Dear Reader

Dear Reader Column - March 17, 2022

Dear Reader,

Today I'm sharing the final Honorable Mention piece from the 2021 Write a DearReader Contest, written by Alice Sarnowski. It truly was a privilege to read all of the entries, whether they were chosen as winners or not. Keep writing, the 2022 Write a DearReader Contest launches this August.

Thank you so much Alice for sharing your story with us.

THE WITCH, THE NUN AND THE AUNT

I grew up in a wonderland of forest and farm animals, but I dreamed of great adventures and travels. I incorporated into my life scenes from Bewitched with "Samantha," jetting around the world with The Flying Nun and being side-by-side with my glamorous Aunt Helen. I made my family sit through numerous plays as I acted out wild tales. All three characters had top billing, but my aunt's scenes were based on word of mouth stories I had heard and witnessed over many years.

My aunt grew up during the depression and those stories seem surreal in this time frame. Shoes were only worn in the snow, to school and church. There was always a race in the summer as to who could toughen up the bottom of their feet the fastest for the numerous softball games and hiking trips. Swimming was in the salt quarry and everyone in the family was picked up in the dark at 4 a.m. by the local farmer to pick onions in the early morning hours before the heat became oppressive.

Mattresses were made of straw, running water from the outdoor pump had to be carried inside and all food was grown and preserved. There was only a phone at the general store and the highlight of the day would be when the iceman delivered shaved ice to the neighborhood children and the wagon would be followed by a group of animated kids as I acted out the Pied Piper and his followers.

Another play I acted out was with the prop of the flying nun. My beautiful aunt caught the eye of a dashing race car driver. I would act out a scene of hanging onto the cape of the nun and we would soar over the race car drivers giving a current of air so my uncle would win all the races. My aunt and uncle became friends of another racer by the name of Paul Newman. When my uncle quit the racing circuit to raise his children, he kept a P.O. Box number so his correspondence with Paul would be confidential from the prying eyes and ears of the town. He never breathed a word of what was in the letters and destroyed them so he would not betray his famous friend.

My aunt and uncle were fans of camping and traversed over all of the United States, Mexico and many Caribbean islands. From postcards and stories I would act out their adventures of scuba diving, deep sea fishing and hot air balloon excursions. I would always do research about where they went so my props would be appropriate to the area they visited for my plays. I would employ the tricks of my beloved Samantha and with her help and the twinkle of her nose she would transport me to their campsite so I was a first hand witness. My poor puppy Roscoe had to wear extra whiskers to play the bewitched Samantha who sent me on my adventures.

Every once in a while I would be asked to accompany this exciting band of travelers as a guest. I kept pinching myself that this wasn't make believe. Once on a camping trip to Door County Wisconsin we witnessed the Northern lights. The ground got a shower of my enchanted tears as I could not believe this magic happened in real life, more than I could have imagined.

My aunt in her 90's is as spry and adventuresome as ever and always has a toothbrush and bag packed for the next adventure. Helen still jets around the world and always has a smile and her illuminating personality draws others into her sphere of excitement. I still have dreams of adventures with my three leading ladies--the witch, the aunt and the nun.

-- Alice Sarnowski
Honorable Mention, 2021 Write a DearReader Contest

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 these titles deserve your attention:

(FICTION)
LISTENING STILL by Anne Griffin

(FICTION)
THE WAR OF TWO QUEENS by Jennifer L. Armentrout

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

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

This month's Penguin Classics book is The Sun Also Rises, by Ernest Hemingway. I have a copy of the book to share with a lucky reader, so start reading and enter for your chance to win.

Dear Reader Column - March 16, 2022

Dear Reader,

This very minute, I'm looking at a blank screen, like I do every morning before I "begin." I have numerous columns that I could finish, but I'm having trouble getting enthused about working on any of them. I just can't seem to get started. My usual solution when I'm stuck, is to simply start typing, and typing and keep typing, until eventually whatever needs to get out of me, whatever is standing in my way, there it is on the screen in front of me. 'Ah, and there it is this morning. The problem is sadness.'

