Southwest Louisiana Pulpwood Queens Book Club

Diamond Tiara Award!

2012-01-20T17:07:00.000-06:00

Been waiting for pics but haven't gotten them yet so guess I'll just have to write 1000 words! That's hard for me to do so I'll just copy Kathy Patrick's announcement for our Southwest Louisiana Pulpwood Queens Book Club to have been honored with her Diamond Tiara Award! Queens you are fabulous!!!!

January 12, 2012

Jefferson, Texas - As the founder of the now 525 chapters of The Pulpwood Queens Book Club, making us the largest "meeting and discussing" book club in the world I would officially like to announce our award winners for this past 2011 year:

2011 Pulpwood Queens Books of the Year!

Pulpwood Queen Book of the Year - "Georgia Bottoms" by Mark Childress

Pulpwood Queen Bonus Book of the Year - "as the sycamore grows" by Jennie Helderman

Pulpwood Queen Teen to Adult Crossover Book of the Year - "Scout, Atticus, and Boo" by Mary McDough Murphy

Pulpwood Queen Children's Book of the Year - "Man in the Moon" by William Joyce

The Greatest Book Show on Earth - Girlfriend Weekend 2012

2012-01-20T10:28:00.002-06:00

Well Kathy Patrick did it again. The greatest circus of authors and readers in the small town of Jefferson, TX. Over 50 authors were in the ring with Lion Tamer Queen Kathy www.BeautyandtheBook.com. She had us all jumping through hoops from Clown Alley where the authors clowned around while serving a fabulous BBQ dinner from the local establishment, Riverport BBQ, which tragically burned to the ground the following evening. (No one was injured and they will rebuild.) We were awakened by sirens in the middle of night as the fire was only two blocks from The Excelsior Hotel where we were staying. This historic hotel has been operating continuously since 1850 and has house President Grant and Lady Bird Johnson. This year they had a fabulous breakfast for us each morning before we entered the circus tent.

Entering the Circus Tent (Jefferson Tourist Center) was like old home week as we laughed and shared with our favorite authors Shellie Tomlinson, River Jordan, Kathryn Casey, Mary Lee Malcolm, Nicole Seitz, Robert LeLeux, Judy Christie Deeanne Gist Marcia Fine and met many new ones who will joining the list like Jenny Wingfield, Michael Morris, Wade Rouse, Man Martin, Bill Torgerson, Robert Hicks, Tina Sloan. As well as PQ's from other areas Tijuana Neal, Marsha Toy Engstrom, Lisa Hodgson, Jonni Webb, Pam Carter, Karen Pellerin, Mary Yetta Alexander, the Conway PQ's....

Our first night - at the Author Dinner

Wow...a little bit of over load and so hard to recall without pictures...and lots of pictures there are floating all over FB! Here are a few of our favorites..

We bring our Alligator Mascot with us

Deeanne Gist shows us how a proper Victorian lady dresses from the bottom

to the top....Wonderful!

Dinner with new and old author friends Bill Torgerson, Nicole Seitz, Shellie Tomlinson and Robert Hicks

Beautiful authors Meg Clayton, Judy Christie Lisa Wingate and

Aren't we a circus to die for! LOL

Pink Prom Night with Kathryn Casey

Dinner with Mary Lee Malcolm and friends

One thing we did hear, please post book reviews, just a simple I liked/disliked this book, helps the authors tremendously.

One of the many wonderful panels of authors: Nichole Seitz, Michael Morris, River Jordan, Robert LeLeux and Kathy Patrick

Bev Martin, Kay Huck, Kathy Patrick and Shellie Tomlinson

Am posting pictures of your queens dressed to the nines..in our Pink Prom Attire and Circus Best. Queens Beverly Martin, Rose Gray, Beverly Hill and Candy Case, joined me in this fun filled gathering.

Wouldn't you love to go to Pink Prom Night with these gals?

Another fabulous panel with Kathryn Casey, Marilyn Gilhuly, Jan Reid, Reavis Wortham, Robert LeLeux and Kathy Patrick

Get ready for next year Jan 17-20, 2013 when the theme will be The Gilded Age..Looking forward to some outstanding books and good hearted fun.

Coffins of Little Hope...for Halloween?

2011-11-06T09:16:00.000-06:00

When The Coffins of Little Hope by Timothy Schaffert was selected for our October PQ meeting, I think we all expected a spooky Halloween tale. Instead we were surprised by a tale that spans decades of an obituary writer for a small town newspaper. An engrossing story that shows we never leave the past behind, it always comes with us to resolution.

And we were fortunate to have the author do a video chat and share how the story took on a life of its own as he took this idea of small town newspaper which also quietly prints bestseller to make ends meet.

And we were also treated to "coffins" labeled Miserre and Desirree by Queen Tracey and specialty cupcakes! Thank you Queen Tracey.

don't you love the picture of author Timothy Schaffert on the TV screen with the small inset of the SWLA PQ's in the corner? Video Chats with the author add so much to our discussion. Many thanks to Timothy and all the authors who have shared with us!

Secret Fans for our PQ's

2011-11-06T09:02:00.001-06:00

Sorry to be late in posting, just lots going on lately...like everyone else!

Our September meeting was to discuss the book Snow Flower and The Secret Fan by Lisa See . A wonderful book about an old Chinese custom involving selection of best friends call "The Sames" and how they used fans to write to each other. They wrote about every day life which included the custom of foot binding. Which was very upsetting to our present day thinking.To emphasize the importance of communication between friends, we each made our own secret fans with words of wisdom written upon them to our royal sisters.

We are also honored to have Louisiana author Christa Allan visit and discuss her book The Edge of Grace, although not a memoir as such, there were lots of personal events portrayed in the book and she graciously shared her story behind the story she had written.

Wonderful meeting! Love our Royal Sisters!

Christa Allan visits PQ's Sept Meeting

2011-10-04T08:17:00.000-05:00

Do you have a Secret Fan? The Sames? Well we made our own secret fans for our book club members who attended the September meeting as we discussed Lisa See's book Snow Flower and the Secret Fan. Wonderful discussion on the difference in our cultures. Of course, foot-binding was hard to accept and Queen Val found pictures on the internet and shared with us. To us, it was amazing that such a practice every came into being!
However, the value of true friendship and the sharing of that friendship was strong in the book and in our lives our friendships are valued.

Author Christa Allan http://christaallan.com/ was in town from Abita Springs, LA and stopped in for a wonderful visit and talked about her latest book The Edge of Grace. The story is about a sister and brother, their relationship and how coming out of the closet affects that relationship. A story moral values and re-assessing what that means. Although not a memoir, much of the storyline is based on Christa personal experiences. At our PQ meeting, Christa shared many of her personal experiences that influenced this book.

Our next meeting will be October 26. The book is The Coffins of Little Hope by Timothy Schaffert.

Kathryn Casey - Author Visit

2011-08-25T01:57:00.002-05:00

We had a great visit with one of our favorite authors this evening. Kathryn Casey traveled across the Sabine River to meet with us and what wonderful stories she shared. Of course, her main topic was her latest Sarah Armstrong mystery, The Killing Storm. Crafted around a threatening hurricane in Houston, time is running out to find the abducted child Joey. Racing against the wind, Sarah plunges into life threatening waters.

Kathryn totally described the essence of hurricane intensity and fearful preparations, as we who have lived through recent hurricanes in Louisiana could attest.

Sharing her life with us as a magazine journalist she had stories of many of the celebrities she had interviewed including many first ladies. True crime and investigative reporting seems to have a way of finding her, people send her information on cases she might find of interest. And if you really want to know what's happening with the perpetrators, check her website for updates on paroles.www.kathryncasey.com

Thank you Kathryn for a wonderful evening and we look forward to reading you new works as well of some of your new releases of former magazine articles and short stories on eBooks.

News and Notes

2011-06-23T14:42:00.000-05:00

Thanks to all you wonderful queens for volunteering for Boogie for Books! And especially to those wonderful guys who came to help out also.

Did you see the picture of Beverly and Jim in Jambalaya? If not here's another shot at it:

July Meeting Wed July 27 M L MALCOLM'S visit - Planning Committee headed up by Queen Tracey, other members Beverly Martin, Marilyn Bonnette, Phyllis Stine and Keri Doise

Presently there will be a day event at Central Library, our meeting Wed evening and perhaps a writers group meeting that Bev Martin is arranging

August Meeting Wed AUG 24 (DATE IS CHANGED FROM REGULAR SCHEDULE) KATHRYN CASEY'S VISIT Planning Committee headed up by Queen Allison, members are Beverly M., Laurie, Barbara and Marilyn Bonnette

Also Lake Charles American Press talks about summer reading and books clubs, mentioning our PQ club in particular...click here to take a look

American Press and PQ Book Club edited article is pasted below:

BY CELESTE ANSLEY / AMERICAN PRESS

With summer comes longer days and a time when many people take vacations. To stay mentally stimulated or just for pleasure, some people fill their vacation time reading books.

Lake Charles offers both members-only and public book clubs for its residents. The clubs typically meet once a month to discuss a broad variety of books.

A few of the clubs provided their reading lists from the past year and for the summer:

Southwest Louisiana Pulpwood Queens

This book club is part of the Beauty and the Book national club. The club’s 25 members wear tiaras to the once-monthly meetings at Stellar Beans coffee shop. The book recommendations are selected by the national club, and the members decide which books to discuss, said Kay Huck, who founded the local club after Hurricane Rita.

These are the June and July book recommendations:

“Georgia Bottoms” by Mark Childress.

“The Rhinestone Sisterhood: A Journey Through Small-Town America, One Tiara at a Time” by David Valdes Greenwood.

“The Killing Storm” by Kathryn Casey.

“Heart of Deception” by M.L. Macolm.

“Gone with a Handsome Man” by Michael Lee West.

“WOOF: Women Only Over Fifty” by Mary Cunningham, Diana Black and Melinda Richarz Bailey.

“Miss Hildreth Wore Brown: Anecdotes of a Southern Belle” by Olivia daBelle Byrd.

“Murder at the Luther” by Kathleen Kaska.

“Thunder Beach” by Michael Lister.

The Pulpwood Queens’ children’s picks are:

“Interrupting Chicken” by David Ezra Stein.

“A Sick Day for Amos McGee” by Philip Christian Stead.

June Meeting

2011-06-23T14:24:00.000-05:00

I am looking forward to seeing you at our meeting next week, June 29th.

I'm sorry that Mark Childress won't be able to call in to entertain us with his stories. He was delightful when we met him at GFW in January.

Many thanks to Tracey and Committee for planning ML Malcolm's visit, sounds great.

Allison and committee will be planning Kathryn Casey's Visit in August.

Hope you all are enjoying your summer and reading a ton of good books!

Speaking of GFW, got an email from Kathy Patrick describing some of the events and have copied the main parts for you:

Dear Pulpwood Queens,

...Here is the price list for members:

$250 for Pulpwood Queen Package to all events including Thursday night Author Dinner, Friday and Saturday all day panels, Friday night PRETTY IN PINK PROM PARTY, GREAT BIG BALL OF HAIR CIRCUS themed BALL, Saturday KEYNOTE AUTHOR luncheon, plus Official t-shirt, V.I.P wrist band and free books and galleys from the publishers.

All tickets are non-refundable but can roll over to next year or exchange with another person in group.

