5 Minutes for Books:
The Only True Genius in the Family

ByJennifer Donovan Published On: Updated On:

The sudden death of Claire’s father causes her to reevaluate

  • her relationship with him — which was never good
  • her own career
  • her relationship with her young adult daughter
  • whether or not DNA factors into artistic talent

These themes will resonate with most women. Who hasn’t compared their relationship to a parent with a sibling? Who hasn’t coveted a talent that another family member possesses? Who hasn’t wondered whether or not you’re using your own talents in the best way? Who hasn’t wished for a second-chance to let a loved-one know how you felt? There are questions in the back of the book designed to stimulate further discussion. It would be great to read it with a friend or a book group.

I read The Only True Genius in the Family by Jennie Nash within 24 hours. It’s not a suspenseful novel, but as I finished each chapter, I itched to turn the page and begin the next one immediately. This is always a prime indicator that I am really enjoying a book, but I did wonder if speeding through a novel lessens the joy that comes from savoring the story and the characters. However, both the themes in this novel and the characters themselves have stuck with me, so I don’t think that I robbed myself of anything in this particular case.

I enjoyed it and it touched me — by making me laugh as well as dwelling on the characters and the issues raised — which leaves no doubt in my mind that it’s a book I’ll be recommending throughout the year.

If you’d like to win a copy of The Only True Genius in the Family (U.S. shipping addresses only), leave a comment here. The winner will be announced in next Monday’s column and is subject to our terms and conditions.

This giveaway is linked to the Bloggy Giveaways carnival. Check out more giveaways over there all week long. Be sure to enter our HUGE book giveaway at 5 Minutes for Books as well (you can win a set of books worth over $150).

The winner of last week’s book, How to Be Like Walt, is #159 Brenda. You should have received an email from me, but if not, please send your shipping info to 5minutesforbooks [at] gmail DOT com.

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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256 Comments

  1. love suspense novels. Thanks for having the wonderful giveaway.

  2. The Only True Genius in the Family has got to be a great find. I’d love to read it if it’s the type of book where you can feel good about yourself once you’ve read the book and tried some of the practical advice it may have to offer.

  3. Janice Wright says:

    Thank you for the wonderful giveaway!

  4. I would like to add this to my collection. Thank you

  5. Kelli Robinson says:

    With lots of artistic and creative people in my own family, I think I would enjoy this book. Thanks for the chance to win!

  6. Lily Kwan says:

    Please enter me into the contest. Thanks!

  7. Pingback: On Reading: Amazon Knows Me Well

  8. i like it!!!! i hope i’ll be the winner!!! thanks!!!

  9. i love to read this book! hope i’ll win in this contest! thanks in advance!!!

  10. Tamara Burks says:

    I love to read.

  11. Brenda Park says:

    Sounds like a great book, thanks!

  12. Would love to win! Thanks for the giveaway.

  13. Catherine says:

    Thanx for the contest

  14. Thanks for this giveaway. I love to read.

  15. Melanie D says:

    I could use a new book!

  16. Looks like a great book. I love book reviews. I get some good ideas.

  17. Belinda Shaw says:

    This sounds like a must read book!

  18. Jason Lawless says:

    Looks like a good read.

  19. Sounds like a good book

  20. Cindy B. in Montana says:

    I have your button…

  21. Cindy B. in Montana says:

    I subscribe!

  22. Cindy B. in Montana says:

    Sounds like a book I would enjoy very much…thanks!

  23. I’ve asked my self all those questions you asked! Thanks for the giveaway.1

  24. Rita Orwosky says:

    Thanks for the contest. I would like to win a book.

  25. REBECCA TOWNER says:

    LOVE TO READ

  26. I would love to read this book.

  27. I need a new book to read!

  28. Naomi Milbrett says:

    I’m always looking for new books to try:)

  29. Thanks for the giveaway:)
    angelacisco at rocketmail.com

  30. Katherine Frazier says:

    Looks like a good read for these dark cold winter nights.

