In My Mailbox #8

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!

Before I Fall by Lauren Oliver

I have been dying to read this one.  I pre-ordered this book awhile ago, but ended up winning a copy.  So, I think I will be hosting another contest and giving away my extra copy of this book. :) I have been hearing such incredible reviews. I can't wait to read it.

Goodreads says, "What if you had only one day to live? What would you do? Who would you kiss? And how far would you go to save your own life? Samantha Kingston has it all—looks, popularity, the perfect boyfriend. Friday, February 12th should be just another day in her charmed life. Instead, it’s her last. The catch: Samantha still wakes up the next morning. In fact, she re-lives the last day of her life seven times, until she realizes that by making even the slightest changes, she may hold more power than she had ever imagined. 

Hex Hall by Rachel Hawkins
I received this ARC this past week through Book It Forward ARC Tours. I will be writing my review shortly so keep your eye out. It was definitely a fun read!

Goodreads says, "When Sophie Mercer turned thirteen, she discovered that she was a witch. It's gotten her into a few scrapes. Her non-Gifted mother has been as supportive as possible, consulting Sophie's estranged father--an elusive European warlock--only when necessary.  But when Sophie attracts too much human attention for a prom-night spell gone horribly wrong, it's her dad who decides her punishment: exile to Hecate Hall, an isolated reform school for wayward prodigium, a.k.a. witches, fae, and shapeshifters. By the end of her first day among fellow freak-teens, Sophie has quite a scorecard. Three powerful enemies who look like supermodels; a futile crush on a gorgeous warlock; a creepy, tag-along ghost; and a new roommate, who happens to be the most-hated person and only vampire on campus. Sophie soon learns that a mysterious predator has been attacking students, and her friend Jenna is the number one suspect.  Meanwhile, Sophie has a more personal shock to grapple with. Not only is her father the head of the prodigium council, he's the most powerful warlock in the world, and Sophie is his heir. As a series of blood-curdling mysteries starts to converge, Sophie prepares for the biggest threat of all: an ancient secret society determined to destroy all prodigium, especially her.

Forget Her Nots by Amy Brecount White

I pre-ordered this one awhile ago. I am looking forward to reading it. It looks like a fun read.

Goodreads says, "When someone leaves three mystery flowers outside her dorm door, Laurel thinks that maybe the Avondale School isn't so awful after all — until her own body starts to freak out. In the middle of her English presentation on the Victorian Language of Flowers, strange words pop into her head, and her body seems to tingle and hum. Impulsively, Laurel gives the love bouquet she made to demonstrate the language to her spinster English teacher. When that teacher unexpectedly and immediately finds romance, Laurel suspects that something — something magical — is up. With her new friend, Kate, she sets out to discover the origins and breadth of her powers by experimenting on herself and others. But she can’t seem to find any living experts in the field of flower powers to guide her. And her bouquets don't always do her bidding, especially when it comes to her own crush, Justin. Rumors about Laurel and her flowers fly across campus, and she's soon besieged by requests from girls — both friends and enemies — who want their lives magically transformed — just in time for prom."

My Ridiculous Romantic Obsessions by Becca Wilhite

I won this book through Lea at YA Book Queen. Thanks! It looks like a cute read!

Goodreads says, "Sarah Howard's first year at the university is everything and nothing she expected especially when a very cute boy named Ben in her Art History class starts to show interest in her. Sarah feels like she's an average, normal, everyday girl. So, when Ben (to whom she secretly refers as Adonis because she thinks he could be a Greek god) begins to take interest in her, Sarah is in denial. For one thing, last year she was deeply crushed and humiliated by Jesse James a guy who she thought liked her. She's determined not to get burned again. But in her heart of hearts, what she really wants is a Jane Austen kind of romance. Ridiculous, right? That kind of romance doesn t exist anymore . . . or does it? Sarah is smart and fun to be around and even pretty, despite her Medusa-like red curls. She even plays the guitar. (So does Ben!) Yes, Sarah is everything Ben has wanted. He's crazy for her, but Sarah is just not getting it. She's playing hard to get, and if she s not careful, she s going to lose a real hot gentleman -- her 21st-century Mr. Darcy."

Home Is Where the Wine Is by Laurie Perry

I won this book through Jenn's Bookshelves.  This looks like a laugh out loud read.  

Goodreads says, "She's back. And crazier than ever. In her debut narrative, Drunk, Divorced, and Covered in Cat Hair, blogger extraordinaire Laurie Perry gave people a hilarious yet heartfelt glimpse into her misadventures as a recent divorcée with three cats, a slight wine and Cheetos problem, and scores of unfinished—and—uneven knitting projects. Now, in her second installment, she's done drunk-dialing her ex, and has moved on to make the best out of the "extra odd bits"—both in her knitting projects and in her life, from getting her house in order, or "procrasti-cleaning," to curbing expenses, from "green guilt" and pre-date nausea, to winning the battle of the bulge (think Spanx!).  Whether readers are Laurie Perry fans, or die-hard or beginning knitters, they'll find more adventures, eclectic projects, and, of course, more cocktails (and cats) on Laurie's quest to, like most women, find enlightenment, purpose, and balance in a topsy-turvy world."

A Man and His Maniac: The Bunkie Story by Charles F. Emery

I won this book through GMR at Satisfaction For Insatiable Readers.  How adorable is the cover? I'm such a dog lover; I know I'll love this one!

Goodreads says,"A Man and His Maniac: The Bunkie Story is a memoir about Bunkie, my beloved Labrador Retriever. It is a humorous account of my life with Bunkie but deals with the grief associated with loss as well.