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FDL Reads: The Year of the Flood

The Year of the Flood by Margaret Atwood

Reviewed by: Susie Rivera, Reference Specialist

Genre: Dystopian Fiction

Suggested Age: Adults

What is the book about?: The Year of the Flood is the second novel in Margaret Atwood’s Maddaddam trilogy. This dystopian book takes place during the same timeline as Oryx and Crake, the first novel in this series. While the narrative of Oryx and Crake focuses on Jimmy, The Year of the Flood shifts perspectives to others who have survived the waterless flood. Ren, a trapeze dancer at the Scales and Tales club, is one of these survivors. She was once a member of God’s Gardeners, an eco-friendly religious sect. Through Ren’s eyes, we get some flashbacks to what the world was like for the Gardeners before the flood. They sheltered individuals who were brutally victimized, including Toby, another important character. While among the Gardeners, Toby became an Eve 6 as well as a healer and beekeeper. She had to go into hiding right before the flood, though, and barricaded herself in a spa. While we hope that Toby and Ren will escape confinement, their survival in the postdiluvian world is fraught with danger, both from the genetically hybridized animals that now roam free and the vicious Painballers who threaten violence.

My Review: Oryx and Crake ended with a cliffhanger and I wanted to know what happened next. The Year of the Flood does not pick up right where the previous novel left off. The reader does have to wait for quite a while for this payoff. But, this payoff happens. Along the way the world becomes more developed and rich. The thing that I most enjoyed was getting the two female perspectives. Atwood shows that the strength of their friendship gets them through the terrible things they must endure. I also enjoyed her dark humor and satire. As far removed as this future seems, Atwood states that every aspect of technology and bioengineering is possible in our present.

Three Words That Describe This Book: Engrossing, Futuristic, Exotic

Give This a Try if You Like… Dystopian or post-apocalyptic novels, Ursula Le Guin, Octavia Butler

Rating: 5/5

Find it at the library!

About FDL Reads

Welcome to FDL Reads, weekly book reviews from Fondulac District Library. Librarians (and possibly some other guest reviewers) review all types of books, from children’s picture books, young adult favorites, to the latest adult thriller, and share their thoughts each week at fondulaclibrary.org. If the book is owned by Fondulac District Library (or another local library), you’ll see a direct link to the catalog entry and whether or not it is available. If it is checked out or at another local library, you will be able to place a hold as long as you have your library card and PIN numbers. As with any book review, these are our opinions…we disagree amongst ourselves about books frequently. We all have different likes and dislikes, which is what makes the world an interesting place. Please enjoy, and keep on reading!

admin2018-05-02T13:37:25-05:00May 2nd, 2018|

FDL Reads: The Wizards of Once

The Wizards of Once by Cressida Cowell

Reviewed by: Jonathan Richardson, Reference Assistant

Genre: Fantasy

Suggested Age: Children, Adults

What is the book about?: An ancient land was once ruled by Wizards and other magical creatures, until the conquering Warriors came with their invincible Iron and sought to destroy all magic. Xar (the son of the King of the Wizards) does not yet have the ability to cast magic, so he sets out into the forest to catch an evil Witch and steal its power. Wish (the daughter of the Queen of the Warriors) struggles to adhere to the Warrior Codes, particularly the one forbidding anyone to keep magical objects. As if by fate, the paths of Xar and Wish cross, and they are forced not only to overcome their animosity towards each other, but also to confront a dangerous, ancient force that threatens both their peoples.

My Review: Since this book is more like a grand bedtime story, I chose to embrace my inner child and listen to the audiobook version read by David Tennant. Tennant reads each of the characters in a unique voice, delivering their lines with a frantic or calm demeanor, as appropriate to the individual or the particular scene. Paired with special effects and background music, the voice-acting really helps to immerse the listener into the story. The story itself is interesting; overall a bit predictable, but there are some good plot twists you might not expect. The narration flows rather nicely, and there is a good amount of detail in the descriptions of places and actions to help bring the world to life. Cowell does a good job of mixing in humor for both children and adults, as well as providing enough dark tones to add suspense without becoming gruesome. This audiobook would make a great accompaniment to reading the printed book with kids, or on its own to listen to during a weekend trip.

