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FDL Reads: Star Wars from a Certain Point of View

Star Wars from a Certain Point of View by Various Authors

Reviewed by: Melissa Friedlund, Reference Assistant

Genre: Science Fiction, Anthology

Suggested Age: Teens, Adults

What is the book about?: This is a retelling of the story of the original Star Wars movie (released in 1977) created to celebrate the 40^th anniversary of the film. There are 40 short stories written from more than 40 different characters’ viewpoints by more than 40 authors. Some stories only tell a portion of the movie’s story line. Others start before we see the narrative character on the screen and continue until the end of the movie. If you are unfamiliar with the story line: a spaceship battle over a remote desert planet leads two droids, a farm boy, and an aged warrior on a roller-coaster adventure to save the princess, escape the Empire, destroy the planet-killing space station, and save the Rebel Alliance.

My Review: I listened to the audiobook version of this title, not knowing exactly what I was in for. Luckily, I love Star Wars and have read several science fiction, short story anthologies in the past, so this wasn’t outside my comfort zone once I discovered the true nature of this publication. The narrative characters are mostly those who were in the periphery of the scenes in the movie. I generally liked those stories better than the ones that took more well-known characters’ viewpoints. This book could have become a tiresome rehashing of a well-known story, but I think the shifting perspectives kept it from turning into that. As far as the stories themselves, the majority were insightful and amusing. However, there are some haunting moments where characters end their contribution with a hopeful outlook, but anyone familiar with the movie knows they will not have a happy ending. There were some authors that I didn’t enjoy as much as others, but since none of the stories lasted more than an hour, it wasn’t a burden to just let it play out and keep listening. There are some inconsistencies between the stories that refer to or involve the same characters. I would have assumed an editor would have smoothed these inconsistencies a bit more. The story order was probably the best placement possible. However, when a story in the middle of the collection takes you all the way to the end of the movie, it’s a little jarring to pick up back in the middle of the main plotline for the next story. The actors that read the stories included not only familiar voices from other Star Wars genre audiobooks, but also several new voices. Overall, the voice acting was enjoyable. I have to give props to the actor who read an entire story in an insect-like, alien voice with a buzzing quality. You could tell that it was not an electronic effect because the vocal impression slipped a few times, but it was a valiant effort. Many of the authors included humorous elements that were effectively executed by the actors in the recording.

Three Words That Describe This Book: Amusing, Nostalgic, Unexpected

Give This a Try if You Like… Writers of the Future anthologies presented by L. Ron Hubbard, William Shakespeare’s Star Wars by Ian Doescher, Ultimate Star Wars by Patricia Barr, A New Hope: The Princess, the Scoundrel, and the Farm Boy by Alexandra Bracken

Rating: 4/5

Find it at the library!

About FDL Reads

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

admin2018-08-14T16:21:24-05:00August 14th, 2018|

FDL Reads: The Secret of Nightingale Wood

The Secret of Nightingale Wood by Lucy Strange

Reviewed by: Elizabeth Anderson, Communications Specialist

Genre: Historical Fiction

Suggested Age: Tweens, Teens

What is the book about?: Henrietta, nicknamed Henry, moves to Hope House with her parents and baby sister after her brother’s tragic death. Henry’s mother is stricken with mental illness from her grief and her father is forced to leave on business. It’s up to Henry, with the help of an unlikely ally in the woods, to stop the doctor from taking away her sister and sending her mother to a questionable institution that will only worsen her condition.

My Review: I think it is worth noting that some descriptions of this book make it seem like it will be a ghost story when it is actually a story about struggles with mental illness and coping with death. This is certainly not a drawback, and I only mention it to prevent confusion about the book’s genre. Anyhoo, I found this book to be well-written with excellent metaphors. However, there were times when things seemed a bit too easy and convenient, and it brought the conflict to its conclusion with a decent number of pages left. On the one hand, I appreciated the time that was taken to tie up loose ends and provide closure, and on the other I felt like it might seem to drag on a bit for a younger reader. Henry’s character is bold and brave in a natural way that doesn’t feel politically motivated, and she retains sensitivity and emotional investment in her circumstances that make her feel relatable. This story is a welcome change of pace from the plethora of fantasy and sci-fi books on the market and feels very much like a “classic” story (think The Secret Garden) written for modern audiences.

