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. 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!
FDL Reads: When the Moon is Low
When the Moon is Low by Nadia Hashimi
Reviewed by: Dawn Dickey
Genre: Fiction
Suggested Age: Adults, Teens
What is the book about?: Fereiba, a teacher, and her engineer husband, Mahmoud, are middle class parents in Afghanistan, raising their family of two amidst a quickly changing and dangerous political scene. After Mahmoud is murdered, things change drastically and for the worse for Fereiba. She plans a daring escape with her three children, the youngest of whom would never meet his father.
My Review: Opening this book, I was instantly drawn into Fereiba’s story. The characters and their experiences are true to life and could have been drawn from the news. Their story is compelling, containing both joy and tragedy and dangers I could never have imagined. I marveled at their courage, cried at their misfortunes, and was thankful for the help they received during their dangerous adventures. The tale alternated voices between Fereiba and her son, Saleem. This dual perspective made the audio book especially enjoyable. I highly recommend this book, in text or audio format!
Three Words That Describe This Book: Courageous, enlightening, hopeful
Give This a Try if You Like… We Are Displaced: My Journey and Stories from Refugee Girls around the World by Malala Yousafzai or A Long Petal of the Sea by Isabel Allende or While the Earth Sleeps We Travel by Ahmed M. Badr
Rating: 5/5
FDL Reads: I’m an American
I’m an American by Darshana Khiani
Reviewed By: Alice Mitchell, Youth Services Manager
Genre: Picture book
Suggested Age: Kids (4-8)
What is This Book About? A classroom of diverse children share bits of their family history and highlight ideals they value that make them American, each family working in their own way to make our country great. Some describe how their family fled hardships in their homelands, and others describe their lives in this country. Indigenous nations are also highlighted through the story of a Muscogee child. While each story describes challenges these families faced or continue to face, they each have a message of determination and hope that we can continue to improve our communities and country as a whole. For every group highlighted there is a note in the back about the impact these groups have had on our country, as well as factors effecting immigration and their lives once they arrived here.
My Review: I greatly enjoyed this story and learning more about the vast number of diverse experiences of people in this country. Presenting each story as it relates to an American ideal like determination and freedom of expression made them stories I could easily relate my own family to. The back matter taught me a great deal that I want to read more about, like how there were laws allowing Indian men but not Indian women from immigrating to the United States and how, despite immigration from other Asian countries being barred, exclusion laws didn’t apply to Filipinos because it was a U.S. territory. While not hiding the challenges and discrimination that people faced, this book still presents an optimistic outlook for the future.
Three Words that Describe this Book: patriotic, hopeful, historical
Give This A Try if You Like… Blue Sky White Stars by Sarvinder Naberhaus; The Undefeated by Kwame Alexander; America My Love, America My Heart by Daria Peoples-Riley; My Red, White, and Blue by Alana Tyson; I is for Immigrant by Selina Alko; A is for Asian-American by Virginia Loh-Hogan
Rating: 5/5
FDL Reads: The Duke and I
The Duke and I by Julia Quinn
Reviewed by: Susie Rivera, Adult Services Specialist
Genre: Fiction
Suggested Age: Adults
What is the book about? Julia Quinn’s first book in the Bridgerton series won’t disappoint as it follows the charming love story between Simon and Daphne. Simon, the Duke of Hastings has grown up estranged from his verbally and emotionally abusive father. He has no interest in marrying anyone until he meets beautiful and clever Daphne Bridgerton. The two strike a mutually beneficial deal–they will enter into a fake courtship that will keep the Duke safe from the rabid mothers of the town, and make Daphne appear highly desired. The fake relationship starts turning into a real one, and then more drama ensues!
My Review: I’m getting ready for FDL’s Bridgerton Tea program on June 26. I am a big fan of the Bridgerton show, but I haven’t read any of the books. Fans of the show will find that certain characters and subplots that are in the show are not in the book. But, the main story between Simon and Daphne is about exactly the same. So, if you are a fan of the Bridgerton show, check this out and you may delve deeper into Julia Quinn’s books. She has quite a few in the series now!
Three Words That Describe This Book: Charming, Spicy, Enjoyable
Give This a Try if You Like…books by Lisa Kleypas, Tessa Dare, or Jane Austen
Rating: 4/5
FDL Reads: What You Are Looking for is in the Library
What You Are Looking for is in the Library by Michiko Aoyama
Reviewer: Deb Alig, Circulation Assistant
Genre: Japanese fiction
Suggested Age: Adult
What is this book about? There are five chapters in this book, and each chapter is about a main character who desires change in his/her life. The characters vary in age and occupation. They all live in present time Hatori, a fictional ward in Tokyo. There is Tamoka, a 21-year-old girl who recently graduated from junior college and now works at a women’s clothing store, but who desires to do more with her life. Then there is Ryo, aged 35. He works in the accounts department of a furniture manufacturer, but he dreams of one day owning an antique shop. Natsumi, aged 40, works as an editor for a popular magazine but gets demoted when she returns from maternity leave. She does not regret having a baby, but she one day dreams of working in publishing again and creating books. There is also Hiroya, a 30-year-old man who still lives at home, reads manga, and does not have a job. He is very artistic and would like to be a designer. Mostly, he wants to feel accepted. Finally, there is Masao, a 65-year-old retiree who feels bored in his retirement. On his last day of work he asks himself, “What am I going to do now?”
