The National Weather Service blurted out: “Get ready for a hurricane, Jacksonville, a Category 5 storm named Dorian, is creeping up the coast.” It was September 2, 2019, and any day now I was awaiting the delivery of 16 cartons of books, my memoir.
The skies looked ominous, by turns sunny and scary. Like the storm, a fearful haiku formed in my mind.
Sky hysterical
Laughing and crying by turns
Keeping our guard up!
Hour by hour, we heard weather broadcasts from WJXT, our local station. Tuesday brought more dire reports of the impending storm.
We waited for the onslaught of Dorian. Squalls came, wind gusts and then sheets of rain pelted our north and east-facing windows. Intermittently, moments of silence punctuated the howling gales.
Then, on September 4, UPS sent me a message, “I have a delivery for Marian Beaman, then enunciating our address. We want to make sure you are home.” Home!
Home? Where else would I be in this weather. Though the storm had been downgraded from a Category 5 to a 2, the weather was still treacherous.
And so, on Wednesday afternoon, a rain-slicked/wind-dried brown truck pulled up to our address. Waiting and watching at my desk facing the street, I dashed to the door, imagining wet boxes. Or at least a drenched driver. But no, he opened the back hatch and began to unload. By the time he got to the hallway where I’ve rolled out a tarp on the floor in case the boxes got wet, he paused. I expected him to say, “Well, that was easier than I thought.”
Instead, I noticed he was trembling, “I had to hang onto the steering wheel to stay in my lane on the bridge. The wind gusts were terrible! I even had to keep the van door partly open to stay upright!” I offered him spring water—pure water contained in a bottle, refreshing—the least I could do.
***
That was the first week of September, two years ago. Thanks to the UPS delivery, it was great to have print books to sell at my book launch and at book signings on my tour. Along the way, I have noticed some book-sellers acquire books directly from the publisher, so no need for stocking extra books.
These days I carry a few books in a box on my back seat, so that I have one available, like for the woman in the doctor’s office waiting room who likes Christian fiction but bought my memoir, “I like true stories too,” she smiled.
Since then, I have noticed a shift. Many readers still like a book to hold in their hands, but e-books are gaining ground. They are often much less expensive and even more portable than paperbacks if one has a Kindle. I wonder which you prefer.
The sun smiled on the afternoon of September 14, Launch Day, though Hurricane Humberto had hummed by in the morning. At this moment, we have no imminent storm threat though that could change in the coming days.
Do pray for the people of Louisiana and other states who have been affected by Hurricane Ida. Find a church or charity that has organized relief efforts.
Tell us about your experience with scary weather: a hurricane, a tornado, or another storm.
Do you prefer paperbacks or e-books?
* * *
Much prefer holding a book in my hands! Ban ebooks!
Good morning, Jack. I too prefer paper pages, but some of my readers like e-books, so I try to oblige. You are an early bird. Thanks for checking in today.
Good morning, Marian! I have a bunch of books on my Kindle (and computer!), but I prefer reading physical books. I’m happy that our libraries have opened again.
We’ve had some severe weather here in NJ. Not fun. We’re getting heavy rain today–the spin off from Ida, and may also have tornados. Even the possibility makes me anxious.
Duval County libraries have been open for a while. Card holders who don’t want to enter the library were able to get books delivered curbside, just like food in restaurants. Like you, I enjoy books with paper pages.
I hope too you don’t have to contend with tornadoes. Right now we are having a stormy morning, but at the moment, not from a hurricane. Thank you, Merril. 🙂
‘Morning, Marian. What a delivery you had! I’ve never purchased an ebook. I doubt I ever will unless someone gets a Kindle or something for me, which I don’t really want. I do most of my reading in bed.
We are getting rain from Ida right now, supposed to be 4-6 inches today in our county. I no longer have to water our garden … something to be thankful for. Three hours away, someone snatched a photo of 3-4 scary tornado funnels in Blacksburg, Va. No wind here at least and after 2 weeks of 90 degree + weather, I don’t mind the dreary cloudy rainy day.
There is nothing like God’s sprinkler system. Rain water penetrates better than water from hoses. I hope Virginia escapes hurricane or tornado damage.
