February 23, 2009
5 Minutes for Books: Mother of the Year
It’s coming. That second Sunday in May where we as mothers expect to get what we deserve: a nice lunch and a heartfelt card are reasonable expectations for Mother’s Day, and of course chocolates and jewelry won’t ever be turned away, but I find that when I am just sitting around waiting for attention to be lavished on me, I generally end up feeling disappointed.
In past years, I’ve been known to plan my own Mother’s Day celebration (not only for my mother and grandmother, but just for me), and that works for me.
My point — Yes, it’s nice to receive adoring “thank you’s” from my husband and my children, but isn’t motherhood really all about our sisters? Those who are in the trenches with us?
Leisure Arts’ Mother of the Year is edited by girlfriends Jen Peters and Ginger Highland. It contains stores from mothers and fathers and even grandparents of the year highlighting the “adventures and misadventures of parenting.”
These parents share short stories that will make you laugh and nod in recognition, and are best shared with a friend.
You can buy a copy (for yourself or your own example of Mother of the Year) at a special reduced price at the LeisureArts website.
Speaking of one of my nominees for Mother of the Year–you can still vote for Margaret’s Peanut Butter Waffle Taco once a day through February 27 at jif.com.
Would you like to win a special Mother of the Year gift package? One reader will receive the book packaged in a fun canvas bag — and yes, some chocolate as well!
Leave a comment here (U.S. and Canadian shipping addresses). The winner will be announced in next Monday’s column and is subject to our terms and conditions and void where prohibited.
The winner of last week’s book Thom Filicia Style is #105 Amy.
This post was written by contributing editor Jennifer Donovan, who also blogs at Snapshot and is managing editor of 5 Minutes for Books.
Filed under * Feature Columns, 5 Minutes for Books, Contests by






















Comments on 5 Minutes for Books: Mother of the Year
Michele @ 12:13 am
A new book and chocolate!?! What more could a Mommy want? Count me in.
Marissa @ 12:30 am
I love to read parenting books, especially misadventures! And chocolate? Bring it on!
Upstatemomof3 @ 12:59 am
I love books and I love chocolate. That would be so cool!!!
Marilyn @ 6:17 am
Books and chocolate – what a fine mix!
Rosie Scribble @ 6:56 am
It’s a great idea for a book. I think all mums could be called ‘Mother of the Year’. We all work hard and do a great job!
Katharina @ 7:04 am
After a period of time where I wasn’t able to find time to read, I’m back to it with a passion and this looks like a great book!
And chocolate… well what can be better than a good book to read and my all-time favorite (and perfect!) food… chocolate!
JRG @ 7:45 am
Sure, count me in! I LOVE chocolate and I know how to read. Ha.
Tree Climbing Mom @ 8:15 am
Sounds like a great book. I’d love a chance to win!
Denise @ 8:41 am
I need this for sure.
Alyson @ 8:46 am
Would love to read this book, sounds great!
Thanks!
Alyzabeth’s Mommy for Five Months!
Leslie M. @ 8:52 am
Books AND chocolate??? PARADISE!!! Now I’m feeling a little bit guilty about the “Mother of the Year” Part! But I try! hahah
Leslie
LeslieVeg@msn.com
Carol @ 8:55 am
Count me in!
Mommy Niri @ 8:57 am
would love to win
Michael Capp @ 9:02 am
I’d love to win!
Beth @ A Quest for Relevance @ 10:40 am
Books, bags and chocolate – right up my alley!! Count me in please!
Tammy @ 11:01 am
I think this book would be wonderful read. Everyone always likes to hear about other parents misadventures.
Shannon @ 11:18 am
I’d love to win this book and read it.
Kris @ 11:29 am
I’d love to win this book, too. I could use some laughs right about now…
jayne @ 11:35 am
I would love to read this book!
CHARLES KASSING @ 11:39 am
thanks
Carolyn Schiltz @ 11:55 am
A book AND chocolates?? Sounds good to me!
susan varney @ 1:00 pm
totally awesome prize i’d love to be the winner
Lynn Henriksen @ 1:43 pm
I have a guide book, Give the Gift of Story…Tap Memory & Write Memoir in Five Acts, for writing “Mother Memoirs” or what I call bio-vignettes. I don’t believe there could be a better gift to a mother than for her daughter (or son) to honor her with a short story capturing her character. The book is on a Spring Special on my website (http://telltalesouls.com/blog), but I would also like to offer a free book giveaway on 5 Minutes for Mom, but I need from Jennifer to do that. Look forwarding to inspiring you to Give the Gift of Story.
