Father's Day Giveaway 2:
Books to Inspire from Harper Collins
Books serve many purposes. They help us escape, they give us instruction, and often they inspire. This giveaway package offers a selection of three books from men have inspiration to share.
Enter to win here, but keep these books in mind this week as you are doing some last-minute shopping for the fathers on your list.
Start Where you Are by Chris Gardner
I enjoyed the movie based on Chris Gardner's story about pulling himself and his small son out of homelessness, The Pursuit of Happyness. So although I don't usually read "how to succeed in life" sort of books, I was curious about his new book Start Where You Are, and thought that he had earned the right to give "Life Lessons in Getting from Where You Are to Where You Want to Be" as the subtitle promises.
I have read a few chapters of this book, but haven't had time to finish it. However, I will say that I love Gardner's writing style. He shoots from the hip but also writes thoughtfully, and it reads as though he wrote it with a smile on his face. As I said, I don't usually read "self-empowerment" sort of books, but these short lessons each hone in on one of Gardner's keywords of success, including attitude, ingenuity, purpose, inspiration, passion etc. Another thing that I noticed is that the last chapter, "Finale — Takeaways" gives the reader "pocket-sized reminders of the life lessons and their applications" (page 287), which I love. I know that even when I read a book — on parenting or whatever — with some great points, I've inevitably forgotten them by the end of the book.
Speaking of parenting, I have found in the few chapters that I've read that I've been making a lot of applications to my parenting for some reason. Perhaps it's because an area in my life that I've struggled with and have been thinking about finding some purpose in it — some consistency and integrity. What that tells me is that you will find a relevant application in this book whether you are trying to figure out your direction in your career, determine your next step after an unexpected loss, or gather the gumption to do that which you know you must do.
Read an excerpt HERE.
Crazy for the Storm by Norman Ollestad
I'm not sure if Crazy for the Storm is inspiring per se, but the true story of Norman Ollestad is certainly thought-provoking. How is it that an eleven-year-old boy ends up as the sole survivor of a plane crash on a bitterly cold and fogged in mountain?
Ollestad tells his story in chapters alternating between the narrative of what happened when he was stuck there on the mountain and flashbacks of the influence that his father, who perished in the plane crash, had on his life.
I enjoy reading memoir, because although the circumstances are generally heartbreaking, seeing how a person comes out of difficult circumstances is generally inspiring. Ollestad's story is a bit different. His father pushed him — to succeed in downhill skiing and hockey competitions and to go beyond his comfort zone and take risks in the sport of surfing. His story is told without analyzing his own response to this unusual lifestyle or his father's motives in pushing him so hard. The events are emotional and sometimes gut-wrenching but told factually. He does sort of wrap it up in the end and apply it to his own life as a father, bringing it together quite well.
I think that this is because it was written by a man and possibly for men. This is not to say that a woman wouldn't enjoy it, but in addition to the style there is some crude language (think tween boyspeak, along with manly men who surround him, and you'll ge the picture). The detached recall of the events would probably appeal to men and possibly turn off some women. However, if you want to better understand a man in your life that perhaps had a father like Ollestad's, I think that the tales from his youth would probably be quite instructive.
Overall, it's a truthful story told of the intricacies of the relationship between a father and a son in those tenuous pre-adolescent years, along with the effect that this experience had on Ollestad throughout adolescence.
Want to find out more? The book trailer gives an idea of all of the interesting elements covered in this story. You can also read the first few chapters.
Coop by Michael Perry
Carrie reviewed this book earlier this week, saying:
I cannot say enough nice things about Coop: A Year of Poultry, Pigs, and Parenting
She really did go on to say more. Read Carrie's full review here.
Read the first few chapters HERE.
Enter to win all three books.
Three of you will win all three of these titles from Harper Collins (U.S. and Canadian shipping addresses are eligible to win). Please leave a comment letting us know which title you'd dig into first (or which one you think that the lucky recipient of your gift would like most).
Comments will be closed for entry on June 27 and we'll announce the winners on June 28.
Enter our other current giveaways (including the other 2 Father's Day Giveaways). Subscribe to our feed. Follow us @5M4B on Twitter.
When managing editor Jennifer Donovan is not managing this blog, writing reviews, or blogging at Snapshot, she's reading.