Sadness, overwhelming sadness is making it hard for me to write. I could write about why I feel sad, but the sadness and the tears along with it, are bigger than any words I can find to put on paper. Normally when there's a problem, I can dig in and work towards a solution to fix it, but the world feels out of control, I'm only one person, and solutions aren't within my reach.

So I've decided the only thing I can do is recognize things in my own life that bring me joy and then share them with other people--every opportunity I get. The adage says, "One person can make a difference" (but you might have to do something a little unconventional). In my case it's bubbles. Turning on a bubble machine every day in front of my house seems like no big deal, but in my own small way, it seems to be passing on a bit of joy. Because lately, people tell me, "Thanks for the bubbles, especially now. Every time I walk by your house, they make me smile. Keep that machine going!"

Apparently I'm not the only one who's discovered the joy of sharing bubbles. Book club reader, Mary N., a Youth Services Library Assistant at Somerset County Library, New Jersey, writes:

"Suzanne, we recently purchased a battery operated bubble machine for our youth services department, and the children love it. And as you can see from the attached picture, I do too!"

To see the photo of Mary, and to enter today's bubble giveaway–12 bubble wands, so you can share some joy with friends, click here. 

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

Suzanne Beecher
[email protected]

AUTHORBUZZ: Discover new books, "meet" the authors and enter to win.

KIDSBUZZ: For kids 8-12, especially kids who are into the environment and think about plastic pollution, check out Elaine Dimopoulos' TURN THE TIDE, "a heartfelt story  highlighting activism and showing how change does not come easily" and simply a great kid read. (Kirkus Reviews). For a chance to win a free copies, to talk with the authors, and more, see http://www.authorbuzz.com/kidsbuzz.

 

This month's Penguin Classics book is The Sun Also Rises, by Ernest Hemingway. I have a copy of the book to share with a lucky reader, so start reading and enter for your chance to win.

Dear Reader Column - March 15, 2022

Dear Reader,

Shelley Shepard Gray is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of numerous romantic fiction series and mystery novels, including the Seasons of Sugarcreek series, the Sisters of the Heart series, the Families of Honor series, and others. She is the recipient of the RT Book Reviews Reviewers' Choice Award. She has written more than eighty novels, translated into multiple languages. Her new book Edgewater Road, is book one in her new series, Rumors in Ross County. You'll find more info at: shelleyshepardgray.com.

Enter the drawing for one of five copies Shelley is giving away to book club readers. Email: [email protected]

Someone asked me the other day if I had a random talent that I was especially proud about. Don't you hate questions like that? I always get a deer-in-the-headlights look when someone asks me something off topic, especially when I'm just planning to talk about work or kids
or the weather.

Anyway, caught off guard, I answered with the first thing that came to mind. I said that I can make really good buttermilk biscuits. My answer went over as well as one of those proverbial lead balloons.

I don't blame the gal for looking confused. We recently moved to a little town outside of Cleveland. Buttermilk biscuits aren't exactly a 'thing' here--and neither is buttermilk. If the conversation ever does veer towards breakfast foods, more than likely most people describe their hunts for really good New York style bagels.

However, after that second's delay, the gal smiled and asked me how my biscuit talent came to be.

Next thing I knew, I was telling her about Sunday mornings in Texas and watching my father use the top of a juice glass to make perfect circles in dough. I remembered him never using a rolling pin and how his hands would always become a floury mess. How he created something really special with just a bunch of self-rising flour, Crisco, and a jug of whole milk.

I also shared that while the biscuits were baking, Dad would make sausage gravy. Within minutes, the whole house would smell like sausage and grease and flour and goodness. It smelled like home.

He passed away when I was still in my twenties--years before I convinced my Clevelander husband that biscuits were really a whole lot better than bagels for breakfast. Eventually, I decided I needed to figure out how to make perfect biscuits, too.

