Winter is here and it’s snowy and cold!!! You put on your hat, scarf, coat, and boots to keep warm outside. What do animals do in the winter? Do they hibernate, migrate or adapt? Are they active or inactive? Check out some of the books Fondulac District Library has on Animals in Winter!!!
Non-fiction
What Do Animals Do in Winter?: How Animals Survive the Cold
Picture Books
hoopla eBooks
by Kris Tyler, Youth Services Specialist
Virtually Me by Chad Morris and Shelly Brown
Reviewed by: Jacob Roberts, Youth Services Specialist
Genre: Realistic Fiction
Suggested Age: 8-11 years
What is this book about? Virtually Me follows a group of middle school kids, post-pandemic, as they start a new school year. The group consists of Bradley, Edelle, Hunter, Jasper, and Keiko. Each of them have chosen to take a chance on the new virtual reality school in an attempt to start fresh or keep up with their reputation. As the book goes on, though, they discover it becomes harder and harder to keep their pasts a secret. Soon they learn that perhaps the people they want to be in virtual reality have been them all along.
My Review: Morris and Brown do a great job at bringing all the real hopes, fears, and anxieties of middle school to the virtual world. They use relatable text to challenge the reader to question what it means to be a good friend. They also give great examples of how to treat everybody no matter what they look like or the reputation they hold. Virtually Me highlights the great possibilities and anxious worries of what virtual reality can be when implanted into the everyday practices of our society.
Three Words that Describe this Book: Fun, timely, friendly
Give this a try if you like… Awkward by Svetlana Chmakova, Swim Team by Johnnie Christmas, Truly Tyler by Terri Libenson
Rating: 4/5
FDL staff members read a wide variety of books last year! These are just a few of their favorites from 2023. Click on a title below to find it in our catalog.
Breaking Cat News series by Georgia Dunn “These are comic anthologies on the Libby app. They were a fun way to pack in just a few minutes of reading at a time as I was navigating becoming a parent this year. The comics are absolutely hilarious, whether you are a cat owner or not! Tip: don’t read these while rocking your newborn baby to sleep because you WILL laugh out loud and wake them.” – Chelsea, Youth Services
The London Séance Society by Sarah Penner “She also wrote The Lost Apothecary (another book I loved). What I liked: A skeptical assistant to a renowned psychic tries to solve her sister’s murder, only to find out things are not what they seem. This is a great book for those who love gothic tales of the paranormal with strong women characters. – Christy Schurter, Youth Services
Tress of the Emerald Sea by Brandon Sanderson “Tress is a fun adventure story on a planet with compelling worldbuilding.” – Nick, Circulation
The Housemaid, by Frieda McFadden. “It has twisty, exciting plot. I found myself rooting for people halfway through the book that I really disliked when the book started. It kept me on my toes!” -Sylvia, Circulation
Book of Lost Names by Kristin Harmel “It was an amazing story. I love reading about World War II and strong women of that time period” – Nancy Scott, Adult Services
Titanium Noir by Nick Harkaway “This novel is about a detective who investigates crime involving pseudo-immortal plutocrats known as “Titans,” and a Titan has been murdered. This is a great book that blends genres reminiscent of Raymond Chandler and William Gibson: a hard boiled cyberpunk whodunit.” – Jeremy, Adult Services
Mistborn: The Final Empire by Brandon Sanderson “I really liked this book for the twists and turns – there were multiple times the plot took an abrupt left turn away from my expectations of how fantasy books about dictators and the rebellions they spawn are supposed to go. All of the characters are really thought out and have a lot of depth to them, which helps make the world that much more immersive.” – Alice, Youth Services
The Last Tale of the Flower Bride by Roshani Chokshi “Mysterious, gothic and lyrical, this novel is beautiful and the story kept me wondering just how dark Indigo’s past really was.” – Susie, Adult Services
Finding Dorothy by Elizabeth Letts “This is a beautifully written, but imagined, story of how the movie “The Wizard of Oz” was made with the involvement of L. Frank Baum’s wife, Maude Gage Baum, after his death. While parts of the story are true to fact, some embellishment keeps it from being a true biography. But it is still a great read!” – Becky, Adult Services
#FDL is an update on all things Fondulac District Library and books.
