The Overflowing Library

 Dear all I am very excited to bring to you my first author interview with Emma Michaels author of the Thirteenth Chimes. As a Book Blogger turned author Emma Michaels started her blog in December of 2009. With the support of her amazing blog followers and fellow bloggers she was able to not only write her first completed novel but start off a new career as an author.  With her Debut novel, The Thirteenth Chime being released August 13th 2010 and future releases planned Emma Michaels aspires to one day make it to the top ten of the New York Times Best Sellers List. With her fiancé at her side and her small white Chihuahua, Hope, she writes, reads, reviews and tries to live everyday to its fullest, whether in the pages of a good book or reaching out to others through her words.  Emma's debut novel looks amazing. I personally love reading debut authors novels which is one of the reasons why I signed up the The Story Siren's debut author challenge (albeit late) this ye...

Not a bad read. I would put it in the same category as those rubbish shows you watch on TV because secretly they are entertaining even though you'd never admit to it. I don't like the fact that the books are quite similar in format - e.g. slowly slowly big up how fab Zoey is, gasp these two are gay, grasp what is Zoey going to do about her boy problems then something finally happens in the end. I do like the overall storyline of this series but felt (like I did with the previous book) that there is a sufficient amount of padding put in to ensure an epic book deal. Zoey can be very irritating and the readers are treated like 5 year olds when it comes to thing like swearing (what the hell is bullpoopie about - it makes me cringe to even type it out) and the fact that some of characters may or may not be having sex or that some of the character are gay. Big deal, I don't actually care. I am interested to see where the series goes in the end but wish they would just get on with...

Zara White suspects there's a freaky guy semi-stalking her. She's also obsessed with phobias. And it's true, she hasn't exactly been herself since her ...more Zara White suspects there's a freaky guy semi-stalking her. She's also obsessed with phobias. And it's true, she hasn't exactly been herself since her stepfather died. But exiling her to shivery Maine to live with her grandmother? That seems a bit extreme. The move is supposed to help her stay sane...but Zara's pretty sure her mom just can't deal with her right now. She couldn't be more wrong. Turns out the semi-stalker is not a figment of Zara's overactive imagination. In fact, he's still following her, leaving behind an eerie trail of gold dust. There's something not right - not human - in this sleepy Maine town, and all signs point to Zara. In this creepy, compelling breakout novel, Carrie Jones delivers romance, suspense, and a creature you never thought you'...

Hello all I have been thinking of doing a few original features on the blog and this is what I have come up with. On Fab Friday Findings I will add a little post about something I have found or discovered over the week that I think you ought to know about. At the moment I am leaving it quite open what that may be - be it a book, a blog, a website or anything else that takes my fancy. Today's pick is www.artyfax.com . This technically isn't a new find as I used to work for them a few years ago (they have a shop alongside the website) but I love the owners, I love the stock (I used to buy for them - it was an awesome job) and I generally love artyfax! Why should you log on? Whatever you buy, be it small, large, on the web or in person you will get the best customer service anywhere. Jenny who runs the shop is the best person I have ever worked for and she loves her stuff. They sell pilgrim jewellery - not really cheap but not expensive either - I love the stuff and have l...

I was quite looking forward to this book after hearing some great things about it however for me it didn't live up to expectations. The first two thirds of the books focus on the war. Nothing really happens and it just goes on and on and on. I found myself skimming huge sections and giving up completely on 1017's parts. I just didn't see the point on using up over 400 pages on it. The final section was bit more interesting but by this point I didn't care and just wanted it to be over. The ending was semi interesting but didn't set the world alight for me at all. Certainly not worth the time and effort.

I enjoyed this book muchly, a fab little introduction to what could be an awesome series. The book was extremely fast paced with hardly any let up throughout. I like the character of Dana you could see that she had obviously put up with a lot throughout her life but she wasn't perfect (like any other teenager) and often got herself into silly situations because of her own stupid mistakes. I loved the setting of Avalon and how it was written as if it was matter of fact real. You can almost imagine walking in and around the place especially as the history was well researched and tied in well. When the idea of the Seelie and Unseelie courts was first mentioned with their red and white roses I immediately thought of the war of the roses and a few chapters on there it was! I didn't really see the significance of the Faeriewalker deal but got it in the end although I still don't fully get it and assume it will be something that will be drawn out in later books. I enjoyed ...

