Album Review: young forever by Nessa Barrett

Posted on March 26, 2023 by gabi g.

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.

Airpods Incident

Posted on March 25, 2023 by Torres H.

Recently, I lost my airpods at a shopping mall, and it wasn’t like how most people would lose them. Here is what happened: I was in a changing room inside a clothing store about to try on some new pants, and I was planning to keep my airpods and phone in the pocket of the pants I was already wearing for convenience sake. However, when I was putting the pair of pants onto a clothing hook, my airpod case (with the airpods in them) fell out out and dropped on to the floor. Now, this next part is my best guess, because I did not see exactly what happened: The airpod case hit the floor which caused it to open, and the impact from the hit also caused the two airpods inside to scatter out, and into the changing room next to mine. Because the airpods were now in the next room, the person in that room took advantage and stole the airpods.

I still had the case, it was just when i got to the car that i realized my airpods were not there. I even went back into the changing rooms to look for them, but obviously they won’t be there because the person in the other room took them.

This is a lesson I feel like everyone should learn from, because airpods are not cheap. I would recommend getting a cover case for your airpods (the kind that you can strap on to your belt or something), and even better if you get one with a locking mechanism.

If i would change one thing about the airpod’s design, it would be to have a lock built in to the case, rather than just some magnets. This would have 100% prevented me losing my airpods.

-Torres

Book Review: Watchmen by Dave Gibbons and Alan Moore

Posted on March 24, 2023 by Orod S.

At first glance, the bright appearance and comic book format of Watchmen may seem to just be any other superhero comic book, with an ensemble cast of heroes trying to save the world. However, from the opening pages, the uniquely real art and the darker tone establishes that this is anything but a simple superhero story. As the plot advances, Moore further cements this by showing the reader that the heroes in the world of Watchmen are just regular people who happen to be gifted with superpowers. This approach is what I believe inspired shows like the Boys, who take the same cynical approach to writing a superhero story.

The writing and story are very dense, but I think it never gets to be too much for the reader. One of the things I thought Moore does best is his use of flashbacks, both to give you a broader and more in-depth context of events happening in the book while also showing you that the heroes you see in the story have gone almost out of fashion. Another element that elevated Watchmen is the art done by Dave Gibbons and colored by John Higgins, which perfectly matches the tone of the story and sets a thick and developed atmosphere.

The story itself covers an alternate timeline where the US won the Vietnam War, and depicts the political and social atmosphere approaching WWII. The heroes of Watchmen are all very realistic and morally grey, and the plot covers them coming out of retirement to investigate the murder of an old hero and later uncover a plan with global consequences.

I personally really enjoyed Watchmen, and I would recommend it to anyone who is interested in comic books or superhero stories. However, I encourage people who usually don’t read comic books or are interested in things like superheroes to try Watchmen, as it’s unique approach and mature story appeal to many more people than just comic book fans.

-Orod S.

Watchman by Dave Gibbons and Alan Moore is available to check out from the Mission Viejo Library.

Pax

Posted on March 23, 2023 by Chloe C.

Pax is a children’s novel by Sara Pennypacker. It follows a boy named Peter’s journey to find his pet fox, Pax. He had found the fox all alone years ago, and taken him in. Since then, they had grown a very close bond with each other.

Until the day that his father took Peter out for a drive.

Peter brought Pax with him, along with his favorite toy to play catch with. When they got out of the car, deep in the woods, Peter threw the toy.

When Pax came back, Peter wasn’t there.

The rest of the novel follows Peter running away from home in order to find his fox again. It switches between Peter and Pax’s points of view, showing how the fox has become accustomed to his new life, meeting new friends along the way.

Oh yeah, and the whole book takes place during an unidentified war.

