In My Mailbox #10

Today I am going to share the books that I received either through contests, for review, or books that I bought for personal/classroom library use. If you've read any of these books, please tell me what you think! This meme is hosted by The Story Siren. Happy reading!


Life As We Knew It by Susan Beth Pfeffer

I'm embarressed that I haven't read this series yet. My students have raved about this series for years, but I never really picked it up.....that is until this past week! I am really looking forward to this one!
Goodreads says, "It's almost the end of Miranda's sophomore year in high school, and her journal reflects the busy life of a typical teenager: conversations with friends, fights with mom, and fervent hopes for a driver's license. When Miranda first begins hearing the reports of a meteor on a collision course with the moon, it hardly seems worth a mention in her diary. But after the meteor hits, pushing the moon off its axis and causing worldwide earthquakes, tsunamis, and volcanoes, all the things Miranda used to take for granted begin to disappear. Food and gas shortages, along with extreme weather changes, come to her small Pennsylvania town; and Miranda's voice is by turns petulant, angry, and finally resigned, as her family is forced to make tough choices while they consider their increasingly limited options. Yet even as suspicious neighbors stockpile food in anticipation of a looming winter without heat or electricity, Miranda knows that that her future is still hers to decide even if life as she knew it is over."


Brava, Valentine by Adriana Trigiani

I won this book from a contest and I'm pretty psyched. I loved Very Valentine and Lucia, Lucia. I actually read both books while on vacation--perfect beach reads! I always end of fantasizing about a fantastic Italian vacation after reading her books.  Plus, no one can deny that the cover is absolutely amazing!
Goodreads says, "As Brava, Valentine begins, snow falls like glitter over Tuscany at the wedding of her grandmother, Teodora, and longtime love, Dominic. Valentine's dreams are dashed when Gram announces that Alfred, "the prince," Valentine's only brother and nemesis, has been named her partner at Angelini Shoes. Devastated, Valentine falls into the arms of Gianluca, a sexy Tuscan tanner who made his romantic intentions known on the Isle of Capri. Despite their passion for one another and Gianluca's heartfelt letters, a long-distance relationship seems impossible.  As Valentine turns away from romance and devotes herself to her work, mentor and pattern cutter June Lawton guides her through her power struggle with Alfred, while best friend and confidante Gabriel Biondi moves into 166 Perry Street, transforming her home and point of view. Savvy financier Bret Fitzpatrick, Valentine's first love and former fiancÉe who still carries a torch for her, encourages Valentine to exploit her full potential as a designer and a business woman with a plan that will bring her singular creations to the world."


City of Ashes by Cassandra Clare

I fell in love with City of Bones so I had to buy the second in the series.  I think I will bring this one on Spring Break with me. I think it would be a great read for the plane and I'm dying to find out what happens!
Goodreads says, "A murderer is loose in New York City ..... and the victims are Downworlder children. Clary Fray and her fellow Shadowhunters have a strong suspicion that Valentine, Clary's father, may be behind the killings. But if he is the murderer, then what's his true motive? To make matters worse, the second of the Mortal Instruments, the Soul-Sword, has been stolen, and the mysterious Inquisitor has arrived to investigate, with his eyes vigilantly targeted on Clary's brother, Jace. Clary will need to face some terrifying demons and even more terrifying family decisions. No one said that the life of a Shadowhunter would be easy."


       What did you guys get this week?  I hope everyone has a great week and enjoys their books.  I also want to remind you that my giveaway (international) for a signed copy of The Secret Year by Jennifer Hubbard ends TONIGHT at midnight and my giveaway for Before I Fall, which is a bestseller (WOO HOO!) by Lauren Oliver, ends April 16th.  
        Also, I've got an exciting week coming up, because Spring Break starts on Friday at 2:30pm.  After the crazy winter we had here in Pennsylvania, I could use some spring in my life.