Denise @ 2:06 pm
This sounds so lovely. Thank you for the chance!
Lori S @ 2:16 pm
Humm, well I’ll put my hat in the ring. A neat book and chocolate ~ sounds like a mini-vacation!
Jill W @ 2:36 pm
Looks great, thanks for the chance!
willowsprite @ 2:41 pm
This book sounds great. I love reading little stories about other poeple’s experinces!
Barb @ 2:45 pm
that looks fun! I’d love to give it to my sister for Mother’s Day!
Lolli @ 2:48 pm
I’d love to get this! I often have to do a little something for myself to ensure a happy mother’s day.
tanya @ 2:51 pm
This sounds great! I will never turn down a good laugh and some tasty chocolate.
Diane Baum @ 3:15 pm
The book sounds adorable-reading and chocolate to die for!
aubien @ 4:09 pm
I know I won’t win Mother of the Year this year…but I am certain I would enjoy reading this book!
Thanks for a chance to win.
momstheword @ 4:11 pm
How fun! Thank you for the opportunity! I echo everyone else…books and chocolate, I will provide the diet pepsi!
Meg Munson @ 4:27 pm
This would be an awesome Mother’s Day gift! What could you want more than a good book and some chocolates!!
Beverley Justice @ 4:30 pm
Books, chocolate, and peace and quiet to enjoy both all by myself. Sounds great…
Louis Huf @ 4:33 pm
enter me please, thank you for the contest
Susan Smith @ 4:40 pm
Please enter me
Amy @ Finer Things @ 4:53 pm
How fun! Enter me, please.
C. clemens @ 4:56 pm
i love reading but i love chocolate more, when im PMS’ing LOL
jffryclough @ 5:14 pm
i’m a new gramps…times 2
Delores @ 5:45 pm
please enter me
romero @ 5:45 pm
would love to be entered.
carolyn @ 5:57 pm
Would love to win this!
carolyn @ 5:57 pm
I am subscriber
Donna R @ 6:00 pm
I would give this to my daughter. She deserves it. Thanks.
Linda Chaput @ 6:48 pm
A fun read with chocolates.You can’t beat that.I am a subscriber.
Maggie M @ 6:58 pm
I use to be a “Mother of the Year”, but now I’m working at becoming “Grandmother of the Year” LOL! I have lots of stories of my own I could share, but I’d prefer winning the book and the chocolates! Sounds like fun and good reading:)
maggie@mannwieler.com
Shannon H @ 7:03 pm
Count me in! THanks!
Crystal Walker @ 7:54 pm
This book looks like so much fun! I cant wait to read it!
Mozi Esmes Mommy @ 7:57 pm
This would be absolutely wonderful!
Lisa L @ 8:41 pm
These all sound terrific!
mindy @ 8:43 pm
very nice thanks for the giveaway
Jennifer M @ 8:50 pm
This sounds like fun! I can’t think of anything better than some quiet time to enjoy a new book while eating chocolate! Thanks for the giveaway.
ellen cunningham @ 9:19 pm
This looks like a great book. Thanks for the chance.
Tanna Moddison @ 9:25 pm
The chance to win this wonderful sounding book, as well as chocolate to indulge in while reading it….heaven!!!
Jen @ 11:15 pm
I just love reading stories like this! I’d love to win!
pamr @ 11:50 pm
I would love to read this just to hope I’m not the only one going crazy! Thanks
Lorri S @ 1:24 am
This sounds like a funny book, something I’m sure would be very nice to receive
karly @ 2:20 am
This giveaway is a winning combination! Thanks for the opportunity!
Cathie F @ 4:54 am
The book sounds wonderful and though I’m a strict diet for health reasons I’m sure my daughter in law (who currently lives with us) will enjoy the chocolates while we share the stories in the book. Yea that will work count me in
Vickie @ 5:45 am
Great Giveaway!
linda a @ 5:58 am
I would love that!! A gift for me.!! Thank you
Jean F @ 6:33 am
What a perfect prize for a mom!
hawkshoe @ 7:30 am
This book sounds like something my best friend and I would enjoy.
Patti Sherman @ 8:13 am
I would like this for my daughter in law..She is the mother of the year in my eyes!
Virginia Murr @ 8:17 am
It is great simply to celebrate the joys of being a mother once in a while . . . and it never hurts to congratulate oneself, either!
