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5 Minutes for Books:
The Threadbare Heart

May 3, 2010 by Jennifer Donovan

This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy here.

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This book arrived at the perfect time. I was fairly caught up on my household chores, and it was a beautiful spring day. I sat out on the driveway while my son played in the dirt and drew chalk drawings all around me. I didn’t finish it in one day, but it didn’t take me long to read it, because it was the kind of book I wanted to take every free moment to finish reading.

I reviewed Jennie Nash’s book The Only True Genius in the Family last year, and it was another book that I just couldn’t put down. Jennie Nash is one of those authors who “gets” people, and as you read about the fictional characters, you can relate perfectly to their struggles, imperfections, hopes and dreams.

The Threadbare Heart is a character-driven novel, and deals with such themes as

  • The nature of marriage (and how it changes over the years)
  • lifelong friendships
  • mothers and daughters
  • husbands and wives
  • sacrificing your dreams
  • following your dreams
  • grief

The Threadbare Heart tells the story of Lily as she grieves the loss of her husband Tom and embraces the new life that they decided to take on, and her mother Eleanor who seems a bit jealous of her daughter’s life (or at least was before her sudden loss, for which she still doesn’t seem to be able to show much compassion).

The first sentence of the book is “Love was the one thing Lily always thought she did better than her mother” (page 1).

And with that, the stage was set. Aren’t we always comparing ourselves to our mothers? Or our sisters? Or our friends? Isn’t there always a kernel of self-doubt as we evaluate ourselves and the choices we’ve made, especially in comparison to other women in our lives?

Some people avoid novels dealing with grief, but if you like popular women’s fiction, I know you will love The Threadbare Heart. It is smart, analytical, thought-provoking, honest and true, but avoids being grim or bitter.

Read the first chapter of The Threadbare Heart and see if you like it as much as I do.

Leave a comment here to win a signed copy of the book. We’ll announce a winner (U.S. only) on May 17, right here in the 5 Minutes for Books column.

I’d also like to invite you to enter The Threadbare Heart Mother-Daughter Duo contest on 5 Minutes for Books. Click over to see all the details, but basically, you just have to write up to 250 words about your favorite fictional mother-daughter team. The winner’s entry will be published on 5 Minutes for Books on Mother’s Day, May 9, and will win a signed copy of the book and be entered to win the grand prize — 10 books and a rum cake, perfect for a girls’ night in or a bookclub meeting. Hurry! You only have until 8:00am Eastern to enter (U.S. addresses only). Get all the details and leave your entry on this post at 5 Minutes for Books.

The winners of Healthy Sex Drive, Healthy You are #27 Jenn of the Roof, #4 Stacy, #32 Alison S.

Five copies of Who Loves the Little Lamb are still up for grabs here at 5 Minutes for Mom,

and 5 Minutes for Books has FIVE book giveaways open this week.

Written by book blogger Jennifer Donovan. Thanks to the publisher for the review copy

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Around the Blogosphere – Add YOUR Giveaway Link
Indulge this Mother’s Day with Wine, Chocolate, and Mr. Darcy!

About Jennifer Donovan

Jennifer Donovan has been a part of the 5 Minutes for Mom team since 2007. She writes product reviews, covers events, and manages the 5 Minutes for Books weekly column and website. She lives in Houston and blogs at Snapshot about life with her family.

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79 Comments

  1. heather c says

    May 16, 2010 at 11:55 pm

    Loved the excerpt. Would love to read more! Thanks!

    Reply
  2. Deb says

    May 16, 2010 at 11:27 pm

    Would love to read this book!

    Reply
  3. Veronica Garrett says

    May 16, 2010 at 10:32 pm

    I would love to win this book. It sounds very interesting.

    Reply
  4. susan smoaks says

    May 16, 2010 at 7:42 pm

    this is at the top of my want to read list

    Reply
  5. sdnwdn says

    May 16, 2010 at 6:45 pm

    Would like to read this book

    Reply
  6. timothysternberg says

    May 16, 2010 at 6:00 pm

    I love reading.

    Reply
  7. Connie Gruning says

    May 16, 2010 at 5:47 pm

    I would love to win this book. I have 2 perfect daughters and one equally perfect Granddaughter to share it with.

    Reply
  8. Ambre W. says

    May 16, 2010 at 4:54 pm

    Your review made me want to read this book!

    Reply
  9. Charlene Kuser says

    May 16, 2010 at 2:49 pm

    I enjoyed the excerpt from the book and would love to know more about Tom and Lily.The
    book sounds wonderful

    Reply
  10. shawna says

    May 16, 2010 at 1:50 pm

    Would love to read this book!

    Reply
  11. Joanne Schultz says

    May 16, 2010 at 12:57 pm

    That book sounds great! It would make a welcome break from serial killer books 🙂

    Thanks for the giveaway!