Three Words That Describe This Book: Illness, Mystery, Grief

Give This a Try if You Like… The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett

Rating: 3/5

Find it at the library!

About FDL Reads

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

admin2018-08-09T12:42:52-05:00August 9th, 2018|

#FDL: Album Review

Demon Days by Gorillaz

Title: Demon Days

Artist: Gorillaz

Release Year: 2002

Genre: Rock, Hip-Hop

Track Listing: Intro — Last Living Souls — Kids With Guns — O Green World — Dirty Harry — Feel Good Inc. — El Mañana — Every Planet We Reach Is Dead — November Has Come — All Alone — White Light — Dare — Fire Coming out of the Monkey’s Head — Don’t Get Lost in Heaven — Demon Days

Run Time: 52 minutes

Review: The late 90s saw an explosion of “virtual” bands, most often animated characters that served as a front for real performers. Gorillaz is the only one of these that’s really still around, and there’s a good reason – they’re great at what they do. Their core membership is musically solid (and rooted with Blur’s Daman Albarn as the voice of 2D); their virtual presence (animated by Jamie Hewlett of “Tank Girl” fame) is colorful and usually tells a story within context of the album; and their guest talent ranges from Mos Def and Snoop Dogg to Lou Reed and Grace Jones. It’s dark pop, it’s super catchy, and it tells a story in a unique fashion.

Demon Days is Gorillaz second album, and their first foray into overt political tones. Released in 2002, it features De La Soul, Neneh Cherry, Roots Manuva, MF Doom, Ike Turner, Dennis Hopper (featrued in the track “Fire Coming Out of the Monkey’s Head”), the London Community Gospel Choir, and a children’s choir. The song “Feel Good Inc.” is probably the best known track, and is exemplary of much of their early work. “Kids With Guns” and “Dirty Harry” are more political in nature, being inspired by school violence and child soldiers. “November Has Come” is probably my favorite track on the album. The beat is slower, 2D’s chorus is hypnotic, and the hip-hop verse by MF Doom is smooth and funky. And the combined tracks of “Don’t Get Lost in Heaven” and “Demon Days” end the album with a choral flourish and an upbeat note.

Three words that describe this album: Eclectic, Funky, Catchy

Give this a try if you like… Blur, Danger Mouse, Handsome Boy Modeling School, Mike Snow

Rating: 5 (out of 5)

Post by Sarah Baker, Circulation Assistant

#FDL is a weekly update on all things Fondulac District Library and East Peoria.

admin2018-08-08T12:46:32-05:00August 8th, 2018|

FDL Reads: Alas, Babylon

Alas, Babylon by Pat Frank

Reviewed by: Sarah Baker, Circulation Assistant

Genre: Classic Fiction, Apocalyptic

Suggested Age: Adults

What is the book about?: Randy and Mark Bragg knew war could come; Mark worked for Strategic Air Command and could see the writing on the wall. He and Randy discussed what would happen when it came – Mark’s wife and children would come live with Randy in the Fort Repose, Florida home the brothers grew up in. Randy would know it’s the big one if Mark sends the code “Alas, Babylon.” When the message comes Randy does the best he can to prepare. Within 24 hours, the Cold War tensions ignite when a US pilot fires a missile at a plane but hits a Russian military installation instead. Shortly after, both sides have launched their nukes. Communications are limited, and the news they can get says nothing about the situation outside of Florida. Fort Repose becomes an island, spared from the surrounding fallout by quirks of geography and weather. Survival becomes key. But can you survive something like this while keeping what makes you human?

