Southwest Louisiana Pulpwood Queens Book Club

Friday, July 10, 2009

Discussion Questions for July - Bride Most Begrudging

Discussion Questions for Bride Most Begrudging by Deeanne Gist

1. Are there still marriages of convenience today? In America?

2. What exactly are we committing to when we say "I do."

3. When the better becomes worse, the richer becomes poorer, the health becomes sickness and we are simply too tired to deal with it anymore, what is the ripple effect when we walk out the door? Who and what is effected by an ending of a marriage? (Be careful not to gossip here.)

4. What is the ripple effect if we stay married? Is it worth it?
5. What characters in the Bible experienced circumstances so overwhelming they wanted to give up? (Make a list so you can use them for questions 6 & 7)

6. Of the characters that wanted to give up, but didn't: What might have happened if they HAD given up?

7. Of the characters that wanted to give up and did: What might have happened if they HAD NOT given up?

8. What are illustrations in the Bible where all hope is gone, yet God salvaged the situation(s) or the person(s)? Can God still do that today?

9. Drew could only be released from his fear of losing his loved ones when he released those loved ones to Christ. How can giving Christ permission to take away our loved ones be freedom?

10. If you were to go home tonight and give your spouse, your child(ren), your parents, your siblings to God, what exactly would that mean? What are you doing now that would have to change were you to do that ... I mean really do that?

11. Fear was an idol for Drew. He lived in it, wallowed in it, served it. What are some of the less obvious idols we have? (Something other than power, money, influence, approval, success)? Make a list for later use.

12. What lies does Satan perpetrate about our idols? They look so appealing on the surface, yet when we give into them, we become enslaved by them. List examples and illustrations (be careful not to gossip, this is to be a hypothetical discussion).

13. Look again at question #11. Are the things on your list sinful? Is it sinful to be rich? Is it a sin to want to be rich? When does a desire of our heart become a sin? (No short pat answers, like "when it becomes an idol." Duh. I'm looking for that point in which it shifts from a desire to a sin.)

14. On a piece of paper that you won't share with anyone, list your 5 top priorities (the things in your life that are most important to you) from greatest to least. Be brutally honest.

15. On that same piece of paper, make a pie graph illustrating how you spend your time in 12 hour day.

16. In the silence of your mind, compare your actions with your list of what's most important to you. Do you have idols that you didn't realize you had? (No need to share your answer. This one's for you and God.)

17. How can we today in everyday life place God first in all we do? Does that mean we have to be perfect? Is it possible to place God first? What are some everyday applications of putting God first?

Official 2009 PQ Book List

This just in from Kathy Patrick. The official book list for 2009. We will be voting on book of the year in each category later this year. If you have the opportunity to read any of these other than the ones we select for our monthly meeting, please let us know what you think.

Also, it helps the authors if you can write a short review at one of the booksellers sites.

They ones we have read or will read are in red. Previous Lists selections:

Seven Laurels by Linda Busby Parker

A Bride Most Begrudging by Deeanne Gist

November
Blood Lines by Kathryn Casey --- Perhaps we can select this one!!

See you soon
Kay

Dear Readers:

The following are the Official Pulpwood Queen Book Club Selections for 2009 to January 2010 when we celebrate at our book club convention this marking our 10th Anniversary Girlfriend Weekend!

Print this list out and give to your local bookstore, book club members, really, promote out list as these authors deserve a good read in this ever challenged publishing world.

Also please review these books as you read them on all the online booksellers too!
www.amazon.com
www.barnesandnoble.com
www.booksamillion.com
www.borders.com

Be sure and let them know you are a Pulpwood Queen or book club member or leader so we can help these authors get the word out on their excellent reads!

Authors too! Please let me know if you are willing to let the book club leaders conduct a teleconference at their book club meetings. You also might want to offer signed bookplates as a thank you for reading their books. You can do that by emailing me at kathy@beautyandthebook.com

I also have a limited number of signed bookplates coming from Rebecca's Wells for her NEW book which is absolutely incredible, "The Crowning Glory of Calla Lily Ponder" I have five copies already that are spoken for and the book releases tomorrow. So either order your book now online or call me tomorrow at 903-665-7520 if you wish to purchase a signed copy!

PULPWOOD QUEEN BOOK CLUB SELECTIONS 2009

January
The Middle Place by Kelly Corrigan

Bonus Book Club Selection
Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet: A Novel by Jamie Ford
Look Me in the Eye: My Life with Asperger's by John Elder Robinson

Splinters (Teen Selection) Twilight by Stephanie Meyers

Pinecones (Pre-teen Selection Twilight by Stephanie Meyers

February
The Wonder Singer by George Rabasa
Downtown Owl by Chuck Klosterman

Bonus Book Club Selection
Alphabet Juice: The Energies, Gists, and Spirits of Words, Letters, and Combinations Thereof; Their Roots, Bones, Innards, Piths, Pips, and Secret Parts,….With Examples of Their Usage Foul and Savory by Roy Blount, Jr.