    Reply
  12. Breanne W says

    May 16, 2010 at 10:32 am

    sounds like a good book!

    Reply
  13. kathy pease says

    May 16, 2010 at 9:56 am

    Thank you for the Great giveaway please count me in 🙂

    Reply
  14. Susan Smith says

    May 16, 2010 at 9:50 am

    Sounds like a good book

    Reply
  15. keilann says

    May 16, 2010 at 9:23 am

    I’d love to win this book. thanks for the chance!

    Reply
  16. Lily Kwan says

    May 16, 2010 at 9:09 am

    Please enter me into the contest. Thanks!

    Reply
  17. Melissa B. says

    May 16, 2010 at 8:54 am

    I would love to win. Thanks.

    Reply
  18. dddiva says

    May 16, 2010 at 7:47 am

    Thanks for the review- I love to read.

    Reply
  19. oneangel says

    May 16, 2010 at 6:11 am

    This sounds like a great book!! Thanks~

    Reply
  20. cynthia layton says

    May 16, 2010 at 5:32 am

    enter please

    Reply
  21. Gianna says

    May 16, 2010 at 2:21 am

    Please enter me 🙂

    Reply
  22. Chrysa says

    May 16, 2010 at 12:37 am

    Looks great! Thanks for the giveaway!

    Reply
  23. Ed Nemmers says

    May 15, 2010 at 4:50 pm

    I would like to read this!

    Reply
  24. Andria says

    May 15, 2010 at 12:31 pm

    I would love a chance to win. Thank you.

    Reply
  25. Cheryl F says

    May 15, 2010 at 7:30 am

    I would enjoy reading this book, thanks for a chance to win it.

    Reply
  26. Rebecca says

    May 15, 2010 at 5:27 am

    sounds like a good read

    Reply
  27. susan says

    May 14, 2010 at 12:45 pm

    I love reading, it relaxes me.

    Reply
  28. Diane F says

    May 14, 2010 at 8:49 am

    I am hooked after reading the first chapter!

    Reply
  29. Kathy Scott says

    May 13, 2010 at 4:43 pm

    Looks like a good read. Thanks for the chance

    Reply
  30. Jenn S. says

    May 11, 2010 at 11:12 am

    Sounds like an excellent read.

    Reply
  31. Carolyn says

    May 10, 2010 at 11:12 pm

    Love to read and this book looks great…

    Reply
  32. Some Lucky Dog says

    May 10, 2010 at 12:31 am

    This sounds like a good book for a long, rainy day!

    Reply
  33. Alicia says

    May 8, 2010 at 5:07 pm

    Would love to read this.

    Thanks for the giveaway >^..^<

    Reply
  34. Page Turner (Heather) says

    May 8, 2010 at 4:01 pm

    This sounds really good! I love books that are honest about relationships!

    Reply
  35. Sarah - PS Mom Reviews says

    May 8, 2010 at 1:02 pm

    This looks like a good book!

    Reply
  36. racergirl1313 says

    May 6, 2010 at 5:18 pm

    I’d love to read this, You can never have enough books to read!

    Reply
  37. Tammy says

    May 6, 2010 at 12:56 pm

    This sounds like the perfect book that I love to read

    Reply
  38. Staci A says

    May 5, 2010 at 2:00 pm

    I would love to read this! It sounds like a wonderful book!

    Reply
  39. Miranda Allen says

    May 4, 2010 at 9:04 pm

    Looks like a Great book

    Reply
  40. barb says

    May 4, 2010 at 7:13 pm

    Sounds like a great book thanks for all these fantastic giveaways.

    Reply
  41. Marj McClendon says

    May 4, 2010 at 4:00 pm

    How awesome to have two chances to win this book. I am so interested.

    Reply
  42. Shantel Cannon says

    May 4, 2010 at 3:59 pm

    Your review made me read the first chapter now that I have I am hooked! Would love to snag a copy and share with my family! Thanks for the review. I am defintely reading this no matter what!!

    Reply
  43. Terra Heck says

    May 4, 2010 at 3:44 pm

    I’d like to read this book. Thanks.
    partymix25(at)hotmail(dot)com

    Reply
  44. EMMA L HORTON says

    May 4, 2010 at 12:42 pm

    I NEED A BOOK TO READ AND THIS ONE SOUNDS GOOD

    Reply
  45. Elizabeth says

    May 4, 2010 at 12:21 pm

    sounds like a great summer read.

    Reply
  46. McKim says

    May 4, 2010 at 11:44 am

    Sounds like a great read for a lazy summer evening.

    Reply
  47. katklaw777 says

    May 4, 2010 at 11:37 am

    Thanks for the great review, looks interesting.