I don’t have a Kindle “reader” either, Melodie, but I do have the app on my laptop. I belong to a book club whose writers sell cheap e-books, which I’ve downloaded. Yet I think I’ll always prefer books I can hold. 😀
Isn’t it wonderful we have choices. I prefer a hardcover nonfiction book because I may read the Acknowledgments first or About the Author during the reading of the body. I’ll look back at pictures or drawings. Who knows? An eBook doesn’t lend itself to so much back and forth as I like to do. A book becomes part of me. I appreciated your blog this morning as we keep hurricane paths in the news. Continuing prayers for Haiti, LA and MS. Thank you
Good morning, Jane! Thanks for speaking your mind about your preference and the ability to flip pages easily. I guess we’re both “old school.” I like your expression: “A book becomes part of me.” Me too!
Yes, we will pray for the several states that are experiencing damage recently. And, Haiti too.
Thanks for stopping by today. 😀
Marian, what a story! (And what a trooper that UPS guy was.) How delightful to see your book under the painting of the praying little girl.
I prefer print books. I find that I retain more when I turn actual pages.
As for scary weather, one night around 10:30 I heard what sounded like a freight train. I didn’t live near train tracks so that sound could only mean one thing. Within moments. it felt like a heavy wind slammed into my apartment building. Turned out to be a microburst that tore off part of the roof, the roof of another building, most of the trees, and demolished a church in its path.
You accurately described a microburst, which we have experienced several times. It sounds just like a freight train, which means it has tremendous power. Even though there was damage, I hope no one was injured in the storm you experienced.
You are so observant about detail, L. Marie. About the praying girl: This is Cliff’s drawing of our daughter as a wee lass. Her hands were in a prayer pose, but I think she was actually holding the puff-ball of a dandelion. Now a grown woman, she loves everything to do with gardening. Thanks for sharing your thoughts! 🙂
Marian, we are getting the leftovers of Ida as I write these words. As for your two questions: (1) I much prefer books I can hold. (And I like dark type in at least 12 points.) I have a Kindle and lots of books I haven’t read on the Kindle. Same with Audible books. But then, I have quite a few I haven’t read on the shelf and beside my bed, too. 🙂 (2) I have been watching the news about Louisiana and Ida with special concern. Stuart made three week-long trips to help with recovery after Katrina, and I made two. I can’t imagine the trauma, both physical and mental, of repeated beatings from hurricanes.
A life-long book lover, you have a specific comfort zone for reading. I’m glad that even with a serious eye condition I can see read 12-point font size, sometimes even lower. Thank God! The man of the house prefers audio books.
I applaud your offer of aid to those who suffered from Katrina. I wonder if you and Stuart served through the Mennonite Disaster Service. Sixteen years ago I was still teaching at the college, and Cliff was booking shows in Louisiana and Mississippi, which abruptly came to a halt.
These days we can’t serve with muscle power, but we can give in other ways. 😀
We served with MDS in the Ninth Ward of New Orleans together and in Slidell with another group. Stuart went down to do clean up with MDS another time. Yes, we are getting beyond the age of physical service, although we have friends who are still active.
🤗
Marian — I love the clutter-free, easy-peasy minimalism of having hundreds of books on my Kindle. Added bonus—as my eyes get tired in the evening, I like the ability to up-size the font.
When I receive a physical book, I donate it to one of the two Little Free Libraries I live near AFTER I finish reading it.
Thanks for showing yet another benefit of minimalist living: up-sizing the font on your Kindle reader.
I admire too how resourceful you are with print books, donating them to those Little Free Libraries I’ve seen on my social media pages. Happy all ’round, Laurie! 🙂
Quite an interesting ‘storm’ story, we have many in Florida and so grateful that Ida passed us by, at least on the East coast. I do like to hold a book in my hand, but have found our local library provides a free ‘LIBBY’ app to borrow books that I can read on my ipad. This is convenient way to read especially if we have inclement weather that keeps us inside. Also more apt to find older books available with a few key strokes. Preference is a literal book, and I have yours Marian.
You have known about my writing life up close and personal since I began blogging. What a supportive friend you are! I’m fortunate that you have on your shelf–and do promote–my literal book.