Splinters (Teen Selection) New Moon by Stephanie Meyers

Pinecones (Pre-Teen Selection) New Moon by Stephanie Meyers

March
The Cracker Kitchen: A Cookbook Celebration of Cornbred Fed, Down Home Family Stories and Cuisine by Janis Owens

Bonus Book Club Selection
The Lost Art of Walking: The History, Science, and Literature of Pedestrianism by Geoff Nicholson

Splinters (Teen Selection) Eclipse by Stephanie Meyers

Pinecones (Pre-Teen Selection) Eclipse by Stephanie Meyers

April
Oscar Season by Mary McNamara

Bonus Book Club Selection
Serendipity by Louise Shaffer
Note to Self by Andrea Buchanan (Arts, Letters, and Soul featured author)
Dorothy on the Rocks by Barbara Suter

Splinters (Teen Selection) Breaking Dawn by Stephanie Meyers

Pine Cones (Pre-Teen Selection) Breaking Dawn by Stephanie Meyers

May
Godmother: The Secret Cinderella Story by Carolyn Turgeon

Bonus Book Club Selection
The Shiniest Jewel by Marian Henley (Arts, Letters, and Soul featured author)
The Big Skinny by Carol Lay (Arts, Letters, and Soul featured author)
Elegance of a the Hedgehog by Muriel Barbery
The Cracker Queen: A Memoir of a Jagged, Joyful Life by Lauretta Hannon

Splinters (Teen Selection) Harper Lee (Up Close) by Kerry Madden

Pine Cones (Pre-Teen Selection) Harper Lee (Up Close) by Kerry Madden

June
Saints in Limbo by River Jordan

Bonus Book Club Selection
Driftwood Summer by Patti Callahan Henry

July
On the Divinity of Second Chances by Kaya McLaren

Bonus Book Club Selection
Wife Goes On by Leslie Lehr
Janeology by Karen Harrington

August
The Leopard's Prey- A Jade Del Cameron Mystery by Suzanne Arruda

Bonus Book Club Selection
Secret Keepers by Mindy Friddle
Welcome to the Departure Lounge by Meg Federico
Eco Barons: The Dreamers, Schemers, and Millionaires who are Saving our Planet by Edward Humes

Splinters (Teen Selection)
A Lion Called Christian: The True Story of the Remarkable Bond Between Two Friends and a Lion by Anthony Bourke, John Rendall, and George Adamson

Pinecones (Pre-Teen Selection)
Lawn Boy by Gary Paulsen

September
South of Broad by Pat Conroy

Bonus Book Club Selection
Undress Me in the Temple of Heaven by Susan Jane Gilman
Treasure of the Golden Cheetah by Suzanne Arruda

Splinters and Pinecones Book Club Selection
I Love You, Miss Huddleston by Phillip Gulley

October
The Help by Kathryn Stockett

Bonus Book Club Selection
Rude Awakenings of a Jane Austin Addict by Laurie Viera Rigler
31 Hours by Masha Hamilton

Pine Cones and Splinters Book Clubs
The Very Ordered Existence of Merilee Marvelous by Suzanne Crowley

November
Blood Lines by Kathryn Casey --- A Must for Us!!

Bonus Book Club Selection
Murder at the Arlington by Kathleen Kaska
The Prayers for Agnes Sparrow

Pinecones and Splinters Book Clubs
Jesus Land: A Memoir by Julia Scheeres

December
The Story Sisters by Alice Hoffman

Bonus Book Club Selection
The Forgotten Garden by Kate Moron
Wicked Plants by Amy Stewart
The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie by Alan Bradley

Pinecones and Splinters Book Club Selection
An Abundance of Katherines by John Green

January 2010

The Crowning Glory of Calla Lily Ponder by Rebecca Wells --- Louisiana Author set in New Orleans

Bonus Book Club Selection
Home Safe by Elizabeth Berg

TIMBER GUY BOOK CLUB SELECTIONS 2009
(months to be read TBA)

Boom! By Tom Brokaw
If Every Month Were June by Tony Bender
Flying by Eric Kraft
Woodsburner by John Pipkin
Final Trumpet by Karl Lenker

Previous Lists selections:

Seven Laurels by Linda Busby Parker

A Bride Most Begrudging by Deeanne Gist

Update from Laurie on MIssion Trip

Laurie!

What a surprise to hear from you!! Glad you are safe and all is going well on the mission trip. 100 Bibles is incredible -- what a wonderful gift to be able to give -- the Greatest Book ever written

I am forwarding your email to the Queens...our prayers are with you, the team, and the people

Much Love
Kay

hi kay <laurie here in <nicaragua. <just wanted to let you know that we arrived and we purchased 100 bibles for a village in Matagalpa a village where we are building a church. The village has a ton of children. We worked there all day! Whew. Anyway, we signed the bibles on the cover in spanish from Abrazando Christo and the SW La pulpwood Queens book club. So be sure and tell the Queens, in a remote village in Nicaragua, their funds have gone to good use. I have pictures of the whole process! See you soon.

Seattle Public Library

The Seattle Public Library posted this online regarding book discussion groups and how to read a book for discussion. Thought it would be noteworthy. The website is: http://www.spl.org/default.asp?pageID=collection_readinglists_bookclub_howtos

Reading a Book for Discussion

Reading a book to discuss it is different from reading for pleasure.

Ask yourself questions, read carefully, and imagine yourself in the story. Think about the style and structure of the book. Does it have personal meaning for you?

