The Buzz {5}

Oh man, it feels so good to be back...kind of! I was able to post just to let everyone know my computer is on the fritz... so my dear, sweet boyfriend has left his work laptop for me to use while he is in Ireland. Yep, you just read it - he's in Ireland... I'm so jealous! But this gives me ample book reading and blogging time, which isn't too shabby!

So what's been up in the past week and a half since I've been unable to post? Eh, not too much! But a few things....

On My Bookshelf

I WON! Starters by Lissa Price 

     thanks to  http://www.bookishthingsandmore.com/ 

*From The Library*

Transcendence by C.J. Omololu 

Mirage (Winter Haven #2) by Kristi Cook

The Vicious Deep by Zoraida Cordova

*Bought*

Eve (Eve #1) by Anna Carey

*Currently Reading*

Fated (Soul Seekers #1) by Alyson Noel

Arcadia Awakens (Arkadien #1) by Kai Meyer

*Up Next...*

The Last Princess by Galaxy Craze

White Cat (Curse Workers #1) by Holly Black

Mindful Musings

So I've been kind of compiling a bunch of different daily memes into one conglomeration that I call The Buzz. I like it, but I feel like I need more. I've been perusing other book blogs in the YA World and am seeing a few different memes that have piqued my interest... so let me know what your favorite memes are, and which ones that I should (consider) partaking in... if anyone does the TGIF post hosted by GReads let me know if you like it and why... thanks in advance :))

So that's it for me... for now!! 

Let me know how everything is in your world, and what you're reading or just finished/anticipate reading!

Eeeep....Stupid computer. Boo.

Hey everyone! I just wanted to apologize for the lack of posts lately... unfortunately our computer got a super nasty virus and I just managed to log in and jump online long enough to post this before it crashes again. Hopefully boyfriend will get it fixed ASAP so I can get back to my blog that I miss so dearly!!!

Hope to see everyone again very soon!
Laura

Cover Lovin {2}: Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi

So some big news today from YA author, Tahereh Mafi, on her blog! Her debut novel, Shatter Me, gets a new cover for it's October 16th paperback release; which, conveniently is the same day that the second book in the series, Destroy Me, is released! Check out the cover below, and the full post on Mafi's blog.

Here's the OLD cover...

And the NEW cover: 

So what do you think??? I think that the new is cover is absolutely beautiful!!!! I like both of them, but the new one is just unbelievable!! The colors used are so vivid - great palette choice! I have to say this is probably going to be one of my favorite book covers of all time!

Top Ten Tuesday {6}

For more info on Top Ten Tuesday, hosted by The Broke and the Bookish, head HERE.

Today's Topic: Top 10 Books I Feel Everyone Has Read But Me

1. Fifty Shades of Grey by E.L. James
     This book is everywhere these days, and I am not on the bandwagon. I don't think I will ever read it either - smutty Twilight fanfic I guess just isn't my type of book. I've heard so many mixed reviews too - from OMG Amazing! to OMG what did I just waste my time reading? I think I'll just play it safe and stick to my tried-and-true Young Adult and Adult Historical Fiction.

2. The Book Thief by Markus Zusak
     I am very curious about this book, and every time I see it at the library I scold myself for not just grabbing it and reading it - because everyone who has read it; says it Ahhmazing!

3. Outlander (Outlander #1) by Diana Gabaldon
     Historical Fiction. Time Travel. Hot Scots. Oh my! So why have I not read this freakin' book yet?! Well, technically I've tried. 3 times. And each time I struggle - yet my best friend DEMANDS I read this series because it will knock my socks off - and besides, it has all of my favorite things in it (See the first paragraph again...) so what is my prob?! Not sure - but I grabbed it when I was at the library last so I better like it...er, fourth times a charm? I hope?

4. City of Bones (Mortal Instruments #1) by Cassandra Clare
     With five books out, a sixth due in 2014, tons of e-book extras and a spin-off series...how have I not read this one?! Well, I own it. And it's going to be a movie. So I guess I need to just read this one - especially since it was recommended to me by a dear friend who I trust would not steer me wrong!

5. The Host by Stephenie Meyer
     The Host was Meyer's first adult novel following the success of the Twilight Saga. Due out this summer in movie format starring Saoirse Ronan (Susie Salmon from The Lovely Bones movie; Briony Tallis from Atonement; and Lina Mayfleet in City of Ember) I haven't read this one yet; and have found it to have very mixed reviews ranging from, "Couldn't get past chapter one." to "You HAVE to read it!" With my waning feelings for Meyer, I really can't say I have all that much interest in reading this, nor anything else she will probably publish in the future. But who knows, I may change my mind sometime in the future, I've done it before.

