FDL Reads: Reviews - Fondulac District Library

FDL Reads: Tomie

Tomie by Junji Ito

Reviewed by: Atlas Agunod, Circulation Assistant

Genre: Horror

Suggested Age: Teens and Adults

What is This Book About? This graphic novel tells the story of a girl named Tomie Kawakami. Tomie is beautiful, bewitching, and could have any man she sets her sights on. However, she isn’t just a seductress with a hobby of stealing men; she wants them to murder her. When Tomie is murdered, she regenerates and multiplies. The copies go on to seduce more men just to manipulate them into murder yet again, creating a never-ending cycle of rot and romance. This anthology takes readers on a journey through a few of the many schemes put on by Tomie and her copies.

My Review: I love this book! I’m a big fan of Junji Ito, so I love almost anything he creates. His drawings and stories are unlike anything I’ve seen or read before, and Tomie is no exception. This book was a definite page turner, which is a problem when you’re too scared to even turn the page! His drawings have a way of making you want to look away in horror, but look back because the suspense is too much. Aside from his artistic abilities, his actual storytelling is good too. I truly felt hatred for all that Tomie had done by the end of the book. I could sympathize with those that wanted to hurt her because it was shown that she really is rotten down to her core. This book is an all around well-written, beautifully drawn book.

Rating: 4.5/5

Three Words That Describe This Book: creepy, unique, interesting

Give This a Try if You Like: Asian horror such as The Ring, The Grudge, etc.

Find it at the library!

About FDL Reads

FDL Reads is a series of weekly book reviews from Fondulac District Library.

Susie Rivera2020-10-08T14:13:39-05:00October 8th, 2020|

FDL Reads: How to be an Antiracist

How to Be an Antiracist by Ibrim X. Kendi

Reviewed by: Beth, Communications Specialist

Genre: Nonfiction

Suggested Age: Adults, Teens

What is this Book About?: “Being an antiracist requires persistent self-awareness, constant self-criticism, and regular self-examination.” Kendi is an award-winning author, historian, and director of the Center for Antiracist Research at Boston University, and his concept of antiracism – and how to build an antiracist society – reinvigorates the dialogue around racial justice. Kendi uses stories from his own life to explain his growth as an activist (including his own ingrained racist beliefs) with an effective mix of history, science, law, and ethics to drive home his call to action and vision for a more equitable future for our country.

My Review: Kendi offers a straightforward approach to understanding racism in America and calls for readers to challenge themselves beyond awareness into conversation and action. No matter where you currently stand on the spectrum of awareness, you’ll learn something about your country, your neighbors and yourself. Some of the concepts explored are important though not unique to the author (e.g. ‘race’ is a false construct), but Kendi does emphasize that it’s not enough to consider yourself “not racist.” One must consistently work on being antiracist and not perpetuating racist systems in order to make a difference. His perspective is informed and informative, entirely accessible to someone who is learning about systemic racism but still instructive to those who are already more invested. The audiobook is read by the author, and hearing his words makes them even more impactful. I think any of Kendi’s works could be considered essential reading for these tumultuous times, particularly for his optimism for moving forward together.

Three Words That Describe This Book: Emergent, Rousing, Thought-provoking

Give This a Try if You Like… Stamped from the Beginning by Ibram X. Kendi, The New Jim Crow by Michelle Alexander, Between the World and Me by Ta-Nehisi Coates

Rating: 4/5

Find it at the library!

About FDL Reads

FDL Reads is a series of weekly book reviews from Fondulac District Library.

Susie Rivera2020-10-01T15:59:36-05:00October 1st, 2020|

FDL Reads: One Day in December

One Day in December by Josie Silver

Reviewed by: Dawn Dickey, Library volunteer

Genre: Romance

Suggested Age: Adults

What is This Book About?: Laurie is on a bus one wintry day, on her way home after a grueling week of work. She’s so tired that she can barely stay awake despite the crowd, the coughers, and the noisy holiday shoppers. At one bus stop, she peers out the window and notices a guy “perched on one of the fold-down seats in the bus shelter.” He’s engrossed in reading a book, oblivious to all the commotion around him. Laurie is intrigued by his sandy hair, “the coolness . . . of his attire,” and his book. As she wipes the steamed-up bus window to try to see what the man is reading, the man looks directly up at her. Suddenly, neither can look away. Laurie feels impelled to hop off the bus, and the guy is torn by the impulse to get on the bus. While both ponder whether they should follow the impulse, the bus pulls away. Laurie tells her roommate and best friend, Sarah, about “bus guy.” They spend a lot of time trying to find him, with no luck. A year later, Laurie meets Sarah’s new boyfriend and – surprise! – it’s the bus guy, Jack.

