September 1, 2008
5 Minutes for Books — Hachette Book Group Blowout
I don’t have an actual review today, but boy do I have a giveaway that you are going to love! If you are hungry for reviews, I hope that you will check in with 5 Minutes for Books, the site, each day. We are building quite a community of booklovers there (or those looking to expand their reading habits), and we are so pleased with every comment, suggestion, and contribution that we get.
Hachette Book Group has offered five of you the following ten books from their collection. If you’d like to win, just leave a comment saying which book interests you most. If you are sending kids off to school at this time of year, now is the perfect time to indulge your hobby of reading. We have had fabulous weather this week as well, so I’ve enjoyed several hours sitting on the driveway reading while my son is playing or while I’ve waited for my daughter to get off the bus.
In this collection of books we have something for every taste.
1. Dewey: The Small-Town Library Cat Who Touched the World By Vicky Myron , Bret Witter
2. The Book of Calamities: Five Questions About Suffering and Its Meaning by Peter Trachtenberg
3. Say You’re One of Them By Uwem Akpan
4. Bo’s Lasting Lessons: The Legendary Coach Teaches the Timeless Fundamentals of Leadership by Bo Schembechler , John Bacon
5. Knowing Right from Wrong: A Christian Guide to Conscience by Fr. Thomas D. Williams
6. Titanic’s Last Secrets:The Further Adventures of Shadow Divers John Chatterton and Richie Kohler by Brad Matsen $27.99 ISBN: 0446582050 Audio book, ebook also available
7. A Whack on the Side of the Head: How You Can Be More Creative by Roger von Oech (25th Anniversary) $16.99 ISBN: 0446404667
8. Ethics 101: What Every Leader Needs To Know by John Maxwell
9. The Self-Esteem Trap: Raising Confident and Compassionate Kids in an Age of Self-Importance by Polly Young-Eisendrath
10. Roads to Quoz: An American Mosey by William Least Heat-Moon
You might want to mark the Hachette Book Group contest and sweepstakes page to find out about their monthly contests. This giveaway is open to U.S. and Canadian addresses (no P.O. boxes please). I will draw 5 winners and post them in next week’s column.
The winner of last week’s book, Lilly Badilly, is #7 Doll Clothes Gal.

Filed under * Feature Columns, 5 Minutes for Books, Contests by Jennifer





264 Comments on 5 Minutes for Books — Hachette Book Group Blowout »
#1 - Jessica C @ 12:33 am
Titanic’s Last Secrets looks good.
#2 - Cherie @ 12:48 am
Wow! Looks like there is so many good ones. The one I’d read first though is The Self-Esteem Trap.
#3 - yessenia @ 1:07 am
gosh! i really want to read those books : )
#4 - Sheri @ 1:08 am
The book that interests me the most is:
A Whack on the Side of the Head: How You Can Be More Creative by Roger von Oech
I’d enjoy a good mind-stretching to stimulate my creativity!
#5 - Laura@StorytellinMama @ 1:15 am
I would be interested in The Book of Calamities or The Road to Quoz!!
Great Giveaway!
#6 - Tanya Moyer @ 1:22 am
Wow - they all sound very interesting! I think the Self-Esteem Trap sounds good. Great giveaway - thanks for offering!
~Tanya
the4moyers@msn.com
#7 - Kim @ 5:37 am
I’m an avid reader and I would love any of them, but I think I would read Dewey: The Small-Town Library Cat Who Touched the World first. Thanks for the giveaway!
#8 - SANDY @ 5:55 am
a whack on the side of the head then the self esteem…great list of books
#9 - Mya Brooks @ 6:52 am
a whack on the side of the head then the self esteem.
Gosh, I need that!
#10 - Elizabeth M. @ 6:54 am
What a fantastic collection of books. I’d start with the Book of Calamities. Thanks for the giveaway.
#11 - Andy @ 7:04 am
I like the Titanic’s Last Secrets. It sounds like a great book. Thanks.
#12 - SHRON CAWLEY @ 7:08 am
DEWEY: THE SMALL TOWN CAT–I HAVE 5 OF THEM!
#13 - Ecki @ 7:08 am
Oh, I must have The Self Esteem Trap. My oldest daughter needs it badly — she thinks she is entitled to EVERYTHING.