Peter is left at his grandfather’s home when his dad is drafted to join the fight as a soldier. Due to this, Peter is feeling more isolated than ever. He doesn’t have a very close relationship with his grandfather. Or his father. The whole family harbors their own anger towards one thing or another. Peter’s anger comes from his mother. Once, when he was young, he had gotten so angry that he broke his mother’s snow globe. As punishment, he had not been allowed to go grocery shopping with her. It was on that day, driving to the grocery store, that his mother had been struck and killed in a fatal car accident. Since that day, Peter had sworn to himself that he would never be angry again. He spent most of his time with Pax. So, when Pax is taken away from him, he makes the promise to find him.

Until the day that his father took Peter out for a drive.

Peter brought Pax with him, along with his favorite toy to play catch with. When they got out of the car, deep in the woods, Peter threw the toy.

When Pax came back, Peter wasn’t there.

Oh yeah, and the whole book takes place during an unidentified war.

Pax by Sara Pennypacker is available to check out from the Mission Viejo Library. It is also available to download for free from Libby.

Right Ho, Jeeves by P. G. Wodehouse

Posted on March 22, 2023 by Oliver H.

Right Ho, Jeeves, is the second full-length novel in the Jeeves series of books by P. G. Wodehouse. This book is narrated by a young gentleman named Bertie Wooster. The story is set in England during the early 1900s. Bertie is wealthy, but naive. Jeeves, of course, is Bertie’s personal valet. Bertie is met by an old friend named Augustus Fink-Nottle, known by friends as “Gussie.” Gussie is trying to work up the courage to propose marriage to a young woman. He wants Jeeves to help, but Bertie insists on helping Gussie himself. Bertie soon forgets all about it, until he receives a telegram the next day from his Aunt Dahlia. She needs Bertie to visit her right away, because she needs his help to give away prizes at a school event. Bertie suddenly remembers about Gussie. In Bertie’s mind, this could be an opportunity for Gussie to boost his confidence. This is also a way for Bertie to avoid helping his aunt. So, he sends Gussie to do the job.

As usual, things do not go according to Bertie’s plan. Bertie ends up visiting Aunt Dhalia and Gussie anyway, and they encounter all kinds of challenges. Bertie only makes things worse as he tries to solve problems. His failed attempts to help other people are entertaining as always. Bertie has good intentions, but his plans always seem to go awry.

One of my favorite chapters is when Gussie becomes intoxicated just before the time arrives to give away prizes at the school. He slurs and stumbles as he tries to share advice and anecdotes with the school children. He gets everything mixed up and begins ranting about supposed cheating at the school. He makes disparaging remarks about Bertie and others. This is one of the most entertaining parts of the book.

This novel is absurd in many ways, but extremely humorous. Wodehouse is an excellent writer, and very witty. This book is light-hearted but well-written. I have read it multiple times now because it is so entertaining. Wodehouse is one of my favorite authors. I would highly recommend this book, as well as all of the stories about Bertie and Jeeves.

Right Ho, Jeeves by P. G. Wodehouse is available to check out from the Mission Viejo Library. It is also available to download for free from Libby.

The Haunting of Hill House by Shirley Jackson

Posted on March 21, 2023 by Mahak M.

No live organism can continue for long to exist sanely under conditions of absolute reality; even larks and katydids are supposed, by some, to dream. Hill House, not sane, stood by itself against its hills, holding darkness within; it had stood so for eighty years and might stand for eighty more. Within, walls continued upright, bricks met neatly, floors were firm, and doors were sensibly shut; silence lay steadily against the wood and stone of Hill House, and whatever walked there, walked alone.

So opens one of the greatest examples of horror fiction to ever be published: Shirley Jackson’s The Haunting of Hill House. This is the story of a cast of four characters from all walks of life who come together in the eponymous House to investigate possible supernatural disturbances. Little do they know, though, that Hill House refuses to be a passive subject in their study, choosing to fight back against what it perceives as an encroachment of its territory.