The one thing all of these characters have in common, aside from wanting to make changes in their lives, is that they stumble upon the Hatori Community House library where they meet Mrs.Komachi, the enigmatic reference librarian who asks them all, “What are you looking for?” Based on their responses, Mrs. Komachi types up a list of book recommendations on her computer. Unique to each list is a book about some random topic that doesn’t seem to have anything to do with what the patrons are looking for in the library. Yet, these random books, I think, prove to be the most helpful to them. Mrs. Komachi also gives each character a sort of charm that she creates using a needle and a ball of wool, a free gift for visiting the library.
My Review: I really enjoyed reading this book about a community library and its patrons. The Hatori Community House library is a lot like ours. Its entryway is inviting, the shelves are packed with books, people who reside in the community can get a free card, and the staff, though small, is friendly, helpful, knowledgeable, and enthusiastic. I was especially touched when I read about Hiroya. He was the patron in the book who felt like he didn’t belong anywhere. But once he started visiting the library, he happily thought, “It’s okay. It’s okay for me to be in this place.” He finally felt accepted. That’s how I want all of our patrons to feel when they come through our doors—welcome, safe, and comfortable answering the question, “What are you looking for?”
Three Words That Describe This Book: charming, inspirational, inclusive, magical, heart warming
Give This a Try if You Like: Days at the Morisaki Bookshop by Satoshi Yagisawa, Before the Coffee Gets Cold by Toshikazu Kawaguchi, Everything in Its Place: A Story of Books and Belonging by Pauline David-Sax
Rating: 5/5
New Book Highlight: 𝘕𝘰𝘵 𝘘𝘶𝘪𝘵𝘦 𝘢 𝘎𝘩𝘰𝘴𝘵 by Anne Ursu
Not Quite a Ghost by Anne Ursu
Reviewed by: Alyssa Young, Youth Services Assistant
Genre: Horror; Realistic Fiction
Suggested Age: 5th-8th grade (or adults & teens!)
What is the book about?
This middle grade novel focuses on Violet, who is going through significant life changes (a new school, friend group problems, a new house, a mysterious illness) and includes a slightly spooky ghost story.
Ursu’s book discusses chronic or invisible illness, the effects it can have on your relationships, and the emotions that come from not being believed by doctors or friends.
Throughout the story, Violet learns about finding inner strength and advocating for yourself – whether that involves your health, your relationships with friends and family, or any other situation!
My Review:
This book is great for children in grades 5th-8th who love Horror and Realistic Fiction. Adults may also enjoy it, as it was inspired by the novella The Yellow Wallpaper by Charlotte Perkins Gilman.
Find it in the Youth Services Department or on the Boundless app!
FDL Reads: Dogtown
Dogtown by Katherine Applegate and Gennifer Choldenko
Reviewed by: Reviewed By: Jacob Roberts, Youth Services Specialist
Genre: Fiction
Suggested Age: 8-11 years old
What is the book about? Dogtown follows a three-legged dog, named Chance, and her life at a local dog shelter that has recently added robot dogs to their adoption list. Many of the “real” dogs disapprove of the new dogs, but one robot dog soon proves to be able to learn and maybe even feel like the “real” dogs in the shelter. Soon the robot dog, named Metal Head, shares its plan to escape and return to its owner—but it will need the help of Chance and another unlikely friend, Mouse, to help it escape back to its old life. Throughout the book, Chance contemplates what it means to love, be a dog, and have hope in a world that seemingly is stacked against dogs like her.
My Review: This book really surprised me. I enjoy many of the books that Applegate writes; however, I did not expect to enjoy this story so much. I read this book with my daughter, and she and I spent many hours laughing at the quirkiness of the book together, along with just feeling the pain that comes along with being abandoned that many shelter dogs must feel. It even had some good tips at the end for the reader on how to best help local shelters and take care of their own pets. I thought the story was really well down, and is a must read for all those who have a soft spot for dogs in their own life.
Three Words That Describe This Book: Noble, heartfelt, contemplative
Give This a Try if You Like…The Good Dog by Cam Higgins, The Underneath by Kathi Appelt, Charlotte’s Web by E.B. White
Rating: 5/5