Album Review: young forever by Nessa Barrett

Nessa Barrett was originally known for being popular on the very popular social media platform, TikTok. She would post videos with other well-known people on the platform, and this is what caused her to “blow up.”

Nessa began her music career in 2020. Back then, I knew about her, but didn’t necessarily listen to her music. To be honest, I only really knew her by her name.

When she released her album young forever in October of 2022, I was instantly captivated from the start. I’m not a huge fan of pop music, but I feel like she really puts her own style into her work.

The opening track, tired of california, is just so relatable to me. The chorus is extremely catchy and I honestly can’t get enough of the song. There is a child choir in the background during the end of the song, and it really pulls it all together.

One of my top 5 tracks on the album, dear god, is so incredible. The vocals are beautiful. There is this sense of calmness in the melody, and I think it is amazing.

Another one of my favorite songs on the album, lovebomb, is so relatable to me. The lyrics are so captivating and I fell in love with the song the very first time I heard it. You can truly hear the emotion in her voice. It is so raw and honest, which I appreciate.

Book Review: Twilight by Stephenie Meyer

Growing up, I had always heard mixed feelings about the Twilight Franchise. My mom had told me that she read all of the books and loved them, but I felt as though they’d be cheesy. Yet, here I am, writing a review on the first book in the series.

Since 2020, I have read the first three books, and am currently on the fourth. I would have finished it a long time ago, but I get distracted very easily. Enough information about me, let’s get to my thoughts on the book!

I had no prior knowledge about anything in the Twilight universe. The only thing I knew was there was a girl who liked a boy who happened to be a vampire. In the first few pages of the book, I was hooked. The way Bella’s thoughts were organized in the book were so relatable to me.

She seemed like a very raw character to me and I loved seeing how she grew throughout the book. She is a very relatable teenage character to me. I see a lot of aspects of me in her character throughout the book.

Before I even read the book I knew I would love Edward’s character. I am always down to read a romance book, but with vampires? Even better! I love mystical creatures like vampires so it was non stop entertainment for me.

Twilight by Stephenie Meyer is available to check out from the Mission Viejo Library. It is also available to download for free from Libby.

Book Review: All The Bright Places by Jennifer Niven

I first heard about this book from one of my close friends. We usually are into the same type of books, so I knew I had to read this. I went to the bookstore a few weeks later and purchased it. It wasn’t until a few months later that I actually began reading it.

I instantly fell in love with the book at the first page. When Finch’s character was introduced, I immediately connected with his psyche. The style of the writing is just one that I find myself relating to.

With every page turn, I became more and more invested in the story. The subtle romance between Finch and Violet that sparked in the beginning was so captivating. Usually books targeted towards young adult audiences don’t seem relatable to me, but this one was. When I am really invested in a book, I will finish it in less than a week. I finished reading this one in two days.

I feel as though any teenager/young adult who reads this book will relate to at least one part. This book was very inspiring to me as well. It made me feel less alone.

This book is honestly what gave me courage to fully open up to my school counselor. It helped me realize that it is okay not to be okay.

All the Bright Places by Jennifer Niven is available to check out from the Mission Viejo Library. It is also available to download for free from Libby.