Three Words That Describe This Book: Spirited, Mysterious, Whimsical

Give This a Try if You Like… How to Train Your Dragon by Cressida Cowell, Grimms’ Fairy Tales, The Witches / James and the Giant Peach / Matilda by Roald Dahl

Rating: 4.5/5

Find it at the library!

About FDL Reads

Welcome to FDL Reads, weekly book reviews from Fondulac District Library. Librarians (and possibly some other guest reviewers) review all types of books, from children’s picture books, young adult favorites, to the latest adult thriller, and share their thoughts each week at fondulaclibrary.org. If the book is owned by Fondulac District Library (or another local library), you’ll see a direct link to the catalog entry and whether or not it is available. If it is checked out or at another local library, you will be able to place a hold as long as you have your library card and PIN numbers. As with any book review, these are our opinions…we disagree amongst ourselves about books frequently. We all have different likes and dislikes, which is what makes the world an interesting place. Please enjoy, and keep on reading!

admin2018-04-26T14:42:37-05:00April 26th, 2018|

#FDL: Halfway to Halloween

It’s April, and that means 6 months until Halloween!

A lot of people love Halloween more than Christmas or their birthday or any other day of the year. Becky Spratford, author of popular librarian blog RA for All, has a horror version of that blog here as she really loves horror. She’s the person who made “halfway to Halloween” a thing. And even if you aren’t a librarian, you should check out her blog because she has a lot of excellent book recommendations that are for anyone. April doesn’t have a 31st day but there are plenty of ways you can celebrate Halfway to Halloween all month. Or just celebrate Halloween all year.

Check out a Roku from the library. FDL has a lot of movies, but you can only check out 10 at a time. If you check out a Roku, you’ll have access to hundreds of movies and channels and some of them have to be spooky.
Come in and talk to one of our librarians about what to read next. Have you read everything by Stephen King and are looking for other horror authors to devour? FDL librarians are trained to help you find your next great read, but there are a few of us who read horror and thrillers in our downtime and can give you some great titles.
If you’re in the mood to browse books from home, you can look at our catalog through our website, or you can check out our book review blog, FDL Reads. Not every book review is for a horror book, but you might find any number of books that strike your fancy.
Check out a creepy boardgame. Have a halfway to Halloween party and take up to 2 terrifying games from FDL’s collection. We have Cthulhu and zombies and communicable diseases. They’re always a great time!

Post by Carey Gibbons, Reference Specialist

About #FDL

Welcome to #FDL! #FDL is a twice weekly update on all things Fondulac District Library and East Peoria. Twice a week, library staff will make posts that highlight some aspect of library life and relate it to you – our readers. Have you ever wanted to know which Dewey number represented a certain topic? Are you looking for book recommendations based on your favorite television show or television recommendations based on your favorite book? Have you ever wondered about the secret details of librarian life? If the answer to any of these questions is yes, then #FDL is for you. We look forward to writing posts that are informative and entertaining and hope that you enjoy getting better acquainted with Fondulac District Library.

admin2018-04-25T09:32:42-05:00April 25th, 2018|

FDL Reads: Night Watch

Night Watch by Terry Pratchett

Reviewed by: Sarah Baker, Circulation Assistant

Genre: Fantasy, Cop Drama

Suggested Age: Teens, Adults

What is the book about?: Sir Samuel Vimes of the Anhk-Morpork City Watch is on the hunt for a killer. A serial killer who targets coppers. Carcer is a true psychopath, the kind of man who doesn’t see the wrong in what he’s doing. The Watch corners him in the Unseen University; Sam goes after Carcer himself, unwilling to risk his men. Lightning strikes the building, charged with magic, and Sam and Carcer are thrown back in time. And not just any time, but right during the Revolution (Truth! Justice! Reasonably Priced Love! And A Hard Boiled Egg!) that he’s already been through once, as a young copper. Assuming the name of his mentor (who incidentally was killed just as Sam and Carcer landed), Sam now has the unique opportunity to teach his younger self better ways. He has a chance to steer history. But will history be steered? Can he keep Carcer from derailing his future? And will Sam make it back to his own time?

