Recently the publishers of Brain, Child magazine sent me their current issue and several back issues as well, and I decided that this column would be the perfect place to introduce it. I’ve written about my recent addiction to magazines (even fluffy ones), but for the most part I am a book reader. I like the meat. I like to get lost in a great story, or to absorb the advice in a helpful parenting or marriage book.
But I’m always answering the question from friends and readers of this column and the 5 Minutes for Books site, “How do you find all that time to read?” The short answer is that it’s something I love, so I make time for it, just like people make time to watch TV or movies, scrapbook, and have lunch with friends. Reading books just might not be your love right now, and that’s okay; but if you do truly want to squeeze in a few pages, try to eliminate something else in order to add in some pages.
If you are pulled to the written word yet still don’t want to make drastic changes in your leisure choices, you can take 5 minutes to read a magazine article, and you might want to give Brain, Child magazine a try. The tagline is that it’s the “Magazine for thinking mothers.” I will add that it’s also a bit gritty, exploring the pros and cons of issues such as circumcision, “indoctrinating” your children with your own political views, and the reality of life after divorce. The essays also contain an occasional use of mild profanity. But I found that while I didn’t agree with all the viewpoints expressed or didn’t approach life as many of the contributors did, I wasn’t offended by the differences. It made me think of a nicely balanced group of women friends: some might work outside the home, some might work inside the home, they might homeschool their children, or send them to public or private institutions. Some are close to their extended family, and some feud. Some are vegetarians, others overweight or excessive exercisers or couch potatoes. My life is richer through interacting with those who have different viewpoints from mine. Brain, Child magazine opens the doors to diverse viewpoints that I might not encounter in my day-to-day life.
Yes, there are a billion magazines and websites where you can learn the latest potty training tips, creative crafts, and easy ideas for on-the-go meals, but what if you do want to go deeper and explore some of the cultural issues that affect you as a mom, or read some truly beautiful writing? Brain, Child magazine might be the perfect crossover vehicle for you. You can whet your appetite for meaty writing with four issues a year. When your children are grown and you have leisure time in abundance (Ha!), your brain will be primed and ready to pick up the next Pulitzer Prize winning novelist, or will welcome the latest chick lit offering with ease.
Another cool idea offered up at the Brain, Child website is to center a book club meeting around an issue of the magazine. They even offer a special Book Club Deal. If you find that your book club is more club than book, maybe try to focus on a few thought-provoking essays and articles one month!
If you’d like to get a taste of the content, their website has some great articles and essays as well. Click here to subscribe.
If you are interested in winning a one-year subscription to Brain, Child magazine leave a comment (U.S. addresses only). We’ll announce the winner in next week’s column.
The winners of their choice of Dewey the Small-town Library Cat in their choice of audiobook or hardcover are:
#161 Jodi, audiobook
#60 Susan Heim, hardcover
#56 Andria, hardcover
#26 Katherine Frazier, audiobook
#123 Veronica Sandberg, hardcover
For those of you who submitted questions, I don’t know if any were used, but I’ll be sure to post the link for the podcast here in a future column when the publisher sends it to me.
I’m never heard of this magazine, but am going to do some research on it now. Thanks!
This sounds like an interesting magazine. I’ve never read it, but I would love to check it out!
Please enter me into the contest. Thanks!
Thinking and Motherhood are NOT mutually exclusive. I’d love to win!
I’ve never heard of this before. It looks like my daughter would love it 🙂
Wow, this sounds like my kind of magazine. I want in! Thank you!
I have never heard of this before either; sounds neat.
Count me in please.
Looks like a great mag, count me in!
Love to win! Thanks for the chance!
PLEASE COUNT ME IN ON THIS AWESOME GIVEAWAY 🙂
Sounds like a neat prize although i never heard of it,
I would love to win a subscription to this magazine.
Thank you for this great contest and prize!
I could use any tips on making life easier since I have a 2 year old son and 4 year old daughter!
I have never heard of this company, looks really interesting, though
First time I’ve heard of it but it sounds good.
Thanks for the magazine review!
I’d love to win this — sounds like a magazine worth reading!
Count me in!! Have a great weekend!
This looks great. I would love it.
My kids would enjoy this!
