The Overflowing Library

Today I am pleased to host a stop on the UK blog book tour for Across the Universe by Beth Revis I have loads of goodies to share with you Firstly - I have the official book trailer for you to view to give you a taste of what the book is about Secondly -   I have my review of the book Across the Universe by Beth Revis Published by Razorbill Challenge: DAC Source: Review copy (thank you Razorbill) Seventeen-year-old Amy joins her parents as frozen cargo aboard the vast spaceship Godspeed and expects to awaken on a new planet, three hundred years in the future. Never could she have known that her frozen slumber would come to an end fifty years too soon and that she would be thrust into the brave new world of a spaceship that lives by its own rules. Amy quickly realizes that her awakening was no mere computer malfunction. Someone-one of the few thousand inhabitants of the spaceship-tried to kill her. And if Amy doesn't do something soon, her parents will be n...

A huge thak you as always to Kristi the awesome story siren. Go visit her at www.thestorysiren.com to find out more about In my Mailbox This week has been a pretty awesome week bookwise. I received some truly amazing books in the post which lead to lots of happy dances! This week I received I received a wonderful package from my lovely blogging friend Clover - she is wonderful and always sends me fantastic books visit her at http://www.flutteringbutterflies.com In that lovely parcel was Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson  This is one book I am really looking forward to reading. I have been meaning to buy a copy for ages but never got round to picking up By Midnight by Mia James (UK hardback) I read this ages ago and enjoyed it. Another one I always meant to get a copy of but never go round to it! I also received some lovely review books - a huge thank you to both Egmont and PanMacmillan for sending them to me. Plague by Michael Grant (UK paperback) This series is ama...

In response to a few things I have seen coming up on various blogs and twitter I have decided to post this today. It is not a personal attack on any one blogger in particular but I hope it makes people think The Overflowing Library's blogging ettiquette tips Tip #1 Do not use memes to spam other people's blogs. It is rude. If you want to leave a link to your post at least make a comment about the post you are commenting on. If you do that you are more likely to get a visit and comment in return Tip #2 Keep personal comments and attacks off your blog. If you have a problem with another blogger contact them privately and talk it out or rise above it. Tip #3 In order to help upkeep the excellent reputation of the blogging community when you review, review like a professional. We may not be paid, or do this full time but we need to have standards if we want to be taken seriously and continue to be valued by publishers. Tip #4 Do not to be critical of how others chose ...

Genesis by Bernard Beckett Published by Quercus Challenge: None Source: Own copy (UK Hardback) “What does it mean to be human?” The answer lies within the mystery of Genesis . Set in a postapocalyptic future, the novel takes the form of an examination undergone by young Anaximander as she prepares to enter an enigmatic institution known simply as The Academy. For her subject she has chosen the life of the philosopher-soldier Adam Forde, her long-dead hero. It is through Anax’s presentation and her answers to persistent questioning by her examiners that we learn the history of her island Republic, along with the rules and beliefs of their society. At the completion of the examination, when everything has been laid bare, Anax must confront the Republic’s last great secret, her own surprising link to Adam Forde, and the horrifying truth about her world. Like the great writers Isaac Asimov and Philip K. Dick, Bernard Beckett explores the relationship between humans and t...

The Water Wars by Cameron Stracher Published by Sourcebooks Challenge: None Source: Review copy Vera and her brother, Will, live in the shadow of the Great Panic, in a country that has collapsed from environmental catastrophe. Water is hoarded by governments, rivers are dammed, and clouds are sucked from the sky. But then Vera befriends Kai, who seems to have limitless access to fresh water. When Kai suddenly disappears, Vera and Will set off on a dangerous journey in search of him-pursued by pirates, a paramilitary group, and greedy corporations. Timely and eerily familiar, acclaimed author Cameron Stracher makes a stunning YA debut that's impossible to forget.  *** I've got to say that I was so excited to read this book as the premise sounds fantastic. While it was easily readable I've got to say it really wasn't for me. The main storyline is a really interesting idea - the premise is that water has become so scare it is a rare an valuable...

