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FDL Reads: Foundation

Foundation by Isaac Asimov

Reviewed By: Jeremy Zentner, Reference Assistant

Genre: Science Fiction

Suggested Age: Adults and teenagers

What is This Book About? A human empire rules the galaxy, but a new science known as psychohistory determines, without fail, that the empire is about to collapse, and that humanity is heading into a 30,000-year dark age. Published in 1951, Foundation was originally written as a series of stories chronicling the demise of a star-faring civilization and the few bold people attempting to jump-start a new empire. Initially, the reader will follow a scientist who warns of the empire’s collapse and his desire to establish a galactic encyclopedia to safeguard the empire’s knowledge and technology. However, not everything is as noble as it seems, and a more complex vision emerges to dominate future history. This novel is also the basis for the new TV series Foundation, which will be on AppleTV+.

My Review: This is a good novel if you are interested in the defining classics in space opera or general science fiction. It is also a great way for history buffs to read about a science fiction that follows the “historic” trends of Western civilization. What I like about this novel is that it somewhat parallels with the fall of the Roman Empire, religious authorities filling the power vacuum, and later nation-states and economic forces ruling the day, all on a galactic scale. In conjunction with this, there is the ever-present science fiction techno wizardry like starships and personalized energy shields that truly make it sci-fi. There are many twists and turns as the reader is pulled into a whirlwind of interstellar intrigue while discovering the true nature of Foundation.

Three Words that Describe this Book: Classic, intelligent, space opera

Give This A Try if You Like… Dune; I, Robot; Childhood’s End

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 Rivera2021-09-15T11:50:41-05:00August 27th, 2021|

#FDL: Young Adult Book Giveaway

Love is a Revolution by Renee Watson

When Nala Robertson reluctantly agrees to attend an open mic night for her cousin-sister-friend Imani’s birthday, she finds herself falling in instant love with Tye Brown, the MC. He’s perfect, except… Tye is an activist and is spending the summer putting on events for the community when Nala would rather watch movies and try out the new seasonal flavors at the local creamery. In order to impress Tye, Nala tells a few tiny lies to have enough in common with him. As they spend more time together, sharing more of themselves, some of those lies get harder to keep up. As Nala falls deeper into keeping up her lies and into love, she’ll learn all the ways love is hard, and how self-love is revolutionary.

In Love Is a Revolution, plus size girls are beautiful and get the attention of the hot guys, the popular girl clique is not shallow but has strong convictions and substance, and the ultimate love story is not only about romance but about how to show radical love to the people in your life, including to yourself.

Wild Ones by Nafiza Azad

Meet the Wild Ones: girls who have been hurt, abandoned, and betrayed all their lives. It all began with Paheli, who was once betrayed by her mother and sold to a man in exchange for a favor. When Paheli escapes, she runs headlong into a boy with stars in his eyes. This boy, as battered as she is, tosses Paheli a box of stars before disappearing. With the stars, Paheli gains access to the Between, a place of pure magic and mystery. Now, Paheli collects girls like herself and these Wild Ones use their magic to travel the world, helping the hopeless and saving others from the fates they suffered. Then Paheli and the Wild Ones learn that the boy who gave them the stars, Taraana, is in danger. He’s on the run from powerful forces within the world of magic. But if Taraana is no longer safe and free, neither are the Wild Ones. And that…is a fate the Wild Ones refuse to accept. Ever again.

As Far As You’ll Take Me by Phil Stamper

Marty arrives in London with nothing but his oboe and some savings from his summer job, but he’s excited to start his new life–where he’s no longer the closeted, shy kid who slips under the radar and is free to explore his sexuality without his parents’ disapproval. From the outside, Marty’s life looks like a perfect fantasy: in the span of a few weeks, he’s made new friends, he’s getting closer with his first ever boyfriend, and he’s even traveling around Europe. But Marty knows he can’t keep up the facade. He hasn’t spoken to his parents since he arrived, he’s tearing through his meager savings, his homesickness and anxiety are getting worse and worse, and he hasn’t even come close to landing the job of his dreams. Will Marty be able to find a place that feels like home.