Make notes and mark pages as you go. This may slow your reading, but saves time searching for key passages later.
Ask tough questions of yourself and the book.
Analyze themes. What is the author trying to say in the book?
Get to know the characters. Consider their faults and motives and what it would be like to know them.
Notice the book's structure. Do the chapters begin with quotes? How many people tell the story? Is the book written in flashbacks? Does the order make sense to you?
Compare to other books and authors. Themes often run through an author's works. Comparing one author's book with another's can help you decide how you feel about the book.
End of list

Leading the Discussion

Have 10-15 open-ended questions that can't be answered "yes" or "no." Or ask each group member to bring one discussion question.
Let the discussion flow naturally.
Push members beyond "I just didn't like it" statements. Ask them to describe why a book was unappealing. Books that inspire strong reactions - positive and negative - lead to some of the best discussions.
Balance the discussion between personal thoughts and responses to the book. Groups that spend a lot of time reminiscing or sharing personal reflections are no longer book discussion groups.
End of list

Learning More About an Author

Discussion leaders may want to bring background information about the author and book to a meeting. Some online resources are:

Thursday, April 30, 2009

April Meeting - The Lost Art of Walking

Last night's April Meeting was highly celebrated with the announcement of her engagement by Queen Allison..wedding bells in Oct, and also the announcement of Queen Rachel's pregnancy...due in Nov

Everyone agreed that it was hard wading through The Lost Art of Walking by Geoff Nicholson. Entertaining at times, absurb at others and full of eccentric characters, I felt like I was reading just little vingettes with no theme or thread woven through the walking.

Instead of discussion questions, this time we did a Trivia Quiz designed by Queen Courtney. Divided into teams and laughed a lot! Suprisingly we had a 3 - way tie and had to go through several tie breakers before the winning team of Queen Linda B, Queen Sue, Queen Beverly and Queen Brenda came through and identified Old Leatherman.

Many thanks to the foods committee with outstanding dishes including two receipes from last month's book selection The Cracker Kitchen by Janis Owens. Queen Phyllis brought the Ramen ColeSlaw and Queen Erin made the strawberry pretzel dessert. Both great! Along with a lovely "Here Comes the Bride" cake, chips, dips and sandwiches provided by Queen Beverly and Queen Erins. Then washed down with the Mango/Rasberry Punch. Delicious!!

Plans are moving along for next year's Girlfriends Weekend. Queen Laurie has made reservations at the Excelsior Hotel. Registrations need to be sent in shortly. Queens Laurie, Beverly and Kay and definitely going!! Who else? Sign up now!!!

Next meeting will be at Queen Barbara's and the book selections is Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet by Jamie Ford.

Saturday, April 4, 2009

Nicaraguan Mission July 2009

Dear Pulpwood Queens and PQ Authors,

Last year we donated to the mission trip to purchase Bibles for the orphanage. We learned that monetary contributions were best because they could purchase the books and Bibles in Nicaraugua, thereby helping the economy. This year has been a huge economic upset to many in our country yet we have countless taken-for-granted blessings compared to a 4th World Country.

I am forwarding the letter/email from our Queen Laurie Cormier who goes on these missions and becomes our hands. Besides talking about this year, she expresses her gratitude for our contributions last year. We met many authors at Girlfriends Weekend this year who expressed interest in this mission. Therefore I am also including you in this mailing. If you wish to contribute the address is at the bottom of this email. Thank you very much.

Please prayerfully consider our response for this year. Some ideas suggested include to collect contributions like last year or to have a raffle, a read-a-thon or other fund raiser. We can discuss it at our April meeting. In the meantime, if you have some ideas and want to pursue them give me a call or email.

Remember reading is a blessing we share.

Queen Kay

Dear Friends -

Enclosed please find the article I wrote for the Catholic Page for the Newspaper here in Lake Charles. Father Danny asked us to share some thoughts with others re our mission trip to Nicaragua - enclosed is what I wrote

"As a parent you want your child to grow up and become a successful person. You want to show them everything that life has to offer and pray that they find something in life that blesses them with a passion for life. I had the opportunity to go with my son, PAUL, on a mission trip with Father Danny Torres to Nicaragua. As a parent it was the most amazing experience to bring my son to witness the amazing transformation that God blesses us with by dong his work in a 4th world country. You go there expecting to help and we did by a painting mission, doing medical mission work, a construction mission, vacation bible school, music ministry, feeding mission and sharing God's love with everyone we met. However, the fruit of our labor blessed our lives everyday which is an unexpected blessing. I feel so grateful, thankful and blessed by this experience with my 24 year old son. It is by far the best thing I could have ever given him. Laurie T. Cormier".

This year I will again go to Nicaragua on a mission trip with my son and 30 other missionaries. I need your prayers. We will leave on July 4, 2009 along with my son, PAUL, I will be joined by my niece, Kate Thibodeaux, and another family member, Charmayne Yelverton.

We have two main fundraisers:

1) We sell raffle tickets and there will be only 500 sold. They are $100 each. Drawing will be held on June 14th (1st prize $5,000.00; 2nd prize is $1,000.00; 3rd prize is $500.00) The money raised is for all supplies for the construction, painting, medical supplies, etc ---by purchasing the materials in Nicaragua it helps their economy. 5 people can purchase a raffle ticket together each paying $20.00 just write the five names on the stub - winners will share the amount won.

2) The Johnnie Thibodeaux Memorial Golf Tournament will be held Saturday, June 13th at Mallard Cove in Lake Charles. The proceeds will benefit the boy's home.

