Dear Reader Column 09-10-14

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AUTHORBUZZ: Discover new books, "meet" the authors and enter to win: Goto: http://authorbuzz.com/dearreader

Dear Reader,

Suzanne is on vacation this week. But you can enjoy two special treats today--and two chances to win.

First, this month's featured Penguin Classic is Sagittarius Rising by Cecil Lewis. You can start reading an excerpt now, by clicking: http://www.supportlibrary.com/bc/v.cfm?L=drclassqqxqQ1AFE3FA73E7&c=CLASSICS Don't forget to enter the drawing for a free book bag.

The second treat is today's guest writer, Cindy Woodsmall. A New York Times and CBA best-selling author of numerous works of fiction and one of nonfiction. Cindy and her dearest Old Order Amish friend, Miriam Flaud, coauthored the nonfiction, Plain Wisdom: An Invitation into an Amish Home and the Hearts of Two Women.

Cindy's been featured on ABC Nightline and the front page of the Wall Street Journal, and has worked with National Geographic on a documentary concerning Amish life. In June of 2013, the Wall Street Journal listed Cindy as one of the top three Amish fiction writers. She lives in the Foothills of the North Georgia Mountains with her family. Her latest and just released book is A Love Undone.

Five copies of A Love Undone are waiting for book club readers. Send an email and Cindy may be sending one to your address. Email: [email protected] (To save our guest authors valuable time, please be sure to include your shipping address, in case you're a winner.)

The Law of Life

Change is the law of life.
--John F. Kennedy

I welcome change when it benefits my life, and I tend to detest it when it unsettles my life or my beloved traditions.

If we look back at history, we find that the mark of most generations is the tug-of-war between what is and what is being ushered in. Whatever is established in one generation is challenged and often changed in the next--whether we're talking business models or young people's perspectives.

Change is inevitable.

As odd as it may sound, the Old Order Amish community changes too--despite that their goal is to not change with the times. It may not look as if they've changed with the times because they live without electricity, have school in a one-room schoolhouse, and travel by horse and carriage. Even though the Old Order Amish are one of the most self-sustaining cultures in America, they have to allow some changes for each younger generation or the Amish would be forced to disband and melt into our modern society.

About thirty years ago, the Amish leaders decided they wouldn't allow change concerning how their farmers worked the field. If the men worked in a shop (usually on their own property), they could use solar-powered air compression and some battery-powered tools to get their work done.

But the farmers were not allowed to use any of those things in the field. According to the leaders, their Amish forefathers had farmed without modern equipment and so could that generation.

The leaders didn't bank on what would happen next. The younger generation left the fields and opened shops of all kinds--cabinetry, indoor and outdoor furniture, shed building, etc.

At the time of their decision, the Amish leaders thought they were preserving the Old Ways. As it turned out, they undermined them. The newest generation of young adult Amish now needs to span out beyond the "home shops" because the market will only support so many Amish stores.

Apparently even the Amish can't stop change.

But the question isn't "Will I appreciate the next change or detest it?" The real question is "Am I helping usher in needed changes for the next generation, or am I holding on to the idealism of traditions?"

--Cindy Woodsmall
[email protected]

* Congratulations to the winners of Summer of the Dead by Guest Columnist Julia Keller: Diane C., Janice D., Susan B., Nancy P. and Patricia C.

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

Warm regards, from the vacationing,
Suzanne Beecher
[email protected]

AUTHORBUZZ: ROPED IN (Fiction) by Lorelei James

Injured bulldogger Sutton Grant needs help with his high-strung horse and the one woman who can give it to him--ain't exactly his biggest fan. But when horse trainer London Gradsky sees the hot, sexy cowboy, she knows he's just the man she needs to get over being dumped. When Sutton realizes the attraction between them is as real and red-hot as the feisty cowgirl's temper, he pulls out every rope trick he knows to tie her to him forever.

Go to: http://authorbuzz.com/dearreader click on ROPED IN to read more and to email author Lorelei James, you'll get a reply.

KIDSBUZZ: Meet new authors -- send an email, ask a question and they will reply. Plus this week, enter to win a free copy of books for kids of all ages: PINKERTON, BEHAVE! written and illustrated by Steven Kellogg; anniversary editions of IT'S SO AMAZING! and IT'S PERFECTLY NORMAL by Robie H. Harris, illustrated by Michael Emberley; and WATCH OUT, HOLLYWOOD!: CONFESSIONS OF A SO-CALLED MIDDLE CHILD by M.T. Lennon. For a chance to win, say hello to the authors, and more, see http://www.authorbuzz.com/kidsbuzz.

* This month's Penguin Classics book is SAGITTARIUS RISING by Cecil Lewis. Start reading now and don't forget to enter the drawing for your chance to win a Penguin Totebag: http://www.supportlibrary.com/bc/v.cfm?L=drclassqqxqQ1AFE3FA73E7&c=CLASSICS

 

 

 

Comments

[Cindy Woodsmall]

Thank you so much for letting me be a part of Dear Reader! I've received numerous warm welcomes privately, and I'm loving the thoughtful e-mails & giveaway entries!

[Jamie Hughes]

love these books

[Sue Gimmi]

Would love to win a copy

[Megan Parsons]

I love Cindy Woodsmall's books! She is a fantastic author!

[Tabatha Wsybright]

I am an avid reader and would love to win one of these books! Keep writing!