Dear Reader

Dear Reader Column - May 3, 2022

Dear Reader,

It’s my pleasure to introduce today’s guest author Lorenzo Carcaterra, a #1 New York Times bestselling author of many titles including: Sleepers, Chasers, Midnight Angels, The Wolf, and more. Lorenzo is also a former writer/producer for Law & Order and has written for National Geographic Traveler, and The New York Times Magazine. He lives in New York City with Gus, his Olde English Bulldogge.

Welcome Lorenzo to the book club and enter to win one of five copies of his newly released novel, Nonna Maria and the Case of the Missing Bride. The story is set on the island of Ischia, in the Gulf of Naples, where Lorenzo spent summers as a youth. 

To enter, simply send an email with your shipping address to: AtRandom@randomhouse.com

 

ISCHIA: ISLAND OF MEMORIES

I was 14 the first time I saw Ischia. It was 1969 and my parents thought I should spend a summer with relatives and friends, on an island 18 miles off the coast of Naples.

I had never talked to these friends or relatives other than the times their names were mentioned around the table or when I would glimpse at black and white photos in an album.

I traveled alone on a trip that seemed to take forever. But, there, in the final minutes of the journey, on the back of a boat, glimpsing the mouth of the harbor, I knew I found my place.

During that first summer and others that followed, I grew to love the faces I had seen in the pages of that album. Many have long since died, but their memory lives in my mind and heart. None stronger than that of my grandmother, Nonna Maria.

I spent seven summers in her company and she watched me grow from unruly teenager into a young man filled with hope and ambition. She paved the way to a happier life.

I got to know the island of Ischia.

Mornings filled with the aroma of baked bread and pastries and smell of the sea; walking before sun-up with my aunts, heading to the port, waiting as fisherman tossed their catch on the pier and listened to the bartering that began. Above me, women sang Neapolitan ballads as they hung fresh-washed clothes. I would join friends and cousins and swim for hours, then sit under the shade of an umbrella and talk about a future we envisioned. Those friendships have lasted decades and that first hint of love, looking in the eyes of a young girl and losing my heart, has stayed with me to this day.

Evenings were filled with laughter as we went to movies, shared pizza, took walks along the Lido, the Bay of Naples close enough to touch.

There was magic to the island. Stunning beaches, thermal spas, fresh fruits, vegetables and fish made into unforgettable meals, the first taste of cold mountain-made wine. The beauty of Ischia grows stronger with time.

I go back every year and visit favorite places--Bar Calise to listen to the music of Aldo Poli; sit on the stone bench in front of Saint Peter's, where I spent evenings alongside Nonna Maria, soak in her words of wisdom; take a boat tour around the island; visit the D'Ambra Vineyard with friend and co-owner, Sara, standing on the top of the island, in front of us the majestic vista of the bay.

I belong to Ischia. Have since that afternoon on a crowded boat when I first laid eyes on the island. I feel now, at 67, same as I felt at 14.

Forever in love.

-- Lorenzo Carcaterra

To enter the book drawing,, simply send an email with your shipping address to: AtRandom@randomhouse.com

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

Suzanne Beecher
Suzanne@DearReader.com

 

* This month's Penguin Classics book is People from Bloomington by Budi Darma. 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 - April 1, 2022

Dear Reader,

We're celebrating National Library Week at the book club next week. This year's theme is "Connect with Your Library." Send me an email about your local library or if you're a librarian, how has the library changed in your community? Everyone has a feel-good story about their library or a special librarian, share it with readers and librarians who read at the book club.

Every day, during National Library Week, I'll be giving away fun prizes to folks who work at libraries. But who wants to wait? Let's get the party started early. Enter my first drawing, today, and you might win a "Bookmarks are for Quitters," 15 ounce enamel mug. To enter, click here.

"Hello Suzanne, I want to share with you why I love the library. As a child and teenager, I loved to read all the time. I had an aunt who didn't drive, but loved to read. She didn't want to ask anyone to bring her to the library, so she made arrangements for the bookmobile to visit her. As a result, during the summer we would all run next door to get books. As a parent with young children, I took my children to the library for programs often. It was a great way to keep them entertained and not have to spend lots of money. Now for the last 12 years, I've worked at our local library. I am not a librarian. I am a circulation assistant, and I plan programs for adults (I started out in children's, which was fun, too).