Belinda @ 8:27 am
Great prize package – thanks!
Rose A @ 8:29 am
A chance for mom to be spoiled a bit? I love it!
msurosey@yahoo.com
Roger Keeney @ 10:37 am
What a great prize for a deserving mom. The one to whom I believe it should go is K.H. who is raising 2 little ones alone, while struggling to once again go to work. She is a talented special Ed teacher who truly understands children with disabilities, as she has CP that she has overcome.
Mama Zen @ 11:43 am
The book sounds really cute!
Mama Zen @ 11:43 am
I subscribe to the newsletter.
brandlyn @ 12:18 pm
My cousin would lvoe this, she has a one year old at home. This would make her day.
McKim @ 12:54 pm
Looks like a cute book.
Vicky Boackle @ 1:16 pm
i love to read and eat chocolate.
Gina Stratos @ 1:44 pm
Great cover
gkstratos@yahoo.com
veronica sandberg @ 1:48 pm
books and chocolates what a great mix
Samantha @ 2:19 pm
What a great prize! Count me in!
Jennifer C @ 2:44 pm
Books and chocolate? Count me in!
Gayle J @ 4:29 pm
What a great giveaway. Thank you!
Mike Weisberg @ 5:57 pm
I want to win
Anne D @ 8:30 pm
Books and chocolate, how cool!
Pat @ 9:36 pm
Thank you for introducing your readers to the book. It sounds like a good read. Chocolates and a tote bag are appealing as well.
Thank you for the contest.
Mother’s Day will arrive soon and I wish you a lovely happy day.
michelel anne @ 10:04 pm
wow…can’t go wrong with these two prizes put together
Terri D @ 10:59 pm
Nice giveaway. Count me in!
Wendy Wallach @ 12:06 am
cute contest!
madamerkf at aol dot com
Pamela Shockley @ 1:31 am
Thanks for a great giveaway.
Sarah @ 7:55 am
Nice giveaway! Count me in!
Debbie @ 8:49 am
Reading Goodies and Goodies to eat while enjoying the Reading. Sounds like a great Combo. Pick Me!
Emilie P @ 10:27 am
I love this idea. I’ll admit I was upset with my husband last year when he barely recognized Mother’s Day. I doubt he’ll make that mistake again. I would love this book. Thanks for the giveaway!
Sarah @ 10:32 am
enter me!
Jennifer L. @ 12:54 pm
would love to win the book!
beth shepherd @ 2:20 pm
Thank you for a great giveaway! I would love to win this.
tatertot374@sbcglobal.net
Heather @ 4:05 pm
I really want to win this for my coworker, who is expecting her first baby in October!
Katherine Frazier @ 7:51 pm
Looks like a great book.
James Coyne @ 12:37 am
Enter me please
Michelle @ 5:34 pm
I love books and I love chocolate!…hehe.
yzgirl4[at]verizon[dot]net
Kathy Conley @ 6:28 pm
Oh Please! I need a laugh and a good dose of chocolate today!
Vicki Wurgler @ 9:25 pm
book and chocolate-two of my favorite things
Gabriel J. @ 10:25 pm
Please, enter me, great prize!!!
brandy w @ 1:46 pm
how fun count me in.
Terra Heck @ 2:33 pm
I’m all about books and chocolates. Please count me in to win.
Annette @ 2:51 pm
that would be most lovely.
thank you.
dorothy l @ 4:34 pm
I would love to win the book
maggie ballard @ 4:52 pm
please enter me!! i love chocolate!!
Paula H @ 7:23 pm
I sound like a cute book.
Brandy Tanner @ 9:03 pm
I am so in on this! I love books and chocolate?! Magic words right there! Thanks!
Steve Scott @ 11:41 pm
I would earn some serious brownie points with my wife.
Shelly Miller @ 4:23 am
my mother has pancreatic cancer, anything that would bring a smile to her face would be heaven sent
KarenPr @ 10:10 am
Thanks for the contest, please enter me.
Steph @ 12:14 pm
Sounds like a great book.
Suzanne B. (Crunchy Green Mom) @ 12:38 pm
I would love to win this! It would make for a great Mother’s Day!
Carrie Baird @ 1:00 pm
Nice prize – thanks for the chance to win!
Corey Robertson @ 1:40 pm
Books and chocolate sound like winning the biggest lottery in the world! Thank you for the chance to dream.
desiree kelley @ 3:08 pm
yum
ky2here @ 4:52 pm
A new book and chocolate? I’m in.