Our library gets an A+ from me. I’ve not used the “LIBBY” app, but Cliff borrows audio books via Overdrive, an app from the library he uses almost exclusively. 😀
I love that I’m able to hid my book hoarding tendencies inside the cover of my Kindle. That said, all of my craft books are physical books. Funny you posted about your delivery as I’m expecting my shipment today. 🙂
Readers make the BEST writers, and you are one of those. I’m sure that you have found words or ideas that fit perfectly with your manuscript while you’re reading something else.
I hope for a smooth delivery of your next book baby: A Dream of Family. Readers, here is a link to the latest arrive in Jill’s book family: https://www.amazon.com/s?k=A+Dream+of+Family&i=stripbooks&ref=nb_sb_noss_2
Thanks for the mention, Marian! Those books arrived last April. This is my December release. 😉Time is going so fast.
Oh, my gosh, Jill, I can’t keep up with you! :-/
How wonderful that your books arrived on time.Nothing worse than a book launch or presentaion and no books! I read both print books and ebooks. I no longer have room for many print books since we downsized. Also ebooks are better for travel. Both are here to stay. I notice children prefer a print book.
Darlene, thanks for pointing out that you enjoy books both ways: print and e-book. I agree, despite our preferences, both mediums are here to stay.
You are an authority on children’s and YA books. I wonder if children feel closer to the story with pages they can physically turn. Hmmmm. . . .
Hi Marian. What a harrowing story. That poor delivery man. He deserved a tip.
Right.this minute I am waiting for Amazon to ship a load of books for an order I got online. They want autographed copies for family members whose related to one of the characters in my book. How about that? And I have some marketing materials coming as well to ship with the order. So I am on pins and needles trying to fill an unexpected and surprising order.
So I know how you must have felt that day. I love your story. Thank you for sharing it.
Shirley, I was SO amped up about the storm and the delivery, I believe I forgot to tip. :-/
I have seen whisperings about you surprise order of autographed books on Facebook and perhaps elsewhere. I’m so happy for you. Surprises like these are even more wonderful when a book has been “out” a while. Blessings on all this!
My book definitely has legs. It just keeps on ticking. Lol!
Praise the Lord!
My scariest experience with a hurricane was in the mid-80s. (I don’t remember which one it was.) I was living in Urbanna, Virginia at the marina. When the water came up to the level of the road, my daughter got really scared and insisted that we go to the shelter, which we did.
I read ebooks on a Kindle, but I do prefer physical books. I, too, like being able to flip back and forth easily, particuarly when I’m writing a review.
Your daughter was very wise. Sometimes we overlook wisdom of the younger generation, but you didn’t. You saved your car for sure, maybe even your lives.
Blessings on readers who flip back and forth to review a book, always helpful–and so appreciated, Liz. 🙂
I just hated seeing her so scared.
You have a mother’s heart, for sure!
🙂
So glad you received your books without damage, and even more so, that the driver wasn’t injured. I recently read a book about Hurricane Katrina (nonfiction) that helped me understand the extent of the disaster. It’s called “Zeitoun” and is written by Dave Eggers. When I read anything longer than a page I like to hold it and read it, be it the newspaper or a book! I tried reading from Kindle, but didn’t like it. Something goes on between me and the book that I can’t get electronically! Is it my age?
Hello, Elfrieda, I don’t know if it’s our age, but it certainly is what we are used to. I also prefer pages that I can physically turn, and I don’t apologize for it.
You probably know that New Orleans has been hit again with Ida, 16 years after Katrina, almost to the day. Stories like this make me want to reach out and help. Thank you for your thoughts here and for recommending another title and author. 🙂
Oh my, you book certainly arrived with a bang, or should I say howl. We don’t get weather like that here: no hurricanes or tornadoes. We get the old heavy thunderstorm but flooding is rare as Johannesburg is at a high altitude. I read a lot of ebooks because getting books delivered to South Africa is difficult. Amazon will only courier her as our postal service is corrupt and the packages get stolen. I do get some paperbacks but it also takes ages and I’m always in a rush. Have a happy afternoon, Marian.
Thank you for explaining the situation in Johannesburg. It seems that ebooks are essential where you live. Your “always in a rush” has produced a LOT of books, Robbie. WOW!