My Review: This book is so good, and is my favorite of the Night Watch books. To be fair, it does get dark. There’s a secret police force known for kidnap and torture. There’s assassination and deceit. There’s violence and death. It’s not graphic, but it’s there and it creeps into things. But it’s an amazing mix of political commentary and intrigue, humor (both regular and black), and how there are somethings that you can’t change, no matter how much you try. It strips Sam to his essence, to the core of what makes him a good copper and a good man. You have profound moments like this one – “That was always the dream, wasn’t it? ‘I wish I’d known then what I know now’? But when you got older you found out that you NOW wasn’t YOU then. You then was a twerp. You then was what you had to be to start out on the rocky road of becoming you now, and one of the rocky patches on that road was being a twerp.” But you also have moments like Death telling someone they’ve reached the end of cake, or the dry sarcasm of Dr. Lawn.

This is book 29 of Discworld, and book 6 of the Night Watch. You could probably read this one on its own, but the impact might not be as profound. It will help if you’ve read a few of the Night Watch books first (I recommend Jingo and Feet of Clay), if only to really understand how Sam Vimes (and Anhk-Morpork) works. And you might find yourself wearing a sprig of lavender on May 25th.

Three Words That Describe This Book: Intense, Thought-provoking, Timely

Give This a Try if You Like… Life on Mars (television show, British or American), grizzled detectives, time travel

Rating: 5/5

Find it at the library!

About FDL Reads

Welcome to FDL Reads, weekly book reviews from Fondulac District Library. Librarians (and possibly some other guest reviewers) review all types of books, from children’s picture books, young adult favorites, to the latest adult thriller, and share their thoughts each week at fondulaclibrary.org. If the book is owned by Fondulac District Library (or another local library), you’ll see a direct link to the catalog entry and whether or not it is available. If it is checked out or at another local library, you will be able to place a hold as long as you have your library card and PIN numbers. As with any book review, these are our opinions…we disagree amongst ourselves about books frequently. We all have different likes and dislikes, which is what makes the world an interesting place. Please enjoy, and keep on reading!

admin2018-04-24T15:00:30-05:00April 24th, 2018|

FDL Reads: Dumplin’

Dumplin’ by Julie Murphy

Reviewed by: Carey Gibbons, Reference Specialist

Genre: YA, Real Life

Suggested Age: Tweens, Teens

What is the book about?: Willowdean Dickson is a fat girl and she’s totally cool with that. She feels no reason to apologize for or be ashamed of her size. The summer between sophomore and junior years of high school are going great. She works with her crush (who maybe likes her back). She and her best friend have endless days at the pool ahead of them. But life has a way of getting in the way, and as Willow goes into her junior year, her crush has gotten complicated, her best friend is drifting away, and she is still feeling the loss of her aunt who died several months ago. She’s also had about enough of other people commenting on her weight, or Amanda’s uneven legs, or Hannah’s buck teeth, or anyone else who is “different.” So she does what most girls in her small Texas town do – she joins the Miss Teen Blue Bonnet Pageant.

My Review: This book was delightful. Mild spoiler here – Willowdean does not get skinny for the pageant. She also doesn’t get skinny for any love interest. She doesn’t get skinny at all, as that’s not the point of this book. Willowdean joins the pageant to prove that different is good. I like the fact that this is a book about a girl who is both fat and confident. I like that she still has some flaws and some doubts about herself – most teenage girls do. I really like that this book had drag queens. I do wish that the book had focused more on than pageant and Willowdean’s friendships, and less on her boy drama. But overall, this was a sweet, feel-good read.