My Review: This book came highly recommended to me by Nick, the Circulation Manager, and I’m glad he did. Originally published in 1959, it feels oddly relevant of late. But the nuclear war is secondary to the characters and their struggles. The day to day things we take for granted like running water, electricity, and even food become struggles that can mean life or death for the folks of Fort Repose. Even with 24 hours notice, Randy can’t get nearly enough things together to keep everyone fed and safe. Some folks, like the Henry family, were a little better off because they raised animals for food and planted gardens. But others, like the McGoverns and the Braggs, never did more than fish and had to learn skills from scratch. The Day (as it is known) breaks down barriers or class and race. People become valued for their skills and abilities. (A nice point of the book – the library and librarian become indispensable. With no TV or radio, books become the primary entertainment. And with the help of books, people learned what plants were safe to forage and how to hunt and prepare animals they hadn’t considered food before.)

What I enjoyed is that it never became grim and dark. Bleak at times, but considering the nature of the disaster, expected. These people did their best to take care of each other, and didn’t let their decency and kindness die. And the only big instance of violence was dealt with as it needed to be. Well worth your time.

Three Words That Describe This Book: Haunting, Plausible, Hopeful

Give This a Try if You Like… Fallout (videogame series), the Mad Max movies, Deathlands series by James Axler

Rating: 4/5

Find it at the library!

About FDL Reads

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

admin2018-08-07T17:40:39-05:00August 7th, 2018|

FDL Reads: The Cabin at the End of the World

The Cabin at the End of the World by Paul Tremblay

Reviewed by: Carey Gibbons, Reference Specialist

Genre: Horror

Suggested Age: Adults

What is the book about?: Wen and her two dads are supposed to be enjoying a vacation at a remote lakeside cabin. This is their time to get away from the everyday pressures of life and enjoy time together as a family. This is exactly what they’re doing when Wen is approached in the front yard by a big, but seemingly kind, man named Leonard. Leonard offers to help her catch grasshoppers, and Wen accepts. But then Leonard starts talking about the choices Wen and her dads are going to have to make in the near future and how none of what is about to happen is Wen’s fault. Then, three other strangers show up, carrying horrific home made weapons. Nothing will ever be the same again.

My Review: I tore through this book because I desperately needed to know how it ended. And I want to preface the rest of my review by saying that this book isn’t going to be for everyone. A lot of violence goes down and if you’re squeamish, this might be one to avoid. But it’s also very well written and in my opinion, a perfect modern tragedy – because it’s a horror story and a love story. If a tight, horror tale that messes with your mind and rips out your heart is your jam, then I would definitely recommend this book. I’m a fan of Tremblay’s other books, so reading this was a given for me. The alternation between the horrific and the absurd was perfect, each relieving the other just enough to make you question your own sanity throughout. I don’t want to say to much about the actual plot because it’s so spare on the surface. Spoiling anything would ruin everything. But if you end up taking a leap of reading faith and give this a try, I’d love to know.

Three Words That Describe This Book: Tension, Family, Choices

Give This a Try if You Like… “A Good Man is Hard to Find” by Flannery O’Connor, Hamlet, A Quiet Place (movie)

Rating: 5/5

Find it at the library!

About FDL Reads

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

admin2018-08-02T16:36:23-05:00August 2nd, 2018|

FDL Reads: When You Reach Me

When You Reach Me by Rebecca Stead

Reviewed by: Dawn Dickey, Library Volunteer

Genre: Science Fiction

Suggested Age: Tweens, Teens, Adults

What is the book about?: Miranda lives in New York City and is the only child of a single parent. When we first meet her, Miranda’s mother has received a postcard inviting her to be a contestant on a game show called The $20,000 Pyramid. Miranda has been receiving cryptic notes from a mysterious stranger, one of which has predicted the very date that Mom will appear on the show. In between helping her Mom prepare for the game show, Miranda has a falling out with her best friend, makes friends with a couple of other kids from school, works with her new friends at a sandwich shop during their lunch period, tries to avoid the crazy guy who haunts her street corner, and puzzles over the notes she’s been receiving from the mysterious stranger.

