Really Random Tuesday #72: A Thank You, a Book Winner, and a New Giveaway

Much has changed and evolved in the world of books since I created Suko's Notebook in May of 2008. When I first began blogging about books, I never imagined I'd be hosting so many book giveaways. I know I'm fortunate to be able to do this. The authors, publishers, and other bloggers I've worked with have been gracious and generous beyond belief. Thanks to you all!

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The lucky winner of Last Train to Omaha by Ann Whitely-Gillen is Patricia.  Congratulations, Patricia! Thanks to everyone who participated.  If you didn't win this time, don't be dejected; I have a wonderful new book giveaway below, as well as other giveaways listed to the right in my blog's sidebar.

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I won The Last Camellia by bestselling author Sarah Jio on Harvee's blog, Book Dilettante.  Thanks to the great generosity of Penguin, I have a few extra copies to give away to my readers.  I haven't read it yet, but it sounds like a fabulous book!

If you'd like to win one of three copies of this novel, which centers around the last surviving camellia plant, please enter the giveaway (U.S./Canada only).  Today, I noticed that you can post book giveaways on Goodreads, so I've added that to my "instructions" below.

• To enter this giveaway, simply leave a comment. 
• For another chance at winning, become a follower of this blog, or let me know that you're already a follower.
• For an additional chance, post about this giveaway on your blog, Facebook, Goodreads, Pinterest, or Twitter. 

Enter by 5 PM PDT on Monday, September 23.  Three winners will be selected randomly and announced on Tuesday, September 24.  Good luck!

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Appearing on random Tuesdays, Really Random Tuesday is a way to post odds and ends--announcements, musings, quotes, photos--any blogging and book-related matters you can think of.  I often announce book winners in these posts.  If you have miscellaneous book news to gather up and are inspired by this idea, "grab" the button for use on your own blog, then add your link to the "master" Mister Linky on the Really Random Tuesday page. 

As always, thanks for visiting! 

Saturday Snapshot: Monarch Magic

At times, reading a novel leads me to some sort of a project.  After reading Flight Behavior by Barbara Kingsolver, I became intrigued by the idea of creating a small habitat for monarch butterflies.  My sister-in-law, Kristine, advised me to get milkweed plants for the garden, to attract monarchs.  I bought several "butterfly plants", or milkweed, from Home Depot, to plant outside. To my delight, monarch butterflies quickly discovered the plants and laid eggs on them, leading to numerous caterpillars, who start out very tiny and grow larger and plumper by eating the milkweed, their only source of food.  Eventually, some of these caterpillars became gorgeous chrysalises, with their trademark gold band, which are truly an exquisite sight.  With my iPhone, I took a few photos of this incredible life cycle.  This experience has been a highlight of my summer.  

A monarch on the milkweed

Caterpillars feasting on milkweed

A beautiful chrysalis

 

A new monarch, nearly ready for flight

Created by Alyce from At Home With Books, Saturday Snapshot is hosted by Melinda from West Metro Mommy Reads.  To participate, post a photo, or a few photos, taken by you, a friend, or a family member, and add your link on Melinda’s site.  Your comments are welcomed.