The Overflowing Library

I started this thinking I didn't have much to share with you this month but actually know I've looked back I read loads of awesome things from the library this month. Suffragette The battle for equality by David Roberts 2018 marks a century since the first women won the vote in the United Kingdom, and Suffragette tells the story of their fight. This is a tale of astounding bravery, ingenuity, and strength. David's conversational style is accessible and his artwork full of rich detail, bringing to life the many vivid characters of the Suffragette movement - from the militant activist Rosa May Billinghurst to the world-famous Emmeline Pankhurst. Covering the whole range of suffragette experiences - from aristocrats to the middle and working classes, as well as a look at the global struggle for universal suffrage, Suffragette is a fantastic introduction to a fascinating topic This book is so beautiful. Followers of my blog will know I can't get enough suffr...

Last month I was approached by a publishing house asking if I'd be up for reviewing some World War One books aimed at children. I'm always interested in taking books with a history theme to read even if they are a bit younger than my tastes because they are perfect for school and give me a wider range of books to recommend to the kids that come through my door of various abilities. I was not ready for the treat that was in store. All four of the books feature beautiful illustrations and verse which used both together very simply but vividly put across the realities of war for those who were involved. The latest book to be released is Peace Lily focusing on the role of women at war which I particularly enjoyed. Other books in the series are The Christmas Truce (obviously focusing on the Christmas Truce), Flo of the Somme (looking at the role of animals in World War One) and where the poppies now grow (focusing on the experience for an ordinary soldier). I tho...

Five Things You Didn’t Know About Mella from In Your Light Annalie Grainger My new novel, In Your Light , is about secrets, sisters and running away. It tells the story of sixteen-year-old Lil, whose life fell apart four months ago when her older sister, Mella, vanished without a trace. It is Lil’s love for her sister and the desperate search to find her that drives the narrative. I love Mella as a character – she’s probably one of my favourites in the whole book. I can see her so clearly in my mind: emotionally vulnerable but fiercely independent, the life-and-soul of a party but desperately lonely inside, funny and extrovert but also quiet and insecure. She has suffered from mental health issues all her life, but she hides it so that even her mum and sister don’t really know what’s going on with her. I was keen to show that it’s really hard to ask for help, and sometimes we don’t know that someone is suffering because they are so good at hiding their true feelings. ...

Ella is the new girl at school. She doesn't know anyone and she doesn't have any friends. And she has a terrible secret. Ella can't believe her luck when Lydia, the most popular girl in school, decides to be her new best friend - but what does Lydia really want? And what does it all have to do with Molly, the quiet, shy girl who won't talk to anyone? A gripping story of lies, friendship, and blackmail... Ella on the outside is a beautiful MG title which really makes the reader think about the importance of friendship, picking good friends and being a good friend to those around you. Ella is a bit lost at the start of the book. Her mother has relocated the family, her father is in prison and she's started a new school without her best friend beside her and finding it tough to break into existing friendhsip groups. What I particularly loved about this book was through Ella you get to explore what it means to be a good friend. Ella initially is drawn to Lydi...

Just a little pile of books this month. Not because there isn't loads of books out there that I desperately want but because my TBR is truly out of control at the moment. I've been so lucky and had lots of lovely books sent to me to review that I'm desperate to read as well as several books arriving for me at my library I've had reserved for ages. Therefore I'm going to try to get that a bit under control this month. Hope dreams of working backstage in a theatre, and she’s determined to make it without the help of her famous costume designer mum. So when she lands an internship on a major production, she tells no one. But with a stroppy Hollywood star and his hot young understudy upstaging Hope’s focus, she’s soon struggling to keep her cool… and her secret.  I love Maggie's books and cannot wait to read this Love. Desire. Vengeance. A deadly alchemy. When Rebecca Palmer's new husband opens a pharmacy in Victorian Edinburgh, she expects to...