  31. Susan Smith says:

    Please enter me

  32. christopher h says:

    would love to read this

  33. thanks for the giveaway

  34. I love all kinds of books, and a quick read like this sometimes just hits the spot! I hope I win!

  35. This sounds like a good read. Not my normal read, but I would like to read it. Thank you for the giveaway.

  36. Stephanie Bruce says:

    I would love this, I am an avid reader so thanks for a great giveaway

  37. VampAmber says:

    Sounds shiny. I’d love to read it. Enter me away. *crosses her fingers*

  38. Looks great. Thanks 🙂

  39. Melissa P says:

    This bookworm wants to thank you for a great giveaway.

  40. I need a new book to read. i am about to finish one and I hate to not have another one ready to read!

  41. book giveaways are the best.

  43. Sounds like an excellent book!

  44. Sounds like a very good read, thanks!

  45. Sounds like a book I would enjoy. Thanks for the nice giveaway!

  46. It sounds like a great read 😀 I loooove books! so I’d probably love this too hehe

  47. I would love to read this book, thank you!

  48. I’m always looking for books to read this time of year. thanks!

  49. Michael Capp says:

    I’d love to win!

  50. I am ALL about books. And chocolate. And target. Well okay…I am ALL about free stuff.

    This sounds like an awesome book. I can’t wait to read it.

    Now I just need to win 🙂

  51. I also tend to rush through a book if I am really enjoying it. This sounds like a book I would really like.

  52. Helena Batt-Vesey says:

    Thanks for the giveaway!

  53. I would really like to read this book!

  54. Sounds like a good read! Thanks for the giveaway.

  55. Looks like a good read. Thanks for the giveaway!

    kimspam66(at)yahoo(dot)com

  56. This book sounds like something I would enjoy reading. Thanks for the giveaway!

  57. booklogged says:

    I’ve been hearing really good things about this book. Please enter me in the drawing. XXfingers are crossedXX

  58. Sounds like this would be a good book for me to read.

    Thanks

  59. I’d love to read this book!

  60. I also subscribe to your feed!

  61. Sounds like a good book~count me in!

  62. Sounds very interesting!

  63. Bethany Rose Morford says:

    This book looks fascinating.

  65. Ooh, this sounds like a book I’d enjoy curling up with!

  66. Mary_Freebies says:

    Please enter me girls! 🙂

  67. Sounds like a great book, thanks for the giveaway!

  68. would love this!!!! Thanks so much!

  69. Sounds like a great book. I always love new authors/titles. Thanks

  70. Jennifer Barr says:

    looks good 🙂

  71. Karen Gonyea says:

    Sounds great – count me in 🙂

  72. I’m always looking for a new way to escape 🙂

  73. The Gang's All Here! says:

    On these long, cold winter days, I am always looking for a good, new book to encourage me to rest a bit during Li’l Empress’s nap time! Thanks for the opportunity to win this.

  74. This sounds like a great book! Thank you for offering the giveaway! rhonda (at) acedesignstudio (dot) com

  75. nicole belletiere says:

    I would love to read this book

  77. Thanks!

  78. BlapherMJ says:

    This is one I really want to read. Thanks!

  79. This is the second time today I’ve seen this book mentioned so I guess I need to read it!

    anamcara2007@yahoo.com

  80. I would love to win! Thanks!

  81. Looks great! Thanks for the giveaway!

  82. James Coyne says:

    Enter me please

  83. Jenn Ryan says:

    Sounds like an interesting book!

  84. Carla Spence says:

    I am so interested in John Nash’s story. I’d love to read this book.

  85. AZ Dog Mom says:

    Sounds like a really good read. Even if I don’t win, I’m going to have to add it to my Amazon Wish List.

  86. This book sounds good.

  88. Sounds fun. THank you

  89. Gary Osborn says:

    Wooo Hooo Make me a winner!

  90. Vicky Boackle says:

    this looks great.