Filed under Biography, Jennifer, Memoir, Men's Interest, Non-Fiction by 
Comments on Father's Day Giveaway 2:
Books to Inspire from Harper Collins
edj @ 3:42 pm
Oh no–I'm first. Guaranteed NOT to win
Too bad. Oh well, someone's got to be first. I am MOST interested in Coop after that glowing review, but I must admit that this looks a very interesting set of books.
Amy @ Hope Is the Word @ 3:47 pm
I think all of these sound great, but I'd probably read Coop first because who can resist Carrie's ecstatic review? ; )
Vera @ 4:09 pm
I am most interested in Crazy for the Storm, but all 3 sound very appealing!
MJ @ 5:19 pm
They all sound great but I'd read Coop first!
mj.coward[at]gmail.com
Carlene @ 7:27 pm
I think my stepdad would read Crazy for the Storm. Please include me in your giveaway.
Thanks
Carlene
iluvreading(at)Verizon.net
Annie @ 8:14 pm
Oh, it's gotta be Coop. Even if I don't win, I want to read it! I come from a farming family, and I also raise chickens on a commercial farm now, so I can relate.
Heather S @ 10:49 pm
I'd begin with Coop for sure, I'm a sucker for anything to do with the country or farming!
Adele @ 11:24 pm
Crazy for the Storm would be the one my Dad would like best.
Bytes of Memory @ 7:41 am
oo these sound like wonderful books!
Lori @ 8:21 am
I'd read Coop first, but I think my husband would like the Chris Gardner book — we loved the movie!
Thanks!
Sandra K321 @ 8:38 am
I think I would like to read Coop first.
Sandra K321 @ 8:40 am
I subscribed to your feed via Google.
Linda Peters @ 9:26 am
Crazy For The Storm would be my first, thanks
Mary Ward @ 10:17 am
I'd start with Crazy for the Storm. I've been reading some really great reviews about it.
mamie316@sbcglobal.net
Jeane @ 10:27 am
Oh, certainly "Crazy for the Storm". It's on my summer list.
Jenn S. @ 10:43 am
Definitely "Crazy for the Storm."
Holly @ 11:30 am
Probably "Start where you are". Neat giveaway!!
Mary Casper @ 12:39 pm
Definetly Crazy for the Storm
Jeffrey Beckett @ 12:52 pm
I'd start with Crazy for the Storm.
Mary Griffin @ 1:02 pm
Crazy for the Storm sounds like something my ex-husband would be fascinated by. Although things did not work out between us, he is a wonderful father, often advising and guiding our children through life's turmoils…just like the characters in the book.
MRS.MOMMYY @ 1:31 pm
crazy through the storm
john ferris @ 1:53 pm
Crazy for the Storm.
Joanne Schultz @ 2:15 pm
I haven't read any of these books, so I'd start with Crazy for the Storm by Norman Ollestad.
Thanks for the giveaway!
Rita M @ 2:36 pm
"Crazy for the Storm" sounds really good, I'm pretty sure I would read that one first.
Lisa L @ 3:05 pm
Start Where you Are by Chris Gardner
He sounds like a good person to learn from.
Ann @ 3:26 pm
I would start with Coop by Michael Perry. Please enter me in your giveaway. Thanks!
Megan B. @ 3:33 pm
Crazy For The Storm sounds so interesting! Thanks for the giveaway!
Rhonda Struthers @ 3:36 pm
The first I would dig into is Crazy for the Storm by Norman Ollestad. Then I would happily read the other two.
Linda @ 3:47 pm
I'd dig into "Crazy for the Storm." I truly would like to know how he survived and how he feels about it today, i.e. 'survivor's guilt, etc.'
Rita @ 4:30 pm
I love true inspirational stories!
And I love to read to my husband when we travel.
Please enter me in the giveaway.
Maureen @ 4:50 pm
I would enjoy all of the books, I would probably dig into Crazy for the Storm first, or Coop.. They all sound wonderful. Thanks!
itsjustmerene2003atyahoodotcom
Renee C @ 5:18 pm
Coop sounds most interesting to me!
Angie @ 6:14 pm
These would be great for my boyfriend!