#14 - Tammy @ 7:28 am
Self-esteem trap - definitely!
#15 - Marilyn @ 7:44 am
The book of calamities is something I would like to read! thank you
#16 - cheri @ 7:46 am
We’re participating in Owlhaven’s 30 Days of Nothing this month, so no book buying for us:(
how great would it be to win a contest for books when I can’t buy any. Looking at the descriptions I think any of them would be a good read. Please enter me!
#17 - Michael B @ 8:31 am
I would love to read Titanic’s Last Secret, I have always been interested in shipwrecks.
#18 - Charlotte Winters @ 8:39 am
Dewey the Small Town Library Cat who touched the world. I am a very proud cat mama who would love that book!
#19 - gS49 @ 8:50 am
Free Books! My favorate thing!
Least Heat Moon is a writer of beauty, so I’ll go for “Roads to Quoz”; altho there are several others I’d like to read. (Where’s my notepad?)
gS49
#20 - susan varney @ 8:53 am
titantic’s last secrets the terrible diaster has always intriuged me
#21 - James Jenkins @ 9:03 am
Roads to Quoz
#22 - Michele Dipert @ 9:03 am
Oh so many good choices. I like the book “Knowing right from wrong”.
#23 - Delilah M Vela @ 9:19 am
A Whack on the Side of the Head Roger van Oech sounds like something that would be interesting to me. I need a whack on the side of the head maybe I would be more creative.
#24 - Helen @ 9:19 am
“Dewey” sounds good to me. Although, I love all books. I read continually, and sometimes have more than one book going at a time.
#25 - Kathy D @ 9:24 am
You alwasy has so many good books…..
Knowing right from wrong looks very good
#26 - Kari @ 9:25 am
Ok, WOW…..count me in! I’ve wanted to read Say You’re One Of Them. Thanks!!
Happy Labor Day y’all!!
#27 - Megret @ 9:48 am
Ooh, tough pick. I’d either say Dewey the Library Cat or Titanic’s Last Secrets.
Thanks!
Megret
#28 - Shannon Baas @ 9:50 am
Dewey-the small town cat as if I’m not mistaken this book is based on a cat that used to live at the library in a town where I used to live.
#29 - charline s @ 10:02 am
All of them sound wonderful, I think I would choose the Dewey the Library Cat
#30 - DJ @ 10:11 am
Dewey ,the small town cat would be my first choice.
#31 - Sarah at themommylogues @ 10:14 am
They all look good, but I am fascinated by all things Titanic.
#32 - barbara @ 10:15 am
Dewey: The Small-Town Library Cat Who Touched the World. Ever since the Harry Potter books, I’ve discovered that a lot of the books for youth are better than what I’ve been reading
#33 - Diane C @ 10:22 am
The Self-Esteem Trap… This has always puzzled me, how some children are very self assured and can’t wait to go out and make their mark on the world. While other are in the trap of self gratification and entitlement.
#34 - Doll Clothes Gal @ 10:23 am
Thanks for the last book - I’ll look forward to receiving it.
For a Titanic fan like me, it has to be the Secrets of Titanic as my fav - although that;s only my comment as i have already won a book.
#35 - Steph Elias @ 10:28 am
Titanic’s Last Secrets looks like a great read.
#36 - John Deal @ 10:31 am
I would really enjoy reading the Ethics 101 book. It seems to me that ethical standards in this country seem to be getting lower and lower, and I would be interested to see if the author has any real solutions to the problem.
#37 - Kristin @ 10:38 am
The book about the library cat looks cute
#38 - Michelle Rosborough @ 10:51 am
wow
#39 - Linda White @ 10:52 am
Lots of good informative & interesting books! Id love to read them!
#40 - Donna Rinas @ 11:03 am
Dewey the Library Cat looks like something I’d read. Thanks for the contest.
#41 - Sara G @ 11:35 am
Dewey-The Small Town Library Cat Who Touched The World seems like it would be a wonderul read. I am a big cat fan so this would definitely be a good book for me. Good luck to everyone!
#42 - Julie @ 11:36 am
Knowing Right from Wrong sounds great
#43 - Judy @ 11:38 am
Thanks for the giveaway. Great books!
#44 - Amy Tucker @ 11:59 am
RE: Ethics 101: What Every Leader Needs To Know by John Maxwell
This has been on my reading list for a while. Your book look list looks great. Nice website!