I am asking for your assistance - there are several ways YOU can help.

1) Please pray for the safety of our mission trip

2) Please prayerfully consider making a donation to this GREAT, AMAZING Mission program

3) Please consider golfing in the tournament

4) Please pray for all people that we come into contact with for God to soften their hearts

5) Please forward this email on to others who might want to help us out

6) Please pray for us

7) Please pray for Father Danny Torres- a great man of GOD!

To make a donation or purchase a $100 raffle ticket please contact, Laurie T. Cormier (337) 436-5037 or mail a payment to Abrazando Cristo Mission Program, 418 Peake Street, Lake Charles, La 70601.

It is really hard to ask your assistance during this time in our economic troubles here at home but I can assure you if we are hurting here --it is much worse over there. A 3rd world country is a very poor and impovished country -- the 4th world is the worst of the worst in terms of poverty. Nicaragua is a 4th world country.

I thank you from the bottom of my heart for your prayerful consideration of anything that you can do to lend us a hand. I have been blessed so much by my work in Nicaragua and I want you to know that I will be praying for each of you and your families while I am there.

To all my book-loving friends - once again we will be purchasing bibles for the children and other books for them as well -- thanks to all my author friends and all the Pulpwood Queens who donated to the cause already! You guys are awesome.

Please forward this email on to others.

Friday, March 27, 2009

Pulpwood Queen Book Club Selections 2009
January

The Middle Place by Kelly Corrigan

Bonus Book Club Selection

Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet: A Novel by Jamie Ford

Look Me in the Eye: My Life with Asperger’s by John Elder Robinson

Splinters (Teen Selection) Twilight by Stephanie Meyers

Pinecones (Pre-teen Selection Twilight by Stephanie Meyers

February

The Wonder Singer by George Rabasa

Downtown Owl by Chuck Klosterman

Bonus Book Club Selection

Alphabet Juice: The Energies, Gists, and Spirits of Words, Letters, and Combinations Thereof; Their Roots, Bones, Innards, Piths, Pips, and Secret Parts,….With Examples of Their Usage Foul and Savory by Roy Blount, Jr.

Splinters (Teen Selection) New Moon by Stephanie Meyers

Pinecones (Pre-Teen Selection) New Moon by Stephanie Meyers

March

The Cracker Kitchen: A Cookbook Celebration of Cornbred Fed, Down Home Family Stories and Cuisine by Janis Owens

Bonus Book Club Selection

The Lost Art of Walking: The History, Science, and Literature of Pedestrianism by Geoff Nicholson

Splinters (Teen Selection) Eclipse by Stephanie Meyers

Pinecones (Pre-Teen Selection) Eclipse by Stephanie Meyers

April

Oscar Season by Mary McNamara

Bonus Book Club Selection

Serendipity by Louise Shaffer

Note to Self by Andrea Buchanan (Arts, Letters, and Soul featured author)

Dorothy on the Rocks by Barbara Suter

Splinters (Teen Selection) Breaking Dawn by Stephanie Meyers

Pine Cones (Pre-Teen Selection) Breaking Dawn by Stephanie Meyers

May

Godmother: The Secret Cinderella Story by Carolyn Turgeon

Bonus Book Club Selection

The Shiniest Jewel by Marian Henley (Arts, Letters, and Soul featured author)

The Big Skinny by Carol Lay (Arts, Letters, and Soul featured author)

Elegance of a the Hedgehog by Muriel Barbery

The Cracker Queen: A Memoir of a Jagged, Joyful Life by Lauretta Hannon

Splinters (Teen Selection) Harper Lee (Up Close) by Kerry Madden

Pine Cones (Pre-Teen Selection) Harper Lee (Up Close) by Kerry Madden

June

Saints in Limbo by River Jordan

Bonus Book Club Selection

Driftwood Summer by Patti Callahan Henry

July

On the Divinity of Second Chances by Kaya McLaren

Bonus Book Club Selection

Wife Goes On by Leslie Lehr

Janeology by Karen Harrington

August

South of Broad by Pat Conroy

Bonus Book Club Selection

Secret Keepers by Mindy Friddle

Welcome to the Departure Lounge by Meg Federico

Eco Barons: The Dreamers, Schemers, and Millionaires who are Saving our Planet by Edward Humes

Splinters (Teen Selection)

A Lion Called Christian: The True Story of the Remarkable Bond Between Two Friends and a Lion by Anthony Bourke, John Rendall, and George Adamson

Pinecones (Pre-Teen Selection)

Lawn Boy by Gary Paulsen

Wednesday, March 11, 2009

Invitation fo George Rabasa

After emailing Kathy Patrick about our February meeting where we visited with author George Rabasa about his book The Wonder Singer, Kathy enpowered me to issue the Official Invitation to George to attend the Girlfriends Weekend 2010.

Posted below is his reply:

Reply from George Rabasa to invitation to Girlfriends Weekend 2010:

Greetings Book Royalty,

I'm honored by the invitation. I think your group does amazing work. And obviously has a riotous good time doing it! While January is a way off, I'm contacting Unbridled Books in the hopes they will fund the visit. Hard to say, during these lean times.

Meanwhile, thank you again for your embrace of The Wonder Singer.

Unleash the inner diva!