I love this series. I can't wait to get the new instalment! Plague by Michael Grant Published by Egmont 4th April 2011   This is a blood-pumping, white-knuckle sci-fi thriller of epic proportions. The FAYZ goes from bad to worse...The darkness has been foiled once again and the resurrected Drake has been contained. But the streets of Perdido Beach are far from safe, with a growing army of mutants fighting against the humans for power in the town. In a small room of a house near the edge of town, Little Pete lies ill on a bed. In his fevered dreams, he continues his battle with the hidden evil that seeks to use his power to bring about anarchy and destruction

The Cabinet of Curiosities by Paul Dowsell Published by Bloomsbury Challenge: BBC Source: review copy (Thank you bloomsbury) I wasn't sure if this book would be my kind of thing but it totally was and not for the reasons I would have expected. This book follows the story of Lukas an orphaned boy who has moved to Prague to apprentice with his Uncle, the Emperor's physician. To start with I have to admit I was not gripped by the story. It starts following him as he makes his way to visit his uncle and I started to lose interest. Once he met his Uncle however I was hooked. I teach the history of Medicine and I have never read a YA book which looks at medical practices from the past. I loved seeing how Lukas's Uncle used the medicine of the day to treat the Emperor. It really brought home the fact that despite the great discoveries and break throughs in medicine that were going on during the Renaissance, not a lot actually changed day to day in the pract...

In the bag by Jim Carrington Published by Bloomsbury Challenge: BBC Source: Review copy (thank you Bloomsbury) In the bag is a contemporary novel about two boys who find a bag with £20,000 in late one night and follows their story thereafter as they decide what they are going to do with the bag the following day. The thing I liked most about this book was that the book's narrative alternated being two teenage boys who were both written superbly. I could just imagine them as one of the teenagers I teach as the author had captured teenage boys really well in their mannerisms, how they interact with each other and how they would react if they had £20,000 suddenly dropped into their laps. The story itself went along nicely as was quite engaging to read. I loved seeing how the boys started with the moral high ground but then were tempted to spend a bot then a bit more. I loved seeing how it affected them their relationship. Some of the scenes started out quite...

A huge thanks to Kristi the wonderful story siren for hosting IMM as always. She is fab and you should check her site! www.thestorysiren.com I didn't think I'd have anything to post for IMM this week and then I got two parcels this morning which were both incredibly exciting with review books and a read it swap it book turned up!! Check these gorgeous things out! The Forrest of Hands and Teeth by Carrie Ryan (UK paperback) I have been meaning to get a copy of this for ages and ages and when it popped up on readitswapit.co.uk I seized the chance! Looking forward to it. Rosebush by Michelle Jaffe (UK paperback) This book looks absolutely amazing - I have wanted it for ages (or it at least seems that way). I can't wait to start it! Red riding Hood by Sarah Blakeley-Cartwright (UK paperback) Another one that looks fab - I may have to persuade hadders to take me to see it when its released so I need to get it read before then! I know what you did last summer by ...

Those of you who follow me on twitter will know how much I have been looking forward to this half term as I have been so much in the past 7 weeks with late night events at school and GCSE marking. February half term is always a strange one because Hadley can never have time off for it so I have a whole week to myself This is what I plan to do with my half term get my haircut - I already am booked in to go and see my lovely celebrity hairdresser. I have never had a hairdresser who I can totally trust and I can him which is fab. I just sit down and let him do his thing. I never used to look forward to going to the hairdresser but I relly do now! Lunch with moses - half term is also the time when I see my friend who also works in soon and we have lunch mid week and laugh at our other friends who are working Reading - I want to smash my review pile back so I am not feeling guilty all the time Cleaning - alas - half term means cleaning week too. I am hoping to finally clear out my ...

Mortlock by Jon Mayhew Published by Bloomsbury Challenge: BBC Source Review Copy (thanks Bloombury for sending this to me for review) The sister is a knife-thrower in a magician's stage act, the brother an undertaker's assistant. Neither orphan knows of the other's existence. Until, that is, three terrible aunts descend on the girl's house and imprison her guardian, the Great Cardamom. His dying act is to pass the girl a note with clues to the secret he carries to his grave. *** This is one creepy book and while it was good it really wasn't for me as it was a bit too creepy and gory. The novel is set in Victorian London and follows the story of orphaned twins Josie and Alfie as they try to uncover the mystery of a secret connected to their past, that has been passed on to them in in a note by Josie's dying guardian. The story starts off at break neck pace and keeps it up throughout with engaging twists and turns. Despite being totally fre...

