Thank You Amanda Smyth!

On behalf of the PNN Community ~ I extend a whole-hearted thanks and appreciation to Amanda Smyth for taking time out of her Sunday to join us in our live, online book chat this afternoon.

Amanda is the author of Lime Tree Can't Bear Orange and the information she shared in the chat really enriched our view of the its characters. She also revealed the fascinating fact that the book originally stemmed from an event in her real life history ~ and that it all really came together after a second re-write.

As readers - it was an awesome experience to have the book's author with us as we shared our perspectives on the book and its characters as we'd experienced it.

As writers - Amanda inspired many to either get on with what they've already got going ... or to seriously consider getting started.

Writergrrl will be 'hosting' the discussion on What Shall We Read Together As A Group Next? on her blog page at some point this week.

We asked Amanda what book she'd recommend as a book club read - and she gave us two titles -- each intriguing for its own reasons. I'm sure Writergrrl will cover that on her page.

Amanda ~ thank you for the generosity of your time and for the willingness and openness to hear us share our interpretation of your story and characters with such kindness and respect. Thank you, too, for spending so much time addressing our interest in writing and the process to publication. It truly was wonderful to spend time with you today.

Leigh ~ thank you for always supporting PNN initiatives as you do, and thanks too for joining us as we know your schedule is so busy.

Richard (Tech Guy) ~ thank you for arriving at the speed of light when alerted that we were experiencing difficulties with chat posting and for fixing the problem immediately.

And to everyone who attended this live Book Club Event - thank you so much for carving out time in your Sunday to help make this a moment in time that I'll always remember fondly.

Blessings to all ...

Meet Amanda Smyth - live, from the UK, today!

UPDATE: Chat link is now posted!!!  Open this page for the live link ...

Join us here today on pnn.com for a live, online chat with the author of Lime Tree Can't Bear Orange!

Today Sunday, October 25th -- 11:30am PT / 2:30pm EST / 7:30pm in the UK.

Click on this link http://pnn.com/chat_events/9-book-chat   to enter the live chat room and join us for a friendly discussion about Lime Tree Can't Bear Orange: what we thought about the book in general, how it made us feel, characters we may or may not have felt compassion towards, predictions for the characters' futures and more!

Amanda Smyth will be joining us from the UK ~ and she's looking forward to our discussion. 

Amanda has also graciously agreed to an open discussion about the 'life of a published author' in general.

Diva and I will be hosting this one hour event (and gosh, with so much to talk/type about, the time's going to fly by quickly) - and we really look forward to your participation.

See you there!!

Two weeks until our Book Chat with Amanda Smyth!

I finished reading Lime Tree Can't Bear Orange last Friday and I'm really looking forward to discussing this book with all of you ... and with its author, Amanda Smyth, as well.

A great friend of mine who participates in my 3-D Book Club read the book also ~ and sent me an email expressing gratitude for recommending the book to her because she thoroughly enjoyed reading it ... and the rest of her comments I'll keep silent for now so as not to spoil anything for those of you still in the process of reading it.

One thing I will say, though, is that we each summed up our general feelings, when the book ended, differently - though we both agreed it was a great read and one we're grateful to have invested time in.  We will talk in more depth about this next week, she and I, as she's coming over for lunch with two other of my book club pals.

And for me, this is what makes Book Club participation so rich and meaningful: speaking about the characters as if we actually know them, and the events as if we've actually lived them. Projecting the future beyond the final word and grammatical end point, discussing potential motivation or barriers or opportunities missed or taken -- in short, breathing life into the story with oxygen from our own personal experiences ~ and seeing the book in entirely new ways, based on the perspectives shared by others.

There are Readers' Guide questions available online for Lime Tree Can't Bear Orange - and we can certainly use them if the majority desires to go this way. I'd like to propose, though, that we use our 60 minutes together to discuss this book on a deeper, more personal level.

Did you like Celia?

Who was your favourite character in the book?

If you were to sum up the way you felt about the book when you finished reading it in one word - what would that one word be? (This is where my friend and I differed.)

How do you think the story actually ends - after we walk away, when the future, for the characters, continues to unfold?

If Celia were to suddenly show up on pnn.com with her story ~ would you feel the same towards her here as you do in the pages of the book?

Who, in the book, do you think would benefit most from participating in the Authenticity Workshop that is presently running here at pnn.com under Brene Brown's leadership?

What do you think the title of the book means - and does it reflect a message contained within the story? (As an aside, the book was originally titled Black Rock - and is called that in some countries. I believe it was changed to Lime Tree Can't Bear Orange here in North America because a corporation had the rights to the name Black Rock already. Amanda, please correct me about this if I'm wrong.)

