Susan Wiggs's Blog, page 12

give your library some love :: free books

We have 3 boxes of books in foreign languages, audio, and large print to donate to your library.

These foreign editions are free to a good home–the public library!

To enter, post the full name and mailing address of your library in the Comments section below. 3 libraries will be selected and we’ll send off the books! Deadline to enter is Monday, 25 February, at midnight. US addresses only (sorry).

Bonne chance, as they say in Paris!

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welcome to my world :: july 19-22

I love where I live. And I love showing it off in the summer when it’s the most beautiful corner of the world. And there’s good news–the fine folks at my publisher have organized a fabulous weekend for us to hang out and experience the best of the northwest.

First, the ferryboat. It’s a 35-minute cruise from downtown Seattle to Bainbridge Island.

No filter needed. It’s a wonderful spot to relax and read a book.

Here’s the street where I live. Kayaking and paddleboarding for the water lovers, hiking and biking for the landlubbers…and lolling on the beach, reading a book for the rest of us.

The Manor House is a 1912 mansion that now houses a lovely restaurant and bar. TRIVIA: I got married here.

The main street is full of delightful surprises, including a world-class yarn shop and an adorable indie bookstore.

[photo: Lollyknitting Around]

(gratuitous shot of my daughter and granddaughter)

One of the brightest jewels in the island’s crown is our first stop on the Bainbridge visit–the Bloedel Reserve. I don’t want to say too much about it. This is one of those things you need to see to appreciate. Trust me, it’s mind-blowing. The perfect place to dream, relax, and recharge. Here’s a sneak peek.

And that’s just the beginning. We’re planning a Seattle welcome reception at the legendary Arctic Club, wine tastings, gourmet lunches, lively conversation…all while enjoying the best weather on the planet. Here’s a full schedule of events.

You’ve heard about Seattle’s rain. But in July, it’s all about the sun. I hope you’ll join me.

#Seattle #summer #islandlife #writinglife

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Let me steal you away.

I never know what I’m going to see when I look out my window. The Kennicott just happened by:

The Kennicott cruise ship in my front yard.

It’s a reminder that I’m lucky to live in such a magical setting. This summer, I get to share that setting with you. My publisher has organized an incredible Seattle Summer Weekend full of events for readers, eaters, knitters, sight-seers, and folks who know that summertime in the Pacific Northwest is quite possibly the best weather on the planet.

Join me for an unforgettable summer weekend.

Another reminder–Come away with me to the deep blue sea. This is a retreat for readers and writers to get away from everything but your books and ideas, and end up in sunny Spain! Registration closes soon–check it out here.

The ultimate escape for readers and writers

 

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Reading Guide Map of the Heart

Map of the Heart

William Morrow

By Susan Wiggs

ISBN: 9780062425485

Introduction

Widowed by an unspeakable tragedy, Camille Palmer has made her peace with the past and settled into the quiet safety of life with her teenage daughter Julie in a sleepy coastal town. Then the arrival of a mysterious package breaks open the door to her family’s secret past. In uncovering a hidden history, Camille has no idea that she’s embarking on an adventure that will utterly transform her.

Camille, Julie, and Camille’s father return to the French town of his youth, sparking unexpected memories — recollections that will lead them back to the dark days of the Second World War. And it is in the stunning Provençal countryside that they will uncover their family’s surprising history.

While Provence offers answers about the past, it also holds the key to Camille’s future. Along the way, she meets a former naval officer who stirs a passion deep within her — a feeling that she thought she’d never experience again.

