Dear Reader

Dear Reader Column 11-08-04

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Dear Reader,

The things I do everyday seem so ordinary to me that I'm always surprised when someone says, "Oh, Suzanne, that's what happened to you yesterday? Tell me more." But the simple every day happenings, and the need to know more, is exactly what great books are made of.

I think, "Tell me a story," is still one of the best reasons to write a book. And author Walt Larimore, M.D., told me one mighty fine story last week when I read his book, "Bryson City Tales."

It's a true story about the first year of his medical practice in the Smoky Mountains. What could happen in a small town of 8,000 people, you might think? Well, a murder for one thing. And the new doctor had only been in town for thirty days.

You can sample this delightful book for yourself. Go to: http://www.emailbookclub.com/alt/bryson1.html

And you could WIN a copy. Email, tell me what you think about the book, and you'll be automatically entered in our drawing. I have 15 copies to give away. I'll also forward your comments on to the author--a doctor who still makes house calls!

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

Suzanne Beecher
[email protected]
www.DearReader.com

Dear Reader Column 11-19-04

Join my email book club. Over 250,000 people read 5-minutes a day. To see what books I'm featuring this week, go to: http://www.dearreader.com/

Dear Reader,

"When it gets tough, I get going. I can make it through anything. Whatever the challenge, I'm up for it." That's the little speech that I've given myself through the years, to get me over the rough spots. And it's true, I am pretty darn resourceful. I can take a punch, regroup, and bounce back quickly.

But I admit, there have been times in my life when even though I was up for the challenge, the rough spots got way too rocky--even for me. And I became so weary, that I just didn't have it in me to go it alone, and I had to ask someone for help.

"I need your help."

I don't know why those words are always so difficult for me to say. It feels like defeat when I utter them. But in reality, I've learned that when I do, they're a gift--to me and to the person I say them to.

Years ago, when a doctor handed me a red and white cane--because I couldn't see where I was going--I gave myself my "little speech" and I thought things would be fine. But a friend of mine saw my situation differently, and wanted to know why I didn't ask the people around me for help.

"I don't want to bother anyone," I told her. To which she replied, "Suzanne, you're one selfish woman." Well, she caught me off guard. Here I was walking around bumping into walls, and she was telling me I was selfish. Just where was she coming from?

But then she explained: "Suzanne, when someone asks you for your help, you're happy to lend a hand and it makes you feel good, doesn't it? You're selfish, because when you're not willing to ask someone for help, you're robbing them of an opportunity--the chance to feel good about helping someone else."

Fortunately, I was able to retire my red and white cane long ago, but wouldn't you know it, that tough stuff still knows my address. I'm always up for the challenge, but it sure feels better when I stop and ask a friend for help along the way.

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

Suzanne Beecher
[email protected]
www.DearReader.com

Dear Reader Column 11-04-04

Join my email book club. Over 250,000 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 sittin' at the car wash today. My husband's usually the Cabana Boy at our house, but he's been so busy lately that I thought I'd surprise him and get the car washed.

When I lived in Wisconsin I was in and out of the car wash in 15 minutes. No big deal. But getting your car washed in Florida--at least where I live--takes about an hour. So I always bring something to read, my cd player and my writing notebook, just in case I'm inspired.

Because I like to people watch at the car wash, I've noticed that women and men kill time differently. Women relax, sit on the bench and wait for their names to be called. The men--they're antsy. They pace back and forth and feel the need to chit-chat with the guy who's polishing their car.

Sometimes I play my own version of the Match Game. Like today, can I match the driver to the car? Nope. But who would've thought that little old lady--who pardon me, looks like a bag lady--would be driving a spiffy, black, Mercedes Benz convertible? Fooled again.

And sometimes when I'm sittin' at the car wash, people are watching me.

"Excuse me. My wife and I just have to ask. You're writing so fast, you seem so engrossed in your work, you must be a writer?"

"I am."

"We thought so. We just love to 'people watch' at the car wash."

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

Suzanne Beecher
[email protected]
www.DearReader.com

Dear Reader Column 11-03-04

Join my email book club. Over 250,000 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 pitiful--well actually the rest of my family is, too. All except Francis. He's the one we all "done wrong". Francis, my dear father-in-law, turned 85 two weeks ago Monday, and none of us--not one single soul (and we all live in the same city that he does) remembered his birthday. I'm taking the blame, at least most of it.
But misery loves company, so I'm doing my best to make everyone else in my family feel as guilty as possible, too. And since I raised four children--and my own mother was the make-you-feel-guilty queen--I learned from first-hand experience exactly which choice words to use, to paint that make-you-want-to-crawl-in-a-hole-and-
die mental guilt picture.

Okay, I dropped the birthday balloon. I admit it. If I were an "excuse" kind of person, I would remind the rest of my family that I never volunteered to be keeper of the illusive Birthday Book. But even though I never signed up, for some reason, I do consider it my job, and I feel terrible about my blunder.

How could I not? The way "they"--my family--looked at me last night when I admitted my oversight. The disheartened look in their eyes clearly said that I'd let them down--failed them as a wife and a mother. Hey, this is starting to feel like a guilt trip to me. I think somehow the tables have turned, but I guess I'll have to take the blame for that, too. I've taught them well.

Yes, we are a pitiful crew of a family, but my father-in-law is one sweet guy, who at his belated birthday party said, without using one trigger guilt word, "It's okay. I hardly even noticed."

We'll do better next year.

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

Suzanne Beecher
[email protected]
www.DearReader.com

Dear Reader Column 11-02-04

Join my email book club. Over 250,000 people read 5-minutes a day. To see what books I'm featuring this week, go to: http://www.dearreader.com/

Dear Reader,

I love to hear from readers. I'm usually up at 5:30 in the morning and the first thing I do (after I hit the "Start" button on my coffee machine) is open my email. It's a writer's delight. Suggestions, compliments, "I-liked/I-didn't-like-the-book" feedback, or just saying "Hi" emails--I enjoy reading them all. Thanks for taking the time to write and for being part of this reading community.

From my Email Bag:

"Suzanne, I want to just say thank you for helping me rediscover an old love - reading. After 4 years of only reading MBA textbooks, I have found the free time to start reading the list of books that I have collected from the book club. Only now I can actually read the entire book.

You have also taught me that it's OK to turn a book back to the library without finishing it - much like the delete key. From my school experiences, I was taught it was sooooooo bad. Now if it's not a good fit, it is returned for someone else to enjoy. Thanks again."--Amy I., Blue Grass, Iowa

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

Warm regards,

Suzanne Beecher
[email protected]
www.DearReader.com

Dear Reader Column 11-01-04

Join my email book club. Over 250,000 people read 5-minutes a day. To see what books I'm featuring this week, go to: http://www.dearreader.com/

Dear Reader,

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Suzanne Beecher Suzanne Beecher
[email protected]
www.DearReader.com