I am so glad I applied for this job. It has been the most fulfilling and rewarding job. I love to connect with our patrons, share book recommendations, and help them find just what they need. And, I am around books all the time. The only drawback is that my 'Must Read' list is so long, I will have to live to be 1000 years old to read them all. I love reading your column every day. Thanks for letting me share." – Brenda G., East Regional Library, Destrehan, LA

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

Suzanne Beecher
Suzanne@DearReader.com

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

Dear Reader Column - March 31, 2022

Dear Reader,

"Dear Suzanne, I enjoy your emails, and I love your writings. How would I prepare for your annual, Write a DearReader Contest? Do you have certain themes, topics and word limits? I'm very interested, as I am a newly retired educator who is enjoying writing."

-- Fondly, Jennifer S.

(Suzanne replies:) Congratulations on your retirement! The contest page from last year's Write a DearReader Contest won't be updated until August (launch date August 22nd), but the guidelines will be the same as previous years. The guidelines are below and to read previous winning entries, click here.

1. Maximum word count is 650 words.
2. Submit original entries that have not been previously published.
3. Feel free to submit more than one entry for us to consider.
4. You must be at least 18 years old to enter.
5. Your story will be judged on style and content.
6. Collaborative teams are limited to two people.
7. You must include the name and mailing address of your local library with your original entry in order for them to be eligible to receive the 50% matching, cash prize.

Jennifer, I would encourage you to get in the habit of writing something every day, even if it's only for 15 minutes. Don't worry about thinking ahead of time, 'What topic should I write about?' Instead ask yourself, 'What am I thinking about this very minute?' You could start by typing today's "to-do" list and if you keep your fingers moving on the keys, after that free flowing ideas will appear on the screen.

Your body is a quick study. After a couple of weeks of writing a few minutes every day, when you sit down in front of your computer and put your fingers on the keys, your mind will know exactly what it's supposed to do, because it's been in training every day.

I look forward to reading your entry this year.

Get ready to celebrate National Library Week at the book club, April 3-9. This year's theme is "Connect with Your Library." Send me an email about your local library or if you're a librarian, how has the library changed in your community? Everyone has a feel-good story about their library or a special librarian, share it with readers and librarians who read at the book club.

Every day, during National Library Week, I'll be giving away fun prizes. Celebrate!

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

Suzanne Beecher
Suzanne@DearReader.com

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

(FICTION)
JUST ONE WISH by Carly Phillips

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

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 29, 2022

Dear Reader,

Today's the last day you can enter to win the March Chocolate Chip Cookie Giveaway. Three lucky book club readers will receive some of my homemade chocolate chip cookies delivered right to their front doors. I'm ready to bake for you. To see last month's winners and to enter the drawing, click here.

Rabbi Toba Spitzer is today's guest at the book club. A popular teacher of courses on Judaism and economic justice, she has received the honor of being included in Newsweek's Top 50 Rabbis in America list and the 2010 Forward list of 50 Female Rabbis Who Are Making A Difference. Since 1997, she has been the spiritual leader of Congregation Dorshei Tzedek in Newton, MA. Her new book is, God Is Here: Reimagining the Divine.

Email Toba at: trademarketing@stmartins.com

In 2007, I received an email at work that I almost deleted. It began, "Dear Rabbi," which sounded sort of anonymous. I thought it might be spam. But I read on, and it turned out the email was from a literary agent at a very large talent agency. He had found some of my sermons online, and thought I should write a book. I was busy being a congregational rabbi and wasn't really thinking about writing a book. We emailed a bit and had a phone conversation, and I told him I'd think about it. He was based in L.A. and I told him, if you're ever in Boston, give me a call. And that was that.

About a year and a half later, I got another email, from another literary agent at a talent agency. She had also found my sermons online, and thought I should write a book. When she mentioned me to her business partner, it turned out that he was the one who had emailed me first.

While I don't believe in a God that micromanages human lives, I had to admit that something mysterious was afoot here. The universe seemed to be telling me I needed to write a book. The duo of literary agents had moved to NYC, and I took the train down one day to have lunch with them. I couldn't quite figure out what kind of book they wanted me to write. "Like your sermons!" they said. But I give sermons on lots of topics, I replied. What exactly is it that you think I have to say in a book? After an hour or so of conversation, I realized: "I think you want me to write a book about God."

That conversation happened back in 2011. In the years since, I began and completed a journey that resulted in my book, God Is Here: Reimagining the Divine. I wrote the book because, after discovering metaphor theory and cognitive linguistics, I realized that helping spiritually-inclined people who aren't so sure about God delve into ancient, non-human metaphors for the divine could literally change lives. With my congregants, I explored how we might bring metaphors like Water and Place and Rock off of the pages of ancient texts and into daily life. The results of our exploration were powerful, but there were only so many people I could teach in person. A book, I hoped, would help me share with many more people of all backgrounds the texts and practices that I had found to be so transformative. Writing this book has been its own spiritual journey, and my sincere hope is that it brings some measure of insight and healing to our broken, beautiful world.