My Review: This book follows Sarah, Jack and Laurie through a decade of life’s ups and downs. The text, sweetly and evocatively written and read in both Laurie’s and Jack’s voices, reveals the characters’ love for each other, their friendship, integrity, happiness, and sadness. This makes it easy, as a reader, to sympathize with the characters and put yourself in both Laurie’s and Jack’s shoes: Does love at first sight exist? You think it might, and you feel happy until, devastatingly, you find it slipping away. Listen to or read the book to find out whether Laurie, Jack and Sarah find lasting happiness! Highly recommended!

Three Words That Describe This Book: sweet, poignant, romance

Give This a Try if You Like… The Light We Lost by Jill Santopolo or books by Jasmine Guillory or Sophie Kinsella

Rating: 5/5

Find it at the Library?

About FDL Reads

FDL Reads is a series of weekly book reviews from Fondulac District Library.

Susie Rivera2020-09-24T14:02:09-05:00September 24th, 2020|

FDL Reads: Wink

Wink by Rob Harrell

Reviewed by: Becky Houghton, Reference Assistant

Genre: Realistic fiction

Suggested Age: 11+

What is This Book About?: Ross Maloy has cancer – a rare eye cancer – and he is in 7^th grade. This is his story of the semester when he is undergoing radiation therapy and still trying to fit in during that awkward adolescent time of middle school. Seventh grade is complicated enough without eye goop, hair loss, and the cowboy hat that he is required to wear to “shield” his face and eye from direct light. To further complicate Ross’s life, his best friend from “forever,” Abby, is moving to Minneapolis at the end of the semester. During this time, Ross learns to play the guitar from his radiology tech, overcomes harassment via memes from a classmate, and emerges with new found friends and confidence.

My Review: I loved this book. Harrell, who himself experienced this same cancer as an adult, writes beautifully and authentically of the emotions, frustrations and fears experienced by cancer patients and adolescents. This authenticity makes Ross Maloy come to life as a 7^th grade kid, not just as a kid with cancer. Harrell realistically describes the awkwardness of adolescence and the difficulties that occur to all kids at this age, but Ross is not all kids and has experiences that we can only hope and pray our children will never experience. Never melodramatic, Harrell portrays Ross as a true “overcomer” – a survivor and yet, nothing is sugar-coated in this story. The reader feels for Ross when his hair falls out onto the “popular girl’s” pizza and triumphs with him as he learns the hard chords on his guitar. Harrell has done an amazing job of telling Ross’s story! And did I mention, Harrell has added illustrations throughout the book since he is also a graphic novelist and long-time cartoonist? You and your kids will love this book!!

Three Words That Describe This Book: Realistic, Authentic, Fun

Give This a Try if You Like: Wonder by Palacio, books by John Green or any other books by Rob Harrell

Find it at the Library?

About FDL Reads

FDL Reads is a series of weekly book reviews from Fondulac District Library.

Susie Rivera2020-09-16T15:27:54-05:00September 16th, 2020|

FDL Reads: Foundryside

Foundryside by Robert Jackson Bennett

Reviewed By: Katie Smith, Reference Specialist

Genre: Fantasy

Suggested Age: Adults

What is This Book About? Sancia Grado is a masterful thief, tasked with a high-stake mission – one that’ll push her magical abilities to their limit, in order to bust open an uncrackable safe – all to get her hands on a small box with undisclosed contents. Her patron also wishes to remain anonymous, but the reward seems worth it. At least, until Sancia opens the box and finds herself politically entangled with the powerful Merchant Houses …

In the world of Tevanne, the Merchant Houses jealously guard the knowledge of how to inscribe objects with “scrivings” – a magical language that can bend the laws of nature – which allows them to solely amass political influence and economic supremacy. Inside that small, unassuming box that Sancia carries is a well-guarded secret that will redefine the rules of magic, which is why the Merchant Houses will do anything to possess it. Once their lackies are unleashed – equipped with powerful magical weapons of their own – Sancia must go into hiding. But along the way, she’ll have to team up with some unconventional allies in order to survive!

My Review: This series is fantastic! Fans of Brandon Sanderson and Scott Lynch will appreciate the climatic worldbuilding that Robert J. Bennett skillfully employs. Plus, Foundryside is cleverly constructed, filled with quirky, memorable characters and plenty of cinematic flare. The stakes get incredibly high – and even at the end, there’s so much yet to be revealed! I would suggest this to anyone who enjoys reading epic fantasy in an urban setting, high-stake heists, and well-timed levity to balance out a dark, gritty story.

(Note: The beginning is a little slow – since it’s one long heist scene – but once I got past that section, I couldn’t put the book down!)

Three Words That Describe This Book: Heists, Teamwork, Suspense

Give This a Try if You Like … Mistborn: The Final Empire by Brandon Sanderson, Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo, and Lies of Locke Lamora by Scott Lynch

Rating: 5/5

Find it at the library!