In case you're curious, my latest 'go to' recipe is on the back of a baking powder can. It's written really small--you'll likely need to find a pair of readers to see those tiny numbers. My hint is to go out and get a pint of buttermilk for them (it's worth the effort), don't use a rolling pin, and keep the dough thick. When it's time to cut them out, the top of any glass will do.

All things told, my special talent really isn't all that special, but the memories of how it came to be are. In the end, that's what really matters the most, don't you think?

--Shelley Shepard Gray

Enter the drawing for one of five copies Shelley is giving away to book club readers. Email: [email protected]

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

Suzanne Beecher
[email protected]

AUTHORBUZZ: Discover new books, "meet" the authors and enter to win.

THE WAR OF TWO QUEENS (FICTION) by Jennifer L. Armentrout

I cannot believe my new title is finally here. I had this book in my head long before I even finished book one. It was definitely an amazing feeling finally seeing some of what I'd always planned come together. Poppy was the Maiden--the Chosen. A bargaining tool. A friend and then a lover. A wife. The Queen. A god. And now, you will see her become something very, very different.

Enter to win one of five copies, click on Authorbuzz and the book jacket to enter.

Go to: http://authorbuzz.com/dearreader click on THE WAR OF TWO QUEENS to read more and to email author Jennifer L. Armentrout, you'll get a reply.

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

This month's Penguin Classics book is The Sun Also Rises, by Ernest Hemingway. I have a copy of the book to share with a lucky reader, so start reading and enter for your chance to win.

Dear Reader Column - March 14, 2022

Dear Reader,

There's a glob of mayonnaise sitting on top of my antique desk. It's intentional. I put two tablespoons of mayo on a paper towel, turned the towel over, and applied light pressure to the watermark on my desk.

It's not fair--that was my first thought. I followed the rules, "coastered" every bottle and glass before I set them down on my desk. But the water droplets from the sweating glass transferred
through the coaster to the top of my new antique desk anyway. Worthless coaster. How could this happen?

Can you believe everything you read on the Internet? I'm hoping I can believe the woman who recommended I smear mayonnaise on my desk and wait. Fifteen minutes, the timer is ticking. I keep peeking--lifting up the paper towel. The answer woman didn't mention anything about not peeking. It's always been difficult for me to wait.

Ten, nine, eight, seven, six, five, four, three, two, one--the watermark is gone! It disappeared!

Isn't life--and mayonnaise wonderful?

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

Suzanne Beecher
[email protected]

AUTHORBUZZ: Discover new books, "meet" the authors and enter to win.

LISTENING STILL (FICTION) by Anne Griffin

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to chat with the dead about what they wished they could have done while alive? Meet Jeanie Masterson, a Funeral Director in a small Irish midland's town, who can do just that. Jeanie listens to those clients asking for her help, while struggling with how her own life has ended up tied to the family business and her comfortable marriage, and wonders, is it too late to run.

I'm giving away 5 copies, to enter the drawing, click on the link to Authorbuzz and the book jacket to enter or email: [email protected]

Go to: http://authorbuzz.com/dearreader click on LISTENING STILL to read more and to email author Anne Griffin, you'll get a reply.

This month's Penguin Classics book is The Sun Also Rises, by Ernest Hemingway. I have a copy of the book to share with a lucky reader, so start reading and enter for your chance to win.

Dear Reader Column - March 11, 2022

Dear Reader,

Today our guest writer is Jennifer Schell, one of the 2021 Honorable Mentions from my Write a DearReader Contest. Thank you so much Jennifer for sharing your story with us.

Flat as a Board

Growing up, I was the tall, lanky, awkward girl. I hit a growth spurt early and arrived at my adult height of 5 foot 7 in grade seven. Unfortunately, other parts of my body did not get the memo to start developing until much later. Relentless taunts from the boys were common occurrences throughout junior and senior high school. 'Flat as a board, shaped like a ruler, bodybuilder chest,' yes, I had heard it all. Even my family liked to poke fun at me. One year they bought me a Far Side cartoon birthday card about the girl who wished for boobs, and two goofy men appeared when her wish was granted. 'Be careful what you wish for,' they teased. My lack of development was a joke to everyone but me. Oh, how I longed to be a buxom girl. To have curves that girls envied and guys admired. All my friends had developed, why hadn't I?