Friday Night, come PRETTY IN PINK for costumed PROM PARTY. Saturday Night CIRCUS theme for Hair Ball plus table competition.

...

We also are offering a MEMOIR WORKSHOP with author, Texas Observor columnist/Editor of LONNY Magazine in New York, Robert Leleux that is going to be exceptional. $150 for members and includes a signed copy of his NEW book, "The Living End" and lncheon that day. Robert will be our Keynote Speaker Friday morning and our January Book Club Selection so this is a real treat that he can do this for us the Wednesday before we begin the event on Thursday night.

I am working on lining up all the authors but confirmed so far are:

Kathy L. Patrick

Robert Leleux

Michael Morris,

Ad Hudler

Shellie Rushing Tomlinson

River Jordan

Wade Rouse

Man Martin

Caroline Leavitt

Rebecca Rasmussen

Katie Crouch

Kathleen Kaska

M.L. Malcolm

Kathryn Casey

Jamie Ford

Karen Harrington

Robert Hicks

Bill Torgenson

Marcia Fine

Melanie Benjamin

Neil White

and many more in the works

We won a free book! Summer book club campaign with The American Heiress!

2011-05-30T12:54:00.001-05:00

If you are interested in a free ebook, just follow the directions outlines below. I don't know anything about the book or the author, just that our book club won the opportunity to discuss the book

It's not a PQ selection but it sounds interesting

Let me know if you download it or listen to it

From: Samantha.Beerman@macmillan.com
To: Samantha.Beerman@macmillan.com
Subject: Summer book club campaign with The American Heiress!
Date: Mon, 16 May 2011 17:39:01 +0000

Dear Reading Group Members:

On behalf of Macmillan Audio and Reading Group Choices, I am delighted to let you know that your book club has been selected to participate in The American Heiress summer audiobook campaign. You and your fellow group members will each receive the full audiobook program (before its 6/21 on sale date!) of Daisy Goodwin's highly anticipated debut to discuss at your June meetings—just in time for "June is Audiobook Month."

This email includes a link to download the full audiobook edition of The American Heiress, along with directions for both PC and Mac users. Please note that the content of this audiobook is protected by copyright laws of the U.S. and foreign countries. It is intended for your individual use only. Copying, redistribution, broadcasting, editing, or alteration inconsistent with copyright laws is prohibited.

We have a limited quantity of physical audiobooks available. If someone in your group needs a physical copy, please email me. We will fulfill these requests on a first come first serve basis while supplies last. If you have any questions regarding the digital download or the book club campaign in general, please let me know. Thank you again for your participation, and I hope you enjoy listening!

Click here to download: https://www.yousendit.com/transfer.php?action=download&ufid=MFo2ak96RndVVGxFQlE9PQ

For PC users:

1. Click on the link above.

2. On the YouSendIt page, click on the green "Download" button.

3. A dialog box may open and ask you if you want to "Save" or "Open" the file you are about to download. Choose "Open". The file is 884 MB and should take about an hour to download (depending on your internet connection).

4. After the download is completed, a new window will open. Click on "Extract All Files" under "Folder Tasks" (left-hand side of window).

5. A program called "File Wizard" will open. Follow the steps.

6. Open iTunes on your computer.

7. Drag the folder labeled "TheAmericanHeiress" into your iTunes music library.

8. From iTunes you can listen to the program, transfer the program to your

MP3 player, or burn the program to a CD. For more information on iTunes, visit http://www.itunes.com.

For Apple users:

1. Click on the link above.

2. On the YouSendIt page, click on the green "Download" button.

3. A dialog box will open asking you if you would like to save the file.

Click "Save File".

4. Find the file called "TheAmericanHeiress.zip", which will be located wherever files downloaded to your computer are kept. More than likely, this is your desktop.

5. Double-click the .zip file to begin extracting the files.

6. Open iTunes

7. Drag the folder "TheAmericanHeiress" into your iTunes music library.

8. From iTunes you can listen to the program, transfer the program to your

MP3 player, or burn the program to a CD. For more information on iTunes, visit http://www.itunes.com.

Warm regards,

Samantha

Samantha Beerman

Digital Marketing & Content Associate

Macmillan Audio | Macmillan Young Listeners

175 Fifth Avenue | 3^rd Floor | New York, NY 10010

e: samantha.beerman@macmillan.com | p: (646) 307-5041

"Like" us on Facebook: Facebook.com/MacmillanAudio

Hillene and Val's Mom

2011-05-30T12:53:00.001-05:00

Hey Queens!

Wonderful news Hillene will be moving back and she will be able to wear her tiara and join us again! We are eager to see you Hillene!

Also, for those of you who live in south Lake Charles, Val's mom will need a ride home after the meeting Wed. She lives in the Lake St/McNeese St area. If you can help, please contact Val. I told her I would if no one is available

Thanks!

Kay

I just spoke with Linda Todd. Her sister Hillene will be moving back to the Lake Charles area once her daughter can find a job here. They will be moving into a house down off Sallier St. She wanted all the Pulpwood Queens to know. She said, "Tell them I'll be back to hassle them."

Kay will you please send this out to the group?

Thanks,

bev martin

May Meeting and Boogie for Books

2011-05-30T12:53:00.000-05:00

Queens,

Hope you have been reading, cause our meeting is only 10 days away, a week from Wed. My eye surgery went well, I am beginning to read some (obviously if I'm sending email) Don't know if I can finish the book so I will be relying on y'all for discussion with David Greenwood for his SKYPE interview.

You should have received an email from Val for food orders if you haven't you can contact her at: valeriesm@aol.com or 337-302-1978

Laurie: will you forward this to Jenny Wallace so she can see that food is ordered for any queens that are coming and wish to eat. Thanks.

Time to BOOGIE FOR BOOKS - Sat May 21 : We will be in the Literacy Council Tent. Each volunteer will receive a T-shirt We will also wear our tiaras and our PQ name badges. We will be helping with face painting, ticket sales, info on Literacy and book swap, and maybe other things. If you have books you want to swap out, bring them.

2-5 pm Barbara Granger, Keri Doise, Marilyn Bonnette

4-7 pm Lea Durio, Gene and Kay Huck

6-9 pm Beverly and Jim Martin, Allison and Chris Kuhn, Melissa Bender

May Meeting - Wed May 25 - The Rhinestone Sisterhood by David Valdes Greenwood. Former festival queen Jenny Wallace (Queen Laurie's boss) will be our special guest and hopefully other queens, such as our own Queen Phyllis Hughes and her granddaughter Queen Allison volunteered to generate a press release for "Festival Queens meet Pulpwood Queens" Queen Erin will be our discussion leader.

June Meeting Wed June 29 - Georgia Bottoms by Mark Childress (he will be out of the country and unable to call-in) He will answer by email any questions you might have - so write them down as your read his book!

July Meeting Wed July 27 M L MALCOLM'S visit - Planning Committee headed up by Queen Tracey, other members Beverly Martin, Marilyn Bonnette, Phyllis Stine and Keri Doise

Presently there will be a day event at Central Library, our meeting Wed evening and perhaps a writers group meeting that Bev Martin is arranging

August Meeting Wed AUG 24 (DATE IS CHANGED FROM REGULAR SCHEDULE) KATHRYN CASEY'S VISIT Planning Committee headed up by Queen Allison, members are Beverly M., Laurie, Barbara and Marilyn Bonnette

If you have any ideas regarding these author visits please contact myself or the committee Queen!

Remember you can purchase other items through Amazon.com besides books! You might consider ordering extras of Kathryn's and M L's books for gifts, in fact, when I asked they prefer that you purchase books in advance so they don't have to deal with sales.

We met our goal - Amazon commissions are $101.63!!! Erin bring your raffle ticket to the meeting and I'll give you a check.

Fwd: NPR.org - Mysterious Leprosy Cases Linked To Armadillos

2011-05-30T12:52:00.001-05:00

Interesting story from NPR on Leprosy.

-Erin

erin.green@gmail.com thought you would be interested in this story: Mysterious Leprosy Cases Linked To Armadillos
http://www.npr.org/blogs/health/2011/04/28/135740951/mysterious-leprosy-cases-linked-to-armadillos?sc=emaf

RE: April Meeting Notes

2011-05-30T12:52:00.000-05:00

Had email's from ML and Kathryn and they both wanted us to purchase books ahead so we can discuss. They will bring a few books for other guests to purchase if they haven't already but have found it works best if we purchase in advance.

And they truly appreciated our kind consideration.

April Meeting Notes

2011-05-30T12:50:00.000-05:00

Good Morning Queens!

We had a great meeting Wed evening at Stellar Beans - Thanks Queen Val for your hospitality and delicious food! A royal welcome to new member Queen Melissa Bender. Her email is: melissakapp@hotmail.com

Author Neil White's call-in was insightful and honestly reflective of his life. I was touched by his story of hope and redemption. We also met his lovely wife Debbie. And we may have a member as a relative! Allison WHITE Kuhn - whose grandfather worked at the hospital in Carrville. And Allison who grew up in the area never knew there was a leporsarium there.

It was agreed to use our Amazon.com money (we have $93.97 and the $6.03 will be there shortly) to purchase a raffle ticket for the Abrazandos Christos Mission. The mission trip sells the raffle tickets for $100 each. The first prize is $5000 - now wouldn't that be a wonderful donation to the Mission! Queens Laurie and Erin are going on the mission this year!! We are so proud of the work that you all are doing and grateful to be a small supportive part of it. We will purchase the ticket from Erin, as each mission participant is responsible for selling the tickets.

Lots of stuff coming up this summer and thanks to all of you who so graciously help --- you are what makes this is dynamic and vibrant book club!

BOOGIE FOR BOOKS - Sat May 21 These queens signed up to help, you can still sign up just let me know: We will be in the Literacy Council Tent. Each volunteer will receive a T-shirt (so I will need sizes). We will also wear our tiaras and our PQ name badges

2-5 pm Barbara Granger, Keri Doise, Marilyn Bonnette

4-7 pm Linda Breaux, Lea Durio, Gene and Kay Huck

6-9 pm Beverly Martin, Allison and Chris Kuhn, Melissa Bender

July Meeting Wed July 27 M L MALCOLM'S visit - Planning Committee headed up by Queen Tracey, other members Beverly Martin, Marilyn Bonnette, Phyllis Stine and Keri Doise

Presently there will be a day event at Central Library, our meeting Wed evening and perhaps a writers group meeting that Bev Martin is arranging

August Meeting Wed AUG 24 (DATE IS CHANGED FROM REGULAR SCHEDULE) KATHRYN CASEY'S VISIT Planning Committee headed up by Queen Allison, members are Beverly M., Laurie, Barbara and Marilyn Bonnette

If you have any ideas regarding these author visits please contact myself or the committee Queen!

Guess that about wraps it up...whew for a book club you sure are a busy bunch of Queen Bee's!!! Remember you can purchase other items through Amazon.com besides books! You might consider ordering extras of Kathryn's and M L's books for gifts!

Love you all

Queen Kay

Wed Meeting

2011-05-30T12:49:00.000-05:00

Hi Queens,

Hope you had a wonderful Easter. We enjoyed being with family and hiding Easter eggs. Nice relaxed day and blessed with wonderful church services.

Looking forward to seeing y'all Wed evening at Stellar Beans, 5:30 pm. Please contact Val if you still need your food ordered.