Three Words That Describe This Book: Feminine, Unapologetic, Realistic

Give This a Try if You Like… Judy Blume, Beauty Queens by Libba Bray, To Wong Foo Thanks for Everything, Julie Newmar

Rating: 4/5

Find it at the library!

About FDL Reads

Welcome to FDL Reads, weekly book reviews from Fondulac District Library. Librarians (and possibly some other guest reviewers) review all types of books, from children’s picture books, young adult favorites, to the latest adult thriller, and share their thoughts each week at fondulaclibrary.org. If the book is owned by Fondulac District Library (or another local library), you’ll see a direct link to the catalog entry and whether or not it is available. If it is checked out or at another local library, you will be able to place a hold as long as you have your library card and PIN numbers. As with any book review, these are our opinions…we disagree amongst ourselves about books frequently. We all have different likes and dislikes, which is what makes the world an interesting place. Please enjoy, and keep on reading!

admin2018-04-20T14:43:18-05:00April 20th, 2018|

FDL Reads: The Girl in the Spider’s Web

The Girl in the Spider’s Web by David Lagercrantz

Reviewed by: Dawn Dickey, Library Volunteer

Genre: Psychological Thriller

Suggested Age: Adults

What is the book about?: The Girl in the Spider’s Web continues the adventures of fictional heroine Lisbeth Salander. In this, the 4^th book in the series, Salander’s deeds and misdeeds are again intertwined with that of investigative journalist Mikael Blomkvist. Computer genius and hacker Salander is hired to find out who has stolen the ideas of noted computer scientist Frans Balder. At almost the same time, Balder contacts Blomkvist, suggesting they meet. Salander’s and Blomkvist’s paths cross again when Balder is murdered. Both Salander and Blomkvist frantically try to save the life of Balder’s autistic son, August, who has witnessed his father’s murder.

My Review: The first books starring Salander – product of a horrific childhood and dysfunctional family – began with the late Stieg Larsson’s The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo. (You might remember this title from the 2011 English-language film starring Rooney Mara and Daniel Craig.) The series is now continuing under the capable writing of David Lagercrantz. It is no easy thing to take up a series started by another writer and both recreate and expand on the characters and themes. Lagercrantz does both well, and, in addition, also does a good job with summarizing the characters’ histories, so that a reader could take up this 4^th book and not be totally lost. His characters are true to the series’ roots, and the themes are intricate, appropriately reflecting the characters’ flaws and moral dilemmas. The complex plot has plenty of surprises to keep you guessing. The plot and its denouement also set the groundwork for the next book in the series. The Girl in the Spider’s Web is a suspense-filled read, and I am greatly looking forward to reading the next book in the series!

Three Words That Describe This Book: Intense, Techie, Contemporary

Give This a Try if You Like… HBO’s True Detective; books & films with strong female protagonists such as Jane Casey’s Maeve Kerrigan mysteries; or Nordic noir suspense by writers such as Camilla Läckberg, Jo Nesbø, or Yrsa Sigurđardóttir.

Rating: 5/5

Find it at the library!

About FDL Reads

Welcome to FDL Reads, weekly book reviews from Fondulac District Library. Librarians (and possibly some other guest reviewers) review all types of books, from children’s picture books, young adult favorites, to the latest adult thriller, and share their thoughts each week at fondulaclibrary.org. If the book is owned by Fondulac District Library (or another local library), you’ll see a direct link to the catalog entry and whether or not it is available. If it is checked out or at another local library, you will be able to place a hold as long as you have your library card and PIN numbers. As with any book review, these are our opinions…we disagree amongst ourselves about books frequently. We all have different likes and dislikes, which is what makes the world an interesting place. Please enjoy, and keep on reading!

