Dear Reader

Dear Reader Column 02-28-06

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,

Congratulations to Tracy Roberts, the winner of last week's Bathroom Book Contest.

Tracy's entry:

"Suzanne, I definitely need something to read in the bathroom. I share facilities with my husband and our 25-year-old son, so the only reading material there is in the bathroom is 'HotRod' Magazine, Sears Craftsman catalogs, and Crutchfield catalogs. I'd love to have my own 'stash' of good reading material in the bathroom! I check out large numbers of books at the local library, but I'm afraid to leave library books in the bathroom, just in case a water disaster should happen and ruin a book I've borrowed. I want to win! Pick me! Pick me! Pick me!"

Hang in there Tracy, your own personal bathroom reading material is on the way. I put a big box of books in the mail today.

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

Suzanne Beecher
[email protected]
http://www.DearReader.com

P.S. Sample Curiosity Killed the Cat Sitter by Blaize Clement, and enter the free 25 book giveaway, go to: http://www.supportlibrary.com/nl/users/master2/mweb/path2-1.html

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*Read the Classics: TRAVELS WITH MY AUNT, by Graham Greene, and enter the free Penguin Classic's Drawing: http://www.supportlibrary.com/nl/users/master3/mweb/path15-1.html

Dear Reader Column 02-27-06

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,

When author Blaize Clement sent me a copy of her new book, Curiosity Killed the Cat Sitter, I was anxious to read it, especially since she only lives about 15 minutes away from me here in Sarasota.

The book was a great read and my cats were wild about it, too. Blaize attached a small package filled with catnip to her bookmark, and I can't keep my cats away. They've never been so crazy about reading. All day long, they've got their noses stuck in her book. I think Billee, my calico, is reading it for a second time.

If cats could only buy books, Curiosity Killed the Cat Sitter would be a bestseller for sure. But who knows? Read a sample for yourself. If you like it, pick up a copy at your local library or favorite bookstore.

I have 25 copies of Blaize's book, including "slightly used" catnip bookmarks, to give away.

To sample Curiosity Killed the Cat Sitter, enter the free book giveaway, and to see a photo of the author and me, go to:
http://www.supportlibrary.com/nl/users/master2/mweb/path2-1.html

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

Suzanne Beecher
[email protected] 
http://www.DearReader.com

AUTHORBUZZ: Amazing contests this week! WIN a pearl necklace, Starbucks gift certificates and of course signed free books from these wonderful authors. Julianne Maclean, Portrait Of A Lover; Brad Geagley, Day Of The False King; Anne Ursu, The Shadow Thieves; and Karen Favreau, Ridiculous Packaging. Go to: http://authorbuzz.com/dearreader

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Read the Classics: TRAVELS WITH MY AUNT, by Graham Greene, and enter the free Penguin Classic's Drawing: http://www.supportlibrary.com/nl/users/master3/mweb/path15-1.html

Dear Reader Column 02-24-06

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,

Years ago when I signed up for an Auto Mechanics course at a technical college, one of the first things I needed to do was take an Algebra class. Somehow I'd avoided it when I was in high school.

Math has never showcased my talents. Whenever there were numbers in front of me, or figures to be calculated in my head, I could usually hold my own enough so other people thought I knew what I was doing. But it's really always been just a lucky placement of the digits. So I was really panicked about Algebra, because in this kind of math I knew they didn't even give you all the digits to add or subtract--x's and y's, what was I supposed to do with those stupid things?

I was frightened, scared out of my mind, on the first day of class. So I tried to come prepared. I bought some new pencils, a special notebook for my Algebra class and even had a Catholic friend's mother say a blessing over my new Algebra book. I'd heard that when a friend of hers couldn't sell his house, she buried a miniature statue of St. Joseph, feet toward heaven in his backyard, and a week later the house sold. I was hoping St. Joseph got good grades in Algebra.

It pains me to this day that I can't remember my Algebra teacher's name, but I'll never forget his spirit.

He did something on the first day of class that no one, including the people who were required to love and care for me, ever did. He looked at me and said, "You are in this class because you think you can't do math. But you are wrong. I believe in you."

And he did. And his actions spoke just as loudly as his words.