    Reply
  48. Deborah says

    May 4, 2010 at 11:18 am

    Would be nice to win 🙂

    Reply
  49. Summer Bryan says

    May 4, 2010 at 12:46 am

    I’m not very good at facing others loss since experiencing my own. But having read the first chapter, I’m sucked in! Either you win it to me,, or I end up buying it! 😉

    Reply
  50. Hailey says

    May 3, 2010 at 10:43 pm

    THat first sentence…. oh, I have to read this book!

    Reply
  51. Michele J. says

    May 3, 2010 at 9:35 pm

    From what I’ve read, this looks like a great book!

    Reply
  52. melissa A. says

    May 3, 2010 at 9:24 pm

    sounds like a good read!

    Reply
  53. susan varney says

    May 3, 2010 at 6:56 pm

    Reflect SPF 30 Natural Sunscreen [email protected]

    Reply
  54. Trish says

    May 3, 2010 at 6:48 pm

    Sounds like a great read – thanks for the review and the giveaway!

    Reply
  55. Kelly H says

    May 3, 2010 at 6:00 pm

    thanks for the review, sounds like a great read! read the first chapter posted and woud love to win a copy.

    kholt(at)gmail(dot)com

    Reply
    • kelly h says

      May 3, 2010 at 6:02 pm

      woops left out part of my email address

      kholt1211(at)gmail(dot)com

      Reply
  56. Benita G. says

    May 3, 2010 at 4:48 pm

    This book sounds fab. I hope I’m lucky!

    bgcchs(at)yahoo(dot)com

    Reply
  57. riTa says

    May 3, 2010 at 4:19 pm

    Loved it!
    So much in there i could relate to: teacher , grandparent, empty nester, loving husband, love for books, on and on…now I MUST read the rest of the story.

    Reply
  58. Jaime says

    May 3, 2010 at 3:34 pm

    I haven’t read a novel in ages and the idea of one that can suck me in has me inspired to escape into pages! Enough of the non-fiction and required reading, time for some pleasure reading!

    Reply
  59. Eileen says

    May 3, 2010 at 3:17 pm

    Books are like fine gold to me now…this one sounds SO meaningful. Id pass it on to all my sisters and my mom too. We love to share the dreams of others on pages!

    thank you!

    Reply
  60. Jennie Nash says

    May 3, 2010 at 1:34 pm

    Don’t need to win a copy (hee hee) but just wanted to stop by to thank you for your thoughtful review. It’s such an honor to be read by such a smart reader who “sees” all the things I was trying to do. I also loved your description of the chalk art in the driveway. What a happy scene! Thanks again….

    Reply
  61. Alicia Webster says

    May 3, 2010 at 12:25 pm

    I have never read anything by this author, but I love books that center around family issues.

    Reply
  62. Tishawn says

    May 3, 2010 at 12:10 pm

    This looks and sounds like a great book. Would be the perfect read for me.

    Reply
  63. Michael Capp says

    May 3, 2010 at 11:13 am

    I’d love to win!

    Reply
  64. Mary Ward says

    May 3, 2010 at 10:58 am

    I loved her book The Last Beach Bungalow and I have The Only True Genius in the Family in my TBR pile.

    Reply
  65. rebecca says

    May 3, 2010 at 10:19 am

    pick me!

    Reply
  66. Magi says

    May 3, 2010 at 10:18 am

    I’d love to read this book.

    Reply
  67. Mozi Esmes Mommy says

    May 3, 2010 at 9:48 am

    I’d love to read this!

    janemaritz at yahoo dot com

    Reply
  68. Linda White says

    May 3, 2010 at 8:59 am

    Id love to read this book! It sounds so good, like what I like to read!

    Reply
  69. Michele Anne says

    May 3, 2010 at 8:06 am

    sounds good…sign me up

    Reply
  70. Ankit Porwal says

    May 3, 2010 at 7:25 am

    “Have you used BlogolB? Its an attempt to develop a searchable and categorized directory of the thousands of WordPress Blogs out there.”..

    Reply
  71. Karyn says

    May 3, 2010 at 7:20 am

    I love to read–looks like a great book!

    Reply
  72. staci says

    May 3, 2010 at 6:26 am

    that book sounds interesting.

    Reply
  73. Krista says

    May 3, 2010 at 2:20 am

    Sounds intriguing, thanks!

    Reply
  74. Deanne says

    May 3, 2010 at 1:52 am

    Oooo….sounds like a book I could really sink in to!

    Reply
  75. Jeannette says

    May 3, 2010 at 12:24 am

    This sounds like a great book. I would love to read it.

    Reply
  76. Deborah K says

    May 3, 2010 at 12:22 am

    A good book makes a great friend!

    Reply
  77. Cleo says

    May 3, 2010 at 12:20 am

    I sooo enjoy reading. Nothing beats a good book and tall glass of fresh-squeezed lemonade on the back porch on a midsummer’s night!
    Would LOVE to win this autographed book!

    Reply

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