Questions for Discussion

Map of the Heart moves between two stories, one set in 1940’s France and the other in present-day America. How do the journeys of the characters in these dual narratives complement each other?
What do you think was the root of Julie’s insecurities? Do you think Camille’s approach to helping Julie was right? How would you handle this sort of situation?
Lisette’s narrative portrays occupied France in the last years of World War II. Has reading this novel given you a new perspective of the sacrifices soldiers and civilians made during times of war?
Like Finn in the novel, people really make professions out of finding lost soldiers from the wars. What do you think is the importance of these operations?
Since her husband’s death, Camille’s grief has held her back from enjoying her passions and taking new chances. What do you think was keeping Camille from healing after so many years?
Although both Camille and Finn are coping with sorrows from their pasts, their initial attraction for each other is powerful. What do you think draws Finn and Camille to each other? What do they each need in the other?
Have you ever been the victim of bullying, like Julie and Henry? How would you respond in this situation?
Do you think Henry was right to keep the truth of the Palmer family history from Camille, or should he have been more open with her? What would you have done?
Think about the character of Didier Palomar. He tells Lisette he is trying to save his town from the war, even if it means making sacrifices. Do you think Didier really believed he was doing the right thing?
Henry, Camille, and Julie each have a different connection to France. How has each character’s perspective of the country, and themselves, changed throughout the novel?
Have you ever discovered a mystery about your ancestry? What do you wish you could know about your family’s past?

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a self-made family

One of the best things about being a fiction writer is getting the chance to write the right ending to a story, even one that has tragic beginnings.

Please welcome this new edition of Table For Five—a story inspired by a real-life tragedy. When a single moment changes everything for three children, who is there to pick up the pieces?

Without giving too much away, I can tell you it’s a wild ride for a buttoned-down schoolteacher and a rakish sports pro, and it involves a cross-country journey, a dog (of course), a secret baby…and an ending I hope will celebrate the healing power of love.

A fan favorite returns with bonus content.

The new edition features a sneak peek at my upcoming book, Between You & Me. Enjoy!

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chicken soup for vegans

By popular demand (okay, maybe just demanded by family members), here is the winter penicillin you need to cure all ills, only you leave out the bird. My Ukrainian grandmother made this (with the bird, sorry bird) with her own homemade noodles, and it’s still everyone’s favorite.

(I forgot to take a picture of the soup, so here’s a collection of Pyrex dishes that probably once had soup in them. There is a Pyrex museum in Bremerton, Washington, by the way.)

No-Chicken Noodle Soup

(Amounts are up to you. Just add things until it looks like the soup you want. You can make this without parsnip or cauliflower.)

olive oil
onion
garlic
fresh ginger
celery
carrot
parsnip
tomato (a small one, fresh or canned)
cauliflower
Better-Than-Bouillon No-Chicken broth concentrate
frozen peas
chopped parsley and/or spinach and/or kale and/or green onion (trace amounts)
cooked hot noodles, egg or eggless

Chop the onion and saute in oil. Add the chopped ginger and garlic, and  then the rest of the vegetables, have been chopped or cubed into uniform bits. Add a few cups of water and a few spoonfuls of the broth concentrate. Taste and season with pepper, but not salt–the broth is probably salty enough. Simmer until the vegetables are tender, and at the very last, throw in a handful of frozen peas and the chopped parsley. Serve over hot cooked noodles. Stay warm!

 

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foreign affairs

What’s better than getting your novel published? Getting it published ALL OVER THE WORLD. It is ridiculously thrilling to see my books in translation–the cover art, the title interpretation, sometimes even different character names. Here are some of the latest. Which of these languages can you decipher?

Willow Lake is lovely in any language, if you ask me.

When I get copies of my books in translation, I try to remember to save them to my Pinterest collection. And then I mail them off to libraries that need them for their collections.

If you know of a library in the US that can use foreign language books, send me the mailing address (US only, sorry), the name of the foreign language collection specialist or librarian, and I’ll donate books to them.

#books #libraries

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to whom it may concern

 

This is to inform you that we have gone fully native.

 

meet Nala and Mowgli

Jerry is heretofore known as Mowgli and I am Nala. My face-recognizing computer no longer recognizes me.

We have worn nothing but sand on our feet for weeks. We may or may not have stopped wearing undies. This can neither be confirmed nor denied.