George

Monday, January 26, 2009

New info about Pulpwood Queens January Meeting

Add windowslive@live.com to your address book so you don't miss any invitations from your friends.

Kay Samec sent a message about Pulpwood Queens January Meeting

“

Just a note to remind you of our January meeting. Wed Jan 28 at Boo's in Moss Bluff. Hope you all will be attending. Our Girlfriends Weekend was fabulous!! Wish all could have been with us. We heard authors and wanted to read each and every book.

Hopefully we'll have pictures to share at the meeting and tales to tell. I'm in Arkansas and hopefully the predicted Ice Storm won't delay my return home. I'm missing my Literary Queen Friends!!
Love
Kay

”

Date and time: Wednesday, January 28, 2009 from 6:30 PM to 9:00 PM
Location: 461 Emile Rd, Lake Charles, LA 70611-5450, United States

Change who can send you invitations and requests

Microsoft respects your privacy. To learn more, read our privacy statement. Microsoft Corporation, One Microsoft Way, Redmond, WA 98052

Tuesday, January 6, 2009

Correct Website for Jeannie Ralston

See below for correct website for Jeannie Ralston. Sorry for the errors and I hope I haven't cause too much confusion. I am grateful for your patience

Southwest Louisiana Pulpwood Queens Support education mission for orphanage in Nicaragua

Donate in 2 steps

Step One: Go to Jeannine's website www.jeannieralston.com

Step Two: Click on the link "Buy the Book" another browser window will open up and you will be at Amazon.com where you can either purchase The Unlikely Lavendar Queen or continue shopping at Amazon.com and any purchases made will be credited to her Seed Campaign.

"At the suggestion of a member of the Pulpwood Queens book club (a national book club with 200 chapters), the Seed Campaign is donating funds in January to Abrazando Cristo, a wonderful Roman Catholic mission program based in Lake Charles, Louisiana, that came to the aid of people in Nicaragua after devastating Hurricane Mitch and continues to work in Nicaragua and Honduras. One of its main projects is helping to educate children at the San Cristobal (Nicaragua) Orphanage.
A percentage of sales (4-8% depending on volume) made through clicking through Jeannine's website will be donated to Abrazando Cristo during the month of January." - websitee of Jeannie Ralston

EMAILING FOR THE GREATER GOOD
Join me

2009 Book Club Selections

I am sending this to you before our January meeting so you can check these out and order through Jeannie Ralston's Seed Campaign. She will donate a percentage of sales through Amazon.com (not just her book) through the month of January to Abrazando Christo. Please order if possible through her site. Last year we donated over $1000 to purchase Spanish Bibles for the orphanage. Queen Laurie has given her time to work with this mission by traveling there for the past 3 years. Thank you Laurie for all you do!!

Pulpwood Queen Book Club Selections 2009

January
The Middle Place by Kelly Corrigan

Bonus Book Club Selection
Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet: A Novel by Jamie Ford
Look Me in the Eye: My Life with Asperger's by John Elder Robinson

Splinters (Teen Selection) Twilight by Stephanie Meyers

Pinecones (Pre-teen Selection Twilight by Stephanie Meyers

February
The Wonder Singer by George Rabasa
Downtown Owl by Chuck Klosterman

Bonus Book Club Selection
Alphabet Juice: The Energies, Gists, and Spirits of Words, Letters, and Combinations Thereof; Their Roots, Bones, Innards, Piths, Pips, and Secret Parts,With Examples of Their Usage Foul and Savory by Roy Blount, Jr.

Splinters (Teen Selection) New Moon by Stephanie Meyers

Pinecones (Pre-Teen Selection) New Moon by Stephanie Meyers

March
The Cracker Kitchen: A Cookbook Celebration of Cornbred Fed, Down Home Family Stories and Cuisine by Janis Owens

Bonus Book Club Selection

The Lost Art of Walking: The History, Science, and Literature of Pedestrianism by Geoff Nicholson

Splinters (Teen Selection) Eclipse by Stephanie Meyers

Pinecones (Pre-Teen Selection) Eclipse by Stephanie Meyers

April

Oscar Season by Mary McNamara

Bonus Book Club Selection
Serendipity by Louise Shaffer
Dorothy on the Rocks by Barbara Suter

Splinters (Teen Selection) New Moon by Stephanie Meyers

Pine Cones (Pre-Teen Selection) New Moon by Stephanie Meyers

May

Godmother: The Secret Cinderella Story by Carolyn Turgeon

Bonus Book Club Selection
Elegance of a the Hedgehog by Muriel Barbery

Splinters (Teen Selection) Harper Lee (Up Close) by Kerry Madden

Pine Cones (Pre-Teen Selection) Harper Lee (Up Close) by Kerry Madden

Southwest Louisiana Pulpwood Queens Support education mission for orphanage in Nicaragua

From Jeannine's website www.jeannineralston.com :
"At the suggestion of a member of the Pulpwood Queens book club (a national book club with 200 chapters), the Seed Campaign is donating funds in January to Abrazando Cristo, a wonderful Roman Catholic mission program based in Lake Charles, Louisiana, that came to the aid of people in Nicaragua after devastating Hurricane Mitch and continues to work in Nicaragua and Honduras. One of its main projects is helping to educate children at the San Cristobal (Nicaragua) Orphanage. "
A percentage of sales (4-8% depending on volume) made through clicking through Jeannine's website will be donated to Abrazando Cristo during the month of January.

