Book Recommendations for AAPI Month
May is Asian/Pacific American Heritage Month. During this month we celebrate the contributions that Asian and Pacific Islanders have made to our history and culture.
Check out one of these books or place a hold today!
This is Paradise: stories by Kristiana Kahakauwila
Intimacies by Katie M. Kitamura
The Incendiaries by R. O. Kwon
A Place For Us: A novel by Fatima Farheen Mirza
Everything I Never Told You by Celeste Ng
The Sympathizer by Viet Thanh Nguyen
Music of the Ghosts by Vaddey Ratner
Miss Burma by Charmaine Craig
The Bad Muslim Discount: a novel by Syed Masood
Pachinko by Min Jin Lee
The Farm : A novel by Joanne Ramos
The Tea Girl of Hummingbird Lane by Lisa See
The Bonesetter’s Daughter by Amy Tan
That Kind of Mother by Rumaan Alam
The Swimmers by Julie Otsuka
Blackmail and Bibingka by Mia P. Manansala
Pride, Prejudice, and Other Flavors by Sonali Dev
Run Me To Earth by Paul Yoon
Monstress by Marjorie Liu
Bangkok Wakes to Rain by Pitchaya Sudbanthad
The God of Small Things by Roy Arundhati
The Leavers by Lisa Ko
–Post by Susie Rivera, Reference Specialist
#FDL is an update on all things Fondulac District Library and books.
FDL Reads: Dark Places
Dark Places by Gillian Flynn
Reviewed by Julie Nutt, Reference Assistant
Genre: Suspense, Thriller (domestic thriller)
Suggested age: Adult
What is this book about? Libby Day is the sole survivor after the brutal murder of her mother and sisters, supposedly committed by her older brother, Ben. Ben is found guilty of the crimes based on Libby’s testimony that she witnessed the attack first-hand. Libby’s existence has been consumed by the publicity surrounding the murders, never fully developing a life or personality of her own beyond the headlines. When Libby is tracked down by a true-crime enthusiast interested in her story and the belief that Ben is innocent, it is just the beginning of Libby’s journey to find the truth.
My review: “I have a meanness inside me, real as an organ.” – Libby Day. Flynn’s novel cuts deep into raw emotions and pivotal events that led up to the night of the family’s shocking deaths. Her biting prose provides an intense view of the characters’ struggles: Mom Patty’s anguish; Ben’s pain and desperation as a teen trying to fit in; Libby’s battle with her own memories. Not a single gritty, dirty detail is spared in painting the stark backdrop of rural Kansas, during the 1980’s farm recession.
Based on reading both Sharp Objects and Dark Places, Gillian Flynn is a master of ending with completely unexpected twists. In a 2019 article by ScreenRant, Flynn’s ending to the book/movie Gone Girl was “one of the best plot twists of the 2010’s.” In a 2019 interview with Entertainment Weekly, Flynn said, “I’ve always loved those ending of unease.” Just like Libby Day, you’ll think you’ve got the mystery figured out. But the truth? You’ll never see it coming.
Three words that describe this book: heavy, harsh, deep
Give this a try if you like: Dark, familial TV dramas and films like the HBO series Sharp Objects (based on the novel by Gillian Flynn), or Big Little Lies (based on the novel by Liane Moriarty); novel The Lovely Bones by Alice Sebold (also a film); Paradise Lost (documentary on the West Memphis Three, teens convicted of murder based on “Satanic Panic” of the ‘70’s and ‘80’s)
Rating: 5/5
Available on Axis 360 and Libby apps!
Find Your Voice! Summer Reading 2023
Our voices have power! This summer, we encourage readers of all ages to share stories, express yourselves, spark change, and get creative with FDL for the library’s 2023 Summer Reading Program: Find Your Voice! Join us June 1 through July 31 for a fantastic summer reading program offering fun and prizes for readers of all ages! Readers can register and track their progress online at fondulaclibrary.beanstack.org or on-the-go with the Beanstack app, or pick up a reading log from the library.
