Album Review: COSMIC by Bazzi

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Although this album came out in 2018, I still listen to it daily. It is so insanely good and I would recommend it to everyone, no matter what kind of music you like.

The opening track, Dreams, is so beautiful. In the beginning, there is this sort of ambience. It is a comfortable ambience though. To me it sounds like the wonderous world of REM sleep, which is when we have dreams.

The second track, Soarin, is incredible. It instantly starts out strong and it just keeps getting better and better. I love the beat of it and the chorus. The ending closes out the track so well and I love it so much.

The sixth track on the album, 3:15, might be my all-time favorite song by Bazzi. I loved it when the album was just released, and I love it even more now. This song was what made me fall in love with music in general. I memorized all the lyrics in one night, and I don’t think I will ever forget them.

The last song I will be talking about, Cartier, is another one of my top five songs by Bazzi. The vocals are very pretty and I feel like it really shows of his vocal range. The end of the song fades out and it sounds like it was just meant to be.

Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo

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Before reading Six of Crows, I had heard a lot of good things about it, but I’m not really a fan of the fantasy genre. Six of Crows surprised me greatly.

It’s the first book of the Six of Crows duology, its sequel being Crooked Kingdom. Both books are members of Leigh Bardugo’s incredible Grishaverse series. The Shadow and Bone trilogy were released beforehand, but aren’t necessary reading to understand Six of Crows.

This novel follows Kaz Brekker, a criminal mastermind living in Ketterdam. He’s made his way up the social chain from nothing and owns a large gambling hall in the city. Most importantly he’s the leader of the gang known as the Dregs. Kaz is asked to attempt to rescue a scientist from an extremely large and dangerous prison. He takes with him five members of the gang and their incredible adventure fills 462 pages of gorgeous writing, incredible plot, and some of my favorite characters ever.

As I previously mentioned, I wouldn’t call myself a fan of fantasy. I don’t know what drew me to Six of Crows but I’m so glad I read it. I’ve grown so attached to the main six characters and their deep emotions and painful backstories. All of the characters had their own unique backstories that just added so much to the story.

The chapters focus on individual characters. In other books I’ve read where it switches perspective, I’ve found myself disliking certain characters perspectives and zoning out when it was their chapters. However, Six of Crows kept me engaged the whole time.

I recommend Six of Crows to anyone looking for an incredible plot full of twist and turns. I already want to read it again.

-Ava T.

Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo is available to check out from the Mission Viejo Library. It is also available to download for free from Libby.

Album Review: Nevermind by Nirvana

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During the 1990s, alternative rock (especially Seattle’s grunge scene) exploded to the forefront of mainstream culture. At the head of this explosion was Nirvana’s sophomore album, Nevermind. Released in 1991, it unexpectedly became a massive album that would go on to define the 90s.

The album cover of Nevermind

Nevermind is the quintessential grunge, the sort of hard, alternative rock that came out of Seattle, album. It primarily features harder-edged songs such as the iconic “Smells Like Teen Spirit” that make good use of loud-quiet-loud dynamics, something Nirvana picked up on from the Pixies, another alternative rock band. My personal favorite songs off of the album have to be “In Bloom.”

“In Bloom” starts off with an explosion of sound but then quiets down to the point where Kurt Cobain is singing a tad bit above a whisper. The song becomes loud once again, as it goes with a large number of Nirvana songs. While this song is one of the band’s most popular songs, it makes fun of the sort of people who sing Nirvana songs but don’t understand their meaning.

When Nevermind was originally released, it was not expected to become the decade-defining hit it become. Nevertheless, it did. Nevermind is a classic and for good reason. I give it a 10/10. You have to check it out!

Nevermind by Nirvana is available to check out from the Mission Viejo Library.

