Dear Reader

Dear Reader Column 11-16-05

Join my email book club. Over 300,000 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're in charge of cooking the turkey this year, you might consider "not" stuffing the bird. Even though I always buy a bird that's around 24 pounds there's never enough room for all of the stuffing. I used to cook the leftover dressing in a casserole dish, but it always turned out too dry. And the extra dish took up oven space I didn't have.

So now I make my stuffing in the crock pot. Here's the recipe. I highly recommend it. It's never let me down.

Crock Pot Dressing

1 cup butter, melted
2 cups chopped onion
2 cups chopped celery
1/4 cup fresh parsley
2 cups mushrooms (if you use canned, drain them)
2 eggs beaten
3 1/2 to 4 1/2 cups chicken broth, or enough to moisten well
13 cups dried bread, cubed
1 1/2 teas. Poultry seasoning
2 teas. Salt
2 teas. Sage
1 teas. Thyme
1 teas. Pepper
1/2 teas. Marjoram, (optional)

Melt butter in fry pan and saute onion and celery until soft. Mix with remaining ingredients and toss well. Pack in large crock pot. Cover. Cook on high for 45 minutes, then turn to low and continue cooking for 6-8 hours.

Have a wonderful holiday and don't forget to tell all of your guests about the book club! Thanks for reading with me. It's so good to read with friends.

Suzanne Beecher
Suzanne@DearReader.com 
www.DearReader.com

P.S. Barbara Bretton, a USA Today bestselling author, reads with us at the book club every day. She sent me 29 signed copies. I'm giving them away to readers this week. To enter the drawing, simply send an email to:
enter-to-win2@emailbookclub.com

Dear Reader Column 11-15-05

Join my email book club. Over 300,000 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. I know you're busy and I always appreciate hearing from you. The holidays are on the way. Remember to keep the book club guilt-free. No pressure. Read what you like; read what you can. Have fun at the book clubs.

From my Email Bag:

"Suzanne, You absolutely rock!!!! This is such a cool way to preview books. I'm having a blast and I'm able to purchase books that I know I will like.

Thanks so much for making this possible for all of us. Wish we knew more about you. What did you go to college for? Why are you doing this? What is your life's work?"--Thanks, Jay

(Suzanne responds:)

I'm always happy to answer readers' questions. I didn't go to college, but I could list 1 1/2 years of an Auto Mechanics course at a Technical School on my resume. I could fix your brakes.

"Why am I doing this?" Producing the book clubs is my job. It's how I make my living, but I'm lucky, because I'm doing work that I'm passionate about.

My life's work is centered around doing the little things in life. The things that people could do without, but because they have them, hopefully their lives are richer and more fun.

Your email certainly made my day today. It's nice to know "I rock!"

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

Suzanne Beecher
Suzanne@DearReader.com 
www.DearReader.com

P.S. Barbara Bretton, a USA Today bestselling author, reads with us at the book club every day. She sent me 29 signed copies. I'm giving them away to readers this week. To enter the drawing, simply send an email to:
enter-to-win2@emailbookclub.com

Dear Reader Column 11-14-05

Join my email book club. Over 300,000 people read 5-minutes a day. To see what books I'm featuring this week, go to: http://www.dearreader.com/

Dear Reader,

Our book clubs must be getting popular, because almost every week I get a personal note from an author. Barbara Bretton, a USA Today bestselling author of more than 40 books, recently sent me 29 signed copies along with a handwritten note:

"Suzanne, these copies of Chances Are and Someone Like You are to be used as you wish, when you wish, if you wish, with my gratitude for week after week of great reads in my inbox."

--Warmly, Barbara Bretton

Wow, isn't it amazing? I wonder how many other authors are reading along with us every day and we don't have a clue. I'm giving Barbara's books away this week. Twenty-nine signed copies are waiting for readers, and all you have to do to enter the drawing is send an email to:
enter-to-win2@emailbookclub.com

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

Warm regards,
Suzanne Beecher
Suzanne@DearReader.com
www.DearReader.com

P.S. A reminder, every Monday and Thursday be sure to check out the AuthorBuzz link right after my column.