Neil White is scheduled to skype about 7 pm. Have your questions ready!

Does anyone want to volunteer to be discussion leader? Let me know, first one I hear from will be it.

Check your calendars for Sat May 21 for Boogie for Books sponsored by the Literacy Council. They suggested helping with the story-telling tent, reading books to young children or even as ticket takers and various helpers. I believe the event is from 3 pm to 10 pm

Those of you who have paid your $10 activity fee will have your names on the bookplates. If you haven't paid and want the bookplates, let me know and I can include you and you can pay Wed evening. I'll be sending them off to David Greenwood for The Rhinestone Sisterhood this week.

Queen Tracey has agreed to chair the committee to plan M L Malcolm's visit in July. Also working with her are Queens Keri, Phyllis Stine, Beverly Martin and Marilyn Bonnette. Thank you! We will be looking for some kind of theme for the visit.

Also, will need a committee to plan Kathryn Casey's visit in August.

See you Wed

Love you

Kay

May Meeting

2011-05-13T12:08:00.000-05:00

David Valdes Greenwood, author of The Rhinestone Sisterhood, is eagerly looking forward to our May meeting when he will join us via SKYPE.. Maybe even connecting with some of the queens he met while researching his book.

Former festival queens have been invited to join us. I hope we will have several who will give us the inside scoop on what is really means to be a festival queen in Louisiana.

April Meeting

2011-04-19T09:01:00.000-05:00

April Meeting we will be chatting with author Neil White about his book In the Sanctuary of Outcasts. Were you familiar with this part of Louisiana history before his book? I know I wasn't.

weclome to PQ's

2011-04-19T08:57:00.000-05:00

Hi Rose,

A royal welcome to our newest member Rose Gray!

Our meetings are generally the last Wed of the month at 5:30 at Stellar Beans in downtown Lake Charles. Val will send an email about a week prior to the meeting for you to respond with your meal order if you will be attending.

Our activity fee is $10 per active member.

Our book selections for the upcoming months are:

April 27 - In the Sanctuary of outcasts by neil White

May 23 - The Rhinestone Sisterhood by david Valdes Greenwood

june 29 - Georgia Bottoms by Mark Childress

July 27 - Heart of Deception by M L Malcolm

Aug 24 The Killing Storm by Kathryn Casey

We enjoy our reading, discussing and having fun together, especially Girlfriend Weekend. I understand you will be joining us for that adventure aslo! Great, need to put on your creative hat for Circus ideas !!

Malcolm confirmed for July 27

2011-04-10T02:42:00.000-05:00

Hey Queens,

Just got a confirmation from M.L. Malcolm, M L's Website , that she will visit for our July 27th Meeting!! Can't wait!

We've got a great summer of reading ahead of us.

Blessings,

Kathryn Casey update - date confirmed 8/24

2011-04-09T09:29:00.000-05:00

Kathryn Casey's Website

Talked with Kathryn Casey today and she can come Aug 24. She wants to do something at the library and then meet with us in the evening. or pack as many things /signings as possible in an overnight trip.

This means we will meet a week earlier than our regular meeting.

Haven't heard back from ML yet

March Meeting Notes

2011-04-09T09:21:00.001-05:00

Just putting down a few things from our last meeting

1. Cathie Beck's wine was wonderful and yes I did give Gene that last little sip to empty the bottle (saved the label for our scrapbook too) Cathie Beck's Website

2. I have invited both M L Malcolm and Kathryn Casey to visit in July/August as determined by their calendars and haven't gotten dates yet. ML definitely wants to come however she is moving from California to Washington DC in mid-June. Kathryn is looking at her calendar also.M L Malcolm's website Kathryn Casey's website

3. I have tried to contact by email the Literacy Council about volunteering to help with Boogie for Books on Sat May 21 from 3 pm to 10 pm. No response yet. ALLISON, COULD YOU TALK WITH TOMMEKA PLEASE?

Literacy Council

4. APRIL 27 - Neil White author of In the Sanctuary of Outcasts will SKYPE Neil White's Website

5. May 25 - David Valdes Greenwood , author of The Rhinestone Sisterhood, will SKYPE, Also may have some Festival Queens as guests.David Greenwood's Website

6 June 29 Mark Childress, author of Georgia Bottoms, our June selection will be out of the country and unable to SKYPE or call-in. Will answer any written questions by email in advance though and sign bookplates. Mark Childress's Website

7. July/Aug meeting dates may change depending on calendars of Kathryn Casey and M L Malcolm

8. April 11 Val will be hosting the mountain music of Scenic Roots from 11:30 to 1 pm , I plan on going to hear them, how about you? Stellar Beans Home Page

9. Our Amazon.com purchases commissions is at $91 , maybe we'll make $100 for this year! Remember you can order other things besides books by clicking on our Amazon banner on our website

Anything I've forgotten? Let me know!

Happy Reading!

PQ of SWLA and Frank Delaney on Beauty and the Book Show!

2011-03-28T16:55:00.000-05:00

: Save 29% at Amazon.com on "Heart of Deception: A Novel" by M.l. Malcolm

2011-03-28T13:27:00.001-05:00

Glad to see they are promoting ML's latest! It's great!

Dear Amazon.com Customer,
Customers who have purchased or rated Heart of Lies: A Novel by M.L. Malcolm might like to know that Heart of Deception: A Novel will be released on April 5, 2011. You can pre-order yours at a savings of $4.01 by following the link below.

Heart of Deception: A Novel
M. L. Malcolm

List Price:	~~$13.99~~
Price:	$9.98
You Save:	$4.01 (29%)

Release Date: April 5, 2011

Other Versions and Languages

Kindle Edition (Kindle eBook)

Product Description

From M. L. Malcolm, the acclaimed author of Heart of Lies, comes a powerful sequel that spans the years from World War II to the turbulent 1960s—the riveting story of a family struggling with choices forced upon them by war . . . and the consequences that will take a generation to unfold.

Aman of many contradictions, Leo Hoffman is a Hungarian national with a French passport, a wealthy businessman with no visible means of support, and a devoted father who hasn't seen his daughter in years. He is also a spy.
Recruited by the Allies to help lay the groundwork for their invasion of North Africa, Leo intends to engage in as little espionage as possible—just enough to earn his ... Read more

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Please note that this message was sent to the following e-mail address: genewhuck@hotmail.com

GFW Registration for Jan 2012

2011-03-28T13:27:00.000-05:00

Kathy has begun accepting reservations for GFW Jan Jan 15-18, 2012. It isn't setup online yet but you can call her individually if you want to put it on your credit card or if you want to give me a check I can send them in at the same time. Very important to keep copies of your receipts. Kathy has a hired a new person part time to help with the registration process so be certain you keep confirmation of your payment!

This year the total package with will include the Authors Dinner and Sat Luncheon is $350.

Please let me know if you are planning to attend! We did go ahead and reserve our rooms from last year so if more want to attend this year will need to make room reservations also.

Laurie, remember your registration will roll over to 2012 weekend.

Those who said they were interested in attending so far are:

Kay

Laurie

Beverly M

Beverly H

Candy

Grace

Chris

Linda B

If you won't be able to make it let us know that also!

Thanks

Remember the Theme is CIRCUS!

Kathy Louise Patrick You can sign up NOW, it's 903-665-7520, $250 for all events or $350 for all members including meals. Will sell packages first then if there are tickets left, at the door.
2 hours ago ·

Kay Huck ‎"$250 for all events or $350 for all members including meals."

2 hours ago ·

Kay Huck So we send $350 that will cover all events plus the author dinners?

2 hours ago ·

Kathy Louise Patrick No, Kay $250 for members for all events including Author Dinner and Saturday Luncheon, $350 if not at Pulpwood Queen Book Club Member. So $250 for you book club members each!

a few seconds ago ·

Interview with Frank Delaney

2011-03-28T13:26:00.000-05:00

Queens!!

Our interview with Frank Delaney posted today!! You can view it by clicking here:

http://beautyandthebookshow.com/post/4023698576/beauty-and-the-book-episode-11-frank-delaney-in

Please leave comments as readership and clicks count when selling a show or book!!

See you next week at our meeting:

5:30 -8 pm Stellar Beans

Discussion Leader: Queen Lea Durio

SKYPE with author Cathie Beck of Cheap Cabernet

Next books:

April: The Sanctuary of Outcasts by Neil White

May: The Rhinestone Sisterhood by David Vales Greenwood

Message from ML Malcolm

2011-03-28T13:25:00.001-05:00

Y'all have got to enter this contest that M L is running for a week at her Writer's Retreat! It would be soooo grand!

Hello PWQs of SW Louisiana!

To celebrate the release of my new novel, HEART OF DECEPTION, I'm sharing my personal "Writer's Retreat"

near Highlands, NC, a 3BR mountaintop cottage we call "Laurel Edge."

Here's a picture of the sunset taken by my daughter.

Just send proof of a pre-release purchase of HEART OF DECEPTION to mlmalc50@gmail.com by April 5th,

you'll be entered in a sweepstakes to win a week. at this little piece of heaven.

Please visit my website, www.MLMalcolm.com, for more details! This is totally legit, so please repost and otherwise help spread the word!

Last Night's Meeting

2011-03-28T13:24:00.000-05:00

Thanks to all you Queens who came to our meeting last night and participated in a wonderful reflective discussion. I am amazed at how we can all read the same book and bring out different parts. I always come home from our meeting fed with good friends, good food and good discussions.

Didn't you just love Kathy's interview with Fannie Flagg? How about that theme song for her new show Beauty and the Book (if you weren't there you can view it at www.beautyandthebookshow.com ) Wild Wicked and Free??? She is a dynamo.

It seemed that we all enjoyed reading I Still Dream About You, and were surprised at the amount of reflective insight we gained and respect for each other.

Several of our new members told me they were reading Kathy's book The Pulpwood Queen and after chatting with her last month via SKYPE, were really enjoying the book and could hardly put it down.

All new members will now be receiving a copy of her book instead of the T shirt. That will have to be purchased separately.

Speaking of purchases, it was a unanimous vote last night to have each active member contribute $10 towards club expenses (bookplates, printing, postage). Most everyone who was there last night went ahead and paid, those of you who weren't can pay at our March meeting.

Val said she appreciated everyone emailing her back with their food choices, made it very easy for her to prepare. Will do the same for next month. If you don't get your email be sure to call her with your order.

Future Book Selections:

March Cheap Cabernet by Cathie Beck (will SKYPE)

April The Sanctuary of Outcasts by Neil White (will SKYPE)

May The Rhinestone Sisterhood by David Greenwood (will SKYPE0

In the meantime Happy Reading and Hope you have a wonderful Mardi Gras!

Kay Huck

If Holden Caulfield Were In My Classroom by Bernie Schien

2011-02-09T07:53:00.000-06:00

If Holden Caulfield Were In My Classroom by Bernie Schien. was a book I recently picked up at Girlfriend Weekend after hearing him speak about his successes in the classroom. Funny, charming, heart-warming Bernie seemed to make learning fun. Reading his book I learned how challenging his teaching philosophy is.

What would you do if you had Holden Caulfield in your room? Would you send him to the principal’s office or would you strive to discover who He is? What makes him tick? Why he behaves the way he does? What is happening in his life? What have been his disappointments and joys? These are the kinds of questions that master teacher Bernie Schien asks (if only in his mind and heart) of each of his students. He gets to know students as persons and then helps them to relate to each other in meaningful ways. His grasp of group dynamics is inspiring and his implementation brings out the student.