#45 - Clifton Wade @ 12:42 pm
Great prize - great contest - thank you!
#46 - Tom @ 12:43 pm
Wow, what a great selection of books!
#47 - Carolyn Nedrow @ 1:06 pm
I am quite interested in the “Titanic’s Last Secrets”. I find anything to do with the Titanic fascinating and I would really like to read this book!
cjnedrow@gmail.com
#48 - Ana @ 1:12 pm
Titanic’s Last Secret
#49 - Desmond @ 1:24 pm
Roads to Quoz
#50 - Sara @ 1:45 pm
Ethics 101 is part of a series by John Maxwell. We have Attitude 101 and Relationships 101. There are others, but their titles escape me at present. This is the one I would choose.
#51 - PsychMamma @ 1:49 pm
The Self Esteem Trap looks very interesting! Thanks for a great giveaway.
#52 - Meredith Rowe @ 2:00 pm
A Whack On the Side of the Head looks like a really good book.
#53 - Melissa @ 2:03 pm
I would love to read about Dewey: The Small Town Library Cat Who Touched the World! Thanks for a great contest!
#54 - Patricia Hill @ 2:48 pm
I would love to read about Dewey-The Small Town Library Cat.
#55 - Ruth :) @ 2:48 pm
With one in Kindergarten full time and another in pk part-time, my goal is to read read read this semester before I start nursing school in the spring!!
They all look interesting - but #1 would be first on my list to read 
#56 - Elaine R @ 2:51 pm
All the books sound interesting but I feel I would enjoy the story of Dewey best as I’m an animal lover.
#57 - Brooke @ 2:56 pm
So many good books…I’d start with the Titanic Last Secrets.
#58 - Hil'Lesha @ 3:14 pm
Say You’re One of Them By Uwem Akpan
#59 - Louise Brouillette @ 3:24 pm
Self Esteem Trap
#60 - alyce m poalillo @ 3:30 pm
Dewey: The Small-Town Library Cat Who Touched the World
Been wanting to read that one since I first heard about it! As a book and cat lover it is a great fit!
#61 - Angela H @ 3:31 pm
I would love Say You’re One of Them. We are planning on adopting from Africa and this would be a welcomed addition to our library.
#62 - Maddy @ 4:17 pm
I think I would fancy number 9 as that’s quite an issue to tackle.
cheers
#63 - Krystal deblasio @ 4:18 pm
i would love to have all these new books to read.
#64 - Belinda A. @ 4:47 pm
‘Dewey: The small-town library cat who touched the world’ is one I’d love to read!
#65 - Alicia @ 5:17 pm
hi
#66 - Margaret Smith @ 5:33 pm
I’d love to read Dewey: The Small-Town Library Cat Who Touched the World By Vicky Myron , Bret Witter. This book sounds like it would be very interesting. Thanks for this giveaway.
#67 - Kathy Scott @ 5:45 pm
Titanic’s Last Secrets
#68 - Colleen Jensen @ 5:48 pm
I would pick Say You’re One Of Them because of the struggles of this family has to face just to live.
#69 - Shirley @ 5:52 pm
Hard to pick just one but I would pickSay You’re One of Them By Uwem Akpan
#70 - Anne @ 6:21 pm
The book that peaks my curiosity the most is The Book of Calamities: Five Questions About Suffering and Its Meaning by Peter Trachtenberg.
I have endured many physical and emotional traumas and am very curious to read this.
Thanks
#71 - Linda @ 6:31 pm
Titanic’s Last Secrets caught and held my attention.
#72 - Gina Stratos @ 7:50 pm
The Book of Calamities
gkstratos@yahoo.com
#73 - michael woods @ 7:52 pm
Ethics 101: What Every Leader Needs To Know by John Maxwell
#74 - Cathy Wilcox @ 7:55 pm
Titanic’s Last Secrets
#75 - Cindi Aylor @ 8:45 pm
I think The Book of Calamities would be a good one for me right now. Man, do I love to read books
Thanks.
#76 - Robin @ 8:48 pm
I could sure use “A Whack on the Side of the Head”!
