Book Talk! Katie, our YA Librarian, shares some great Cursed read-alikes for fans of the show or anyone who likes Arthurian/Medieval Fantasy books! Place these books on hold through the links below, from our online catalog or the RSAcat Mobile app, or by calling the library at (309) 699-3917.
Cursed by Thomas Wheeler and Frank Miller
The Guinevere Deception by Kiersten White
Once & Future by Amy Rose Capetta and Cori McCarthy
Shielded by KayLynn Flanders
My Best Friend’s Exorcism By Grady Hendrix 
Reviewed by: Atlas Agunod, Circulation Assistant
Genre: Horror, Coming-of-age
Suggested age: Teens and Adults
What is This Book About? The year is 1988 and Abby and Gretchen have been best friends since the fourth grade. They’re in their sophomore year now and are in the middle of enjoying their adolescence when the unexpected happens. Gretchen goes missing in the woods during a sleepover. The two are reunited the next morning, but Abby notices that something is…off about Gretchen. She stops showering, she hardly speaks to anybody, and she starts talking about urban legends of a local cult like they really exist. As Gretchen’s health and relationships begin deteriorating, Abby concludes that Gretchen has been possessed by a demon. Of course, nobody believes her when she tries to seek help for her best friend. So how will Abby save Gretchen? Is she really possessed, or are they both just crazy? Most importantly, will their friendship stand the test of demonic possession?
My Review: I loved this book so much. I listened to the audiobook version on a road trip with my mom, who was born the same year as the main character. The amount of times she would say, “Oh my gosh, I haven’t heard that in forever!” when somebody mentioned a celebrity, a song, or some other random 80’s trend told me just how authentic this book was in capturing the 80’s. The story was encapsulating right from the start. I cried and laughed with the main character throughout the whole thing. The author did an excellent job in painting all of the characters as well as the small town they lived in. This book really filled out every space it was trying to cover. It was scary when it needed to be, funny when the moment called for it, and heartwarming when the time came.
Rating: 5/5
Three words that describe this book: silly, creepy, heartwarming
Give this a try if you like: Stranger Things, IT, comedic horror, 80’s nostalgia
About FDL Reads
FDL Reads is a series of weekly book reviews from Fondulac District Library.
Census 2020 is still underway, and participation by all residents is crucial to secure funding for community resources like hospitals, schools, disaster relief, roads, and more. If you haven’t already responded online, by phone, or by mail, you may receive a visit to your home by a census taker. Census takers will be wearing a government photo ID badge and personal protective gear due to COVID-19. They’ll ask a few questions about your household to make sure you’re counted in the census, but they will never ask your social security number, bank information, or citizenship status. All of your information is confidential, and it cannot be shared with law enforcement and immigration or effect your government benefits.
Due to the pandemic, participation in the census has been low, and the deadline to complete it has been moved to September 30, 2020. You matter, and your response matters because it will ensure our area receives its fair share of funding for important services. If you’ve already responded to the census, make sure your family, friends, and neighbors have responded too!
Learn more about the census and respond online at 2020census.gov/, or call 844-330-2020 to get counted!
What Households Can Expect When Census Workers Come to a Home
If you haven’t used the new RSAcat Mobile app yet, you’re missing out!
This app brings the library to your fingertips — manage your account, search the catalog, renew checkouts, and place holds at your convenience. Scan the ISBN barcode of any book you encounter to see if it’s available from the library. Use the app to connect directly to our digital collections (think eBooks, eAudiobooks, movies, and more), our online resources (newspapers, HeritageQuest, GCF LearnFree, etc.), website, social media, and calendar of events. You can even pay fines or bills from the app, link household accounts, search other local libraries, and receive notifications for holds or due dates.
Did we mention how easy it is to use? So easy! (Way better than the old BookMyne app.) It also features improved accessibility for VoiceOver and larger text sizes. So head to the Apple or Google Play Stores, install the free app, log in with your FDL library card, and enjoy a whole new way to explore your library!
