NaNo what?

November is National Novel Writing Month. NaNoWriMo. I know I'm dating myself with this next comment, but the first thing I thought when I saw NaNo was, "Isn't that what Mork used to say on the Mork and Mindy Show?" :)

Anyway, if you have a book in your heart why not visit www.NaNoWriMo.org and give November the old college try. You might suprise yourself. If you DON'T have a book in your hear, but you have a book club --- make it a fun plotting party.

To prepare:
Write on slips of paper or index cards the following:
Heroine's name
What the heroine looks like
Hero's name
What the hero looks like
The place
The problem
What's in the way?
How do they come together?

Then, start with the first one and go around the room. By the end of the circle you'll have your own fun story. If you're a real mush-ball like me ... you might even record the scenario and then transcribe it into a little booklet as Christmas/Holiday gifts for your book club friends in December :) The cover? What else a picture of the group.

Happy November!
Nancy

SIBA :: A great resource

Never heard of SIBA? It's the Southern Independent Booksellers Alliance.
Okay -- so if you're not a southerner it may not be as big a golden nugget to you, but for me ... southern to the sassy soul ... it's my kind of reads and they have a sense of humor that I get.

Everyone knows about Oprah's Picks ... but have you checked out the OKRA PICKS?
Yep -- thats what SIBA calls their recommendations and what follows are the 2010 Fall Okra Picks.

On their website - www.sibaweb.com -- they say these are great southern books, fresh off the vine. A baker’s dozen of titles representing a wide range of tastes, all the books selected have the following things in common: 1) They are Southern in nature. 2) They are 2010 Fall releases and 3) There is a SIBA member Bookstore who is really excited about the book. Southern booksellers love their Southern authors—we grow good books!

DRUM ROLL PLEASE ....
The Okra Picks, 2010 Fall Edition: Fiction:

A Perfect Love Song by Patti Callahan Henry
9781593156169 Vanguard Press, October 2010 $15.95

Crooked Letter, Crooked Letter by Tom Franklin
9780060594664 Morrow, October 2010 $24.99

I Still Dream About You by Fannie Flagg
9781400065936 Random House November 2010 $26.00

Love, Charleston by Beth Webb Hart
9781595542014 Thomas Nelson, September 2010 $14.99

My Only Sunshine by Lou Dischler
9781891885723, Hub City, October 2010 $21.95

Virals by Kathy Reichs
9781595143426 Razorbill, November 2010 (Penguin) $17.99

Zora and Me by Victoria Bond and T.R. Simon
9780763643003 Candlewick Press October 2010 $16.99Z

The Typist by Michael Knight
9780802119506 Atlantic Monthly Press August 2010 $20.00


Pick one .. have fun .. and continue keeping me in your wish-upon-a-stars that one of my books will be an OKRA Pick one day.
Hugs and happy reading.
Nancy
www.NancyNaigle.com

October Harvest

Hay rides, carved pumpkins, trick-or-treat, leaves in red-yellow-and-orange, crisp nights that you can sleep through with the windows open .... and a fun month to entertain your book club.

You know my motto - keep it simple.
The host can buy adorable pre-made trick or treat bags in a packet of 12 or so at the local dollar store, or have her kids decorate them over a weekend. One for each book club member. I don't have kids but I do love a craft project so I chose to decorate paper bags with construction paper cut outs and some bling around the names.

Then, have each book club member bring their favorite trick-or-treat surprise (enough for everyone) and secretly have each member put a treat in each bag. At the end of the night ... each member goes home with a wicked, fun treat bag and some childhood memories. Does it get any better than that?

Hugs and halloween fun.

BANNED BOOK WEEK THIS WEEK

If you have a book club meeting planned this week ... here's a topic for discussion.
It's Banned Book Week Sept 25 - Oct 2
Check out a great recap from the American Library Association at http://www.ala.org/ala/issuesadvocacy/banned/bannedbooksweek/index.cfm all about this week meant to celebrate the freedom to read and the importance of the First Amendment.

Happy Reading!

Sensational September

The air is just beginning to chill in the evenings and I've had the opportunity to sleep with the windows open and even tug up the quilt a night or two. Don't you just love this time of year.

We haven't had much rain so the trees are letting go of their leaves early, but on the bright side -- the best foliage years are those that have dry, sunny day summers. We should have a splendid Fall Foliage frenzy here in Virginia. Hope you enjoy one, too.

Thinking of cool nights, and beautiful nature ... here's a great idea for your next book club meeting.