-- Toba Spitzer

Email Toba at, trademarketing@stmartins.com

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

Suzanne Beecher
Suzanne@DearReader.com

AUTHORBUZZ: 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 28, 2022

Dear Reader,

Get ready to celebrate National Library Week at the book club April 3-9. This year's theme is "Connect with Your Library." Send me an email about your local library or if you're a librarian, how has the library changed in your community? Everyone has a feel-good story about their library or a special librarian, share it with readers and librarians who read at the book club.

Every day, during National Library Week, I'll be giving away fun prizes. Celebrate!

"Suzanne, our library is located in Bedford, NH, a relatively small town. A patron came in to say their family had been vacationing in San Francisco and their rental car was broken into, his son's backpack was stolen and his library book was gone. Fast forward three days and we receive a phone call from a woman in California, who has found a book on the street, from our library and she would like to mail it back to us. Can you imagine? The dad was beside himself that someone would take the time to track us down. A tiny bubble of kindness! " -- Best wishes to you, Sue F., Circulation/Book Club Manager

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

Suzanne Beecher
Suzanne@DearReader.com

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

JUST ONE WISH (FICTION) by Carly Phillips

I'm so excited to bring you Axel Forrester's story. A drummer with the rock band, The Original Kings, in my Kingston-Dare world, Axel has watched the people around him settle down and he's ready to find the one, too. When a scroll through social media shows him his first love is a veterinarian in the same town, he's determined to win her back for good.

I'm giving away five copies, to enter the drawing, click on the link to Authorbuzz and the book jacket to enter.

Go to: http://authorbuzz.com/dearreader click on JUST ONE WISH to read more and to email author Carly Phillips, 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 24, 2022

Dear Reader,

My monarch caterpillars and butterflies inspired book club readers. If you missed the photos, click here.

"Suzanne, I ordered a few milkweed plants, and I was wondering, do they propagate? This is all new to me, but I love the thought of watching butterflies go through their stages. I just wanted to know if I need a big area for the milkweed so they can re-seed?" -- Robin W.

(Suzanne replies:) You can propagate milkweed from cuttings, but I have never done it. I buy milkweed at the local nursery, here in Florida. Make sure when you buy milkweed, to ask if it has been sprayed. Because if it's been sprayed with chemicals while growing, to keep the bugs away, the chemical will kill the caterpillars. I always plant at least four milkweed plants together, because when a caterpillar starts eating, it's amazing how quickly it strips the leaves off the plant. Good thing the caterpillars are willing to eat the stems, too. When the milkweed is stripped, and there aren't any more caterpillars on the plant, you can cut the stems back about 7 inches and they will regrow.

The butterflies in my garden especially love penta and zinnia plants, too. Penta plants come in numerous colors. They're easy to grow and when they start looking stringy you can cut them back and they will regrow. Have fun!

"Dear Suzanne, your story about your monarch butterfly nursery brought back a memory I haven't thought about in many years. Twenty years ago, we were standing outside our condo in Stratford, CT, which was situated on the convergence of the Housatonic River and Long Island Sound. It was the beginning of fall and we were enjoying the cooler weather. Within a few minutes, we saw hundreds (thousands?) of monarch butterflies coming toward us from Long Island Sound, heading toward New York.They passed above us and around us until we had to sit on the ground in amazement at what we were witnessing. Thank you for sharing your story, and helping to bring back a wonderful memory. Your nursery is beautiful, and it makes me like you just that much more! Best wishes to you and your 'babies.'"-- Jenifer G.

"How lucky and cool this is and that you have it right in your own backyard. Just beautiful, thanks for sharing." -- Regards, Eileen M.

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

Suzanne Beecher
Suzanne@DearReader.com

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 22, 2022

Dear Reader,

Today's guest author, Priscilla Masters, was born in Halifax and adopted into a multi-racial family of seven. Brought up in South Wales she moved to Birmingham in the 1970's and trained as a registered nurse at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, in Birmingham.

She has produced more than thirty crime novels and one children's book. In addition to the series featuring Coroner Martha Gunn and a forensic psychologist Dr Claire Roget, Priscilla has written the DI Joanna Piercy series since 1995. The latest title in that series is the newly released, Almost a Whisper.

Priscilla has two sons, two grandsons and lives in a Victorian ex-laundry cottage on the Staffordshire/Shropshire border.

Please do contact Priscilla via her website and say "Hello." 

To enter Priscilla's book drawing (you could win one of three copies of Almost a Whisper), send an email with your mailing address to: info@severnhouse.com

Priscilla Masters on a First Date

As a first date it could have ended a lot better but not much worse, to be truthful.