Annotations from the publishers

–Post by Susie Rivera, Reference Specialist

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

Susie Rivera2021-08-23T13:59:16-05:00August 21st, 2021|

#FDL: Film Review

Title: Captive State

Reviewed By: Jeremy Zentner, Adult Services Assistant

Genre: Film (Science fiction)

Suggested Age: Adults

What is this film about? Aliens have invaded earth. The “Legislators” quickly took control of the planet with their advanced technology, but their best weapon was the complacency of the human political leadership who saw the writing on the wall. Now, walled off cities are governed by the Legislators through their human collaborators while everyone else is conscripted into manual labor. Gabriel, a survivor of the initial invasion, is one of the conscripted workers, but he is also brother to a revolutionary who committed acts of heroism against the alien oppressors. Of course, these acts of heroism were considered acts of terrorism by the Legislators and human collaborators who will stop at nothing to shut down their resistance cell. Will Gabriel follow into his brother’s footsteps or will he narc against his own species to save himself in this captive state?

My Review: Captive State is unlike any alien invasion movie in science fiction. Caught somewhere between sci-fi horror, detective noir, and espionage thriller, Captive State portrays a real world beholden to the same problems as before, but also an occupied world with exasperated terrors. What I like about this film is that it’s strategically subtle in its commentary on war and occupation. The world is not the same, and yet, there are some instances that may be all too recognizable. In conjunction with this, Captive State’s cinematic originality is nothing short of mesmerizing. The science fiction mechanics depict a creepy alien species that have multiple forms and ships that look more like floating asteroids. The Legislators’ weaponry, their ships, and their surveillance technology is truly alien as it is daunting. This thriller is a mind-blowing experience.

Three Words that Describe this film: gritty, noir, thriller

Give This A Try if You Like… Blade Runner, Blade Runner 2049, Children of Men, Arrival, Prospect, Kin, District 9, Elysium, Chappie

Rating: 5/5

Find it at the library!

#FDL is an update on all things Fondulac District Library and books.

Susie Rivera2021-08-12T18:32:38-05:00August 12th, 2021|

Join the Team at FDL!

The library currently has three part-time positions open for a Circulation Assistant and two Youth Services Assistants. Please visit fondulaclibrary.org/about-us/jobs for more information, including job descriptions and qualifications.

Beth Weimer2021-08-12T11:44:04-05:00August 12th, 2021|

FDL Reads: The Code Breaker

The Code Breaker: Jennifer Doudna, Gene Editing, and the Human Race by Walter Isaacson

Reviewed by: Melissa Friedlund, Reference Specialist

Genre: Biography, Science Non-Fiction

Suggested Age: Adult

What is the book about? If you have ever wondered, “What is CRISPR? How does it work? Who came up with this groundbreaking new technique for gene editing?” this book will answer all your questions. Primarily following Jennifer Doudna, one of the winners of the 2020 Nobel Prize in Biochemistry, this book chronicles not only Doudna’s scientific interest starting in childhood through UC Berkley, but also the developmental path of CRISPR from its first success through its use in combatting the COVID-19 pandemic as a diagnostic tool.

My Review: Here is another fascinating biography by Walter Isaacson. I listened to the audiobook version on Axis360. I was very excited to read this book because I’ve been very curious about CRISPR and gene editing. I think Isaacson did an equitable accounting of which research teams made which breakthroughs and when. Considering there were multiple instances of different research groups publishing similar discoveries at nearly the same time, this was critically important for things like the Nobel Committee. Some sections are heavy in biochemical and genetic terminology, which didn’t bother me because I studied biology & chemistry in college. However, this might trip up the casual reader. Overall, I found this book to be extremely informative and current.