If you haven't done so already, please note the date and time for this online book discussion in your calendar ~ because it feels great to discuss books with a myriad of perspectives ... I've left book club meetings actually liking and respecting books I did not at all enjoy reading after 'seeing' it through the eyes and hearts of others.

Here are the details:

On Sunday October 25th we'll be gathering here at PNN.com (live chat link will be posted a few hours before the event's start) at 11:30am Pacific Time / 2:30pm EST / 7:30pm Ireland Time (okay, I know that's not a time zone, but that's when Amanda will be logging in).

The gathering has been scheduled to last 60 minutes.

Diva and I will be co-hosting the event.

And please, feel free to leave questions or elements about the book that you'd like to see discussed in the comment area below ~ from this, we'll craft a meaningful 60 minutes of discussion that will likely pass by in the blink of an eye. (And if you can leave comments without giving away details - that would be appreciated for those who are still reading the book.)

13 days and counting - hope to see you there!

Online book club chat with the book's author!

A date and time has been confirmed for PNN's next Book Club Gathering ~ and the book's author has graciously agreed to join in too!

Amanda Smyth, author of Lime Tree Can't Bear Orange will be logging into our book club chat from Ireland. To honour the three key time zones that will be present and to enable maximum participation in this discussion - we felt it best to schedule this event for a Sunday.

So, on Sunday October 25th we'll be gathering here at PNN.com (live chat link will be posted a few hours before the event's start) at 11:30am Pacific Time / 2:30pm EST / 7:30pm Ireland Time (okay, I know that's not a time zone, but that's when Amanda will be logging in). The gathering has been scheduled for 60 minutes.

I'm enjoying this book so far and have clear feelings towards several of its characters. It's written in a very reader-friendly style and I can almost see the scenery around me as I read (it takes place in Trinidad and Tobago).

Please don't be inhibited or intimidated by the fact that Amanda Smyth will be present ~ in addition to answering any questions we may have about the book, its characters, the plot roll-out, etc. -- she's also open to hearing our connection or feelings towards the book ... and she's also willing to share insights into writing and publishing in general as well.

This will be my first discussion with an author present and I'm really looking forward to it.  I hope many of you can join us and that this is enough forward notice to ensure you can clear the time needed to attend.

Also, feel free to let friends and/or family know about this too - the more readers present, the more perspectives are offered and the richer the book becomes as a whole.

Sunday October 25th -- hope to see you there!

Book Club/Girl's Night Out RIGHT NOW (Chat link posted here)

Enter the Book Club / Girl's Night Out Chat Room by clicking here: http://pnn.com/chat_events/6-girls-night-out-and-book-club

*UPDATE FROM THE EARLIER POST*:

There are now TWO great reasons to keep this evening (August 31st) free for PNN mingling: the Book Club Gathering is hooking up with the monthly Girl's Night Out for the first time ever!

This event is scheduled for 5pm PST/8pm EST - the first thirty minutes will be dedicated to book club discussion and early mingling.

And at 5:30pm PST/8:30pm EST ~ the Girl's Night Out (GNO) will kick off with fun, laughter and fast-paced conversive action for all!

Please feel free to drop in early even in if you have not read this month's book club selection. (Details about the book that was selected, etc. can be found below.)

The chat link will be posted on PNN's Home Page early Monday afternoon and will allow entry into the chat room thirty minutes before the Book Club gathering begins.

If you're not sure what a PNN Girl's Night Out is - please click here and read all about it. This is an awesome and friendly opportunity to get to know some of your favourite bloggers better ~ and to meet new ones you may have not yet discovered.

I sooooo hope you'll all be able to join us tonight, Monday August 31st at some point between 5pm PST/8pm EST and 7:30pm PST/10:30pm EST. It truly is worth the time invested.

Woo Hoo!!! (The Updated portion of this post ends here.)

Summer is a time of pleasant distractions and, hopefully, the reading of a great book or two.

Last month, we all decided to read Lime Tree Can't Bear Orange by Amanda Smyth for our next PNN Sista Hood Book Club selection. We agreed to gather and discuss this book on Monday August 31st ... which is now one week away.

How is everyone doing with the book? Did you read it? Are you still available next Monday the 31st (5:30pm Pacific / 8:30pm EST) to meet online and chat about it?

I did not end up ordering or reading this selection - however, I have found a few Reader's Guide Questions online and I am more than willing to lead the group discussion as the Book Club's host if that is desired.

I cannot recall who initially suggested the book (was it you Diva?) - traditionally, the person whose selection is chosen either hosts or co-hosts the evening. I will be attending the gathering regardless of my role there (I make a great 'Welcomer' too!) ~ so please, if someone desires to host/co-host ... please indicate this desire in the comment section below.

