BOOK REVIEW – Loveless by Alice Oseman

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(NO {major} SPOILERS! Spoilers will be indicated!) 

Alice Oseman. She’s coming back to steal my heart after Heartstopper. 

This book was aromantic and asexual representation done perfectly. 

If you were to ask me what book I’d recommend to become a new, coming of age, teen-audience type of movie, I’d choose Loveless by Alice Oseman. Without a doubt. 

You may know Alice Oseman as the creator of Heartstopper, a cute LGBT comic that later adapted into the Netflix series of the same name. In addition, she created this  pull-on-your-heartstrings masterpiece. 

Loveless is a coming of age, coming out story of theater girly, Georgia and her small group of friends who desperately try to save their club, the Shakespearean Society, by putting on a strange play. Accompanied by love triangles and corners and plans to find love (ooh, that’s rough), and incredibly strong opinions on Scooby-Doo, this is definitely one of my Top 10 books!

Best of all, it contains my favorite trope: the main character realizes that platonic friendships can be better than romance! 

This book made me cry in my pillow because I felt so understood. 

This book made me see the world through the eyes of a few of my friends. 

This book made me realize that LOVE DOESN’T HAVE TO BE ROMANTIC. 

WHY ISN’T THERE MORE REPRESENTATION IN BOOKS?!?!?

Although there were moments where I wanted to throw the book across the room out of disgust and/or “why why why,” overall, I feel like my entire perspective on life changed. Skimming the book again, maybe it’s because Oseman didn’t shy away from topics that are normally not explored in your typical young adult novel. 

Maybe it’s because there were so many lines that resonated with me (spoilers in the next paragraph). Maybe it’s because I realized that friendship is something I could romanticize. 

(SPOILER) I think what hit me the hardest was the fact that near the end, Rooney, our main character’s best friend, says something like: although we’re not romantic partners, I love you. We’re friends, and this is something that I will commit to until the end of time because I LOVE YOU. I LOVE THEM SO MUCH I LOVE THIS BOOK SO MUCH I NEVER CRIED HARDER AT TWO IN THE MORNING. Rooney also says something like: I’m scared to lose any of my friendships because THEY ARE MY ROMANTIC PARTNERSHIPS EVEN THOUGH WE NEVER HAVE ROMANCE BECAUSE THEY ARE THE MOST IMPORTANT PARTNERSHIPS I’LL EVER HAVE. 

Loveless was quite possibly the only book to make me sob, make me laugh, make me question my life, and change my perspective… on everything. Everything possible. I love my friends. 

Loveless by Alice Oseman is available to check out from the Mission Viejo Library. It is also available to download for free from Libby.

Sydney, Australia

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Recently, I went on a two-week-long trip to Australia and New Zealand. I visited many different cities, each having its own unique activities, which made me greatly enjoy the vacation. The first city we went to, which was my personal favorite, was Sydney, Australia.

Sydney is a beautiful place that features a mixture of buildings in the downtown area to an abundance of nature on the outskirts of the city. An example of this is Vivid Sydney. Vivid Sydney is a major event where the city is essentially covered with projections of light. It creates an aesthetic scenery for people to watch and take photographs. There are other ways to view this, such as by cruise. The cruise can take you across the Sydney Harbour to explore the city and view different structures. One important structure includes the Sydney Opera House, which is a performing arts center that is famous around the world. The building has a beautiful and unique design, which is what makes it so special and is the reason it took about 14 years to build. The total cost was also around $102 million in 1973, which is around $670 million today. Both Vivid Sydney and the Sydney Opera House are relatively close to the downtown area. The Blue Mountains, however, are 37 miles west of the city but are still an exceptional place to visit. The location features an outstanding view as it is almost 4000 feet above sea level. There are cable cars, trains, and skyways, which all allow people to look at the mountains from an even greater distance, adding an element of entertainment while also including the view.


All in all, this vacation was very enjoyable. There are many great parts of the city of Sydney that I would recommend. If you are to visit Sydney at any point in your life, make sure to make the most of it.

Book Review: The Q

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THE Q

The Q, by Amy Tintera, is an action-packed dystopian novel that immediately piqued my excitement through its captivating yet scarily realistic worldbuilding. Equally captivating are the introductory characters, whose personalities make you forget you’re reading a book as opposed to watching a live-action movie.

The Q, both the title of the book and the area in which majority of the story takes place, is a post-pandemic quarantine zone in what used to be Austin, Texas, separated from the rest of the country in efforts to contain a deadly virus.

