Dear Reader

Dear Reader Column 09-15-06

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,

I've been feeling pretty fragile lately. My house has been disrupted, my space isn't my own. Every day for the past three weeks, from eight in the morning until seven at night, I've been sharing my home with roofers and painters. The roofers spend most of their time outside--on the roof--but the painters, they've taken over my peace of mind, room by room. They're doing an excellent job--quite talented fellows--and they clean up after themselves, too. So I realize I'm blessed and I've tried my best to be a good painter's hostess--even got up at 6 a.m. one morning and baked them a batch of homemade chocolate chip cookies. Three painters devoured twelve cookies and drank a gallon of milk. I think they appreciated the gesture.

But with painters in every room, I don't feel like my house is my home anymore. It's not the painters' fault, they're just doing their job, but I haven't even been able to sleep in my bed for the past five days and my dressing room is completely out of order. All of my clothing racks have been rolled into my bedroom where everything is snugly stacked and packed on the bed, the floor, or hanging over doors. No fashion statements here lately, whatever I can reach, on any particular day, that's what I wear.

Before I relinquished my bedroom, the living room was off bounds for an entire week. And my sun room, where I do most of my writing, I surrendered that haven five days ago. I work from an office in my home and things got so chaotic the other day that I had to take my phone into the bathroom so I could make an important business call without being disturbed. To drown out the periodic hammering sounds I turned the bathroom fan on high and when the guy on the other end of my phone call asked what the noise was, I told him I was at the airport. I've gotten pretty comfy working in the bathroom, in fact it's temporarily turned into my writing room and phone calls are no longer a problem. The bathroom has inspired my creativity and in addition to my airport excuse, I've come up with other surefire noise cover-up lines. I can even write a column on my laptop, talk on the phone, and take a bath, all at the same time. The water noise? I tell them I'm on a "working" cruise. "Wish you were here!"

If you want to see the new multi-bathroom tasking Suzanne, go to:

http://www.emailbookclub.com/photo/bath.html

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 miss this week's special book, Kicked, Bitten, and Scratched: Life and Lessons at the World's Premier School for Exotic Animal Trainers, by Amy Sutherland. Read the excerpt and enter the drawing to win one of the 20 free copies I'm giving away. Go to:
http://www.supportlibrary.com/nl/path_go.cfm?x=805&site=9

Congratulations to the winners of 50,001 Plus Best Baby Names by Diane Stafford: Nancy Ellen Rawley, G.S. Butler, Sara Hagen, Mary Feko, Chera Paull, Shellie Albert, Megan Cox, Collette Knight, Holly Stiggleman and Kelly Galambus.

Dear Reader Column 09-14-06

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,

My laptop went down yesterday. A tech person on my staff is repairing it and in the meantime, I'm working on a different computer. It's frightening. I think I've become a creature of habit, or just a loon. Because for some reason, I've convinced myself that I can't function without my laptop. My mind is blank--can't write a thing--the only thought I'm allowing in is that I don't have my laptop and without it, my writing abilities have come to a standstill.

It's ridiculous, because frequently I write longhand with pen and paper. So why am I selling myself this laptop fable? I don't know. But apparently I'm a pretty good storyteller, because I'm believing every word of it.

It's a minor little bump in the road, this laptop fable, and I realize the silly game I'm playing, so no harm done. But now I'm wondering how many other times do I sell myself a fictitious tale? And how many do I end up believing?

Every day, a lot of inattentive banter floats through my mind and out of my mouth and maybe I should pay more attention to it. It's not the 'Gee, you look great today, Suzanne,' or the 'Look how smart you are. You solved that problem all by yourself,' kind of chitchat that I'm worried about. But rather the mumblings I repeat when I'm frustrated and I work up a verbal ridicule to let off a little steam.

Can't find the notebook with my column notes in it, so while I'm on the hunt, I'm chiding myself, 'What an idiot you are, Suzanne. You can't seem to put anything back in the same place. Boy, you spend a lot of time looking for things. When are you going to get your act together? And another thing, you promised yourself that you weren't going to eat any sweets for three days, but you dunked two chocolate chip cookies in a big glass of milk last night before you went to bed. Can't keep your own word? What kind of a loser are you?'

Whew. The things I routinely say, I don't really mean most of them. I'm just moaning to moan. But maybe I should stop myself and do a rewrite because you really can turn negatives into positives. 'You shouldn't give up eating chocolate chip cookies, Suzanne. Eating dark chocolate lowers your blood pressure and it contains antioxidants that gobble up destructive molecules. But--I suppose if I dunk too many times, I could develop carpal tunnel in my wrist--whoops there I go again...'

