When Kathy Patrick was downsized from her job as a book representative,one of her sisters gave her a great idea about what to do next,sort of a Reese's peanut butter cup solution.
She took two great passions in her life,hair styling and reading,and made them work great together in the form of Beauty and the Book,possibly the only bookstore/beauty parlor in the world. From there,she launched a major reading group revolution that has challenged and changed the lives of many fellow literary lovers.
The Pulpwood Queens first began their reign in Jefferson,Texas and has branched out all over the U.S.,with several international chapters as well. They're not your mother's prim and proper book club,that's for sure. The mandatory dress code of the Pulpwood Queens is a tiara and leopard print and(as the official motto says)"reading good books is the rule!". The PWQ's mission statement is to promote the joys of literacy while having some fun and friendship along the way. Kathy Patrick details the whole Pulpwood Queens' saga in her about to be released book,The Pulpwood Queens' Tiara Wearing,Book Sharing Guide to Life,and a whole lot more.
The book is a grand,glorious cornucopia of memoir,testimonials from fellow Pulpwood Queens(and a few from their paternal order,The Timber Guys),recommended reading lists,recipes and heartfelt advice.
Kathy is open and honest about the ups and downs of her life,sharing with folks the life lessons she's learned without sounding preachy,plus her still strong sense of wonder and inspiration from people in her life like Fred McKenzie,a local historian and rare books dealer who is still seeking adventure,even at the youthful age of eighty-eight.
The success of the Pulpwood Queens' movement is truly impressive. They've been featured on Good Morning America,launching their Read This! book club with Ann Packer's The Dive From Clausen's Pier and have been covered in major magazines like Time and Newsweek and newspapers such as the L.A. Times and the Wall Street Journal. Even Oprah has had to showcase these ladies of the royal reading court:
Reading this book is like sitting down with an old friend and a good cup of coffee for a few hours of lively conversation. The Pulpwood Queens' GTL is due out in early January of 2008 and now would be a good time to place your order for a copy,or plan to use one of those gift certificates given to you this holiday season towards getting a few extras for your own book club.
Kathy gives plenty of helpful hints and suggestions about what does and doesn't make for a good reading discussion,which should be essential to a longtime group or one that's just getting started.
So,if you're ever down around the town of Jefferson,stop into Beauty and the Book for a touch-up and some good books. Sounds like a lovely little bitty country place,nothing too high tone. Just lots of good will and maybe one small thrill,as Miss Mona would say:
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