As a tutor and former teacher, I understand his development of the individual for I have seen this evolve with my own students. It is impossible for students to learn in hostile environments, which could be playground bullies, boyfriend/girlfriend issues, racism and prejudice, abusive home life, etc. Bernie Schien helps the student to face the issues, to confront the problem and work to a solution. All in a loving caring challenging manner. My hat is off to Bernie, wish I’d had a teacher like him!

Scrapbook Pages

2011-02-08T12:55:00.000-06:00

Thank you to all who have helped with our scrapbook. There are still a few pages that haven't been turned in and I've lost the List!! You know who you are and you have the only copies of some of the stuff.

The ones missing are:

July 2008 The Unlikely lavendar Queen - Jeannie Ralston

Aug 2008 Same Kind of Different As Me

Septe 2008 The Flawless Skin of Ugly People

July 2009 Bride Most Begrudging

Aug 2009 Saints in Limbo

Sept 2009 Home Safe by Elizabeth Berg

April 2010 Lake of Dead Languages

June 2010 What Difference Do It Make

July 2010 Man of the House

August 2010 Heart of Lies

Please let me hear from you if you have one of these pages to do, maybe bring it to our next meeting, finished or unfinished (we'll get you some help on it)

Thank you!

Stay Warm!

GFW Reservations

2011-02-08T12:54:00.000-06:00

Looks like Kathy will be waiting til later to accept reservations for GFW here is the message I received from her this morning:

Kay Huck February 2 at 7:56am

Is it time to send in reservations for GFW? I know we have several who are eagerly awaiting the time to send in - don't want to be left out!

Kathy Louise Patrick February 2 at 9:03am Report

Kay, we will fill The Fred McKenzie Storytelling Book Festival first, then Books Alive before we post Girlfriend Weekend. The next one is going to be very similar to Girlfriend Weekend only instead of Hair Ball, it's 80's PROM PARTY. I'll let everyone know when that goes up later this year

Kay Huck

Reminder for GFW Tickets

2011-02-08T12:53:00.000-06:00

Just a reminder that GFW tickets will go on sale tomorrow 2/1 at Kathy's website www.beautyandthebook.com tomorrow. This year it's $250 for the full package from Thurs night author dinner through Sun afternoon film festival. All registrations will be made online this year so each person will have to make their own reservations.

Laurie we will need to send a reminder email to Kathy that you are a roll-over and find out how you will register.

Looking forward to it The Theme is "The Greatest Book Show on Earth" need to be thinking about our costumes

Stay warm these next few days

Love you

Kay

Kay Huck

Click through www.swlapulpwoodqueens.blogspot.com to purchase at Amazon.com. All commissions are donated to Abrazando Cristo Mission to Nicaragua to purchase books for the orphanage. Our donations are personally delivered by one of our members and her family who participate in the annual mission trip.

Thank you!

First Info on Registration for GFW 2012

2011-01-24T09:47:00.000-06:00

Here's the first info for registration for next year's GFW. Early Registration is $250 but looks like she's included the events that we've been paying extra for so it's about the same amount. Since registration is online this year, we will have to each make our reservations, I think. I went to her website and she doesn't have the registration form online yet. Will let you know when she does.

JANUARY 12 - 16, 2012

12th Anniversary Girlfriend Weekend as we hold this event the same weekend as Martin Luther King, Jr. Day so we have a three day holiday to attend, come early to check out Jefferson and stay an extra day too. This event will SELL OUT FAST as have a waiting list of girls who could not get into Girlfriend Weekend that asked to be the first to sign up for next year. Early Bird Tickets NOW for ALL Events ares $250 which includes Author Dinner, Friday Day panels and Friday Night Entertainment, Saturday Day Panels, Saturday Author Luncheon, Saturday Night "Great Big Ball of Hair" Ball, Sunday Film Festival. Packages will be SOLD FIRST and then if we have any other space at the festival, individual tickets will be sold at the door.

The THEME this year for the "Great Big Ball of Hair" Ball is "LADIES AND GENTLEMEN! WELCOME TO THE GREATEST "BOOK" SHOW ON THE EARTH!"
I'm thinking with all these great books to inspire us, Sara Gruen's WATER FOR ELEPHANTS, Frank Delaney's VENETIA KELLY'S TRAVELING SHOW, after all, running Girlfriend Weekend is like a three ring circus, as ever on with the show!

ALL EVENTS will be held at the Jefferson Tourism and Transportation Convention Center in historic Jefferson, Texas. We have 350 packages that we can sell for each event except CRUISE so plan to book early for your package and book your rooms in Jefferson, Texas too! Go to my website to view our sponsoring bed and breakfasts and businesses first, www.beautyandthebook.com. I have already been informed that many bed and breakfasts are already booked for these events next year so please book your reservations NOW!

I also make this available FIRST to my book club members for special savings, if we have any extra packages they will be available to the general public later but always $100 higher for the package. The ONLY tables and seats RESERVED are for my volunteers who are the first to arrive work the event and last to leave as they tear down the event, The Pulpwood Queens of East Texas. So first come, first serve on seats period.

Registration will be online this year at http://www.beautyandthebook.com. If you have any questions call me at 903-665-7529 or email me at kathy@beautyandthebook.com with your number, and I will call you back.

Meeting Jan 26 - Kathy Patrick will SKYPE-in

2011-01-24T09:46:00.000-06:00

Reminder our next meeting will be at Stellar Beans on Wed Jan 26 5:30 pm

Book selection is Charles Martin - The Mountain Between Us

Since he cannot do a call-in Kathy Patrick has agreed to SKYPE and share with us all things Pulpwood Queens She has even sent a gift to each of you and we have a signed copy of her book "The Pulpwood queens Tiara-Wearing Book Sharing Guide to Life" as a door prize.

New members I hope you will read her book! It explains the philosophy behind Pulpwood Queens.

We had a great Girlfriend Weekend and will share pics and stories with you before Kathy skypes-in around 7 pm

Please check out Kathy Patrick's new online book club show at http://www.beautyandthebookshow.com She previewed the shows at GFW and her first two shows are now posted. All clicks are counted and very important to selling this as a TV series.

Here's the official book selection list for 2011 thus far:

January Main Selection: My Reading Life by Pat Conroy
January Bonus Selections: Don't Quit Your Day Job: Acclaimed Authors and the Day
Jobs They Quit Edited by Sonny Brewer
They Came to Nashville by Marshall Chapman
Splinters (Teen/adult crossover): If Holden Caufield Were in my Classroom: Inspiring
Love, Creativity, and Intelligence in Middle School
Kids

February Main Selection: I Still Dream About You by Fannie Flagg
February Bonus Selections: The Miracle of Mercy Land: A Novel by River Jordan
The Perfect Love Song by Patti Callahan Henry
Cheap Cabernet by Cathie Beck

March Main Selection: Clara and Mr. Tiffany by Susan Vreeland
March Bonus Selections: Every Last One by Anna Quindlen
The Sanctuary of Outcasts by Neil White
As the sycamore grows by Jennie Helderman

April Main Selection: Shanghai Girls: A Novel by Lisa See
April Bonus Selections: The Inheritance of Beauty by Nicole Seitz
Goodness Gracious Green by Judy Christie
Redefining Beauty by Texas Poet Laureate Karla K. Morton
Mothers & other Liars by Amy Bourret
Splinters (Teen/adult crossover) Mermaid: A Twist on a Classic Tale by Carolyn Turgeon

May Main Selection: Venetia Kelly's Traveling Show by Frank Delaney (This is the one we read for the TV Pilot!)
May Bonus Selections: Royal Blood (A Royal Spyness Mystery) by Rhys Bowen
Mink River: A Novel by Brian Doyle
Larkspur's Cove by Lisa Wingate

June Main Selection: Georgia Bottoms by Mark Childress
June Bonus Selections: Gone with a Handsomer Man by Michael Lee West
Woof: Women Only Over Fifty by Diana Black and Mary
Cunningham
Miss Hildreth Wore Brown: Anecdotes of a Southern Belle by
Olivia deBelle Byrd
Splinters (Teen/Crossover): The Rhinestone Sisterhood: A Journey Through Small Town America, One Tiara At A Time by David Valdes Greenwood

July Main Selection: The Killing Storm by Kathryn Casey
July Bonus Selections: Heart of Deception: A Novel by M.L. Malcolm
Murder at the Luther by Kathleen Kaska
Thunder Beach by Michael Lister

August Main Selection: The Autobiography of Mrs. Tom Thumb by Melanie Benjamin
August Bonus Selections: Paper Children by Marcia Fine
A Cup of Friendship: A Novel by Debbie Rodriguez
Sue Ellen's Daughter Ain't Fat, She Just Weighs Heavy:
The Belle of All Things Southern Dishes on Men, Money, and
Not Losing Your Midlife Mind by Shellie Rushing Tomlinson

Book Signing at Stellar Beans

2011-01-24T09:45:00.000-06:00

Hey Pulpwood Queens,

Our club member, Val Smith, is hosting a book signing on Saturday Feb 5 from 11 am to 2 pm for two local authors Linda LeBert and Brian Harrell. Both books will be available for purchase and signing following a brief presentation. Both books are written by local authors....and I hope Val has coffee and beignets, she usually does on Sat mornings.

Hope to See you there

Kay

A joint book signing by Dr Brian Harrell and Dr Linda LeBert at Stellar Beans Coffee Shop located at 319 Broad Street in Lake Charles. It is an adorable shop with drinks , food ; an excellent atmosphere. Both books are based on true stories. Books will be available for purchase and signing.

We will both do a short presentation and then sign books.

Time: 11am-2pm.---Feb 5, 2011 -Saturday

Brian Harrell's Book: Crimson Stained the Bayou Pines: A Novel of Political Struggle in the Deep South. It can be found online at Books-a-million, Barnes & Noble, and Amazon. It is a story that revolves around the struggles of Walter Dietz to establish the Socialist Party in Louisiana in the early 20th century. He was also very active in the establishment of many of the trade unions in Lake Charles at the time, including the lumber mills. His work ultimately in defiance of the established powers at that time--namely, John Henry Kirby. The struggles between those loyal to the unions and those loyal to the lumber mills transformed into a series of lock-outs and labor strikes known as "The Southwest Louisiana Timber Wars," and culminated in an event known as "The Grabow Massacre." This was a shootout between the union members and the mill workers that lasted for over 45 minutes and transpired just south of DeRidder.

Linda LeBert's Book: In the Shadow of My Brother's Cold Blood- Dave Hickock never pulled the trigger of a gun or held a knife to murder another person, but he was sentenced to a lifetime of shame, ostracism, guilt, and psychological anguish because of the actions of one man-his brother. On November 15, 1959, Richard Hickock drove to a bus station in Kansas City and picked up Perry Smith, a prison buddy. Together, they drove to Emporia, Kansas, and purchased rubber gloves, nylon cord, and black stockings. Before day's end, four innocent members of the Clutter family in a town across the state of Kansas would have their throats slashed and Richard and his buddy would be arrested and charged with one of the most brutal and infamous murders ever. As the brother of a cold-blooded killer, Dave's life would never be the same. In this compelling narrative told to Linda LeBert-Corbello, Dave shares his journey from the depths of a family tragedy to how he eventually found the kind of inner-peace that accompanies acceptance of the truth and forgiveness. I do not just want to forget and live happily ever after. I want to be forgiven. -David Hickock

Author's Night at GFW 2011

2011-01-20T12:25:00.000-06:00

GFW 2012

2011-01-20T12:23:00.000-06:00

GFW will be the 3rd weekend in January 2012. Jan 19-22 Who is interested in coming?

