. Go to: http://authorbuzz.com/dearreader

 

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 08-26-08

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,

Thanks for taking the time to write. Reading emails from book club readers is the best part of my job. I think I was the last person in our book club to learn about Flat Stanley. My email box has been overflowing with Flat Stanley adventures. If you missed last week's column, here's a link, http://tinyurl.com/5qtjp6.

From my Email Bag:

"Hi Suzanne, I was at Westbury, Long Island, NY last week for a '40 Years Ago Today Sgt Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band' concert where the album was performed in its entirety as a tribute by Todd Rundgren, Lou Gramm of Foreigner, Christopher Cross, Bo Bice, and Denny Laine of the Moody Blues and Wings, accompanied by The Classical Hits Symphonette, when someone in the audience handed a Flat Stanley to the keyboard musician to hold up while he was playing and someone took a photo! It was such a fun idea and so nice of the key board guy to go along with it. It's amazing how Flat Stanley gets around. Have fun showing him Sarasota!"--Pat Badolato

"My granddaughter had Flat Stanley two years ago and we had a ball. One of her aunts even made appropriate beach attire for him. And one of my customers took him to Cancun. It is amazing how such a simple idea like Flat Stanley opens up such creativity in peoples' minds. Love reading with you..."--Mary from Iowa

"Our daughter and her class did the Flat Stanley project when she was in the second grade. Our whole family fell in love with Flat Stanley. Jim, a friend of the family, took him to Italy on his vacation and it was quite the conversation starter. Jim had never heard of Flat Stanley prior to his trip, but as he walked around Rome with the little guy on his shoulder he was approached by fellow Americans who recognized Stanley instantly. You are going to have a blast with Flat Stanley. Don't forget to post pictures."--Debbie Hanley

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 exclusive features with Matt Bronleewe and James Scott Bell. Win copies and read about this month's new thrillers from: James Scott Bell, Jeffery Deaver, Sandra Balzo, Brandon Massey, Chris Grabenstein, Kathy Reichs, Matt Bronleewe, Berntsen & Pezzullo, Jonathan Maberry, James Phelan, Alafair Burke and Joe Lansdale. Visit the August issue of the Big Thrill now! http://www.thrillerwriters.org