FDL Reads: Reviews - Fondulac District Library

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|

FDL Reads: Treacherous is the Night

Treacherous Is the Night by Anna Lee Huber

Reviewed by: Dawn Dickey

Genre: Cozy Mystery / Historical Fiction

Suggested Age: Adult

What is This Book About?: World War I has recently ended, and Verity Kent’s work in England’s Secret Service bureau has officially ended as well. When Verity is asked by a friend to attend a séance in an attempt to contact a deceased relative, Verity reluctantly agrees. Astonishingly, at the séance the medium brings a message for Verity – purportedly from beyond the grave – from Emilie, Verity’s contact from the French resistance. Emilie has a request for Verity: “I need you to unearth my secrets.” Verity believes Emilie to be alive, not dead, but fearing that Emilie is in grave danger, Verity and her husband Sydney head for the war-torn Continent to find the meaning behind this mysterious message. (Part 2 of the Verity Kent series.)

My Review: Treacherous Is the Night reflects the post-war world in its plot and themes, which include danger, chaos, and reconstruction. To decode the medium’s message, Verity and Sydney must make a dangerous trip through the devastated countryside and battlefields of Belgium and France. Europe is chaotic but trying to rebuild; Verity and Sydney must decide whether to rebuild their marriage. Their attempts to find Emilie and discover the truth are complicated by wartime trauma, and both Verity and Sydney must begin to come to terms with memories from the war. The characters are complex, believable, and – as a reader – you want them to solve the mystery, to heal, and to rebuild. This was a satisfying and enjoyable book!

Three Words That Describe This Book: spies, deceit, rebuilding

Give This a Try if You Like… female detectives, historical fiction, or the Maisie Dobbs series by Jacqueline Winspear

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 Rivera2020-07-27T12:26:35-05:00July 25th, 2020|

FDL Reads: Cilka’s Journey

Cilka’s Journey By Heather Morris

Reviewed by: Melissa Friedlund, Reference Assistant

Genre: Historical Fiction

Suggested Age: Adult

What is This Book About? Cecilia Klein (also known as “Cilka”) was sent to Auschwitz when she was sixteen years old. Chosen by a German officer for sexual servitude and forced to run the dormitory for captive female Jews who were marked for execution, Cilka endured that horrendous existence until the Russians liberated Auschwitz. Declared a German collaborator by the Russians, Cilka was sentenced to fifteen years hard labor in a Gulag (prison camp) in Siberia. What followed were years of hardship and heartache interspersed with glimpses of compassion and kindness.

My Review: After reading The Tattooist of Auschwitz, I was interested in reading this follow-up novel. I found Cilka’s Journey to be a fascinating if somewhat unsettling read with its depiction of the conditions in Russian forced-labor camps of the mid-20^th century. I knew of the cliché of someone being “sent to Siberia” as punishment, but I didn’t really know what that meant until now. The author explains after the novel how she pulled many situations from the stories of survivors of both the concentration camps and the Gulag system to create this story, so it is not a completely biographical account. Because of this, there has been some controversy surrounding the novel. Although the Gulags are closed, prison and forced-labor camps are unfortunately still a reality in the world today. As a mosaic of representative experiences in the Russian Gulag system, I feel this novel is a revelatory story that allows the reader a window into what life can be like in a prison camp.

Three Words That Describe This Book: Troubling, Eye-opening, Controversial

Give This a Try if You Like…The Tattooist of Auschwitz, The Wine-Maker’s Wife, The Secrets That We Kept

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 Rivera2020-07-02T17:59:01-05:00July 1st, 2020|

FDL Reads: White Sand Vol. 1

White Sand Vol.1 By Brandon Sanderson, Rik Hoskin, and Julius M. Gopez (Illustrations)

Reviewed by: Susie Rivera, Reference Specialist

Genre: Fantasy

Suggested Age: Adult, Teen

What is This Book About? Kenton lives on the planet Taldain in Brandon Sanderson’s Cosmere universe. Taldain has a light side and a dark side. One the light side, the landscape is a vast desert with little water. Kenton is a member of the Sand Masters, an organization that uses magic to control sand, including turning it into water. Kenton was born with little power, however, and has been quite a disappointment to his father, a very skilled Sand Master. In a crazy turn of events, Kenton finds his world turned upside down and must survive as well and take on leadership. On the way, he meets, Khriss, a resident of the Darkside who is trying to retrace the steps of her fiancee.