Are you looking for simple, proven ways to manage stress and set your goals for 2024? A December 2023 article in the 𝘕𝘦𝘸 𝘠𝘰𝘳𝘬 𝘛𝘪𝘮𝘦𝘴 called, “10 Ways to Support Your Mental Health in 2024,” says, “Now that we’re paying more attention to our inner lives, it’s also essential that we take action. Fortunately, there are a number of things that everyone can do to nourish their mental health and find moments of joy.” Here are some books at FDL that may provide a positive path into the new year:
Old-Fashioned on Purpose: Cultivating a Slower, More Joyful Life by Jill Winger
Cozy Cottage Create Your Own Cozy: 100 Practical Ways to Love Your Home and Life by Liz Marie Galvin
The Purest Bond: Understanding the Human-Canine Connection by Jennifer Golbeck
The Flourishing Woman: A Mental Health and Well-Being Guide by Cate Howell
The Anxiety Reset Method: Master Your Anxious Mind in 12 Weeks by George Collinson
Be Useful: Seven Tools for Life by Arnold Schwarzenegger
Outlive: The Science and Art of Longevity by Peter Attia
The Home Edit, Stay Organized: The Ultimate Guide to Making Systems Stick by Clea Shearer
Finding Me by Viola Davis
You Owe You: Ignite Your Power, Your Purpose, and Your Why by Chris Paul
Hidden Potential by Adam Grant
How to Keep House While Drowning by KC Davis
Atomic Habits: Tiny Changes, Remarkable Results by James Clear
Maybe You Should Talk to Someone by Lori Gottlieb
Can’t Hurt Me by David Coggins
The Mountain is You by Brianna Wiest
Dopamine Nation by Anna Lembke
The Comfort Book by Matt Haig
The Creative Act: A Way of Being by Rick Rubin
Set Boundaries, Find Peace by Nedra Glover Tawwab
Financial Feminist: Overcome the Patrirchy’s Bull**** to Master Money and Build a Life You Love by Tori Dunlap
The Myth of Normal by Gabor Maté
Breathe: The New Science of a Lost Art by James Nestor
My Hygge Home by Mike Wiking
Book Lovers by Emily Henry
Reviewed By: Jeremy Zentner, Adult Services Assistant
Genre: Romance
Suggested Age: Adults
What is This Book About? Nora is a ruthless literary agent who will stop at nothing to get her authors published with the best editors and publishing houses available in New York City. Charlie is one of the editors Nora needs to recruit for her client’s latest book. Charlie is cold, calculating, and brilliant. Just like Nora. After an abrasive lunch-meeting discussing her client’s latest novel, Nora is convinced more than ever that she’ll never work with Charlie again. Until, of course, she unexpectedly runs into him in Small Town, USA. A random occurrence while vacationing with her very pregnant sister who’s on her last hurrah before child number three is born. What proceeds here is a ballet of witty dialogue and small town shenanigans between Nora and Charlie as they carefully maneuver towards each other in a blossoming working relationship that becomes something more.
My Review: This was a delightful novel that managed to subvert the cliches of small town romances while simultaneously being a small town romance itself. What I enjoyed about the novel was that the characters were very unique when it came to the romance tropes. I also appreciated the narrator’s snarky inner-monologue as she weaved through this rather podunk town that had as many charms as it did foibles. The main strength of the book, however, is the dynamic nature between Nora and Charlie. They start out as mild rivals (building on the haters-to-lovers trope) and quickly realize that they compliment each other with their high-intense work ethic and posh lifestyles. They also push each other to break out of molds and have adventures in a rural community that holds quite a few secrets for Charlie and Nora. Book Lovers is a charismatic story that’s easy to read, even for people who don’t really read rom-coms. I listened to this book on the Libby App and the voice actress was INCREDIBLE.
Three Words that Describe this Book: romance, small town, books!
Give This A Try if You Like… Lessons in Chemistry, Part of Your World, The Bodyguard
Rating: 5/5
The Christmas Bookshop by Jenny Colgan
Reviewed by: Dawn Dickey
Genre: Fiction / Romance
Suggested Age: 14+
What is the book about?: Carmen Hogan, like her Scottish hometown, is down on her luck. Her longtime job in retail at the town’s last remaining department store is coming to an end as the store closes for good. It’s the end of an era, and, for Carmen, means an uncertain future. Meanwhile, Carmen’s sister Sofia is a successful lawyer in Edinburgh, with a beautiful house which she shares with an equally successful husband and three – soon to be four – children and a nanny. Sofia comes up with a hopefully brilliant solution to help a dear old client, Mr. McCredie, who runs a bookshop filled with dusty, rare and vintage books. Sofia recruits her now out-of-work sister Carmen to help turn around the finances at the bookshop. Carmen can live in Sofia’s (somewhat dreary) basement apartment and even (hurray) help with child care on the nights when nanny has evening classes. Carmen reluctantly accepts, and her bookstore and romantic adventures in the imposing (and hilly) Scottish capital begin!
My Review: Author Jenny Colgan never disappoints. This novel is warm and inviting. The setting, lovely Edinburgh, comes alive for the reader as Carmen finds her way around Edinburgh as a resident and not just an occasional visitor, and I find the setting almost as interesting as the characters. The characters are quirky, crazy but at the same time realistic, learning and growing together in ways that they would not have imagined at the tale’s beginning. It’s a feel-good, laugh-out-loud read that I highly recommend!
Three Words That Describe This Book: Funny, charming, heartwarming
Give This a Try if You Like…romantic comedies or novels by writers like Sophie Kinsella or Cecelia Ahern or Marian Keyes
Rating: 5/5
December is full of celebration. Hanukkah, Kwanzaa and Christmas are a few of the holidays we recognize this month, but did you know December is also National Cat Lovers’ Month?
