Book Review: Metro 2033 by Dmitry Glukhovsky

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This is the first time I’m doing a book originally translated from a foreign language, but this book has definitely been one of my favorites. Although I’ve heard the translation was a bit off in some parts, I really liked this book because of the way the author seamlessly blended the horror and action of this book with some philosophy.

This story is set in 2033, in the tunnels of the Moscow metro system after a nuclear war wiped out most of humanity’s population. The surviving population in the massive fallout shelter that is the metro system eventually split by station, with separate metro stations becoming their own city-states, waging war, and forming confederacies amongst themselves. This first book in Glukhovsky’s three-book series introduces and covers Artyom, a young man from VDNKH, which is under threat from entities only known as “the dark ones”, who may not be what they seem.

The story starts with Artyom meeting up with a man named Bourbon, who promised to pay Artyom a hefty sum if he helped him get through several tunnels in the metro system. However, as they go along on the Journey, Bourbon mysteriously dies. A stranger named Khan then saves him, and Artyom realizes that Bourbon may not have paid him after all, but would rather have double-crossed him. After Khan and Artyom make their way to another station called Kitai Garod, presumably named after the section of Moscow that it is under. The two become separated at this station due to an attack by fascists from another station, and Artyom is captured. Right when he is about to be executed, Marxist revolutionaries rescue him.

Eventually, Artyom meets a stalker named Melnik, who in the context of this book, is somebody who goes to the surface in order to find supplies and other important items. Artyom delivers a message that he was supposed to get to him. The two eventually go to the great library at the surface, with another person, Daniel, in order to retrieve a map. However, this goes badly, as Daniel perishes in the process to a creature in the library, and Artyom barely makes it back to the metro alive.

I won’t spoil the rest of the book, but this book was definitely a very interesting one, as it is much different from most of the other post-apocalyptic novels I’ve read. The author is very philosophical in his telling of this story, which makes this book stand out from the rest, as well as using the events that happen in the book to represent things in real life. I would recommend this book to anybody who really loves post-apocalyptic or horror novels.

Ready, Set, Love Review

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Ready, Set, Love is a Thai drama series that was released on February 15, 2024. The series language is Thai and it can be watched on Netflix. It features Thai actor Blue Pongtiwat Tangwancharoen, Kemisara Paladesh, and many more. 

In the series, men are outnumbered by women due to a pandemic that wiped out a significant number of men. As a result, only 1% of the population is men so it is rare to find a man in their world. However, these 1% of men have to live in this area called The Farm. Since it is rare to see a man, a game was created by the government to see which lady ended up with a man to marry and live on the farm.

Day, the main character, participated in this game accidentally when she won a raffle that her boy-obsessed sister put her in. She only went there for the food but somehow encountered Son, the male lead in the bathroom. It becomes a misunderstanding as Son thinks Day is a stalker but in reality, Day wanted an autograph for her sister. Turns out her sister collapsed due to her health condition so Day wanted to quit. However, the lady in charge of the game tells her the price which can save her sister’s life. 

As a result, Day ends up playing the game and somehow passes through the levels. Son, who almost rejects her in a round, recognizes her necklace and keeps her in the game. They fall in love throughout the show and they end up leaving the place with others.

I first encountered this show after I finished a movie so I decided to watch it because I got bored and it was the best decision ever. I ended up finishing the show in one sitting because it was pretty short. I love the storyline and I love how there were lots of plot twists and character developments. This show is definitely very entertaining and I recommend watching it.

Python

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Python is one of the most crucial and intriguing programming languages in the world. It was first created in the late 1980s by Dutch programmer Guido Van Rossum. He wanted to make a powerful language as intuitive as basic English. By doing so, people could express concepts in fewer lines of code.

Python is typically used for developing websites, analyzing/visualizing data, and automation. Because of its simplicity, It is incredibly effective in the real world. Since it has an elegant syntax and emphasizes readability, it is a great option for a beginner in programming. Commands such as “print” and “if, then” statements make Python a relatively easy language to learn. Other, more advanced programming languages, such as Java, have a much more complicated syntax.