About FDL Reads

FDL Reads is a series of weekly book reviews from Fondulac District Library.

Susie Rivera2020-09-12T10:18:37-05:00September 12th, 2020|

FDL Reads: Peace Talks

Peace Talks by Jim Butcher

Reviewed by: Melissa Friedlund, Reference Assistant

Genre: Fantasy

Suggested Age: Adult

What is This Book About? In the long-awaited 16th novel of the Dresden Files series by Jim Butcher, Harry Dresden is once again dealing with more than his share of challenges. Delegations of several supernatural “nations” are gathering in Chicago for peace talks. Harry’s place on the wizards’ White Council is in jeopardy. Throw in the unveiling of new (or more accurately, “ancient”) being who may be more powerful that Queen Mab, and it’s business as usual for the never-idle Harry Dresden. But when a head-of-state is nearly assassinated, Harry is caught between a rock and a hard place. Can he save his brother from a summary execution without triggering an all-out war?

My Review: I listened to the audiobook version and thoroughly enjoyed it. It helps that I am a big fan of the Dresden Files and have listened and re-listened to each book multiple times over the last several years. In this next installment of Harry’s adventures, we see how his relationships with daughter, Maggie, and girlfriend, Karrin, are moving forward. At the same time, he is juggling his potentially conflicting roles as the Winter Knight and member of the White Council. This book has what I would call “Easter eggs” scattered throughout where Harry is reacquainted with or reminded of numerous characters and events from nearly all of the past books and short stories. If you want to recognize these, you may want to revisit the earlier novels or the short story collections before diving into this book. When you get to the end, it is clear that the story is not over. It’s a good thing book #17 is due out in late September!

Three Words That Describe This Book: Non-stop, Jam-packed, Unfolding

Give This a Try if You Like… Any Dresden Files novel by Jim Butcher, White Sand by Brandon Sanderson, Magic Bites by Ilona Andrews

Rating: 4.5/5

Find it at the library!

Susie Rivera2020-09-02T15:58:12-05:00September 2nd, 2020|

FDL Reads: Taproot

Taproot: A Story About a Gardener and a Ghost by Keezy Young

Reviewer: Cindy, Youth Services Assistant

Genre: Fantasy Graphic Novel

Suggested Age: 12 & up

What is This Book About?: Blue is one of many ghosts who roams around invisible to the world, but one day he meets Hamal, a living boy, who can see and hear him. Hamal just wants to live a peaceful life growing plants, but his ability to speak with the dead affects everyone and everything around him more than he realizes. When Blue and the other ghosts start disappearing into a strange, decaying forest, the boys’ relationship becomes at risk of falling apart forever.

My Review: This is the kind of book you should read when you just want something short with a happy ending. It doesn’t really do anything new plot-wise; it’s basically a cliché love story with ghosts. That’s not going to sound enticing to some people, but I really liked it. Even though it deals with death and the underworld, it’s not a scary or depressing story. The characters are very sweet to each other, and the color palette is pretty. The only thing I didn’t like was that the transition from the first half of the book to the second half is a little sudden and awkward. I wish the book was just a little longer so the story would flow more smoothly, but overall, it’s a really nice read.

Three Words That Describe This Book: Sweet, Spooky, Soothing

Give This a Try if You Like… Kim Reaper by Sarah Graley, Bloom by Kevin Panetta, Archival Quality by Ivy Noelle Weir

Rating: 4/5 stars

Find it at the library!

About FDL Reads

FDL Reads is a series of weekly book reviews from Fondulac District Library.

Susie Rivera2020-08-17T20:41:43-05:00August 17th, 2020|

FDL Reads: Song for a New Day

Song for a New Day by Sarah Pinsker

Reviewed by: Becky Houghton, Reference Assistant

Genre: Science Fiction

Age Group: Teens and adults

What is This Book About: A global pandemic and terrorist attacks have made large gatherings illegal and caused many changes in the world. Luce Cannon, a musician who was on top of her game in the Before, can only perform her music in illegal concerts and hole-in-the-wall clubs in the After. For Luce, performing music is like breathing…she must do it, no matter the consequences. Rosemary Laws was working in Hoodspace in the Superwally fulfillment department until her coding skills opened up a new job in the world of music for her. Rosemary remembers very little from Before, but now in the After, she becomes a talent recruiter for StageHoLoLive music which provides concerts in virtual reality. These two women intersect and seek to change the music world in the After.

