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: Yummy: A History of Desserts
Yummy: A History of Desserts by Victoria Grace Elliot
Reviewed by: Chelsea Bunton, Library volunteer
Genre: Graphic novel, nonfiction
Suggested Age: (9-12)
What is the book about? Yummy is a nonfiction graphic novel explaining the delicious history of some of the most popular desserts of all time. This book is organized almost like a talk show, hosted by some fun and witty sprites (fairies). Each chapter covers a different dessert, telling of its deepest origins and its development over time into our modern day versions. The sprites include historical figures, legends and lore, and scientific explanations as they dive into the sweetest histories known to humankind. If you think ice cream has only existed since the invention of the refrigerator- you may want to read this book.
My Review: I always enjoy absorbing information in interesting ways. Textbooks or documentaries are fine but they lose my interest quickly. Learning in the form of a comic book? Sign me up! This book was so amusing! The “host” sprites were delightful as they spun the story of delectable treats from history. I genuinely learned so much from this book, including how ancient peoples were able to keep ice in the summer and the origins of the necessity of baking powder for cakes. Each chapter ended with a recipe, and though I am no chef, I actually think I could successfully make some of these goodies (if comic book fairies can do it, why can’t I?) Whether you have a sweet tooth, or just a craving for some sweet learning- this book is certain to satiate your hunger.
Three Words That Describe This Book: Delicious, sweet, intriguing
Give This a Try if You Like…Baking competition shows, light-hearted manga or anime, non-fiction graphic novels, cookbooks
Rating: 5/5
FDL Reads: The Butcher of the Forest
The Butcher of the Forest Premee Mohamed
Reviewed by: Melissa Friedlund, Reference Specialist
Genre: Dark Fantasy, Twisted Fairy Tales
Suggested Age: Teen, Adult
What is the book about? Veris is a middle-aged woman living with her aunt and grandfather in a land controlled by a deplorable foreigner known as the “Tyrant.” Between her home and the Tyrant’s castle is the foreboding Elmever; a dark forest that all locals know to NEVER enter. However, the Tyrant’s two young children have disappeared and the all signs point to them entering the Elmever under cover of night. Now, under threat of death for herself and her loved ones, Veris must attempt something that she miraculously accomplished once before…many years ago; go into the Elmever and come out of alive WITH the children.
My Review: I liked this novella quite a bit. It was a quick read and a good change of pace from my usual genres. The pace of action was brisk, which kept the suspense at the forefront. Premee Mohamed has a descriptive writing style that paints a comprehensive picture without getting lost in minor details. This twisted fairy tale has so many macabre elements it borders on horror, but wasn’t overly gory. The tension leaves you constantly wondering if there will be a happy ending or not.
Three Words That Describe This Book: Spooky, Intense, Grim
Give This a Try if You Like…Grimm’s Fairy Tales by the Brothers Grimm, One Dark Window by Rachel Gillig, The Parliament by Aimee Pokwatka
Rating: 4.5/5
FDL Reads: Happy Medium
Happy Medium by Sarah Adler
Reviewed by: Dawn Dickey, library volunteer
Genre: Fiction, paranormal romance
Suggested Age: Adults
What is the book about?: Gretchen Acorn makes her living as a medium, connecting her clients with departed (dead) loved ones. The only problem: Gretchen is a fake. Her best client, an elderly woman, enlists Gretchen’s help in the sale of her bridge partner’s goat farm when it seems the sale is hampered by some paranormal happenings. Despite Gretchen’s protests (she doesn’t perform exorcisms!), the hefty salary her client promises is too much to resist. Gretchen informs her other clients that she is taking a sabbatical and heads for the farm. At the farm, Gretchen finds, to her surprise, that the bridge partner/goat farmer is not geriatric, but Gretchen’s age. Farmer Charlie is young, handsome, and totally unwilling to admit that there’s a paranormal problem at the farm. He doesn’t believe in ghosts and tells Gretchen to get out. As Gretchen dejectedly leaves the farm, she encounters, for the first time in her life as a (fake) medium – an honest-to-goodness ghost. Everett, the ghost-in-residence, convinces Gretchen of a curse and the dire consequences for Charlie if he sells the farm that was his family’s heritage. Knowing that she can’t leave Charlie to this fate, Gretchen decides to stay – and the fun begins!
My Review: I loved this book! The characters are lovable, believable, and hilarious. Gretchen – although her living depends on trickery – has a code of ethics that demands leaving each client in a better spot after a session contacting their loved ones, and this code of ethics includes Charlie. Charlie demands complete honesty from Charlotte, and this creates tension between the two. The tension is laughingly worsened by Everett’s antics, since he is determined that Charlie cannot sell the farm. Just imagine what can happen when prospective buyers come to tour the farm! The tale is filled with quirky characters that interact in ways that make this book very fun to read.