AUTHORBUZZ: free stuff, tours, personal stories. This week's authors: Roxana Robinson, Sweetwater; and Justine Musk, Bloodangel. Go to: http://authorbuzz.com/dearreader

Dear Reader Column 11-11-05

Join my email book club. Over 300,000 people read 5-minutes a day. To see what books I'm featuring this week, go to: http://www.dearreader.com/

Dear Reader,

Behind this successful woman is a talented, loving man and he's constantly coaching me. My husband reads dozens of magazines, books, The Wall Street Journal, and he's always tuned in to the news channel. He can read, listen, and talk to me simultaneously. I don't know how he does it, but thank heavens he can, because all the information that he takes in and processes benefits me when I do "my thing".

Whenever I'm going on a business trip, my husband gives me a tutorial on the way to the airport. He tells me everything he's learned about the company I'll be visiting--just in case I need to know. He briefs me on the morning news and gives me tear sheets of articles he thinks I should read before my appointment.

He even fills me in on the sports situation in whatever city I'm headed to. (He knows I'm not a big sports fan.) If their football team is in the playoffs, he doesn't want me to give them a "I have no idea what you're talking about" look if someone mentions the home team.

He's the man who makes me look and sound good. If I'm giving a speech, he hears it first. If I'm writing and I'm stuck, he offers suggestions. And he's a trooper about it, because when he reads my column and suggests that I could cut such-and-such line, or heaven forbid, do a total rewrite, sometimes my first reaction is a snarly-faced look before I begrudgingly take his advice--which is always top of the line--just like him.

I'm so lucky that behind this woman is one special man.

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

Suzanne Beecher
Suzanne@DearReader.com 
www.DearReader.com

P.S. Sample this week's bonus book, then send me an email. I have 20 copies of Second Soul, by Thomas Sullivan, to give away. And the author will call one lucky reader on the phone. It's a conversation you won't want to miss. To read and enter, go to:
http://www.emailbookclub.com/alt/soul/soul1.htm

Dear Reader Column 11-10-05

Join my email book club. Over 300,000 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 one lucky woman. Every morning when I sit down at my computer, hundreds of emails from readers are waiting for me. It's a busy world, and I can't thank you enough for taking the time to write.

From my Email Bag:

"Hi Suzanne, first of all I want to thank you for your column. I start every weekday at work with you, a coffee, and my voice mails. I've taken to leaving my office light off until I've finished the 'Dear Reader' column. It's my polite way of saying 'do not disturb right now'.

Just finished reading another fan's comment about a noon whistle story you told. I grew up with the noon fire station whistle until I left home for college. Haven't thought about that thing in years, but I have fond memories of hearing it go off as a kid. Time to turn on the lights and get to work.--Best wishes," Hayward

"Suzanne, your e-mail about the noon whistle took me back to my childhood and teenage years. The whistle blew everyday at four o'clock p.m. I knew my dad would be coming home then because that was the foundry whistle for quitting time. I always knew to go home if I was out because dinner would be on the table waiting. You also reminded me of the many times that I wanted seconds of desert, but there wasn't any left and my dad always gave me his. I never realized 'til I was older what a wonderful thing he did for me and I never got to thank him.

You have truly blessed a lot of lives through cyberspace, me being one of them. I look forward to your daily e-mails and marvel at all of the things you have done. Thanks for being you,"--Dolores

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

Gratefully,
Suzanne Beecher
Suzanne@DearReader.com 
www.DearReader.com

AUTHORBUZZ: free stuff, tours, personal stories. This week's authors: Roxana Robinson, A Perfect Stranger; Barry Eisler, Rain Storm; and David Morrell, Creepers.
Go to: http://authorbuzz.com/dearreader

Dear Reader Column 11-9-05

Join my email book club. Over 300,000 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 cleaning out a closet the other day, and I found a box with the results of a career test that I'd taken over 20 some years ago. I'd forgotten all about it. I'd been publishing a business magazine for 11 years when I decided maybe it was time to change professions. "What did I want to be now that I was grown up?"