The answer to my life's biggest problem came to me as I was perusing the glossy pages of a "Cosmopolitan" magazine. There, on the second to last page, was the advertisement that was going to be the answer to my prayers. I couldn't believe the before and after pictures of the models whose busts did indeed seem to grow due to the bust enhancement pills. This must be real, I thought. I didn't hesitate. I purchased a money order and waited for my miracle to arrive. They say a sucker is born every minute, and indeed I was the sucker now with an empty wallet and a flat unchanged chest.

Thankfully one does not stay in high school brain forever or body. My early twenties were a time of change for my bony body as pregnancy hormones surged through me. Expanding stomach and swelling breasts delighted me. I came to admire this body of mine growing a miracle inside of it and expanding daily to accommodate life. The birth of my daughter brought many changes to my perspective on my body. My fingers etched the silvery purple stretch marks, and I marveled. My body had strength. My body had a purpose. I would celebrate this strength, and I would teach my daughter to do likewise. I look back over my life and consider the wasted worry and tears over being flat as a board.

-- Jennifer Schell
Honorable Mention, 2021 Write a DearReader Contest

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

Suzanne Beecher
[email protected]

AUTHORBUZZ: Discover new books, "meet" the authors and enter to win.

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

Looking for a great, funny read for ages 6-10? Kids will love Minerva Taylor's ALIEN MOM featuring a mom who's turned into a strange looking alien and her two sons wondering how to get her back to normal! For a chance to win a free copies, to talk with the author, and more, see http://www.authorbuzz.com/kidsbuzz.

 

 

 

This month's Penguin Classics book is The Sun Also Rises, by Ernest Hemingway. I have a copy of the book to share with a lucky reader, so start reading and enter for your chance to win.

Dear Reader Column - March 10, 2022

Dear Reader,

Today our guest writer is Frances Lawson, one of the 2021 Honorable Mentions from my Write a DearReader Contest. Thank you so much Frances for sharing your story with us.

Mom's Rural Caseload Memories

My mother was a Social Worker in what she called the "Golden Era of Social Work" in the late 40s--early 60s. She worked in Children Services during part of her career and, while she had many cases--some memories great and some not--she did enjoy passing on a few that made her smile when reflecting on them.

She had a rural case load during her time with Children Services so she would drive to homes where foster children were placed with families and there are memories from two cases that she enjoys sharing.

The first case was a large family where three children had been placed and the family had children of their own. Because Mom would make house visits and this household was busy, she would use her car to speak with the three children placed individually. On one occasion, the mother met Mom on the front porch with a serious look on her face. "We have a situation." My mother asked, "What?"

"Well" the mother replied, "I have been approached by several of our children stating that they think it's only fair that if they have to share their parents with the three foster children, then the three foster children should have to share their caseworker."

"Oh!" Mom said, and the two of them made a deal. Each time she came, she would also see one or two of their children along with the three. She would tell how one of the family's own children would jump into the car and be so enthusiastic--just wanting to know what went on in the car sessions. Every time she remembered this family, she smiled.

The Second case involved a family that she would visit, and it seemed like every time she visited, it would rain. Didn't seem to matter what day of the week or what week of the month--it always seemed to rain. One day while in the office, Mom received a phone call from the mother of the family who stated that her daughter wanted to speak with Mom. When she got on the phone, the daughter asked if Mom could hold off a week for her next visit; this girl's field day was Mom's scheduled day to visit. With a loud chuckle, Mom agreed and went the next week instead. When she arrived at the house, she was met by the mother and both ladies started laughing because the day of the field day had absolutely beautiful weather and yep, you guessed it--this day, sure enough, it was raining.