My Review: I really enjoyed this first installment in Sanderson’s graphic novel series. Like his other fantasy books, it has a full magic system that the reader discovers more about as the volume progresses. I enjoyed the world building, and the illustrations were helpful with visualizing the different cultures There is definitely quite a bit more to learn about this world in future volumes. I have read a few other Cosmere novels and do miss Sanderson’s full descriptions. Aside from that, the only criticism I have is that this first volume ended abruptly. But, thankfully there are two more volumes I can read now.

Three Words That Describe This Book: Exciting, Mysterious, Magical

Give This a Try if You Like…Other Sanderson fantasy novels, Robert Jordan, Dune

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 Rivera2020-06-27T12:28:37-05:00June 27th, 2020|

FDL Reads: Black Klansman

Black Klansman: Race, Hate and the Undercover Investigation of a Lifetime by Ron Stallworth

Reviewed by: Melissa Friedlund, Reference Assistant

Genre: Memoir/Autobiographical

Suggested Age: Adult

What is the book about? In 1978, Detective Ron Stallworth, the first black detective in the Colorado Springs police department responded to a classified ad in the newspaper about learning more about the Ku Klux Klan. Little did he realize that the person who placed the ad was completely serious and actually connected to the Klan. This autobiographical account details his experience conducting an undercover investigation into the Klan’s presence in his community, while keeping the fact of his African heritage a secret from them.

My Review: I listened to the e-audiobook on hoopla, read by the author. Hearing how Detective Stallworth practically stumbled into the Klan, makes it almost seem as if the whole thing is fiction. However, I was soon rooting for Stallworth to find a way to thwart plans for cross burnings, as well as hoping David Duke wouldn’t recognize his voice when they met in person. I enjoyed learning how his short-lived investigation was able to deny the Klan a foothold in his community while it lasted. If you are sensitive to four letter words or the N word, be warned, those are prevalent here. Since this was autobiographical, I knew the profanity was not about sensationalism, but realism.

Three Words That Describe This Book: Surprising, Straight-Forward, Pared-Down

Give This a Try if You Like… BlacKkKlansman (the movie), How Not to Get Shot by D.L. Hughley, and Catch and Kill by Ronan Farrow

Rating: 4/5

Find it at the library!

About FDL Reads

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

Beth Weimer2020-06-14T12:31:27-05:00June 17th, 2020|

FDL Reads: Laura Dean Keeps Breaking Up With Me

Laura Dean Keeps Breaking Up with Me by Mariko Tamaki

and Rosemary Valero-O’Connell

Reviewed By: Katie Smith, Reference Specialist

Genre: Contemporary (Graphic Novel)

Suggested Age: Teens, Adults

Content Warning: Cheating, Toxic Relationships, Abortion

What is the book about? Laura Dean is a terrible girlfriend, but Freddy — who is helplessly in love with her — just can’t say no. She also happens to be the most popular girl at their high school, meaning she’s confident, charming and incredibly cute — but Freddy knows that she can be equally impulsive, forgetful, and heartless. After their most recent break up, Freddy is sent reeling. Her best friend, Doodle, attempts to help by introducing her to a mysterious medium, but Freddy is shocked by her cryptic parting words: “Break up with her.” Laura Dean comes back and when Freddy starts to pull away from her friends, she wonders if Laura Dean is really the problem. Maybe it’s Freddy’s fault, who is letting everything fall apart, including with Doodle — and Doodle needs her now more than ever.