First: Go to Jeannine's website www.jeannineralston.com

Second: Click on the link "Buy the Book" another browser window will open up and you will be at Amazon.com where you can either purchase The Unlikely Lavendar Queen or continue shopping at Amazon.com and any purchases made will be credited to her Seed Campaign.

EMAILING FOR THE GREATER GOOD
Join me

Happy Holiday Email from Kathryn Casey

Wanted to share this with you. Kathryn will be at the Pulpwood Queen Convention so We are looking forward to meeting her!!

Southwest Louisiana Pulpwood Queens Support education mission for orphanage in Nicaragua

From Jeannine's website www.jeannineralston.com :
"At the suggestion of a member of the Pulpwood Queens book club (a national book club with 200 chapters), the Seed Campaign is donating funds in January to Abrazando Cristo, a wonderful Roman Catholic mission program based in Lake Charles, Louisiana, that came to the aid of people in Nicaragua after devastating Hurricane Mitch and continues to work in Nicaragua and Honduras. One of its main projects is helping to educate children at the San Cristobal (Nicaragua) Orphanage. "
A percentage of sales (4-8% depending on volume) made through clicking through Jeannine's website will be donated to Abrazando Cristo during the month of January.

First: Go to Jeannine's website www.jeannineralston.com

Second: Click on the link "Buy the Book" another browser window will open up and you will be at Amazon.com where you can either purchase The Unlikely Lavendar Queen or continue shopping at Amazon.com and any purchases made will be credited to her Seed Campaign.

EMAILING FOR THE GREATER GOOD
Join me

Monday, January 5, 2009

Winners of Book Selections

Thought you would be interested in what the final vote was for the 2008 PQ Book Club Selections:

The winners of this year's Doug Marlette Awards, honoring the late Pulitzer Prize-winning political cartoonist and sponsored by Kathy L.m Patrick, founder of the Pulpwood Queens' Book Club and owner of Beauty and the Book , Jefferson, Tex. ("The only hair salon/bookstore in the country"), will be presented at Pulpwood Queens
Girlfriend Weekend January 15-17, 2009.

And the winners are:
The Pirate's Daughter by Margaret Cezair-Thompson
(Pulpwood Queens Book Club Selection of the Year),

Same Kind of Different as Me by Ron Hall and Denver Moore
(Bonus Book Club Selection of the Year)

The Underneath by Kathi Appelt
(Splinters and Pine Cones--teen and pre-teen chapters--Book Club Selection of the Year)

Southwest Louisiana Pulpwood Queens Support education mission for orphanage in Nicaragua

From Jeannine's website www.jeannineralston.com :
"At the suggestion of a member of the Pulpwood Queens book club (a national book club with 200 chapters), the Seed Campaign is donating funds in January to Abrazando Cristo, a wonderful Roman Catholic mission program based in Lake Charles, Louisiana, that came to the aid of people in Nicaragua after devastating Hurricane Mitch and continues to work in Nicaragua and Honduras. One of its main projects is helping to educate children at the San Cristobal (Nicaragua) Orphanage. "
A percentage of sales (4-8% depending on volume) made through clicking through Jeannine's website will be donated to Abrazando Cristo during the month of January.

First: Go to Jeannine's website www.jeannineralston.com

Second: Click on the link "Buy the Book" another browser window will open up and you will be at Amazon.com where you can either purchase The Unlikely Lavendar Queen or continue shopping at Amazon.com and any purchases made will be credited to her Seed Campaign.

EMAILING FOR THE GREATER GOOD
Join me

Sunday, January 4, 2009

You're invited to Pulpwood Queens January Meeting

Add windowslive@live.com to your address book so you don't miss any invitations from your friends.

Kay wants you to come to Pulpwood Queens January Meeting

View invitation

Date and time: Wednesday, January 28, 2009 from 6:30 PM to 9:00 PM
Location: 461 Emile Road, Lake Charles, LA 70611

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Microsoft respects your privacy. To learn more, read our privacy statement. Microsoft Corporation, One Microsoft Way, Redmond, WA 98052

Thank You

Jeannine,

Thank you for supporting the orphanage in Nicaragua through your Seed Campaign. It is very generous of you to give back through your book, which was great also.

As you can see, I'm using this as my "signature" for the month of January.

We look forward to meeting you at the Pulpwood Queen Convention!

Happy Reading

Kay Huck

Southwest Louisiana Pulpwood Queens Support education mission for orphanage in Nicaragua

From Jeannine's website www.jeannineralston.com :
"At the suggestion of a member of the Pulpwood Queens book club (a national book club with 200 chapters), the Seed Campaign is donating funds in January to Abrazando Cristo, a wonderful Roman Catholic mission program based in Lake Charles, Louisiana, that came to the aid of people in Nicaragua after devastating Hurricane Mitch and continues to work in Nicaragua and Honduras. One of its main projects is helping to educate children at the San Cristobal (Nicaragua) Orphanage. "
A percentage of sales (4-8% depending on volume) made through clicking through Jeannine's website will be donated to Abrazando Cristo during the month of January.

First: Go to Jeannine's website www.jeannineralston.com

Second: Click on the link "Buy the Book" another browser window will open up and you will be at Amazon.com where you can either purchase The Unlikely Lavendar Queen or continue shopping at Amazon.com and any purchases made will be credited to her Seed Campaign.