No one knew of its existence until it was removed from the attic upstairs.  In a beautiful house that overlooks the sea, an antique clock has the power to change the course of their lives.  The power the clock resonates will not only force Destiny and ex-boyfriend David on a journey into the depths of one man's mind long dead, but into the mind of a man filled with hatred and bent on revenge. With the only clues to the nature of the clock having disappeared into the sea, Destiny and David must retrace the steps the man had taken into the darkness, before they fall prey to the trap he had set in motion over half a century ago.  Hatred never dies http://emmamichaels.blogspot.com  I want this book. It looks awesome

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I loved this book. The ideas are original and interesting and the whole story was wonderfully written. The setting of St Sophia's and the whole world built around it was fantastic. I enjoyed the first part of the book just getting introduced to Lily and Scout. Lily is a brilliant main character feisty without being arrogant, cool without being bitchy. I loved the character of Scout and all of her quirkiness. The second section of the book was fab when you finally started to find out what was really going on at the school and all about the world of the Dark Elite. The final section where it all finally kicks off is really when the characters come into the own. The novel ends leaving you with lots of questions about Lily, her parents and the dark elite. An unputdownable,  fast paced, engaging novel that draws you in and leaves you wanting more. A definite must read.

I simply loved this book and I'm going to find it hard to put into words to properly explain how much I loved it. The main central theme / driving force of the book was the relationship between Sam and Grace which I absolutely loved. He is wonderfully gorgeous and them are quite simply made for each other. Each time they come up against an obstacle your heart breaks a little bit for them. I enjoyed the characters of Isabel and Cole and thought they were fab. The end is awesome (despite making you want to sob) and leaves you aching for more. The fact that the book was quite slow throughout didn't bother me in the slightest. Roll on the next book!

I'm not one for doing personal posts but wanted to share this with you. This evening my husband and I are staying at Cley Windmill for our first wedding. I love it there muchly as it is where we got married and it is beautiful (although I'm not convinced the weather is going to hold out). The room we are in is right at the top (you have to climb a ladder to get to it) Looking forward to having a drive along the coast and a bag of fish and chips. Norfolk is awesome for that and it means that I don't feel like I'm missing out on a holiday this summer as I have a few of these days planned.

In my Mailbox is hosted by the awesome story siren at www.thestorysiren.com  all descriptions stolen from www.goodreads.com   Slow week this week (I spent most of the week in a field camping so access to book shopping was limited) From www.readitswapit.co.uk - I love this website The Secret circle - LJ Smith The circle's power has lured her home Forced to move from sunny California to gloomy New England, Cassie longs for her old life. Even so, she feels a strange kinship to a terrifying group of teens who seem to rule her school. Initiated into the coven of witches that's controlled New Salem for hundreds of years, she's drawn into the Secret Circle, a thrill that's both intoxicating and deadly. But when she falls for the mysterious and intriguing Adam, Cassie must choose whether to resist temptation or risk dark forces to get what she wants—even if it means that one wrong move could ultimately destroy her. Been meaning to read her stuff for ages - will ge...

I enjoyed this book quite a lot despite it being another in a long line of vampire books. It started off very slow and I was a little bored until it suddenly twists about half way through. Without giving the twist away all I can say is that it finally puts things into perspective and makes you understand everything that has gone on before with a little more clarity. The final section was extremely fast paced and engaging and left me wanting to find out what happens next. I wasn't keen on the main char cater although I could relate to her somewhat. I didn't really believe the connection between her and Lucas and would have liked a bit more background on them and their relationship. I loved the character of Balthazar and will be proudly waving my Team Balthazar banner when I finally do get through the next books in the series. Not the best series in the genre but a nice engaging read nevertheless. Next book - Linger (mini excited dance!!)

Back in civilisation! (been off camping all week). I got a bit of reading done. I enjoyed this book a far bit but for me it wasn't in the same league as going too far. The thing that stood out for me in this book is that it is definately aimed at the older end of the young adult audience. It was full of sex and I personally thought it was perhaps a little too much in places for the audience it was aimed at. While I'm not saying that any of it was too extreme in anyway (and actually reasonably realistic throughout) I envisage younger adults picking it up and being highly influenced by it and doing things they ought not to. I suppose I would have been happy had it had a warning on it that it was that kind of book to warn off younger teens. The characters were less lovable, a bit complicated and more in depth than I would expect in a girly read. I loved love triangle idea but never really got why Zoey had the problems she did chosing which way to go. Not a bad read at all and we...

I was very excited about reading this book as I thought that it sounded awesome as a concept. Sadly for me it didn't live up to expectations. I didn't warm to the main character at all. Yes she had her share of problems but so do a lot of people. I thought the entire main part of the story was very childish. While not a prude I thought that was an excessive amount of swearing for a young adult book (it would certainly put me off recommending it to teenagers - yes I know kids swear but I don't want to endorse it). I am still interested to read the sequel as I do like the ideas behind it but I'll wait until I can get it cheap rather than buying it full price.