The Q’s residents have since adapted to the conditions of the virus in unique ways, which brings me to my first major points of liking:

  • Tintera’s masterful worldbuilding, covered especially throughout the first half of the novel, truly sets up the essence of a dystopian society corroded by a virus and abandoned by the rest of the world.
  • Ongoing turf wars between the Q’s two ruling clans, the Spencers of the north and the Lopezes of the south, convey that, despite adaptations towards the virus, the residents continue to face societal conflicts.
  • The stakes for the upcoming plot, which involves a life-threatening expedition to leave the Q, are also set up thanks to the efforts put into the world’s details.


Of course, no less effort was given to the story’s main characters, teenagers Maisie Rojas and Lennon Pierce, whose points of views alternate throughout the story. Maisie, who grew up in the Q, accompanies Lennon, the son of a US presidential candidate, in his attempts to escape the quarantine zone after a kidnapping which landed him there. In discussing Maisie and Lennon, I have both positive points and critiques:

  • The readers receive snippets of internal dialogue from both Maisie and Lennon due to the alternating perspectives, making the two feel all the more alive. The two face internal challenges which the book’s target audience can resonate with, easily making it a far more meaningful read.
  • Maisie is the embodiment of a teenager faced with the tragedy of both a dystopian world and personal loss, yet one who has adapted and overcome the challenges thrown at her. She is resilient and realistic, and her occasional bluntness and humorous remarks bring the story to life. 


A personal critique of mine is the romance between the two main characters, or rather, the focus placed on it at around the midway point in which Maisie and Lennon embark on their escape plan. Though many may find this addition to the plot enjoyable, I found it to be both all-too-predictable and a distraction from the already engaging stakes set up. Predictability isn’t always a marker of bad storytelling, however, and the subtly romantic interactions are undoubtedly charming, yet I still found the romance to be an oddity among the fast-paced adventurous plot. The only purpose the addition seemed to serve was acting as a filler as the characters moved from one point of danger to another, yet this could have been done through other, more urgent instances of internal dialogue related to the stakes of escaping the Q. 

The only other, and far more minor, point of dislike of mine was the minimal attention given to likable side characters such as Hadley once the story moves into the point of escaping the Q, though this choice is understandable as highlighting Maisie and Lennon’s journey appears to be the novel’s priority.

All in all, The Q is an exhilarating read that’s impossible to put down thanks to Amy Tintera’s masterful storytelling. Despite criticisms that can easily vary from reader to reader, The Q is definitely a new recommendation of mine for anyone looking to read either a polished dystopian fiction or simply a thrilling new book.

The Q by Amy Tintera is available to check out from the Mission Viejo Library. 

Dual Enrollment at Saddleback College

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If you find yourself with some free time over the summer or during the school year, dual enrollment is an excellent way of getting ahead in your high school classes and taking college-level courses. 

Before senior year, you may want to get classes like health and ethics out of the way. By taking these courses at Saddleback College, you can get them done early. 

In addition, classes are free, besides possible textbook costs. All the credits from dual enrollment will transfer over so, you can save money on college tuition by taking classes beforehand. 

Personally, I have taken History of Architecture, Health, and am currently taking Introduction to Psychology. So, I am getting some of my college elective credits while still in high school.

If you would like to work ahead and move along quicker in your core classes, those can be taken as well.

Community colleges like Saddleback Community College often offer many options in order to accommodate your needs. While you can take the classes in person, you may also choose to take them online. Online courses can be taken either over Zoom or asynchronous, which allows you to take the class mostly at your own pace.

There are many benefits of dual enrollment with little cost. It has a large amount of flexibility and could help you in many ways.  

Everything I Know About Love Album Review

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On August 26, 2022, Laufey, a singer-songwriter from Iceland, released her first full lengthened album, Everything I Know About Love. The album consists of many songs that have different meanings varying from growing up and being a hopeless romantic. The album consists of her most popular songs such as Valentine and Fragile.

I personally love all of the songs but my favorite song in this album for now would be Slow Down and Everything I Know About Love. One of my favorites is Slow Down because the song sounds really calming to me but I especially love the whole message of the song, which is to enjoy the present and cherish it and slow down. I love the message of Slow Down because I spend most of my days doing the same things over and over again and I always wait for things to end and never really cherish the present and my moments. My other favorite song is Everything I Know About Love because the song sounds more upbeat than the other songs and I just love how the song sounds. 

