Dear Readers:

What a month September was for all of us. I think we are all still coming to grips with the events of the 11th—trying to figure out what it means for ourselves, our families, our country. In the waning days of the month, I suddenly realized I'd not picked up a book in two weeks. Unable to concentrate on novels, I found I was watching the news more, reading magazines more, wanting to get as much information as I could about what was going on. Speaking to a friend, she said she'd finally had to impose a "news blackout" for herself, overwhelmed by what she was seeing. Instead, she devoured books like crazy. Not her usual literary choices, but rather mysteries, romances and anything escapist she could lay her hands on. I'm interested....have the last few weeks brought any changes to your reading habits? Are you looking for lighter fare to take your mind off things? Are you reading more non-fiction to educate yourself about current events? Or finally getting to those classics you've been putting off forever, realizing there is no time like the present? Or were you, like myself, temporarily unable to find solace in books? Write to me at Liz@ReadingGroupGuides.com and let me know.

Meanwhile, if you're looking for ways you can help the victims and rescuers in New York, Washington and Pennsylvania, look no further than our home page. On ReadingGroupGuides.com there is a link that enables you to donate to the American Red Cross, and on our parent site, BookReporter.com, we have a link to Helping.org, another organization offering aid to those in need.

In October, we're bringing more books to you than my yard has leaves! Our recommends this month cover a wide range of genres. Your group might consider Jill Ker Conway's Australian memoir, The Road from Coorain. Or you might pick up the C.S. Lewis classic The Screwtape Letters. If mystery is your thing, Raymond Carver's final Philip Marlowe novel, The Long Goodbye, is sure to entertain. And if you like science fiction, you'll be sure to love Octavia Butler's Parable of the Sower. And there's also Oprah's new pick, The Corrections by Jonathan Franzen, which is already drawing raves as the great American novel!

Our Roundtable discussion this month asks how your group deals with that one member who never has anything positive to say. What do you say to someone who is always critical of your book choices and spends your meetings picking them apart? Last month we asked you how your group kept itself from falling into a reading rut. Find out how you can keep your selections interesting and varied. In Advice and Ideas, find out how one group raided a local bookstore! We also offer other suggestions for keeping your meetings lively.

October's interview is with The Book Bimbos, a group of married couples who have learned that they can't always predict how each member will react to a certain group. They've learned that bonding over books is one of life's best experiences. And October's recipe is for Pumpkin Bread, sent to us by Jennifer DiSoto of Tacoma, Washington.

Remember that your subscription to this newsletter is your entry into our monthly contest. In October, one lucky reader will win enough copies of THE SHEEP QUEEN by Thomas Savage for his or her entire group!

We've learned that no one can predict what each day will bring to our lives. Take this opportunity to step out of your usual reading habits and try something new. Use our Roundtable suggestions to read a different type of book, listen to a different voice, try a different genre.

We always want to hear from you, our readers. Write to me at Liz@ReadingGroupGuides.com and be sure to let us know what you're reading! And have a good month, all.

Liz Keuffer
Editor
ReadingGroupGuides.com
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