Dear Reader

Dear Reader Column 12-31-2020

Dear Reader,

This New Year's Eve column has become a tradition at the book clubs. Happy New Year!

My most memorable New Year's Eve was the year my dress fell apart. Well, actually it was shedding. We'd just moved to Florida and some new friends invited us to their New Year's Eve party. We didn't know anyone else at the party, but I made, without a doubt, a big first impression. I was wearing a brand new, black velvet dress--purchased just for the occasion (and it wasn't cheap)--but it started shedding. Everywhere I walked, I left a trail of huge, black fuzz clumps behind. The dress was literally falling apart from the inside out.

I wasn't aware of what was happening until I visited the bathroom. The floor had two huge, white rugs, so it instantly became apparent that I was leaving a trail. I was horrified. I picked up my "droppings" and headed back to the party.

When I walked back into the kitchen, I looked down at the floor and sure enough, there was my dress, all over it. No one else seemed to notice the trail that I'd left around the house. But like a run in your stocking, I was sure they were aware and not saying anything just to be kind.

My first thought was to walk around the kitchen--shuffling my shoe along the floor--so I could sweep up my black fuzz balls. But then I realized that as fast as I was rounding up those little buggers in front of me, I was leaving a new crop behind. My backup plan was to find a dimly lit spot and stay put. And I did, until we left.

I can only imagine what that couple must have thought the next day when they cleaned up from the party! Maybe they thought I'd brought a pet.

* Enter the Book-A-Day Giveaway, win random books from my bookshelf

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

Suzanne Beecher
[email protected]

Dear Reader Column 12-30-2020

Dear Reader,

My gift to you this holiday season is the Book-A-Day Giveaway. I'm choosing winners every day, so feel free to enter every single day.

Enter today's drawing to win a random book from my bookshelf, click here.

I'm on holiday, so today I'm running one of my favorite holiday columns.

I've always thought my gift-wrapping abilities were unique. I use scraps of this and that, and if I do say so myself, I come up with some pretty unusual presentations. But one Christmas I had to relinquish my gift-wrapping title when I opened up the present I received from my friend Bill in Oregon.

I admit it, I told him it was a first for me. I'd never before received a Christmas gift in a box that said on the outside, "Contents: 1 rectal thermometer, 1 breast pump, petroleum jelly, 1 tape measure, and 2 isolation masks," among other intriguing items.

Yeah, boy, Happy Holidays! How did he know what I wanted!

My curiosity was definitely piqued, so I cautiously opened up the box, and much to my relief I found the usual homemade jellies and pancake syrup that I look forward to getting from him every year.

Of course, I had to ask, "Where, why, and how did he get a hold of that box--and why did he send it to me?"

Apparently, an entrepreneur in his area had developed an Infant Care Kit for new mothers, but the company went bankrupt. The bankruptcy court awarded the entire inventory of boxes and kits to a local charity where my friend volunteers. After 15 years of giving baby kits out to every new mother in the area, there were still stacks of boxes, but no more baby kits to put inside them. The boxes were going to be thrown out, but being the good Scotsman that he is, my friend couldn't stand to see them go to waste.

So he saves them for special occasions and friends like me.

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

Suzanne Beecher
[email protected]

Dear Reader Column 12-29-2020

Dear Reader,

Happy New Year! I'm on a staycation and I'm clearing off my bookshelves. Books and more books are in need of a good home. Enter my Book-A-Day Giveaway. I'm choosing winners each day, so feel free to enter every day.

Enter today's drawing to win a random book from my bookshelf, click here.

Why not start the New Year with a Penguin Classic? Every other month I feature a Penguin Classic in your daily read, but today you can sample, one, two or all three. Based on reader feedback, these three titles were definite favorites. If you missed them the first time, here's your chance to sample them. Enjoy!

The Age Of Innocence" by Edith Wharton

The Story Of Hong Gildong Translated with an Introduction and Notes by Minsoo Kang 

The Prophet" by Kahlil Gibran 

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

Happy Holidays,

Suzanne Beecher
[email protected]

Dear Reader Column 12-28-2020

Dear Reader,

My gift to you this holiday season is the Book-A-Day Giveaway. Even though I'm on a staycation, I'm choosing winners every day, so feel free to enter every single day.

Enter today's drawing to win a random book from my bookshelf, click here.

Pajamas! Every year, when I was a kid, I got new pjs for Christmas. So one year I wrote a column, including a photo of my all-time favorite red and white pjs--and a stocking cap, that Grandma Hale gave me one year for Christmas.

After I published the column, book club readers pleasantly flooded my inbox with pajama memories and photos of their own. Reading the delightful pajama emails inspired me to have an online Pajama Party--and book club readers were invited!

Enjoy reading their stories and seeing readers in their pjs!

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

Sleep tight,

Suzanne Beecher
[email protected]

Dear Reader Column 12-25-2020

Dear Reader,

Merry Christmas from everyone at the book clubs!

Andre, Amber, Brian, Bob, Susan, and Valerie.

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

May you find peace this Christmas,

Suzanne Beecher

P. S. Next week is the beginning of my annual Book-A-Day-Giveaway. I'm clearing my bookshelves for the New Year. Every day you can enter to win a book.