  91. I am always looking for good books to read and this looks like it fits the bill.

  93. gahome2mom says:

    I’d like to win this book. I need to read more than the kids text books. lol

    gahome2mom(at)gmail(dot)com

  94. This sounds like a great book to read.

  95. Thank you for the great giveaway

  96. I would love to read this book! Thanks for the great giveaway!
    -Angela
    itsahumanzoo(at)gmail(dot)com
    P.S. I’ve got a giveaway on my blog as well, feel free to check it out!

  97. This looks like an interesting read.

  98. veronica sandberg says:

    want to win this

  99. Molly Capel says:

    This sounds like a really interesting book.

  100. Amy Gangloff says:

    This book sounds interesting and I would be happy to own a copy myself of this or any new book. My book collection has gone sour, so I need a refresher. Thanks

  101. enter me!

  102. Theresa N says:

    I’m always interested in reading a good book.

  103. This sounds wonderful. I always wonder why I am the only one in my family who can’t draw a thing!

  104. Sounds great. Thank you!

  105. Sherri B. says:

    Sounds like a really good read! Thanks for the chance to win!!!

    sherri419 at gmail dot com

  106. please enter me in this great contest thanks

  107. …and your email newsletter, as well.

  108. I subscribe to your feed…

  109. Sounds fantastic — I love that it includes discussion questions.

    Thanks for the chance…
    Megret
    musesofmegret (at) gmail (dot) com

  110. Thanks for the giveaway. I’l always looking for my next “good read.”

  111. I would love to win this, Thanks!

  112. Kathy Scott says:

    Looks like a good read. Thanks for the chance.

  113. I would love to read this book. I need a light read right now. I’m a full time teacher and have gone back for a master in Speech Pathology….heavy reading….need something else.

  114. I’m always looking for my next book to read, this sounds interesting.

  115. Vicki Wurgler says:

    I would love to read this book

  116. I’d like to read it and pass it on to MIL. Thanks.
    solta(at)hotmaildotcom

  117. Thanks for the opportunity to win!

  118. Sounds very good, thanks for the chance to win!

  120. Rhonda Mason says:

    This sounds like great read. I’d love to win it. Thanks!

  122. Sounds good!!!

  123. I love good book suggestions! Thanks for the giveaway.

  124. Sounds like a good read.

  125. Christina says:

    This book sounds interesting. I would love to read it.

  126. My husband and I argue over which one of us is more genius-esque, but I know the truth.

  127. david basile says:

    Sounds like a good book

  128. Miranda Allen says:

    Please enter me thanks

  129. dorothy l says:

    I would love to win the book

  130. The book sounds great. Thanks for the giveaway.

  131. Chelsea Daigle says:

    This sounds like a book I would love. Count me in!

  132. Katrina (Callapidder Days) says:

    This sounds good, even if it isn’t a suspenseful book. 🙂 Please enter me.

  133. Veronica L. says:

    This one sounds very interesting! Thanks for a great giveaway 🙂

  134. Carol Lawrence says:

    Enter me,I would like to win and read this book.

  135. Terra Heck says:

    I’d like to read this book.

  136. Sounds like a good book. I’ve added it to my reading list. Thanks for the chance!

  137. thanks for the chance!

  138. Csixberry says:

    Sounds interesting! Thanks for the giveaway!

  139. shannon Baas says:

    Interesting book.

  140. Looks like a book I would dig. Thanks!

  141. As a true book fiend I would truly enjoy this book.

  142. I love new books to read, thanks!

  143. Donna M. Clark says:

    I would love to read this book. Thank you for having this giveaway.

  144. Yes, I’m itching to read this book since I saw it listed on your other contest earlier today!Thanks,

    Jenny

  146. My favorite kind of book, one that you don’t want to put down, thanks for the giveaway

  147. Rebecca Graham says:

    I love to read and this sounds like a great book!

  148. Sounds like a great read!

  150. Erika Lynn says:

    Thanks for the give away. sounds like a great book!