Problem after problem, question after question. I said, "I don't understand," more times to that man than I've ever said to anyone in my life. But it was okay, it was safe. There wasn't any fear of what he would think, because he believed in me. He said we'd get through this class together and I worked hard, real hard, every night on Algebra, because I didn't want to let him down.

And he was right. We did get through that class. Not only did I get an 'A' but a role model I'll never forget.

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

Suzanne Beecher
[email protected] 
http://www.DearReader.com

*Read the Classics: TRAVELS WITH MY AUNT, by Graham Greene, and enter the free Penguin Classic's Drawing: http://www.supportlibrary.com/nl/users/master3/mweb/path15-1.html

Dear Reader Column 02-23-06

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,

Friday nights at 10 o'clock, my TiVo is recording the show "Monk." Have you seen it? Monk is a detective with an obsessive-compulsive disorder--everything has to be tidy, and lined up perfectly before he can relax or attend to his work, which is usually solving a "who-dun-it" murder.

I confess there's a little bit of Monk in me.

When I sat down in my lawn chair yesterday, it was supposed to be a 20 minute relaxing break in the sun. (Remember I live in Florida.) Kicked off my shoes, was admiring my flower gardens--I'd planted some impatiens last week and they were in full bloom. The colors were beautiful. Ah, this is the life.

But then I got a little "Monkish" and I noticed some weeds in between those impatiens, and then I noticed the three chairs next to me were covered with leaves, and the patio table beside the chairs was dusty and dirty--in desperate need of a bottle of Windex--and oh dear, I'd forgotten to mulch a section of my flower gardens, and all of these revelations were now driving me crazy.

My first urge was to get up and start working on these travesties before anyone else noticed them. What would people think if they saw weeds in my garden and leaves on my chairs? But I quickly got a grip on reality, and determined to relax, I decided to try the out-of-sight, out-of-mind approach and I laid all the way back in my chair and only looked up.

And it worked. I wasn't reminded of any of the "untidies" around my yard because I couldn't see them. Instead I was looking up at the clouds. I even spotted one of those long white jet streaks going across the sky. And I was entertained by two birds gliding and weaving back and forth in a game of tag. How can they even fly that high?

But oh my, look at that. The oak tree needs pruning. There's a vine growing up the side of the house, it's going to cross over the window pretty soon. I should get up right now and pull it down.

Yep, no doubt about it, why fight it? There's definitely a little bit of Monk in me.

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

Suzanne Beecher
[email protected]
http://www.DearReader.com

AUTHORBUZZ: Catch a short film staring the author, win a chance to tour a real life crime lab and have dinner with the author afterwards, read excerpts and win signed free books from; Steve Berry, The Templar Legacy; John E. Cother, Fear of Spiders; and Alex Kava, A Necessary Evil; Go to: http://authorbuzz.com/dearreader

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*Read the Classics: TRAVELS WITH MY AUNT, by Graham Greene, and enter the free Penguin Classic's Drawing: http://www.supportlibrary.com/nl/users/master3/mweb/path15-1.html

Dear Reader Column 02-22-06

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,

I started the book clubs hoping that they'd be a fun and easy way for people to continue to find the time to read. I think maybe it's working.

Barbara read my, "I'm Having a Bad Day" column last week and sent me this email.

"Dear Suzanne: I am here to tell you that you have rekindled an old love in me for reading. When I was a teenager I loved to read. I would devour books. After my kids were born, the only chance I got to read was either when they were napping, or at night in bed for a few minutes. I began a ritual of reading in bed every night. But somehow life got in the way for a lot of years, and I stopped doing that.

Since I have been a member of your club I have been reading in bed every night, with coffee in the morning, and for a few minutes after work to relax and unwind. I am now reading at least two books a week, a lot of them you recommended to me.

So, chin up my girl. You are so important to me. Your bad day is probably someone else's best day. Thanks for the book club and for
you!"--Barbara

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

Suzanne Beecher
[email protected]
http://www.DearReader.com

*Read the Classics: TRAVELS WITH MY AUNT, by Graham Greene, and enter the free Penguin Classic's Drawing: http://www.supportlibrary.com/nl/users/master3/mweb/path15-1.html

Dear Reader Column 02-21-06

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,

I like to read in the bathroom. How about you?

There's always a book parked by my bed, one resting on the arm of my favorite green leather chair, another propped up alongside the cookbooks in my kitchen, and a couple tucked away in my purse, so I have something to read when I go to my weekly hair appointment.

