FDL Reads: Reviews - Fondulac District Library

FDL Reads: Where the Crawdads Sing

Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens

Reviewed by: Beth Weimer, Communications Specialist

Genre: Historical Fiction, Mystery

Suggested Age: Teen, Adult

What is this Book About?: Abandoned by her family and shunned by her community, Kya, the Marsh Girl must learn to survive on her own in the coastal wetlands of North Carolina in the 1950s. Kya’s world is one of full of wild creatures, natural beauty, and deep isolation. As she explores the wondrous and cruel dichotomies of nature, she must also learn to navigate relationships with people and the love and misery those connections can bring. As an adult, her connection to a murder in the swamp divides the town and threatens to destroy the quiet life she’s so carefully constructed.

My Review: “I wasn’t aware that words could hold so much. I didn’t know a sentence could be so full.” I usually don’t go for buzz books, but this one came to me strongly recommended by my mother and actually lives up to all the hype. I don’t know that a swamp – or a life of isolation – has ever sounded more beautiful. Anyone who’s ever sat alone with nature or who’s ever ached to belong will connect with Kya and the creatures and humans that fill her life. Admittedly there are some gaps in the plot I wish Owens had filled in, but the striking imagery and rhythm of her writing were absorbing enough to just enjoy the flow of the narrative. More than merely a mystery or romance, Owens wraps story of survival in layers of Southern culture, naturalist observations, and themes of prejudice, familial violence, and resilience that are engrossing to unpack. As this was Owens’ first novel, I imagine her next will be even better.

Three Words That Describe This Book: lush, haunting, (full of) yearning

Give This a Try if You Like… The Bean Trees by Barbara Kingsolver, Everything that Rises Must Converge by Flannery O’Conner, The Great Alone by Kristin Hannah

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 Rivera2019-08-27T10:44:45-05:00August 23rd, 2019|

FDL Reads: Goblins in the Castle

Goblins in the Castle by Bruce Coville

Reviewed by: Sarah Baker, Circulation Assistant

Genre: Fantasy

Suggested Age: Children (8-12)

What is this Book About?: William is eleven and has never left his home, Toad-in-a-Cage Castle. He’s explored most of it, but one night he finds a new passage and meets Igor. Igor is guarding something secret, something he can’t tell William about. There’s also the matter of the North Tower. It’s locked and shrouded in mist, and William is forbidden from asking about it. But one Halloween night, voices call to him from beyond that door. William gives in and opens it, unleashing something – goblins! They’re free and running amok and are full of hatred for humanity for locking them away. They’ve kidnapped Igor and now it’s up to William to set things right and save his friend!

My Review: I use habitica to challenge myself and to keep on top of my own life. One of the challenges I had this month was the KidLit reading challenge – read a favorite book from childhood. And this was definitely one of my top five favorites. I was so happy to see it held up over time, and that even though I remembered the story, it was never boring or dull. Even the illustrations were exactly as I remembered. There’s no deep world building here – you jump in with both feet and go where the path takes you. But there are lessons about friendship, following and breaking rules, and learning that trust takes time to rebuild.

Three Words That Describe This Book: Fun, Imaginative, Heart-warming

Give this a try if you like…The Hobbit; Jeremy Thatcher, Dragon Hatcher; Kiki’s Delivery Service

Rating: (out of 5) 5/5

Find it at the library!

About FDL Reads

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

Susie Rivera2019-08-21T15:51:30-05:00August 21st, 2019|

FDL Reads: The Young Elites

The Young Elites by Marie Lu

Reviewed by: Alexandra Schenk, Student Intern

Genre: Fantasy, Dystopia

Suggested Age: Teens, Adults

What is this Book About: Adelina Amouteru survived the blood fever, the deadly illness raged through Kenettra a decade ago and killed half of the population. The few people who got infected but survived where left with strange marks. Adelin’s hair and lashes turned silver and she lost her left eye. Her father wants to get rid of his abnormal “malfetto” daughter and plans to sell her into marriage. Adelina notices his plans and flees from her home. Her escape plan doesn’t work out and she learns the hard way that the blood fever left her with more than just visible marks. Adelina possesses a power which gains her the attention of the Young Elites. That group, consisting of outcasts, has one big goal: They want to depose the king of Kenettra, and they want Adelina to take part in that plan.