  151. I love reading, this giveaway is wonderful

  152. Susan Smith says:

    I’d like to be entered too. Thank you

  153. I would love to win a new book! Thanks!

  154. Love to read. Thanks!

  155. The way you described the book has peaked my interest! I would love to win!

    orchestratenoise0726[at]yahoo[dot]com

  156. I am always looking for something new to read, please enter me into your drawing. Thanks

  157. Sounds like a very good read.

  158. Sounds like my kind of book!

  159. michele anne jaquays says:

    Hey, sure would like to win…..

  160. Reva Skie says:

    I love tucking into a new book.

  161. I would love to be entered. It sounds like just the type of book I love to share with my mom

  162. I’m always looking for something new to read!

  163. I’d love to read it!

  164. Catherine copeland says:

    i’m so excited about this giveaway. thank you so much.

  165. Sharon Jones says:

    Would love to win
    THANKS!

  166. Danielle F says:

    Sounds like a great book.

  167. wow this sounds like a good book!!
    would love to win this!

  168. I’d love to add this to my collection!

  169. Thanks for the giveaway

  170. sounds like a great read thanks for the giveaway

  171. susan varney says:

    love to win

  172. Kristina E says:

    this sounds wonderful, thanks for entering me

  173. I’m always looking for a new book to curl up with. Thank you for the giveaway! 🙂

  174. Would love a new book to read and this one sounds intriguing. Thanks for the giveaway!

  175. Thanks for the giveaway!!

    Lisa

    lisakay720[at]yahoo[dot]com

  176. I love to read, as I mentioned to you this morning. I love fiction and some non fiction, especially biographies. Please do enter me.

  178. I would LOVE to win this book. I love reading 🙂 Thank you!

  179. C. clemens says:

    I love reading, please enter me

  180. Jason Nickolay says:

    I am always looking for some new books. Thanks for the give away

  181. Tammy Darling says:

    This looks like a good story.

  182. This sounds like a book I’d be interested in. Normally I prefer suspense novels, but it’s always nice to change things up from time to time.

  183. Your description of the book sounds very good, I now need to read this. Thank you for offering it.

  184. Thanks for having this giveaway. I would love to win this book.

  185. bridget3420 says:

    This book sounds good. Thanks for the contest.

  186. Rebecca C says:

    Thanks for sharing!

  187. Matthew Meisenhelder says:

    thanks! hope i win 🙂

    luckymatt5 AT gmail DOT com

  188. I’m always on the look out for good books!

  189. always looking for a good read!

  190. Sounds like a fun read!

  191. Sounds like a great book!

  192. Audra Marie says:

    This sounds like a really interesting read. Thanks for the chance to win a copy. 🙂

  193. Sounds like a good read!

  194. Sounds like an interesting read..I personally thought it was a book about me…genius and all???

  195. It sounds like a good book. My indicator that the story is good? LOoking at the clock and realizing it is well past midnight and I have to be up soon, yet still unable to put it down

  196. I love to read and this book sounds great!

  197. This sounds like I would like the storyline. Thanks.

  198. I’d love to read it!

  199. Sounds like a great book! I can definitely relate to reevaluating things. I’d love a chance to read it.

  200. CrystalGB says:

    Sounds like a great book. Please count me in.

  201. Sounds like a wonderful book, thanks for the chance.

  202. Sounds like a good read. I would like to read this one.

  203. This looks like a good read.Thanks!

  204. this looks like a good and entertaining book!

  205. Tiffany S. says:

    I would love to read this book. Sounds amazing! Thank you for the giveaway!

  206. Deborah Wellenstein says:

    I’d like to read this-thank you!