-- Frances Lawson
Honorable Mention, 2021 Write a DearReader Contest

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 these titles deserve your attention:

(FICTION)
THE DARKEST DESTINY by Gena Showalter

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

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

This month's Penguin Classics book is The Sun Also Rises, by Ernest Hemingway. I have a copy of the book to share with a lucky reader, so start reading and enter for your chance to win.

Dear Reader Column - March 9, 2022

Dear Reader,

Doing a little book club housekeeping today.

Some reminders:

1. The new Penguin Classic, Ernest Hemingway's The Sun Also Rises is posted. Be sure to read the sample and you can also enter the giveaway. For the sample read and the giveaway click here.  Congratulations to Simone K. who won the January Penguin Classic giveaway.

2. Keep the book club fun, and read guilt-free. If a featured book isn't a good match for you, don't feel guilty about hitting the delete key. I feature a new title every Monday. But before you hit that delete key, be sure to read my daily Dear Reader column. Who knows, you might win one of my wacky book club giveaways, or be the lucky winner of two dozen of my homemade chocolate chip cookies. I bake cookies once a month for readers.

3. Remember, if you miss receiving one of your daily reads, email, click on the READ ONLINE option in your daily read. Not only will you see a colorful book jacket, and author info, you'll find reads from previous days. Don't be shy. I'm here to help if you need it.

4. If you have a comment, book suggestion, or need assistance, send me an email. I always appreciate feedback from readers.

5. If you won something at the book club and the item is missing from your mailbox, be sure to let me know. I'll track it down for you.

6. Feel free to enter giveaways every day. However, if you've won something at the book club, you are not eligible to win again for six months.

7. Watch this August for the 18th Annual Write a DearReader contest. You could win a cash prize for yourself and the library in your city, and the winning "Dear Readers" are featured in one of my daily reads. This week I'll be featuring two of last year's Honorable Mention entries in my column.

Well, that's a wrap. Tune in tomorrow. If you have a minute, drop me a line. Reading book club reader emails is the best part of my day.

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

Warmest regards,

Suzanne Beecher
[email protected]

AUTHORBUZZ: Discover new books, "meet" the authors and enter to win.

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

Looking for a great, funny read for ages 6-10? Kids will love Minerva Taylor's ALIEN MOM featuring a mom who's turned into a strange looking alien and her two sons wondering how to get her back to normal! For a chance to win a free copies, to talk with the author, and more, see http://www.authorbuzz.com/kidsbuzz.

 

 

 

This month's Penguin Classics book is The Sun Also Rises, by Ernest Hemingway. I have a copy of the book to share with a lucky reader, so start reading and enter for your chance to win.

Dear Reader Column - March 8, 2022

Dear Reader,

Every other month I feature a Penguin Classics title for you to sample. The Classics are timeless books. Many people feel they each depict such powerful life situations and lessons, that they deserve a special place on the bookshelf and in our hearts.

This month's Penguin Classics is Ernest Hemingway's The Sun Also Rises.

Read this short sample and enter (below) to win a copy for yourself:

BOOK I

CHAPTER 1

Robert Cohn was once middleweight boxing champion of Princeton. Do not think that I am very much impressed by that as a boxing title, but it meant a lot to Cohn. He cared nothing for boxing, in fact he disliked it, but he learned it painfully and thoroughly to counteract the feeling of inferiority and shyness he had felt on being treated as a Jew at Princeton. There was a certain inner comfort in knowing he could knock down anybody who was snooty to him, although, being very shy and a thoroughly nice boy, he never fought except in the gym. He was Spider Kelly's star pupil. Spider Kelly taught all his young gentlemen to box like featherweights, no matter whether they weighed one hundred and five or two hundred and five pounds. But it seemed to fit Cohn. He was really very fast. He was so good that Spider promptly overmatched him and got his nose permanently flattened. This increased Cohn's distaste for boxing, but it gave him a certain satisfaction of some strange sort, and it certainly improved his nose. In his last year at Princeton he read too much and took to wearing spectacles. I never met any one of his class who remembered him. They did not even remember that he was middleweight boxing champion.