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

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

AUTHORBUZZ: Terrific contests this week! WIN a $100 gift certificate to Amazon.com, a jewelry box and of course signed free books from these wonderful authors: Paul Levine, Kill All the Lawyers; Nalini Singh, Slave to Sensation; Douglas Clegg, The Lady of Serpents; Marie Bostwick, River's Edge; and Anjali Banerjee, Invisible Lives. Go to: http://authorbuzz.com/dearreader

P.S. Don't miss this week's special book, Kicked, Bitten, and Scratched: Life and Lessons at the World's Premier School for Exotic Animal Trainers, by Amy Sutherland. Read the excerpt and enter the drawing to win one of the 20 free copies I'm giving away. Go to:
http://www.supportlibrary.com/nl/path_go.cfm?x=805&site=9

Dear Reader Column 09-13-06

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,

Last Wednesday was the deadline for "Naming the Baby". Thousands of readers voted. My son and daughter-in-law are expecting a baby boy in January and they haven't been able to agree on a name. The mother-to-be wanted Owen, the future dad wanted Paul. So the soon to be parents asked me to write a column and let readers name their baby--my grandson.

The polls closed last Wednesday at midnight and it was a close race:

Paul Robert Beecher, 1709 votes and Owen Robert Beecher, 1637.

Voters took their responsibility seriously and hundreds of readers also sent an email offering advice along with their vote. The most popular advice came from readers like Angela Reeb, who said that names have always been a problem in her family, too, so they've always compromised and all of their children have four names instead of three.

"Jacob Michael Pierce Reeb, Zachary John Perry Reeb, Hannah Elizabeth Mae Reeb and Samuel Caleb James Reeb."

Holding a contest to name the baby didn't sound like a strange idea at all to Chris in Chesapeake:

"Suzanne, [when I was pregnant] I was student teaching at the time, and on the last day of school I told my math class to get out a piece of paper and pencil for a pop quiz. I waited patiently in the midst of all the groans. Finally, after the class settled down, I asked them to write down their choice for a first and middle name for a boy and a first and middle name for a girl. And yes, our first son's name came from that pop quiz! And my vote for your grandson is: Paul Robert Beecher."

Book club reader Sheila Duhaime even did some campaigning in her office:

"Hi Suzanne, best wishes to Brian and your daughter in law, Amber. I polled 5 people here in the office, and Owen Robert Beecher was the unanimous winner."

And then there were those readers who offered advice on how to "fix" the race.

"Suzanne, I voted, but I want to let your son in on a method that my husband used. After much debate, my husband and I finally decided on Logan Timothy Rees. But DURING LABOR, my husband decided that Timothy Logan sounded better and asked if we could change it. Well, I'm sure you remember how you feel during labor. If he would have asked if we could name the baby Stupid Dumbhead Rees at that point, I think I would have agreed. So we now have a Timothy Logan Rees. Tell your son to hold out on a final decision during labor!"

Yes, I have the feeling it will be Paul Robert Beecher's favorite bedtime story.

"Grandma, tell me the story again. How did my parents pick my name?"

Once upon a time...

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

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

P.S. If someone you know is trying to "Name the Baby" rescue them with the book 50,001 Plus Best Baby Names by Diane Stafford. It's the Number 1 Baby-Naming Book and I have 10 copies to give away. To enter, send an email to:
[email protected]

Dear Reader Column 09-12-06

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,

It's the magic of the Dear Reader Column. I write a column every day, you read it and then you write a "column" and send it back to me. Thanks for taking the time to email. I love hearing from readers.

Today's reader email was in response to last Friday's column about my new cat. If you missed it, you'll find it at:

http://dearreader.typepad.com/dear/2006/09/dear_reader_col_5.html

From my Email Bag:

"Dear Suzanne, when both my elderly neighbors passed away and left two gray outside cats, it was agreed by the daughter and me that I would feed the cats their breakfast and the husband would feed the cats at lunch. Well, guess what, that was 10 years ago.

Both morning and afternoon those cats get fed by me.....but you know, blessings come in unusual ways. We have grown old together and joy is felt in both me and the cats. In all kinds of weather there is someone waiting for me, laying in the driveway just waiting for my car to turn in. They are a part of my day and a part of my life.

