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Dear Reader,
If you've ever wondered and wanted to ask me, now's the time. Every day next week, in my column, you can "Ask Suzanne." Email your question today, because over the weekend I'll be working on "making up" answers. No, seriously I'm an open book. Well, at least I think I am. I guess I haven't heard your questions yet.
To get things started, today I'm answering Joanie's question.
"Good morning Suzanne, I wondered how you started this book club and what motivated you. It's always interesting to know why certain people end up doing special and unusual things. I understand your being in the literary world and writing, but have you given that up to do the daily. Or do you still write columns, and novels, etc.? You seem to be such a well rounded, happily married person that you're kind of inspirational, so to speak. Do you have children? If you don't choose to answer all or part, I understand."--Fondly, Joanie
(Suzanne responds:) Joanie, thanks for asking. I always love to hear from readers--I really do.
My husband and I used to own a software company and most of the people who worked for us were stay-at-home moms. They worked part time on their computers and frequently one of the moms would comment, "When my son or daughter gets older I want to go back to school and learn about..."
So one day, I suggested that instead of waiting for the kids to grow up, "Mom" should start reading right now, about whatever she was interested in studying. But I was quickly reprimanded, and rightly so, "Look Suzanne, I cook, clean, do school activities, take care of my children and work for you part time. And now you're suggesting I sit down and read a book? I can't even find time to shave my legs!"
So I started including, in our daily company email, a little portion of a book I was reading, and I kept continuing it the next day, like I do now. Four days later I heard back from the "no-time-to-shave-my-legs" mom, "I'm embarrassed to admit it," she said, "but I'm sneaking over to my computer late at night to see if company email came in early--because I'm hooked on the book you've been sending us."
And that's how the idea for the book clubs was born! (Don't try this at home--unless you're forwarding a friend our daily email. Let me clarify that books are copyrighted and you need permission to send samples. I have permission for all of the books we use.)
I used to write a monthly column for Working Mother magazine, and now I write my daily book club column and yes, I am working on a book. My husband and I raised four children. We had a "yours-mine-and-ours" family. Two were his, one was mine and the "ours" we had together. You're right, we are happily married. It will be thirty years this December. My husband is my best friend. He says he married me because he knew life would never be dull and I don't intend to let him down!
Thanks again for asking Joanie. And if anyone else has a question, remember, now's the time to ask--I'd love to answer. Send your questions to: Suzanne@emailbookclub.com I won't be able to personally answer all of my email next week, but if I use your question in my column, I'll send you a free book as a thank you.
Thanks for reading with me. It's so good to read with friends.
Warm regards,
Suzanne Beecher
Suzanne@DearReader.com
http://www.DearReader.com
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