Well I'd been grown up for years, thought I knew what I wanted to be, and felt I was doing a pretty good job of it. But for some reason, I wanted to see if I could do something totally different. My first idea was to become a PA (a physician's assistant). I know, there wasn't any logical connection. It's quite a stretch from publishing to medicine.

And I'm sure that's what the advisory professor at the University of Wisconsin was thinking when I went to see him. He took one look at me and crudely said, "You realize that you'd have to take science courses--a lot of them--don't you?"

Insulted, but realizing he was probably right, I decided to take a career test to find out what jobs I might be good at. All I had to do was shade-in the boxes that answered the multiple choice questions about my interests, and in three weeks I was supposed to get back a list of new career suggestions.

When my "new career" options finally arrived in the mail, I was so excited, until I read the letter:

"Dear Suzanne, your test results indicate that you would excel in the communications field. You might consider jobs in broadcasting, public speaking, writing, public relations, or publishing."

Publishing, writing? Hmm, sounds familiar.

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

Suzanne Beecher
Suzanne@DearReader.com
www.DearReader.com

P.S. Sample this week's bonus book, then send me an email. I have 20 copies of Second Soul, by Thomas Sullivan, to give away. And the author will call one lucky reader on the phone. It's a conversation you won't want to miss. To read and enter, go to: http://www.emailbookclub.com/alt/soul/soul1.htm

Dear Reader Column 11-8-05

Join my email book club. Over 300,000 people read 5-minutes a day. To see what books I'm featuring this week, go to: http://www.dearreader.com/

Dear Reader,

I've been pushing myself too much lately and it worries me because the holidays are coming up and that's when extras are always added to my list.

I'm always on the go. Constantly pushing myself to be better, to try new things, to find creative talents inside of me that I've yet to discover. It's rewarding and it's fun. But I've come to realize that it's all I know. I'm good at that part of life, but I'm not as good at the part that let's me slow down. I'm not good at just "being". There always has to be a purpose for why and how I spend my time.

I guess I never thought too much about my life being a little one-sided until after my recent vacation. It was the best time of my life. Wow, that's a pretty hefty statement--worth another go around. It was the best time of my life.

I'm 51 years old and the vacation that my husband and I took two months ago gave me the absolute best moments and memories I've ever experienced. Not because nothing went wrong, there were little travel snafus that came up. But because I was able to completely let go of the driving "me" that I'm so good at. The "me" that I'm so familiar with and instead investigate the other little known side of me.

I'd like to get in touch with that side of me again. It felt good. I know it's a tough assignment because once I'm back to work and my daily routine, it's difficult to change what I know so well.

It's funny, I just realized that when I sat down to write today's column I started with the line, "I'm just going to write and see what comes out." I edited it out, because I thought it wasn't important, but maybe I need to take notice. Maybe that line is what I need to think about when I start every day. No plans set in stone. I'll just get up every morning and say, "Suzanne, I'm just going to write and see what comes out today."

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

Suzanne Beecher
Suzanne@DearReader.com 
www.DearReader.com

P.S. Sample this week's bonus book, then send me an email. I have 20 copies of Second Soul, by Thomas Sullivan, to give away. And the author will call one lucky reader on the phone. It's a conversation you won't want to miss. To read and enter, go to: http://www.emailbookclub.com/alt/soul/soul1.htm

Dear Reader Column 11-7-05

Join my email book club. Over 300,000 people read 5-minutes a day. To see what books I'm featuring this week, go to: http://www.dearreader.com/

Dear Reader,

He's a real nice guy, he reads at the book club, and he has a great phone voice, too. I know, because he called me last week and we talked for 30 minutes. Oh yes--and the most important thing--he wrote the book Second Soul.

Author Thomas Sullivan's book, Second Soul is our bonus read this week. Sample his book, jot down your comments, email them to me, and I'll forward them on to Thomas. He loves to hear from readers.

I have 20 copies of Second Soul to give away to readers, and Thomas has agreed to call one lucky book club reader on the phone. It's a conversation you won't want to miss.

To enter the drawing, for a book or that personal phone call, read the sample at: http://www.emailbookclub.com/alt/soul/soul1.htm

In the meantime, here's a note from author Thomas Sullivan:

To "Dear Readers"...