Possible Planets for Life

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In our universe, there are many planets which could possibly contain life. However, there are multiple criteria a planet must be able to meet in able to be considered “habitable.” First of all, it should be in its solar system’s habitable zone, also called the Goldilocks zone. This is the area in a solar system where the planet(s) in it are most likely to meet the criteria for containing life as we know it. For example, in our solar system, Venus, Earth, and Mars are in the habitable zone. Another criteria is temperature, partly determined by a planet’s location in a solar system (ex: Venus, being closer to the Sun, is very hot, while Mars, being farther from the Sun, is much colder). Earth has temperatures which are able to sustain life, which is why climate change is such a big problem for life on Earth as we know it. This directly connects to another criteria, which is liquid water. While there is possibly water in the form of ice on Mars, it is too cold to sustain life. While there are definitely more factors in defining life as we know it, these are some of the most major ones.

  1. Mars

Surprisingly for many, Mars may once have had life. It is believed that Mars was habitable ending 3.5 billion years ago. During this time period, Mars would have received rain in the form of liquid water, a vital element for life. Life on Earth developed earlier than this time, so assuming the then-habitable Mars followed similar patterns, there was definitely more than enough time during Mars’ habitable period for life to develop.

  1. Kepler-22b

This exoplanet orbits the star Kepler 22, in the constellation of Cygnus, about 600 light-years away from Earth. Kepler 22 is a star which is actually similar to our own Sun. Both our own Sun and Kepler 22 have similar sizes and temperatures. It is about 2.4 times Earth’s size. Not only is the planet in the habitable zone, but some studies also suggest that it could have temperatures very similar to Earth, at about 72 degrees Fahrenheit, or 22 degrees Celsius.

  1. Proxima Centauri B

Proxima Centauri B is one of the closer potentially habitable planets at just about 4.24 light-years away. It is similar in size to Earth, at about 1.17 Earth masses. However, it orbits its star much more quickly than Earth orbits its Sun. It takes Proxima Centauri B only about 11 days to orbit its star, Proxima Centauri, a part of the triple star Alpha Centauri System. Proxima Centauri B is within the habitable zone, so it is definitely a plausible candidate for extraterrestrial life and habitability.

While there are many candidates for extraterrestrial life on exoplanets, it is important to remember that these are only the one’s considered habitable due to similarity with Earth. Therefore, there may actually be many more exoplanets which possibly contain life. Our lists of “habitable” exoplanets are only based on our knowledge of what life on our planet, Earth, needed to develop.

-Peri A.

The Secret History by Donna Tartt

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The Secret History by Donna Tartt is narrated by Richard Papen, a new student attending a school called Hampden College in Vermont. Upon arriving, he is given the opportunity to take an ancient Greek class, in which he meets five Classics students: Charles, Camilla, Henry, Richard, and Bunny, who he grows close with within the first few months of the year. However, from the very first line in the prologue, Tartt spoils the fact that Bunny is eventually murdered, leading the novel to center around this event and how it was dealt with by the rest of the group.

Throughout the course of the story, Tartt alludes to several themes concerning the dangers of appearance and the romanticization of the elite class. For example, Richard is initially attracted to the group due to their wealthy, or as he describes, “magnificent,” appearances. He even fabricates aspects of his past in order to better fit in. However, as the group’s secrets, out-of-touch personalities, and extreme flaws slowly begin to unfold, it shows how their beauty never went beyond surface-level. No matter how rich they were, they were unable to cover up the guilt they felt from the damage they’ve caused.

What I found most intriguing and unique about this plot compared to others is that although Richard provides a well-paced, extremely detailed description of the course of events before and after Bunny’s death, he constantly alludes to the fact that he is a great liar, causing readers to question how valid his perspective truly is. Especially since he isn’t as involved in the group’s plans as others, the audience is left feeling as if they need to know more, and that there are gaps in the narration that can be filled by another character’s point of view. Therefore, I found myself continuing to contemplate the story days after I had finished it, making the novel an extremely memorable read that I see myself recommending to almost everyone.

-Aysha H.

The Secret History by Donna Tartt is available to check out from the Mission Viejo Library. It is also available to download for free from Libby.

Netflix Series Review: Wednesday

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“Wednesday” is a new-age series showing a teenager trying to find her way through high school while dealing with surreal situations. This series is centered around Wednesday Addams. She’s a bit different from our typical teen. She’s gothic and mysterious, and she has problems that I can’t even imagine having. Even though her challenges in school life are probably what most of us teens are not facing, the underlining message is the same. It takes courage to show your true self.

