Thursday, June 2, 2011

Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks-GIVEAWAY!!

Recently, a friend who had read Rebecca Skloot's marvelous work of science and humanity, The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks, sent me a message to tell me how thankful she was that I recommended the book to her.  Her own mother is battling cancer, so the book had extra significance to her.  While she enjoyed the excellent research element of the book, the soul of it is what spoke to her.

Henrietta Lacks won my non-fiction Book of the Year last year, along with Nicholas Kristof and Cheryl WuDunn's Half the Sky, an outstanding work of reporting about women around the globe.  I read it before I began writing in depth reviews, but here is the brief paragraph that I did put in my journal:

Undoubtedly one of the best non-fiction books I have ever read!  Rebecca Skloot tells the story of the first cells that researchers were able to replicate in a lab; but she does it with such humanity that it transcends a mere science book to become a biography of a family, a social commentary of a time, and a thoughtful look at the dawning days of medical ethics and privacy.  This book made me laugh, cry, shout in anger, and stand up and cheer.  For those that might hesitate to pick it up for fear that the biology might be over their head, fear not!  Skloot does a masterful job of making what could be very tough subject matter extremely accessible.  This book is my top non-fiction pick for 2010.

Prior to my friend's enthusiasm, Henrietta Lacks was the most stolen title in Shelfari's Play Book Tag's most recent book swap.  After my friend shared her personal interaction with The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks, I purchased a copy to share with another reader.  If you are interested in being added to a random drawing and possibly receiving this copy of this book, just leave a quick note below.  There are no added requirements, such as becoming a blog follower.

I will choose, through a computerized random selection program, a winner on Friday, 10 June 2011.  The winner will have one week to notify me via email of their physical address.  If I do not receive an address by 17 June 2011, an alternate winner will be chosen.  This book is literally packed up and ready to go, just waiting for the winner's address-I'd love for it to be yours if you are eager to see what all the buzz is about.


17 comments:

  1. OMGosh! This has been on my TBR list! I would love to win a copy!

    I think I am one of the only ones left who hasn't read it yet.

    forevereading at gmail dot com

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  2. I have not read it either! And if You recommend it it is bound to be good!

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  3. I posted this on my sidebar for you.

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  4. Tell me about it! I "stole" this book 3 times during the PBT game. I'd love to win it, but if it's not an international giveaway I do understand.

    I didn't know it was your favorite non-fiction. I can't believe I still haven't read it, actually, as I've heard so much about it!

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  5. Judith, international is fine-I will add you in. I am looking forward to the blog hop giveaway that you are hosting!

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  6. On my TBR as well. THanks for the heads up. Please enter me.

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  7. This sounds like a wonderful read. No need to enter me into the contest, however.

    Also, thank you for sending me the Lance Mackey book. It was a real pick me up:)

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  8. HI CARE! I love your blog and would love to be signed up for a chance to win this book! here is my email address, allison.welker@yahoo.com. My SN on shelfari is Alli formally alwelker!

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  9. Jennifer, glad to see you back around and good to hear that you received the book!

    Alli, thanks for stopping by and your kind compliment regarding my labor of love!

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  10. Wendy, what an awesome idea-posting giveaways on your blog! Some of the books look great, and I will have to check them out when I get a minute. Good way to lead people to friend's blogs and good places for readers to get new books!

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  11. Thank you so much for having a drawing for this book. Definitely on my TBR!

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  12. Hi Care! I would like to join the giveaway, too. I think I had the book two or three times during the swap but didn't get it in the end. Thanks for hosting this.

    thinkingaboutloud@googlemail.com

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  13. Alli! You have won the copy of The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks! Since you left me an email address, I am going to go ahead and email you as well.

    You will have to stop back by, after you have read the book, and let me know what you think! I hope you love it as much as I did.

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  14. Congratulations, Alli!! I'm jealous, but happy for you that you won such a cool prize

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  15. Ok, this is a test.... (LibraryCin from shelfari)

    And congrats, Alli, if this post makes it through! :-)

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  16. Great, now we know my new posting options work! Thanks LC!

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  17. I can't believe the story of the most valuable person to humanity was never told before now. We owe the Lacks family a debt, which we can't pay.

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