Friday, July 10, 2009

Choice of Gemstone Color for GREAT BIG BALL OF HAIR BALL!


Our Gemstone for Girlfriends Weekend is amethyst/purple...I'm sure with Mardi Gras and LSU we can come up with some great table decorations and costumes!
 


Greetings fair Queens!

As I am working fast and furious on Girlfriend Weekend, I am now compiling a list of the gemstone colors you are choosing as your theme for the "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" Wizard of Oz Theme at Girlfriend Weekend 2010, that's Saturday, January 16, 2010.

 

Yes, that's right, each chapter is to select a gemstone color for their theme and come up with some amazing costume, think Goodwill, Salvation Army, perhaps that old bridesmaid dress that you were never going to EVER wear again. We have so many chapters coming we will have duplicate colors but I know each will be amazing and unique.  Each chapter will get a table and you are to decorate to represent your chapter and to go with your them.  Now I know some of the chapters are thinking more a Wizard of Oz theme and girls, whatever, you go for it!

 

The Pulpwood Queens and Timber Guys of East Texas have selected EMERALD and going for a Wizard of Oz theme too but I am taking us out of the competition as we were last year's winners.  We want everybody to have a chance at winning!

 

As you know who were there, The Pulpwood Queens of Katy, Texas BROUGHT IT ON last year for the contest and I can honestly tell, you, the were the "living" end.  Sorry girls I could not resist the pun, see photo attached!

 

More to come but let me know your gemstone color and are we going to have some BIG TIME FUN!

 

Truly,

Kat

The Pulpwood Queen

P.S. Also info on Girlfriend Weekend posted at www.pulpwoodqueen.com!  Call today to pay for your package and tickets, 903-665-7520.

 

Authors confirmed so far:

 

Elizabeth Berg - "Home Safe", Random House, Keynote on Saturday

 

Kaya McLaren - "On the Divinity of Second Chances", Penguin, Passing on the crown

M.L. Malcolm of Deceptive Intentions

Carol Leifer  of  When You Lie About Your Age, The Terrorists, Win,: Reflections on Looking in the Mirror

 

Jenny Gardiner of Sleeping with Ward Cleaver & Spring 2010 release, "Parrothood - Twenty Years of Caring for a Vengeful Bird Determined to Kill Me", Simon Spotlight

 

Sara Jane Gilman of Undress Me in the Temple of Heaven, Grand Central Publishing, Elly Weisenberg

 

Daniel Wallace of Big Fish and Ray in Reverse

 

Linda Busby Parker of Seven Laurels

 

Michael Morris of The King of Florabama

 

Robert Leleux of memoirs of a beautiful boy

 

Kerry Madden of-Up Close: Harper Lee, Kerry Madden

Carol Liefer of When You Lie About Your Age, the Terrorists Win", Random House

Meg Federico of Welcome to the Departure Lounge – Adventures in Mothering Mother

Connie May Fowler of The Problem with Murmur Lee: A Novel

Jamie Ford  of Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet

Kathryn Stockett of The Help

Lt. Colonel Karl Lenker of The Final Trumpet and For Dear Life

Joyce Magnin of The Prayers of Agnes Sparrow

Mary Kay Andrews of The Fixer-Upers

River Jordan of Saints in Limbo

Patti Callahan Henry of Driftwood Summer

Denise Hamilton of Prisoner of Memory: A Novel

Rebecca Wells book, The Crowning Glory of Calla Lilly Ponder will be our January 2010 Official Book Club Selection, author may not be able to attend but will send signed book plates, TBA

John Pritchard of Junior Ray and Yazoo Blues

Tracey Carnes of Excess Baggage

Robin O'Brien of Allergy Kids



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: