Author Archives: Taylor O.

Authors We Love: Mary Shelley

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A contributor to the Gothic and feminist movement, Mary Shelley was an extremely influential author of the 19th century. Shelley’s legacy can still be seen in literature, which is why it’s important to understand her background and what prompted her works.

Shelley’s feminist nature was undeniably a result of the influence of her mother, Mary Wollstonecraft. Wollstonecraft was an extremely radical writer who wrote a Vindication of the Rights of Women, calling for equality for women and trailblazing the empowerment of women in education. 

Another notable figure in Shelley’s life that had a great influence on her writing was her husband, Percy Blysshe Shelley. Percy Shelley was a famous poet who is best known for his poems: Ozymandias, Ode to the West Wind, and Adonais.

One of the main reasons Mary Shelley’s impact can still be seen today is due to her most famous book: Frankenstein, also known as the Modern Prometheus. In Frankenstein, Shelley explores many themes such as nature vs. nurture, familial responsibility, romanticism, and revenge.

 Frankenstein is still a required read for many middle schools and high schools, which is definitely necessary as it can teach important life lessons to people of all ages. The ideas within Frankenstein such as the danger in pursuing advancements in technology are extremely applicable to today with the developments we are seeing with AI technology.

Mary Shelley was an extremely powerful force in literature during her time as an author, and this legacy has certainly lived on into the 20th and 21st century as we can still see her influence in a variety of artistic works today.

– Taylor O.

Books by Mary Shelley are available to check out from the Mission Viejo Library. They are also available to download for free from Libby.

Why Should We Read Shakespeare?

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Recently in my english class, we started to read Hamlet which left me skeptical at first. I’ve always known Shakespeare to be one of the greatest and most influential writers of all time, but I wasn’t entirely sure what the point in reading seemingly outdated literature was when it came to solving the issues that face us today.

Almost immediately, I realized that this preconceived notion I had about old plays (and literature in general) was extremely wrong. 

It is definitely true that some sentiments in old writing will not seem as relevant to us today, but a lot of the concepts certainly are still relevant. One of the things Shakespeare did best was his ability to analyze the time in which he lived and what issues prevailed around him, and wrote about them in such a way that they could maintain relevance centuries in the future.

A few themes I have noticed in Shakespeare’s work that are still issues faced today are gender, race, and class discrepancies in society. While these issues certainly looked different in the late 16th to early 17th century time period in which they were written about, they still manifest in daily life and are at the center of many political debates.

If there’s one thing I have learned from previously my wrong assumptions about Shakespeare, it’s that I want to encourage people to read historically significant works to help them understand what paved the society we see today like I have recently done as it has greatly changed my outlook on life for the better.

– Taylor O.

Many works by William Shakespeare are available to check out from the Mission Viejo Library. They are also available to download for free from Libby.

Eighteen Years by Madisen Kuhn

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Growing up, I have always loved to read poems but it was not until around 2 years ago when I decided to read my first poem book. After hearing it as a recommendation from some friends and seeing it on social media, I decided to pick up the book Eighteen Years by Madisen Kuhn.

While I greatly enjoy reading the classics, I think it is equally as important to indulge in easier reads like this one. Eighteen Years is made up of over 200 poems, a few of them being accompanied by Laura Supnik’s creative illustrations. Each poem is uniquely different, and Kuhn wrote it to be a source of comfort for her readers.

Personally, I would recommend Eighteen Years for an older teen audience: those 15 and older. The poems are not inappropriate, but I believe that an older teen would get the most out of the book due to its relatable nature for those who have lived more of their teenage years. Some topics of discussion within the poems include relationships, personal growth, and friendships. 

Similar to my own opinion, most reviews on this book are overwhelmingly positive. With this, some people have proven to be critical of its writing, but these reviews are from a predominantly older audience that would most likely not relate to the experiences as much. For this reason, I think the book is extremely beneficial for a teenager to read to help them through these confusing years of their life.

Next time you are looking for a light-hearted read, consider Eighteen Years as it greatly inspired me to read more poetry books and poetry as a whole.

– Taylor O.

Authors We Love: Toni Morrison

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Nobel prize winner and renowned professor, Toni Morrison, is a very influential writer whose impact deserves more discussion.

Hoping to inspire multiple generations, Toni Morrison created her works to appeal to both a young adult audience and an older audience. Her main focus throughout her writing was to show the beauty within the culture she grew up in under the influence of her family.

By incorporating Black culture into her writing, Toni Morrison has gone on to inspire not only the African American community, but other communities as well in an effort to foster a society that celebrates originality and a strong sense of character.

Some of Toni Morrison’s most famous works include: Beloved (which won a Pulitzer Prize for fiction), The Bluest Eye, and Song of Solomon. Beloved specifically details the story of Sethe, a runaway slave, as she navigates life in a world where the ghost of her deceased daughter haunts her family. This story was extremely touching for me to read because I have always had a love for history, and hearing a historical fiction novel Morrison’s perspective was specifically enlightening for me. 

The importance of examining the work of Toni Morrison in literature is evident as she has served to showcase the unjust society in which many African American people lived, specifically women, and its impact on the world we see today.

 Morrison’s perspective is one that goes beyond what schools often teach from textbooks, and gives a deeper meaning to the hardships that many faced in the 19th century.

– Taylor O.

Books by Toni Morrison are available to check out from the Mission Viejo Library. It is also available to download for free from Libby.

