Peek Inside: “Surviving Sue” – Book Clubs!

I have some fun “Peek Inside” news to share! Surviving Sue” has been picked up by a couple of book clubs – and I’m thrilled.  I’m continuing to receive wonderful feedback from readers. Sometimes in the form of lovely praise, sometimes follow-up questions about aspects of the book and nuances about the many characters in the story of my mom’s life. I’m grateful to each of you who might be reading this right now. Thank you for your continued interest. It means so much.

Last week I received feedback that made me deliriously happy

“Your book is uplifting and enchanting and yet honest.  I loved the humor and your writing style.  What’s next?”

Hmmm…what’s next? I have an answer!  Maybe a few answers (stay tuned for next week’s installment of “Peek Inside”) but today I’m sharing a new resource – useful for those who might be in an organized book club or those who are reading individually. For a downloadable copy, visit my consulting website: Book Club Resources (atkinsongroupsolutions.com)

These themes in “Surviving Sue” help to foster conversations and sharing about the challenges we all face.  Sue’s story?  Just one example of the complexities in families.  My story is about finding my way through, and sweet readers – just like you – make the experience rewarding. Again and again.

Vicki ❤

Thank you so much for reading.  I appreciate your interest and feedback about “Surviving Sue” and I’m so pleased to have great reviews on Amazon and Goodreads…and I welcome more.  If you’ve enjoyed the book and my story, please pass along your positivity to a fellow reader.



55 responses to “Peek Inside: “Surviving Sue” – Book Clubs!”

  1. How exciting to know that others are reading and meeting to discuss your book. Your guide is spot on, for what many of us need to consider.

    Liked by 2 people

    1. VJ, VJ, VJ — thank you so much. I love being a warrior with you. xoxoxo! 💕💕💕

      Liked by 1 person

  2. Congratulations on the book club adoptions, Vicki. The approachability of your writing and a subject that resonates doubtfully makes the book attractive. More such adoptions to come, I am sure!

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Many, many thanks to you for that lovely comment, Dr. Stein. My hope is in the healing power of the story and my ability to communicate the potential. So grateful for your support. 😊😊😊

      Liked by 1 person

  3. Oooh, I’ll need to recommend this for my book club! Why didn’t I think of that?? It really is a great book for discussions. 😊

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Thank you, Erin! That would be fabulous. Let me know if I can provide any resources that would be helpful! xoxoxo! 🥰

      Liked by 1 person

  4. Congrats on the book club interest! That’s really wonderful Vicki. I love that you’ve also taken the time to put together topics for discussion. I think there are a myriad of ways a club could go with SS but this book is also one that, in a larger group, will benefit with some “insider” guidance. Yay for you and your thoughtful offer to steer discussions toward meaningful topics 🙂

    Liked by 2 people

    1. I love how smart you are, Deb. What you just described is exactly what’s playing out…some groups are looking for more of a guided experience – just as you said – with a Zoom presence or in-person with me, where possible – and some are more unstructured. I love your observation about the flexibility and potential given the array of content in the book. Thank you so much for seeing that and sharing. Big hugs! 🥰

      Liked by 1 person

  5. Congratulations Vicki on your well deserved good feedback. I’m catching up after our holiday and I see lots of useful tips from you 🙏🏼💕

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thank you so much, Margaret. I appreciate your kindness and comment so, so much. Hugs and big smiles! 🥰

      Liked by 1 person

  6. Book clubs are the best! You and your book are just perfect for them!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Aren’t you the best?! Thank you, Joy. I’ve loved learning from you and picking up tips and ideas. Grateful to have met you here in blogging land. 🥰

      Liked by 1 person

  7. It is a great book for a book club. I may suggest it to the book club I dropped out of. They had so much drama, your book may be like a mirror to them. 😅

    Liked by 4 people

    1. You’re making me smile, Elizabeth! Like a mirror…I’ve heard that. So funny that you would mention it. Grateful to you for your friendship, humor and support. xoxo! 🥰

      Liked by 1 person

      1. When I told my daughter about my final book club meeting and 70 and 80 year old women throwing f bombs at each other, she named them the “Real Housewives of book clubs.”

        Liked by 4 people

        1. Oh….oh…oh…that conveys SO much, doesn’t it? I’m laughing…all alone at my desk right now. Thank you for the giggle and I’d say, once again, both you and your daughter are my kind of people. Funny and right on-point. xo! 🤣

          Liked by 2 people

          1. I’m glad I gave you a smile today! I couldn’t face that book club again.

            Liked by 2 people

            1. I hear you. I think I’d be running for the hills, too! 😉

              Liked by 2 people

  8. You have some interesting book club questions: inner work for wellness, elder care, etc. I think the one that really jumped out was rethinking parents as people. I know I better understood my dad when I understood that he was just crazy. Oh, I’m kidding, but there is a nugget of truth there. When I understood that he wasn’t some all-knowing being, but simply one man with hopes and fears of his own, I started to understand him better. I understood where his anxiety came from and his actions made much more sense. These are great topics Vicki and I’m sure will help a lot of people. Really smart marketing too. So excited for you. 🙂🙂🙂🙂

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Thank you for ALL of that, Brian! I think you and I really connected about that ‘parents as people’ concept. Not dismissing but trying to understand your dad…my mom… in their context, their milieu (and do not ask me where the word “milieu” came from…LOL, but it fits). And gosh, thanks a million for the nod about the marketing. Coming from you, my super-talented marketing/communications friend, that means a lot! Maybe your skills are rubbing off on me. xo! 🥰

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Hope the book is doing well. Cool to see the interest.