#77 - Tonya Froemel @ 9:25 pm
like to win this
#78 - Felicia Lockamy @ 9:49 pm
Titanics Last Secret. Thank you
#79 - Skiffywife @ 9:56 pm
I think Dewey the cat looks cute.
#80 - Sandra - Illinois @ 9:57 pm
I am so impressed! I am a reading addict, and that includes children’s books even though I am an adult. Titantic’s Last Secret is a book I’ve got to read. blackford56@yahoo.com
#81 - Jenn S. @ 10:24 pm
Dewey: The Small-Town Library Cat Who Touched the World .
#82 - Maggie Mannwieler @ 10:26 pm
I’m dying to read “A Whack on the Side of the Head”, what a name for a book, LOL. I’ve just got to win these fabulous books! Thanks for offering such a fab Giveaway!
#83 - Susan Smith @ 10:46 pm
Self Esteem Trap sounds good
#84 - Linda Moeller @ 10:47 pm
Knowing Right From Long.
#85 - Kayce C @ 11:11 pm
Books 7-10 all sound interesting
#86 - christopher h @ 11:19 pm
i need a whack on the side of the head
…also the book of the same name
#87 - Janet F @ 11:25 pm
Dewey: The Small-Town Library Cat Who Touched the World interests me the most.
Thank you!
janetfaye (at) gmail (dot) com
#88 - Michele @ 12:32 am
Titanic’s Last Secrets looks really good. What a great giveaway!
#89 - alice t. @ 1:07 am
Titanic’s Last Secrets Titanic has always captured my attention. I have seen Bob Ballard’s movie detailing the finding and exploration of Titanic. This book is right up my alley! Thanks.
#90 - Noreen @ 1:23 am
very nicce collections
#91 - Cindi @ 2:06 am
Greetings, I love books! This is definitely fun contest. The book “Dewey-The Small-Town Library Cat Who Touched the World” by Vicky Myron, Bret Witter. Please enter me in your book giveaway drawing. Many thanks, Cindi
#92 - Tracy Iglesias @ 2:12 am
A Whack on the Side of the Head: How You Can Be More Creative by Roger von Oech - my creativity could use a major awakening, I’ve been in a creative slump lately!
#93 - David @ 3:40 am
A Whack on the Side of the Head: How You Can Be More Creative by Roger von Oech
#94 - Sharon Jones @ 5:56 am
THE BOOK OF CALAMATIES…FOR SURE!
THANKS FOR GREAT CONTEST
#95 - Valerie Furr @ 7:13 am
The Titanic has always amazed me and I would love to read the Titanic Lat Secrets. I have the movie collection and have watched over and over. It was a great movie.
#96 - Cynthia C @ 7:13 am
Lots of good choices, but I love books and cats, so Dewey gets my vote.
#97 - Rebecca Snodgrass @ 7:28 am
Titanic’s Last Secrets sounds like the one for me. Fascinating.
#98 - International Freebies & Contests @ 8:00 am
I need some leadership tips! I am interested by Ethics 101: What Every Leader Needs To Know.
#99 - tobye @ 8:11 am
How You Can Be More Creative by Roger von Oech sounds good to me.
#100 - Tricia Andrews @ 8:19 am
Dewey the Small town Library Cat that touched the world.
Thanks for the giveaway!
#101 - Marilyn Higgins @ 8:35 am
Self Esteem trap, thanks
#102 - dianne @ 8:56 am
The Book of Calamities: Five Questions About Suffering and Its Meaning by Peter Trachtenberg
#103 - Susan C @ 8:59 am
I would be interested in reading A Whack on the Side of the Head: How You Can be More Creative. My creativity could use a boost!
#104 - Linda Lansford @ 9:52 am
Titanic Last Secrets is my choice
#105 - toasters @ 9:53 am
Dewey: The Small-Town Library Cat Who Touched the World
#106 - Susan M. Heim @ 9:54 am
I’d love to read “The Self-Esteem Trap: Raising Confident and Compassionate Kids in an Age of Self-Importance” because I’m a parenting author and blogger, and this sounds like a great book to review on my blog. I’m also attracted to the part about raising compassionate kids — the world can always benefit from more compassion!
#107 - Adrienne Gordon @ 9:54 am
We’ve been having a really bad health streak, so The Book of Calamities: Five Questions About Suffering and Its Meaning by Peter Trachtenberg
#108 - Susan M. Heim @ 10:00 am
I love Jane Austen so much that one of my twin sons’ names is Austen. (And, yes, it’s spelled with an “e”!) “Pride and Prejudice” is my absolute favorite. And Colin Firth in the movie version . . . yum!