Frameworks such as Django and Flask include Python and are exceptional for website building. In 2021, I created a standalone website for T-shirt shopping using Django, including Python and HTML. AI development is also reliant on Python as it is versatile and stable. It has powerful capabilities for all people, regardless of programming experience. In a society where technology has become increasingly vital, learning Python can be the first step to a career in software development.

Books about Python are available to check out from the Mission Viejo Library. It is also available to download for free from Libby.

Powerless: Book Review

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This book was amazing, to say the least! I think it has slowly become of my favorite fantasy (going to be a series) of all time. Not only was the world-building on point, but the character development and plot twists were insane! If you loved the Red Queen series, the Throne of Glass/Court of Thorns and Roses series, or the Hunger Games, you’ll absolutely love this book.

SPOILER BELOW:

The context of the story is this: the world they live in is split into hierarchies. You have the Elites at the top, living in the palace, and they are the ones with strong powers such as the ability to shapeshift and control flames, etc. Then there are the people in the middle that have medium to lower powers such as strength that live in the surrounding cities and slums. Lastly, there are the “ordinaries” that the king has ordered to execute on sight because he believes that they are too irrelevant to live.

Our main character, Paedyn, is an “ordinary”, and she hides in plain sight as a supposed “psychic” where she reads people’s minds simply based on their facial expressions and is able to fool people with this “power” she has. She is also a master thief and steals rich people’s coins as a way of surviving in the slums.

But the gist is that one day, she was seen fighting to save someone’s life and pretty much everyone in her village voted her to be in the “games” that the Elites hold annually because they saw that she had high skills with a knife and bow/arrow. Of course, she does fall in love with one of the princes while preparing for the games at the palace. But the sarcasm that she holds and their “love-hate” story is really intriguing and oftentimes very funny!

The plot twist at the end of the book is a killer! This series is going to be a trilogy and this is the first book. The second book is coming out in July, so if you are one of those readers that like to read the books when you finish the series, I would wait a little longer. But, I cannot express how amazing the book is on all levels.

Powerless by Lauren Roberts is available to check out from the Mission Viejo Library. It is also available to download for free from Libby.

Bella’s Delicious Pumpkin Bread 

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Living a gluten-free lifestyle can be difficult sometimes. Still, thanks to my mom, I learned to enjoy many different kinds of food, including bread, cookies, cakes, pies, and others that wouldn’t be gluten-free. 

Gluten-free pumpkin bread is a delightful treat that combines the comforting flavors of pumpkin with a health-conscious choice that I can enjoy even being gluten-free. This particular bread variation caters to individuals with gluten sensitivities or those adhering to a gluten-free lifestyle like me. 

When it comes to homemade gluten-free pumpkin bread, the advantages are numerous. By making bread at home, I can control what ingredients to put in, ensuring the absence of hidden gluten sources or unwanted additives commonly found in store-bought varieties. Additionally, when making bread at home, I can customize it according to my preferences, such as adjusting to make it less sweet or incorporating alternative flour for added nutrition and the kind of sweetener healthier alternatives like dates, coconut sugar, or even monk fruit sugar. Below is our bread recipe to make in the fall when abundant pumpkins are in the farmer’s market.

Ingredients:

· 2 cups gluten-free all-purpose baking flour 

· 3/4 teaspoon baking soda

· 1.5 tablespoon cinnamon

· 1.5 cup pumpkin puree ( or can pumpkin puree)

· 1 cup coconut sugar

· ½ maple syrup

· 1/2 cup coconut oil

· 1/2 cup almond or coconut milk

· 2 tablespoons vanilla extract

Baking Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Grease a 9 x 5 bread pan.

2. In the Vitamix, add the wet ingredients first, then the dry ingredients, and blend at medium speed for 30 seconds or until all combined.

3. Don’t over blend – 1 minute max. Use your spatula to scrape down the batter since it will be thick and sticky.

4. Pour batter into the loaf pan. Sprinkle some cinnamon and coconut sugar on top.

5. Bake for 35-40 minutes. And check with a toothpick. Bread is done when the toothpick comes out clean. 

6. Leave the bread in the oven for 5 minutes after turning off the stove. 

7. Cool the bread on the rack and slice it about an inch thick for each slice. Store in the bread box or plastic bag. 

8. Bread can be on the counter for 2-3 days, no more than 4 days. Or in the fridge for 5-6 days. You can also freeze it for up to 4 months.