This sounds like exactly what I have been looking for!
Thanks for the Giveaway!
Very nice. Thanks.
sounds like an interesting, thought provoking magazine.
I’d love to win this for my daughter.
Sounds wonderful 🙂
This sounds great. I’d love to enter!:)
I have never read this but am very interested in finding out more. Please enter me.
This sounds right up my alley. Please enter me!
Im a subscriber!!
This sounds great, I’d love to win. Im a magazine junkie! 🙂
I love Child magazine
A subscription to this magazine would be great.
Sounds great! A magazine for WOMEN that isn’t fluff! EXCELLENT!
Cute magazine
This looks like a really interesting magazine! Thanks for a great giveaway 🙂
This would be a great magazine for us. Thanks for the contest.
thank you
Am I too late to comment?? Just found this post!! I also just found Brain, Child last summer and LOVE LOVE LOVE this magazine. It’s hard to find (my Borders doesn’t carry it, and Barnes & Noble didn’t have the fall issue in recently) and I’m putting a subscription on my Christmas list! Count me in for the giveaway – thanks!
great magazines!
Sounds like a very useful magazine and a good source for some worthwhile information.
I am very interested in Brain. Please count me in.
Whata fantastic prize! I’d love this for my little brain child!
I love Brain, Child. My subscription recently ran out and I don’t have the money to renew, so I’d LOVE to win it!
I had never heard of Brain, Child, but I am definitely intrigued.
Enter me too, please!
want to win this
Sounds interesting
I’ve never heard of Brain Child before now, but I’m intrigued…. thanks for the chance to win a subscription.
Sounds like an interesting read!
it sounds like a fabulous magazine, i would love to check it out!
I would love to check out this!
Since I am a total magazine and book lover, I would love to read a magazine that challenges our minds. Great! blackford56@yahoo.com
Very nice! 🙂
I’ve borrowed a few from friends, but I’ve never had my own subscription. I’d love to.
I love good magazines, and would really enjoying winning a subscription!
thanks for the review
I would love a subscription!!!
Sounds like a great gift for a new mom I know of.
I’ve never heard of Brain Child, but it sounds like a great magazine. I’d love a subscription!
I’ve heard such good things about this magazine! I’d love to win a subscription!
This would be something the new great grandkids could use. Thanks for the chance at it.
I’d love to win this!
Looks interesting. I would love this. Thanks!
who would have thought
Looks very interesting!
I don’t have time for books usually, but I love to read magazines. Having 4 kids and a special needs 20 year old plus working full time as a Registered Nurse means a magazine is often my sole break (except sleeping!)
I’d be interested in reading this magazine after reading your take on it.
I like the looks of this.
I have never heard this before, but sounds very interesting.
I’v ehad my eye on this magazine and would love to win a subscription.
Thanks,
Maureen (jnomaxx at hotmail dot com)
I’ve never heard of it, but it sounds intriguing – thanks for the review!
I would love to check this out!
I love, love, love Brain,Child magazine!!!! Just renewed my subscription so don’t enter me in the contest – let someone else see just how great it is!!
enter me in the drawing.
I would love a chance to win! I’m always looking for new magazines to subscribe to!
I had never heard of it either,and was interested that so many people had! Sounds fascinating!
I have never heard of Brain, Child. I will have to check it out, sounds like something I would like.
I’d like to win a subscription. It looks like an interesting mag.
This looks like a smart and good mag. I’m always in the market.
I am interested in this magazine.
With a hectic lifestyle, I am always trying to gauge whether or not something is worth my time. I love to read, but often find myself spending more time picking out a book then actually sitting down and reading it! This magazine looks like it would keep my interest and make me feel good about the time I spent reading it.
subscriber
love it
This sounds like an interesting magazine.
This sounds like an interesting magazine.
HAVE NEVER READ BUT WOULD LOVE TO CHECK IT OUT
I’m intrigued by this. Off to check out the website a little…
I’d love to win!
This is one of my favorite magazines – I would love a subscription!
I love Brain, Child–a subscription would be such a treat!
I love Brain, Child! I wish my library carried it, but they don’t.
Thanks for the magazine review!
I love Brain, Child. I had no idea they had a book club special. I need to look into that for my playgroup. Thanks for the great info!