Belle's Song by KM Grant Published by Quercus Challenge: BBC Source: review copy (thank you Quercus) When Belle meets Luke, son of an alchemist and Scribe to the famous poet Chaucer, she is determined to travel with him to Canterbury on a pilgrimage. She hopes for a miracle: that her father will walk again. She also hopes to atone for her own part in his accident. It is a time of unrest across the country and the young King Richard II is just hanging on to his throne. A malign character on the pilgrimage suspects Chaucer of treason and slowly winds Belle into a political intrigue. At the same time, the impulsive Belle is drawn towards both Luke and to Walter, the wealthy son of a Knight. But Walter himself is in love with Luke...As the uprising against the King starts to draw pace and the web of intrigue around Belle and Chaucer tightens, Belle and her friends must risk everything to save their country and themselves... *** Belle's story follows the mai...

This book looks awesome - I believe it is a debut - correct me if I'm wrong! Future Imperfect by K Ryer Breese Published by St Martin's Griffin Apil 2011 Ade Patience can see the future and it's destroying his life. When the seventeen-year-old Mantlo High School student knocks himself unconscious, he can see days and decades into his own future. Ade's the best of Denver's "divination" underground and eager to join the heralded Mantlo Diviners, a group of similarly enabled teens. Yet, unlike the Diviners, Ade Patience doesn't see the future out of curiosity or good will; Ade gives himself concussions because he's addicted to the high, the Buzz, he gets when he breaks the laws of physics. And while there have been visions he's wanted to change, Ade knows the Rule: You can't change the future, no matter how hard you try. His memory is failing, his grades are in a death spiral, and both Ade's best friend and his shrink are...

The Queen's Lady by Eve Edwards Published by Razorbill Challenge: BBC Source: Review copy (thanks razorbill) 1584 – Surrey, England When Lady Jane Rievaulx begins service to the Queen at Richmond Palace, she is thrilled at the court’s newest arrival . . . Master James Lacey. Despite her previous courtship with his older brother, James is the man she truly loves. And for his part, he cannot deny his fascination with her. However, James is setting sail on a treacherous journey to the Americas, seeking absolution for what he sees as past sins. But when Lady Jane is forced into a terrible situation by her own family, there is only one man to save her. Will Master James return to his lady ­- before it’s too late? *** The Queen's lady is the second instalment in a series set in Tudor England. I for one thought this instalment was as strong as the first instalment. The story is set 18 months after the end of The Other Countess and focuses on the Story of Lady J...

The Other Countess by Eve Edwards Published by Razorbill Challenge: BBC Source: Review copy (thank you razorbill) It's 1582 and eighteen-year-old Will Lacey's family is in trouble. After years of wasteful spending, his late father has run Lacey Hall to near ruin. Tasked with marrying his family back into fortune, the new Earl of Dorset is all set for a season at court to woo not just the Queen but potential brides with his jousting skills. But when Ellie – a strong-willed girl with nothing to her name but a worthless Spanish title – catches Will's eye, he faces a bigger battle than he could ever have anticipated. *** I started this series with no expectations about how good it would be having never heard of it or the author before and was pleasantly surprised as it turned out to be a wonderfully enjoyable, intelligently witty, character driven fun historical tale. The thing I love most about this book was the main character Ellie. I loved how she was...

 A huge thanks to Kristi for hosting In my Mailbox - to check out details about participating check out www.thestorysiren.com I received some fab books this week! The Eternal Ones by Kirsten Miller (UK paperback) I have wanted this book for ages but never got round to getting it. My lovely friend Clover sent it to me which I am eternally grateful for. Jenna and Jonah's Fauxmance by Emily Franklin and Brendan Haplin (UK paperback) I'd not heard of this or the authors before it fell through my letterbox - it actually looks quite funny so I'm looking forward to reading it. Immortal beloved by Cate Tiernan (UK Proof) The lovely Emma sent me this - I can't wait to read it! I love the UK cover far more than the US one. The Water Wars by Cameron Stracher (US hardcover) I have no idea who sent me this but I love them. There was no covering note or press release but the envelop says it was sent from America. The cover is gorgeous and I literally can't wai...