I mistrust all frank and simple people, especially when their stories hold together, and I always had a suspicion that perhaps Robert Cohn had never been middleweight boxing champion, and that perhaps a horse had stepped on his face, or that maybe his mother had been frightened or seen something, or that he had, maybe, bumped into something as a young child, but I finally had somebody verify the story from Spider Kelly. Spider Kelly not only remembered Cohn. He had often wondered what had become of him.

To continue reading the sample excerpt and enter the drawing to win a copy of the Penguin Classics, The Sun Also Rises, by Ernest Hemingway, click here.

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

Suzanne Beecher
[email protected]

AUTHORBUZZ: Discover new books, "meet" the authors and enter to win.

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

Dear Reader Column - March 7, 2022

Dear Reader,

I'm convinced the most important part of a sentence comes after the word "but."

But--usually by then I've already stopped listening. I get excited and start celebrating too early, because everything leading up to the word "but" sounded like just what I wanted to hear.

"I think you're talented...but you aren't getting the job."

"I love you...but I don't want to marry you."

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to hurt your feelings...but you started it."

See what I mean? What someone really wanted to tell you, but they chickened out at the last minute, it's hanging out behind the "but." It's the coward's way out.

But there are other ways of looking at it. My friend suggested that perhaps saying what you really mean after the word "but," isn't the coward's way out, it's merely "softening the blow."

And she could be right...BUT...I don't think so.

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

Suzanne Beecher
[email protected]

AUTHORBUZZ: Discover new books, "meet" the authors and enter to win.

THE DARKEST DESTINY (FICTION) by Gena Showalter

 

She's the snarky goddess possessed by Narcissism. He's the beast as obsessed with her as she is. What could go wrong? The answer is tons of things. You see, Brochan has a serious beef with Viola, who condemned his brother to death. (Oops?) But he also senses that she's his fated mate, so he's torn between hatred and lust. Buckle up. This is a bloody, wild ride!

 

Click on the link to Authorbuzz and the book jacket to enter to win one of five copies or email [email protected]

 

Go to: http://authorbuzz.com/dearreader click on THE DARKEST DESTINY to read more and to email author Gena Showalter, you'll get a reply.

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

 

Dear Reader Column - March 4, 2022

Dear Reader,

Book club reader Nancy G. sent an email that brought me to tears.. "Suzanne, my mom passed away four years ago today, at 92. She was known as the cookie lady--she gave cookies to everyone, just as you do. Waitresses, parking lot attendants, neighbors, handymen…. At her funeral, I asked for a show of hands from everyone who had eaten one of Mom's cookies, and virtually all of the hundred or so people in attendance raised a hand. In lieu of flowers, we asked people to take or send cookies to someone in her memory.

Thanks for sweetening my thoughts of her today with your cookie stories. Keep up the good work!" – Nancy G., Marysville Public Library

(Suzanne replies:) Nancy, reading your email made me think about what happened at my mother's funeral. We had a very distant relationship. I never really got to know much about my mother's past, or what her day-to-day life was like in the small town where I grew up. So I was shocked when I stood in the receiving line at her funeral and almost everyone who walked by told me, "Oh, your mom used to bake cookies and she was always giving them away." ‘Baking cookies and giving them away?' It must be in the genes. All these years of a distant mother/daughter relationship and we could have been talking about cookies.

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

Suzanne Beecher
[email protected]

AUTHORBUZZ: Discover new books, "meet" the authors and enter to win.

* Congratulations to the winners of the February Chocolate Chip Cookie Giveaway. I'll be sending out cookies to these lucky readers, real soon: Gwen S., Portsmouth Public Library, Elissa I., and Donna S., Public Library of Steubenville and Jefferson City.

And Congratulations to the winners of The Little Women Devotional by Guest Author Rachel Dodge: Ann B., Sheri R., Erika S. and Darien M.