I was a first-year student nurse in Birmingham 1970 when I was invited to a party by one of the medical students. So far so good. Except...

My date for the night had heard that the famous clock tower, Old Joe, was undergoing some restoration. A little earlier in the evening he'd recced the tower which was normally padlocked and found a small opening in one of the doors where a panel had been removed. He reckoned that I was just small enough to squeeze through and open the door from the inside.

Old Joe aka The Joseph Chamberlain Memorial Tower, is a clock tower and campanile, or bell tower, located in Chancellor's court at the University of Birmingham. According to Wikipedia it is the tallest free-standing clock tower in the world, although I didn't know that at the time. The university lists it as 361 feet tall. The clock dial measures 17 feet in diameter; the length of the clock's hands are 10 and 6 ft, and the bell weighs in at 5 tons.

A prominent landmark in Birmingham, the grade II listed tower can be seen for miles around the campus as well as from the surrounding roads, and has become synonymous with the University itself.

And my new boyfriend thought it would be a nice start to the evening to pop up to the top, ring the bells and maybe tinker with the hands before heading to the party.

I wasn't exactly dressed for the occasion in lime green hotpants, wedge heels and false eyelashes and I'm not over fond of heights. But luckily the heights thing wasn't a problem as we couldn't look down as we climbed and climbed and climbed, finally reaching a platform. A couple of hangers on had joined the pre-party party and had clanged the bells (I don't know if any of you have read Dorothy L Sayers The Nine Tailors?) Another mischief maker had 'played around' with the clock hands causing confusion to the commuters the next morning on their way to work!

It might not surprise you to know that we didn't get to the party. We were "arrested" by the University Police but released by the Selly Oak Force who between incredulity and guffaws cautioned us and let us go.

What might surprise you more is that I actually married the guy!

-- Priscilla Masters
Enter a drawing to win one of three copies of Almost a Whisper. Send an email with your mailing address to: info@severnhouse.com

You may contact Priscilla via her website: https://www.priscillamasters.co.uk/contact-priscilla-masters/

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

Suzanne Beecher
Suzanne@DearReader.com

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 18, 2022

Dear Reader,

I was in a grumpy, poor-me mood because my foot was hurting--again. Two weeks ago my doctor gave me a prescription to clear up the inflammation, but I might as well have been swallowing M&M's twice a day. Last week he injected a shot of cortisone, but it hadn't improved.

Since the pain in my foot wasn't responding to anything, I decided to take charge and go about my usual routine. I'd show that foot of mine who was boss! Pain, I could tough it out. So my husband and I headed out on our usual morning walk. I did decide to walk a little slower. I didn't want to insult my foot. When you're negotiating--even with pain in your foot--the best outcome is when everyone feels they've won. But halfway through our walk, I realized "the other party" in this negotiation, wasn't happy at all--my foot was killing me.

Sitting on the side of the road, while my husband walked home to get the car, I was feeling grumpy--really grumpy and I started imagining all sorts of depressing outcomes. The doctor can't figure out what's wrong, I'll never be able to go for a simple walk again, I'll have this problem forever, this foot thing is hopeless...but then a car stopped in front of me.

I'd noticed the car a few minutes earlier when it passed by. I assumed the man and woman in the car were checking out houses for sale in the neighborhood, because they slowed down a little farther down the street, sat a minute in front of a big house, and then continued on. But a few minutes later, when they circled around again and stopped their car in front of me, I realized their topic of conversation hadn't been houses, it was me.

"Excuse me," the woman on the passenger side was leaning a little out the window, "my husband and I noticed you, and we just wanted to make sure you are all right." Both she and her husband had genuine, caring smiles on their faces.

"I'm fine, thank you. I got a cortisone shot in my foot the other day, but apparently it didn't take. My husband is walking home to get the car. I really want to thank you for stopping."

After the couple left I realized my mood had changed. The little 'why me?' and 'I'm sick of this foot problem'--instantly all of those feelings were insignificant to the kindness of strangers. The more I thought about it, the more amazing it was. One simple little question from two people who were generally concerned, one little polite gesture--changed the rest of my day. Sure, my foot still hurt, my situation hadn't changed, but my mind set had.

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

Suzanne Beecher
Suzanne@DearReader.com

* Congratulations to the winner of the Bubble Wand Giveaway, Deb DeNardo.

Congratulations to these recent book club winners: Lonnie E., Donna O. and Janet H., winners of The Treeline by Guest Author Ben Rawlence. And Fran S., Angie G., and Sharon B., winners of Funny Farm by Guest Author Laurie Zaleski.

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 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
Suzanne@DearReader.com

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 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
Suzanne@DearReader.com

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.