And thanks for the good wishes for the day. I believe it may be Thursday in South Africa when you read this. 😀
I remember when you went through all this as if it was yesterday. Can’t believe it was TWO years ago! And now more hurricanes wrecking havoc. I like to keep about 10 softbacks of each of my books in my office closet, “just in case” I’m called to speak at a book club or… who knows? I’ll admit (shamefaced) that I have not taken up your idea of keeping a few copies of my books in the back seat of my car. I love how you do that.
Personally, I prefer softback or hardback (I can’t imagine reading your book as an e-reader, and I really like my Flashes of Life as a soft back. But, that said, I’m reading more books on my Kindle because of my eyes – by the time I can read it’s night and I need the larger font and lighted background. ;-(
Pam thanks for the compliment about keeping books in my car, but you have a great titles in your office closet, a very good thing.
The advantage of reading my book on an e-reader is that it is in COLOR whereas the print book is just black and white. Here’s to larger font sizes and a lighted background. A friend today recommended blue light glasses also, I guess to cut down glare. Reading at night may also lull you to sleep – ha!
It’s not a bad idea to have some books in the back of your vehicle. There were a few times when people have told me, “I’ve been meaning to get your book,” Now, I realize they may just be saying that, but what are they supposed to say when I tell them, “You’re in luck I have some extra copies in my car.” 🤣
Wow! That’s a lot of books. Keep dodging those hurricanes.
Pete, I think your story illustrates “Gotcha!” in a good way. The speaker may not have been intending to buy your book that day, but your invitation seals the deal for both of you. Ha!
I suspect there are no regrets for either author or reader in this case.
Hi Marian – that’s a great story and so well-documented! I’m glad your books stayed dry. We are now getting torrential rain and our area was under a tornado warning for a bit. I was at the library and we closed early, and my coworkers and I drove home in heavy rain and flooded roads. I have several boxes of my father’s books. I should put a box in my car – great idea! Hope you are doing well. 🙂
You have been one of my favorite bloggers, now when I see your photo here I can picture you in a setting, Chester County. Who knew?
Thanks for the good wishes. I hope you and your family are doing well too. 🙂
A timely story to read as the remnants of Hurricane Ida makes its way to us in Canada.
I prefer a paper book, but I read some books in the e-version on my phone. When I’m waiting in line anywhere, I can always pull out my phone and read a few pages. I have also started to listen to audio books during the latter part of my daily walks. I walk so much farther when I’m caught up in a story!
I hope the remnants of Ida means that the storm is blowing itself out and not damaging anything in your area.
You make such good use of your time, waiting with a book in hand. Or walking farther because you’ve gotten caught up in a story. Great ideas, Arlene! 🙂
I remember storm Dorian and your book launch 2 years ago. Luckily, I have never experienced the angry force of a hurricane, but we did have a tornado here about 20 years ago and people still talk about the destruction of other storms we had here in 1987 and 1990.
As for e-readers, I still prefer paper books, but recognise the convenience of digital format and it is what I use most of the time.
You have a wonderful memory. So much has happened in between.
I’m glad you have not had to experience major storms since then.
It gets expensive to buy paper books, and because I’m in a very active book club, I download my share of digital books. Otherwise, I rely on our city’s well-stocked library.
It’s good to hear from you again, Fatima. 🙂
Oh my goodness ! I can not imagine what it’s like to have extreme weather like you have Marian , it must be terrifying. But believe me , we live on the west of Wales , a hop , skip and a jump from the ocean ,and when we have bad weather, it’s like the almighty is picking up our house and swinging it around his head just for fun. We don’t have hairdressers here just wooly hat shops. ( just joking of course ) .
To answer your other question …Are you quite mad ? What could be better than the smell of a new book .it makes my fingers tingle just thinking of it …what ? Nothing can replace that my friend .
Cherryx
Cherry, I don’t know of anyone (ANYONE!) who is better at description than you are: “like the almighty is picking up our house and swinging it around his head just for fun.” I can just see it!
The publishing people expect authors to provide both formats: print books and digital ones. That doesn’t mean I don’t have a preference: I’m with you on the joy of turning “real” pages.