Three Words That Describe This Book: spooky, funny, romantic
Give This a Try if You like… Other paranormal romances such as Sangu Mandanna’s The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches or Therese Beharrie’s A Ghost in Shining Armor or Celestine Martin’s Witchful Thinking
Rating: 5/5
FDL Reads: Misfit Mansion
Misfit Mansion by Kay Davault
Reviewed By: Alice Mitchell, Youth Services Manager
Genre: Fantasy (graphic novel)
Suggested Age: Kids (7-12)
What is This Book About? Iris and her friends live in a “foster home for horrors,” including trolls, kelpies, and unicorns. She’s surrounded by friends who are all kept safe by Mr. Halloway’s rules to never leave the house, but she desperately wants to attend the local Harvest Festival in nearby Dead End Springs where “everyone is family.” When Mr. Halloway leaves to rescue a new horror, a local boy named Mathias accidentally breaks the house’s locking spell, releasing the horrors upon the town. The kids disguise themselves to explore the human world and make friends, but they don’t know that Mathias and his aunt are fierce paranormal hunters who wouldn’t mind ridding Dead End Springs of horrors for good.
My Review: This delightful book about fitting in and finding your people is sure to leave you with a smile on your face. Iris’ optimism is contagious, Kel is just the most precious gardening kelpie ever, and the rest of the horrors will make you want to move right in with them. Iris’ experiences as the only horror that Mr. Halloway was afraid of makes her stand out in a world where she was already shunned for being a horror in the first place. Davault mentions in an author’s note that this book is inspired by her experiences as an only child in a single-parent household, feeling like she doesn’t fit into the same mold as her friends and their “complete” two-parent households. She realized, as Ivy and the horrors do, that families come in all shapes and sizes. Readers will enjoy cute horrors, scary monsters, curious townsfolk, and an all-ages family drama.
Three Words that Describe this Book: hopeful, inclusive, family
Give This A Try if You Like… Garlic and the Vampire by Bree Paulson; The Witch Boy by Molly Knox Ostertag; The Moth Keeper by K. O’Neill; The Tea Dragon Society by K. O’Neill; TV shows She-Ra and The Owl House
Rating: 5/5
FDL Reads: Miss Morgan’s Book Brigade
Miss Morgan’s Book Brigade by Janet Skeslien Charles
Reviewed By: Rebecca Cox, Business Manager
Genre: Fiction
Suggested Age: Adults
What is This Book About? Miss Morgan’s Book Brigade highlights the efforts of librarian Jessie “Kit” Carson to bring children’s literature to the devastated French communities during World War I. The story is told through a dual perspective of Kit in 1918 and Wendy Peterson, an aspiring writer and New York Public Library employee as she stumbles across information about Kit and the CARDs – the American Committee for Devastated France founded by millionaire Anne Morgan. The book follows Kit’s journey in France in tandem with Wendy’s of trying to discover what became of Kit in the wake of the war. The characters are based on real people who were apart of the international group of women who helped to rebuild French communities.
My Review: I could not put this book down! I’m not always a fan of the dual perspective narration but the way that the stories weave together as Wendy is attempting to track down what happened to Kit was masterful. Even though this is historical fiction, it told a powerful story of the women who stepped up to rebuild communities and care for women and children during and after World War I. It spoke of loss, of love, and of the strength that it takes to move on in the face of devastation, both personal and global. A must-read all the way to the author’s note where she details the real life people, places and events that inspired her narrative.
Three Words that Describe this Book: Inspiring, Historical, Compelling
Give this a try if you like… The Paris Library by Janet Skeslien Charles, The Underground Library by Jennifer Ryan, The Lost Book of Bonn by Brianna Labuskes
Rating: 5/5
FDL Reads: Days at the Morisaki Bookshop
Days at the Morisaki Bookshop by Satoshi Yagisawa
Reviewer: Deb Alig, Circulation Assistant
Genre: Japanese fiction
Suggested Age: Adults
What is this book about? With only 147 pages, Days at the Morisaki Bookshop is an easygoing read. This feel good novel was originally published in Japanese in 2009. It was an award winner, and the Japanese made it into a hit movie. Then, in 2023, an English translation was published, and the book became an international bestseller. The story is mainly about lost love, new beginnings, and the healing power of books. The protagonist, twenty-five-year-old Takako, is dumped by her boyfriend, Hideaki, who has proposed to another woman. Takako is devastated. She quits her job and sleeps all day. One day, her Uncle Satoru, who runs a family owned second-hand bookshop in Jimbocho, Tokyo’s famous book district, gives his niece a call. He asks her if she would like to come and live on the second floor of the book store rent free in exchange for helping him out with the business. Remembering that her uncle is a little unconventional, she is hesitant at first. But Takako agrees hoping that she can escape the emotional pain of her recent breakup. At first she is uncomfortable living in a small room surrounded by stacks of books. In time, however, she discovers a love for reading, she meets new people who frequent the store, she becomes friends with the wait staff and customers at a local coffee shop, and she begins a new relationship with an editor from a nearby publishing company. Takako also helps her uncle save his marriage. Much of the healing that occurs is in this story is due to the power of books.
My Review: I really enjoyed this novel because it was a quick, enjoyable read. The characters had colorful personalities, and they were kind and respectful of one another. I especially appreciated the familial relationship that Satoru had with Takako. It reminded me of the special relationship I share with my niece. If I ever visit Japan, I would like to go to Jimbocho. There are about 130 used bookshops in this district of Tokyo. It’s hard for me to imagine what this “paradise” of books must look like.
Rating: 4/5
Three Words That Describe This Book: insightful, charming, cozy
Give This Book a Try is You Like: the Before the Coffee Gets Cold series; What You are Looking For is in the Library; The Nakano Thrift Shop