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Friday, January 2, 2009

Pulpwood Queens,

For the month of January, Jeannie Ralston, author of The Unlikely Lavendar Queen, will be donating a percentage of sales or her book and/or other items to Abrazando Cristo. As you know this is the mission we supported last year, raising over $1000 to purchase Spanish Bibles. Our member Queen Laurie Cormier has been a going to Nicaragua for the past 3 years.

I encourage you to follow the links this month to purchase Jeannie's book...it is great and we certainly enjoyed it! Or to click through her site to Amazon.com for other purchases. Either way a percentage will go to her Seed Campaign and for the month of January Abrazando Cristo will be the receipient.

Please let you friends and family know about this and encourage them to follow the links! You might want to place a link at the bottome of your emails for this month or perhaps print out the information to hand out. Spread the Word!

First: Go to Jeannine's website www.jeannineralston.com

Second: Click on the link "Buy the Book" another browser window will open up and you will be at Amazon.com where you can either purchase The Unlikely Lavendar Queen or continue shopping at Amazon.com and any purchases made will be credited to her Seed Campaign.

That's all there is to it!!

From Jeannine's website www.jeannineralston.com :
"At the suggestion of a member of the Pulpwood Queens book club (a national book club with 200 chapters), the Seed Campaign is donating funds in January to Abrazando Cristo, a wonderful Roman Catholic mission program based in Lake Charles, Louisiana, that came to the aid of people in Nicaragua after devastating Hurricane Mitch and continues to work in Nicaragua and Honduras. One of its main projects is helping to educate children at the San Cristobal (Nicaragua) Orphanage. "

Hope each of you have had a wonderful Christmas and I look forward to seeing you at our next meeting January 28th at Queen Boo's
home in Moss Bluff.

Happy Reading,

Queen Kay
Southwest Louisiana Pulpwood Queens Support education mission for orphanage in Nicaragua

From Jeannine's website www.jeannineralston.com :
"At the suggestion of a member of the Pulpwood Queens book club (a national book club with 200 chapters), the Seed Campaign is donating funds in January to Abrazando Cristo, a wonderful Roman Catholic mission program based in Lake Charles, Louisiana, that came to the aid of people in Nicaragua after devastating Hurricane Mitch and continues to work in Nicaragua and Honduras. One of its main projects is helping to educate children at the San Cristobal (Nicaragua) Orphanage. "
A percentage of sales (4-8% depending on volume) made through clicking through Jeannine's website will be donated to Abrazando Cristo during the month of January.

First: Go to Jeannine's website www.jeannineralston.com

Second: Click on the link "Buy the Book" another browser window will open up and you will be at Amazon.com where you can either purchase The Unlikely Lavendar Queen or continue shopping at Amazon.com and any purchases made will be credited to her Seed Campaign.

EMAILING FOR THE GREATER GOOD
Join me

Saturday, December 20, 2008

Christmas Story from Paul Coelho

Book Queens, I received this Email from Paul Coelho wishing his readers a Merry Christmas and as his gift a short tale about the meaning of Christmas.
Hope you all have a very Merry Christmas! Love, Queen Kay

Dear Reader,
 
My wish is for you and your loved ones to have a Merry Christmas and a very Happy New Year.

As a way to thank you for your continued support throughout 2008, I have enclosed a copy of the

Christmas Story that appeared in worldwide journals and columns that I have written. 
Best wishes to you and your family.
 
Paulo Coelho

The music coming from the house
Paulo Coelho
On Christmas Eve, the king invited the prime minister to join him for their usual walk together.
He enjoyed seeing the decorations in the streets, but since he didn't want his subjects to spend too much money on these just to please him,
the two men always disguised themselves as traders from some far distant land.
They walked through the centre of the city, admiring the lights, the Christmas trees, the candles burning on the steps of the houses,
the stalls selling gifts, and the men, women and children hurrying off to celebrate a family Christmas around a table laden with food.

On the way back, they passed through a poorer area, where the atmosphere was quite different.
There were no lights, no candles, no delicious smells of food about to be served. There was hardly a soul in the street, and,
as he did every year, the king remarked to the prime minister that he really must pay more attention to the poor in his kingdom.
The prime minister nodded, knowing that the matter would soon be forgotten again, buried beneath the day-to-day bureaucracy
of budgets to be approved and discussions with foreign dignitaries.
Suddenly, they heard music coming from one of the poorest houses. The hut was so ramshackle and the rotten wooden timbers
so full of cracks, that they were able to peer through and see what was happening inside.
And what they saw was utterly absurd: an old man in a wheelchair apparently crying, a shaven-headed young woman dancing,
and a young man with sad eyes shaking a tambourine and singing a folk song.
'I'm going to find out what they're up to,' said the king.
He knocked. The music stopped, and the young man came to the door.
'We are merchants in search of a place to sleep. We heard the music, saw that you were still awake,
and wondered if we could spend the night here.'
'You can find shelter in a hotel in the city. We, alas, cannot help you. Despite the music, this house is full of sadness and suffering.'
'And may we know why?'
'It's all because of me.' It was the old man in the wheelchair who spoke. 'I've spent my life teaching my son calligraphy,
so that he could one day get a job as a palace scribe. But the years have passed and no post has ever come up.
And then, last night, I had a stupid dream: an angel appeared to me and asked me to buy a silver goblet because, the angel said,
the king would be coming to visit me. He would drink from the goblet and give my son a job.
'The angel was so persuasive that I decided to do as he said. Since we have no money, my daughter-in-law went to the market
this morning to sell her hair so that we could buy that goblet over there. The two of them are doing their best to get me in the
Christmas spirit by singing and dancing, but it's no use.'
The king saw the silver goblet, asked to be given a little water to quench his thirst and, before leaving, said to the family:
'Do you know, we were talking to the prime minister only today, and he told us that an opening for a palace scribe would be
announced next week.'
The old man nodded, not really believing what he was hearing, and bade farewell to the strangers.
The following morning, however, a royal proclamation was read out in all the city streets; a new scribe was needed at court.
On the appointed day, the audience room at the palace was packed with people eager to compete for that much-sought-after post.
The prime minister entered and asked everyone there to prepare their paper and pens:
'Here is the subject of the composition: Why is an old man weeping, a shaven-headed woman dancing, and a sad young man singing?'
A murmur of disbelief went round the room. No one knew how to tell such a story, apart, that is,
from the shabbily dressed young man sitting in one corner, who smiled broadly and began to write.
Based on an Indian story.
Translated from the Portuguese by Margaret Jull Costa