I will be leaving Jefferson early in the morning and will reserve rooms before I leave if anyone wants to come next year.

LOL - now that I have rested for two days I feel more like coming back --geesh was I worn out slept for 12 hours monday then took about a 3 hour nap.

The theme next year is "The Greatest Book Show on Earth" circus theme

RE: Go Run reminder

2011-01-20T12:22:00.000-06:00

I knew I recognized her Saturday! Lea sorry I didnt get to chat I like to think I was in the "zone". The club is so great

Courtney Huck

Go Run reminder

2011-01-20T12:21:00.000-06:00

Hey PW Queens,

This is a reminder for those who were interested in joing the walking / running group that I am in, Go Run. The registration date is this Saturday, January 15 at 6am. http://gorunla.com/ Congratulations to Lea who came last week and walked (and ran!) 3 miles!!! Let me know if you have any questions. I highly recommend this group, it has a great bunch of people who are all nice and really motivating.

--Erin Green

Official 2011 PQ Book List

2011-01-20T12:20:00.000-06:00

Here's a link to the official PQ book list for 2011 http://wwwbeautyandthebook.blogspot.com/2011/01/pulpwood-queen-announces-official-2011.html?spref=fb In case link doesn't work I've pasted the booklist below

Those of you going to GFW might want to look carefully at the list as many of the authors will be in attendance. The ones that I know for sure I've marked in blue - may have overlooked though so double check me Here's the link to the latest program for GFW http://www.girlfriendweekend.blogspot.com/

The following are our OFFICIAL PULPWOOD QUEEN BOOK CLUB SELECTIONS for the 2011 reading year so far:

January Main Selection: My Reading Life by Pat Conroy (GFW queens will receive this one as part of the luncheon)
January Bonus Selections: Don't Quit Your Day Job: Acclaimed Authors and the Day
Jobs They Quit Edited by Sonny Brewer
They Came to Nashville by Marshall Chapman
Splinters (Teen/adult crossover): If Holden Caufield Were in my Classroom: Inspiring
Love, Creativity, and Intelligence in Middle School
Kids
Pinecones (Children's): Scout, Atticus, & Boo: A Celebration of Fifty Years of
To Kill a Mockingbird by Mary McDonagh Murphy

February Main Selection: I Still Dream About You by Fannie Flagg
February Bonus Selections: The Miracle of Mercy Land: A Novel by River Jordan
The Perfect Love Song by Patti Callahan Henry
Cheap Cabernet by Cathie Beck
Splinters (Teen/adult crossover): Moon Over Manifest by Clare Vanderpool
Pinecones: (Children's/adult crossover): It's a Book by Lane Smith

March Main Selection: Clara and Mr. Tiffany by Susan Vreeland
March Bonus Selections: Every Last One by Anna Quindlen
The Sanctuary of Outcasts by Neil White
As the sycamore grows by Jennie Helderman
Splinters (Teen/Adult crossover): A Little House Traveler: Writings from Laura Ingalls
Wilder's Journeys Across America by Laura Ingalls
Wilder
Pinecones: Art & Max by David Wiesner

April Main Selection: Shanghai Girls: A Novel by Lisa See
April Bonus Selections: The Inheritance of Beauty by Nicole Seitz
Goodness Gracious Green by Judy Christie
Redefining Beauty by Texas Poet Laureate Karla K. Morton
Mothers & other Liars by Amy Bourret
Splinters (Teen/adult crossover) Mermaid: A Twist on a Classic Tale by Carolyn Turgeon
Pinecones: Madeline Goes to the White House by John Bemelmans Marciano

May Main Selection: Venetia Kelly's Traveling Show by Frank Delaney (This is the one we read for the TV Pilot!)
May Bonus Selections: Royal Blood (A Royal Spyness Mystery) by Rhys Bowen
Mink River: A Novel by Brian Doyle
Larkspur's Cove by Lisa Wingate
Splinters (Teen/Adult Crossover) Janis Joplin; Rising Up and Singing by Ann Angel
Pinecones: The Pirate of Kindergarten by George Ella Lyon

June Main Selection: Georgia Bottoms by Mark Childress
June Bonus Selections: Gone with a Handsomer Man by Michael Lee West
Woof: Women Only Over Fifty by Diana Black and Mary
Cunningham
Miss Hildreth Wore Brown: Anecdotes of a Southern Belle by
Olivia deBelle Byrd
Splinters (Teen/Crossover): The Rhinestone Sisterhood: A Journey Through Small Town America, One Tiara At A Time by David Valdes Greenwood
Pinecones: Interrupting Chicken by David Ezra Stein

July Main Selection: The Killing Storm by Kathryn Casey
July Bonus Selections: Heart of Deception: A Novel by M.L. Malcolm
Murder at the Luther by Kathleen Kaska
Thunder Beach by Michael Lister
Splinters (Teen/Adult Crossover):
Pinecones: A Sick Day for Amos McGee by Philip Christian Stead

August Main Selection: The Autobiography of Mrs. Tom Thumb by Melanie Benjamin
August Bonus Selections: Paper Children by Marcia Fine
A Cup of Friendship: A Novel by Debbie Rodriguez
Sue Ellen's Daughter Ain't Fat, She Just Weighs Heavy:
The Belle of All Things Southern Dishes on Men, Money, and
Not Losing Your Midlife Mind by Shellie Rushing Tomlinson
Splinters (Teen/ Adult Crossover): Matched by Allie Condie
Pinecones: Children Make Terrible Pets by Peter Brown

January Meeting Update

2011-01-20T12:19:00.000-06:00

Hi! Hope you all had a very Merry Christmas and this will be the Best Year Ever!!

We are excited about Girlfriend Weekend and you will be well represented by the five of us, Beverly M, Chris, Grace, Linda Breaux and myself, plus my two sisters from Arkansas Beverly H and Candy.

If anyone wants to go at the very last minute - the club in Lafayette had a cancellation and has a registration ticket for sale $250 and it includes the Pat Conroy Luncheon. Let me know ASAP if you are interested. Oth

At the Christmas Party, Lea collected orders for the meal at Stellar Beans for this month. If you weren't at the party and will be coming to the meeting Jan 26, contact Lea if you wanna eat! Also, remember we decided at the November meeting to meet regularly at Stellar Beans.

The book is fabulous this month: Charles Martin, The Mountain Between Us. Only he can't SKYPE in from his trip to the Everglades :( soooooo I invited Kathy Patrick to SKYPE in and she said YES!

If you haven't met her, she's a dynamo. You will love getting to know the woman behind Pulpwood Queens.

For our several new members, when we formed the book club Kathy's book, The Pulpwood Queens Tiara Wearing Book Sharing Guide to Life, was our first selection. If you haven't read her book yet, I encourage you to find a copy and take peek into her life before the SKYPE-in.

Thanks to all of you who have been ordering through our site to Amazon. We have passed last year's commissions already.

Go Run, my running/walking club

2011-01-20T12:17:00.000-06:00

Hello Queens,

I appreciate very much that all of you have been so interested and supportive of my efforts to run a marathon. Many of you have asked about my running club, Go Run. We have runners and walkers of all ages, ability level, body type and weight. One of my friends didn't start running and training until she was in her 50s, and now she has run several marathons! (She was at the San Antonio marathon with me.)

The website below has my pictures and a finish line video of me from San Antonio last Sunday.

http://running.competitor.com/cgiresults_details?pId=2111350&eId=18&eiId=24&seId=51

If you are interested in joing my running club, the next season will begin in mid-January. For more information, see our website or email me if you have questions.

http://gorunla.com/howtojoingorun.html

--Erin Green

January Meeting

2010-12-29T22:28:00.000-06:00

Stellar Beans is the deal of the day at Bargain Bee. $15 worth of food and drinks for $7. We can use it for our January meeting. Thanks to Beverly Martin for letting us know about this Bargain Bee!

http://www.bargainbee.com/?utm_source=uu1596

Reminder our meeting will be January 26th, at 5:30 pm at Stellar Beans. If you did not turn in your food order at our Christmas Party you need to contact Lea Durio.

Our book selection is The Mountain Between Us by Charles Martin.http://charlesmartinbooks.com/ I just finished it and loved it. Hope you do also.

Great news on our Amazon click thru. have surpassed last year's commission already!

Kay Huck

Strong Person

2010-12-14T15:10:00.000-06:00

Queens you have blessed my life with light and joy this year. Thank you!

"Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good
works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven."
Matthew 5: 16
STRONG PERSON
A strong person knows how to keep their life in order. Even with
tears in their eyes, they still manage to say "I'm ok" with a smile.
Send this to a strong person. I just did. God is good. Change is
coming.
God saw your sadness and said hard times are over. Be honest and send this to anyone who made you smile this year.

Thanks for making me smile.

Live, Laugh, Love!!!

Favor for me

2010-12-14T15:08:00.000-06:00

Friends I am asking if you would click on this site listed below. A friend in New Orleans is producing this show and is hoping for it to be picked up as a series. They need to show interest through number of clicks on the website. I am excited about viewing the show when the pilot airs Dec 17th! Thanks bunches!

Please do me a big favor and visit this website to help generate interest for this show we produced.

http://www.cmt.com/shows/dyn/emancipated/series.jhtml

It's a pilot that will be airing on CMT on Dec. 17th at 8:30pm EST. If it does well then it will get picked up as a series. The network is gauging interest by how many people visit the website, watch the show and DVR the show. So help a sista out and visit the website, watch the show and DVR it!

THANKS!!!! Rachel

Interesting Book Stuff

2010-12-14T15:07:00.001-06:00

Hello Queens,

I just saw that Pat Conroy had an interview with NPR recently. Here is the link to read or listen.

Conroys Reading Life: A Search For Safe Harbors http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=131099645&sc=emaf

Also, the website I mentioned at the party last night is called Library Thing. www.librarything.com

My user name is "greener" if you join and want to be friends. I just started using it after my cousin introduced me, but I like it alot. I've been using it to keep track of and rate the books I have read recently. It may even be possible to copy my library so you don't have to create your own entries for book-club books we have read. Oh, and lots of authors are members and have pages, they also sometimes even host online discussions. Pretty cool!

Happy reading!!! and Merry Christmas :)

Erin Green

Joseph Marshall finalist in Books for a Better Life

2010-12-14T15:07:00.000-06:00

Hi Queens!

Connie sent us this message about Joe's book being selected for a finalist in the spiritual category for Books for a Better Life sponsored by the Multiple Sclerosis Society of NY. I have his latest book on my To Be Read List! Here's the link to the website that lists all of the books selected: http://www.nationalmssociety.org/chapters/nyn/fundraising/books-for-a-better-life/index.aspx

Hope to see you tomorrow evening at the Christmas party

Kay

Hello Ladies,

Wanted to share with you some very good news....

To You We Shall Return is a finalist in the spiritual category for

Books For A Better Life New York City The Multiple Sclerosis Society

Award ceremony March 7 New York

The Lakota Way was a finalist in 2002 in the same category!