My Review: When I started reading The Young Elites I expected nothing but a shallow romance taking place in a renaissance-style fantasy world. But the book managed to surprise me. At first I had sympathy for Adelina, I even pitied her. But as the book went on she started to become darker and more mature and the poor abused girl showed that she is a though fighter. Adelina is indeed a heroin with a very dark side, but this was another thing I liked about her character, she isn’t gleeful, happy or perfect but she is real! And I like my book characters like my people, they have to have rough edges. Romance starts to arise during the book, but even the romance is far from perfect and Adelina stays an independent character all the time. But she is not the only brilliant character in that book, the villain Teren is also a very complex character and brilliantly written. All in all, a good book with well written characters and definitely something adults can enjoy as well as teens.

Three Words That Describe This Book: Fantasy, dark, serious

Give this a try if you like… anti-heroes, very light romance, complex characters

Rating (Out of 5): 4/5

Find it at the library!

About FDL Reads

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

Susie Rivera2019-08-17T13:01:40-05:00August 17th, 2019|

FDL Reads: Sleepless Volumes 1&2

Sleepless (Volume 1 & 2) by Sarah Vaughn (Author), Leila del Duca (Artist), Alissa Sallah (Colorist), Deron Bennett (Letterer)

Reviewed By: Katie Smith, Reference Specialist

Genre: Fantasy

Suggested Age: Teen and Adult

What is this Book About? As the illegitimate daughter and only living child of the king of Harbeny, Lady “Poppy” Pyppenia is surprised (and relieved) when the throne instead passes to her uncle Surno. After Surno’s coronation, she hopes to return to her countryside estate and live a peaceful life – but an assassination attempt on Poppy’s life changes everything. Forced to remain in Harbeny by her uncle’s command, she must join forces with her loyal knight, Cyrenic (an elite member of the Sleepless Order, a prestigious and magically gifted group of knights who vow to never sleep) to uncover who is behind these assassination plots. Tension grows as they navigate the dangers of life at court in addition to their growing feelings for one another.

My Review: I was immediately drawn to this book by its cover. The art style they used works so well for a medieval fantasy setting, plus it is visually stunning – colors are bold and the splashes of pattern are woven throughout the illustrations. Each panel is drawn with immense attention to detail, and what really seals the deal is that the plot and characters are so captivating! Poppy is considered a princess in her homeland, but as the illegitimate daughter of the King here in the land of Harbeny, so she’s caught between being too noble to freely mingle with the commoners and being not royal enough to do as she would wish in the court. She’s also the bridge between the leaders of two magical nations – Harbeny, which is associated with time and dreams, and her mother’s homeland of Mribesh is connected to fortune-telling and stargazing. I enjoyed delving into the political and social expectations that influenced Poppy, in addition to learning all about Cyrenic and his magical oath. Verdict: This is a great graphic novel duology (everything is packed into just two volumes) – so if you’re looking for a medieval fantasy that’s a fast and interesting read, check Sleepless out!

Three Words That Describe This Book: Opulent, Conspiracy, Suspense

Give this a try if you like… Children of Blood and Bone by Tomi Adeyemi, Warbreaker by Brandon Sanderson, or The Curse of Chalion by Lois McMaster Bujold.

Rating: 4.5/5

Find it at the library!

This title is also available on hoopla digital with your Fondulac District Library card.