Authors We Love: Kate Chopin

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Influential and inspirational, author Kate Chopin is a notable individual for her necessary contribution to American literature.

Acting as one of the earliest feminists in her time, Kate Chopin wrote frequently in hope of defying the societal norms for a woman in the mid to late 19th century. Chopin embodies this  same mindset as reflected in her novels, such as The Awakening in which she uses a strong female character to show what it means to develop a sense of individuality.

Around the world, Chopin is recognized as one of the world’s most essential author’s, and the lessons within her novels have transcended the era in which they were written. 

Like many other important authors to us today, Chopin was criticized during her time–even having her books banned–as her work was controversial in nature. For this reason, it is necessary to evaluate and commend the impact her work has had on female writers worldwide as she was often disregarded during her own time.

Chopin’s work helps us to understand many themes such as existentialism, transcendentalism, and realism, in order to see how these themes were perceived throughout history. Her work itself was often influenced by her personal life and her beliefs as a woman who fought the incarcerating gender roles experienced in the 19th century.

If you happen to stumble upon a writer whose work was once banned due to it sparking controversy, consider their position and learn more about them. Oftentimes, the books that were the most poorly received during their conception are the most impactful to our lives today.

– Taylor O.

Works by Kate Chopin are available to check out from the Mission Viejo Library. It is also available to download for free from Libby.

Authors We Love: Franz Kafka

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As one of the most notable authors of the 20th century, Franz Kafka has continued to influence and inspire a new generation of writers. In order to understand the immeasurable impact Kafka has had on literature, we must first come to appreciate his story.

To say the least, Kafka did not have an easy upbringing. Born on July 3rd, 1883, Franz Kafka immediately found himself in an abusive and demeaning parental situation. While Kafka’s overbearing Dad initially halted his dreams of becoming an author, Kafka certainly did not fail to produce beautiful works. 

Kafka is well known for his ability to manipulate characterization as a tool to embody real life problems and situations. His most notable work achieving this feat is a novella titled The Metamorphosis.

The Metamorphosis tells the tale of traveling salesman, Gregor Samsa, who finds himself waking up as a bug-like creature one morning. Within the novella, Kafka uses Gregor’s character to emphasize the melancholic nature that lies within the overworked and underappreciated working class. This ability to commentate on the state of society within literature is a major strength of Kafka that has continued to live on in the efforts of following author’s.

Kafka’s influence lives on every day, and this impact in literature has even been coined with a term: Kafkaesque. Meaning “a characteristic of the oppressed or nightmarish qualities” shown within “Kafka’s world,” the term Kafkaesque has grown in great popularity in recent times. 

So, whenever you are reading a new book, consider the influence that Kafka may have had on the author. I guarantee if you learn to appreciate Kafka’s work, you will see the world in a new light.

– Taylor O.

Works by Franz Kafka are available to check out from the Mission Viejo Library. They are also available to download for free from Libby.

Spoiler Free Book Review: A Good Girl’s Guide To Murder

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A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder, by Holly Jackson, is an enticing young adult novel that all mystery loving teens should consider reading.

Earlier this month, while wandering the seemingly endless aisles of my local bookstore, I came across the section which holds my favorite genre of books: murder mystery. Gazing across the shelves, I noticed the novel, A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder, and decided to take it home since it was previously recommended to me by a friend.  

The book follows an ambitious teen, Pippa Fitz-Amobi, as she attempts to solve a cold case that has impacted her town immensely. Throughout the book, Jackson writes in a captivating and suspenseful tone that makes the book hard to put down.

While I personally loved the story of A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder, I would not recommend the novel to anyone under the age of 13 as it has some mature themes that are better understood by those who are at least in their teen years. My original desire to read this book stemmed from my interest in criminal justice and a want to see how this theme played out in the characters’ lives; I would recommend the book to anyone feeling the same way. 

The story of A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder has also been confirmed to be a made for TV adaptation, so I recommend that anyone interested reads the book first!

–  Taylor O.

A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder by Holly Jackson is available to check out from the Mission Viejo Library. It is also available to download for free from Libby.

Animal Farm by George Orwell

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In recent times, people have often underestimated the value in reading classic novels and the lessons that can be learned from them. Animal Farm, by prolific writer George Orwell, is an essential classic that everyone must consider reading in their lifetime. 

Published in 1945, Animal farm tells the story of the farm animals who live on Manor Farm under the brutal restraint of their owner: Mr. Jones. In an attempt to seek asylum from Mr. Jones’ cruel ways, the animals congregate under the influence of an old pig on the farm, staging what’s reminiscent of a coup d’etat against Mr. Jones.

The simplistic diction displayed by Orwell throughout Animal Farm reveals the underlying complexity within his story. Animal Farm is an easy read, yet truly gets one thinking about how they perceive the world around them. 

While reading Animal Farm, I couldn’t ignore the similarity in the interactions of a few of the characters to the relationship between historical figures Leon Trotsky and Joseph Stalin. Orwell’s representation of these figures in Animal Farm is symbolic of his efforts to encourage the general public to educate themselves and to be cautious about believing everything told by those around them.

While being an older novel, Animal Farm is relevant in its content through an enticing story that has lessons applicable to the world today. I firmly believe that anyone, no matter their age, would appreciate the plot of this story and enjoy the book. Next time you find yourself looking for an interesting and easily digestible book to read, consider Animal Farm. You won’t be disappointed.

– Taylor O.

Animal Farm by George Orwell is available to check out from the Mission Viejo Library. It is also available to download for free from Libby.