But no doubt about it, my favorite reading room is the bathroom.

It's the most leave-me-alone room in the house. People don't dare bother you when you're in the bathroom. If the phone rings, no one bangs on the door and yells, "What are ya' doing in there? Can you take a phone call?" They simply take a message.

A person can sit and read as long as they want when they're in the bathroom. People may wonder, but no one inquires, "Why has she been in that bathroom for so long?" because it's one of those answers that you don't really want to hear. They assume I'm busy, and I am. I'm reading.

I've read a lot of good books in the bathroom, but some have been more inspirational than others: Bigger Isn't Always Better, Amusing Ourselves to Death, The Big Moo, All This Belongs to Me, Stop Whining and Start Winning and in case you're planning on spending the afternoon, War and Peace. Oh, and one of my all-time personal favorites, The Little Engine That Could.

Need something to read in your bathroom? Send me an email and I'll send one lucky winner brand new copies of my seven inspirational "bathroom books". To enter the Bathroom Book Drawing, go to: [email protected]

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

Suzanne Beecher
[email protected]
http://www.DearReader.com

*Read the Classics: TRAVELS WITH MY AUNT, by Graham Greene, and enter the free Penguin Classic's Drawing: http://www.supportlibrary.com/nl/users/master3/mweb/path15-1.html

Dear Reader Column 02-20-06

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,

Today when I woke up, things were different. My mother passed away last May. I miss my mother, but now when I say those words, I'm at peace. I feel different. The pain is gone.

Grieving. It's been a long journey. I realize it's not over--won't ever be over--but the road before me has changed. I see the lights, I see a new wonderment in the world. I look at other people smiling and I don't wonder anymore, 'What's wrong with them, don't they know how sad life is? Don't they know the world has come to an end, because I miss my mother.'

Days, months, when would it end? How could this pain ever go away? Stories about my mother--I used to think about them over and over again, desperately searching for relief, but they only made me miss her even more. The last words we said to each other, the day she pulled a magazine off the rack in the supermarket, opened it, and proudly announced to everyone, "That's my daughter on page 13." The afternoon my mother sat beside me and told me she was going to have to leave, but she knew I'd be all right. I was a good girl and she loved me. Those stories used to bring me to my knees, but now they comfort me.

Yes, things are different now. The grip on my heart is now an embrace. I can breathe. I feel joy. My mother was right. I will be okay.

"I love you Mom."

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

Suzanne Beecher
[email protected]
http://www.DearReader.com

AUTHORBUZZ: Catch a short film staring the author, win a chance to tour a real life crime lab and have dinner with the author afterwards, read excerpts and win signed free books from; Steve Berry, The Templar Legacy; John E. Cother, Fear of Spiders; and Alex Kava, A Necessary Evil.
Go to: http://authorbuzz.com/dearreader

*    *    *

Read the Classics: TRAVELS WITH MY AUNT, by Graham Greene, and enter the free Penguin Classic's Drawing: http://www.supportlibrary.com/nl/users/master3/mweb/path15-1.html

Dear Reader Column 02-17-06

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,

I'm trying to motivate myself to do more today. I always get my necessary work done and meet my deadlines, but I haven't been doing too much of anything else lately. I fear I'm turning into a bum. I'm enjoying cooking, planting, sitting in the sun, and sometimes doing absolutely nothing at all.

Guilt has always been a big motivator for me. I enjoy the things that I do, but I think some of my choices in the past were made so I wouldn't feel guilty. I grew up on the guilt parenting method. Guilt was my mother's favorite word. Yet she rarely said it out loud--she didn't need to. She had the "look" down pat. One look in my direction, and my mother could make me feel guilty about "doing-or-not-doing" something without saying a single word.

Now that my mother is gone, it's come to my attention that I don't need to feel guilty anymore. Nobody's around to check up on me--not that she really kept guilt tabs on me after I moved out of the house, but her "look" was always with me in every decision that I made.

There's a real freedom in not having to carry guilt around with me anymore. But lately I've been worrying about "not" feeling guilty. Maybe I really am turning into a languorous Suzanne. Maybe I need to find a new motivator--a substitution, other than guilt?

"If Suzanne cleans her linen closet, neatly folding and stacking all the sheets, towels, and blankets--and relines the shelves--she gets to buy a new pair of shoes."