IMMB is hosted by Kristi at www.thestorysiren.com (book descriptions from Amazon and Goodreads) I am posting this early as I have a nutty weekend coming up I am out most of tomorrow and busy getting all the jobs I need to get done (including packing) before I can go off camping next week (you won't therefore hear much from me over the next week). I have had a fab week bookwise! Books I received as presents My birthday was last monday so I got a nice selection of books as presents. I was very excited most of the day (despite the fact that I was stuck at work until 8pm ish). I am a nightmare with presents and have to open them very quickly so being at work almost killed me as I didn't get them until late. Sookie Stackhouse / True Blood collection - Charlaine Harris Sookie Stackhouse is a cocktail waitress in a little bar in Bon Temps, a small town deep in Louisiana. She's funny and pretty and well-mannered, but she doesn't have that many close friends - mind y...

Just a quick post - I am still here - just very very busy. I will be posting IMMB at weekend which will be a very very exciting post indeed!

Gonna keep this short - final deadline for exam board marking and I have lot to do. I deliberately haven't got a lot this week as I am hoping for many exciting things tomorrow! (I get more excited about birthdays than anyone else I know) This took much will power on my part especially as I went round two fab book shops today - waterstones in cambridge and Heffers in Cambridge. Got from www.Readitswapit.co.uk My love li es Bleeding - Alyxandra Harvey The Blakes are rather different to your usual neighbours. They are vampires and some of the members of the family date back to the twelfth century. One of the children, Solange, is the only born female vampire known and, as such, she poses a direct threat to the vampire queen. Her best friend Lucy is human, and when Solange is kidnapped Lucy and Solange's brother, Nicholas, set out to save her. Lucy soon discovers that she would like to be more than just friends with Nicholas. But how does one go about dating a vampire? Meanwhile, S...

I really enjoyed this book. It wasn't what I was expecting at all (I thought it would be a little more girly). I loved the character of Meg and her crazy rebelly ways and warmed towards her more and more as the story went on. I liked the contrast between the two relationships she had with both Eric and then John and how completely different they were. The book kept you hanging on and I didn't see the twists coming at all. I loved the ending and thought all in all it was a gorgeously happy lovely heartwarming little tale. I will be keen to read more jennifer echols. undecided on next book - seeing what the weekend brings with it as I have a huge amazon order in. Off to Duxford tomorrow for Flying Legends so doubt I'll get a lot of reading done!

Today I met Sophie McKenzie!!!! The Norfolk Children's book centre organised an event at our school. I was lucky enough to have a free afternoon and managed to get over and spend the afternoon with her and the kids (I was like an excited big kids myself - I love blood ties). She arrived early and had a spot of lunch with her publicist while she signed my books and chatted about the types of books she was into. She was interviewed by 5 or 6 of our kids then big an afternoon session with them. She started by introducing herself and her background as a writer. It was clear from what she said about how much she loves what she does. She then played a would you rather game to introduce the ideas of psychic abilities which are featured in her medusa project books. She read from her third medusa project book and then took questions from the kids about all of her books. It was a wonderful afternoon and lovely to hear her talk about her stories and how much she loved them and her characters...

I fell in love with the cover of this book and it was probably the only reason why I bought it. (the black trees are all cut on on the cut with the purple bit being the first page). I did enjoy the whole story a fair bit although I do get a bit annoyed with books that don't really have a point. I liked the main character and could totally see where she was coming from in the things that she did but I couldn't say the same for her friend. I though she got away with too much considering what she did. I would certainly recommend it as a book to read and will be looking out for new things the author writes. Undecided on my next book as of yet.

IMM is hosted by the fab story siren at www.thestorysiren.com A slow week on purpose - exam marking has halted most of my reading (it took over a solid 9 hours yesterday). From www.readitswapit.co.uk Going too far - Jennifer Echols Description from goodreads.com All Meg has ever wanted is to get away. Away from high school. Away from her backwater town. Away from her parents who seem determined to keep her imprisoned in their dead-end lives. But one crazy evening involving a dare and forbidden railroad tracks, she goes way too far... and almost doesn't make it back. John made a choice to stay. To enforce the rules. To serve and protect. He has nothing but contempt for what he sees as childish rebellion, and he wants to teach Meg a lesson she won't soon forget. But Meg pushes him to the limit by questioning everything he learned at the police academy. And when he pushes back, demanding to know why she won't be tied down, they will drive each other to the edge - and over... ...

The lovely asamum aw arded me this today! She is probably the reasons I got into blogging to start with after I came across her on a www.readitswapit.co.uk . I am now hooked and slightly obssessed. Check out her page here She has passed onto me a set of rules to follow so here it goes 1) thank and link to the person who gave the award to you 2) pass on the award to 15 other bloggers 3) contact other blogs to tell them you've awarded them it too 4) state 7 things about yourself I'm going to have to go away and think about the above - I'll edit this post in the next day or two - Back to the GCSE marking!!!!

While this series is not as good as some of the other sophie McKenzie books I have read they sre still a good read if you bear in mind they are aimed at a younger audience. They are quite fast paced albeit a bit predictable. I hope the characters are developed a bit more as I'm not all that drawn to any of them at the moment.