Amanda Webster @ 6:14 pm
flillia [at] gmail.com
Coop, definitely
susan varney @ 6:37 pm
with Crazy for the Storm mverno@roadrunner.com
Adrienne Gordon @ 6:47 pm
Start Where you Are by Chris Gardner
Janet F @ 7:58 pm
I would like to read Coop by Michael Perry first, it sounds very good.
janetfaye (at) gmail (dot) com
Janet F @ 7:58 pm
Subscribed.
janetfaye (at) gmail (dot) com
Kitten22 @ 8:58 pm
This looks great! Please enter me!
I'd love to read Coop first.
BookCrossingKitten22[at]gmail[dot]com
Elaine Rosser @ 10:17 pm
All 3 books sound really interesting but Crazy For The Storm would be the first book I would read.
bina edwards @ 11:33 pm
I'd read crazy for the storm first
meredith @ 1:16 am
Crazy Storm sounds great!
Richard Deyarmond @ 1:30 am
Three good books
angie @ 2:34 am
Crazy for the Storm
Rebecca Graham @ 2:41 am
I would read Coop first.
amanda @ 3:35 am
crazy for the storm!
David @ 5:58 am
I'd read Start Where you Are by Chris Gardner first, thanks.
Randy Bailey @ 7:39 am
i would read crazy for the storm first
May Schultz @ 7:41 am
Crazy For the Storm sounds like something my husband might enjoy. ME toO!! I am an avid reader and read anything I can get my hands on. But if I start a book and don't like it…I just stop and go on to the NEXT book available.
Cynthia C @ 10:19 am
Based on your comments, I'd be reading Coop first. Thank you.
serena @ 10:39 am
this would go to my sister, she is forever reading
cris @ 12:27 pm
I'd have to read crazy for the storm first. Coop would go right to my neighbor (i know it would come back eventually!)
Djp @ 1:26 pm
this would keep him busy!
quiltingreader @ 1:52 pm
Start Where you Are by Chris Gardner
Sue W @ 5:25 pm
I know that if you really liked Coop, all of us will love it as well. Hope I will be lucky enough to win.
Thanks for this and your other great giveaways.
Mozi Esmes Mommy @ 7:37 pm
This one is really hard for me to say! They all look excellent, and I think I'd enjoy Start Where You Are most. But I'd probably pick up Crazy For The Storm first since I could get through it fastest?
christopher h @ 10:38 pm
id read start where you are first, i like self help books
Nicole C. @ 8:58 am
I'd probably read Coop first!!
Anita Yancey @ 1:11 pm
I would read Coop first. Please enter me. Thanks!
ayancey(at)dishmail(dot)net
beth shepherd @ 2:05 pm
I would love to win. I would start with Coop.
Thank you for the chance
tatertot374@sbcglobal.net
Sandi Smith @ 3:53 pm
I would choose to open first Crazy for the Storm by Norman Ollestad because I'm a fool for survival stories.
michele anne @ 8:01 pm
another great giveaway…. would love to win
Amy Stanislawski @ 9:40 pm
I think I would pick Coop to read first.
Kristi @ 11:10 pm
My first read would be Coop but my husband's would probably be Start Where You Are.
Great giveaway!
jwb @ 12:52 am
Coop would be my first read, because I've read all of Michael Perry's other books and LOVED them.
Christina Brunetti @ 10:52 am
The Pursuit of Happiness sounds really interesting.
Thanks
Susan @ 11:04 am
I imagine both my husband and I would want to start with Start Where You Are. Thanks!
Kathy Scott @ 12:41 pm
Crazy for the Storm sounds interesting.
MFS @ 6:44 pm
Both my husband and I are looking forward to Crazy for the Storm since reading this bit in EW:
http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,20284668,00.html
Linda C @ 9:36 pm
I would read Coop first.
bridget3420 @ 10:45 pm
Count me in:)
jan koontz @ 6:19 am
just to cool, thank you
clenna in NH @ 9:11 am
I would read Crazy for the Storm – I love survival stories.
Stephanie @ 9:55 am
I'd read Coop first- your review made me add it to my "must read" list!
Susan C @ 10:29 am
I would read Coop because you liked it so much!
smchester at gmail dot com
Tom Andrew @ 10:38 am
Crazy for the Storm
Diane F @ 2:18 pm
my husband would probably like Crazy for the Storm.
Sharon A @ 8:40 pm
I would read Coop first.
Ellen C. @ 9:18 pm
I would start with Coop. Thanks for the chance.
Nancye Davis @ 12:20 am
I'd read Crazy for the Storm first, but the the 2 look good too.