Engaging programs are planned throughout the summer focusing on a variety of creative activities, such as writing contests, a photography contest, comic book workshops, art projects, a musical instrument petting zoo, and more! We’ll also have family favorites like story times, movie nights, and crafts, as well as a lineup of exciting presenters to share magic, music, wildlife, science, and more! Find programs and register to attend through our online calendar.
Start Reading!
• Borrow books, audiobooks, and magazines from Fondulac District Library or download or stream eBooks and audiobooks from our digital collections.
• Whether it’s reading a graphic novel, listening to an audiobook, or reading an article, it counts! All reading must occur within the program dates.
Earn Badges
• Record your minutes in Beanstack.
• Earn 1 badge for every 50 minutes (PreK-2nd graders), 100 minutes (3rd-8th graders), or 150 minutes (high schoolers and adults).
• Earn one badge for completing an activity or attending any three Fondulac District Library programs.
• Earn 10 badges to complete the program. Kids can pick up badges at the Youth Services desk, and teens can pick up badges from the 2nd floor Information desk).
Win Prizes
• Participants receive prizes for reaching the halfway point by earning 5 badges AND for completing the program by earning 10 badges.
• Participants who complete the program will also be entered into a prize drawing!
• Halfway prizes can be picked up starting June 12, and completion prizes can be picked up starting June 26. Prizes are available while supplies last.
• The last day to pick up prizes is August 13.
Our 2023 Summer Reading programs and prizes are made possible thanks to our amazing community sponsors!
FDL Reads: King of Battle and Blood
King of Battle and Blood by Scarlett St. Clair
Reviewed By: Jeremy Zentner, Reference Assistant
Genre: Fantasy
Suggested Age: Adults
What is This Book About? There are many great houses that rule the kingdoms of Cordova. Isolde is a warrior princess from House Lara, but the vampire king of Revekka has set out to conquer her kingdom and he’s powerful enough to do it. Upon House Lara’s night of surrender, Vampire King Adrian strikes a deal with Isolde and her father. The House of Lara can continue their way of life, unhindered, if Isolde becomes King Adrian’s wife and queen. Now, Isolde will have to marry a monster for the sake of her people’s security and become queen of the vampires.
My Review: This book is like pizza. It may not be the best in the world, but it’s still pretty good. Set in a fantasy world where witches, vampires, and zombie-like creatures lurk in the shadows, the reader follows Isolde de Lara on her journey into marriage, love, magic, and power. This is certainly a steamy book, full of wildly explicit scenes, but it also depicts some interesting political intrigue, magical elements, and outright sword battles. What I like about this novel is that Isolde, from the very start, is a warrior first and a royal second. When she enters King Adrian’s palace as queen, she’s more than willing to slay anyone trying to take advantage of her mortal weaknesses. With her finely-tuned combat skills and forceful demeanor, Isolde is extremely capable of ruling the vampires.
Three Words that Describe this Book: paranormal, fantasy, steamy
Give This A Try if You Like… Guilty Pleasures (Anita Blake Series), Dead Witch Walking, Behind the Throne, Pride and Prejudice and Zombies
Rating: 4/5
#FDL: Big Library Read
Fondulac District Library provides access to a large collection of eBooks and audiobooks through the Libby app. Several times during the year, Overdrive hosts a Big Library Read, an online book club for readers around the world. Featured books are chosen by librarians and announced shortly before the Big Library Read begins. Our library is provided with unlimited copies of the eBook or audiobook, and our patrons can read without wait time through the Libby app from May 3-17 . A library card number and PIN are required to access the book. This spring, the Big Library Read has chosen Tastes Like War by Grace M. Cho. Below is a little about the book from The Big Library Read’s website:
“Grace M. Cho grew up as the daughter of a white American merchant marine and the Korean bar hostess he met abroad. They were one of few immigrants in a xenophobic small town during the Cold War, where identity was politicized by everyday details—language, cultural references, memories, and food. When Grace was fifteen, her dynamic mother experienced the onset of schizophrenia, a condition that would continue and evolve for the rest of her life.