During National Cat Lover’s Month, we honor the beauty, smarts and sass of our feline friends. Evidence suggests that cats were domesticated more than 9,500 years ago, and according to the American Veterinary Medical Foundation, 25 percent of households are home to a cat. (source: americanhumane.org)
We have books that not only celebrate Christmas, but also celebrate our kitty companions!
Kids
Pete the Cat’s 12 Groovy Days of Christmas by Kimberly and James Dean
Pete the Cat Saves Christmas by Eric Litwin and James Dean
Where’s Santa Boo? By Salina Yoon
The Shy Little Kitten’s Christmas by Kristen Depken
The Cat Who Ate Christmas by Lil Chase
Sammy Claws the Christmas Cat by Lucy Rowland
Stowaway in a Sleigh by Roger C. Mader
Here Comes Santa Cat by Deborah Underwood
A Very Fuddles Christmas by Frans Vischer
Mouse’s Christmas Cookie by Patricia Thomas
Charlie and the Christmas Kitty by Diane De Groat
Dewey’s Christmas at the Library by Vicki Myron
Christmas Kitten, Home at Last by Robin Pulver
Merry Christmas, Splat by Rob Scotton
A Christmas Surprise (Magic Kitten Series #15) by Sue Bentley
Santa’s Snow Cat by Sue Stainton and Anne Mortimer
Adults
A Cat Café Christmas by Codi Gary
Snowball’s Christmas by Kristen McKanagh
Christmas at the Cat Café by Melissa Daley
The Christmas Cat by Melody Carson
The Nine Lives of Christmas by Sheila Roberts
Santa Clawed by Rita Mae Brown
The Cat Who Came Back for Christmas: How a Cat Brought a Family the Gift of Love by Julia Romp
The Cat Who Came for Christmas by Cleveland Amory
Born With Teeth by Kate Mulgrew
Reviewed by: Melissa Friedlund, Reference Assistant
Genre: Autobiography
Suggested Age: Adult
What is the book about? Actress Kate Mulgrew came from a large Irish Catholic family in Iowa and was, quite literally, “born with teeth.” In this memoir, the title is a metaphor for tenacity and determination. Mulgrew details how she took the reins of her life early on and created the career she wanted for herself. Along the way, we learn about family dynamics, love affairs, career highlights, and a secret daughter given up for adoption in the late 1970’s.
My Review: Listening to the audiobook version narrated by the author was surprisingly engaging. From the jarring way she cruelly blames herself for her baby sister’s death to behind-the-scenes glimpses of her acting career, I was sucked into the story of her life right away. I am a Star Trek fan and am most familiar with Kate Mulgrew’s character from the Star Trek: Voyager series. Her writing style and verbal delivery were enjoyable and not nearly as stiff and formal as Captain Kathryn Janeway. Filled with joys and sorrows, this book moved me to both laugh and cry.
Three Words That Describe This Book: Captivating, Charismatic, Unanticipated
Give This a Try if You Like…A Fine Romance, I Said Yes to Everything, How to Forget: A Daughter’s Memoir
Rating: 5/5
Nordic noir is a subgenre of mystery fiction known for complex psychological plotlines set in Scandinavian locations. Mainly told from the perspective of detectives, these books feature page-turning stories surrounding violence, murder, and corruption. Captivating descriptions of snowy mountains and landscapes will take you to Scandinavia without leaving your own home!
#FDL is an update on all things Fondulac District Library and books.
This year, Hanukkah (or the “festival of lights”) is celebrated December 7-15. Hanukkah, a Hebrew word meaning, “dedication,” is a holiday that celebrates the liberation from oppression. It also provides a strong argument in favor of freedom of worship and religion.
From providing the world with life-changing scientific solutions to writing some of the best-selling novels in the country, Jewish Americans have left an indelible mark on our country’s history.
The Best Strangers in the World by Ari Shapiro
Lost and Found by Kathryn Schutz
Once We Were Slaves by Laura Arnold Leibman
I Want You to Know We’re Still Here by Esther Safran Foer
The Grammarians by Cathleen Schine
Take What You Need by Idra Novey
My Last Innocent Year by Daisy Alpert-Florin
The Dressmakers of Prospect Heights by Kitty Zeldis
Those Who Are Saved by Alexis Landau
Juniper and Thorn by Ava Reid
Our Country Friends by Gary Shteyngart
Stars in an Italian Sky by Jill Santopolo
Kissing Kosher by Jean Meltzer
More Than I Love My Life by David Grossman
The Late Comer by Jean Hanff-Korelitz
Send for Me by Lauren Fox
The House is On Fire by Rachel Beanland
My Fine Fellow by Jennieke Cohen
Business or Pleasure by Rachel Lynn Solomon
Exile Music by Jennifer Steil
The Vegan by Andrew Lipstein
The Netanyahus by Joshua Cohen
Other People’s Pets by R.L. Maizes