I'll post more details about next Monday's event later - for now, I'm interested in sussing out where we're all at with this book and how best to approach the gathering as a result.

So ~ did you read the book? Are you available to discuss it next Monday? Looking forward to hearing from you all ...

PS: I have spent the last few weeks reading blog posts of spectacular new PNN members - and I'd like our fabulous new friends to know that this book club is open to everyone ... and you're more than welcome to pop into our book club gathering to get a feel for what it's like - and then decide if it's something you'd like to participate in more actively going forward.

The more perspectives the better - so stay tuned for more details as we organize Monday's event -- and keep the date and time free if you'd like to join us! Click here and join the Sista Hood Book Club if you feel moved to do so - joining doesn't commit you in any way, it just ensures that you will always receive messages and updates about book club selections and gatherings so you're always in the loop.

Let's pick our next book for the Sistah Hood Book Club!

Thank you once again to everyone who participated in last night's book club discussion. It's one of the best I've engaged in and I liked that we could share differences of opinion and feeling in such a rich environment of respect and perspective.

Jenny Appleseed (Laurie) has set up a site page for new book title suggestions for our next gathering.

What shall we read next? Click here and leave your suggestion!

Thanks everyone, book club was awesome!

Stay tuned for the link to the page where we'll weigh in on what to read next. Thanks to all the discussion participants for enriching my experience with this book, I valued the time we shared!

*UPDATE* The following questions have been submitted from members who have read the book to get the conversation going. Give them some thought and let's see how we each respond to them on Monday evening!'

1. Do you feel Piper should have noticed something was 'wrong' in that first ultra-sound, or do you think her friendship with Charlotte affected her professional approach to the ultrasound results?

2. Is it ok to do an unethical thing if your child benefits?

3. What happens to the siblings of medically or health injured children - how are there lives altered forever? (This is a theme with Picoult and can be found especially in My Sister's Keeper and here).

4. Was Marin's POV necessary, and did it add/detract/make little difference to the story?

5. Did you like Charlotte? Do you think she operated from love for her child, or were her motivations more selfish?

6. Which character in the book did you feel the greatest connection to? Who did you like or sympathize with the most?

7. How did you respond to the ending of the book?

Don't forget to reserve space on your calendar for our PNN Sistah Hood Book Club discussion on Jodi Picoult's Handle With Care.

Leigh has confirmed that we can use the online chat forum ~ and the doors will open on Monday June 29th at 5:30pm (Pacific) / 8:30pm (EST).  The chat link will be posted within the hour before the gathering begins.

Writing and I will be there, facilitating as Co-Hosts. 

Writergrrl will serve as the Greeter/Welcomer for the evening, ensuring that everyone is welcomed to the group and invited to join in the discussion regardless of the time they're able to drop in.  (And don't forget, you're welcome to drop in and just hang out if you haven't read the book - maybe you'll find you like what you experience and you'll join in next time!

Writing and I will prepare a few questions in advance to ensure conversational flow ~ and please, if there's something in particular you'd like to discuss after finishing this book, note it below in the comment section so we can ensure it's captured in the discussion.

We've set aside an hour to gather and chat. Here's a proposed Agenda that worked well last month - the parameters are elastic and flexible, and the structure is open for discussion.

Welcome and Hello: We'll spend the first five minutes or so announcing our arrival, introducing ourselves to the group and getting comfortable. Participants will be dropping in at various points during our time together ... and Writergrrl will ensure that all newcomers are noticed and warmly greeted as discussion is taking place.

Time Keeping: With such a long and emotional book to discuss and one hour set aside to do it - we knew we'd benefit from someone serving as time keeper. Comictragedy did an awesome job of this last month and has stepped up to keep us on track again on Monday.

Next Book Selection: Jenny Appleseed has volunteered to use her site page as the location for participants to post suggested book titles for the next book club gathering AFTER our book club discussion has taken place. Jenny Appleseed will post this space for all to contribute sometime next week - and I'll update this post with a link to that page.

Questions/Topics: Writing and I will prepare a few questions/topics for discussions - and please add any you'd like to talk about in the comment section below.

I'm really looking forward to gatheirng with you on Monday June 29th at 5:30pm Pacific / 8:30pm EST.

This book club meeting is open to everyone interested in participating - and everyone interested in stopping by simply to observe. If you're free, please join us whether or not you've read the book!

To ensure you receive updates about ongoing Book Club ventures, please join our Sista Hood Book Club ... participation will always be optional, but at least you'll receive the updates and emails on an ogoing basis!