This week I was treated by a co-worker to JASMINE BLOOM tea. Oh my goodness. This tea smelled so good I almost didn't want to drink it, but when I took a sip, there was no way I was going to stop. It was wonderful. You drop this hand woven pod into your mug and in a few minutes of steeping .. it opens up into a glorious flower right in your cup.

A box of ten blooms (individually wrapped) is just $10 at www.adagio.com
Trust me, this will be an experience your book club friends won't soon forget!

Enjoy your September meetings and don't forget OCTOBER is National Reading Group Month http://bit.ly/aHAoUK

Until then ... wishing you great reads and new memories each day that leave you snuggling that pillow with a smile at the end of each one.
Hugs~
Nancy

A fun twist for Book Club night

I don't know about you, but I always feel rattled in August. It must be a throwback reaction from school days when summer ended and August carried the burden of new school clothes, books, schedules and saying goodbye to long summer days.

If you're like me then you might not feel like an intellectual evening of banter over the latest book. How about switching things up?

Dollar Tree is your friend --- purchase a little chalkboard or white board for each member .... then in America's Got Talent or Olympics style ... have each member X or * ... or give a rating from 1-10 on the book.

Everyone show your rating at the same time :)

Have fun!

June:: Fresh Garden Delights at your Book Club Gathering

Hi Friends:
If you're lucky enough to have a garden then you're probably about knee deep in fresh produce right now. I know I am! One morning last week my dear husband brought in 26 cucumbers. Yes - in one day! Eeek. But like good books -- you can't have too many :)

Here's a delightful recipe for a cucumber recipe that you can use on tea sandwiches or as a veggie dip at your next gathering.
Tzatziki Sauce
Ingredients:
2 cups Low Fat PLAIN Yogurt
2 cups cucumbers - remove seeds and dice small
Chopped Basil
Chopped Dill
1 TB Minced Garlic
1/2 Lemon
Salt and Pepper

Strain the yogurt through doubled-coffee filters for two hours in the refrigerator. You'll be amazed at how much liquid drains. This will leave you with a thick custardy yogurt.

While the yogurt is draining - Peel the cucumbers and scoop out the seeds. Then dice in small chunks. Place in a colander and sprinkle with salt and peper. Let sit so they dry out just a bit.

Combine the finely chopped dill, basil with the minced garlic and the juice from 1/2 a lemon. Add the yogurt and season with salt and pepper to taste. Fold in the cucumbers.

Put in a sealed container in the refrigerator for at least an hour before serving. If water rises to the top -- pour it off, don't mix it back in.

Use on sandwiches, as a veggie dip, or as a spread on burgers. Light, refreshing and so easy.

ENJOY!

OH - AND IF YOU HAVE LOTS OF CUCUMBERS:: Make a little tub of Tzatziki to go (or the kit to make it themselves) for each of your book club members. They'll appreciate it.
Hugs~

National Poetry Month

April is National Poetry month.
At this months meeting why not share your favorite poem. Not into poetry, then how about doing a round robin with the group to create your own Roses are Red variety poem. You'll get a good laugh and honor National Poetry all at the same time.

For you ...
I'll give it a try.

Roses are red,
and April has arrived.
I hope you think
this poem isn't contrived.
(hahhaah)

Happy April. Have fun with your friends - it's what makes for a perfect day.
Nancy

Keep your book club alive!

We're all about at the end of our dreary winter weathered ropes. I know this for certain because on the news night before last they were covering the snow ... yes again, and use to NEVER get snow ... and they were interviewing a mother who said, "I wish someone woulda' shot that darn groundhog!" I bet more than a few of us are feeling that way about now.

I had to laugh. Nothing like a live interview in the south the catch you off guard.

So, if your friends are making excuses to not get together for book club, reel them back in. If they didn't read the book, they can still be part of the girls night out and she can catch up on the next read. Sometimes all we need is a little nudge to get us off the couch and out the door on a cold, wet night --- do your friend a favor -- NUDGE!

Have a wonderful book club meeting. I'd love to hear what you're doing at yours.
Next month I'll talk about a new little something I just heard about that some book clubs and authors are doing. Stay tuned!

And a New Year begins . . .

. . . as we ring in 2010 keep in mind that it's the small things that make the big differences.

Getting together for book club once a month or even every other month if that's all you can work out is a small gift to yourself that will help you maintain balance in your life. Balance is important if you want to be the best you can be.

Since it's the beginning of the year, make a plan to have someone insure you get a picture at each book club meeting so that at the end of the year you can do a collage card or a calendar for the whole group. A fun way to get more joy out of those memories.

Visit often for crafts, recipes and ideas to keep your Book Club gathering fun and easy.

Nancy