FDL Reads: Beautiful World, Where Are You
Beautiful World, Where Are You by Sally Rooney
Reviewed by: Susie Rivera, Reference Specialist
Genre: Contemporary fiction
Suggested age: Adult
What is this book about? Four characters navigate their lives in Ireland amidst post Brexit and the Covid-19 pandemic. Eileen is an editor of a literary magazine and her friend, Alice is a successful author. They were very close in college and now, in their 30s, stay in touch by texting and emailing. Eileen becomes involved with Simon, a classmate and friend from their past while Alice begins dating Felix, a warehouse worker she meets on Tinder. Their romances have ups and downs, but the two women always stay in touch, even though they are not always geographically close.
My review: I loved Normal People and Conversations With Friends by Sally Rooney. Both have been adapted into television series within the last few years. There’s something about her characters and writing that keep me so interested. This novel is more similar to Conversations With Friends as it is about two women and their friendship as well as romantic entanglements. What sets it a part is the correspondence between Eileen and Alice. The emails sent back and forth provide a commentary on the modern world, economy, political environment, etc. I wonder how much of this echoes Rooney’s own beliefs. It’s almost as if she interspersed her own essays into this book. So, while I loved the plots of the main characters, I found the commentary a bit long winded. However, the novel is still under 400 pages and very readable. I will definitely checkout any future novels by Rooney. I listened to the audiobook, expertly narrated by Aoife McMahon who really brings the characters to life.
Three words that describe this book: Intelligent, Emotional, Modern
Give this a try if you like… Normal People by Sally Rooney, Conversations with Friends by Sally Rooney, or Exciting Times by Naoise Dolan
Rating: 4/5
#FDL: Histories and Biographies for Women’s History Month
Dive into some fascinating stories and biographies about remarkable women for Women’s History Month! Try these or find more available through our collection.
The Dressmakers of Auschwitz: The True Story of the Women Who Sewed to Survive by Lucy Adlington
The Light of Days: The Untold Story of Women Resistance Fighters in Hitler’s Ghettos by Judy Batalion
A Black Women’s History of the United States by Daina Ramey Berry
Women in White Coats: How the First Women Doctors Changed the World of Medicine by Olivia Campbell
Notorious RBG: The Life and Times of Ruth Bader Ginsburg by Irin Carmon
An Indigenous Peoples’ History of the United States by Roxanne Dunbar-Ortiz
Romantic Outlaws: The Extraordinary Lives of Mary Wollstonecraft and Her Daughter Mary Shelley by Charlotte Gordon
Vanguard: How Black Women Broke Barriers, Won the Vote, and Insisted on Equality for All by Martha S. Jones
The Genius of Women: From Overlooked to Changing the World by Janice Kaplan
Hood Feminism: Notes from the Women That a Movement Forgot Hardcover by Mikki Kendall
Code Name: Lise: The True Story of the Woman Who Became WWII’s Most Highly Decorated Spy by Larry Loftis
Tomorrow Will Be Different: Love, Loss, and the Fight for Trans Equality by Sarah McBride
The Radium Girls: The Dark Story of America’s Shining Women by Kate Moore
The Woman They Could Not Silence: One Woman, Her Incredible Fight for Freedom, and the Men Who Tried to Make Her Disappear by Kate Moore
The Doctor’s Blackwell: How Two Pioneering Sisters Brought Medicine to Women and Women to Medicine by Janice P. Nimura
Fly Girls: How Five Daring Women Defied All Odds and Made Aviation History by Keith O’Brien
A Woman of No Importance: The Untold Story of the American Spy Who Helped Win World War II by Sonia Purnell
The Witches: Salem, 1692 by Stacy Schiff
Hidden Figures: The American Dream and the Untold Story of the Black Women Mathematicians Who Helped Win the Space Race by Margot Lee Shetterly
My Beloved World by Sonia Sotomayor
Fairest: A Memoir by Meredith Talusan
The Rebellious Life of Mrs. Rosa Parks by Jeanne Theoharis
Beautiful Country by Qian Julie Wang
Disability Visibility: First-Person Stories from the Twenty-First Century by Alice Wong
I Am Malala: The Story of the Girl Who Stood Up for Education and Was Shot by the Taliban by Malala Yousafzai & Christina Lamb
Crying in H Mart by Michelle Zauner
– Post by Susie Rivera, Reference Specialist
#FDL is a weekly update on all things Fondulac District Library and books.
#FDL: Irish Authors
Maeve Binchy – Prolific author of many bestsellers, including Tara Road and Circle of Friends
John Boyne – Author of several novels, including The Boy in the Striped Pajamas
Frank Delaney – Wrote many historical fiction novels set in Ireland such as The Last Storyteller and Ireland
Emma Donoghue – Dublin-born author best known for her novels Room and The Wonder
Anne Enright – Author of several titles, including the 2007 Man Booker Prize winner The Gathering
Tana French – An award-winning author who writes a series of mysteries called the Dublin Murder Squad
Andrew M. Greely – A novelist as well as a priest, Greely wrote fast-paced historical fiction as well as mysteries
James Joyce – Author of classics such as A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man and Ulysses
Kate Kerrigan – Best known for richly detailed novels set in 20th century New York and rustic Ireland
Frank McCourt – In several memoirs such as Angela’s Ashes, McCourt recounts his upbringing and life in Brooklyn as the son of poor Irish immigrants
Morgan Llywelyn – Best known for her historical novels about the the history of the Celtic peoples
Sally Rooney – Celebrated contemporary author of novels including Conversations With Friends and Normal People
Patrick Taylor – Writes witty and engaging novels inspired by his experiences as a new doctor in Ireland during the 1960s
Colm Tóibín – Best known for his novel Brooklyn, which was adapted to film in 2009
Oscar Wilde – Author of classics including the novel Picture of Dorian Gray and the play The Importance of Being Earnest
– Post by Susie Rivera, Reference Specialist
#FDL is a weekly update on all things Fondulac District Library and books.
FDL Reads: Morning Sun in Wuhan
Morning Sun in Wuhan by Ying Chang Compestine
Reviewer: Deb Alig, Circulation Assistant
Genre: Fiction
Suggested Age: 8 – 12
What is this book about? This captivating novel begins in January of 2020 at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic in Wuhan, China – the location where the virus is said to have originated. Mei, the main character, is a thirteen-year-old girl who lives with just her father ever since her mother passed away unexpectedly. Mei’s father is the doctor who is in charge of the respiratory department at the local hospital. Since the onset of a very contagious respiratory illness, Mei’s father has been working long hours at the hospital often leaving her home alone to fend for herself. One day after school, Mei comes home to find the house empty, but the refrigerator and cupboards are packed with food. Her father left her a note on the refrigerator door reminding her to wear a mask at all times when out in public and not to go near the hospital because of the contagious virus. When Mei looks out of her window, she sees people lined up outside of the hospital and she wonders if they are sick with this new virus. To help distract from worry, Mei plays an online video game called Chop Chop. It’s a virtual cooking game that she loves to play because she loves to cook, and she is quite good at both the game and cooking. In Chop Chop, players must cook for soldiers who protect them from zombies. The goal is to make the soldiers strong by cooking delicious food that they like and will eat. Mei plays the game with two boys, Ming and Hong. Ming’s grandmother becomes ill with the virus and Mei tries to get to her father at the hospital hoping he can give her some medicine for Ming’s grandma. When Mei leaves the apartment, she can’t believe what she sees. The streets are jammed with traffic. People are wearing make-shift masks, trying to get into the hospital. The lobby is crowded and people are coughing. The nurses and doctors are dressed in hazmat suits. The hospital smells of strong disinfectant. Mei’s father scolds her for coming to the hospital and sends her home. A Public Safety Alert appears on Mei’s phone announcing that Wuhan will be closed down due to the new coronavirus. All schools, offices, and shops will be closed and all residents should stay home. Because stores and market places are closed, people must rely on their community directors to get them food. Mei asks her friends who she plays Chop Chop with to help out. The group is called the Phoenix Group and together they help Mrs. Fong, their Community Director, deliver food to people in their complex. As the virus spreads, city officials board up doorways, forcing the people inside to quarantine. An emergency kitchen is set up in Wuhan to help prepare meals for frontline workers. Mei’s Aunty is in charge. Mei asks her Aunty if the emergency kitchen can prepare meals for neighbors who are too sick to do so and she volunteers to help. Mei helps cook, and the Phoenix Group helps deliver the food. Though Mei is so busy volunteering, she can’t help worrying about her father who works the frontline. Time passes and by Chinese New Year 2021, the lock down has been lifted. Mei and her family and friends come together at a restaurant to watch the New Year’s parade and to view a broadcast recognizing Mei and the Phoenix Group for their efforts in fighting COVID-19.
My Review: I enjoyed reading this novel for many reasons. Each chapter began with a Chinese proverb. The proverb is written in Chinese and English. Each proverb was selected by the author to help give perspective to the events of the chapter. Each chapter ended with an easy-to-follow recipe of a dish that was made in the chapter. The author also began each chapter with a date starting Chapter One in January of 2020 and ending with the Epilogue in February of 2021. I think providing this timeline authenticated the story. Morning Sun in Wuhan is a great novel for middle level readers. It is based on a true story about a young woman from Wuhan who led a group of volunteers who fed frontline medical workers during the pandemic, and it shares with young people what the pandemic was like for their peers in China. I highly recommend this book for educators and their middle school students. It teaches that young people can make a significant difference in the world and that the sun always rises even during the darkest times, just like in Wuhan.
Three Words That Describe This Book: captivating, poignant, and dramatic
Give this a try if you like: Other books by Ying Chang Compestine such as Secrets of the Terra-Cotta Soldier, Revolution is Not a Dinner Party, or A Banquet for Hungry Ghosts.
If you read Morning Sun in Wuhan and enjoy the recipes, I recommended Ying Chang Compestine’s cookbook Ying’s Best One-Dish Meals.
Rating: 5/5
FDL Reads: Never Lie
Never Lie by Freida McFadden
Reviewer: Katie Grant, Circulation Assistant
Genre: Psychological Thriller
Suggested Age: Adult
What is this book about: For several months, newlyweds Tricia and Ethan have been searching for their dream home. Their interests are piqued when their realtor sends them a listing that seems too good to be true, a secluded mansion outside of New York City with a surprisingly affordable price tag. The two load into their BMW and find themselves driving through unexpected snow on a Friday evening for a private showing. Upon arrival the small snowflakes that fell early in the drive had escalated into a full-on blizzard. After two hours of driving through the dangerous conditions Ethan pulls down the long winding drive and assesses the situation. He decides it’s far safer to spend the evening in the large empty home than try to brave the snow packed roads again. Tricia, however, has a deep feeling of dread which overcomes her at the sight of the home. Something terrible has happened in this house, she can sense it. The couple tries to make themselves at home, but Tricia quickly discovers she has good reason to fear the mysterious home which appears abandoned by its previous owner. This thriller will keep you on the edge of your seat as secrets are uncovered and the pieces of this intricate puzzle fall together.
My review: I read a lot of thrillers and often either predict the ending or find myself unimpressed with the twist. However, this book is the first in months I have read that kept me guessing the entire way through. Wow! This is a short novel, only about 280 pages so it was a quick and fast paced read for me. I found myself on the edge of my seat as I tried to anticipate the inevitable twist in this thriller but until the truth was exposed I was nowhere close to solving the mystery. I’m excited to explore other novels by this author in the future. I would recommend this novel to anyone who loves suspense thrillers.
Three words that describe this book: Intense, Surprising, Gripping
Give this a try if you like…Verity by Colleen Hoover, The Housemaid by Freida McFadden, The Wife Upstairs by Rachel Hawkins
Rating: 5/5
FDL Reads: The Faceless One
The Faceless One by Mark Onspaugh
Reviewed by: Julie Nutt, Reference Assistant
Genre: Horror, Dark Fantasy
Suggested age: Adult
What is this book about? In the frigid darkness of Alaska, The Faceless One, a god of pain and suffering, lies in wait to be released from its icy tomb and take hold of a human host. Jimmy Kalmaku, who trained to be shaman as a young boy under his powerful uncle, now sits lonely and seemingly forgotten in a retirement home, skeptical of the myths and traditions he grew up believing, including that of The Faceless One. Once the malevolent entity is released, it begins its path of death and destruction – a path that only Jimmy and a chain of unsuspecting citizens will be able to stop before the Final Winter descends upon the world.
My review: The Faceless One is not for the faint of heart. The writing holds true to all five elements of horror: suspense, fear, violence, gore, and the supernatural. The demon known as The Faceless One (or T’Nathluk to the Tlingit people of Alaska), exacts sickening punishments on the mortals in its murderous path, and the author spares no details. And as for sparing no details, it’s not all blood and gore; the vivid descriptions of dream sequences and supernatural visions make it seem like you are staring right at the aurora borealis. The characters are relatable and well-developed, from grief-stricken families to hardened detectives. I rooted for the lead protagonist, Jimmy, to revisit his Tlingit traditions and rise up to become the shaman that his uncle trained him to be.
There are always conflicting opinions on books-turned-movies, but I feel like this one would be a success due to recent awareness surrounding the work of indigenous actors and stories, as well as the explosive action and luminous supernatural visions.
I read this eBook using the Axis 360 digital collection.
Three words that describe this book: graphic, terrifying, vivid
Give this a try if you like… supernatural horror; TV series Dark Winds or the Leaphorn & Chee book series by Tony Hillerman; indigenous spiritual traditions
Rating: 5/5