Part food memoir, part sociological investigation, Tastes Like War is a hybrid text about a daughter’s search through intimate and global history for the roots of her mother’s schizophrenia. In her mother’s final years, Grace learned to cook dishes from her parent’s childhood in order to invite the past into the present, and to hold space for her mother’s multiple voices at the table. And through careful listening over these shared meals, Grace discovered not only the things that broke the brilliant, complicated woman who raised her—but also the things that kept her alive.”
Check it out on the Libby app and join the Big Reads discussion at biglibraryread.com/join-the-discussion/tastes-like-war/!
–Post by Susie Rivera, Reference Specialist
#FDL is an update on all things Fondulac District Library and books.
Board Accepting Applications for Upcoming Trustee Vacancy
Fondulac District Library’s Board of Trustees is looking for a civic-minded and motivated individual to serve as a Library Trustee and to participate in the continued growth of the library. Interested candidates must reside within the boundaries of Fondulac Public Library District and should have a strong interest in serving on an active board that represents the residents thereof.
Current Trustees will fill an upcoming vacancy by appointment. The appointed Trustee will serve under the appointment through May 2025, which is the remainder of the term. The seat then will be elected as a regular, full-term seat by ballot in the April 1, 2025, Consolidated General Election. A regular, full term of a Library Trustee is six years. More information about the library’s Board of Trustees, including membership, meetings, minutes, and more, can be found at https://fondulaclibrary.org/about-us/trustees. A description of the Trustee role follows on this page.
Individuals interested in appointment by the Board to the upcoming vacancy should submit the application information in writing to Genna Buhr, Library Director, 400 Richland Street, East Peoria, Illinois, 61611, or genna@fondulaclibrary.org.
Applications will be accepted until the seat is filled. All applications will be forwarded to the Board for review. The Board will initially review applications at their May 22 meeting. Please have applications submitted by May 18 for review at that meeting.
Please contact Genna Buhr, Library Director, at 309-699-3917 x1121 or genna@fondulaclibrary.org with questions.
Trustee Application Information
First and Last Name
Residential Street Address, City, State, Zip Code
Phone Number
Email Address
Please tell us something about your interest in public libraries, specifically Fondulac District Library.
What do you envision your role of the library trustee/board member to be?
Do you have any experience serving on boards, committees, or commissions? If so, please describe.
If you have had board experience in the past, what did you enjoy about it? What did you like the least?
What strengths can you bring to the Fondulac District Library Board of Trustees?
Based on your knowledge of libraries or your impressions of what might be challenging to libraries in the 21st century, what do you see as being possible issues of concern to libraries and librarians in changing times? Challenges and issues can be positive…not necessarily negative.
Based on your knowledge of Fondulac District Library and the population it serves, what specific challenges and opportunities do you see for the library, now and in the future?
Board of Trustees Member Description
Fondulac District Library is governed by a board of seven publicly-elected district residents. Trustees serve six-year terms without compensation and are members of the official policy-making body of the Library.
Library Trustee Responsibilities Include:
- Fulfill the Freedom of Information Act and Open Meetings Act requirements as defined by the Illinois Statutes.
- Financial oversight, including adopting a tax levy and annual budget that meets the financial needs of the Library.
- Hire a qualified Library Director and provide ongoing evaluation for the director.
- Adopt formal policies that govern the Library.
- Participate in strategic process to determine Library direction and priorities.
- Advocate for the Library in the community and with elected officials.
- Prepare for, regularly attend, and actively participate in board and committee meetings; review and comment on minutes and reports.
- File a Statement of Economic Interest as required by the Illinois Governmental Ethics Act.
- Know the community and its library needs; keep current on library matters, standards, and trends; and support staff and director in carrying out library services.
- Participate in the Library’s outreach and fundraising events as needed.
- Volunteer for and willingly accept assignments and complete them thoroughly and on time.
- Know local and state laws and library legislation in the Illinois and federal governments.
- Get to know other committee members and build a collegial working relationship that contributes to consensus.