Sometimes women just want to have fun! We want to kick up our heels and sing a country western song, or play matchmaker with our single friends. Like all the rest of us whimsical ladies, Lindsey Briggs and Emma Woodhouse are just looking for a little fun.

The Road to Eden’s Ridge
by M.L. Rose

The Road to Eden’s Ridge is a sweet romance novel by M.L. Rose (a pseudonym for Myra McLarey and Linda Weeks). In this story Lindsey Briggs is a young woman living in Maine who wants to sing and write country western songs. While looking for something blue to wear to her wedding, she stumbles upon an old box of childhood memories. A crumpled blue-felt cowboy hat, a dusty pair of cowboy boots, and a few song lyrics she wrote in her youth inspire Lindsey to walk away from her life in Maine and run to Nashville to pursue her dream.

Emma
by Jane Austen

Emma, by Jane Austen is a delightful novel about a spoiled rich girl who takes to matchmaking as a way to entertain herself. Emma Woodhouse lives an indulged life in a small English town, but after her best friend gets married she realizes that she needs to find an activity to occupy her time. Emma discovers that she enjoys matchmaking and she sets her mind to meddling in everyone’s affairs. Emma’s efforts result in a series of mismatches and misadventures. The characters in this novel are fantastic, and add richness to this simple tale.

These are fun novels for book discussions. Consider the personalities of the characters, and the towns, while discussing The Road to Eden’s Ridge or Emma. Are the characters realistic? Do you know anyone as carefree as Lindsey or Emma? Are the men in these stories too dim or too simple to be realistic? Why are small towns depicted as magical in many works of fiction?

Great books don’t have to be important or serious. Some of my favorite novels are simple tales about eccentric characters who do something on a whim. Look to Sasee for books you can read just for the fun of it!

Women love the idea of a makeover. We can always find something wrong with either our bodies or our lives. Addy Lipton and Edna Pontellier decide that their lives need total makeovers and each woman disrupts the social order of an entire town to get one.

Searching for Paradise in Parker, PA
by Kris Radish

Searching for Paradise in Parker, PA is a funny novel by Kris Radish. This novel tells the story of Addy Lipton, a fifty-something-year-old teacher who is stuck in a lifeless marriage. Addy craves excitement and fantasizes about driving through her garage door just to shake things up a little. Just before she leaves on a last-resort romantic getaway with her husband, fate steps right in front of that garage door and changes their marriage forever. Addy’s life gets a complete makeover, but not before she involves everyone in Parker, Pa.

The Awakening
by Kate Chopin

The Awakening, by Kate Chopin, is one of America’s first feminist novels. Written in 1899, this novel tells the story of a wealthy woman who is unhappy as a wife and a mother. Edna Pontellier is not a mother-woman. She does not have natural maternal instincts or domestic talent. Edna enjoys art, but she lives in an era when artists are men and women have no other role than to be someone’s wife, then someone’s mother. Edna decides to make changes in her life, but New Orleans in 1899 is not ready for the type of changes Edna has in mind.

Consider these questions while reading Searching for Paradise in Parker, PA or The Awakening: Should a woman stay in an unhappy marriage? Should a woman stay to raise her children even if she does not enjoy being a mother? Is there always a way to fix a broken relationship? Are women oblivious to the way men worry about relationships? Are women expected to sacrifice more to make a marriage work?

Women have been writing about the struggles that only women face for a very long time. Reading literature by female authors, from historical time periods, give us insight into a world before the 19th Amendment. Read historical novels with Sasee and remember the women who made it all possible.

Women have always survived hard times with courage and conviction. Two characters, from two significant periods in history, demonstrate a type of courage that only women can understand. Trudy Hulst and Ma Joad endure perilous journeys, police aggression and the loss of loved-ones in order to keep their families together.

Trudy’s Promise
by Marcia Preston

Trudy’s Promise, by Marcia Preston, is an inspirational story about a mother who must leave her only child in order to secure a safe future for him. Marked as the wife of a defector, Trudy must escape communist police and find refuge on the democratic side of the Berlin Wall. Once outside the strangle-hold of communism, she must figure out a way to rescue her child. Set in Berlin, during the Cold War era, this story illuminates the hardship and fear inside the Berlin Wall.

The Grapes of Wrath
by John Steinbeck

The Grapes of Wrath, by John Steinbeck, is a majestic novel that showcases the triumphs and the defeats of the Joad family as they fight their way through the Great Depression. Ma Joad embodies courage as she holds her family together and helps others who are struggling to survive. The Joads lose their farm and must travel across the California desert, with minimal provisions, to start a new life. This novel is a portrait of the struggles of one family during one of the hardest times in American history. I highly recommend the audio version of The Grapes of Wrath.