The “Wednesday” series tackles many typical student issues, such as bullying, self-acceptance, and trying to fit in. The character of Wednesday is confident and knows exactly what she wants. She personifies what every teen wants to be – someone sure of herself, who stands out from the crowd and doesn’t conform to the norms.

As a teenager, I found the Wednesday series an exciting take on the classic Addams Family character. Jenna Ortega’s play in the role of Wednesday is perfect, capturing the character’s rebellious teenage and strong spirit while also giving her relatable characteristics of a modern edge.

I loved this series’ believable supernatural world and the diverse characters that are in it. The series’ complexity includes many bizarre characters like vampires, ghosts, ghouls, and witches. What makes Nevermore Academy so extraordinary is that it feels like a familiar and otherworldly world, including rich historical and mythology slowly revealed throughout each episode in the season. The academy’s secret societies, mysterious artifacts, and hidden passages add to the sense of mystery and intrigue.

At its core, Wednesday is a story about finding one’s identity, making friends, and the power of love and family. Wednesday struggles to find her place in the world, torn between her love for her family and her innate desire to forge her own path. Her relationships with her classmates and teachers at Nevermore Academy are complex and nuanced. I appreciated how the series explored loyalty, betrayal, and trust issues.

Wednesday, the series is engaging and fascinating to watch. I highly recommend it to anyone who loves watching series or movies with adventure, dark humor, and excitement. Wednesday celebrates diversity, staying true to yourself, and uniqueness, no matter how different or out of the ordinary you may be.

Enjoy the show! May it take you on a journey of laughter, tears, and unforgettable moments.
Bella H.

Book Review: A Night Divided by Jennifer Nielson

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Over the course of one strange night, the family of twelve-year-old Gerta was abruptly divided. The rise of the Berlin Wall created an impenetrable boundary between West Berlin and East Berlin. Gerta’s family was split up; with her father and middle brother in the west and her, her oldest brother, and her mother trapped in the Soviet-controlled east.

Living in East Berlin is dangerous, with soldiers patrolling the city with guns at the ready all day long. Citizens are forbidden to watch the wall, think thoughts of freedom, or travel to the west. Any attempt of escape could end with deadly consequences. But one day, Gerta receives peculiar messages from her father and concludes that he wants them to dig a tunnel beneath the wall into West Berlin.

Gerta and her brother Fritz are at war with themselves, conflicted about whether they are ready to put their lives at risk for a chance of freedom. Gerta grows unsure of the people around her. Neighbors, friends… Can any of them be trusted? As the day that Fritz must report to military duty draws near, panic rises in Gerta and her family. Approaching is their one opportunity to escape to freedom in the west.

A Night Divided by Jennifer Nielsen is a historical fiction novel about the aftermath of World War II and its effects on a German family living in the east. I thoroughly enjoyed this novel, even though it’s different from the books I normally prefer. As a historical fiction novel, it dove deep into showing the impact that wartime can have on a country and how the world around a population of people can change. At the same time, it details how a war and a corrupt government can affect the lives of individual people, their emotions, and the way they grow. I truly enjoyed this book, and I would recommend it to readers of all kinds, especially those who already like historical fiction.

Happy reading!

-Lam T.

A Night Divided by Jennifer Nielsen is available to check out from the Mission Viejo Library. It is also available to download for free from Libby.

The Thirty-Nine Steps by John Buchan

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The Thirty-Nine Steps is an adventure novel by John Buchan. The story is set in Great Britain, just before World War I. A man named Richard Hannay has just returned to London and feels exceptionally bored. He is tired of the sights and activities of the city. One evening, he receives a visit from a mysterious man named Franklin Scudder. Scudder claims to be a spy investigating a secret group of Germans who are attempting to steal Britain’s naval defense plans. He possesses an encoded notebook that references “the thirty-nine steps.” Hannay questions the veracity of Scudder’s claims, but he permits Scudder to hide out in his apartment. Hannay leaves for a few hours, and upon his return he is shocked to discover that Scudder has been murdered. Convinced that the murderers pose an international threat, Hannay takes Scudder’s notebook and sets out to foil their sinister plot.