Connie

Possible 2011 Book Choices

2010-12-14T15:05:00.000-06:00

These might be some of the 2011 official PQ book club selections since they are the authors that will be attending GFW. Perhaps we might want to choose one for Jan

Keynote Author and Speaker, MARK CHILDRESS of Georgia Bottoms!

MARCIA FINE of Stressed in Scottsdale

JeNNY GARDINER of Slim to None

CAROLYN HAINES of Bone Appetit and Delta Blues

TODD JOHNSON of Sweet By and By

TONY SIMMONS of Dazed and Raving in the Undercurrents

HELEN SIMONSON of Major Pettigrew's Last Stand

JUDY CHRISTIE of Goodness Gracious Green

DEEANNE GIST of Maid to Match
DENISE HILDRETH JONES of Hurricane in Paradise
SAM MCLEOD of Big Appetite: My Southern Fried Search for the Meaning of Life
JANIS OWENS of The Cracker Kitchen
LISA WINGATE of Beyond Summer

Keynote Speaker, Author, and Pulitzer Prize Winner RICK BRAGG of The Most They Ever Had!

KATHI APPELT of Keeper

MELISSA CONROY of Poppy's Pants

KIMBERLY WILLIS HOLT of The Water Seeker

AD HUDLER of Man of the House

MARK E. GREEN, MD of A Night with Saddam
ROBERT GREER of Spoon
CHARLES MARTIN of The Mountain Between Us
NEIL WHITE of The Sanctuary of Outcasts
DAVID MARION WILKINSON of Not Between Brothers

Author, Actor, Singer, Songwriter, MARSHALL CHAPMAN will speak of her book They Came to Nashville and perform of her latest CD, Big Lonesome!

Keynote Speaker and Special Author Guest, FANNIE FLAGG of I Still Dream About You!

CATHIE BECK of Cheap Cabernet

JAMIE FORD of Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet
RIVER JORDAN of The Miracle of Mercy Land: A Novel
NICOLE SEITZ of The Inheritance of Beauty
SUSAN PARKER of Walking in the Deep End: A Memoir
ALLEN WHITLEY of Where Southern Cross the Dog

KATHRYN CASEY of The Killing Storm (Sarah Armstrong Texas Rangers Series
KIT FRAZIER of Morgue File: A Cauley MacKinnon Novel
MARK E. GREEN, MD of My Night with Saddam
KATHLEEN KASKA of Murder at the Luther
MICHAEL LISTER of Thunder Beach and The Body and the Blood
M.L. MALCOLM of Silent Lies

MY READING LIFE to IF HOLDEN CAULFIELD WERE IN MY CLASSROOM

PAT CONROY/BERNIE SCHEIN LUNCHEON
New York Times's Bestseller, Publishers Weekly Bestseller, and Southern Independent Bestseller PAT CONROY of My Reading Life and his best friend and author, BERNIE SCHEIN of If Holden Caulfield Were in my Classroom: Inspiring Love, Creativity, and Intelligence in Middle School Kids!

SAM BRACKEN and ECHO GARRETT of My Orange Duffel Bag
MICHAEL MORRIS of King of Florabama
KAREN HARRINGTON of Janeology
JENNIE HELDERMAN of as the sycamore grows
SONNY BREWER of Don't Quit Your Day Job: Acclaimed Authors and the Day Jobs They Quit
JOSEPH MARSHALL III of To You I Shall Return

AMY BOURRET of Mothers and Other Liars

JEANINE CUMMINS of The Outside Boy
KARL LENKER of For Dear Life
KAREN ESSEX of Dracula in Love
CAROLYN TURGEON of Mermaid: A Twist on the Classic Tale
KAREN WHITE of On Folly's Beach
PATTI CALLAHAN HENRY of The Perfect Love Song

DIANA BLACK and MARY CUNNINGHAM of WOOF: Women Only Over Fifty
DAVID VALDES GREENWOOD of The Rhinestone Sisterhood: A Journey Through Small Town America, One Tiara At A Time
OLIVIA DeBELLE BYRD of Miss Hildreth Wore Brown: Anecdotes of a Southern Belle
SHELLIE RUSHING TOMLINSON of Suck in Your Stomach and Put Some Color On: What Southern Mamas Tell Their Southern Daughters That The Rest of Y'all Should Know Too

Authors/Musicians, KATHI KAMEN GOLDMARK and SAM BARRY of WRITE THAT BOOK ALREADY!

Special Guest and Author, SUSAN VREELAND of Clara and Mr. Tiffany will be featured at the Ball.

DR. MARK E. GREEN will be our Special Guest Speaker on his book, A Night with Saddam as Mark was assigned to be with Saddam Hussein on the night he was captured.

Kerry Madden of Harper Lee UpClose

Author and Independent Film and Television Writer/Producer, MARY MCDONAGH MURPHY of the book, Scott, Atticus, and Boo: A Celebration of Fifty Years of To Kill a Mockingbird and premiering her film Hey, Boo: Harper Lee & To Kill a Mockingbird.

Joseph Marshall III - "We Have Seen His Courage"

2010-11-19T11:09:00.002-06:00

Oh my did we learn a bunch about Native American culture, specifically the Lakota's through Joseph Marshall's book The Lakota Way. And then when we visited him via SKYPE at our meeting we appreciated their culture even more. Our discussion revolved around the necessity of maintaining the Lakota culture and language. Marshall is working on a project to record audio books in his native Lakota language. A massive undertaking but after reading his books, it will enrich our world community to preserve this heritage.

We encourage other book clubs or individuals to read his books. He even has one on Keep Going: The Art of Perserverance that is dedicated to the survivors of Hurricane Katrina. We'd love to have him come to our area for a visit. Perhaps he will. I know he will be glad to SKYPE with other clubs, just contact him through his website. Joseph Marshall III Many thanks for sharing of your life with us Joe, and We too have seen Your courage in dedicating your life to being a caretaker of the spiritual life of the Lakotas.

Time to Vote for PQ Book of the Year in 3 Categories

2010-11-16T21:34:00.000-06:00

Hi Queens!

It's time to vote for PQ Book of the Year, PQ Bonus Book of the Year and PQ Children's (includes Pinecones and Splinters selections) Book of the Year Please email me your 3 choices or give them to me tomorrow night at our meeting. When you go over the list, remember we need to choose a book for January. The official selection will be Pat Conroy's My Reading Life

Below are all the official selections for the year 2010: Choose One Red - Book of the Year, One Blue - Bonus Book of the Year and One Green - children's Book fo the year: The ones we have read I have underlined. ML's book and Lake of Dead Languages aren't listed because they were GFW giveaways Winging It and South of Broad were from the official 2009 selections.

January – The Crowning Glory of Calla Lily Ponder by Rebecca Well
Bonus - Home Safe by Elizabeth Ber

What Difference Do It Make? By Ron Hall, Denver Moore, & Lynn Vincent

Splinters – The Sweetheart of Prosper County by Jill S. Alexander Pinecones – Poppy's Pants by Melissa Conroy

February – The Mighty Queens of Freeville: A Mother, a Daughter, and a Town that Raised Them
Bonus - Saving Cicadas by Nicole Seitz
Sweet By and By by Todd Johnson

The Girl Who Chased the Moon: A Novel by Sarah Addison Allen
Splinters - The Cupcake Queen by Heather Hepler
Pinecones: Evolution of Calpurnia Tate by Jacqueline Kelly

March – The Lakota Way by Joseph Marshall III


Bonus – Do-Over by Robin Hemley

Splinters: The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes by Arthur Conan Doyle
Pinecones: The Magician's Elephant by Kate DiCamillo

April – The Lacuna by Barbara Kingsolver

Bonus - The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind by William Kampkamba with Bryan Mealor

Splinters – Alice in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll

Pinecones: The Secret World of Walter Anderson by Hester Bass


May – Spoon: A Novel by Robert Greer

Bonus – Half Broke Horses by Jeannette Walls

Splinters – Shiver by Maggie Stiefvader

Pinecones – The of Nicodemus Annie by Angela Bates

June – Cutting for Stone by Abraham Verghese

Bonus – Seeds: A Memoir by Sasha Vukelja, M.D.

Splinters – Eli the Good by Silas House

Pinecones – Jenny & the Cat Club by Jenny Linsky

Or Notes from the Dog by Gary Paulsen

July – The Recipe Club: A Tale of Food and Friendship by Andrea Israel
& Nancy Garfinkel or Man of the House by Ad Hudler

Bonus – In Pursuit of Other Interests: A Novel by Jim Kokoris
29 Gifts: How a Month of Giving Can Change Your Life by Cami Walker

Splinters - Outcasts United by Warren St. John

Pinecones – Piper Reed: The Great Gypsy by Kimberly Willis Holt

August – Zeitoun by Dave Eggers


Bonus – The Year Before the Flood by Ned Sublette

Yazoo Blues by John Pritchard

Splinters – Homer's Odyssey by Gwen Cooper or A Cat Named Squeeky by
Vic Reskovic
Pinecones – Dewey: There's a Cat in My Library by Vicki Myron

September – The Lost Summer of Louisa May Alcott by Kelly O'Connor

Bonus – Wench: A Novel by Dolen Perkins-Valdez


The Outside Boy by Jeanine Cummins

Splinters – The Water Seeker by Kimberly Willis Holt

Pinecones – Keeper by Kathi Appelt

October – Major Pettigrew's Last Stand by Helen Simonson


Bonus - My Name is Mary Sutter: A Novel by Robin Oliveira

A Separate Country by Robert Hicks

Pinecones – Countdown by Deborah Wiles

Splinters – 13 Words by Lemony Snicket


November – My Orange Duffel Bag by Sam Bracken with Echo Garrett

Bonus – The Pirate Queen – Patricia Hickman
Walking in the Deep End by Susan Parker

The Mailbox by Marybeth Whalen

Splinters – Chasing Lilacs – Carla Stewart

Pinecones – The Curious Garden by Peter Brown


December – The Imperfectionists by Tom Rachman

Bonus – The Improper Life of Bezellia Grove:A Novel by Susan Gregg Gilmore

Burning Bright by Ron Rash

Splinters – The Cardturner by Louis Sachar

Pinecones – Alabama Moon by Walt Key

October Meeting

2010-11-16T21:22:00.000-06:00

Another wonderful meeting was held in October and this time at Stellar Beans in downtown Lake Charles. Val Noland Smith, the owner, was most accommodating and the setup and food was terrific. Thanks Queen Lea for coordinating this for us.

It was great to chat with author Todd Johnson about his book Sweet By and By as he shivered in the first snowfall of Connecticut and we were fanning ourselves from the heat. Sweet By and By is an absolute must read for caregivers for the elderly. His book was about the dignity of each person and about having compassion for others. His agent has just sent 200 copies to a meeting of geriatric nurse practitioners. A great book Todd and we look forward to meeting you in Jefferson Texas in January!

Local Author Book Signing NOV 11

2010-11-14T23:34:00.000-06:00

I'm sure many of you know Dr. Linda LeBert-Corbello, she has published a book In The shadow of My Brother's Cold Blood and will be doing a presentation and book signing on Nov 11 at 6 pm at the Calcasieu Parish Library.

Let's try to go to support our local authors! I think her story will be captivating. Can you imagine being the brother of the one who murdered in cold blood and had to live with that for the rest of your life!