Thank you Suzanne for sharing your cat stories with us 'Dear Readers'.--Joyce

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 miss this week's special book, Kicked, Bitten, and Scratched: Life and Lessons at the World's Premier School for Exotic Animal Trainers, by Amy Sutherland. Read the excerpt and enter the drawing to win one of the 20 free copies I'm giving away. Go to:
http://www.supportlibrary.com/nl/path_go.cfm?x=805&site=9

Congratulations to the winners of last week's "Get A Teen To Read" giveaway: Maryann Cardillo, Lori Hertzog, Marilyn Matte, Sabrina Honda, Anita Demario, Renee Kopp, Carol Rudroff, Ulrike Kaufmann, Sharon Briscoe, Louise Myrvik, Igor P Gurskiy, Henry Klein, Susan Kreft, Roben Closs, Erna Holstein, Kim McLane, Tom Brown, Margie Saulsbury, Pam Bump, Pedro Garcia, Dean Lancon, Tracey Are', Kris Swartchick, Sarah Tabuns, Timothy Barnabas Okhipo, Bernetta Lewis, Tim Sawyer, E. J. Gautreaux, Carrie Ridgeway, Mike Simon, Brenda Tankard, Linda Grice, Clarissa Thompson, Lori Constable and Merle T. Harris.

Dear Reader Column 09-11-06

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,

Imagine attending a college where your final exam is a hands-on test to see if you know how to give a spider monkey a back rub, teach a hyena to pirouette, or get a cougar to walk on a leash and heel at your command.

This week's special book, Kicked, Bitten, and Scratched: Life and Lessons at the World's Premier School for Exotic Animal Trainers, by Amy Sutherland will tell you all about it.

To start reading Kicked, Bitten, and Scratched go to:

http://www.supportlibrary.com/nl/path_go.cfm?x=805&site=9

After you've sampled the book, click on Enter Our Book Giveaway. Tell me what you thought of the sample read and when you send me an email including your comments, you're automatically entered in the free book giveaway. I have 20 copies to give away to readers. I'll forward your comments on to the author.

Enjoy the read--and keep an eye on your fingers when you're turning the page, those tigers have sharp teeth!

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

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

AUTHORBUZZ: Terrific contests this week! WIN a $100 gift certificate to Amazon.com, a jewelry box and of course signed free books from these wonderful authors: Paul Levine, Kill All the Lawyers; Nalini Singh, Slave to Sensation; Douglas Clegg, The Lady of Serpents; Marie Bostwick, River's Edge; and Anjali Banerjee, Invisible Lives. Go to: http://authorbuzz.com/dearreader

Dear Reader Column 09-08-06

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 you just know it was meant to be. She sat in my driveway and cried until I came out to see her. And then when I got up in the morning she was sitting on my front porch looking in through the picture window.

"Meow, meow. Here I am. Can I come in?"

How could I resist? I couldn't.

I have a new cat.

Our neighbors moved out and left three cats behind--three hungry cats. I've been feeding them every day. I don't mind. Everybody makes messes in their life and I'm sure people have had to clean up some of mine.

The cats had always been outdoor cats and unfortunately they've never been fixed--so kittens have come and gone. A woman who lives down the street took the last litter and found each one a home. Then she tried to round up the three adult cats in cat-friendly traps--baited with tasty canned turkey--but so far, she's been outsmarted every time.

In the meantime, I've been tending to the three cats. At first all they wanted from me was food. When I'd bring their breakfast first thing in the morning, they'd hide out underneath the neighbor's old van and wouldn't come out until I'd left. But then one morning a couple of weeks ago, one of the gray cats came over by me and before I left, she was sitting in my lap, purring and softly touching her paw to the end of my nose.

And it must have felt good to her, because the next evening she sat out in my driveway and cried until I came out to see her.

"Suzanne, I think you have another cat," my husband told me the next morning when I got up. "Go look in the living room." And there was "my" gray cat standing on top of a chair on my front porch, looking in through the picture window.

"Meow, meow. Here I am. Can I come in?"

I've named her Abby.

No doubt about it, it was meant to be.

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

To see Abby go to: http://www.emailbookclub.com/photo/abby.html

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

READ THE CLASSICS: Gravity's Rainbow, by Thomas Pynchon, and enter the free Penguin Classic's Drawing. Go to: http://www.supportlibrary.com/nl/path_go.cfm?x=815&site=21

Dear Reader Column 09-07-06

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 you write a daily column, every one can't be a winner in everybody's mind, including my own. So I've had to learn when to let go. Change a word here or there, move a sentence, add or delete a line, but truth be told, the first version would have probably been just fine for most people. And the small group of finicky readers...well, if those people woke up in a good mood, they'd enjoy reading the column, if they didn't then they probably wouldn't. But the good news is, I get another chance to get their attention tomorrow.