CGibbs @ 6:05 pm
A good book and sweets! What a great prize!
daytoncat1(at)yahoo(dot)com
Marion B @ 6:28 pm
Sounds like a cool book!
christopher h @ 6:45 pm
love to win this
carol @ 7:57 pm
Wow! Can’t lose with this giveaway! Thanks!
Amy @ 10:06 pm
I like that – adventure’s and misadventures! MMn great indulgences here.
Kathy Scott @ 10:29 pm
I would like to read this with my boys.
Donna M. Clark @ 10:45 pm
I would love to win hocolates and a new book. This book sounds like it will be neat. Thank you for having this giveaway.
Tarasview @ 11:10 pm
I’d love to read this!!
Tricia @ 11:46 pm
A Mother’s Day Gift for me. Wow who would of Thought. I’d luv to share those chocolates with the little one’s and we share a ni ni story for mom.
Dierdra Byrd @ 12:27 am
My two favorite things! =)
Tova Irvin @ 12:34 am
Great contest. I love both items..please enter me.
Michelle Benedetto @ 12:59 am
awww this is so nice!!
Michelle H. @ 1:05 am
This sounds like it would be fun to read. And the chocolate is a nice touch.
Cassandra @ 1:09 am
Please enter me for this book and some yummy chocolate–thanks!
Rosanne @ 1:10 am
I always wanted to be mother of the year but then Irealized I was just human so now I need to drown my self in chocolate and a good book for the kids.
Lisa Taylor @ 1:19 am
Hope I am not too late for the giveaway Sign me up if possible Thank You
Adrian Lamont @ 1:32 am
This is great, count me in.
Wendi B. @ 2:45 am
Oh – what a great giveaway! I sure would love to feel like a Mommy of the Year!
My son just turned 2 (well, Christmas Eve, but he’s hit THE terrible 2!).
I love to read and review new books, so would love to win a copy of this one…I’m also a closit chocoholic and could always use a great tote to carry around books and a change for my son!!
Chrysa @ 3:01 am
Looks great! Thanks for the giveaway!
chacha @ 3:21 am
I love chocolate and books too.
Jay French @ 3:46 am
Looks like an interesting book. And you could use the chocolate wrappers as a book mark.
Molly Capel @ 3:54 am
What a great book! I would love to win this to remind myself of why I did the mommy thing 5 times. lol
Jennelle @ 8:06 am
I’d love to win this all for my mom. She is definitely mother of the year! She’s a single mom of 5.
Linda Howard @ 9:20 am
Nice prize. Please enter me. Thanks!
Michelle L. @ 9:26 am
I’d love to win this for my mother-in-law. She is our constant babysitter and is mother of the year for all of us!
Nanette Olson @ 10:28 am
The book sounds good and the chocolates sound great.
Candie L @ 10:51 am
This sounds fun. I would love this and then share with all I know. Thank you
Becky @ 11:52 am
ohh a book and chocolate…Can you throw in a babysitter so I can take a bath by myself???
Roseann @ 12:13 pm
What a wonderful contest. Thanks!
Veronica Garrett @ 12:18 pm
I would love to win this book and the other goodies. It sounds great.
kathy pease @ 12:38 pm
i would love to read this book
Lily Kwan @ 12:47 pm
Please enter me into the contest. Thanks!
Tobster @ 2:20 pm
As a new Mom, I’d like to read this book, (and find out what I’m in for!)
Carla Pullum @ 4:09 pm
Count me in! This would be great to read to my daughters!
Carla
cpullum(at)yahoo(dot)com
Tamara Burks @ 4:21 pm
Books and chocolate are always a good mix.
Marcy Strahan @ 4:35 pm
I AM A BOOKWORM & A CHOCO~HOLIC!
YOU KNOW I’M IN THIS TOOOOOOOOOO!
Amy @ 7:16 pm
I love books and chocolate!
Aurelia Casson @ 7:46 pm
The best joys in life are offered in this prize:)) so thanks for the giceaway and best wishes.skyxsky27(at)gmail.com
Dixie Theriault @ 8:49 pm
A good book and chocolates-what more could I ask for…don’t answer that, but please include me in the drawing!
Jennifer Jozwiak @ 9:07 pm
this looks like a fun prize, plus i love chocolates!
Michelle Rosborough @ 9:33 pm
cool book
Karen Gonyea @ 9:36 pm
Looks great