Do you post spoilery reviews?? I'm interested in what people think about this question. Personally I try not to write reviews that are spoilery. It's not that I think people who do are awful horrible reviewers who should be poked with sharp sticks I just never have done myself. When Mockingjay came out there was a lot of fuss made because a lot of people were posting their reviews of it very quickly and spoiling the ending for fan who had been waiting patiently and eagerly for it for months which I can totally understand and had I read one before I read the book I would have been mightly annoyed! I never really questioned this until recently. I was lucky enough to receive a copy of Last Sacrifice early and had to sign all kinds of embargo forms to get it. When I wrote my review I tried to keep it spoiler free so mot to spoil it for others. I was looking at my stats on blogger and about the time I posted the review I got loads of hits through google for the phrase "La...

The Iron Witch by Karen Mahoney Published by Corgi Books Challenge: DAC and BBC Source: Gifted by the lovely Caroline Freak. That's what her classmates call seventeen-year-old Donna Underwood. When she was seven, a horrific fey attack killed her father and drove her mother mad. Donna's own nearly fatal injuries from the assault were fixed by magic—the iron tattoos branding her hands and arms. The child of alchemists, Donna feels cursed by the magical heritage that destroyed her parents and any chance she had for a normal life. The only thing that keeps her sane and grounded is her relationship with her best friend, Navin Sharma.When the darkest outcasts of Faerie—the vicious wood elves—abduct Navin, Donna finally has to accept her role in the centuries old war between the humans and the fey. Assisted by Xan, a gorgeous half-fey dropout with secrets of his own, Donna races to save her friend—even if it means betraying everything her parents and the alchemist c...

Tyranny by Leslie Fairfield Published by Walker Books Challenge: None Source: Review copy (UK paperback) In Tyranny, brisk, spare text and illustrations that deal head-on with anorexia propel the reader along on Anna’s journey as she falls prey to the eating disorder, personified as her tormentor, Tyranny. The novel starts with a single question: “How did I get here?” The answer lies in the pages that follow, and it’s far from simple. Pressured by media, friends, the workplace, personal relationships, and fashion trends, Anna descends into a seemingly unending cycle of misery. And whenever she tries to climb out of the abyss, her own personal demon, Tyranny, is there to push her back in. The contest seems uneven, and it might be except for one thing: Anna’s strength of character has given rise to her deadly enemy. Ironically, it is that same strength of character that has the ultimate power to save her from the ravages of Tyranny.  Brilliantly and realistically p...

I think this title looks really awesome - I can't wait to get my hands on it! Possession by Elana Johnson Vi knows the Rule: Girls don't walk with boys, and they never even think about kissing them. But no one makes Vi want to break the Rules more than Zenn...and since the Thinkers have chosen him as Vi's future match, how much trouble can one kiss cause? The Thinkers may have brainwashed the rest of the population, but Vi is determined to think for herself. But the Thinkers are unusually persuasive, and they're set on convincing Vi to become one of them...starting by brainwashing Zenn. Vi can't leave Zenn in the Thinkers' hands, but she's wary of joining the rebellion, especially since that means teaming up with Jag. Jag is egotistical, charismatic, and dangerous--everything Zenn's not. Vi can't quite trust Jag and can't quite resist him, but she also can't give up on Zenn. This is a game of control or be controlled. And V...

Quarry by Ally Kennen Published by Scholastic Challenge: BBC Source: Review Copy (UK proof) The explosive new novel from Ally Kennen, master of teen thillers. Who is texting Scrappy freaky dares? The anonymous sender is untraceable. At first they're weird but fun. They they become dangerous. Then deadly. But by then it's too late for Scrappy to stop ...  *** I haven't ever read anything by Ally Kennen before and I was pleasantly surprised by how good her book was. Quarry is a story about a 15 year old boy who lives in a scrap yard called Scrappy. Scrappy is generally a bit fed up with his day to day existence. His mother has got fed up with his dad and packed up and left. His Grandfather is going senile and he has been left to look after him and generally life is a bit dull. One day Scrappy starts to receive strange dares via text. To start ...more I haven't ever read anything by Ally Kennen before and I...

Low Red Moon by Ivy Devlin Published by Bloomsbury Challenge: DAC Source: Review copy (UK paperback) The only thing Avery Hood can remember about the night her parents died is that she saw silver—deadly silver, moving inhumanly fast. As much as she wants to remember who killed them, she can't, and there's nothing left to do but try to piece her life back together. Then Avery meets the new boy in school—Ben, mysterious and beautiful, with whom she feels a connection like nothing she's ever experienced. When Ben reveals he's a werewolf, Avery still trusts him—at first. Then she sees that sometimes his eyes flash inhuman silver. And she learns that she's not the only one who can't remember the night her parents died.Part murder mystery, part grief narrative, and part heart-stopping, headlong romance, Low Red Moon is a must-read for teen paranormal fans. As breathless as Twilight and as spooky as Shiver , this is a book to be devoured in one sitti...