The narrator of this harrowing tale is Eleanor Vance, a woman who has spent her entire adult life taking care of her invalid mother. When the chance to escape her rootless existence appears, she jumps on it, but she finds that Hill House is perhaps more haunted than she cares to admit. As the novel progresses, the supernatural events begin to center around her, from mysterious writings on the wall to psychic communications. Eleanor, too, finds herself increasingly becoming out of touch with reality, merging with the House in a terrifyingly slippery slope with the consequence of one of the most shocking climax scenes in literary history.

Overall, The Haunting of Hill House is a brilliantly crafted example of horror fiction. While this genre isn’t usually my cup of tea, I appreciated Shirley Jackson’s masterful weaving of the plot and avoidance of the gore usually found in such books. I would absolutely recommend this book to anyone who needs a new read – so long as you remember to keep the light on.

The Haunting of Hill House by Shirley Jackson is available to check out from the Mission Viejo Library. It is also available to download for free from Libby.

Album Review: Invitation to Her’s

Posted on March 20, 2023 by Nour C.

One of my favorite relics from nostalgic summers is the music I discovered as the weeks passed. From windy summer nights to morning heatwaves, my fondest memories from those three-month vacations are the playlists I used to make. As I take a trip down memory lane, the first album that reminds me of those “good old days” is Invitation to Her’s.

Album Cover Art for *Invitation to Her’s* by Her’s.

Indie pop band Her’s released their second album, Invitation to Her’s, in 2018. A year after its release, I came across this project and quickly fell for the duo’s witty lyrics and catchy soundscapes. More specifically, I was captivated by the duo’s ability to balance each track on this album. From groovy instrumentals to clever bridges, Her’s contrasted their low and punchy vocals with soft falsetto melodies. In just a few moments, some of the best songs on this album would feel like a completely different experience.

“Harvey” and “Love on the Line (Call Now)” were by far my favorite tracks on the album, most likely by nostalgic bias. The groovy instrumentals and catchy lyrics immediately kept me hooked onto their music, and their riffs would replay in my head for days on end. Other songs, such as “She Needs Him,” transitioned from a lively song to a dreamy, slow-paced instrumental solo. Her’s knew when and how to balance their tracks; some songs had their moxie settle until the end, and others turned to a different tune.

Although some songs like “Breathing Easy” and “Under Wraps” were not as upbeat as the other tracks on this album, their soft and lounge-inspired soundscapes were just as compelling. Each song on Invitation to Her’s was unique in its own way, which is why there is at least one song that will impress you. For this reason, this album has been my go-to recommendation for years, and I find myself coming back to those blazing summers from the moment their drums kick in. Whether we’re stuck in another freezing winter or blossoming into a new spring, Invitation to Her’s is an album for every season and every music fan. Give this album a try; you won’t regret it!

Japanese Tales of Mystery & Imagination by Edogawa Rampo

Posted on March 19, 2023 by Vivienne N.

Japanese Tales of Mystery and Imagination is a collection of nine mystery and psychological horror short stories, such as “The Caterpillar” and “The Red Chamber”. I’ve read this again and again and never managed to get sick of it.

Each short story managed to scare and surprise me. Edogawa added an unexpected twist to each of them that I could not have predicted. Every story didn’t disappoint; they were spine-chilling page-turners.

Of the nine short stories, “The Human Chair” was the most memorable. It left me with the feelings of disgust and horror at once. I remember hearing my heart in my ears and being so engrossed with the story that I had refused to do anything until I finished it.

With his imagination and straight-forward writing, Edogawa wrote excellent, disturbing worlds driven by corrupted human motives. What really disturbed me was how realistic these stories seemed. If someone had read to me any of those stories and told me it was a true story, I would’ve believed them. That’s where the feeling of horror comes from.

For most, the stories in Japanese Tales of Mystery & Imagination aren’t very high on the horror spectrum. I would highly recommend this book to readers that are just starting to get into horror stories, but don’t want to start off with a book that’s overwhelming. However, I think all readers could be able to enjoy this book just as much. Overall, it’s a fun read and is deserving of your time.