  211. I definitely could use a new good read!

  212. A true friend is not a friend that you can see and know that they are there without a doubt. A true friend is a friend you truly have faith in without a doubt. True friendship is when you don’t see that friend but you know that they are there and you learn to trust and believe in them…that one day you will see them without a doubt! I wa t everyone to feel this way…I WILL make everyone feel this way. Runescape gave me that chance…to know what true friendship really is. Together, we flew in the sky , over the ocean , in a dream that lasted forever! With unbroken bonds of the new existence. I DECLARE THESE BONDS UNBROKEN. I will fly with them forever in a dream that turns to the new reality.I am a blinding light made new, emptied of all preexisting darkness, and I will guide those in the darkness.Believe me..when I say I will do something, I will most likely do it eventually. I live to be the very best, not fine, not decent, good, amazing or outstanding. I live to be the very best.I burned fires of infinitism down the longest path that existed for eternity shedding tears…with my friends in the most magical and legendary lake of all time.These friends are the light that shines in the distant…you are the one in the darkness…looking for that light! That light. Is the only thing there to trust, you leave it to chance. One day you find it but it disappears. You can only have faith. That the light is still there. I found that light and I constantly lose it but I learn to trust it even more. I WILL win THIS. I DECLARE IT!!!!!!!!!!! This is how bad I want to win!

    xentrensvo@gmail.com

  213. Elizardbreath says:

    Thanks for the opportunity to win!

    elizardbreath8 at yahoo dot com

  214. That sounds good. I’d love to enter.

  216. Jacqueline in Atlanta says:

    Looks like a great read. Thanks for introducing it.

    Thanks for participating in the Bloggy Giveaway!

  217. I love a good read! Thanks for the opportunity to win.

  218. I’m a subscriber.

  219. Interesting title! I’m in. Thanks!

  220. I would like to read this book. It sounds good.

  221. PisecoMom says:

    This one sounds great! Thanks.

  222. judy brittle says:

    I would love to read this! Thank you so much!

  223. Sounds like a book I’d really enjoy – thanks for the chance

  224. Elizabeth M. says:

    It sounds fabulous! I’d love to read it.

  225. amandasue says:

    Sounds like a good book! Thanks for entering me.

  226. I’d like a chance at winning this book!

  227. Renee Garcia says:

    I’d love to win this! Thanks for hosting! 🙂

  228. Tyna Begley says:

    Oh, who doesn’t like books! Thanks for the giveaway!

  229. Annie Luidhardt says:

    Looks like a good book and one that would be fun to read! I need to do more reading so thanks for the chance to win!

  230. Sounds like a great book!

  231. Sounds good.

    Thank you!

    janetfaye (at) gmail (dot) com

  232. I love to read and this sounds great. Thanks for the chance!

  233. I would love to win this book. When my Father died suddenly of a heart attack several years ago we had several unresolved issues.

  234. This books sounds GREAT!!

  235. Sounds great. Thanks for the chance.

  236. I would absolutely love to read this book!

  237. i love a good book

  238. I would love to read this one!

  239. Barbara Schantz says:

    This sounds like a great book! I’m also on the Bloggy Giveaway, #157. 🙂

  240. This book sounds very intriguing! I’d love to read it! Thanks!

  241. This book looks fantastic!!! Please count me in!

    Please come visit my giveaway for Bloggy Carnival too! I am giving away a DVD! (#422)

    kayceewilliams at gmail dot com

  242. punkinmama says:

    I’d love to win! I’m always looking for a good page-turner!

  243. Great pick! Looks good. Thanks!

  244. Sounds like an awesome book, I would love to read it!
    hematopoiesis at hotmail dot com

  245. I would love to win! Thanks for the opportunity!

  246. Shawnee H says:

    Thanks — I love to read and this is a new author for me!

  247. Please include me! This sounds like a great read!

  248. I would love to win this book. It sounds really interesting.

  249. This is on my reading list- it would be great to win it!

    JLHalsted(ta)hotmail(tod)com

  250. Sarah at themommylogues says:

    Always looking for a new book!

  251. ellen cunningham says:

    This sounds like a good read. Count me in. Thanks for the chance.

  252. Pingback: A Big Bloggy Giveaway of Books
  253. lifeasamama says:

    oh this one looks great!

  254. Erin Walsh says:

    I’d like to be entered too. Thank you!

  255. This sounds like an excellent book. Thanks for hosting this giveaway. Please enter me in the drawing.

  256. Francine Anchondo says:

    Thanks for the giveaway I would love to read this book.

Comments are closed.