The point is, sometimes I can nit-pick things to death when I should have let go early on in the process. Rewriting or reworking a difficult situation--wait too long, and it only gets tougher to move on down the road.

Knowing when to let go of a relationship is a tough call, too. Even when I've been upset with someone, after a little cooling off period, it seemed so foolish not to set aside what came between us and continue to have some kind of bond. But sometimes knowing when to call it quits--no hard feelings, but it's just not going to work--is what I need to do to save myself. I could try to rewrite the relationship, but if the first version wasn't a good match, it probably won't ever be.

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

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

AUTHORBUZZ: Terrific contests this week! WIN a week's stay at a fabulous beach house and of course signed free books from these wonderful authors: David Morrell, Creepers; Sam Barone, Dawn of Empire; Kelley St. John, Real Women Don't Wear Size 2; Kristine & Joyce Atkinson, Journal; and Dee Henderson, Danger in the Shadows. Go to: http://authorbuzz.com/dearreader

READ THE CLASSICS: Gravity's Rainbow, by Thomas Pynchon, and enter the free Penguin Classic's Drawing. Go to: http://www.supportlibrary.com/nl/path_go.cfm?x=815&site=21

Dear Reader Column 09-06-06

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 Pat Revzin, August's Chocolate Chip Cookie Winner. I've baked two dozen chocolate chip cookies for Pat. In fact, I bet she's dunking them right now.

If you did something to promote the book clubs, you were automatically entered in the August cookie giveaway. Pat sent an email to all of her friends telling them about the book clubs. Way to go, Pat. I couldn't have described the book clubs better myself!

Thanks Pat. Enjoy the cookies!

Pat's Email:

"I am an avid reader of a special online book club of which I've been a member for over a year. I heard about it through the Paseo Verde Library. Let me tell you a little bit about it and why I enjoy being a member. Every Monday through Friday I receive daily excerpts from the first few chapters of a book. It's fun to read introductory chapters of a book by either a new author or a more famous one. There are so many contests readers can enter to win free items and links to many authors. But the best part is reading the daily messages from the moderator, Suzanne Beecher. Her insights into daily life--the inner as well as the outer layers--are often funny and always inspirational. She frequently includes photos and deliciously easy recipes. I feel like I've known her for years and we're friends chatting over a cup of coffee.

So now I'm inviting you to join this book club. If you enjoy reading the excerpts, you can get the book from the library or purchase it on your own and finish reading it. If you don't care for it, simply hit the delete key--no pressure! So check out Suzanne's website at: http://www.DearReader.com."

Put your thinking caps on, the September Chocolate Chip Cookie Give Away will be here soon.

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

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

P.S. Will you help me name the baby? My son and daughter-in-law are taking a vote to see which name to choose for their baby. Vote for your choice at: http://www.emailbookclub.com/photo/baby.html

READ THE CLASSICS: Gravity's Rainbow, by Thomas Pynchon, and enter the free Penguin Classic's Drawing. Go to: http://www.supportlibrary.com/nl/path_go.cfm?x=815&site=21

Dear Reader Column 09-05-06

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,

Most people go out of town to get away from things, but my husband and I always feel better taking some of our "things" with us. We like to infuse the hotel's things with some of our own.

On our last weekend getaway, we stuffed a lot into our car and we had big plans about all the things we were going to get done. We packed four pieces of soft luggage, snacks, Starbucks coffee for the in-room coffee maker, three computers (my husband's main computer, his laptop, and my laptop), a keyboard--not the computer kind, the musical kind--headphones, my Nano IPod and the docking station for it. (Plug the Nano into the docking station and the hotel room is filled with music.) I also had spiral notebooks filled with column ideas and my sewing machine because I wanted to get started on a baby quilt.

I forgot to pack one little thing, my blue and white case. It's where I keep my computer glasses, and I need to use them when I'm writing, reading, or sewing.

Sometimes "things" make plans of their own.

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

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

P.S. Will you help me name the baby? My son and daughter-in-law are taking a vote to see which name to choose for their baby. Vote for your choice at: http://www.emailbookclub.com/photo/baby.html

READ THE CLASSICS: Gravity's Rainbow, by Thomas Pynchon, and enter the free Penguin Classic's Drawing. Go to: http://www.supportlibrary.com/nl/path_go.cfm?x=815&site=21

Congratulations to the winners of last week's give away for a copy of Still Life by Louise Penny: Barbara Bird, Kami Evarts, Ellen Ralph, Teddi Shriner, Glenyce Faulkenberry, Kathy Martindale, Pam Cernocky, Clifton Kaiser, Debbie Deskin, Dianne Dean, Farrell Kenimer, Joann Archetto, Marianne Heath, Karen Stringfellow, Karen Reo, Susan Jones, Emma Kirby, Lori Padner, Arthur Harriman, Skip Kendel, Alicia Manjarrez, Alyson Quinn, Cornelia Donovan and Ward Woodall and Marshall Cook.