admin2018-04-17T16:17:50-05:00April 17th, 2018|

FDL Reads: It

It by Stephen King

Reviewed by: Jacob Roberts, References Assistant

Genre: Horror

Suggested Age: Adults

What is the book about?: In the small town of Derry there is a haunting that rears its head every twenty-seven years. It is said to be as old as time, and thrives off of the fear it conjures. It is able to haunt the steadiest of minds, because it knows you; it knows us all. It knows our deepest fears, but nobody knows what It is. Its true nature has never been seen, but it prefers to take the shape of Pennywise the Dancing Clown in order to lure young children to their death. Yet, the seven children it chooses to prey on in the midst of the 80’s soon prove that It has literally bitten off more than It can chew. However, even though they were able to fend it off as children, It has healed and rested as they grew up and went their own ways. Now they are forced to come back to the place where it all started and to finish it once and for all, except this time there is only six.

My Review: Stephen King’s It is a well-known cultural icon, and it has either caused or aided in many to develop coulrophobia (phobia of clowns), yet many only know it from the attempts there have been to depict it on the big screen. This is probably due to its text exceeding one-thousand pages. However, I would encourage anybody that loves reading to check this book out. It is so much more than just a horror book. Ever since I read it my freshman year of college, it has remained at the top of my must-reads for people. This is because of the caliber of writer Stephen King is, and how he is able to bring a sense of realism to such a fantastical and paranormal horror-story. He draws on peoples real emotions to respond to truly fictitious events. He creates characters with real and raw backstories, that aid in understanding why their deepest fears are what they are. Yet, the aspect of the novel that tied it all together for me, as a reader, was the fact that the struggles these characters experienced day-to-day didn’t just consist in their fight with a deadly clown, but also with more conventional struggles such as Beverly’s alcoholic father, Eddie’s overbearing mother, and the bullies that chased them around town.

Three Words That Describe This Book: Horrifying, Thought-provoking, Relatable

Give This a Try if You Like… The Shining by Stephen King, Watchers by Dean Koontz, or Black Chalk by Christopher J. Yates

Rating: 5/5

Find it at the library!

About FDL Reads

Welcome to FDL Reads, weekly book reviews from Fondulac District Library. Librarians (and possibly some other guest reviewers) review all types of books, from children’s picture books, young adult favorites, to the latest adult thriller, and share their thoughts each week at fondulaclibrary.org. If the book is owned by Fondulac District Library (or another local library), you’ll see a direct link to the catalog entry and whether or not it is available. If it is checked out or at another local library, you will be able to place a hold as long as you have your library card and PIN numbers. As with any book review, these are our opinions…we disagree amongst ourselves about books frequently. We all have different likes and dislikes, which is what makes the world an interesting place. Please enjoy, and keep on reading!

admin2018-04-11T12:09:47-05:00April 11th, 2018|

#FDL: April 10th is National Siblings Day

April 10th is National Siblings Day

Today is National Siblings Day! Whether they’re related by blood or circumstance, we all have them. And FDL has the material to celebrate any sibling relationship, or at least make you thankful for the siblings you do have, even if they annoy you from time to time.