Happy Baking!

Bella H.

Album Review – Evermore by Taylor Swift

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On December 11, 2020, Evermore was released by Taylor Swift as a surprise album. A sister album to Folklore, released five months earlier by Swift, Evermore is definitely one of Taylor Swift’s slower albums, but nevertheless a great listen.

Evermore is one of my favorite albums as it covers many topics like love, escapism, and nostalgia. 

Willow: The first track on Evermore, Swift does not hesitate to bring on one of the best songs on the album. Willow is a song about yearning for someone, and doing anything to get them, despite the obstacles that life throws at you.

Champagne Problems: Champagne Problems is one of the most powerful tracks on Evermore. This song is about someone who broke a relationship because of not feeling ready, and blaming themselves for it within their mourn. I especially like this song because of its beautiful melody that blends perfectly with Swift’s voice.

Gold Rush: One of the more upbeat tracks on Evermore, Gold Rush is one of my favorite songs on the record because of its beautiful tone and melodies that perfectly complement Taylor Swift’s voice. The song itself has a very daydreamy feel that I think makes the song relatable, applying to any situation where you are wishing something impossible would happen, not just the topic of the song.

Tolerate It: The notorious “fifth track” of the album, which is always slotted for the most powerful song on a Taylor Swift album, Tolerate tells the story of a woman who’s love is not recognized. I personally love this song and it is one of my favorites on the album for its powerful vocals, contrasting the pretty piano background music.

Coney Island: This song is personally my favorite on the album. Coney Island is a duet featuring The National about a lost love and missing the one you lost. I especially love how both of the vocals complement each other and make the song somehow feel sad but comforting at the same time.

I would rate Evermore 9.5/10 and I would definitely recommend this album to everyone who likes indie music.

It Starts With Us by Colleen Hoover (Book Review)

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*This does contain some spoilers*

It Starts with Us: A Novel (2) (It Ends with Us): Hoover, Colleen: 9781668001226: Amazon.com: Books

It Starts With Us is a sequel to the book It Ends With Us that surrounds the main character, Lily Bloom, and the direction of her life after her breakup with Ryle, her abusive ex. Colleen Hoover, the author, expands on the new found relationship between Lily and her young love, Atlas, while in the process of letting go of Ryle. Balancing work, family, and relationships, this book is told through Lily and Atlas’s perspectives as they grow closer and face challenges together.

As read in the previous book, Ryle has a hard time being aware of others and his surroundings. Being selfish and making situations a lot more exaggerated than they should be, was a bad habit he formed. He still very much wants to be a part of Lily’s life, and Lily does not want to take that away from him, mainly because of their daughter, Emerson (Emmy for short), but she fears that his temper towards her will lead to her daughter receiving the same anger and impatience from him overtime. Lily is scared for Emmy’s future and even having a civil conversation with Ryle about certain rules in place for their dynamic, gives her anxiety.

Lily tries to distance herself as much as she can from him and after an encounter with Atlas, they soon get back in touch. Atlas has always been in love with Lily waiting for her, growing his business, and ignoring his past. But having her back in his world enlightens his life, reliving and relearning everything about each other. Lily feels the same but convinced herself to be precautious and take things slow to be aware of Ryle and his reaction to them being together. Hoover shows a side of Atlas not seen before and takes the audience down a sad road as to why he didn’t have home when he was younger and his emotions and thoughts when he met Lily. Lily falls in love with Atlas all over again, thinking of him as “considerate Atlas”.

The conflict and plot overall of the story drags out a little but still makes the story good enough to read. Personally, I did not like this book as much as the first one, it was more of a slower pace. The first book got so much attention that Hoover felt she needed to come out with a sequel. It was dry but I wanted to finish the book, even though you can pretty much predict the ending of it from the start. There was so much detail leading up to the relationship with Lily and Atlas that by the end it felt rushed. Yet I would still recommend this series as there are still unexpected twists and some chapters were definitely more intriguing than others.

It Starts With Us by Colleen Hoover is available to check out from the Mission Viejo Library. It is also available to download for free from Libby.

Ramadan

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Ramadan is a known Islamic holiday amongst the world, but how is it celebrated and how can you support/help out a friend who is celebrating it?