Just a quick IMM this week - thank you for Kristi www.thestorysiren.com for hosting! I'm comment back on my lovely commenters asap - I am currently in Scotland and internetless!! The Memory Cage by Ruth Eastham (UK paperback) I was pleased to find the lovely Scholastic sent me a finished copy of this book because I loved it but even more excited to see I am quoted on the press release!!! Fab book - go hunt it out if you like Michael Morpurgo Awakened by PC and Kristin Cast (Audio book) I finished this as a book last week on my way to the RHCB bloggers brunch. I have never ever had an audio book in my life - maybe it's time to start now I have a car with a CD player. It's out in February for you audio books fans) Belle's song by KM Grant (UK paperback) This looks fab - historical fiction. I've not heard a lot about it but I'm looking forward to it lots!

Aka the tale of the Norfolk girl does London (and more impressively the tube) solo! Two Saturdays ago I was lucky enough to attend a blogger brunch held by Random House Children's Books held in their Ealing office in London and I had the most fantastic day! I got up at 5am to get on an early train to London. Norfolk has to have the worse transport network ever and it is a real bind if you want to try and leave it early or late in the day. Having never been to London on my own before I was petrified but it all went swimmingly well (which never happens - I have lost count of the number of times I have been left almost stranded at Liverpool Street Station. I digress.... I arrived at Ealing Broadway Station and was met by a lovely bunch of bloggers. Caroline (potrait of a woman) had kindly agreed to meet us all to show us where we were going and so we didn't get lost. We arrived at the offices and on our chairs were the most amazing good bags. It contained the books pic...

XVI by Julia Karr Published by Speak Challenge: DAC Source: Purchased from Amazon Nina Oberon's life is pretty normal: she hangs out with her best friend, Sandy, and their crew, goes to school, plays with her little sister, Dee. But Nina is 15. And like all girls she'll receive a Governing Council-ordered tattoo on her 16th birthday. XVI. Those three letters will be branded on her wrist, announcing to all the world—even the most predatory of men—that she is ready for sex. Considered easy prey by some, portrayed by the Media as sluts who ask for attacks, becoming a "sex-teen" is Nina's worst fear. That is, until right before her birthday, when Nina's mom is brutally attacked. With her dying breaths, she reveals to Nina a shocking truth about her past—one that destroys everything Nina thought she knew. Now, alone but for her sister, Nina must try to discover who she really is, all the while staying one step ahead of her mother's killer. ...

Delirium by Lauren Oliver Published by Hodder Challenge: None Source: Given to me by Jesse (books4teens.co.uk) Before scientists found the cure, people thought love was a good thing. They didn’t understand that one love -the deliria- blooms in your blood, there is no escaping its hold. Things are different now. Scientists are able to eradicate love, and the governments demands that all citizens receive the cure upon turning eighteen. Lena Holway has always looked forward to the day when she’ll be cured. A life without love is a life without pain: safe, measured, predictable, and happy. But with ninety-five days left until her treatment, Lena does the unthinkable: She falls in love. *** Lauren Oliver's second offering as a YA author is a story set in a future dystopian world in which Love is considered a disease and removed from you when you become 18. Lauren's book is written really well. The prose is seamle...

This book looks awesome - been hearing a fair bit about it!! Rival by Sara Bennett Wheeler Published by Harper Teen 15th February What if your worst enemy turned out to be the best friend you ever had? Meet Brooke: Popular, powerful and hating every minute of it, she’s the “It” girl at Douglas High in Lake Champion, Minnesota. Her real ambition? Using her operatic mezzo as a ticket back to NYC, where her family lived before her dad ran off with an up and coming male movie star. Now meet Kathryn: An overachieving soprano with an underachieving savings account, she’s been a leper ever since Brooke punched her at a party junior year. For Kath, music is the key to a much-needed college scholarship. The stage is set for a high-stakes duet between the two seniors as they prepare for the prestigious Blackmore competition. Brooke and Kathryn work toward the Blackmore with eyes not just on first prize but on one another, each still stinging from a past that started with...