Masks Required August 30, 2021
Starting Monday, August 30, 2021, all patrons over the age of 2 will be required to wear a mask in the library, regardless of vaccination status, in compliance with the current state mandate. Masking indoors will help mitigate the spread of the Delta variant, protecting members of the community and alleviating the surge of cases for hospitals and healthcare workers, and your compliance is greatly appreciated.
FDL offers accommodations for patrons who cannot wear a mask, including drive-up window services, atrium pickup, and online resources. Please call 309-699-3917 for more information or assistance.
Please visit dph.illinois.gov/covid19 for facts and resources regarding COVID-19.
FDL Reads: Foundation
Foundation by Isaac Asimov
Reviewed By: Jeremy Zentner, Reference Assistant
Genre: Science Fiction
Suggested Age: Adults and teenagers
What is This Book About? A human empire rules the galaxy, but a new science known as psychohistory determines, without fail, that the empire is about to collapse, and that humanity is heading into a 30,000-year dark age. Published in 1951, Foundation was originally written as a series of stories chronicling the demise of a star-faring civilization and the few bold people attempting to jump-start a new empire. Initially, the reader will follow a scientist who warns of the empire’s collapse and his desire to establish a galactic encyclopedia to safeguard the empire’s knowledge and technology. However, not everything is as noble as it seems, and a more complex vision emerges to dominate future history. This novel is also the basis for the new TV series Foundation, which will be on AppleTV+.
My Review: This is a good novel if you are interested in the defining classics in space opera or general science fiction. It is also a great way for history buffs to read about a science fiction that follows the “historic” trends of Western civilization. What I like about this novel is that it somewhat parallels with the fall of the Roman Empire, religious authorities filling the power vacuum, and later nation-states and economic forces ruling the day, all on a galactic scale. In conjunction with this, there is the ever-present science fiction techno wizardry like starships and personalized energy shields that truly make it sci-fi. There are many twists and turns as the reader is pulled into a whirlwind of interstellar intrigue while discovering the true nature of Foundation.
Three Words that Describe this Book: Classic, intelligent, space opera
Give This A Try if You Like… Dune; I, Robot; Childhood’s End
Rating: 4/5
About FDL Reads
FDL Reads is a series of weekly book reviews from Fondulac District Library.
Story Time (Online) – Going to the Beach
Enjoy today’s beachy story time! Pick up a craft kit while supplies last and place these books on hold through our online catalog.
#FDL: Young Adult Book Giveaway
Love is a Revolution by Renee Watson
When Nala Robertson reluctantly agrees to attend an open mic night for her cousin-sister-friend Imani’s birthday, she finds herself falling in instant love with Tye Brown, the MC. He’s perfect, except… Tye is an activist and is spending the summer putting on events for the community when Nala would rather watch movies and try out the new seasonal flavors at the local creamery. In order to impress Tye, Nala tells a few tiny lies to have enough in common with him. As they spend more time together, sharing more of themselves, some of those lies get harder to keep up. As Nala falls deeper into keeping up her lies and into love, she’ll learn all the ways love is hard, and how self-love is revolutionary.
In Love Is a Revolution, plus size girls are beautiful and get the attention of the hot guys, the popular girl clique is not shallow but has strong convictions and substance, and the ultimate love story is not only about romance but about how to show radical love to the people in your life, including to yourself.
Wild Ones by Nafiza Azad
Meet the Wild Ones: girls who have been hurt, abandoned, and betrayed all their lives. It all began with Paheli, who was once betrayed by her mother and sold to a man in exchange for a favor. When Paheli escapes, she runs headlong into a boy with stars in his eyes. This boy, as battered as she is, tosses Paheli a box of stars before disappearing. With the stars, Paheli gains access to the Between, a place of pure magic and mystery. Now, Paheli collects girls like herself and these Wild Ones use their magic to travel the world, helping the hopeless and saving others from the fates they suffered. Then Paheli and the Wild Ones learn that the boy who gave them the stars, Taraana, is in danger. He’s on the run from powerful forces within the world of magic. But if Taraana is no longer safe and free, neither are the Wild Ones. And that…is a fate the Wild Ones refuse to accept. Ever again.
As Far As You’ll Take Me by Phil Stamper
Marty arrives in London with nothing but his oboe and some savings from his summer job, but he’s excited to start his new life–where he’s no longer the closeted, shy kid who slips under the radar and is free to explore his sexuality without his parents’ disapproval. From the outside, Marty’s life looks like a perfect fantasy: in the span of a few weeks, he’s made new friends, he’s getting closer with his first ever boyfriend, and he’s even traveling around Europe. But Marty knows he can’t keep up the facade. He hasn’t spoken to his parents since he arrived, he’s tearing through his meager savings, his homesickness and anxiety are getting worse and worse, and he hasn’t even come close to landing the job of his dreams. Will Marty be able to find a place that feels like home.
Annotations from the publishers
–Post by Susie Rivera, Reference Specialist
#FDL is a weekly update on all things Fondulac District Library and East Peoria.
FDL Book Talk (for Kids) – Hedgehugs
Katelyn shares why she loves Hedgehugs by Steve Wilson in our latest book talk! Place your copy on hold at here and then follow the rest of the hedgehogs’ adventures!
FDL Reads: The Switch
The Switch by Beth O’Leary
Reviewed by: Dawn Dickey
Genre: Romance
Suggested Age: Adults
What is the book about?: Leena has a high-powered job in London. Leena’s grandmother, 79-year-old Eileen, lives in a village in Yorkshire – the same town where Leena’s mother lives. All three have suffered the tragic death of Leena’s sister, Carla, due to cancer. On the surface, perhaps, Leena is coping, but the reality is different. Following a disastrous, public meltdown with a client, Leena’s employers order her to take two months’ leave to get herself together. She retreats to her grandmother’s house in Yorkshire, where Leena finds that her recently divorced grandmother is also in need of a change. Leena comes up with the brilliant idea for the two to switch lives, even down to the switching of phones. So Grandma Eileen is off to London, while Leena rusticates in Yorkshire. Let the fun begin!
My Review: I loved the characters in this book! The main characters are funny, quirky, at times angry, and believable. The varied circle of friends in London and Yorkshire (from eccentric old age pensioners to best friends and roommates) add vibrancy and more humor to the switch. The family trio – Grandmother Eileen, Mother Marian, and Granddaughter Leena – are a wounded but determined trio. They find their way to beginning to heal with the support of their numerous friends. It’s a zany, bittersweet, heartwarming tale that you will be glad you read!
Three Words That Describe This Book: heartwarming, funny, cheering
Give This a Try if You Like…romance novels such as One Day in December by Josie Silver, I Owe You One by Sophie Kinsella or Meet Cute by Helena Hunting
Rating: 5/5
About FDL Reads
FDL Reads is a series of weekly book reviews from Fondulac District Library.