My Review: When you’re a teenager, it’s very easy to fall into the trap of believing that you must settle for the love that you get, rather than the love you deserve. I feel for Freddy. Much like her, I’ve had my fare share of toxic relationships. I’ve lost friends by being a bad friend, and have had to watched my friends make similar unfortunate choices — like putting your significant other first, even though your closest friends see that they’re bad for you and are patiently (and some, not so patiently) waiting for you to realize it. It hurts. It’s hard. Toxic relationships can even destroy your self-worth — and I’m glad that Mariko Tamaki is taking the time to actually talk about this!

This graphic novel is simply gorgeous. It’s illustrated using stark black and white drawings, tinted with pink highlights. Like a memory, it’s very raw and ethereal. As the story unfolds, you are introduced to Freddy’s friends and acquaintances — of which, the vast majority are POC and LGBTQ. Mariko Tamaki artfully emphasizes intersectionality in her writing — and just like real life, no two relationships (or characters!) are the same. This is a fantastic graphic novel for personal introspection, or even book group discussion. It gave me all the feels. So bittersweet!

Three Words That Describe This Book: Growth, Heartbreak, Friendship

Give this a try if you like… Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda by Becky Albertalli, Kiss Number 8 by Colleen Venable, and The Prince and the Dressmaker by Jen Wang

Rating: 5/5

Find it at the library

About FDL Reads

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

Katie Smith2020-06-10T17:24:12-05:00June 10th, 2020|

FDL Reads: The Devil’s Punchbowl

The Devil’s Punchbowl by Greg Iles

Reviewed by: Becky Houghton, Reference Assistant

Genre: Mystery, Thriller

Suggested Age: Adults

What is this Book About?: This is a prequel to Iles’ trilogy beginning with Mississippi Blood. Penn Cage, the mayor of Natchez, Mississippi is confronted with evidence brought to him by a childhood friend, of crime and corruption on one of the city’s gambling boats, the Magnolia Queen. When this same friend is brutally murdered and Cage’s family is threatened with harm, the mayor begins an intensive investigation into the charges. This investigation implodes into a full-scale expose’ of crime, brutality, and espionage which reveals the frightening level of depravity some are capable of inflicting on other humans and animals.

My Review: This book is NOT for young readers or those adults easily shocked by descriptions of humans’ ability to inflict pain, suffering and abuse on others. I found some of the graphic descriptions of blood sport, abuse of women and cruelty toward other human beings hard to read at times. Iles is an outstanding storyteller and I loved his trilogy also set in Natchez. Penn Cage is a courageous, dedicated civil servant who follows his conscience to pursue crime even when those he loves are endangered by his actions — and there is much danger as sophisticated, evil killers attempt to stop Cage and his band of helpers and law enforcement officials. This book is definitely a thriller! And Greg Iles is a brilliant, masterful storyteller.

3 Words That Describe This Book: Graphic, Spell-binding, Horrific

Give This a Try if You Like… Iles’ other books about the South — The Quiet Game, Mississippi Blood, Natchez Burning, The Bone Tree or Cemetery Road

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.

Beth Weimer2020-05-14T16:32:53-05:00June 3rd, 2020|

FDL Reads: The Great Alone

The Great Alone by Kristin Hannah

Reviewed by: Isaac Jacobs, Reference Assistant

Genre: Historical Fiction, Survival Fiction

Suggested Age: Adults

What is This Book About?: The Great Alone, placed in 1974, focuses on Leni Allbright, the 13 year old daughter of Ernt and Cora Allbright. Ernt, a veteran from the Vietnam War, suffers from nightmares and mood swings as a result of the war; he was once a happy man. To remedy this and provide a fresh start, Ernt moves his family all over the country, constantly placing Leni as “the new girl” in schools. One day, he’s gifted a run-down property in Kenaq, Alaska, by his late battle buddy, Bo. Despite intervention from family members and thoughts of doubt by Cora and Leni, they make the move to Alaska, hoping that off-grid living and a sense of adventure will be the solution to their troubles. However, life in the Alaskan bush proves to be the least of their worries for the hurting family.