Jennifer M @ 2:59 pm
Coop, because my husband has this weird notion of moving from Manhattan to a farm.
Selinda McCumbers @ 8:48 am
You have me intrigued! I will have to say Coop!
Thanks!
sarah @ 9:56 am
crazy for the storm, it sounds amazing!
Gabriel J. @ 10:47 am
I'd love to read Coop first.
Daniel M @ 6:41 pm
coop looks interesting
Denise @ 3:26 pm
I'd like to read Coop: A Year of Poultry, Pigs, and Parenting.
Janelle @ 4:27 pm
I must read Coop. Already have read all of Perry's others…enjoy the WI connection.
Lucy Schwartz @ 8:09 pm
I would start with the book from Chris Gardner – Start Where You Are. I really enjoyed The Pursuit of Happiness and would like to read what the author has to say.
Mia J. @ 12:35 am
I would definitely pick up Crazy for the Storm first. It just peaks my interest.
Nancye Davis @ 1:30 am
I am a subscriber
ky2here @ 7:34 am
I'm a hillbilly at heart so I'll start with Coop.
JDSG @ 8:46 am
Oh wow, now these are books I'd never put down until I was finished with them. I've read and re-read your post. Eeks, I'd want to read all three of them FIRST. I believe I'd have to assign them numbers and draw to see which would be read first, second and third.
These three are so "me."
visionquest2020(at)msn(dot)com
Cory Fillion @ 6:07 pm
I would like to win copies of Start Where you Are by Chris Gardner, Crazy for the Storm by Norman Ollestad and Coop by Michael Perry.
I would like to read all these books but i think
Coop by Michael Perry would be a great book to read.Thank You for having this contest.
Christina @ 7:30 pm
I like Start Where You Are the most!
Amy @ 12:18 am
I think Coop for your review! But I might read the first at the same time!
Benita Glickman @ 2:20 am
I'd start with Coop first.
Leslie Davis @ 3:57 am
Crazy for the Storm
Erma H @ 6:30 am
I am interested in Crazy for the Storm.
EdV @ 12:03 pm
my first choice would undoubtedly be Crazy for the Storm by Norman Ollestad
charline @ 1:07 pm
Crazy for the Storm by Norman Ollestad
shawna @ 1:55 pm
I would love to read Crazy for the Storm.
Ed Nemmers @ 6:25 pm
"Crazy For The Storm"!
Susan Smith @ 7:57 pm
I'd like to read Coop first.
djgroz @ 8:09 pm
Coop by Michael Perry
tawnda @ 9:52 pm
Crazy for the Storm sounds great
Miranda Allen @ 9:58 pm
looks like a great
Mishia @ 12:00 am
Coop looks really interesting
Denise @ 12:11 am
Coop is my choice. Thank you!
Heather C @ 3:02 am
I visited my rancher grandparents a lot, so I think I'd read Coop first.
Steve M. @ 6:31 am
I would start with Crazy for the Storm.
Jessica @ 7:46 am
I would dig into Crazy for the Storm first.
Kathy D @ 8:09 am
Crazy for the Storm
bob @ 8:25 am
Coop looks great
Veronica Garrett @ 10:34 am
My husband would like Crazy for the Storm.
kathy pease @ 10:49 am
https://twitter.com/klp1965/status/2359361236
whoops forgot to say crazy for the storm sounds good to me
Janice @ 11:20 am
Would start with Crazy for the Storm – heard great things about the book
R Hicks @ 11:46 am
I would read Crazy for the Storm by Norman Ollestad. Others are tempting
Kelly Grant @ 12:16 pm
I would start with Crazy for the Storm
Angie P @ 12:36 pm
Hmmm…I think that I will start with Coop. I am soooo not a country girl, but would love to read about it.
Marcy Strahan @ 2:27 pm
I would Dig into "Crazy For aThe Storm " first!
They all sound marvelous!
zestywonderland@gmail.com
Elizabeth @ 2:34 pm
In this bunch of books, I would have to start with Coop!
Janea C @ 2:51 pm
Coop, sounds good.
katiea @ 3:45 pm
I don't know how anyone couldn't be itching to read Coop after a blurb of a review like that. I'd definately have to start there, but Crazy for the Storm has also piqued my interest. Thanks for yet another fantastic giveaway!
Lily Kwan @ 3:59 pm
Start Where You Are sounds very interesting!