My Review: Rebecca Stead’s highly acclaimed When You Reach Me won the Newbery Medal in 2010, and with good reason! I listened to this book using the Libby app available from Fondulac Library, and although I’m not usually keen on listening to audio books, When You Reach Me was exciting enough to hold my attention throughout. Stead created interesting, mysterious but plausible and likeable characters. The time period was creative genius and allowed Stead to stitch the chapters together with titles from categories that could have been on The $20,000 Pyramid game show (such as, Things That Go Missing, Things You Wish For, Things That Turn Upside Down, etc.). The solution to the mysterious notes is hinted at but – in the end – unexpected, dramatic, and very satisfying. Highly recommended – try it in print or audio!

Three Words That Describe This Book: Time, Friendships, Future

Give This a Try if You Like… A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L’Engle (book or film), Terry Pratchett’s The Wee Free Men or Rewind by Ian Page; also the Back to the Future film series or the animated film Mr. Peabody & Sherman.

Rating: 5/5

Find it at the library!

About FDL Reads

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

admin2018-07-31T13:55:31-05:00July 31st, 2018|

#FDL: July is National Cell Phone Courtesy Month

July is National Cell Phone Courtesy Month

In 2018, almost everyone has some kind of cell phone, smart or not. We love them, we hate them, we can’t live without them. FDL actually gets a good amount of questions about cell phone usage in the library – from simply curious to majorly annoyed. How does the library, as an institution famed for how quiet it’s supposed to be, deal with cell phone use in a way that respects the rules of the past while moving forward into a future where technology is everywhere? How can you be better aware of your fellow patrons while taking important calls and texts or just hanging out and playing a game or video?

FDL doesn’t require patrons to turn their phones off while in the building, but they also can’t be making noise that disrupts other people. If you know your phone is going to go crazy with calls and texts, put your device on silent or vibrate. Obviously, you won’t know all the time when people will be calling or texting, so use your best judgment.
FDL has free wi-fi, and it’s perfectly fine to come in to use your mobile device to watch videos or streaming services. In this case, FDL does ask that you use earphones, and you can purchase earbuds for $1.00 at the circulation desk on the first floor.
There’s no rule against having conversations on your phone in the library, but it is important to pay attention to the people around you and adjust your voice volume accordingly. Speaking softly is also a good policy for the speaker so as not to let slip potentially private or sensitive information.
If you need to have a lengthy conversation, you totally can! One of the things you can do is check to see if one of our study rooms are open. They aren’t soundproof, but your conversation will definitely be more private when using one. If both study rooms are occupied, you might be able to talk in a quiet corner on either floor of the library. Just be conscientious of your fellow patrons.
One place you cannot have the volume turned up on your phone or have phone conversations is our Quiet Reading/Local History Room. The library is a big place – but that one room is off limits for noise for patrons who need to concentrate 100% on what they’re doing without distraction.
Cell phone courtesy (in and out of the library) really boils down to being aware of your surroundings and the other people in your surroundings. Are you doing something that would bother you if it were someone else? Are people giving you the stink-eye? Are they too nice to be giving you the stink-eye? Also, when in doubt, ask if something will bother someone else. Most likely, they’ll just be happy that you thought to do so.

Post by Carey Gibbons, Reference Specialist

#FDL is a weekly update on all things Fondulac District Library and East Peoria.

admin2018-07-26T18:03:54-05:00July 26th, 2018|

FDL Reads: The Women in the Castle

The Women in the Castle by Jessica Shattuck

Reviewed by: Becky Houghton, Reference Assistant

Genre: Historical Fiction

Suggested Age: Teens, Adults

What is the book about?: Marianne von Lingenfels, the widow of a resister in Nazi Germany, returns to the castle once occupied by her husband’s ancestors following years of war. Marianne begins assisting the families of other brave conspirators who died while executing a failed attempt to assassinate Adolf Hitler in 1944. This is the story of the lives of three women and their families before, during and after World War II.

My Review: Set at the end of World War II, in a crumbling Bavarian castle, this novel explores the lives of three widows who become intertwined as a result of one woman’s efforts to honor the wishes of her deceased husband that she care for the families of those resisting Nazi Germany and it’s atrocities. Marianne von Lingenfels gathers together a makeshift family from the ruins of the resistance movement and learns that nothing is truly black and white. Dark secrets threaten to tear this group apart, but eventually the women come to terms with the decisions that changed their lives. This book gives a different perspective and social insight into a tumultuous period in Germany’s history.