"Handle With Care" Book Club Gathering - Join Us!!

I have finally finished reading Jodi Picoult's Handle With Care and I'm looking forward to discussing it at this month's book club gathering.

Leigh has confirmed that we can use the online chat forum ~ so hopefully you'll all be joining me on Monday June 29th at 5:30pm (Pacific) / 8:30pm (EST).  The chat link will be posted within the hour before the gathering begins.

At the last book club gathering, we suggested that everyone select a book title for the next discussion - and whoever suggested the selected title, would serve as Hostess. Writing brought forward this month's read ~ and she's graciously accepted me to serve with her as Co-Host ... so between the two of us, we're looking to structure an hour of shared thoughts and opinions about the book's characters, subject matter, and more.

Writing and I will prepare a few questions in advance to ensure conversational flow ~ and please, if there's something in particular you'd like to discuss after finishing this book, note it below in the comment section so we can ensure it's captured in the discussion.

We've set aside an hour to gather and chat. Here's a proposed Agenda that worked well last month - the parameters are elastic and flexible, and the structure is open for discussion.

Welcome and Hello: Perhaps we can spend the first five minutes or so announcing our arrival, introducing ourselves to the group and getting comfortable. Participants will be dropping in at various points during our time together ... and it worked well last month to have someone designated as a Greeter to ensure that new participants to the group were welcomed and recognized as they entered to ensure that everyone felt noticed and comfortable throughout? This way, discussion can continue and no one is ignored or feeling like they're going unnoticed. Writergrrrl did a great job of this last month and now, I invite someone to Volunteer for this role for June 29th.

Time Keeping: With such a long and emotional book to discuss and one hour set aside to do it - we'd benefit from someone serving as time keeper. This can be as simple as ensuring that discussion doesn't go too far off topic with the goal of covering all the questions/discussion topics possible in the time we have together. A friendly, "perhaps we should move on to the next question/topic" will suffice. comictragedy did a super job of this last month andnow, I invite someone to Volunteer for this role for June 29th as well.  (PS: comictragedy had not read the discussion book last month and that allowed her to remain focussed on the time without missing out on sharing in the discussion. If you haven't read the book but would love to be part of the gathering -- this could be an excellent opportunity for you.)

Next Book Selection: Last month, hannahbanana volunteered to use her site page as the location for participants to post suggested book titles for the next book club gathering. Let's leave a few minutes at the end of our gathering to select a "Next Book Hostess" so we can get going on the next book as soon as possible!

Questions/Topics: Writing and I will prepare a few questions/topics for discussions - and please add any you'd like to talk about in the comment section below.

I'm really looking forward to gatheirng with you on (Monday June 29th at 5:30pm Pacific / 8:30pm EST.

This book club meeting is open to everyone interested in participating - and everyone interested in stopping by simply to observe. If you're free, please join us whether or not you've read the book ~ and maybe you can actively participate in the next one!

To ensure you receive updates about ongoing Book Club ventures, please join our Sista Hood Book Club ... participation will always be optional, but at least you'll receive the updates and emails on an ogoing basis!

Connect with us through a beautiful book!

For those who may not already know ~ a PNN group is forming called the Sista Hood Book Club.  Eight community members have joined so far and everyone with an interest in participating in online book discussions is encouraged to join us!

Our first book is Sue Monk Kidd's The Secret Life of Bees.  Our goal is to gather online and discuss this book together at the end of April or early May.

I'm just starting Chapter 5 and I'm struck at how many of our PNN community posts and comments are reflected in this book: everything from the resilience of the human spirit, the kindness of strangers, the dysfunction in families, racism, synchronicity and more.

I'm also loving the beautiful way the author expresses herself. I feel I can actually see the beauty described and that I would know the characters as friends if I were to bump into them on the street.

I'm looking forward to experiencing this book through all of your perspectives too ~ seeing the book through others' eyes and reading the messages and quotes that most touched your hearts ... it will make the entire experience more meaningful.

There's still time to join us if you feel moved to do so. And when this book discussion has taken place ~ we'll select another book so that we may connect together all over again.

Here's a quote from the beginning of Chapter 5 that struck me today: "The first week at August's was a consolation, a pure relief. The world will give you that once in a while, a brief time-out; the boxing bell rings and you go to your corner, where somebody dabs mercy on your beat-up life." (Chapter 5, p. 82) It was comforting for me to read that - because today was a bit of a 'blue funk' day and the thought of someone dabbing mercy on my temporarily beat-up Self was soothing beyond words.

Please join us if you can. Even if you feel best absorbing and not contributing ~ it will be more special if you are there.