It’s a good idea to clean up your smartphone regularly — both inside and out! Here’s how:
Back It Up
Delete Apps
Transfer Photos
Kill Old Texts
Make History, History
Give It A Wipe Down
CDC Guidelines
The CDC recommends the following:
Repeat Regularly
– Susie, Reference Specialist
Treacherous Is the Night by Anna Lee Huber
Reviewed by: Dawn Dickey
Genre: Cozy Mystery / Historical Fiction
Suggested Age: Adult
What is This Book About?: World War I has recently ended, and Verity Kent’s work in England’s Secret Service bureau has officially ended as well. When Verity is asked by a friend to attend a séance in an attempt to contact a deceased relative, Verity reluctantly agrees. Astonishingly, at the séance the medium brings a message for Verity – purportedly from beyond the grave – from Emilie, Verity’s contact from the French resistance. Emilie has a request for Verity: “I need you to unearth my secrets.” Verity believes Emilie to be alive, not dead, but fearing that Emilie is in grave danger, Verity and her husband Sydney head for the war-torn Continent to find the meaning behind this mysterious message. (Part 2 of the Verity Kent series.)
My Review: Treacherous Is the Night reflects the post-war world in its plot and themes, which include danger, chaos, and reconstruction. To decode the medium’s message, Verity and Sydney must make a dangerous trip through the devastated countryside and battlefields of Belgium and France. Europe is chaotic but trying to rebuild; Verity and Sydney must decide whether to rebuild their marriage. Their attempts to find Emilie and discover the truth are complicated by wartime trauma, and both Verity and Sydney must begin to come to terms with memories from the war. The characters are complex, believable, and – as a reader – you want them to solve the mystery, to heal, and to rebuild. This was a satisfying and enjoyable book!
Three Words That Describe This Book: spies, deceit, rebuilding
Give This a Try if You Like… female detectives, historical fiction, or the Maisie Dobbs series by Jacqueline Winspear
Rating: 5/5
In an election year unlike any other, voters need to understand their voting options — and new state legislation which applies only to the primary election on November 3, 2020.
“COVID-19 has changed everything,” said Constance Romanus, President of the League of Women Voters of Greater Peoria. “There will never be another election like this one and voters want clarity.”
The LWVGP, in coordination with Fondulac District Library, will host a special Q&A forum to provide solid information and answer questions at 5:30 p.m. Monday, August 3. Tazewell County Clerk John Ackerman and Peoria County Election Commission Director Tom Bride will participate in the forum.
This event will be held at the East Peoria Civic Complex, adjacent to FDL and East Peoria City Hall, 401 W. Washington Street. Members of the press are welcome to attend wearing masks and seated in a socially distanced manner. Because of the virus, the public is not invited to attend in person. Instead, voters are encouraged to watch a broadcast on East Side Community Media or Facebook Live on the LWVGP Facebook page at facebook.com/lwvpeoria/. Viewers are encouraged to submit questions via Facebook to the League of Women Voters of Greater Peoria’s page prior to the event on August 3 or during the event. LWVGP will attempt to get as many questions answered as possible but reserve the right to edit or combine questions as needed.
This will be a great opportunity to investigate voting options and the impact of Illinois’ recently passed voting legislation. Vote-by-mail applications for the November 3 general election will be sent to registered voters in late July and early August, but voters may also submit a mailed request for a vote-by-mail application through October 29.
It’s so important to stay connected these days, and sending letters is a great way to show someone you care. Handmade stationery is an excellent way to add extra crafty pizzazz to your correspondence, and DIY envelopes are sure to impress your friends and family! They’re so easy to make, you may find yourself sending more letters just as an excuse to make more envelopes! Minimal supplies and no experience required!
Let’s get started!
Paper
Scissors
An envelope to copy or a printed template
Glue or double sided tape
Pencil
ENVELOPE #1The size of the envelope you want to have will determine the size of paper you need. I used large sheets of craft paper for this first type of envelope, and I used an actual envelope as a template. That way, you know exactly what size you’ll end up with, and you can compare the template to the paper you have to determine if it is the right size or not.
Start with a plain envelope and carefully take it apart.
Trace the outline of the envelope on the back of your patterned paper. This way, if you don’t cut on the line perfectly and miss some pencil marks, you won’t have to go back and erase anything.