About FDL Reads

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

Susie Rivera2019-08-15T15:05:38-05:00August 15th, 2019|

FDL Reads: The Moment of Lift

The Moment of Lift: How Empowering Women Changes the World by Melinda Gates

Reviewed by: Becky Houghton, Reference Assistant

Genre: Nonfiction – Feminism, Memoir

Suggested Age: Adult

What is this Book About?: Melinda Gates, co-chair of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, has written an inspirational book about the global issues that keep women worldwide from reaching their potential in their various societies around the world. These issues include maternal and child health, family planning, education, inequality, child marriage, gender bias and more. Gates has done considerable research and traveled extensively to see these issues play out in the societies in Africa, India, and other countries. Gates relates the stories told to her by women worldwide whose living conditions are keeping them, their families and their society from reaching even a minimal level of success. The subtitle of the book says it all—How Empowering Women Changes the World!

My Review: This book is a must-read for anyone who is concerned about improving conditions for women and societies worldwide. The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation has funded projects with measurable success in Malawi, Mozambique, Senegal, Niger, Kenya and throughout India. You might think that financial plenty would make Melinda Gates aloof and privileged, but that is not at all the tone of this book. Gates tells us just enough about her own circumstances, struggles, and issues to level the playing field. She made me forget her social position as Bill Gates’ wife and only hear her voice. Melinda is apparently a great listener and she relates what she has been told around the world in a sincere and compassionate manner. The stories that she shares are eye-opening, empathetic, and heart-wrenching. I loved reading this book, but it has also made me want to do more to help those both in the United States and abroad who are oppressed by living conditions, lack of education, and social norms that hold them back. A resource guide of organization that readers can support is included in the back of the book. The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation is donating the profits from this book to further their philanthropic work.Read if you have a compassionate heart.

Three Words That Describe This Book: Powerful, Inspiring, Heart-wrenching.

Give this a try if you like… Becoming by Michella Obama and Educated by Tara Westover

Rating (out of 5): 5/5

Find it at the library!

About FDL Reads

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

Susie Rivera2019-08-14T14:03:04-05:00August 14th, 2019|

FDL Reads: The Art of Racing in the Rain

The Art of Racing in the Rain by Garth Stein

Reviewed By: Jacob Roberts, Adult Services Reference Assistant

Genre: Fiction

Suggested Age: Adult

What is this Book About?: Enzo is a philosophical dog that is driven by his innate belief that he will one day be reincarnated as a human-being. With this in mind, he attempts to live up to the example his master, Denny has placed before him, only to discover that not all humans are like Denny. Through many racing metaphors and increasingly deep family ties, Enzo soon realizes to be human is much more complicated than he could have ever imagined.

My Review: Garth Stein takes a risk in The Art of Racing in the Rain, when he decides to place the reader in the mind of man’s best friend. This perspective may come off a bit unusual at first; however, it is soon evident that in order to accurately and justly comment on the human nature around us, the perspective must come from an outside source. With Enzo’s perspective, all of the flaws and novelties of the human nature become overwhelming obvious, naïve, terrifying, and even admirable. The gift of Enzo’s perspective to the reader is that Enzo is so much more than a dog—he is the central moral code of the story. Enzo brings hope when things seem hopeless, he brings admiration where we see flaws, and he brings love when so many have forgotten what it felt like when it all began. Stein crafts an excellent plot that takes the reader on an emotional ride of joy, tears, laughter, and renewed hope in this now major motion picture, The Art of Racing in the Rain.

Three Words That Describe This Book: fast, warm-hearted, cold-hearted

Give this a try if you like… Boomer’s Bucket List by Sue Pethick, A Dog’s Purpose by W. Bruce Cameron or The Good Pilot Peter Woodhouse by Alexander McCall Smith

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 Rivera2019-08-09T14:26:47-05:00August 9th, 2019|