The Voyage of the Dawn Treader by C.S. Lewis

Posted on March 18, 2023 by Simon H.

The Voyage of the Dawn Treader, by C.S. Lewis, is part of his much-loved Chronicles of Narnia series. This was the third book published in the series, but it would be the fifth book chronologically. This book mainly features the two younger Pevensie children, Edmund and Lucy. They are visiting the home of their cousin, Eustace. One day, the three children notice an interesting picture in Lucy’s bedroom. The picture depicts a ship in the midst of large waves. To their amazement, the children realize that they are being pulled into the picture. Within just a few moments, they find themselves swimming in the middle of an ocean. They are rescued and brought on board the ship. To the delight of Edmund and Lucy, the captain of the ship is their old friend, Caspian. They have returned to the land of Narnia.

Caspian is now the king of Narnia. His ship is named the Dawn Treader. King Caspian has built the ship to embark on a rescue mission. His quest is to find the men who had been banished from the kingdom by his evil uncle, Miraz. The children join King Caspian on this voyage, and they experience many dangers as they find themselves sailing toward the End of the World.

This book is filled with adventure and contains many exciting moments. A few of my favorite episodes include a transformation into a dragon, a battle against a sea monster, and an escape from a land of nightmares. A mouse named Reepicheep might be my favorite character. He has an endearing personality, and his loyalty to King Caspian is admirable.

One of the important elements of this book is the change in Eustace’s attitude and behavior. He is quite bitter and rude in the beginning of the story, and he does not want to stay in Narnia. However, his heart gradually changes. By the end of the story, he is almost like a new person.

I love the Chronicles of Narnia. The books are in this series are rich in magical adventure and meaningful symbolism, and this book is no exception. Just like the other books in the series, this book is a wonderful story of redemption. I would highly recommend this book and the rest of the Chronicles of Narnia to anyone.

The Voyage of the Dawn Treader by C. S. Lewis is available to check out from the Mission Viejo Library. It is also available to download for free from Libby.

Hamlet by William Shakespeare

Posted on March 17, 2023 by Mahak M.

To read, or not to read? That is the question. Whether ‘tis nobler in the mind to suffer the slings and arrows of Shakespeare’s outrageous language, or to take arms against a sea of metaphors, and by SparkNotes-ing understand them.

This is, of course, a reference to perhaps one of the most famous scenes in literary history: Hamlet’s soliloquy in the Shakespearean play of the same name. This is the story of Hamlet, prince of Denmark, who, in his quest to prove his uncle murdered his father in order to ascend to the throne, faces obstacles both external and personal that cause his (and the majority of the characters’) downfall.

However, looking beyond the scenario as it is presented, Shakespeare’s characterization captures ideas that permeated throughout society then and still exist in society today. The character flaw that is acute indecision plagues all people in a multitude of ways. Though it may not end in complete misfortune like it does in Hamlet, there are still times when we are paralyzed while making a big decision, and this hesitancy ends up costing us.

Additionally, for those coming from Romeo and Juliet, be forewarned: Hamlet is not a book of romance. While Hamlet and Ophelia are shown to be in love, Hamlet ends up using Ophelia in his quest to avenge his father, driving her to madness in one of the most tragic events of the play. Hamlet is, first and foremost, a play about appearances versus reality, loyalties and betrayals, and the overarching fear of death and the afterlife.

Hamlet balances these heavy elements with intermittent light-hearted scenes that keep the audience’s attention (after all, this was originally meant to be an Elizabethan-era play), and this creates a book well-worth reading. By doing so, the reader will not only be exposed to one of Shakespeare’s finest works, but also to his most famous lines, many of which originated from Hamlet.

– Mahak M.

Hamlet by William Shakespeare is available to check out from the Mission Viejo Library. It is also available to download for free from Libby.

Mission Viejo Library Teen Voice

Teens tell you what's what!