P. S. I hope you’ve had a chance to rest up after your son’s wedding shindig! Sending hugs ((( )))
Wow, Marian. That was a launch with a capital L. The UPS driver was heroic. Nothing so exciting happened when Leaning into Love was delivered but we had a great launch party in 2014. I live in an area where we used to complain about low clouds and too much rain, but we now celebrate no hurricanes and no forest fires. The weather is erratic, but not catastrophic. The horrible hurricane damage new New York City was only a light morning’s rain here. Whew. We had scary weather when I was a child in Missouri and the enduring family story is of my grandpa’s little sister (my great aunt) Eliza begin killed in a tornado when it hit her school. My great grandmother and my grandpa who was 16 at the time never forgot Eliza for a second.
I like real books I can hold in my hand, underline with pencil and write notes in the margin. I do enough screen time, so don’t wish to read my books on a screen. So that means a house filled with books, but so many (like yours) are beautiful.
I’ll start with thanking you for the compliment, which sparked my recalling a quote by William Dean Howells: “Oh, nothing furnishes a room like books.” While I believe this is true, at this stage I’m prone to hand off books I’ve read to other readers.
Thank you for your weather stories from New York and Missouri. I’m glad your home place experienced only light morning rain, the vestiges of Ida, I assume. The story of Eliza is poignant and heart-wrenching for your relatives. It would have been covered via newspaper and radio news. Nowadays we’d have instant and graphic details, which can wear on one’s spirit.
I searched your blog for Launch Day in 2014 and found this: https://elainemansfield.com/2014/book-launch-engagement-pyramid/
You look positively jubilant! I was surprised that I commented there, which seems so long ago: We have known each other a very long time! ((( )))
Oddly, I remember you posting then hoping your books would make it on time for the presentation. It’s always good when we can look back on panic and smile in the now. <3
We have experience with hurricanes – as you know (but I only mentioned one of them in my book) – but the most unexpected one was… Dorian!
Mark and I were parked in Zesty on Prince Edward Island, Canada, of all places, to shelter and brace ourselves for a hurricane!! After years of preparing for them on our sailboat, the last thing we expected was to deal with storms on land, in a campervan… in Canada!
I prefer eBook for storage reasons (we don’t have storage), cost, and ease, but my eyes handle real books better. If I had a choice, with all things equal, I’d prefer to read paperbacks. For the feel and knowing where I am in the book at any time and I can read it outside (no glare).
I can’t believe you filmed the delivery of Mennonite Daughter to your door. That is so great and wonderful for the archives!!
Should I associate Dorian with your being on Prince Edward Island? Even though your geographical coordinates are on your website, I have troubling remembering your peregrinations. (Had to slip that fancy word in!) I agree: Most hurricanes blow themselves out by the time they would reach Canada, so of course it was unexpected.
It makes sense that you have books on your Kindle app, but like you, I prefer a paperback. About the delivery of my books: I was on high alert that day because of the storm and the anticipated book delivery. I guess my IPhone was in my hand and easy to access when the brown van pulled up, probably a spur of the moment decision. Thanks, Liesbet! 🙂
I live about 3 hours south of Jacksonville and I remember being terrified of a Cat 5 storm, but Dorian made some weird shift, and didn’t hit us, but then it moved west again and hit you. I do remember Matthew, however, as it was my “first” hurricane. It was a Cat 4 and we woke to rain hitting our metal hurricane shutters; it was deafening. Plus, I thought our garage door was just going to blow off its hinges it was rattling so intensely.
Your driver was a champ. I hate driving on bridges in good weather and he had to leave the van door partly open to stay upright??? Wow. So glad your books didn’t get wet or were delayed for your book launch. 🙂 I still prefer paperbacks, but did just learn about the Libby app 8 months ago, and can’t argue with how easy it is to pick a new book and start reading.
Since we’ve met I have gotten to know a lot about you, but I don’t think I knew you live so close to Jacksonville, Wow! Hurricanes were scarce in Illinois back in the day, I’m sure.
Our two worst storms in recent history have been Irma and Matthew. Dorian did minimal damage. I am sending support to the survivors of Ida–what devastation!
My husband uses Overdrive all the time because he likes audio books. I believe the Libby app is connected to that somehow.
As always, thanks for checking in; it’s always good to hear from you, Melanie!
Yes, I’ve been watching coverage on the losses in Louisiana and New Jersey. With the flooding and power issues, it’s been overwhelming for them. My husband uses Overdrive for audio books too! And I just learned about your career in Jacksonville, so that was new news. 🙂 Thanks, Marian.
😀