FDL Reads: Kingdom of Copper

The Kingdom of Copper By: S. A. Chakraborty

Reviewed by: Melissa Friedlund, Reference Assistant

Genre: Fantasy

Suggested Age: Teens, Adults

What is the book about? This is the second book in a planned trilogy that follows Nahri (a djinn healer), Ali (a djinn prince), and Dara (an ancient djinn warrior) as they struggle to find lives of meaning and import in the djinn world. Nahri has been married to the heir to the throne of Daevabad, Muntadhir, for five years. Her abilities with the Nahid healing magic have grown and she is looking for ways to improve the lives the second class, part-human citizens of the city. Ali has been living in exile far from Daevabad during that same time. His unexplained luck at being able to ferret out new sources of water has benefited the parched rural area he has been calling home, but he has been plagued by assassination attempts that have left him wary and guarded. Meanwhile, Dara has been coming to terms with his upgraded magical abilities while training new fighters to join him in the service of the power-hungry Nahid who was revealed at the end of book one, The City of Brass. Can these three find meaning in their new roles or will the king, Ghassan, cause enough torment and anguish that they decide to act? Is their cause just? How far are they willing to go?

My Review: I enjoyed listening to the audiobook version of this book. There were new characters and revealed secrets, but not too many unexpected surprises or plot twists, except maybe at the very end. I was struck by the recurrent theme of female empowerment. Whether you are rooting for someone specifically or not, the female characters really do seem to guide the course of the story, more so in this book than the first. While I found this noteworthy, I think it made for some decisions by characters that were a little less believable, but I just chalked it up to a complex fantastical society and a relatively new author. As I made my way through the book, I was trying to figure out the significance of “copper” in the title. The author seemed to use copper to represent danger, which was definitely an overriding theme in this book. Overall, I thought it was good and am anticipating the finale being published next year.

Three Words That Describe This Book: Schemes, Power plays, Revelations

Give This a Try if You Like…The City of Brass, The Golem and the Jinni, Aladdin

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 Rivera2019-07-31T14:52:32-05:00July 31st, 2019|

FDL Reads: The Bride Test

The Bride Test by Helen Hoang

Reviewed by: Susie Rivera, Reference Specialist

Genre: Romance

Suggested Age: Adults

What is this Book About?: Esme Tran lives in Vietnam, supporting her mother and little girl by cleaning hotel bathrooms. A chance encounter with an American gives her an opportunity to move to the U.S. to marry a man she has never met. But, there is a bit of a twist. Esme’s potential husband, Khai, doesn’t know that his mother is arranging a marriage for him. Nor does he want to marry. Khai has autism and relationships are very hard for him. When Esme and Khai have to live together for a trial period, it seems like a train wreck ready to happen.

My Review: I read Helen Hoang’s debut novel, The Kiss Quotient, last year and loved it. As soon as I found out she was writing a companion novel this year, I quickly added The Bride Test to my Goodreads TBR list. One does not have to read the first novel to understand this one since the main characters are different. There is some fan service, though, as the star couple from The Kiss Quotient do show up briefly. Esme and Khai are very likable and the reader is rooting for their relationship to work out. It’s definitely more than just a steamy romance. Esme is a strong woman who takes a huge risk to help her family and Khai is a complex character who is quirky, neurotic, and lovable.

Three Words That Describe This Book: Cute, Funny, Romantic

Give this a try if you like…The Kiss Quotient by Helen Hoang, Meet Cute by Helena Hunting, Fix Her Up by Tessa Bailey

Rating (out of 5): 5/5

Find it at the library!

About FDL Reads

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

Susie Rivera2019-07-29T10:43:33-05:00July 26th, 2019|

FDL Reads: Strange Stars

Strange Stars: David Bowie, Pop Music, and the Decade Sci-Fi Exploded by Jason Heller

Reviewed by: Sarah Baker, Circulation Assistant

Genre: Nonfiction, Music

Suggested Age: Adult

What is this Book About?: So much of our lives is defined by music, and no time more so than the late 60s. With the collapse of the hippie movement and the rise of space fever, a new sub-genre of music was born: space rock. Exemplified in works by David Bowie, Hawkwind, Pink Floyd, Emerson Lake and Palmer, Crosby Stills and Nash, and the Moody Blues, these weren’t the silly songs of yesteryear like Purple People Eater. These were thoughtful pieces with philosophical hearts. They contemplated the implications of space travel on society, on what the future might hold, and how humanity would change. And these weren’t just random thoughts or suppositions. These songwriters and musicians all shared a love of sci-fi. Influenced by works such as Dune by Frank Herbert, Stranger in a Strange Land by Robert A Heinlein, Nova by Samuel R Delany, the Foundation Series by Isaac Asimov, Sentinel by Arthur C Clarke (the basis for 2001: A Space Odyssey), and many, many more. As the 70s raged on, space became passe, until a certain space opera took the world by storm – Star Wars made space cool again.