Both Trudy and Ma Joad face a crisis that threatens their family, but each woman chooses a different course. In Trudy’s Promise, Trudy makes the decision to leave her child and her mother-in-law, but in The Grapes of Wrath Ma Joad fights to keep her family together at all costs. Which of these characters are you most like? Do you think Trudy and Ma Joad are exceptional women, or do you believe that all women are capable of extraordinary acts of courage? Do you think any of the actions that these women take are cowardly?

Staying true to what you believe in can require terrific amounts of courage. Read notable books with Sasee and see how everyday people are transformed into heroes.

Sex is scandalous. At least it was for two early American women. In the two novels I’m recommending this month, Roberta Jewett and Hester Prynne face red-hot rejection when they are deemed immoral.

That Camden Summer
by LaVyrle Spencer

That Camden Summer, by LaVyrle Spencer, is a love story set in 1916. Roberta Jewett is a progressive woman who wants to buy a house, work as a nurse and learn to drive a car. If that’s not bad enough, she divorces her philandering husband and plans to raise her three children alone. But a conservative and influential group of citizens decides that Roberta is unfit and plots to take her children away. Luckily the house Roberta bought needs to be renovated. It seems the only kind person in Camden is a widowed carpenter. Roberta finds strength in a loving relationship until she is brutally raped. This story tugs at your heart and reminds you of the long journey American women took to enjoy the freedoms they have today.

The Scarlet Letter
by Nathaniel Hawthorne

The Scarlet Letter, by Nathaniel Hawthorne, is one of America’s first great novels. Hester Prynne is a young woman who lives in colonial Boston. She commits the unforgivable crime of having sex with a man who is not her husband. Hester suffers rejection and banishment from the town, but refuses to reveal her lover. Hester’s strength and grace come through in her conversations with her daughter, Pearl. As the years pass on, Pearl questions her mother about the “A” on her dress and the way the townspeople treat her. Hester is truly remarkable as she suffers quietly for the sake of her daughter.

Consider these questions as you think about Roberta and Hester: If a woman decides to have sex outside of marriage, does she deserve whatever she gets? Do the same rules apply to men? Would the same consequences befall a man? Should a single mother be celibate? Is there a limit to the number of sexual partners one woman should have in her lifetime?

There’s no better way to survive a heat wave than to find a cool place in the shade and kick back with a good book. Tune in to Sasee for recommendations all summer long.

The setting of a novel is just as important as the characters or the plot. In the novels I’m recommending this month, exquisite locations intensify the drama. Caretta Rutledge and Catherine Earnshaw discover that their emotions are tied to the rhythms of the landscapes that surround them.

The Beach House
by Mary Alice Monroe

The Beach House, by Mary Alice Monroe is set on the moon-lit beaches of South Carolina. Caretta Rutledge is a busy career woman who returns to her childhood home to take care of her mother. Caretta falls in sync with the rhythms of the island, while she falls in love with a handsome Lowcountry tour guide. Mary Alice Monroe’s melodic descriptions of South Carolina create a dramatic backdrop to this strikingly romantic story. The sequel, Swimming Lessons, is also beautiful and inspiring. You’ll want to read both!

Wuthering Heights
by Emily Bronte

Wuthering Heights, by Emily Bronte, is set on a bleak and stormy English countryside. Catherine and Heathcliff love the desolate moors that surround their homes, and their relationship becomes as wild and unpredictable as the weather on that windswept wasteland. Catherine and Heathcliff’s love for each other is tangled with feelings of revenge, obsession, greed, and power. Wuthering Heights is more than a love story about Catherine and Heathcliff. It is a multi-layered novel involving two romances, two time-periods, and multiple characters with similar names. This is a challenging novel that reveals something new to the reader each time it is revisited.

Book clubs can focus on nature when discussing these novels. The landscapes, wildlife, and weather are important elements in each of these stories. Think about these questions: What role does nature play? How does a character’s relationship with nature affect the outcome? How does land factor into status and power? Would the land in these stories mean the same to you as it does to these characters?

Novels sweep readers away to exquisite locations, stimulating their senses with vivid descriptions of landscapes and cultures. Awaken your senses to the rhythms of undiscovered lands as you read great novels with Sasee.