Every now and then the past comes back to be the future. I remember starting a library when I was twelve or so, and cozying up to the well-stocked bookshelves in houses my parents took me to visit. Those associations with literature and the people who shared a love of life written down, seemed to ebb in the proliferation of electronic media as I grew older. A picture, after all, is worth a thousand words, they say.

But which words? I missed the direction of a skillful writer and the parlaying of impressions that artist might leave in others who came to their art. Suzanne seems to have brought the best of both worlds back in vogue. DearReader.com has come into my life like a long lost relative. I know many of you feel the same way. Reading is always a search for something in our lives--past, present or future. Read on and enjoy.

All my best...Thomas Sullivan / Second Soul

To sample Second Soul and to enter this week's drawing, go to:
http://www.emailbookclub.com/alt/soul/soul1.htm

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

Suzanne Beecher
Suzanne@DearReader.com 
www.DearReader.com

AUTHORBUZZ: free stuff, tours, personal stories. This week's authors: Roxana Robinson, A Perfect Stranger; Barry Eisler, Rain Storm; and David Morrell, Creepers.
Go to: http://authorbuzz.com/dearreader

Dear Reader Column 11-4-05

Join my email book club. Over 300,000 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 always curious about what people do for a living. So every now and then, when a reader emails me, I ask them. People love to tell me about their jobs, and I love to hear their stories. Here's one you probably haven't heard before:

"Suzanne, I couldn't resist the offer to tell you about my job. In large cities like NYC and Chicago, the taxi industry is regulated. To operate a taxi, one needs to own a business license called a medallion. The license is so named because the vehicles that are authorized to pick up passengers have a metal plate (or medallion) affixed to the hood. The owner of a medallion owns it like other property. The owner may sell it, bequeath it, or buy additional medallions from third parties. Only rarely do the large cities issue incremental medallions, so there is a limited number that creates value.

The going market price of a Chicago medallion is $45,000-$50,000, and my job involves lending funds to people to buy Chicago medallions. I have met hundreds of entrepreneurs from Pakistan, India, Iran, Egypt, Guyana, Nigeria, etc. They have accomplished a great deal through hard work and have wonderful temperaments to boot. Look for the medallion the next time you take a cab in a big city!"--Barbara Kane

Have a great weekend. I'm going to make a pot of chili.

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

Suzanne Beecher
Suzanne@DearReader.com
www.DearReader.com

Dear Reader Column 11-3-05

Join my email book club. Over 300,000 people read 5-minutes a day. To see what books I'm featuring this week, go to: http://www.dearreader.com/

Dear Reader,

We just bought a fireplace. It may not sound like a big deal, but I live in Florida and in the "Home For Sale" classifieds, one of the little extras people want to see listed is a fireplace. Yes, most of us are Northerners who used to love to cozy up to a roaring fire in the middle of winter. Old habits die hard, so here in Florida, we're willing to crank the air conditioner and light the fire, or click the remote control.

My new "pretend" electric fireplace (with its own on and off remote control), may be an imitation, but the ambiance it creates is the same whether it's Florida Power and Light stoking the fire or me.

I live in a 1926 historical home and it has a beautiful old fireplace, so all I had to buy was an inexpensive insert. And when I set it inside my real fireplace and wrapped the screen around it--you can't tell the difference. Instantly I'd kindled a romantic evening by a crackling fire. (I'm not buying one, but you can add a CD with crackling sounds that simulate the noise of burning wood.)

My husband and I love sitting by our new fireplace, but I think my husband secretly loves it because now he has another remote control to play with. It's gotta be a Y-chromosome thing. He loves to flick through the television channels, songs on his MP3 player, and now the fireplace. Thank heavens there are only two channels on his new remote: fire on and fire off.

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

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

AUTHORBUZZ: free stuff, tours, personal stories. This week's authors: Josie Brown, True Hollywood Lies; Paul Levine, Solomon vs. Lord; and Rochelle Krich, Now You See Me.
Go to: http://authorbuzz.com/dearreader