Friday, December 12, 2008

FW: I'd like to donate

Thank you Jeannine Ralston!!

Just got this email in and couldn't wait to share it with you, my Queens!!! Queen Laurie's mission trip will be the receipient for January sales!! Mark your calendar for January to purchase (click) through her site then on to Amazon.com I know I have some birthdays in January and I will use this option.

Jeannie, I hope to meet you at Girlfriends Weekend in Jefferson, TX! What an inspiration you are!!

I pray your nephew is improving.

Best Wishes and thank you!!

Kay

Justice --- When you get what you deserve
Mercy ----- When you don't get what you deserve
Grace ----- When you get what you don't deserve

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To: padredan@bellsouth.net
CC: lcormier@cpdao.org; kayhuck@hotmail.com
Subject: I'd like to donate
From: contact@jeannieralston.com
Date: Fri, 12 Dec 2008 09:21:51 -0600

Dear Father Torres:

I've heard about the wonderful work of Abrazando Christo from Laurie Cormier. She sent me some photos of the day care you built in Nicaragua. I'm so impressed by what you're doing.

I am the author of the book The Unlikely Lavender Queen: A Memoir of Unexpected Blossoming. Starting this fall I've undertaken a new project called The Seed Campaign. Every month I choose a different cause to donate funds to. The funds come from on-line sales of my book. I feel very compelled to give back; the theme of my book is making the most of the twist and turns life takes and I'm committed to helping organizations that assist others in making the most of their lives. I've had nice success so far with the effort, raising over $2,000 over the past 3 months.

I would like to find out if you would allow me to donate to your organization in January. I would include information about your work on my website and send out e-mails to my list of subscribers and also hand out postcards at book signings that talk about your organization.

I would ask that you send out word of our efforts to your supporters and maybe post something on your website, if you have one.

Please let me know if it would be all right to list you as the beneficiary for January, and could you maybe send me your mission statement and a description of some of the things you're working on right now.

I'm very happy to help out in any way.

Thank you in advance for your time.

Best wishes--Jeannie

Jeannie Ralston
220 N. Zapata Hwy #11
Laredo, Texas 78043
512-423-3030 (U.S. number)
52-415-152-5169 (within Mexico)
Learn more about The Unlikely Lavender Queen: A Memoir of Unexpected Blossoming at www.jeannieralston.com

Help me plant hope for others by joining The Seed Campaign. Buy a copy of my book via my website, and a percentage will be donated to a worthy cause--a different organization every month. More info on my website.

Thursday, December 11, 2008

Roster

Several of you have requested an updated roster so here it is!
Kay

Justice --- When you get what you deserve
Mercy ----- When you don't get what you deserve
Grace ----- When you get what you don't deserve

EMAILING FOR THE GREATER GOOD
Join me

A Grateful Heart

My dear Queens,

I don't know how to express adequately my heartfelt thanks for your generous Christmas present to me and to Gene. I am still overwhelmed with the dinner out, printer ink and the gift card.

You all are simply the best! When I started this PQ chapter, I just wanted a reason to gather with my friendss, to keep in touch and to have fun. I think this adventure has been all that and more. The books have brought me out of my comfort zone for sure and broaden my horizons. However, discussing them with you my insightful queens, has deepened my understanding of relationships and character development (both fictional and real-life). So I thank you my queens, for that wonderful gift you have of bringing joy to my life

Much love

Queen Kay

Monday, December 1, 2008

Kay is inviting you to a Windows Live Event

Kay has invited you to "PQ Christmas Party."

Check it out now

Message from Kay:

Merry Christmas Queens!

I am looking forward to our Party on Dec 10 at Queen Brenda's. She lives iin Carlyss at 1315 Southern Oaks Dr.
Food Committee: Queens - Barbara G, Tracey, Evelyn, Allison and Rachel.

Remember to bring a White Elephant present for our gift exchange and click on the Event Site to let us know if you will be able to attend.

See you Soon!!
Queen Kay

When: Wednesday, December 10, 2008 at 6:30 PM
Where: in Carlyss