Luck has a way of affecting our attitudes. The thing is luck’s true nature is to change. The simple truth in those words brought peace to Anicius Boethius over a thousand years ago and to Harold Kushner in the 20th century.

When Bad Things Happen to Good People
by Harold S. Kushner

When Bad Things Happen to Good People is a lovely book written by the rabbi Harold S. Kushner. In this book the rabbi explains that God is good, and He wants good people to live happy lives. Kushner tells us that bad things happen because mankind has created chaos, and sometimes the chaos claims innocent victims. The rabbi reassures the reader that bad luck is not punishment from God. This is a moving and inspirational book that may offer peace to people who are looking for answers.

The Consolation of Philosophy
by Anicius Boethius

The Consolation of Philosophy is a masterpiece written by the Roman philosopher Anicius Boethius, and translated by Victor Watts. It is widely read by people who wonder about that thing we call luck. Boethius calls it fortune, and wonders why good men suffer bad fortune. Boethius encounters a spirit named Philosophy who tells him that Fortune is an evil spirit. Philosophy says that Fortune’s true nature is to change, and that people who call on Fortune must accept the good with the bad. Boethius realizes that it is God he should call on when he is seeking good favor, not Fortune. This book is a beautiful combination of prose and poetry.

While you’re reading these books and contemplating the meaning of it all, consider these questions. Does the idea that God does not cause bad things to happen conflict with your beliefs? Do you ever associate good luck with God and bad luck with evil? Can you love your God even when He does not grant you special favors? How did reading this book make you feel?

Books magically spread joy from the author to the reader, and then from one reader to another as they are passed around. Share your books, share your positive attitude and keep tuning-in to Sasee for more recommendations.

If you’ve been following this book club, I’d love to hear from you. Send me an email at jenniferborchers@charter.net and tell me what you think about the books we’ve been reading.

Stress has a funny way of making sane people do insane things. John Sutter and Miles Roby want to do the right thing, but they become overwhelmed by the stress in their lives and end up making terrible decisions.

Gold Coast
by Nelson DeMille

Gold Coast is a fabulous novel written by the very popular Nelson DeMille. It features a sarcastic Wall Street lawyer named John Sutter, who lives in the ultra exclusive and super conservative North Shore of Long Island. John’s world is turned up-side-down when a Mafia don moves in next door. John decides to make a small effort toward being a good neighbor because, according to the traditions he lives with, it is simply the right thing to do. John’s good intentions become his worst nightmare as his life becomes entangled in the don’s bloody affairs.

Empire Falls
by Richard Russo

Empire Falls is a brilliant novel written by the Nobel Prize winning author Richard Russo. Set in a struggling, working-class town called Empire Falls; this novel features a timid short-order-cook named Miles Roby. Miles makes a decision to stay in Empire Falls, which he’s hated since he was a boy, for the sake of his daughter, Tick. Miles’ intention is to help her survive high school, but his decision to stay in Empire Falls nearly gets Tick killed. This novel is full of colorful characters that capture the quirkiness of small town life.

Each of these novels is well suited for a book club, or sharing with a friend, because these stories are rich in detail and give readers plenty to discuss. Consider these questions while reading either of these novels: Should the main character have known that he was making the wrong decision? Which events could have tipped him off? Do the wives in these novels make things worse for the men, or are these men solely responsible for the events that occur? How does greed factor in to the outcome?

For many people, reading is the preferred way to wind down from a stressful day. Read great novels with Sasee and escape from the stress in your life!

Many of you began 2008 with resolutions. While you think about a new you in this new year, consider forgiving someone. As Miles and Quoyle will show you, starting over begins with forgiveness.

In the two novels I’ve selected for this issue, Miles must find a way to forgive the man who killed his wife, and Quoyle must learn to forgive a father who never loved him.

A Bend in the Road
by Nicholas Sparks

A Bend in the Road, by Nicholas Sparks, is a touching romance that ends with an unexpected twist. Miles Ryan is sheriff of New Bern and a single parent. He recently lost his wife in a hit-and-run accident, and is struggling to adjust to a life without her. Miles is devastated when he learns that his son, Jonah, is having difficulty in school. But Miles finds hope when Sarah Andrews, a second-grade teacher, volunteers to tutor Jonah. Miles soon falls in love with Sarah, but discovers that he can’t begin a new life with her until he forgives the man who ruined his old life.

