June 18, 2009

Father's Day Giveaway 3: Manly Men

Written by Jennifer (5 Minutes for Books)

Our Father's Day Giveaway 2 dealt with some inspiring stories that also happened to be pretty manly (an extreme sportsman and a farmer), and today we are offering more of the same.

Blue Ice by Frank Ewert

Blue Ice is a collection of 6 short stories about Canadian Hockey. Written by Frank Ewert (himself a Canadian) and published by Canon Press, this is a quick but action packed read. Somewhat surprisingly (from my experience with Canon Press) there is some foul language included. It is randomly thrown in here and there. Other than that, the book remains completely unobjectionable as Ewert shares his lifelong love of this particular game through fictional (and otherwise) characters. He dedicates this book to his father who "taught [him] to love his wife, work hard, and play hockey."

I can't say that hockey is my favorite topic in the world and this book definitely fell outside of my regular reading comfort zone. (Nope, I don't normally go around picking up books on hockey or watching it either, for that matter!) But every now and again I think it's fun to read something outside of the norm. Ewert's love of the game is easy to pick up on as you work your way through the stories. Being Canadian, he favors Canadian teams (team?) and in one story in particular he pits a boy's devotion to his national (Canadian) sport against that of his grandfather's American hockey team. It's a story of family love and rivalry which was quite humorous and endearing. (Can you use the word "endearing" when discussing hockey? I really don't know if that's allowed.)

For a quick read of a MANLY sport, with stories told by a true devotee of hockey, you can't go wrong with Blue Ice.

The Purpose of Boys by Michael Gurian

I've heard praise for Michael Gurian's books about boys, specifically The Wonder of Boys, but I've never taken the time to read them. When I had the opportunity to read The Purpose of Boys, I jumped on it. I love a good subtitle, and this one sums up the book's content quite well: Helping Our Sons Find Meaning, Significance, and Direction in Their Lives.

Read Jennifer's full review of The Purpose of Boys HERE.

Digitally Daunted by Sean & Jean Westcott

I'm not sure if a manly man would read Digitally Daunted. I mean, is reading a book subtitled to "The Consumer's Guide to Taking Control of the Technology in Your Life" the equivalent of asking for asking for directions? Well, actually, that's what makes it so ingenious! This book is written by an IT guy (Sean Westcott) and translated into non-techy speak by a writer (wife Jean Riescher Westcott). They aim to give you the information that you need to let technology work for you.

This will help any manly man (or woman) be able to talk tech like a pro (or fake it enough to make the right choices without looking stupid at the big box electronics store).

This book includes helpful information on

Buying a computer
Phone options
Television (this was one of my favorite chapters!)
Cameras (this chapter also had some great info)
Other media (such as digital readers)
A handy place to keep track of important information at the end of the chapters

Keep current with their blog digitallydaunted.com.

Enter to win all three books.

One of you will win all three of these titles (U.S. and Canadian shipping addresses are eligible to win). Leave a comment letting us know which book you want to read first (or would be perfect for the manly man on your list).

Comments will be closed for entry on June 27 and we'll announce the winner on June 28.

Enter our other current giveaways (including our first two 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 Carrie, Jennifer, Men's Interest, Non-Fiction, Parenting by Jennifer (5 Minutes for Books)

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80 Comments

Comments on Father's Day Giveaway 3: Manly Men

June 18, 2009

Sue W @ 5:19 pm

Without a doubt I would read Blue Ice first. I grew up in Canada with Hockey Night in Canada on Saturday nights and have always loved the game. I am now a big NC Hurricanes fan and go to some of those games with my friends.
Please enter me in this giveaway.

roylsue(at)telpage(dot)net

Mozi Esmes Mommy @ 7:34 pm

They all look interesting, but I'd start with Blue Ice first…

amanda @ 7:47 pm

digitally daunted!

Kitten22 @ 8:47 pm

This looks awesome! Please enter me!

Definitely Digitally Daunted would be on the top of my list. And probably my dad's too!

BookCrossingKitten22[at]gmail[dot]com

Jessica @ 8:53 pm

I would start with The Purpose of Boys.
jessica(at)fan(dot)com

June 19, 2009

Stephanie @ 10:00 am

My husband and I would both want to read Digitally Daunted first- we really need to catch up on our technology options!

Jeffrey Beckett @ 12:25 pm

Digitally Daunted would be my starting place.

Renee C @ 1:11 pm

Blue Ice would be perfect for my brother. He is a big hockey fan which is kind of unusual here in the South!

MRS.MOMMYY @ 2:09 pm

blue ice

Amanda Webster @ 3:31 pm

I'm sure my manly man would like blue ice the best

Linda @ 3:51 pm

I have a manly husband and son who would enjoy these. Please add to your contest. Thank you.

Ann @ 4:58 pm

I think my husband would like to read Blue Ice

Anita Yancey @ 6:14 pm

I would read Digitally Daunted first. Please enter me. Thanks!

ayancey(at)dishmail(dot)net

Amy Stanislawski @ 9:32 pm

I would read The Purpose of Boys first. I've been interested in that book for a while.

Kristi @ 11:13 pm

I think both my husband and I's first pick would be The Purpose of Boys! Would love to win these!

