October 29, 2007
- 5 Minutes for Books — Any Day with Hair is a Good Hair Day
Have you been thinking pink this month? In honor of Breast Cancer Awareness month, I’ve gone pink in my purchasing from bagels to kitchen sponges to potholders. So many companies have created special products or packaging to show their support of breast cancer research in the month of October. But when [...]
October 22, 2007
- 5 Minutes for Books — The Dead Whisper On
One day Canada MacHugh begins hearing the voice of her dead father. He enlists her to be part of an agency of shadows. When she joins in, both she and they are surprised at the results. Things aren’t what they seem, but Canada helps unravel the truth while also saving the people [...]
October 15, 2007
- 5 Minutes for Books — The Choice
This is the first of two reviews and giveaways at 5 Minutes for Books. Scroll down or click here for the second one.
I had an exciting opportunity to participate in the first ever blogger conference call with bestselling author Nicholas Sparks to mark the release of his novel The Choice. I learned a [...] - 5 Minutes for Books - “Amy Grant’s Mosaic”
This is the second of two reviews and giveaways at 5 Minutes for Books. Click here for the first one.
I haven’t had any time to read these last couple of months. But when the offer to review Amy Grant’s first autobiographical book, Mosaic: Pieces of My Life So Far, popped up in my inbox, I [...]
October 8, 2007
- 5 Minutes for Books — Dangerous Admissions
This is the first of two reviews and giveaways in 5 Minutes for Books. Scroll down or click here for the second one.
I love novels with a strong sense of place. Dangerous Admissions has one. Set in Manhattan, I could see the side streets and apartment buildings and coffee shops and bars [...] - 5 Minutes for Books — Queen of the Castle
Queen of the Castle by Lynn Bowen Walker is a fantastic and fun resource for homemakers everywhere. The subtitle says it all: 52 weeks of encouragement for the uninspired, domestically challenged or just plain tired homemaker. The author comes across as the slightly-more-together friend and mentor that we all wish we had. [...]
October 1, 2007
- 5 Minutes for Books — Smart-Opedia
I am always trying to get my nine-year-old daughter Amanda to take advantage of some of the fantastic non-fiction books that I’ve received to review. Well, I did not have to coax her to preview Smart-opedia: The Amazing Book about Everything. She immediately grabbed it and searched the easy-to-use index and found the [...]
September 24, 2007
- 5 Minutes for Mom–Just Jane
Just Jane by Nancy Moser drew me in right away. Although this is not what the typical reader would describe as suspenseful, for me it was a page turner as the human drama unfolded: What will she do? Will she speak her mind? Will he be okay? Also, since it [...]
September 17, 2007
- 5 Minutes for Books — Beyond the Mommy Years
Most of us are right in the midst of the Mommy Years–changing diapers, shuttling to school and sports, hosting sleepovers, helping with homework, or encouraging independence. However, some of you have entered that empty nest stage of life, and for others it may be on the horizon for you. Guess what? It’s [...]
September 10, 2007
- 5 Minutes for Books–Informed Consent
This is the first of two reviews today. Scroll down or click here to learn how you can win a wonderful personalized children’s book.
Medical thrillers are one of the most popular types of stories these days–just look at the number of programs in the TV listings. Informed Consent by Sandra Glahn is a [...] - 5 Minutes for Books–Personalized Miffy Book
Every preschooler loves a birthday party and your preschooler can now be the star of the party in this Miffy book from Personal Gifts. I have always been somewhat skeptical of personalized books, because I remember the ones of my childhood where Jennifer! would be inserted way too often and in a completely different [...]
September 3, 2007
- 5 Minutes for Books–Intimate Marriage and Confident Parenting
I have been a fan of Jim Burns’ Homeword broadcasts for almost a year now, listening to his interviews and book coverage via my ipod. Many of the books that I have featured in this column are as a result of hearing about them on his show. One of his oft-repeated pieces of [...]
August 27, 2007
- 5 Minutes for Books–The Other Mother
The Other Mother by Gwendolen Gross is a must-read novel for moms. This book is the perfect combination of skillful writing, dramatic suspense, and a thought-provoking topic. Ms. Gross manages to write a book that does not take sides on the unwinnable Mommy Wars. Sometimes the women’s actions are noble and sometimes they are [...]
- 5 Minutes for Books–Meghan Rose Early Readers
First came Ramona. Then Junie B. Jones. Now meet Meghan Rose. She’s just as spunky, but not quite as sassy. She’s a first grade girl who finds herself getting into some fixes, in spite of her heart of gold. Lori Z. Scott is a mom and a former first grade teacher [...]
August 20, 2007
- 5 Minutes for Books–Two Books to Help You Take Care of Yourself
If we are going to take care of our families, we need to be sure we are taking care of ourselves. These two books can help insure that you are feeling your best. You can enter to win a copy of either of these books at the bottom of the post.
In Lean [...] - 5 Minutes for Books–Three Picture Books by Jane Yolen
The second review this week features three picture books by Jane Yolen. Read the descriptions of all three, and then share which one interests you most for a chance to win the book of your choice.
How Do Dinosaurs Go to School? is the latest book in the “How Do Dinosaurs” series written by Jane [...]
August 13, 2007
- 5 Minutes for Books Winners and Request for Your Feedback
A Note from Jennifer:
I wanted to take a moment and thank you for your encouragement and interest in the 5 Minutes for Books column here at 5 Minutes for Mom. I was on a lovely vacation all last week with my family, so Janice is posting this week (she and Susan will still pop [...] - 5 Minutes for Books - “Understanding Your Moods When You’re Expecting”
This is the first of two reviews today for 5 Minutes for Books. Click here or scroll down for the second review. Both reviews today are written by Janice.
Understanding Your Moods When You’re Expecting – Emotions, Mental Health, And Happiness – Before, During, And After Pregnancy
No matter how we find out – two lines [...] - 5 Minutes for Books - “Hot Stuff to Help Kids Cheer Up”
This is the second of two reviews today for 5 Minutes for Books. Click here for the first review. Both reviews today are written by Janice.
Hot Stuff to Help Kids Cheer Up – The Depression and Self-Esteem Workbook
Kids get depressed too.
For years professionals believed that children were not capable of such complex emotions, [...]
August 6, 2007
- Woman in Red
We’re seeing red here at 5 Minutes for Books. This is review one of two by Jennifer Donovan. You can find the review of The Little Red Book of Wisdom and the prize winners from last week’s reviews here.
Most of my reading of late has been non-fiction, so it was with [...]





