The Shipping News
by Annie Proulx

The Shipping News, by Annie Proulx, sweeps you away to the icy tundra of Newfoundland and introduces you to Quoyle, a lost soul searching for acceptance and a place to raise his two daughters, Bunny and Sunshine. Quoyle follows his Aunt to Newfoundland, the place of his ancestors, after his wife is killed in a car accident. In this strange new world, full of fascinating characters, Quoyle discovers a talent for writing, a community to raise his daughters and a love that enables him to forgive his father for causing so much pain.

Like the characters in these novels, each of us must face loss and grief. By discussing these novels, we can learn things about ourselves and our relationships. Use the following questions to lead your discussions about A Bend in the Road or The Shipping News: Does the main character change after his wife dies? What motivates the main character? Is it necessary for the main character to forgive in order to get what he wants? How do the children affect the outcome? Can anyone experience love without pain?

Reading enlightening stories about other people inspires us to reflect upon our own lives. Read remarkable novels with Sasee and discover yourself.

Is there a wrong time to fall in love? Mike Noonan and Frederick Henry would certainly say there is. Both Mike and Frederick fall in love while their lives are in turmoil, and the women they love pay the price.

Bag of Bones
by Stephen King

Bag of Bones is a captivating mystery written by the ever-popular Stephen King, and this sprawling thriller is surprisingly romantic. Mike Noonan, the main character, is a grieving widower who dearly loved his wife, Jo. While trying to uncover the mystery behind her death, Mike falls in love with a single mother, Mattie, and her little girl, Kayla. Mike is drawn to Mattie and Kayla because he discovers that they are mixed up in the same mystery he is trying to unravel. Even though Mike is up to his neck in trouble he follows his heart right into Mattie and Kayla’s problems. This is a powerfully imaginative story filled with natural and supernatural characters. It will capture your attention on the first page, and hold it all the way to the last.

A Farewell to Arms
by Ernest Hemingway

A Farewell to Arms is a classic anti-war novel written by the legendary Ernest Hemingway. This tragic romance is set during WWI in Italy. Frederick Henry is an American ambulance driver who enlists in the Italian army. His combat experiences leave him cynical and callous, but an impetuous English nurse named Catherine Barkley awakens a passion in Frederick that gets him through difficult times. After the German forces break the Italian line, Frederick and Catherine find themselves in grave danger and must escape to Switzerland to be safe. This novel contains strong war scenes, but it also contains vivid expressions of loyalty, honor, courage, faith, romance, and love.

While reading either of these novels, consider these questions:

Would the outcome(s) have been different if the main character turned away from love?

Should one wait for the perfect time to fall in love?

Does each person have just one soul mate, or does true love come twice?

What, underneath all the drama, is really bothering the main character(s)?

Love is a basic element in the human experience, so romance can be found in every book genre. Read great novels with Sasee and discover romance in surprising places.

If you’ve ever considered starting a book club, call your girlfriends and form one today! Sasee is introducing a book club specifically for the women who read this magazine. Whether you like the humor and romance of paperbacks or the language and structure of literary novels, I have a book for you!

Each month I’ll recommend two books about topics that Sasee women are interested in. One book will be popular, and one will be literary. I will personally guarantee that both will be exceptional! This month I am recommending two books that reinforce the idea that no one will ever love you like your girlfriends. The funerals of Annie Freeman and Sula Peace are testaments to the truth behind those words.

Annie Freeman’s Fabulous Traveling Funeral
by Kris Radish

Annie Freeman’s Fabulous Traveling Funeral, is a delightful story about sisterhood, second chances, and endless possibilities. Kris Radish writes about a woman, named Annie, whose last request is that her four best friends take her ashes on a traveling funeral across the country. These four women begin their journey hopeless and heart-broken, but through Annie’s miraculous and fabulous plan, each emerges as a powerful individual. This book is about the relationships that women have only with other women.

Sula
by Toni Morrison

Sula, is a striking and elegant novel written by one of America’s greatest authors, Toni Morrison. It is the tale of two women who grow up together in a small town and love each other through all of their painful experiences. Nel becomes a conventional homemaker, and Sula becomes a rebellious tramp. When Sula dies, Nel is the only person at the funeral to grieve for her. Sula’s family and neighbors forget that she was once a loveable person. This is a powerful story about friendship, despair, poverty, grief and guilt.

Whether you read these novels with a book club or on your own, consider these questions as you follow either story: Is it possible for people who live very different lives to remain friends? Can you continue to love someone even if they change on you? Can a man ever understand a woman the way women understand each other? What defines a family?

There’s a world of fun and adventure inside books. Embark on a journey today and discover that world. Tune in to Sasee each month and read along with me.