Cut out the envelope and fold along the creased areas. Since you took apart the previous envelope, you’ll be able to see where the creases need to go and where the glue lines are. I used a very thin line of tacky glue to glue down the bottom flap and keep the envelope together. Be careful not to use too much glue, or to glue over more areas than you need to. You may end up gluing your envelope shut on accident!
ENVELOPE #1 FINISHED!
Old atlases and maps make great paper for envelopes because they are so big! This envelope is made from an atlas page and a template I found online. It’s a smaller envelope and is folded together differently from the first one.
Find Your Template
You can search the internet for envelope templates. Find a free one in the right size for your needs and print it out! I liked this one because it looked very simple, but you can find fancy ones if that’s your style instead.
Pay Attention
This step isn’t quite as important if you’re using a patterned paper that has no apparent direction, but if you’re using something directional, like a map, you need to make sure you position your template correctly. Make sure the writing is going in the right direction for the main part of the envelope (it will be upside down for the other parts, that’s unavoidable for this envelope). If you’re having trouble determining which part that’s going to effect, pre-fold your template to see what it will look like as a finished envelope and extrapolate from there.
After tracing your envelope shape onto the paper, cutting it out, and folding it like you did for the first type of envelope, it’s time to glue it.
I used a glue stick for this one since atlas paper is a bit thinner than the craft paper.
Again, be careful not to overdo it with the glue, otherwise your envelope will stick shut in places you don’t want it to.
ENVELOPE #2 FINISHED!
A NOTE ON SENDING DIY ENVELOPES THROUGH THE MAIL
According to the USPS website, colored envelopes may be sent through the mail as long as the address lines are legible and un-obscured. If using a patterned envelope, and if in doubt of potential legibility, you can always affix plain white labels to the envelope and write or print the addresses clearly on those.
Happy Mailing!
(Stay tuned for a tutorial on how to make watercolor flower cards to send in your envelopes!)
– Jessica, Reference Specialist
What would you like to see in the green space beyond our Reading Garden? A music pavilion, farmer’s market, community garden, water fountain, playground… imagine the possibilities!
The East Peoria Community Foundation and The City of East Peoria are seeking public output for the community park to be built outside of the library and City Hall. Levee Park will be located in the large triangle green space between Richland Street and Washington Street, just south of FDL and across from Costco, and funded through the support of generous community donors. Please fill out the community survey at https://arcg.is/1KPimj0 and share what you would like to see developed! Learn more about the East Peoria Community Foundation and its plans at eastpeoriacommunityfoundation.org.
Cilka’s Journey By Heather Morris
Reviewed by: Melissa Friedlund, Reference Assistant
Genre: Historical Fiction
Suggested Age: Adult
What is This Book About? Cecilia Klein (also known as “Cilka”) was sent to Auschwitz when she was sixteen years old. Chosen by a German officer for sexual servitude and forced to run the dormitory for captive female Jews who were marked for execution, Cilka endured that horrendous existence until the Russians liberated Auschwitz. Declared a German collaborator by the Russians, Cilka was sentenced to fifteen years hard labor in a Gulag (prison camp) in Siberia. What followed were years of hardship and heartache interspersed with glimpses of compassion and kindness.
My Review: After reading The Tattooist of Auschwitz, I was interested in reading this follow-up novel. I found Cilka’s Journey to be a fascinating if somewhat unsettling read with its depiction of the conditions in Russian forced-labor camps of the mid-20th century. I knew of the cliché of someone being “sent to Siberia” as punishment, but I didn’t really know what that meant until now. The author explains after the novel how she pulled many situations from the stories of survivors of both the concentration camps and the Gulag system to create this story, so it is not a completely biographical account. Because of this, there has been some controversy surrounding the novel. Although the Gulags are closed, prison and forced-labor camps are unfortunately still a reality in the world today. As a mosaic of representative experiences in the Russian Gulag system, I feel this novel is a revelatory story that allows the reader a window into what life can be like in a prison camp.
Three Words That Describe This Book: Troubling, Eye-opening, Controversial
Give This a Try if You Like…The Tattooist of Auschwitz, The Wine-Maker’s Wife, The Secrets That We Kept
Rating: 4/5