#109 - Susan M. Heim @ 10:01 am
Oops, sorry, I meant to post the above note on the book page!
#110 - Denyse @ 10:19 am
The Self-Esteem Trap: Raising Confident and Compassionate Kids in an Age of Self-Importance by Polly Young-Eisendrath
#111 - Rhonda Struthers @ 10:23 am
I would love to read Titanics Last Secrets
#112 - Mary Marlatt @ 12:05 pm
I really need “A Whack on The Side of the Head”! Once I have the idea, I can write all about it — but coming up with an idea is tough!
#113 - tim brown @ 12:38 pm
A Christian Guide to Conscience
THANK YOU GOD BLESS
#114 - Jason C @ 12:45 pm
Self-Esteem Trap sounds like the one I would like the best.
#115 - Terri D @ 1:25 pm
The Book of Calamities
#116 - Terra Heck @ 1:57 pm
I love to read so this would be a great win. I’m most interested in reading Titanic’s Last Secrets.
#117 - Ronni Fox @ 2:29 pm
As an instructor of creativity, I would be interested to see what Von Oech is up to these days.
#118 - Lena Gibbs @ 2:38 pm
I’d love to read them all. But what interests me most is Knowing Right From Wrong. I’m addicted to Christian self-help books!
#119 - karen @ 4:28 pm
After reading the descriptions for the books, Say You’re One of Them would probably be the first book I’d read out of the group. And then probably Roads to Quoz.
#120 - Julie Hibnes @ 4:56 pm
Titanic’s last Secrets sounds very intriguing!
#121 - cindy Allen @ 5:05 pm
i would love them all but the The Book of Calamities catches my eye
#122 - Sylvia @ 5:16 pm
I will choose the Titanic
#123 - Mike Weisberg @ 5:25 pm
I want to win
#124 - Melanie Lee @ 5:36 pm
Dewey: The Small-Town Library Cat Who Touched the World By Vicky Myron and Bret Witter would be my first pick. Cat lover that I am, I looked it up at Amazon and its definitely something that I want to read.
#125 - judy brittle @ 5:40 pm
Say You’re One Of Them sounds interesting and I’m really curious about Knowing Right From Wrong.
Thank you so much!
#126 - Go Amie @ 5:57 pm
Titanic’s Last Secrets sounds like an excellent read. Did you know there are still living survivors of the Titanic disaster?
#127 - Kara @ 6:09 pm
I’d most like to check out Dewey: The Small Town Library Cat That Touched the World. I love stories about amazing creatures!
#128 - Tina J. @ 7:05 pm
Dewey: The Small-Town Library Cat Who Touched the World
I would LOVE this book!
#129 - Lydia Wilson @ 7:42 pm
Dewey!
#130 - kristi blackstone @ 9:05 pm
Titantic’s Last Secrets! I’d LOVE to read this one especially!!!
#131 - willowsprite @ 9:45 pm
I love libraries, and I love cats, sooo…
But I’d also love to read Self Esteem Trap and Knowing Right from Wrong.
#132 - Karen B @ 9:59 pm
Dewey: The Small Town Library Cat That Touched the World - what an amazing story! - and then Titanic’s Last Secrets.
#133 - Desiree @ 10:37 pm
Titanic’s Last Secrets
#134 - Donna Hunt @ 10:44 pm
They all sound good! I think my first choice is Dewey: The Small Town Library Cat That Touched The World. I’m always looking for new books to read–this would be great! Thank you for the contest!
#135 - brandy wilson @ 1:02 am
I think “Say You’re One of Them” sounds great.
#136 - Renee @ 1:14 am
Titanics Last Secrets looks interesting to me.
#137 - Julie Donahue @ 1:14 am
I”ve been wanting to read some of John Maxwell’s leadership books.
#138 - Gianna @ 4:26 am
Dewey: The Small-Town Library Cat Who Touched the World By Vicky Myron and Bret Witter
#139 - Adena @ 1:24 pm
The Titanic’s Last Secrets is one that I want to read. It is amazing how deep sea exploration has advanced in the last twenty years.
