For Adults - Fondulac District Library | East Peoria, IL

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 Offers hoopla Digital Media

Fondulac District Library is excited to announce hoopla digital: a new digital media service that provides access to nearly half a million titles, from six different formats: movies, TV, music albums, eAudiobooks , eBooks, and comics/graphic novels.

To enjoy hoopla digital for free with your valid Fondulac District Library card, download the hoopla digital app from the Apple or Google Play store on your mobile device. If you are using a computer, visit hoopladigital.com.

Cardholders may borrow up to 4 titles per calendar month. Titles are returned automatically when the
borrowing period expires, so there are no late fees!
Borrowed content is available for immediate streaming on a computer or mobile device.
On the digital app, some borrowed content can be temporarily downloaded for offline use (perfect for traveling!).
Music albums can be listened in their entirety or shuffled between other borrowed albums.
hoopla’s eReader, Action View, is interactive, allowing a comic book to be read panel by panel.
hoopla has a Kid’s Mode setting, allowing young people access to content geared towards ages 12 and under.

Please visit or call the library at (309) 699-3917 with questions or for additional information.

Elizabeth Anderson2018-08-01T13:01:34-05:00August 1st, 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 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 Offers Mango Languages

Mango Languages is available to all users within the library and remotely with a Fondulac District Library card. Mango is free for all library patrons and can be accessed anywhere with an Internet connection. Each lesson combines real life situations and audio from native speakers with simple, clear instructions. The courses are presented with an appreciation for cultural nuance and real-world application by focusing on the four key elements of language learning: vocabulary, pronunciation, grammar, and culture.

Mango offers access to more than 70 foreign language courses and 17 English courses taught completely in the user’s native language. In addition to traditional language courses, Mango also offers the opportunity to learn through foreign film with Mango Premiere and access to a variety of specialty mini courses, like Pirate, Medical Spanish and romance courses. Mango can be accessed at the library, remotely, or even on-the-go with apps for iPhone, Android, Kindle, and Nook.

Please visit or call the library at (309) 699-3917 with questions.

Elizabeth Anderson2018-07-20T11:40:37-05:00July 20th, 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|

FDL Reads: Canto Bight

Canto Bight: Tales From the Star Wars Universe by Saladin Ahmed, Rae Carson, Mira Grant and Jackson Miller (audiobook)

Reviewed by: Dave Gibbons, Library Volunteer

Genre: Science Fiction, Adventure

Suggested Age: Adults, Teens

What is the book about?: As seen in Star Wars: The Last Jedi, people from all across the universe came to Canto Bight, the gleaming city of greed and opulence. But the brightest things can have the darkest shadows, which is exactly were these four tales take place – in the unseen underbelly of the Canto Bight casinos. This quartet of stories spans several genres from adventure to thriller to noir each following a different person trying to make their fortune. This first is a tale of an honest (to a fault) salesman who gets swept up in the intrigue of Canto Bight’s underworld. The second is about a sommelier gets in over her head trying to procure a mystical bottle of wine. Next readers follow a masseuse whose dark past may be the only thing that can save his daughter. Finally, a down on his luck gambler strikes it big in one crazy night, provided he can survive it, proving anything can happen in the high stakes world of Canto Bight.

My Review: Many years ago I was a die hard Star Wars fan. I read all comics, novels, and anything remotely involved with Star Wars expanded universe. But in the early 2000s the quality of the books (and films) took a dramatic plunge and I left this particular fandom. After years of new content I have gradually “dipped a toe” back into it, starting with canon and now trying the EU (expanded universe) elements of the franchise, so I was delighted that this book was such a great place to jump back in. Unlike other expanded universe entries this collection does not delve into Star Wars minutia but rather uses the universe as the setting for four different stories. These novellas don’t require any prior knowledge of the franchise to appreciate them.

These stories were very fun. While not overly complex or introspective, each has its own flavor and twist on the genre. It is exactly what one would expect from a Star Wars property: an exotic location, good guys triumphing over evil, and a good balance of humor and action. Initially my interest in it was piqued by the inclusion of a story by Mira Grant, as I am a huge fan of her Wayward Children books (under the name Seanan McGuire). Her story was very solid, very character driven with some of the less important details left to the readers’ interpretation. Saladin Ahmed’s entry was bright and cheery in a very “ma and pa kettle go to town” sort of fashion this also made it feel a bit trope-y. Rae Carson took a more “film noir” direction as she put a masseuse with a past up against tall odds in a story that that would make a great short film. John Jackson Miller’s rounded out the collection by telling a high paced humorous entry focused on a down and out gambler who encounters three unlikely characters which comes very close to an unintentional homage to the Marx brothers via Star Wars.

If you are looking for something complex and deep with layers of intrigue, this is not the book you are looking for. However if you are looking for something on the lighter side, or possibly as a palette cleanser from something denser, then this is a great choice.

Three Words That Describe This Book: Light, Adventure, Monte Carlo

Give This a Try if You Like… Star Wars: the Thrawn trilogy by Timothy Zahn, Proposition Player by Bill Willingham, and The Cincinnati Kid

Rating: 3.5/5
Narration: 5/5

Find it at the library!

About FDL Reads

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

admin2018-07-17T16:40:56-05:00July 17th, 2018|

FDL Reads: Parents Need to Eat Too

Parents Need to Eat Too: Nap-Friendly Recipes, One-Handed Meals, and Time-Saving Kitchen Tricks for New Parents by Debbie Koenig

Reviewed by: Susie Rivera, Reference Specialist

Genre: Non-Fiction, Cookbook

Suggested Age: Adults

What is the book about?: Debbie Koenig presents a cookbook for new parents who still want to cook nutritious meals while caring for a baby. Its organizational method is unique in that each section is grouped according to how much time a person has to spend on a meal. For example, Koenig presents quick, easy meals that parents can start after work as well as ones that require a bit more prep time. The more time-consuming dinners are divided up by tasks that can be accomplished during the day while baby is napping. She also includes a section on slow cooker recipes and one-handed meals that are easy to eat while you have a baby in your lap. Big batch recipes are grouped together as well and are very helpful for weeks when you want leftovers for lunches or a night off from cooking. This book also has quite a bit of advice on feeding baby solids and how to adapt each recipe to make baby food.

My Review: As a new parent myself, I found Parents Need to Eat Too practical as well as inspiring. I love to cook and it is a challenge to juggle getting home, the baby, and starting dinner. I tried some of the recipes included but also adapted them according to what food I had in the house or what seemed more realistic for me as a cook. One thing that I appreciated about this cookbook was the fact that it offers a variety of recipes from different ethnicities. I tried out several recipes including Middle Eastern Meat Pies, Hummus with Mediterranean Salad, and Quinoa Salad. While I don’t think that all the recipes (such as falafel) are realistic for a weeknight, many are practical and healthy. The techniques that Koenig presents to manage cooking are what I really took away from the book as a whole.

Three Words That Describe This Book: Practical, Helpful, Tasty

Give This a Try if You Like… International cooking, quick/easy meals

Rating: 4/5

Find it at the library!

About FDL Reads

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

admin2018-07-12T17:18:38-05:00July 12th, 2018|

Check Out Board Games

Fondulac District Library offers a variety of exciting board and card games!

Board games for adults can be checked out from the Adult Services Department and games for kids can be checked out from the the Youth Services Department.
A patron may check out up to 2 games at one time for a 1 week period. Board games cannot be renewed.
Borrowers are responsible for returning a game with all of its pieces and accessories.

For more information, and to view the complete list of board games in the collection, visit the library’s gaming page.

Elizabeth Anderson2018-07-09T08:03:31-05:00July 9th, 2018|