Down Among the Sticks and Bones by Seanan McGuire
This is the second installment in McGuire’s Wayward Children series, but can be read on its own. It tells the back story of twin sisters Jack and Jill and their fall into another world. As children, Jacqueline (Jack) was the pretty one and Jillian (Jill) was the smart one. But a tumble through a portal in their basement into the Moors forces Jack and Jill to rethink the roles their parents forced them into and remake themselves in this new world where vampires and mad scientists reign.
Fullmetal Alchemist by Hiromu Arakawa
This classic manga series tells the tale of family and what one would sacrifice to keep theirs whole. Edward and Alphonse Elric are brothers who tried and failed to bring their mother back to life after her untimely death. In the process, Edward lost a literal arm and a leg and Alphonse lost his entire body, his soul residing in an empty suit of armor. The brothers travel the world, learning Alchemy and finding the key to eternal life in the hopes of getting their full bodies back.
Locke & Key by Joe Hill and Gabriel Rodriguez
Tyler, Kinsey, and Bode Locke move into Keyhouse with their mother, after their father’s murder. Life is hard enough while dealing with grief, but the three siblings also encounter a malevolent force within Keyhouse bent on making the current residents pay for the crimes of the previous ones. This graphic novel series is beautifully drawn and captures the ups and downs of sibling relationships.
A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L’Engle
This book and subsequent ones in the series is about so much everything! Physics and history and theology and math and multi-verses and time travel – it has everything. But at the heart of all of this are the relationships between the Murry siblings. Sandy and Dennis don’t do a whole lot in this first book (for their story, check out Many Waters). But Meg and Charles Wallace work together to save not only their dad but the world and maybe the universe.
Step Brothers
This movie isn’t particularly deep and the brothers in question are adults who are now related by marriage. But it’s probably one of the funniest movies I have ever seen. And Will Ferrell and John C. Reilly are pretty convincing as siblings who are being forced to get along.
King Lear by Shakespeare
This classic tragedy is famous for its trio of sisters, Regan, Goneril, and Cordelia. Lear abdicates his throne, leaving his kingdom to treacherous Regan and Goneril, and gentle Cordelia. This goes about as well as one would assume, and it all ends in tears and in some cases, eyes missing altogether. If you’ve ever fought with your sister over something trivial, be thankful she hasn’t crushed your husband’s eyes out with her heel. In addition to the original play, you can check out Tessa Gratton’s new adaptation, The Queens of Innis Lear or Edward St. Aubyn’s new adaptation, Dunbar.
Star Wars
Last but not least, Luke and Leia might be some of the most famous siblings in all of pop culture. It took them a while and a few awkward moments to realize they were brother and sister, but they sorted it all out. FDL has too much Star Wars stuff to list here, but this is a great chance for me to shamelessly plug Star Wars Day on this coming Saturday, April 14th at FDL. You can stop into the library and check out our awesome Star Wars collection, and stick around for panels, crafts, games, and other activities.

Post by Carey Gibbons, Reference Specialist

About #FDL

Welcome to #FDL! #FDL is a twice weekly update on all things Fondulac District Library and East Peoria. Twice a week, library staff will make posts that highlight some aspect of library life and relate it to you – our readers. Have you ever wanted to know which Dewey number represented a certain topic? Are you looking for book recommendations based on your favorite television show or television recommendations based on your favorite book? Have you ever wondered about the secret details of librarian life? If the answer to any of these questions is yes, then #FDL is for you. We look forward to writing posts that are informative and entertaining and hope that you enjoy getting better acquainted with Fondulac District Library.

admin2018-04-10T18:34:56-05:00April 10th, 2018|

FDL Reads: The Ones

The One by John Marrs

Reviewed by: Sylvia Shults, Circulation

Genre: Suspense, Science Fiction

Suggested Age: Adults

What is the book about?: If you could take a genetic test to tell you who your perfect match is, would you do it? In the near future, scientists have discovered a DNA test that matches people with their soulmate, determined by their genes. To find your one true match, out of seven billion people, through a scientifically proven method — what a gift! A happily ever after with your perfect someone should be guaranteed … shouldn’t it? But even soulmates can hide secrets … and some secrets are more serious than others. This book follows five people who have taken the test, and have discovered who their soul mates are. The plot races forward with giddy speed, and you will NOT see the plot twists coming!

My Review: This is one of the most ridiculously entertaining books I’ve ever read in my life; certainly it’s in the top ten of Books That Have Blown My Mind. It’s always a joy to see an author take on a challenge and nail it. One story with this many twists and turns and “gotchas” would be amazing — but this book has FIVE stories, told in alternating chapters. (I have the bad habit of sliding my eyes over to the end of a chapter — I can’t help it. I had to read with one hand over the white space at the end of the chapter, so I couldn’t inadvertently spoil it for myself, because the chapter endings were SO marvelously unexpected!) The author delineates each character so well that you know immediately who is the subject of each chapter. And the plot twists are so sly and nasty, you start to wonder at several points, is there going to be a happy ending for ANY of these characters? It’s so worth reading to the end to find out. This book rocked my world!