My name is Dr. Linda LeBert-Corbello. I will present a short powerpoint on the family members featured in the original story : IN COLD BLOOD. I will also be signing copies of my book entitled IN THE SHADOW OF MY BROTHER'S COLD BLOOD on November 11, 2010 at Calcasieu Parish Library inLake Charles at 6 PM.

My book is DIRECTLY connected to Truman Capote's work: IN COLD BLOOD.

Thank you,

Linda LeBert-Corbello,PhD

PUBLIC INVITED

IN THE SHADOW OF MY BROTHER'S COLD BLOOD

Written by Dr. Linda LeBert-Corbello

Read the life story of

Walter David Hickock (DAVE)

(Brother of murderer the book IN COLD BLOOD by Truman Capote)

Calcasieu Parish Library 6 pm November 11, 2010

October Meeting Menus MUST RESPOND!

2010-11-14T23:33:00.000-06:00

Lea is on the ball and has already made arrangements with Stellar Beans for our meeting on October 27th. You need to respond to Lea ASAP and no later than Mon October 25.

- Great arrangements Lea! Lots of Choices! And all for $8.50, we will be the only customers. They are opening just for us, they have wi-fi available (included with the meal price) big screen TV so we will be able to SKYPE with author Todd Johnson.

These will be guaranteed reservations so if for some reason you can't come you will still have to pay. Likewise if you just show up without a reservation there will not be any food prepared for you.

Your choices are listed below --

Kay,

I have made the arrangements with Stellar Beans. The cost will be $8.50 per person, includes sandwich, chips (assortment choice), drink (choice), dessert (cookie/brownie).

Each person can custom order their sandwich using the form below ---I need back to me no later than Monday, October 25, email or phone to me. Please send to all our members.

Pulpwood Queens Book Club Meeting Wed.,October 27, 2010 5:30 to 8:00 P. M.

NAME:________________________________________________

Sandwich Combo - $8.50 (Sandwich, Drink, Chips, Cookie/Brownie)

Choose Bread	Croissant	Wheat	Ciabatta	Bagel
Choose 1 Meat	Turkey Ham	Roast Beef	Chicken Salad Tuna Salad
Choose 1 Cheese	Swiss Provolone	Y. Cheddar W. Cheddar	Pepper Jack Sm. Gouda	American
Choose Condiments	Mayo Mustard	Jal. Mayo Sp. Mustard	Pesto Mayo
Choose Extras	Tomato Lettuce	Red Onion Alfalfa Sprouts	Pickles Black Olives	Banana Peppers
Chips	Assortment Choice
Dessert	Cookie/Brownie Choice
Drink	Choice

Need your sandwich order no later than Monday, October 25. eadurio@bellsouth.net or 526-7335, leave message.

Kay Huck

Click thru www.swlapulpwoodqueens.blogspot.com to purchase at Amazon.com. All commissions are donated to Abrazando Cristo Mission to Nicaragua by the Southwest Louisiana Pulpwood Queens Book Club. Our donations are personally delivered by one of our members and her family who participate in the annual mission trip. This simple click thru generated $55 last year and purchased books for the orphanage. Thank you!

FW: [Southwest Louisiana Pulpwood Queens Book Club] Books and Bags

2010-11-14T23:32:00.001-06:00

[http://www.cwshelter.org]

Queens Kay Huck and Beverly Martin deliver Books and Bags to the Calcasieu Women's Shelter. Pictured here with the new Executive Director Kathy Williams. An annual project for the Southwest Louisiana Pulpwood Queens in support of women and literacy.

--
Posted By Kay Huck to Southwest Louisiana Pulpwood Queens Book Club at 10/06/2010 11:14:00 PM

Re: [Southwest Louisiana Pulpwood Queens Book Club] Books and Bags

2010-11-14T23:31:00.000-06:00

Great job, ladies! Thank you Beverly and Kay!!

-----
[http://www.cwshelter.org]
Queens Kay Huck and Beverly Martin deliver Books and Bags to the Calcasieu Women's Shelter. Pictured here with the new Executive Director Kathy Williams. An annual project for the Southwest Louisiana Pulpwood Queens in support of women and literacy.

--
Posted By Kay Huck to Southwest Louisiana Pulpwood Queens Book Club at 10/06/2010 11:14:00 PM

Books and Bags

2010-10-06T23:14:00.000-05:00

Mighty Queens of Freeville Discussion Questions

2010-09-21T01:14:00.000-05:00

Amy Dickinson

Amy Dickinson will be SKYPE-ing in to discuss her bestseller The Mighty Queens of Freeville. On her website www.mysecondchancestories.com she invites readers to share their second chance stories. I know that our Pulpwood Queens have many stories to share and perhaps you want to investigate her website. I'll be giving it some thought to discuss at our next meeting on Sept 29th.

Or perhaps you want to check out her advice column at The Chicago Tribune "Ask Amy". I read advice columns all the time, sometimes I find them unbelievable and other times are very close to home. In today's column she gives advice on "Southern Accents", now who has the accent. Doesn't it all depend on the home territory and is it rude to say You have an accent? You will enjoy her replies.

Here are the advance discussion questions so you can come to the meeting prepared to discuss The Mighty Queens of Freeville meet the Southwest Louisiana Pulpwood Queens!

QUESTIONS FOR DISCUSSION

1. The author writes, “All roads lead back to my hometown.” Why did Amy Dickinson go home again as an adult? What do you think she expected to find? What does “going home” mean to you?

2. Amy writes from the heart, by honestly sharing her childhood joys and disappointments. What qualities resonate with you?

3. The book contains many second chance stories – both the author’s own and those of the other women in her life. Who in your discussion group has a second chance story to share? What can you ascertain from this real life experience?

4. “Marriage was just an assumption I had made about my life and I couldn’t simply undo it,” (page 17). Do you think most women assume that they are destined for marriage and motherhood, and that they don’t have options beyond either role? How does this apply to you?

5. What were some of the good things to come out of Dickinson’s role as single mom? What challenges are unique to these women? How did the author meet, or sidestep, these tests? Dickinson has a complicated reaction to her role as a parent. Do you think she did a good job?

6. “I knew I was destined to live in New York City,” (page 69). Did you decide your future at a young age? What were you determined to do when you got older? Did you amend your plans? Remember, we can’t go backwards, only forward.

7. What did you think of the Mighty Queens in Dickinson’s family? What did they teach her? Who are the Mighty Queens in your life? What have you learned from them?

8. “We are not our best intentions. We are what we do. My husband taught me that,” (page 46). What do you think this statement means? Do you agree with its sentiment?

9. Amy writes her story using a conversational style, as if she is having a cup of tea with the reader. What was your favorite part of the book?

10. Dickinson entitles Chapter 7 “Failing Up.” What does this phrase mean in context of the author? What are examples of the author’s “upward failings?” What can we learn from Amy’s experience?

11. “To me, the two hardest questions to answer have always been, ‘Who am I?’ and ‘What do I want?’” (Page 125). Have you ever asked yourself these questions? How would you answer them today?

12. Discuss this statement from the introduction: “In my family, the women tend to do all the heavy lifting while the men—well, the men are nice and fine and they love us for a time. Then at some point, it seems they tire of their indeterminate role in our lives, so they wage a campaign of passive resistance, and then they leave.” How is this true for Dickinson and some of her female relatives? Do you think it’s a self-fulfilling prophesy?

September Meeting

2010-09-11T10:35:00.000-05:00

After a rousing 2 meetings with Ad and ML I don't know about you, but I am definitely ready to relax and have a gentle easy read and that's what I think The Mighty Queens of Freeville by Amy Dickinson will be. I just finished it and I found it full of warmth and goodness and people and families helping each other through good times and tough times. I'm eager to hear what you think at our next meeting.

It will be at Queen Tracey's home, 309 Beauregard Ave, Sulphur on Wed Sept 29. 5 pm. Amy Dickinson will SKYPE in to visit with us from her front porch in Freeville, NY

We will need a volunteer to be discussion leader

Food: Besides cake left over from ML which I froze and it's waiting for you, need at least 2 volunteers

Some of you have already turned in your scrapbook pages and they are great! Phyllis H. has offered to help if you need some assistance. Bring your completed scrapbook page (complete or incomplete) to our next meeting and let's see what it will look like all put together.

We will also be collecting between $5-$10 per member for the extra expenses for the past 2 meetings. Bring your dollars and your receipts to the meeting and we'll settle up.

Also, this is a biggie, Ad and ML both asked that if you care to please leave a review on amazon.com or any other site that allows reviews. It helps with their publishers and marketing people. Speaking of Amazon, we already have earned $10 + for next year's trip to Nicaraugua.

Thanks for being such awesome members. ML said she was so excited about coming to visit with us because we are a FUN group and she thoroughly enjoyed meeting each of you!

A Tip of the Tiara to you all!

Queen Kay

In2bBooks

2010-08-30T10:57:00.000-05:00

Queen Allison just sent me the link to this great program In2Books http://in2books.epals.com
to encourage reading for elementary students. It's easy to sign up and read books with a student through the year. It encourages the student to read, write and discuss (critical thinking skills) with someone on a one-on-one basis. Research has shown this to be a very effective program.

Some of our members who have had to go inactive for awhile might find this a great volunteer opportunity to promote literacy. It's online and you commit to reading 6 books and writing 6 letters per school year. Needless to say due to children being involved there will be a background check and monitoring of all communications which are done through their website. Below is the info from their website. Sign Me UP!

In2Books is a research-based eMentoring program that pairs adult pen pals with 3rd, 4th and 5th grade students in under resourced classrooms across the country. Students engage in authentic learning experiences with their pen pals; teachers get access to rich resources to teach literacy across the curriculum!

Over the course of the school year, students and pen pals read five diverse and thought-provoking books in different genres (fiction, social studies, biography, traditional tales, and science). By writing letters back and forth, students improve their reading and writing skills and develop their love for books
.

M L Malcolm's Visit

2010-08-27T02:49:00.000-05:00

When M L Malcolm agreed to visit southwest Louisiana, we were excited and wanted to share with the public and many thanks go to the Calcasieu Parish Public Library for helping us to host this public book club meeting.

As M L began to speak to our full house, I knew I was going to learn so much more about that time period in history when Jews fled Hungary in anticipation of Hitler's purging. She spoke from the heart about members of her husband's family who had been part of this flight. She talked of forged visas and transit papers that allowed them to travel the trans-siberia railway to arrive in Shanghai and begin a new life and a new identity. Shanghai at this period of time allowed free entry and many arrived. There they found a very different life in the international community of Shanghai, a place set apart from the rest of China.

Her book, Heart of Lies, is historically accurate and contains many episodes based on real life events such as the counterfeiting scheme that Leo Hoffman, the main character of the book, unwittingly aids. While abetting this scheme Leo meets the love of his life Martha and determines to bring her to Shanghai. In Shanghai they live a royal life of ease until the stock market crash and Leo loses his fortune. Then Leo makes a determined choice not tell his wife Martha of the loss and enters into a shady relationship with the crime boss. Leo's life is one of ups and downs, quick choices that he is pressured to make due to war time events.

Definitely a great read and I am looking forward to the sequel to come out Spring of 2011.

As part of the event, we had a Fabulous Hat Contest and I won! Thanks for the beautiful fleur de lis bookends to keep my Pulpwood Queens books in order.