6. Looking For Alaska by John Green
     I haven't jumped on the John Green bandwagon yet, since contemporary YA isn't really my genre of choice. But the amounts of praise and awards that Green's books receive, it makes me think I need to bump this (or The Fault in our Stars) up on my Need To Read list.

7. The House of Night Series by P.C. & Kristin Cast
     OK, technically I suffered through the first book in the series, Marked, but had to call it quits on the series when at their school, the main character was observing other students engaged in sexual acts in the school hallways. I'm 28 years old, and no, I am not a prude, but really, this took it too far, and in a very un-classy way. Maybe it's just me, and maybe most people overlook it, or even laugh at it, which I suppose I could do as well, but yeah, I gave up on the rest of the books after finishing book one.

8. Fallen (Fallen Series) by Lauren Kate
     When I first saw the cover of this book, I fell in love with it. I love all of the covers on the books in this series, but I have yet to read any of them. Granted, I do own Fallen, the first book, just haven't gotten around to reading it yet. I seem to be having that problem a lot lately...
                                       9. The Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. Lewis
         I know, you are in complete, total, and utter disbelief that I have not read this series yet...am I right? Well, I have the book (all-in-one) and I always say I need to just read it, considering I love the movies! But I just haven't gotten around to it yet. Boo.

10. The Inheritance Series by Christopher Paolini
     Well, I saw Eragon the movie, but haven't picked up the books to read. Enjoyed the movie a lot - maybe I should read them?

Review {38} Until I Die by Amy Plum

Until I Die
Revenants #2
By: Amy Plum
Other Books in Series: Die For Me
Published: May 8th 2012 by HarperCollins Publishers
Obtained: Library
Categories: Young Adult, Immortals, Zombies, Paranormal Romance
Rating: Did Not Finish

Kate and Vincent have overcome the odds and at last they are together in Paris, the city of lights and love.

As their romance deepens there's one question they can't ignore: How are they supposed to be together if Vincent can't resist sacrificing himself to save others? Although Vincent promises that he'll do whatever it takes to lead a normal life with Kate, will that mean letting innocent people die? When a new and surprising enemy reveals itself, Kate realizes that even more may be at stake - and that's Vincent's immortality is in jeopardy.

In Die for Me, Amy Plum created a captivating paranormal mythology with immortal revenants and a lush Paris setting. Until I Die is poised to thrill readers with  more heart-pounding suspense, spellbinding romance, and a cliff-hanger ending that will leave them desperate for the third and final novel in the series.

So unfortunately I did not finish the second installment in the Revenants series. This really bothers me because 1 - I hate not finishing books, and 2 - I enjoyed Die for Me a lot, so I was excited to jump back into Kate's life in Paris. The main reason why I ended up bailing on this book over halfway through it, is because it was just unfolding too slowly for me. There was very little action since the numa are currently in hiding, and no attacks had been made against the Revenants since the events of the first book. Until I Die follows Kate as she searches for answers to questions she has about the history of the revenants and numa, and whether there will ever be a way for Kate and Vincent to be together, and live in a way that Vincent isn't causing himself pain by not fulfilling the urge to die, and that they can age and live together without denying one or the other in any way.

I don't really have any problems with Plum's writing style. I find it acceptable, easy to read, flowing, and pleasant. I think my main issue with the book was the pace. There weren't many problems with settings, or events that were occurring either; though I am pretty sure I have figured out how the book ends without having actually finished it. I was finding Vincent and Kate's relationship kind of annoying too; as was Georgia, Kate's party-girl sister. I also could just be in the mood for something more fast-paced and action-packed, and it's just the wrong time for me to have picked up this book; which happens to me from time to time.

I know that I bring this up often in reviews of series, but I again fall back on my formula for a trilogy; where book 1 is the setting up of the series, book 2 is the action, and book 3 is the conclusion. In my opinion, it seems like book 1 & 2 could've almost been combined to be one longer introduction to the series, since Until I Die deals with so much background and info. I have a feeling that I will end up picking this book up again in the future to finish, or buy it when it's cheap before the final book comes out. Overall, I think the premise is unique, and interesting and a fresh take on a growing "zombie" genre in Young Adult.