Overall I really loved the album Everything I Know About Love by Laufey and it’s definitely one of my favorite albums. Although it may not be the style of music most people would like, I definitely recommend at least trying to listen to the album or one of Laufey’s songs at least once.

5 Reasons To Join MVAC [Mission Viejo Activities Committee]

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  1. It’s Fun!

The events MVAC hosts not only bring joy to the community, but also create lasting memories for you! Each meeting, every event has left me joyous and I have walked out with a smile on my face. It is so cool seeing the behind the scenes of the events that this city has and is a great way to get involved, no matter the age! There is something for everyone! Everyone who helps out enjoys being there, you will enjoy being there. The welcoming atmosphere, the supportive members, and everyone’s eagerness to get involved feels like a reward every time. I can assure you that there is not a single moment where I have not enjoyed being there, participating, and helping out. 

  1. You gain such valuable experiences!

As a MVAC member, there are endless opportunities for event-planning, volunteering, communication, and leadership that you are able to learn from. The hands-on involvement has improved my organizational skills and communication, all while getting the opportunity to give back to the community. The experiences you gain here empower you to excel in any future endeavors. You truly learn so much from each event, whether it’s seeing all the behind-the-scenes planning or seeing the importance of communication. The effort that goes on behind each event gave me true appreciation for all the events we host and I’m confident that you will see it too! From all the events I have volunteered at, MVAC is truly like no other.

  1. You have an influence in decision making.

Whether you are a new or returning member, MVAC has always valued the opinions and suggestions of its members. Each monthly meeting is collaborative and engaging as they ask for feedback and opinions of each event. If you are looking to get involved, this is the place for you! I remember being mind-blown at my first meeting about how engaging the members are. You truly can make an impact here. It’s not a place you go and volunteer once at. There will always be more opportunities going on all year round. 

  1. MVAC has an incredibly supportive environment!

MVAC is full of exceptional people with all sorts of different experiences. When you walk into a meeting, you can immediately feel the warmth and welcoming energy that radiates from the room. Whether you are a new or returning member, you will feel the appreciation they have for all of their members. Each and every member cares about each other and by being in a room with like-minded individuals, you are bound to grow! When I first joined MVAC, I remember volunteering for the 4th of July Event where I met countless people, and the connections that I made was a driving factor in my decision to be so involved. Everyone wants you to be your best, everyone wants you to feel welcome. It is the perfect place to volunteer and meet new people.

  1. You can give back to the community.

Like I mentioned previously, MVAC allows you to truly make an impact. Immediately, you have the opportunity to become an active participant in the community. Whether it’s helping organize or participate in various events and programs, you feel the impact you make. You feel the appreciation. The gratitude you get from volunteering is truly like no other. Out of every event I have volunteered at, MVAC Events have always left me with a warm feeling in my heart. The opportunities are endless. Once you start, you won’t ever look back. Whether it’s the Spring Boutique, 4th of July Street Faire, Santa’s Arrival, or other event, there is nothing more rewarding than helping your community. 

Now that you’ve heard a little about my experience in MVAC, I truly hope you consider joining MVAC and hope to see you there!
Here is the link to join! https://mvactivities.com/join-mvac

Murder Your Employer – Book Review

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Murder Your Employer is a great read that I would definitely recommend. Rupert Holmes uses brilliant twists and clever wordplay to keep you turning pages as you follow the suspenseful tales of three aspiring deletists (the McMasters preferred term for murderers).

Cliff, Gemma, and Doria (also known as Dulcie) receive a very unique education at the McMasters Conservatory for the Applied Arts, which is kept a secret from the rest of the world. At McMasters, the three soon-to-be deletists study the art of murder and how to properly execute (pun intended) their plans to delete a special person in their lives.

For Cliff Iverson, that person is his despicable employer, Merrill Fielder. Fielder, the senior executive of Woltan Industries, an aircraft manufacturer, changed Cliff’s plans for the W-10, a change that could result in the plane crashing and ending hundreds of lives, should it ever fly. For this reason and many others, Cliff needs to end him. After botching his first attempt to end Fielder, Cliff is taken to McMasters with the support of an unknown sponsor to learn how to properly take lives.

Gemma Lindley enlists at McMasters to end her blackmailer, Adele Underton, who is also her superior at work. However, Gemma doesn’t seem to have it in her to kill, although perhaps McMasters will be able to change that.