Three Words That Describe This Book: Intriguing, Educational, and Timely

Give This a Try if You Like…Einstein: His Life and Universe by Walter Isaacson, Unnatural Causes: The Life and Many Deaths of Britain’s Top Forensic Pathologist by Richard Shepherd, and The Gene by Siddhartha Mukherjee

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 Rivera2021-08-12T12:32:25-05:00August 11th, 2021|

FDL Reads: Klara and the Sun

Klara and the Sun by Kazuo Ishiguro

Reviewed by: Beth Weimer, Communications Specialist

Genre: Fiction, Sci-Fi

Suggested Age: Adults, Teens

What is the book about?: In a not so distant and slightly dystopian future, an Artificial Friend waits in a store window, hoping to be selected by a lonely child. Klara’s exceptional observational skills lead her to be chosen by sweet Josie, who suffers from a mysterious illness. As Josie’s caring companion, Klara serves the family loyally and fulfills her purpose, witnessing the love, grief, and tensions within the household as they all try to navigate the machinations of a society ruthlessly using technology to avoid its own ‘slow fade.’

My Review: I wanted to love this book as I did Never Let Me Go, and I appreciate the premise and Ishiguro’s deliberate style, but it just never clicked for me. The amount of detail paid to certain irrelevant elements was frustrating, when the most interesting aspects of the story are barely mentioned and never explained. Ultimately, I couldn’t get over the disconnect of having an AI – programmed with enough intelligence to learn human emotions and advanced science – who isn’t equipped with the basic understanding that they are solar powered and therefore invents their own mythology. Maybe that’s intentional, to illustrate how individual knowledge is limited and we all just fill in our own narrative/explanation of events and experiences, but that (and the perfect anti-climax) felt a bit lazy. The book does touch on interesting themes of life/death/technology and Klara provides an interesting perspective on the human condition, so most readers will probably still find it interesting and worthwhile.

Three Words That Describe This Book: Detailed, Strange, Bittersweet

Give This a Try if You Like… Never Let Me Go by Kazua Ishiguro; Cloud Atlas by David Mitchell; I, Robot by Isaac Asimov

Rating: 3/5

Find it at the library!

About FDL Reads

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

Susie Rivera2021-08-04T15:31:50-05:00August 4th, 2021|

FDL Reads: Merlin’s Harp

Merlin’s Harp by Anne Elliot Crompton

Reviewed by: Susie Rivera, Reference Specialist

Genre: Fantasy

Suggested Age: Adult

What is the book about?: Merlin’s Harp is an Arthurian fantasy retelling from the point of view of the Fey. More specifically, the novel tells the story of King Arthur through the eyes of Nivienne, the daughter of the Lady of the Lake. Nivienne grows up on Apple Island (Avalon) with her mother and brother Lugh. Merlin visits occasionally, telling stories about the kingdom outside their forest. Nivienne is not too concerned with Arthur until events begin to threaten the peace of the island. Merlin, who has taken Nivienne as his apprentice mage, takes her into Camelot and she witnesses events firsthand.

My Review: I love Arthurian legend and have read this several times. It’s a short read and well-written. You could read it without knowing many details about key events surrounding Arthur’s reign, but coming in knowing more makes the story and nuances a richer experience. I recommend this for those who are just getting in to Arthurian fantasy. It’s a great bridge to heftier novels, such as Marian Zimmer Bradley’s The Mist of Avalon.

Three Words That Describe This Book: Lyrical, tragic, magical

Give This a Try if You Like…The Mists of Avalon, The Crystal Cave (Merlin trilogy), Child of the Northern Spring (Guinevere trilogy)

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 Rivera2021-08-03T09:39:33-05:00August 3rd, 2021|

#FDL: Staff Summer Favorites

The FDL staff has been doing their own summer reading! Here are some staff favorites from this summer.