Dear Reader Column 12-24-2020

Dear Reader,

Years ago, I tried my hand at writing some holiday poetry for readers--an amusing version of 'Twas The Night Before Christmas, and now it's become a tradition at the book clubs.

Okay, I admit it's a bit hokey, but it's really kind of a catchy little number once you start reading it. There's a syncopated beat throughout, and if you throw in a little sing-song rhythm, you'll be smiling by the end.

'Twas The Night Before Christmas at the Book Clubs

'Twas the night before Christmas and in every house
All good book club readers were clicking their mouse.

They'd hung all their stockings, decorated their trees
And now it was time to sit down and see
What their email had brought them on this Christmas Eve.

A five-minute break to read a good book
Was just what they needed, but oh my--look...

When they opened their email, no read could be found.
"Oh no, we're afraid Suzanne went out of town.
Could she have forgotten to send us our read?
How could she do this in our time of need?"

The readers all panicked, they shivered in fright,
They pined for their emails and settled in for the night.

"Could we have misplaced them? Did we hit the wrong key?
Did it go in our deleted files?" Oh such misery.
And then in a flash, with a stroke of a key,
One by one, they discovered their Christmas Eve reads.

Their eyes how they twinkled, they laughed and they smiled
And they settled into their chairs to read for awhile.

Their hearts were delighted, they felt just like kids,
But it's still such a mystery where that email had hid.
Was it there all the time and they just didn't see?
Or did Santa step in and do a good deed?

Good boys and girls are on Santa's list
And good book club readers he vows never to miss.

It's been a long night, time to climb into bed,
So they shut down their computers and laid down their heads.

But in the quiet of night, before things came to an end,
They heard, "Thanks for reading with me,
It's so good to read with friends."

Happy Holidays. I wish you peace, good health and joy.

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

Suzanne Beecher
[email protected]

AUTHORBUZZ: With so many new books out every week, we promise this title deserves your attention:

(Fiction) WILD FIRE by Kristen Ashley

Go to: http://authorbuzz.com/dearreader

Dear Reader Column 12-23-2020

Dear Reader,

Today I'm sharing a column that I wrote a few years ago. I like to read it every year myself, because it helps me remember that the holidays aren't the same for everyone.

I had a good cry yesterday. The holidays are a fun and magical time, but they're also filled with memories. Family and friends who aren't with me any longer and friends who are fighting cancer right now, these thoughts are all mixed in with visions of sugar plums dancing in my head.

I guess I'm mentioning this because yesterday when I interacted with an obviously very angry man in the aisle of the supermarket, at first I was feeling pretty upset with the guy, even caught myself thinking, 'What's his problem? Why is he being such a nasty person, especially around the holidays?'

But then I reminded myself that life is complicated, especially this time of year. Life goes on like any other day, people lose their jobs, families are split apart, folks are feeling lonely because this is the first Christmas since their spouse passed away, and others are worried their parents might not be around to celebrate next year.

I had a good cry yesterday--and now I feel much better. I sure hope the man I met in the supermarket gives himself that gift, too.

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

Suzanne Beecher
[email protected]

AUTHORBUZZ: Click here to discover new books, "meet" the authors and enter to win.

Dear Reader Column 12-22-2020

Dear Reader,

I have a real treat for you today. Let me introduce book club reader Laura Shaffer and her story, Sheldon. Laura's entry was chosen as one of the Honorable Mentions in this year's Write a DearReader Contest. Thanks Laura for sharing your story with us.

SHELDON

We had him several years before our daughter christened him Sheldon. The name not only stuck; he became hers. Sheldon, a.k.a. a 2004 Honda Accord, helped Bekah through many teenage rituals: 50 hours of driving time, extra-curricular school activities, part-time jobs.

When Bekah chose an out-of-state college, Sheldon accompanied her over 600 miles from northwestern Ohio to Clemson. Sheldon thrived in the South Carolina sunshine, preferring the heat over the Midwest winters. He took in more fluids and had better traction.

During one of the return trips to South Carolina, Sheldon was involved in a minor fender bender. Thankfully, neither Bekah nor the other driver were hurt. Sheldon sustained bruising near the front light on the passenger side. He appeared to have a permanent wink. It gave him added charm.

Sheldon connected Bekah to her Dad while she was at college. He called, asking "How's the car running?" and "Does the oil need checking?" These conversations were a long distance way of turning on the night-light for his grown-up daughter when it was hard to let go. Another way of saying "I love you."

After four years at Clemson and two internships in Washington D.C., Bekah and Sheldon continued to drive eastward to Boston.

The hassle of parking on crowded streets and easy public transportation limited Sheldon's days as a New Englander. Bekah drove him less. As a result, Sheldon stalled often. She no longer referred to him as Sheldon, but as 'the car.'

"The car's costing me time from work. I have to get a tow. Can you come to Boston and drive it back to Ohio?"

Sheldon found himself making one last long distance trip back to Ohio. He arrived in Boston in late December. Now he left in autumn's splendor. In upstate New York, Sheldon seemed deflated by the separation from Bekah. He required a valve stem in a tire.