My Review: I don’t usually enjoy science fiction, but I did enjoy this book and saw some similarities with our current global pandemic and the restrictions on group gatherings. This story describes a far greater restriction of personal freedom than our situation does and demonstrates what could happen in years or pandemics to come. The world of music is the background for this story, but it’s easy to see how all aspects of life in Luce and Rosemary’s world were probably also restricted. Congregation laws; all commerce online and products delivered by drones; school and dating online; social isolation for the protection of health and safety; highways restricted to self-driving vehicles were all enforced in the world that Luce and Rosemary lived in. But Luce had to perform live music so first she had an underground music venue in Baltimore and after it was raided and closed by police, returned to touring as a musician. Rosemary fell in love with live music shows while serving as an SHL (StageHoLoLive) recruiter and finds ways to circumvent the SHL procedures and rules to help musicians perform live. This was a fast moving and enjoyable read. Teens will especially like this book.

Three Words That Describe This Book: Futuristic, Fast-paced, Foreboding

Give This a Try if You Like: Veronica Roth books beginning with Divergent. Music fans and those who read science fiction often will also enjoy this book.

Rating: 4.5/5

Find it at the library!

About FDL Reads

FDL Reads is a series of weekly book reviews from Fondulac District Library.

Susie Rivera2020-08-08T11:08:13-05:00August 8th, 2020|

FDL Reads: My Best Friend’s Exorcism

My Best Friend’s Exorcism By Grady Hendrix

Reviewed by: Atlas Agunod, Circulation Assistant

Genre: Horror, Coming-of-age

Suggested age: Teens and Adults

What is This Book About? The year is 1988 and Abby and Gretchen have been best friends since the fourth grade. They’re in their sophomore year now and are in the middle of enjoying their adolescence when the unexpected happens. Gretchen goes missing in the woods during a sleepover. The two are reunited the next morning, but Abby notices that something is…off about Gretchen. She stops showering, she hardly speaks to anybody, and she starts talking about urban legends of a local cult like they really exist. As Gretchen’s health and relationships begin deteriorating, Abby concludes that Gretchen has been possessed by a demon. Of course, nobody believes her when she tries to seek help for her best friend. So how will Abby save Gretchen? Is she really possessed, or are they both just crazy? Most importantly, will their friendship stand the test of demonic possession?

My Review: I loved this book so much. I listened to the audiobook version on a road trip with my mom, who was born the same year as the main character. The amount of times she would say, “Oh my gosh, I haven’t heard that in forever!” when somebody mentioned a celebrity, a song, or some other random 80’s trend told me just how authentic this book was in capturing the 80’s. The story was encapsulating right from the start. I cried and laughed with the main character throughout the whole thing. The author did an excellent job in painting all of the characters as well as the small town they lived in. This book really filled out every space it was trying to cover. It was scary when it needed to be, funny when the moment called for it, and heartwarming when the time came.

Rating: 5/5

Three words that describe this book: silly, creepy, heartwarming

Give this a try if you like: Stranger Things, IT, comedic horror, 80’s nostalgia

Find it at the library!

About FDL Reads

FDL Reads is a series of weekly book reviews from Fondulac District Library.

Susie Rivera2020-08-07T12:27:19-05:00August 6th, 2020|

FDL Reads: Weather

Weather by Jenny Offill

Reviewed by: Beth Weimer, Communications Specialist

Genre: Fiction

Suggested Age: Adults, Teens

What is This Book About?: Protagonist Lizzie juggles the complicated facets of her world with wit, intermittent aplomb, and a relatable impending sense of doom. Her inner observations provide glimpses of her roles as a (feral) librarian, wife, parent, caretaker, and reluctant assistant to her former mentor, while the looming crises of political dysfunction and climate disaster cast their shadows on her daily life. It may be quite possible to drown while attempting to save everyone around you…

My Review: “The moon will be fine, I think. No one’s worrying about the moon.” I’m not sure how a book can be both hazy and precise, but Offill’s floating/fleeting thoughts and vignettes come together in a way that’s more effective and engaging than most attempts at stream of consciousness. The tension between the competing layers and obligations (chosen and imposed) show a realistic attempt to balance the existential with the mundane. There’s no major catalyst, but the story unfolds as mounting pressure mixes with anxiety, codependency, temptations, and the inescapable calamities of the present. This story exposes the dynamics of our internal and external landscapes and suggests, maybe, that not moving forward isn’t ever really an option. The good news is all this doomsday despair is observed with humor as subtle and stinging as a handful of papercuts — I cannot recommend this book enough.

Three Words That Describe This Book: Atmospheric, Clever, Relevant

Give This a Try if You Like… Dept. of Speculation by Jenny Offill, Pond by Claire-Louise Bennett, Station Eleven by Emily St. John Mandel

Rating: 5/5

Find it at the Library!

About FDL Reads

FDL Reads is a series of weekly book reviews from Fondulac District Library.

Susie Rivera2020-08-07T17:18:59-05:00July 27th, 2020|