Old Man’s War by John Scalzi

Old Man’s War is a down-to-earth, science fiction space opera in which the ruling human government only recruits seniors into military service. This book was very readable, I have probably never read a book so fast in my life. – Jeremy, Reference Assistant

Julián Is a Mermaid by Jessica Love

Julián sees beautifully dressed “mermaids” around town with his abuela, and he decides to dress up to look just like them. I love that this book is purely a celebration of a boy who isn’t afraid to be his authentic self and his grandmother who supports him without a second thought. – Haley, Youth Services Assistant

Grendel by John Gardner

As of yet, the best book that I’ve read this Summer has been Grendel, by John Gardner; I had read it once previously whilst I was a sophomore in high school, but I somehow managed to forget just how high this book’s quality is. Gardner’s minimalistic prose never sacrifices its poetic sensibilities in exchange for its brevity, and the novel’s protagonist, the titular Grendel, is at once scorn-worthy, relatable, and just downright hilarious, at times. So, all-in-all: great book. – Kaelan, Circulation Assistant

Dawnshard by Brandon Sanderson

As Book 3.5 of the Stormlight Archive series, Dawnshard is a novella with events that occur after Oathbringer (book 3) and before Rhythm of War (book 4). The story follows Rysn, a ship-owning merchant, who is on a mission for Novani Kholin to a long-abandoned island. There’s additional character development that I enjoyed and a bit of plot twist when we learn what a Dawnshard actually is. I’m sure anyone who’s reading the series will regret it if they skip this novella. – Melissa, Reference Specialist

One Piece by Eiichiro Oda

One Piece is the longest manga series I’ve ever read – currently, 96 volumes (English) – but I’m so happy I finally picked it up, and I absolutely can’t wait to see what happens next. If you like friendship, freedom, and fighting for what’s right – oh, and pirates! – then pick it up, since it’s a wild ride! – Katie, Reference Specialist

Personal Librarian by Marie Benedict

I think my favorite book this summer was Marie Benedict’s The Personal Librarian. This is historical fiction about Belle da Costa Greene, the librarian who established and ran J.P. Morgan’s famous Pierpont Morgan Library in New York City in the early 1900’s. Belle was famous for her knowledge of antiquities, her wit, and her well- guarded secret. – Becky, Reference Assistant

The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by V.E. Schwab

This is beautiful and tragic stand-alone fantasy novel. It’s also historical fiction and a love story. I really enjoyed Schwab’s poetic writing style and the plot twists she introduces towards the end of the novel are well worth it! – Susie, Reference Specialist

The Music of Bees by Eileen Garvin

The way Garvin intersperses honey bee biology and beekeeping 101 into this story about three lost humans who develop a bond over saving a region of honey bee hives from a major pesticide company was beautiful. It felt timely and it reinforced the idea that we need to be recognizing the impact of our actions on all creatures, great and small. – Rebecca, Business Manager

–Post by Susie Rivera, Reference Specialist

#FDL is an update on all things Fondulac District Library and books.

Susie Rivera2021-07-28T13:27:47-05:00July 26th, 2021|

FDL Reads: Rhubarb Pie Before You Die

Rhubarb Pie Before You Die by Gin Jones

Reviewed by: Dawn Dickey

Genre: Cozy mystery

Suggested Age: Adult

What is the book about?: In the quiet of night, Mabel Skinner and her friend Rory are making off with a neighborhood’s bags of chemical-free yard waste (“black gold”), nabbing them before the morning garbage pickup. They plan to use the clippings and leaves as mulch for the garlic and lavender grown on Mabel’s inherited farm. The quiet night is disrupted, however, when a man pulls up in a rusty pickup truck, jumps out and confronts the duo, shouting, “You’re stealing my stuff!” The man, Graham Winthrop, is loud enough to wake the neighborhood, including a city council member. Graham reluctantly agrees to a compromise to share the mulch. By morning, Mabel finds that more trouble could be brewing with threats of charges for trespassing, breach of peace, and other misdemeanors. Wanting to smooth things over with Graham and avoid legal troubles, Mabel pays a visit to his rhubarb farm. She finds Graham dead in his greenhouse. After the previous night’s confrontation, it looks like Mabel is the police’s prime suspect!