Three Words That Describe This Book: Thought-provoking, Emotional, Gripping

Give This a Try if You Like… Other books by this author including her New York Times Notable Book, Hazards of Good Breeding or her book Perfect Life.

Rating: 4.5

Find it at the library!

About FDL Reads

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

admin2018-07-26T14:32:19-05:00July 26th, 2018|

FDL Reads: The Hobbit

The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien

Reviewed by: Jacob Roberts, Reference Assistant

Genre: Fantasy

Suggested Age: All Ages

What is the book about?: When the wizard Gandalf and a group of dwarves make an unexpected visit to the ordinary hobbit-hole of Bilbo Baggins, he is soon forced out of his comfortable life. After much deliberation, Bilbo finds himself embarking on a treacherous journey to help the dwarves claim back their treasures from a dragon called Smaug the Magnificent. Along the way they encounter many adversities, from goblins to giant man eating—or rather dwarf eating—spiders. Although in the beginning neither he nor the dwarves believe him much of any use, he soon stumbles upon a creature named Gollum and his “precious” ring. Bilbo eventually obtains it, and soon proves his worth on the journey as a “good” thief, helping them to trek across Middle earth to the layer of the tyrannical dragon.

My Review: Going into this book, I knew that it has been considered a classic among fantasy enthusiasts for ages. However, I did have my reservations. I actually started it over a year ago, and after about fifty pages my interest in it grew dry. Just this summer, I revisited it, and decided to give it another try with new expectations. I have to say that I am pleased with the decision I made. I have never been into fantasy, my preferred genres being horror and mystery. Yet, I knew that I should broaden my experience, and I truly wanted to know how to enjoy what fantasy had to offer. So going into this book I decided to put aside anticipation and to just go along for the ride that Bilbo and the dwarves themselves were on. I started looking at the scenery and appreciating the present action, rather than doing what mystery has taught me and to think towards the end. Going in with this mindset, I came to fear and enjoy the same moments the characters did. I learned to appreciate the world-building that Tolkien is such a master at. I also learned to love the Hobbit-lore that Tolkien created, which is why I have started reading The Lord of the Rings as well.

Three Words That Describe This Book: Fun, Adventurous, Mythical

Give This a Try if You Like… The Lord of the Rings, The Wheel of Time series by Robert Jordan

Rating: 4/5

Find it at the library!

About FDL Reads

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

admin2018-07-24T16:27:11-05:00July 24th, 2018|

FDL Reads: Before the Storm

Before the Storm by Christie Golden

Reviewed by: Joscelyn Lockwood, Youth Services Assistant

Genre: Fantasy

Suggested Age: Adults

What is the book about?: Azeroth is dying, and the lifeblood of the planet produces a material worth going to war over. This mysterious substance, known as Azerite, is capable of incredible feats of creation and destruction alike. As King Anduin Wrynn of the Alliance and Warchief Sylvanas Windrunner of the Horde are making plans to hold a summit between factions, old prejudices and new machinations are threatening to bring the tenuous peace crumbling down.

My Review: Before the Storm is the novel to bridge the gap between the current World of Warcraft game expansion, Legion, and the new expansion releasing in August, Battle for Azeroth. With the perspective switching characters every chapter or so, the book gives several different viewpoints as events unfold. I thoroughly enjoyed the subplot between the Gnomish and Goblin engineers, almost as much as I liked the main story. Ms. Golden continues to write compelling, descriptive characters that you can empathize with. Parts made me laugh out loud, as well as shed a few tears. A fantastic summer read for those both familiar with the game, and newcomers alike.

Three Words That Describe This Book: Emotional, Character-driven, Frustrating

Give This a Try if You Like… Game characters being explored in more detail, swords and sorcery, World of Warcraft

Rating: 4/5

Find it at the library!

About FDL Reads

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

admin2018-07-19T16:55:05-05:00July 19th, 2018|