This book is a classic adventure story. It could be considered a thriller, because it combines international intrigue with elements of suspense and detective work. The plot contains many twists and surprises, even though the book is quite short. I was impressed by the patriotism of the main character Hannay, who risked his own life to defend his country against a dangerous threat to its security. He is just an ordinary person, but he manages to escape an expert spy ring on many occasions. This book is fast-paced and exciting, and I was enthralled as I read it. I would recommend it to everyone. I would also recommend Alfred Hitchcock’s film adaptation. Even though it deviates a great deal from the book, the movie is highly entertaining and suspenseful.

Mossflower by Brian Jacques

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Mossflower, by Brian Jacques, is part of his popular Redwall series. This was the second book published in the series and would be the third book chronologically. It is a prequel to Redwall, a fantasy novel based in a world of human-like woodland creatures. Martin, the great mouse warrior, is traveling to Mossflower Woods. The residents of Mossflower are living under the tyrannical reign of Verdauga, the wildcat. Martin is captured and brought to Kotir, Verdauga’s castle, where he is imprisoned. Soon afterward, Verdauga’s daughter Tsarmina poisons her father and claims that her brother Gingivere is the murderer. She then imprisons Gignivere and usurps the throne, becoming the main antagonist of the story.

During his stay in prison, Martin is joined by Gonff the mousethief, who had been caught stealing food from Kotir. Gonff tells Martin about the Council of Resistance in Mossflower, known as the “CORIM,” and their active rebellion against Tsarmina’s evil reign. With the help of the CORIM, Martin and Gonff eventually escape from prison. Martin embarks on a quest to find Boar the Fighter, a badger who is believed to be the only creature capable of challenging Tsarmina. Defeating Tsarmina is the only hope for freedom in Mossflower, and Martin is determined to conquer the evil queen.

Redwall is one of my favorite books, so I was eager to read this prequel. Mossflower does not disappoint.  This book is filled with action and adventure. The large cast of woodland creatures and vast geographical setting create an exciting atmosphere, which made this delightful to read. The main character is just a small mouse, yet I found his bravery and determination to be noble and inspiring. The story is thoroughly immersive and engaging, and very dramatic. I would recommend this book to anyone.

Mossflower by Brian Jacques is available to check out from the Mission Viejo Library.

Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë

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In the public eye, Charlotte Brontë’s Jane Eyre has been reduced to a romance novel. After all, all the elements are present: a plain heroine, a dashing love interest with a mysterious past, a barrier keeping them from their love, and much more. However, to reduce the novel to a story about a madwoman in an attic would be to disregard much of Brontë’s purpose in writing it.

The time Jane Eyre spends in Thornfield with Edward Rochester, the love interest in question, amounts to no more than one third of the book. After all, people do not just appear fully formed out of nowhere – they have a background, and Jane is no exception. Brontë masterfully details Jane’s childhood with her neglectful and abusive relatives at Gateshead, and the positive influence her first friend had on her at the Lowood Institution for Girls. In these parts of the novel, we see Jane growing up and growing into the strong, fierce personality Brontë makes it clear that her protagonist has – a first for female characters at the time.

Moreover, we continue to see Jane becoming her true self in the latter sections of the novel. Although she is finally reunited with part of her family, she does not let her attempts to fit in with them alter who she is and what she believes in. This can be seen when she rejects St. John’s proposal to marriage because she knows he loves another and only wants to marry Jane because she would make a good missionary’s wife. Despite internal and external pressures, she stays true to herself and eventually goes back to Rochester.

Jane Eyre is a bit of a dense read, but it will be time well spent. It covers a variety of topics and themes that allow the modern reader a glimpse into the nineteenth century, while also, of course, noting the forbidden yet passionate romance between Jane Eyre and Edward Rochester.

– Mahak M.

Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë is available to check out from the Mission Viejo Library. It is also available to download for free from Libby.