Sheldon's next stop--Craig's list. A few days later, two Texans came over on a Friday evening. They were headed back to Texas and wanted to pay cash for Sheldon on the spot. "What about the title?" my husband Bill asked.

"You can sign it over to us," they said. "That's how we do it in Texas."

"We're not in Texas," Bill said.

About a week later, someone else called. A local couple needing another car. He came over, drove it, liked it. We settled on a price; the deed was done. We arranged to drive Sheldon to their house after the sale of the car since he would be out of town.

I sat in our car as Bill tinkered with nuts, bolts and wrenches, removing the license plates. Finally finished, he returned to our car, slamming the trunk and opening the driver's door. To my dismay, tears streaked his face. He grabbed a tissue as he sat down.

"I can't believe I am blubbering over a stupid car," he said.

"It's not about the car," I said quietly.

Bill backed out of the driveway. We headed down the street, leaving Sheldon in his new owners' driveway, waiting to be renamed.

Laura Shaffer
Honorable Mention, 2020 Write a DearReader Contest

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

Suzanne Beecher
[email protected]

AUTHORBUZZ: Click here to discover new books, "meet" the authors and enter to win.

Dear Reader Column 12-21-2020

Dear Reader,

Peppermint sticks and grasshoppers make the perfect holiday pies.

When I was growing up every December my mother would make two pies to take to Grandma and Grandpa's house. Red and green desserts--perfect for Christmas dinner. Peppermint Stick Pie and Grasshopper Pie.

Two recipes that have never failed me.

PEPPERMINT STICK PIE

1 chocolate cookie crust
24 large marshmallows
1/2 cup milk
1 tsp vanilla
1/2 tsp salt
6 drops peppermint extract
6 drops red food color
1 cup whipping cream
2 T crushed peppermint candy

(This time of year you can easily buy a chocolate cookie crust in the grocery store to save time and it's just as good. Or you can make your own.)

Heat marshmallows and milk over low heat, stirring constantly, just until marshmallows are melted. Remove from heat; stir in vanilla, salt, peppermint extract and food color. Refrigerate, stirring occasionally, until mixture mounds slightly when dropped from a spoon.

Beat whipping cream in chilled bowl until stiff. Stir marshmallow mixture until blended, fold into whipped cream. Pour into chocolate crust. Refrigerate at least 12 hours. Just before serving, sprinkle with crushed peppermint candy.

CHOCOLATE COOKIE CRUST
(if you want to make your own)

Heat oven 350 degrees. Mix 1 1/2 cups chocolate wafer crumbs and 1/4 cup melted butter. Press firmly against bottom and side of ungreased 9-inch pie plate. Bake 10 minutes. Cool.

GRASSHOPPER PIE

1 chocolate cookie crust
32 large marshmallows
1/2 cup milk
1/4 cup creme de menthe
3 T white creme de cacao
1 1/2 cups whipping cream
Few drops green food color
Grated semisweet baking chocolate, optional

Heat marshmallows and milk over medium heat, stirring constantly, just until marshmallows are melted. Refrigerate until thickened; stir in liqueurs.

Beat whipping cream in chilled bowl until stiff. Fold marshmallow mixture into whipped cream; fold in food color. Pour into crust. Sprinkle with grated semisweet chocolate. Refrigerate until set, at least 3 hours.

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

Happy Holidays,

Suzanne Beecher
[email protected]

AUTHORBUZZ: Click here to discover new books, "meet" the authors and enter to win.

WILD FIRE (Fiction) by Kristen Ashley

It seems I can't leave the Chaos Compound. But when I met Dutch and Jagger, Keely and Black's boys, the brothers born of the man who was the heart of Chaos, and raised by the one who was the soul, I knew their stories had to be told. I started with Dutch, and he broke me down, and then he fixed me up. I'm so very glad Georgie came into his life. He needed a woman just like her. Now you get to read how he found her.

Go to: AUTHORBUZZ click on WILD FIRE to read more and to email author Kristen Ashley, you'll get a reply.

Dear Reader Column 12-18-2020

Dear Reader,

My husband and I are celebrating 43 years of marriage today. It feels like we've been together all of our lives, yet it also feels like we're just beginning the journey. Such a happy, loving marriage, we are truly blessed.

Wedding anniversaries make you think about love and romance, but that's not what I'm thinking about today. (Not that there's any problem in the romance department.) Today, I feel thankful and so very fortunate to have married a man who has helped me create a life that I never dreamed possible, until I met him. My husband makes me feel loved and cared for, and he's given me the opportunity to experience a sense of family--something I never felt when I was growing up. And whenever I want to learn something new, my husband supports my desire to try and cheers me on.

It's true anniversaries make you think about love and romance, but I guess what I'm trying to say is, the most romantic moments of my marriage are in the day-to-day happenings of life, and being married to my dear husband makes me love every minute of them.

Happy Anniversary, Bob...

Love, Suzanne

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

Suzanne Beecher
[email protected]

AUTHORBUZZ: Click here to discover new books, "meet" the authors and enter to win.