Hollywood star Doria Maye, under the false name of Dulcie Mown, enlists at McMasters to delete her employer, Leonid Kosta. Kosta is trying to force Doria to voice a cartoon pig on television, which would turn her from a serious actress into a joke. But Doria is a professional; she knows it’s not curtains for her yet, and she’ll make sure of it.

Murder Your Employer is an excellent book with a fantastic ending that left me completely shocked. However, before you pick up this book, I would recommend checking the lock on your door.

Murder Your Employer by Rupert Holmes is available to check out from the Mission Viejo Library. It is also available to download for free from Libby.

Bookmarks Mark the Spot

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A bookmark is defined as: a strip of leather, cardboard, or other material used to mark one’s place in a book. Habitually, I blindly grab the item nearest to me to use as a bookmark. I mainly utilize hair holders, blankets, and even other books. I quickly realized this method causes me to often lose my page and items that I need. Paper, magnetic, and sticky-note bookmarks are some fun types of bookmarks that I learned about and wanted to share with people.


The type of bookmark that most people are familiar with is the simple rectangular paper bookmark. You just slide it in the inside corner of the page you are reading and then you can close the book. Sometimes, there may be a string connected to the top. While this type of bookmark is very easy to come by sometimes it may fall out of the book.

Magnetic bookmarks are a more secure way to mark a page. It is made by two pieces of magnets and a material that goes on the sides and holds them together by the top. The two magnets slide onto each side of your page, so you can easily find your spot. However, these bookmarks tend to be more expensive than paper bookmarks.

Sticky-notes also make great bookmarks, because they never fall out and you may already use them but there are many other ways to fold and bend them into a fun shape. For example, you can make a cute heart or a fun animal.

Personally, I like using the rectangular paper bookmarks, because they are easy to make and use, but I’ve tried out all of these and they are all really fun. I hope you consider making use of these ideas, because bookmarks are really helpful.

Movie Review: Missing (2023)

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*this review will contain spoilers***

I was on Netflix and saw this new movie and felt the need to watch it and let me say, best decision I could of made. I feel really enticed my projects that feature like a “crime/mystery”, it makes everything more exhilarating for the audience.

The movie is essentially a teenager, June who is home alone due to her mom and mother’s boyfriend leaving to go on vacation. When June goes to pick them up at the airport, there is no one there for her to pick-up and this is when she gets suspicious of things and starts investigating where her mom could be.

What made this movie so incredible is the organizational aspect and format it was presented in. The audience is taking this all from June’s perspective, more specifically, her MacBook. The movie is essentially a “screen recording” of what June is doing on her computer whether it be facetiming, texting, researching, etc. There isn’t anyone actually filming the actors but rather just the use of cameras from technological devices in how this movie is compiled.

I think what made this movie interesting for me is that there were plot twists every step of the way. I kept getting shocked from the amount of layers this movie had. I would recommend this movie to anyone but if you get scared of these “mystery” genre movies, I would stray away from watching.

-Madison C.

Book Review: Turtles All the Way Down by John Green

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Sixteen-year-old Aza Holmes wasn’t expecting to be investigating the disappearance of billionaire Russell Pickett, but a hundred thousand dollar reward is looming and her best friend Daisy is ready to solve the mystery. Aza and Daisy become acquainted with Russell’s son Davis, and together, they collect evidence and gather information to figure out what truly happened to Russell Pickett.

But within this external conflict lies Aza’s true endeavor as she struggles as a student, friend, and daughter. Aza struggles with OCD and anxiety, causing her to get lost in what she calls her thought spiral. She is consumed by paranoia of death by bacterial infection and is unable to live in the present and form real relationships with her loved ones.

Throughout the story, Aza struggles in finding herself and getting better, even when it seems impossible. As her world spins out of control, Aza loses her grip and regains it, learning how to cope with the uncontrollable storms of mental illness.

Turtles All the Way Down is an absolutely heart wrenching, raw, real, and painful story that accurately portrays mental illness. As Aza strives to separate from her intrusive thoughts, readers find that healing from mental illness isn’t a linear journey where one can simply choose to get better. The novel is realistic in its portrayal of life, love, friendship, illness, and healing. Overall, I loved Turtles All the Way Down, and I would definitely recommend it to anyone who likes to read thought-provoking realistic fiction stories that allow them to look at life with a different lens.

-Lam T.

Turtles All the Way Down by John Green is available to check out from the Mission Viejo Library. It is also available to download for free from Libby.