Dear Reader Column 09-04-06

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,

Suzanne is off today for the Labor Day Holiday. Don't forget to send in your vote in the Name-the-Baby contest!

Will you help me name the baby?

Save the congratulations, it's not mine. Don't plan any book club baby showers. I've raised four children and at this point in my life it would be a cruel joke if...well let's not even finish the sentence.

But my son and daughter-in-law are expecting their first child in January and they're finding parenthood a bit of a challenge right from the get-go. A baby boy is on the way, and they can't agree on a name--and believe me they've tried.

Last Sunday the soon-to-be parents even tried to convince their minister to poll the congregation. All those in favor of Paul, say "Amen," all those in favor of Owen, stand up and yell, "Hallelujah." The minister wisely side-stepped their request, but he did vote for his personal favorite.

I'm afraid to go anywhere with them anymore. It's getting a little embarrassing. Last week when we were in a restaurant I had to stop my son from tapping the water glass and announcing "Attention Please. Would everyone put down their fork and listen up? My wife and I are in a disagreement and we desperately need your help. We can't decide what to name our baby..."

Of course I bought them a book. It has over 54,000 names and the cover assured me that, "Naming your baby has never been so easy." But I don't think so. My son and daughter-in-law read the book and they still can't agree on the same name. Naming a baby is complicated. The problem is they like a lot of names, but the ones they agree on like, Michael, David and Patrick, are already taken. How can a name be taken? Well, my daughter-in-law comes from a big family and someone already has those names. And then there's the nickname problem, if they call their son William, the kids will end up calling him Will, or Bill, and if you really wanted a Henry, you might end up with a Hank, too.

The book suggests powerful names for winners such as Sydney and Graham. Want a doctor in the family? Name your child Suzanne or Peter. Trying to nurture a future lawyer, try the names Rachel or Quinn. Great names to grow up with are Samantha and Brian. (The names of two of my own children.) And Brian and Samantha were great yelling names too--another thing you need to consider when you're naming the baby. "Brian Tadd Beecher get in this house right now!" "Samantha Dawn Beecher I told you if you do that one more time...!" See how easily they roll off your tongue. They were great names to insert at the beginning of a get-in-here-or-else warning.

Will you help my son and daughter-in-law name their baby?

They've asked me to poll the book club readers. You get to pick the name. I'm not kidding. Whichever name gets the most votes, that's what I'll be calling my new grandson.

The choices are in alphabetical order: (please only vote once)

If you like the name, Owen Robert Beecher send an email to:
[email protected]

Or, if you like the name, Paul Robert Beecher send an email to:
[email protected]

Please cast your vote by Wednesday, September 6th. Of course, I'll let you know the results.

Gotta go, it's time to cast my vote!

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

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

AUTHORBUZZ: Terrific contests this week! WIN a week's stay at a fabulous beach house and of course signed free books from these wonderful authors: David Morrell, Creepers; Sam Barone, Dawn of Empire; Kelley St. John, Real Women Don't Wear Size 2; Kristine & Joyce Atkinson, Journal; and Dee Henderson, Danger in the Shadows. Go to: http://authorbuzz.com/dearreader

READ THE CLASSICS: Gravity's Rainbow, by Thomas Pynchon, and enter the free Penguin Classic's Drawing. Go to: http://www.supportlibrary.com/nl/path_go.cfm?x=815&site=21

GET A TEEN TO READ! Give them a book and let them discover that reading is just as much fun as playing video games or watching TV. I have 35 teen books to give away to readers. Send me an email with your mailing address and I'll send you a teen book. Pass it along to your children, grandchildren, your neighbor, or any teen who could use a good book. Send your email, including your mailing address to: [email protected]

FICTION GIVEAWAY! I have 20 hardcover copies of The Dressmaker by Elizabeth Birkelund Oberbeck to give away to readers. The Dressmaker is a gem of a novel and a sly, irresistible love story. If you'd like a copy, simply send an email and tell me which library you use in your community and you're entered in the drawing. Send your email, include your mailing address, to:
[email protected]