June 20, 2009

Carol Lawrence @ 6:26 am

Digitally Daunted by Sean & Jean Westcott would be read first.

Terra Heck @ 7:01 am

I'd like to read The Purpose of Boys first. Thanks.

Susan @ 10:49 am

I think I'd be most interested in The Purpose of Boys.

Carlene @ 10:51 am

I would read The Purpose of Boys first. Please include me in your giveaway.
Thanks
Carlene
iluvreading(at)Verizon.net

Kathy Scott @ 12:42 pm

Blue Ice sounds good.

Benita Glickman @ 2:46 pm

I'd read Blue Ice first, then pass it to my husband to read. Then we'd continue in kind with the remaining books.

Cheryl Lynne @ 2:55 pm

I would read Digitally Daunted first. They all sound good.

Sharon Walling @ 3:15 pm

It would be a toss up for me: The Purpose of Boys & Blue Ice.

sharon54220@gmail.com

Lorie Shewbridge @ 3:57 pm

Blue Ice sounds good

john ferris @ 5:12 pm

I would like to read first Digitally Daunted.

Heather S @ 6:46 pm

I'd read The Purpose of Boys first!

Alicia @ 6:54 pm

cool

serena @ 6:55 pm

i would read The Purpose of Boys by Michael Gurian first since i'm having a boy in oct

beth shepherd @ 7:40 pm

I would love to win. I would start with Digitally Daunted
Thank you for the chance
tatertot374@sbcglobal.net

Shirley @ 8:39 pm

My husband's birthday is in July and this would make a perfect gift and I know he would read the Purpose of Boys first

Kermit Crissey @ 8:51 pm

Blue Ice sounds like the book for me, Thank you

Pamela Hansen @ 9:47 pm

i would read THE PURPOSE OF BOYS first and then i would give it to my brother to read

Karly @ 10:37 pm

"The Purpose of Boys" would be a perfect read for my husband and my son!

bridget3420 @ 10:45 pm

These sound pretty interesting.

June 21, 2009

JUDITH MANUEL @ 3:51 am

GREAT GIVEAWAY!

jan koontz @ 6:20 am

sounds like lots of fun, thank you

clenna in NH @ 9:08 am

I would read Blue Ice first – we're a big hockey family.

Tom Andrew @ 10:31 am

Blue ice

Susan C @ 10:32 am

I would read the The Purpose of Boys first because I have two sons.
smchester at gmail dot com

Ellen C. @ 4:55 pm

I' like to read The Purpose for Boys first. Thanks for the chance.

Linda C @ 11:03 pm

I would love my sons to read this book.

June 22, 2009

jen w. @ 12:13 am

I would love to read the new Michael Gurian book! I've loved his others-and, I'm trying desperately to figure out my almost 5 year-old son.

cris @ 11:48 am

I'd read The Purpose of Boys First (and probably re-read it).

June 23, 2009

Gabriel J. @ 10:49 am

I'd read The Purpose of Boys first.

Daniel M @ 6:42 pm

blue ice looks interesting

jane jakins @ 8:33 pm

thanks

June 24, 2009

Jason Nickolay @ 1:00 pm

Digitally Daunted would be my first pick

jason(at)allworldautomotive(dot)com

Denise @ 3:28 pm

I'd like to read The Purpose of Boys.

Lucy Schwartz @ 8:14 pm

Digitally Daunted would be where I would start. I am techno challenged and this book sounds as if it might increase my knoweledge.

June 25, 2009

Nancye Davis @ 1:25 am

I would like to read The Purpose of Boys first.

Molly Capel @ 2:59 am

Great books! I would love to win this!

JDSG @ 8:57 am

I'd enjoy all three, but the one I'd read first would be "The Purpose of Boys."

visionquest2020(at)msn(dot)com

Cory Fillion @ 6:10 pm

I would like to win Copies of Blue Ice by Frank Ewert, The Purpose of Boys by Michael Gurian and Digitally Daunted by Sean & Jean Westcott.
I would really like to read Blue Ice by Frank Ewert.I think that might be an interesting book .
Thanks for having this contest.

Christina @ 7:33 pm

My sweetie would love Blue Ice!

Brenda S. @ 11:12 pm

digitally daunted!

June 26, 2009

Amy @ 12:24 am

The purpose of boys – I have a two year old I can be prepared!

Leslie Davis @ 4:01 am

Blue Ice

Erma H @ 6:32 am

I would start with Blue Ice.

michele anne @ 6:46 am

Oh, I think Blue Ice

charline @ 1:09 pm

The Purpose of Boys by Michael Gurian

Don @ 4:37 pm

I would love to read The Purpose of Boys – May help me with my own sons

Sharon A @ 4:57 pm

Digitally Daunted would be my first choice, mh husband would probably choose Blue Ice.

Ed Nemmers @ 6:16 pm

"The Purpose of Boys"

Susan Smith @ 8:01 pm

The Purpose of Boys

Miranda Allen @ 10:02 pm

looks like great reads here

June 27, 2009

Heather C @ 3:06 am

I'd love to read The Purpose of Boys. It seems all the girls in my family can be friends with boys more easily than girls. Wonder if the book talks about that…