Let’s start off with an introduction to what exactly it is. Ramadan always begins during ‘Daylight Savings’. It is a 30 day long fasting period, because during the period would be the 9th Islamic month. People might ask, why does the time change every year? Well that is because the month is determined by the moon setting. The moon has be at a thin silver crescent fo the month to begin (symbolizing the prophets attribution to his fast) and at a full moon when the months ends. 

Why is it celebrated? Well, its a month for spiritual discipline and the deep contemplation to a person’s relationship to God. Some might like to add that it brings you closer to your family because the meals are usually/supposed to be consumed with close relatives, parents, and/or family members.

During this month you consume your first meal before the first prayer of day (before sunrise), that is called suhoor, meaning consumed early.  As your biggest meal,which is when you break that 12-14 hour long fast, at the second to last prayer of the day (after sunset), that’s called Iftar meaning break-fast.

If you know or acknowledge your friends fasting during this months, you should be mindful and not eat or drink around them or at least don’t offer them bites or sips, if you’re having a dinner party or are having a fancy dinner, invite them, and or wish them a “Happy Ramadan” and if its near the end, wish them a “Happy Eid,” as that follows right after for three days.

-Zina Khalifie

Books about Ramadan are available to check out from the Mission Viejo Library.

Starting Photography

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As a high schooler, one of my passions is photography. In my freshman year of high school, I took a photography class. At first, I thought it was interesting but I didn’t think I would get into it. However, I discovered that photography was an enjoyable way for me to express myself and my creativity.

The first and most obvious step to photography is to buy a camera. While using your phone’s camera is great and totally acceptable, investing in a DSLR is a great option as well. Personally, I use a Canon Camera. I’ve found that this brand is reputable and easy to use. My camera body is a Rebel T6. This is a great starter camera to use. If you aren’t into Canon, Nikon, and Sony are other camera brands that I’ve heard great things about.

Secondly, finding a lens is extremely important. Though you may want to jump into portraits or nature photography, I’d suggest using a kit lens at first. These lenses are affordable and have fewer features than a telephoto or macro lens, but allow first-time photographers to learn the bearings of a camera.

Other equipment that you’ll need are SD Cards (to store your photos) and Battery Charges/Ports. Now that you have the required equipment, start taking photos on your camera. If you’re using a DSLR, put the camera in Auto Mode first. When using the Auto-Mode, the camera makes all the decisions for your settings; all you have to do is press the Shutter Button to take a photo!

I hope this small article helps you in your photography journey; stay tuned for more articles about general rules and tips!

Books about photography are available to check out from the Mission Viejo Library. It is also available to download for free from Libby.

Check & Mate by Ali Hazelwood

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***this review will contain spoilers***

I feel like I haven’t read an romance novel in a HOT MINUTE so going back to my roots was amazing! I’ve read past books of Ali Hazelwood’s such as The Love Hypothesis and Love, Theoretically. However, Check & Mate follows a completely different plot than the usually stem filled romance novels.

Check & Mate follows main characters Mallory Greenleaf and Nolan Sawyer who both happen to excel in the chess world. Mallory coming from a rough childhood with her father gone, her mother in and out of hospital care, and her two younger sisters who are hitting puberty; Mallory’s responsibilities are ever growing. Mallory’s in desperate need of making a sustainable income to help provide for her family and an opportunity comes her way when she asked to pay competitive chess for a company. Through these competitive games, Mallory meets Nolan Sawyer who is the current world champion. In her first game playing chess in years, Mallory ends up beating Nolan which causes shock amongst those involved in the chess world and the interest in this “random” girl who miraculously beat the world’s #1.

As time goes on, rivals become lovers. Mallory and Nolan start to become interested in one another and bond outside of just this world of chess. They both remain top players as they age and still carry that competitive spark that has been apparent.

This book was the CUTEST little romance book and it was refreshing to have the main characters be somewhat close in age compared to more recent books I have read. If you are looking a quick read I would highly recommend especially since I finished this book in less than 5 hours!!!!

-Madison C.

Check & Mate by Ali Hazelwood is available to check out from the Mission Viejo Library. It is also available to download for free from Libby.