I am pleased to announce that my home town local newspaper, the “Sayreville Progressive” has published an article announcing the availability of “Wise Words & Witty Expressions” in their November 20, 2009 edition. Below please find the article in its entirety including a five star review posted on Amazon.

Borough native’s new book captures life’s profound, funny and sarcastic expressions

The newly-published book “Wise Words & Witty Expressions” shares a collection of expressions that first-time author and Sayreville native Reneé Gatz heard repeatedly throughout her formative years from her parents. Gatz’s parents used the expressions captured in her book to help teach Gatz and her two younger sisters how to keep life in perspective, remind them what was really important, and to laugh at foolishness so as not to take life too seriously. While growing up, Gatz, a Sayreville War Memorial High School graduate, did not appreciate the power of the expressions her parents spoke, but as she grew older, she was amazed at how these expressions would come back to her to provide clarity, understanding or a laugh at just the right moment. She has compiled those expressions in her first book, “Wise Words & Witty Expressions,” and hopes that readers find the same wisdom, insight, humor and sheer enjoyment in these words that Gatz has grown to appreciate.

“When you are young and your parents trot out some lame expression designed to teach you a life lesson, such as ‘If you don’t have anything nice to say then don’t say anything at all,’ or ‘You can do anything you put your mind to,’ you likely roll your eyes and chalk up their ‘lameness’ to the fact that they are old and out of touch,” said Gatz. “When you grow up and experience a little bit of life, you suddenly realize that maybe those expressions really do have meaning and are helpful to remember when navigating life’s big and little ups and downs.” Gatz was motivated to share these expressions based on the positive responses she would receive when she would mention one in conversation, the surprise that an expression she had heard her entire life was new to someone, and her natural desire to communicate those thoughts with others.

Many of the expressions she learned growing up were passed on to her through her mother who learned them from her mother. Gatz’s grandmother was a woman of strength and good humor who immigrated alone at the age of 18 to the United States from Ireland in the steerage section of a ship that landed in Ellis Island. Gatz’s late father was a man of few words who relied more on the power of his actions to express himself. Nonetheless, he is credited with teaching Gatz some important life lessons through the use of expression and some sarcastic repartee as well.

“In particular, in the challenging times we are all facing today,” explained Gatz, “it is more important than ever to remind ourselves of what’s really important and to remember that even in our most challenging moments there are lessons to be learned that will benefit us going forward and laughs to be had.”

Being raised “old school” in a traditional Irish-Catholic household with a no-nonsense mother and a traditional, old-fashioned father, Gatz had a lifetime of hearing their various expressions — profound, funny, and even sarcastic. Without realizing it, these expressions stayed with her and came back to her at the appropriate moments in her life to help her laugh, understand, or survive. Gatz is available for speaking engagements where she can share the common-sense wisdom she learned from her parents through the power of expression. To arrange for her to speak at your organization, call 732-406-4334. Gatz’s book “Wise Words & Witty Expressions” is available in hardcover, paperback and e-book through her blog website reneegatz.com. The book is also available through amazon.com. She invites everyone to visit her blog site to share their own “wise words and witty expressions” as well.

“Wise Words & Witty Expressions” has received a five-star review on amazon.com. The review: “We’re living in a time when life seems sad, dark, cold and lonely. However, this brilliant little book has come along to give hope to the hopeless, peace to the burdened, as well as turn several frowns upside down. The sayings are absolutely timeless and will definitely make you feel good for now and for years to come.” – Norah J. C. Royal, Newark, NJ.

Upcoming ‘Meet the Author’ Events
Thurs. Dec. 3, 4:30 p.m. – 8 p.m.
NJAWBO: Passaic 7th Annual
Holiday Marketplace
The Bethwood, Totowa, NJ

Sat., Dec. 5, 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.
East Brunswick Friends of the Library Holiday Bazaar
Two Jean Walling Civic Center, East Brunswick