Three Words That Describe This Book: Twisty, exciting, addictive.

Give This a Try if You Like… Room, by Emma Donoghue; Behind Closed Doors, by B.A. Paris.

Rating: 5/5

Find it at the library!

About FDL Reads

Welcome to FDL Reads, weekly book reviews from Fondulac District Library. Librarians (and possibly some other guest reviewers) review all types of books, from children’s picture books, young adult favorites, to the latest adult thriller, and share their thoughts each week at fondulaclibrary.org. If the book is owned by Fondulac District Library (or another local library), you’ll see a direct link to the catalog entry and whether or not it is available. If it is checked out or at another local library, you will be able to place a hold as long as you have your library card and PIN numbers. As with any book review, these are our opinions…we disagree amongst ourselves about books frequently. We all have different likes and dislikes, which is what makes the world an interesting place. Please enjoy, and keep on reading!

admin2018-04-09T10:03:32-05:00April 9th, 2018|

FDL Reads: The World of Lore

The World of Lore: Monstrous Creatures by Aaron Mahnke

Reviewed by: Carey Gibbons, Reference Specialist

Genre: Supernatural History

Suggested Age: Adults, Teens

What is the book about?: This is the first book in a projected series based on the popular podcast Lore, also by Aaron Mahnke. Each chapter is a transcript of a Lore podcast episode, focusing on gruesome and supernatural creatures. The book, like the podcast, features unexplained phenomenon as recorded in history. Each chapter is its own story, so the book as a whole is not a linear narrative. Chapters are grouped in sections focusing on creatures like vampires, werewolves, elves/gremlins/goblins/dwarves, and nature based creatures such as the wendigo. Chapters also take place in various times and settings, and Mahnke also does a good job of relating historical phenomenon to the present day. Two more volumes, focusing on “wicked mortals” and “dreadful places” are coming out later this year.

My Review: I am kind of a big baby about horror, but Lore (both book and podcast) are about as frightening as episodes of The X-Files. So, I don’t need to keep my light on at night, but I’m also not about to go walking in the woods after dark after reading a few chapters. In fact, I do read Lore before bed. The short chapters that each tell their own stories are perfect reading when you aren’t able to stay up all night to finish a book. However, I do feel that the book loses some of the scare factor that is present in the podcast. Mahnke uses his voice and music to create a spooky ambiance that is missing in the book. The book reads more like interesting unexplained history than horror, but is still good. Honestly, I’m more excited about the books coming out later this year, but if you like the podcast, or have been meaning to give the podcast a try, the book is also worth your time. Also, this is a great book for teens and more mature tweens who are into the supernatural – some violence but no swearing or sex.

Three Words That Describe This Book: Historical, Unexplained, Weird

Give This a Try if You Like… Stand-alone X-Files episodes, Unexplained Mysteries, horror movies like The Blair Witch Project

Rating: 4/5

Find it at the library!

About FDL Reads

Welcome to FDL Reads, weekly book reviews from Fondulac District Library. Librarians (and possibly some other guest reviewers) review all types of books, from children’s picture books, young adult favorites, to the latest adult thriller, and share their thoughts each week at fondulaclibrary.org. If the book is owned by Fondulac District Library (or another local library), you’ll see a direct link to the catalog entry and whether or not it is available. If it is checked out or at another local library, you will be able to place a hold as long as you have your library card and PIN numbers. As with any book review, these are our opinions…we disagree amongst ourselves about books frequently. We all have different likes and dislikes, which is what makes the world an interesting place. Please enjoy, and keep on reading!

admin2018-04-05T13:26:38-05:00April 5th, 2018|

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It’s April, and that means 6 months until Halloween!

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April 10th is National Siblings Day

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