My Review: This is the second in cozy mystery writer Gin Jones’s Garlic Farm Mystery series. But don’t worry if you haven’t read the first one. Jones deftly takes you into Mabel’s world and does a fine job of explaining the back story behind the farm, how Mabel inherited it, and her relations with the various characters in the tale. I find that I am liking the characters even more with this mystery as we learn more about Mabel and her talent for analysis (and coding!), her social awkwardness, her cats, and her deceased aunt’s friends who are now becoming Mabel’s friends. Mabel has not yet embraced the life of a farmer – preferring her coding work – but perhaps she will! That, too, is the part of this cozy mystery, in addition to finding out who killed Graham and why. Spend some time with this satisfying read – you’ll be glad you did! And perhaps, like me, you will look forward to trying some rhubarb when it is available!

Three Words That Describe This Book: Engaging, Cozy, Rhubarb

Give This a Try if You Like… Cozy themed mystery series such as Diane Mott Davidson’s A Goldy Bear Culinary Mystery series, Cleo Coyle’s A Coffeehouse Mystery series, or Susan Wittig Albert’s China Bayles Herbal Mystery series.

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 Rivera2021-08-10T17:09:48-05:00July 22nd, 2021|

#FDL: Culinary Arts Month

July is culinary arts month. Fondulac District Library has an awesome selection of cookbooks. Check out some of our newest ones here.

Teatime at Grosvenor Square: An Unofficial Cookbook for Fans of Bridgerton

Food and drink recipes inspired by Netflix’s hit show Bridgerton and Julia Quinn’s bestselling novels. Finger sandwiches, pastries, roasts, desserts, cocktails, and more! From the magnificent macaron towers to the heavenly fruit-topped trifles, the food of Bridgerton steals the show. Teatime at Grosvenor Square brings you 75 tempting recipes inspired by those candy-colored treats and opulent feasts. Now you can create a spread of delicate finger sandwiches, captivating canapés, and bite-sized sweets scrumptious enough to impress Queen Charlotte herself! Plus, you’ll find a few recipes worthy of a Bridgerton family supper.

Easy Meal Prep: The Ultimate Playbook for Make-Ahead Meals

Want to sit down to incredibly tasty, nutritious, homecooked meals every single day? Who doesn’t! But who has the time? Now you do, with this meal-planning guide and cookbook that will help you get yummy dishes on the table in minutes. Whatever your goal — eat better, spend (and waste!) less, get out of a dinner rut — some simple meal prep can make it reality.

The No-Fuss Family Cookbook: Simple Recipes for Everyday Life

A new collection of easy, family-friendly recipes, from popular chef and television personality Ryan Scott. This collection comes straight from his home kitchen’s regular rotation into yours. Reflecting Ryan’s colorful personality and practical approach, the recipes are kid-friendly and packed with clever hacks and pro tips for getting meals on the table (and cleaning up) quickly.

Everyone’s Table: Global Recipes for Modern Health

The beloved Top Chef star revolutionizes healthy eating in this groundbreaking cookbook—the ultimate guide to cooking globally inspired dishes free of gluten, dairy, soy, legumes, and grains that are so delicious you won’t notice the difference. Everyone’s Table features 200 mouth-watering, decadently flavorful recipes carefully designed to focus on superfoods—ingredients with the highest nutrient-density, the best fats, and the most minerals, vitamins, and antioxidants—that will delight and inspire home cooks.

One-Bowl Meals: Simple, Nourishing, Delicious

Whether for breakfast, lunch, or dinner, and complete with protein, fresh fruits or vegetables, and grains, a one-bowl meal checks all the boxes—delicious, nourishing, casual, filling, seasonal. And in the hands of Maria Zizka its possibilities are even more exciting, with thirty brilliant combinations organized by base—oatmeal, chia, or yogurt for breakfast, and grains, noodles, or greens to build mains. Plus, there are tips, tutorials, and substitution rules of thumb throughout, including how to customize your bowl to make it vegan, gluten-free, or protein-forward.

-Annotations from the publishers

–Post by Susie Rivera, Reference Specialist

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

Susie Rivera2021-08-03T10:26:02-05:00July 16th, 2021|