We look forward to seeing ML at the Pulpwood Queens Girlfriends Weekend in Jan 2011!

Following the meeting we adjourned to Chastain's where a good time was had by all as you can see from this great big beautiful smile of ML, Linda and Beverly.

Thanks ML!

Ad Hudler's All This Belongs To Me

2010-08-21T14:22:00.000-05:00

Our book club, Southwest Louisiana Pulpwood Queens, read Ad Hudler's Man of the House and were even blessed with a wonderful visit by the author. So naturally I wanted to read more of his books.

I began with All This Belongs to Me because I found it in large print (LOL - okay I'm over 29)

I thought it was going to be a read about some star-crossed lovers, instead I found a self-discovery about people owning up to who they really are inside and being true to that self.

Geena could not longer stay with her husband in Colorado and continue to live a suppressed life, especially after her son dies. She simply drives away leaving no forwarding address. Through circumstances she ends up in Fort Myers, Florida befriending a 80 year old gentlemanly man, Ellis who a docent at the Thomas Edison estate.

Together they bring out each others strengths and become comfortable with who they are and heal each other's life wounds.

Meeting August 25

2010-08-21T10:46:00.002-05:00

Just to remind you of our meeting next week at the Central Library with ML Malcolm, Heart of Lies. Be sure to bring your book or books for her to autograph. The fabulous Hat Contest will have a prize awarded.

We learned that we only need bring about a dozen cookies each for the meeting. Also, afterwards Beverly Martin arranged for us to go to Chastain's to eat and visit.

Looking foward to seeing you next week!

Here is the event info sent to the Library's mailing list:

The SW Louisiana Pulpwood Queens Book Club Presents M L Malcolm event is scheduled for Wednesday 8/25/2010 at 5:00 PM. The description for the event is: Wednesday August 25, 2010 Southwest Louisiana Pulpwood Queen presents author M. L. Malcolm speaking about her book 'Heart of Lies'. The book is a blend of history and fiction set in World War II. A smart, exciting historical suspense novel set in Europe, Shanghai, and New York before World War II. The book is about a young Hungarian and the turmoils and aventures of Europe.M. L. Malcolm is a Harvard Law graduate, journalist, recovering attorney, and public speaker who has won several awards for short fiction, including recognition in the Lorian Hemingway International Short Story Competition, and a silver medal from ForeWord magazine for Historical Fiction Book of the Year. Malcolm has lived in Florida, Boston, Washington, D.C., France, New York, and Atlanta, and currently resides in Los Angeles.

SHATTERED by Kathryn Casey

2010-08-21T10:46:00.000-05:00

SHATTERED is a great title for this true crime book which shatters the glass facade that deceives. David Temple mastered it, on the outside their family was as All-American as his football stardom, inside was the smoldering agression and brutality that had been ignored by Temple's family his entire life. It took the murder of his wife and unborn daughter to clear the eyes of the many people who knew David Temple and just excused his behavior for a one time episode. Smart and methodical he was careful around others, except his fellow coach. With him he would let his guard down just enough for the pattern of his constant belittling of his wife and bullying of his students would begin to crack the glass.
Although Belinda Lucas, the wife that David Temple was convicted of murdering is painted as The Sunshine Girl. You wonder why a smart, vivacious young woman, spunky in other areas always gave in to her husband and became a different person around him. What is it about domestic abuse that causes a spouse to accept it as a way of life?

Kathryn Casey never disappoints. I also appreciate that on her website she keeps up with the convictions, dates of parole etc. so you can see the current disposition of any of her true crime books.

I might add, try her non-fiction series about Texas Ranger Sarah Armstrong. It's just as well-written!

Update Aug ML Malcolm's Visit & Change September book

2010-08-06T23:44:00.000-05:00

We are gathering things for M L's Visit on August 25. Hopefully can meet with Marilyn Bonnette at the library this week to finalize.

Beverly Martin has agreed to lead the discussion following ML's Presentation (Much like we did for Ad)

Remember to decorate or wear your hat for the meeting, prize will be awarded for the most FABULOUS Hat (decided by ML)

After talking/emailing with many of you, we have decided to change the September book to The Mighty Queens of Freeville by Amy Dickinson. She writes a column much like Dear Abby in the northeast. She has also agreed to SKYPE in for our meeting on .Sept 29 (I was amazed!)

So we need someone to volunteer to host the September meeting with SKYPE facilities mainly TV hookups and fast internet connection, can bring laptop

Also our October and November authors have already agreed to SKYPE in also. We will be looking for hostesses for those meetings also.

SEPT 29- The Mighty Queens of Freeville by Amy Dickinson

OCT 27 - Sweet By and By by Todd Johnson

Nov ? The Lakota Way by Joseph Marshall III probably Nov 17 because of Thanksgiving

Dec? Christmas party

At the September meeting we will also pass the hat for expenses for gifts etc for the author events, probably be between $5-$10 for each member.

Are you working on your scrapbook pages yet? If you need some assistance Phyllis Hughes has offered to help.

Guess that's it for now, think I'll go to bed

Night all

Queen Kay

Re: M L's Visit

2010-08-06T23:42:00.001-05:00

Queens,

I am so looking forward to our meeting next month with ML Malcolm! Since she is a hat aficionado, I thought we could have a contest with her as judge!

Prize to be awarded for the "most fabulous hat!"

Hats may be store-bought, but use your creativity to add a dash or flair to make your hat spectacularly unique!

Thanks!

Queen Tracey

M L's Visit

2010-08-06T23:42:00.000-05:00

Wonderfull Queens......How do we follow such a fabulous meeting with Ad Hudler?

How about a Fabulous Hat Contest!! Queen Tracey has agreed to chair this project so find your best bonnet or decorate/design your own (I have a plain black straw hat that I am going to "design") The hat contest is because M L wears hats everywhere, it's her signature. So we thought a Hat Contest would be fun and she could be the judge.

Ad sure appreciated all the books we had to sign so we will do the same thing with M L

Queen Erin, thanks for your perseverance in working with the library to initiate this relationship. Marilyn is very easy to work with.

We still have napkins and cups from the last meeting.

Queen Allison is personalizing our bookmarks for M L - (whenever you have them printed I'll cut!) Also, she has punch frozen and I believe Queen Rachel does also I don't think we need to bring as many cookies...what about a dozen or so from everyone???

Queen Beverly M has agreed to be the discussion leader this time and she's going to check with Chastain's for a possible place to eat afterwards. Check with Beverly if you have some other ideas.

And the book is great!! I hope you all enjoy it I know I sure do

Queen Kay

When you use this website, www.swlapulpwoodqueens.blogspot.com to click thru to Amazon.com any purchases you make will support Abrazando Christo Mission to Nicaraugua. This is the fundraiser for my book club, Southwest Louisiana Pulpwood Queens. For the past 2 years, one of our members and her family, have gone to Nicaraugua and brought our donations to purchase Spanish Bibles and other books for the orphanage. Thank you for supporting this mission.

The New Busy is not the old busy. Search, chat and e-mail from your inbox. Get started.

Ad Hudler's Blog

2010-08-06T23:40:00.000-05:00

Thought you might be interested in reading Ad Hudler's blog about his Tailgate Tour!

http://blog.adhudler.com/

Thanks to each and every one of you for making his visit a great event for our book club!

Evening with Ad Hudler

2010-07-16T01:05:00.000-05:00

Talking books with an author as well-versed as Ad Hudler was a grand delight! His easy and engaging style endeared him to all of us. Afterall we loved his baby, Man of the House! A great book to talk about gender identification. In this day and age, there is much confusion over the roles of men and women at home and in the workplace. Men are doing things traditionally done by women and vice versa. Ad bring this out vividly through the character of Linc Menner, at stay-at-home Dad. In Man of the House, everyone is in transformation Linc is wondering how he compares to the construction men who are remodeling his home, the daughter is entering puberty and the CEO wife is dealing with hurricane preparations for a hospital. And in the midst Linc is being stalked by his daughter's teacher.

Ad did confess that about 70% of the book is based on his real life as he is a stay at home Dad. Which is why the book tastes real. We highly recommend this book for your book club or personal enjoyment. Perhaps you too will be lucky enough to meet up wtih Ad and meet a manly Man of the House.

We had several visitors to our open meeting at the library, hopefully some new recruits to the Pulpwood Queen Book Club world. It was good to see Pam Carter from the Lafayette PQ's who drove over to meet Ad and chat with us about all things book club.

Thanks to the combined efforts of the members it was an enthusiastic meeting with lots of questions and discussion. Queen Lea found a wonderful fleur de lis apron to accompany the Marshes to Mansions cookbook we gave Ad in appreciation for his including us on his Tailgate Tour. A patron of the library Ruby O'Brien won the pink hammer door prize which was promptly autographed by Ad. Queen Allison led a wonderful discussion of the questions from the book. Queen Tracey was fabulous in coming early to oversee the setup and our thanks go to Marilyn Bonnette, Librarian for her assistance.

Afterward we took Ad to our favorite eating place for a Darrell's Special which he loved!

Pictures posted below!

Ad enjoys a Darrell's Special!

Catch us in the American press marquee!

2010-07-16T00:08:00.000-05:00

Check in today's paper, the Marquee, for the write up regarding Ad Hudler's visit! http://www.americanpress.com/lc/blogs/wpEntertainment/?p=1062

Thanks to our Queens Erin, Allison, and Rachel for all their diligent efforts to make this happen!!

The Pulpwood Queen's Book Club: The Pulpwood Queen Shares Photos of Author, Ad Hudler on Tailgate Party Tour with the Queens!

2010-07-13T02:46:00.000-05:00

The Pulpwood Queen's Book Club: The Pulpwood Queen Shares Photos of Author, Ad Hudler on Tailgate Party Tour with the Queens!

Thanks Kathy for recognizing our chapter! We are just doing our part to support books, authors, and literacy. Ad Hudler will be here on Wed July 14 and we are opening our meeting to the public so everyone can have the opportunity to benefit from reading! The local library is co-sponsoring this event and promoting it with their summer reading program. We are all working to encourage literacy.

Thanks Kathy for giving us the opportunity to connect with some wondrful authors and great people!

AD HUDLER TO VISIT OUR BOOK CLUB

2010-07-08T15:52:00.000-05:00

Pulpwood Queens, you are in for a grand evening with Ad Hudler to talk about books and all things literary and the theme of his latest book Man of the House and gender identification. How many times as I was reading this book did I think, he's nailed it, he really understands and communicates well, what it means to be a stay-at-home caregiver. What I found insightful was the passion he has the main character, Linc Menner, put into his role of man of the house. Candlelight dinners, extravagant dinner parties, great care in finding the perfect home accessories, due diligence in interactions with teachers and principals. Just all around Perfect! Then as the house is remodeled, Linc also begins a remodeling job on his character. Hilarious to the point of laugh out loud, a totally enjoyable book.

AND not only are we reading this book for our July 14th meeting, Ad has us a a stop on his Tailgate Tour! To celebrate our good fortune we are opening up our meeting to the public and joining with the Calcasieu Parish Public Library to host this event.

So put grab your tiara, your hot pink T-shirt and Man of the House, to meet up at the Central Branch Library corner of Claude St and Ernest St in Lake Charles on July 14 from 5 - 7:30 pm!

We are asking each member to bring 2-3 dozen cookies/brownies for refreshments.