We now subsist on a diet of coconut, passion fruit, mangos and sticky rice.

We’ve made the painful decision to sever all ties with cold, dark, wet winters. Instead, we will tough it out here in what certain ignorant people term a shithole country, sleeping in hammocks, swimming with the fishes, and conversing with the talking birds.

 

Hope that’s okay with you.

Wish you were here. Glad we’re not there.

Love,

Mowgli and Nala

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calling all book clubs

Dear Friends,
If you’ve seen the photos on social media, you already know that in the dead of winter, I’ve found summer.

I’m celebrating the new year in Australia with my family. And by “family,” I mean twenty-seven of us occupying every square inch of house and patio at my sister’s hacienda in gorgeous Glasshouse Mountains in Queensland. We all thought we were gathering for a lovely party to celebrate the engagement of my nephew…but instead, a surprise awaited us. Instead of an engagement, we found ourselves at a surprise wedding! The party turned into the most insanely fun wedding reception you can imagine. We aren’t smooth, we aren’t fashionable, but we know how to party.

My contribution to the event was a spontaneous “signature cocktail” for the bride.
Linda’s Lychee Royale
1 lychee berry, peeled
1 glass of prosecco or champagne
1 splash of frangelico liqueur (optional)
[image error]

And because a picture of a happy bride makes any day better, here’s my new niece, Linda:

[image error]

For me, it was one of life’s constant reminders of the strength and inspiration we draw from family. It also reminded me of my inspiration for FAMILY TREE.

I’m thrilled to announce a special new edition of my novel on January 9. This book-club-friendly edition features a reading group guide and a special, very personal message from me. I hope you enjoy it.

Save the Date! Please check out the events link on my web site for information about my author appearances in 2018. You’ll find me in Bainbridge Island, Denver, Milwaukee, Utah, and on the high seas. If you’re a knitter, a book lover, and an adventurer, do not miss the Seattle-Bainbridge Island getaway next July!

Happy New Year and good reading to all! However you celebrate, and with whomever you celebrate, enjoy every moment of every day.

Cheers,
Susan Wiggs







Susan Wiggs :: www.susanwiggs.com
Join me on Facebook, Twitter, Goodreads, Instagram, or Pinterest.

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no knead no fail no fear bread

In The Winter Lodge, Jenny Majesky runs the town bakery, recreating her Polish grandma’s best recipes. When this book was first published, I learned that lots of people are intimidated by yeast. This recipe will boost your confidence. If you follow the directions and use the right pan, it won’t let you down.

no fail no fear no knead

 

Really the only thing you need is a heavy gauge 3 qt pan with a lid. Mine is a Staub. [Dear Santa….]


No-Knead Bread [aka No Knead No Fail No Fear Bread]




        3 cups flour


2 teaspoons salt


1/2 teaspoon yeast


1 1/2 cups warm water


In a large bowl, whisk together flour, salt and yeast.  Add water and mix until a shaggy dough forms.  Cover bowl with plastic wrap and set aside for 10 – 18 hours.  Overnight works great.


Place the pot in the oven and heat oven to 450 degrees and let it heat for 30 minutes. Meanwhile, pour dough onto a floured surface and shape into a ball.  (At this point, you can add things, like grated cheese, rosemary, chopped olives, or sweet things like a paste made of cinnamon, sugar, butter, raisins, and nuts. Cover with plastic wrap and let set while the pot is heating.  Remove hot pot from the oven and drop in the dough–no need to make it pretty.  Cover and return to oven for 30 minutes.  After 30 minutes remove the lid and bake an additional 10 minutes.  Remove bread from oven, carefully tip out of the pot onto a tea towel and place on a cooling rack to cool.
Note: You’re not likely to have leftovers, but if you do, store it in a loose paper sack or wrapped in a tea towel. If you put it in plastic, it’ll get soggy. Makes wonderful toast. 

In the summer, serve it with your homegrown tomatoes and butter.

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