The Overflowing Library

Boys for Beginners by Lil Chase Published by Quercus Boys for the beginners is the debut novel from a new author which which be perfect reading material for younger teenage girls. The main idea for this book is to highlight the ways in which teenagers feel they need to change themselves to fit in which the popular crowd. I liked how this idea was addressed as the main character who is a real tomboy finds herself wanting to become more girly in order to fit in with the main crowd of popular girls. I though the whole storyline was written well and will be something a lot of teens will relate to as I imagine more than will admit it have done something like what happens in the book to get in with the right crowd. The story was funny and engaging with witty and relatable dialogue used throughout to make it a quick and easy read. If you liked Georgia Nicholson this is the book for you

In My Mailbox is hosted by Kristi at www.thestorysiren.com I had some really exciting books arrive this week in the post and as it's been the summer holidays I have managed to read loads this week. Hartslove by KM Grant (UK paperback) Shimmer by Aylson Noel (UK paperback) Shelter by Harlen Coben (UK proof) Harlan Coben is one of the few adult writers I can claim to have actually read. This book is as good (if not better) than his adult stuff. I finished it in a day and loved it. The power of Six by Pittacus Lore (UK proof) I got this via Amazon Vine. Another one I finished within a day and loved. Deception by Lee Nichols (UK paperback) I have been looking forward to this so much and was really excited when a surprise copy turned up earlier in the week. Mister Creecher by Chris Priestley (UK proof) I loved the last Chris Priestley I read and I am told this is better. I can't wait to get started on it. Fire and Thorns by Rae Carson (UK Proof) An unexpected ...

My bookshelves provide a perfect metaphor for my life and my writing. They started out  all organised, full of great intentions  of categorisation by genre and chronology -  and there is still the semblance of some order in there  if you look closely.  But then it all goes haywire. Too many books, too little time  - the craziness takes over. My writing is just like that:  no matter how carefully I plan my novels and try to stick to my detailed synopsis, they just spiral wildly out of control, sprouting sub-plots and subtext and bits that don’t fit in neatly, just like the miscellaneous muddles on  my bookcases.  Underneath  it all, the structure is still there and I can usually find a book if I need it but I’d challenge anyone else to see the system beneath the chaos! Oh, and  now I come to think of it, my shelves also probably show a lot about what influences my writing too.  My new novel ‘We Can be Heroes’ was inspired by ‘To...

We can be Heroes by Catherine Bruton Published by Egmont Challenge: BBC and DAC I want to preface this review by saying please don't take the length of this review to be any reflection about how I felt about the book. While I don't have reams and reams to say the book itself was one that I really enjoyed and would happily recommend to others. You will enjoy this book if you read and loved My sister lives on the mantlepiece as I think the message of the story is very similar. They both feature children who have lost a family member due to a terrorist attack (even though they weren't necessarily affected by that loss as such being so young at the time). The book was written well and the story flowed nicely meaning it was a quick read despite being a bit of a monster size wise. The message of the book for me was tackling ignorance surrounding racism which was built up towards people in the UK who are labelled "terrorists" simply because of the ...

Bumped by Megan McCafferty Published by Random House Challenge: DAC When a virus makes everyone over the age of eighteen infertile, would-be parents pay teen girls to conceive and give birth to their children, making teens the most prized members of society. Girls sport fake baby bumps and the school cafeteria stocks folic-acid-infused food. Sixteen-year-old identical twins Melody and Harmony were separated at birth and have never met until the day Harmony shows up on Melody’s doorstep. Up to now, the twins have followed completely opposite paths. Melody has scored an enviable conception contract with a couple called the Jaydens. While they are searching for the perfect partner for Melody to bump with, she is fighting her attraction to her best friend, Zen, who is way too short for the job. Harmony has spent her whole life in Goodside, a religious community, preparing to be a wife and mother. She believes her calling is to convince Melody that pregging for profit i...

Brother/Sister by Sean Olin Published by Razorbill Will and Asheley have a troubled past. Their father left them when they were little, and their mother has just been carted off to an alcohol treatment center. Now, they have the house to themselves, and an endless California summer stretching out before them. Through alternating perspectives, they tell the story of how and why their lives spun violently out of control - right up to the impossibly shocking conclusion you'll have to read for yourself to believe. *** Brother/Sister is a quick and pacy read with a distinctively different style of story telling used to tell the story of Asheley and Will a troubled brother and sister. The story is told in alternating chapters switching between the two main characters Will and Asheley and is clearly from some kind of interview in which they retell their story from their own point of view. It took me a few chapters to get into it but in the end I really liked getting...

Wolfsbane by Andrea Cremer Published by Atom Series: Nightshade #2 This thrilling sequel to the much-talked-about Nightshade begins just where it ended.Calla Tor wakes up in the lair of the Searchers, her sworn enemy, and she's certain her days are numbered. But then the Searchers make her an offer,one that gives her the chance to destroy her former masters and save the pack and the man she left behind. Is Ren worth the price of her freedom? And will Shay stand by her side no matter what? Now in control of her own destiny, Calla must decide which battles are worth fighting and how many trials true love can endure and still survive. *** Wolfsbane was one of the sequels coming out this year that I was looking forward to the most having loved the first book but I'm sorry to say it didn't quite meet with my expectations. I probably should have reread the first book again before starting on this book but I really didn't have the time to do so. This ...