#140 - Tara R @ 1:57 pm
YAY! I LOVE books!
#141 - Tara R @ 1:58 pm
ooops, I forgot to say that the Book of Calamities interests me because it has the word “Calamities” in the title
#142 - Evelyn @ 2:34 pm
Enter me thanks
#143 - sabb266 @ 2:54 pm
They all sound interesting to me but I think I would read Dewey: The Small-Town Library Cat Who Touched the World first
#144 - Sarah @ 2:58 pm
The Self Esteem Trap
#145 - Tammy @ 3:15 pm
I think I would be most interested in the Self-Esteem Trap
#146 - Jessica @ 4:07 pm
The Self Esteem Trap, such an interesting topic
#147 - Alicia Webster @ 4:22 pm
The Self-Esteem Trap. I have two daughters and a son to raise and this is much-needed info.
Alicia Webster
5webs@comcast.net
#148 - Heather Graves @ 4:31 pm
Id love to read the Library cat book, sounds like a warm read!
Thanks,
Heather Graves
#149 - Christine @ 5:10 pm
Titanic’s Last Secrets sounds interesting, but the Self-Esteem trap sounds helpful for my son.
#150 - Renee Concolino @ 6:27 pm
I honestly think there is something here for everyone. I LOVE to read so this is a DREAM prize for me.
#151 - Jackie B. @ 7:31 pm
I am a book lover and an animal lover so the one I would read first is Dewey: The Small-Town Library Cat Who Touched the World . Great giveaway as always!
#152 - Jeffrey Beckett @ 7:37 pm
A Whack on the Side of the Head: How You Can Be More Creative is the one for me!
#153 - Rhonda B @ 8:53 pm
Titanic’s Last Secrets sounds great.
#154 - M.A. @ 9:49 pm
I’d like to read Roads to Quoz
An American Mosey
By William Least Heat-Moon.
#155 - israel y @ 11:29 pm
what a great collection of books! Dewey: The Small-Town Library Cat Who Touched the World By Vicky Myron , Bret Witter
#156 - Renee Turner @ 3:03 am
The Self-Esteem Trap looks really interesting and would be really helpfu.
#157 - Amy W @ 7:46 am
Great selection of books
#158 - Monique Rizzo @ 9:26 am
Titanic’s Last Secrets
#159 - jennifer cecil @ 10:00 am
wow, great list of books. I would start with Titanic’s Last Secrets.
#160 - Crystal @ 10:17 am
The Book of Calamaties looks interesting to me because I just read ‘How Can I Help?’ by Ram Dass and it explores similar themes about suffering and our responses to it.
#161 - Cindi @ 1:19 pm
Thanks for the fantastic book giveaway drawing! I would love to win the book “Dewey: The Small-Town-
Library-Cat Who Touched the World!” I am a book and animal lover. Many thanks…..Cindi
#162 - Anita Yancey @ 3:37 pm
I’m interested in Titanic’s Last Secrets.
#163 - Denise @ 3:49 pm
Knowing Right from Wrong: A Christian Guide to Conscience by Fr. Thomas D. Williams
#164 - shawna @ 4:35 pm
I have a child so I would have to go with the Self-Esteem Trap.
#165 - Kathy Scott @ 7:37 pm
I need to feed my wife’s reading addiction.
#166 - Janet @ 8:31 pm
5. Knowing Right from Wrong: A Christian Guide to Conscience by Fr. Thomas D. Williams
#167 - Jennifer Hedden @ 10:08 pm
Titanic’s Last Secrets
#168 - K. Cleaver @ 10:23 pm
I’d be so interested in the Titanic’s Last Secrets.
#169 - Cheryl Free @ 9:00 am
I’d most like to read Say You’re One of Them By Uwem Akpan
*Thanks* for the giveaway!
#170 - Jodene Gildea @ 10:19 am
I’d like to read The Self-Esteem Trap
#171 - Dan @ 11:31 am
Dewey: The Small-Town Library Cat Who Touched the World By Vicky Myron , Bret Witter
#172 - Kathy Conley @ 11:41 am
There are so many wonderful choices. I would love to have Bo’s Lasting Lessons. Titanic’s Last Secrets and Dewey look like fabulous reads as well!
#173 - Julieh @ 2:30 pm
What a fabulous selection!