        Liked by 1 person

  9. Thats great news about the book clubs. I hope it generates more interest in your book

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thanks, Brenda! 🥰

      Liked by 1 person

  10. Hi Vicki! I just ordered my own Surviving Sue.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Oh wowza…thank you so much, Crystal. That means so much. I will eagerly await feedback and input from you. 🥰🥰🥰

      Liked by 1 person

  11. Congrats, Vicki! Bookclubs are a wonderful way to have meaningful conversations about your book ❤

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thank you so much….I love learning from you and your experiences! 😉❤️😉

      Liked by 1 person

  12. Congrats! Book clubs are a lot of fun and from a marketing perspective, great promotion for the book. Very smart to create handy book club resources too!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thank you so much, Ab! Grateful for your supportive comment! I’m learning a lot! 🥰

      Liked by 1 person

  13. I don’t have a book club, but I have the book, and like having these themes to consider as I read. Every one of the themes on this list apply to my current season!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Oh my goodness. I am honored to hear that you’re reading, David. Thank you so very much. Please let me know what you think as you read. I value input and feedback! Grateful. ❤️

      Liked by 1 person

  14. Love these themes – what a great resource you’ve created for those book clubs. And “My story is about finding my way through, and sweet readers – just like you – make the experience rewarding.” You have done such a great way of finding your way through and inspiring everyone else to do the same. Beautiful!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Oh, Wynne…many thanks to you, my soul sister. Appreciate you for your endless support and positivity. Xo! 🥰❤️🥰

      Liked by 1 person

  15. petespringerauthor Avatar
    petespringerauthor

    I think your book would be perfect for a book club, Vicki. The family dynamics would provide thought-provoking discussions. Multi-dimensional characters like Sue make for interesting analysis. I appreciated your full picture because you covered her strengths and flaws, the way we all are as imperfect humans.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thank you for that observation, Pete — about the family dynamics and Sue as a example of a multidimensional character. Challenging but not unique. Hope you are doing well. Appreciate your thoughtful comment and on-going support! 🥰

      Liked by 1 person

  16. I have dreamed of publishing a book but Vicki, it’s never OCCURRED to me to dream of a book I have published being picked up by a number of book clubs!!! I am so happy for you! 🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂💕🙏

    Liked by 1 person

    1. I believe in you, Patti! If I can, you can. 😉 Thank you for your enthusiasm and love. Your feedback has been marvelous. Xo!❤️

      Liked by 1 person

      1. It was so easy to be enthusiastic about Surviving Sue, Vicki… You have every right to be incredibly proud… You took a difficult journey and turned it into a cathartic and incredibly helpful playbook for others who have gone through the trials and tribulations of an unwell parent…🙏🙏🙏💕

        Liked by 1 person

        1. Oh my goodness. Ummmm….may I quote you? 🥰
          That is the most wonderful comment and compliment,Patti. It summarizes succinctly what I’m hoping to do. Big hugs! 🥰

          Liked by 1 person

          1. Vicki, I would be honoured…🙂💕🙏

            Liked by 1 person

            1. Thank you so much, Patti. xo! 🥰 Your words perfectly capture my intent and hope. You’re quite amazing!

              Liked by 1 person

  17. Wow, Victoria congratulations on making the Book Club lists!💖

    Like

    1. Oh….thank you, Mary. It’s only two — but it’s a start!
      xo! 🥰

      Like

      1. But I know it will multiply quickly!

        Liked by 1 person

        1. Oh…what a wonderful thought! 🥰

          Like

  18. This is great news. How fun. I don’t know that I’ve known any other author whose book was picked for a bookclub. You keep on amazing me!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. You are so sweet. I think I might be exhausting people by continuing to talk about Sue (LOL…I hope not) but it’s fun how the interest has grown. Thank you for your support, Ally. Means a lot! 🥰

      Liked by 1 person

Leave a reply to WritingfromtheheartwithBrian Cancel reply

“Surviving Sue”, a special story about resiliency and love: Eckhartz Press (paperback) and eBook on Amazon.

Peek Inside “Surviving Sue

Visit Resources on Atkinson Group Solutions for more.

Podcasts

Listen to the “Sharing the Heart of the Matter” podcast.

You can find our podcast on Apple, Amazon, Spotify and Pocket Casts.  Please subscribe!

Workshops

Chicago Writers Association Speakers BureauWriting for Wellness; Navigating Elder Care with Grace & Humor; How to Create a Writing Platform; AI for Caregivers

About Me

Learn about five books that inspired and supported my writing journey by visiting my personalized book review page on Shepherd.

BLOG ARCHIVES

PLEASE SUBSCRIBE!