Works for me! I'm motivated!

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

Suzanne Beecher
[email protected] 
http://www.DearReader.com

P.S. Don't forget to check out this month's new book in the Classics Club! The link is right below.

*Read the Classics: TRAVELS WITH MY AUNT, by Graham Greene, and enter the free Penguin Classic's Drawing: http://www.supportlibrary.com/nl/users/master3/mweb/path15-1.html

Dear Reader Column 02-16-06

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,

I love to hear from readers. It's kind of like they're writing a "Dear Reader" column back to me. Thanks for your emails. I appreciate them.

From my Email Bag:

"Suzanne: This is the second time in my whole life that I have ever won anything. You can't imagine how thrilled I was to get the book, CANDIDE, in the mail today. Also, I can't wait to listen to the John Lescroart's CD. What a great added pleasure.

Your 'Dear Reader' column and your book suggestions are what [get] my motor running every morning. I make sure to check out your emails even when I am on vacation. I feel like you are one of my close friends that I have known for years." --Sharon Azerrad

(Suzanne responds:) Thanks for your email Sharon. This is the second time you've won something? I'm so glad your name was chosen. Congratulations!

I remember the first time I won something. It was a pair of pantyhose. I put my name in a drawing at the local supermarket. But when I brought my prize home, my mother told me I was too young to wear pantyhose. So I tucked them away in my dresser drawer, and the following year when we were going to a relative's wedding, my mother finally decided I was old enough. But unfortunately the panty hose had aged too. When I put them on and gave them a little tug to get everything in place, a big run ran right up the front of my leg and I had to wear my white ankle socks to the wedding.

Boy, did your email stir some memories in me. Thanks for the "conversation." And of course, thanks for reading with me. It's a joy to know that I'm reading with a friend like you.

Warmest regards,
Suzanne Beecher
[email protected] 
http://www.DearReader.com

AUTHORBUZZ: Amazing contests this week! WIN a $100 gift certificate, Starbucks Coffee cards, free signed books and of course excerpts from these exciting authors. Paul Levine, The Deep Blue Alibi; Louis J. Masson, The Play of Light; Robert Ferrigno, Prayers for the Assassin; Jim Born, Escape Clause. Go to: http://authorbuzz.com/dearreader

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Read the Classics: TRAVELS WITH MY AUNT, by Graham Greene, and enter the free Penguin Classic's Drawing: http://www.supportlibrary.com/nl/users/master3/mweb/path15-1.html

Dear Reader Column 02-15-06

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,

Sometimes my work flows. I'm so in the groove, that I don't even think about what I'm doing. I move from task to task effortlessly. The day is tightly choreographed and I'm smiling, thinking to myself, 'I love this job. And I'm good at it, too.'

And then there are those days, like today, when I can't imagine for the life of me why I do this job. I'm not smiling, and it's a real mystery what even attracted me to this line of work, or exactly why I thought I could do it, because I'm terrible at it. Everything on my desk, everything in my brain is a mess today. Somebody please give me a refresher course on how to do this job.

When I'm out of sorts and it's a struggle to do what's supposed to come naturally--what I've been doing for years now--I usually make the problem worse by giving myself a "pep" talk. 'You're a loser, Suzanne. Why can't you get your work done like you usually do? For heaven's sake, just sit down and do your job.'

It's a real fine speech and by the end of it, I'm thinking, 'Just kill me now and get it over with.'

But in the middle of today's bit of encouragement--right at the part where I was really burning in on what a loser I was--I decided to stop and take a new approach.

Instead of trying to talk myself into pretending that I wasn't having a bad day, or as my mother used to preach, "Ignore it and it will go away," I decided to accept reality. It's a bad day. In fact, it's a real bad day. Heck, who knows, it might turn out to be a bad week. Things that normally take me 30 minutes to do are consuming two hours of my time. And when I finally finish them, they're still only "okay". But at least I'm getting them done. Atta' girl!

Yep, I'm having a bad day.

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

Suzanne Beecher
[email protected] 
http://www.DearReader.com

*Read the Classics: TRAVELS WITH MY AUNT, by Graham Greene, and enter the free Penguin Classic's Drawing: http://www.supportlibrary.com/nl/users/master3/mweb/path15-1.html