My Review: I’m crazy about David Bowie, and have been for over 20 years. When I saw the cover, I knew I had to read this. It’s a fairly fast read, but one would benefit from keeping YouTube handy to look up and enjoy the songs referenced. (I’d also recommend keeping Goodreads or another book site handy – I added nearly 15 books to my “to read” list.) I was mostly reading before bed, but I took an evening to go back and just listen. (It also fed in to my current obsession with metal – Lemmy of Motörhead got his start in Hawkwind, so I had to get more of both of those bands!)

Heller unrolls this history with ease. There’s a lot to take in, but it’s presented as a year per chapter, highlighting what is relevant. I never felt bogged down by unnecessary information. And while Bowie is a consistent thread in the tapestry, he isn’t the sole focus. It was nice to see how he wove in to the larger picture, as well as the various things that were likely influences.

As this was all before my time, it was great to have it all broken down by year. Highlighting scientific discoveries, especially those in space, along side social changes and shifts in attitude really helped me get a feel for what some of that time might have been like. The breakdown of the hippie movement, greatly accelerated by the Altamont Music Festival, still left its seeds of hope, but as the 70s progressed darkness crept in. As hippie musicians evolved, so did new genres. Space rock, yes, but also the beginnings of punk, electronica, metal, and new wave. Artists changed what noises you could make from “standard” instruments, and new technology allowed for the creation of better synthesizers. All in all, a fascinating look at a fascinating time.

Three Words That Describe This Book: Informative, Entertaining, Awesome

Give this a try if you like… The Toys That Made Us (TV series), any of the bands mentioned above, golden and silver age sci-fi, rock ‘n’ roll history

Rating (out of 5): 4/5

Find it at the library!

About FDL Reads

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

Susie Rivera2019-07-23T15:20:18-05:00July 23rd, 2019|

FDL Reads: The Library Book

The Library Book by Susan Orlean

Reviewed by: Beth Weimer, Communications Specialist

Genre: Nonfiction, Libraries

Suggested Age: Adults

What is this book about? This book chronicles the devastating 1986 fire of the Los Angeles Public Library – a fire that raged for seven hours, consumed more than 400,000 books, and damaged an additional 700,000 books and materials. Orlean examines the arson investigation, the eccentric suspect, and the history of that particular institution, as well as the history and importance of libraries around the world and throughout time. She also details the numerous colorful characters connected to the library, those who founded, nurtured, or antagonized Central Library through the years and its dedicated staff and patrons of today. Orlean manages to perfectly capture the day-to-day bustle, societal challenges, and expanding impact that libraries have within our communities with an account that’s insightful and entertaining.

My Review: Calling all bibliophiles, lovers of libraries, and those who question the modern relevance of the institution: this one is a must-read. Orlean is a compelling storyteller and a master of narrative nonfiction. Her dive into the library world is lovely to experience. Her approach is anything but boring: meticulous and thoughtful, witty but sensitive, expansive but still intimate. She connects the history and facts with cultural context and engaging accounts of the people involved, paying homage to library traditions and championing their value without ignoring the problems they face. It’s impossible to resist the nostalgia and sense of civic virtue her observations invoke. I think even people who don’t usually read nonfiction will find this to be an interesting and enjoyable read.

Three Words That Describe This Book: Fascinating, Evocative, Funny

Give This a Try if You Like… The Orchid Thief by Susan Orlean, Slouching Towards Bethlehem by Joan Didion, Dead Wake by Eric Larson, In the Stacks: Short Stories about Libraries and Librarians by Michael Cart.

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 Rivera2019-07-20T10:07:18-05:00July 20th, 2019|