My Review: The Great Alone is an enthralling book with well-developed characters and thought-provoking themes. While the story’s overarching story arc is the dynamics of a family struggling to come together and find happiness and stability, it also focuses on the damages that war has inflicted upon soldiers and its results, as well as self-sufficiency and perseverance versus community, and the lack of female independence in the male-driven world of the 1970s. Kristin Hannah surely refuses to beat around the bush, rather making the decision to write about hard-hitting issues such as mental illness, domestic struggles, as well as critiques on war and crime. While I commend Hannah for her bold writing and wonderful story weaving, it almost feels like the story is driven by one dramatic moment to the next, without a breath of calm between each — then again, life never follows such an expected and comfortable pattern either.

Three Words That Describe This Book: thought-provoking, unpredictable, heartbreaking

Give This A Try If You Like… Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens, Before We Were Yours by Lisa Wingate, historical fiction, survival fiction

Rating: 4/5

Find it at the library!

About FDL Reads

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

Beth Weimer2020-05-14T16:31:38-05:00May 27th, 2020|

FDL Reads: Stuart Woods’ Stone Barrington Series

The Stone Barrington series by Stuart Woods

Reviewed by: Becky Houghton, Reference Assistant

Genre: Mystery, Thriller

Suggested Age: Adults

What these books are about: Stuart Woods writes mystery thrillers. One of his primary series is about a lawyer and former police dectectuve, Stone Barrington. Each book has it’s own plot and story, but some of the main characters appear throughout the series. You can read any of them as a stand-alone mystery or do as I am and try to read them in order. There is a list at the end of this post.

My review: Who is Stone Barrington?

Stone Barrington was created by author Stuart Woods, and if you are a mystery/thriller enthusiast as I am you will definitely enjoy getting acquainted with him. In 1991, the novel New York Dead was released and Woods began the saga of Stone Barrington. Barrington began as an NYPD dectective but takes early retirement due to an injury and conflicts within the department. He quickly capitalizes on his training as a lawyer and is hired by a prestigious New York law firm to handle special cases. Each book in this voluminous series explores one or more of these unique cases in which Stone’s experience as a detective is quite advantageous for his clients. There are currently over 50 tiles featuring the detective and more appearing each year. When asked in an interview if Barrington is his alter ego, Stuart Woods emphatically stated that he and Stone had little in common except for the same tailor and a love for a restaurant in the Big Apple known as Elaine’s… and maybe a few things he won’t go into. Barrington does seem to have a very active sex life! So if this bothers you proceed with caution when reading these books. Below is a list of the books in the series currently. If at all possible, begin with New York Dead. Although Woods states that it is not essential to read the books in order it is my goal to do so. Wish me luck. Happy reading and ENJOY!

New York Dead
Dirt
Dead in the Water
Swimming to Catalina
Worst Fears Realized
L.A. Dead
Cold Paradise
The Short Forever
Dirty Work
Reckless Abandon
Two Dollar Bill
Dark Harbor
Fresh Disasters
Shoot Him If He Runs
Hot Mahogany
Loitering with Intent
Kisser
Lucid Intervals
Strategic Moves
Bel-Air Dead
Son of Stone
D.C. Dead
Unnatural Acts
Severe Clear
Collateral Damage
Unintended Consequences
Doing Hard Time
Standup Guy
Carnal Curiosity
Cut and Thrust
Paris Match
Insatiable Appetites
Hot Pursuit
Naked Greed
Foreign Affairs
Scandalous Behavior
Family Jewels
Dishonorable Intentions
Sex, Lies, & Serious Money
Below the Belt
Fast & Loose
Indecent Exposure
Quick & Dirty
Unbound
Shoot First
Turbulence
Desperate Measures
A Delicate Touch
Wild Card
Contraband
Stealth
Treason
Hit List
Choppy Water

3 words that describe this series: Entertaining, Suspenseful, Sexy

Give These a Try if You Like… mysteries by Lee Child featuring Jack Reacher or those by Robert Crais featuring Elvis Cole

Rating: 5/5

Find it at the library

About FDL Reads

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

Beth Weimer2020-05-05T13:36:18-05:00May 24th, 2020|