Tag Archives: book review

Ground Zero Novel Report

Posted on by
Reply

Ground Zero is a book with heart pounding action from start to finish, written by none other than the award winning author Alan Gratz, who has written many other bestsellers including Refugee, Code of Honor, and much more.

The story of Ground Zero follows the lives of Brandon, a 9 year old 9/11 survivor living in Manhattan. It also follows the life of Reshmina, an 11 year old living in rural Afghanistan in 2019, whose village is devastated by war and chaos.

One morning, Brandon is suspended from school so he goes with his father to the World Trade Center, where he works. For a while, everything is going just fine. Then a plane strikes the building. Everybody goes into a panic trying to escape. But the plane crash separated Brandon and his father, and Brandon courageously travels up the building to find his dad, but will he succeed?

Meanwhile in Afghanistan, lives Reshmina and her family. Unfortunately for the village, American and Terrorist armies are at war in Afghanistan because of the 9/11 attack. One day, a battle takes place close to the village, and Reshmina stumbles upon a wounded American soldier from the battle. Reshmina learns that the soldier was blinded from the battle, and she reluctantly takes the soldier home… But what will happen next?

Gratz connects the dots between these two stories and intertwines them brilliantly throughout the entire novel, turning two small stories in to one amazingly crafted story with many revelations by the end.

I would recommend Ground Zero to any readers who have a passion for action packed and thrilling novels or to anyone who enjoys historic stories based on real events. If you want to read more about how Brandon and Reshmina’s stories unravel, then I would highly suggest purchasing and reading this amazing piece of literature.

Ground Zero by Alan Gratz is available to check out from the Mission Viejo Library. It is also available to download for free from Libby.

I Must Betray You by Ruta Sepetys

Posted on by
1

I Must Betray You is a historical fiction novel, encompassing the struggles of a 17-year-old boy, Cristian Florescu, living within the communist regime in Romania, who is blackmailed by the secret police to become an informer on the American family his mother cleans for. Feeling trapped and overwhelmed by his anxiety, Cristian captures his oppressive life through expressive poems within his personal journal. Soon, he chooses to use his role as an informer to his advantage and fight in the revolution to overthrow the communist dictator.

The main developer of the plot of this novel is the nuance of relationships that Sepetys establishes between Cristian and several other characters. For example, Cristian’s relationship with his older sister Cici marks the development of his anxiety and the major theme of betrayal within the novel. Throughout the novel, Cristian suspects the people who surround him to be informers just like him; however, through doing so, he virtually creates an emotional distance, isolating himself and jump-starting an overflow of anxiety. Cristian never suspects Cici as he sees her as the only person he can trust and has always been there for him. Unfortunately, Cristian soon uncovers striking deceptions in Cici’s character that cause him to shun their relationship.

Cristian’s discovery regarding Cici highlights this book’s most impactful message: in a world where you can’t trust anyone, it hurts the most when you are betrayed by those you did trust. Even the strongest relationships can fall apart, but ultimately, it is the truth that sets you free.

Not only does this novel unveil an inspiring moral, but it also sheds light upon a chilling and emotional aspect of European history not often acknowledged. The 1989 period of violent civil unrest in Romania is captured in the development of Cristian’s character as a teen boy who succumbed to a life of confinement to a young adult who fought for a liberating future to pursue his dreams as a passionate writer.

I would recommend this novel to readers who enjoy historical fiction novels and readers who don’t. Its fast-paced storyline and escape into a fantasy that incorporates real historical events create a highly intriguing reading experience that I believe readers of any interest will enjoy. Through heartbreaking revelations and action-packed moments, Sepetys truly captures the inspiring impact that teenagers can make upon their society.

I Must Betray You by Ruta Sepetys is available to check out from the Mission Viejo Library. It is also available to download for free from Libby.

Tuesdays with Morrie by Mitch Albom – A short overview

Posted on by
2

Tuesdays with Morrie is a moving non-fiction book about Mitch Albom’s favorite professor, Morrie Schwartz giving Mitch a “final class” on lessons in life. It is a book about how to navigate love, work, community, and family about how to forgive and lastly, it talks about the fear of aging and death.

In Morrie’s deteriorating health, he and Mitch met every Tuesday and talked about everything from the world, to feeling sorry for yourself, and from marriage to modern culture. One big topic that was personally moving was their talk about regrets. One of life’s biggest regrets tends to be not living life to its fullest. Morrie advised Mitch not to chase after money like Mitch had been doing, and instead, to focus on his life, and family, and to have an impact on his community and live for a meaningful purpose to not regret his life when his time eventually came.

Another piece of advice given to avoid regret was to forgive. Talking about his personal experience with his friend, Morrie advises Mitch not to make the same mistake as he did and to not focus on his pride or vanity and then regret his chance to forgive. Before anything, however, he talks about how you should forgive, understand, and be truthful to yourself. They even talk about how in modern culture, people run after money and forget to find their own opinions, and desires, forever running after society’s perception of them.

Finally, although sometimes hard to face, death is an inevitable truth that was talked about unflinchingly in this book, and as Morrie said, “Death ends a life, not a relationship.” “Truth is, once you learn how to die, you learn how to live.” This book completely changed my perspective on life and death. Many don’t really believe – quite understandably – the inevitability of their death until it’s too late, and to really live, Morrie says, you must accept the fact and ask yourself that if today was your last day, are you really doing everything you want?

Overall, I found this book to be really meaningful and life-changing. It gave me new standards to live by, and I would recommend it to everyone interested because it includes many lessons that I think could fit all ages.

Tuesdays with Morrie by Mitch Albom is available to check out from the Mission Viejo Library. It is also available to download for free from Libby.

Aru Shah and the Song of Death

Posted on by
1

In the mythological fiction novel Aru Shah and the Song of Death, we learn about Hindu mythology, alongside action pact scenes that are fun to read. This book is also a great sequel to the previous book; Aru Shah and the End of Time.

By reading this book, one will learn much about Hindu mythology. For those who are not familiar, the series is all about a girl named Aru Shah who goes on missions to save the world, and she meets Hindu legends along the way. A couple examples of these legends are Lord Hanuman, the rishi Valmiki, and asura, who are like demons in Hindu mythology.

This book is filled to the brim with action. There are many combat and exciting scenes in it. Fighting is a major theme in this novel, since the Pandavas: Aru and her sister’s souls, were great fighters during their respective time. All in all, if you are looking for an action book, this is a great option!

Lastly, I just wanted to point out that this book is a great sequel to the previous book in the series: Aru Shah and the End of Time. This is because of the numerous familiar characters reintroduced to the novel. Some examples are Mini, Boo, and Lord Hanuman. There were also some new characters introduced, such as Aiden, the rishi Valmiki, and Brine. To sum it up, this is a very good series in general, and I would highly recommend it.

In conclusion, Aru Shah and the Song of Death is a great novel because it teaches the reader about Hindu mythology, has a lot of action, and is also a great sequel to Aru Shah and the End of Time.

Aru Shah and the Song of Death by Roshani Chokshi is available to checkout from the Mission Viejo Library. It is also available to download for free from Libby.

Book Review – The Dark Forest by Liu Cixin

Posted on by
Reply

A few months ago, I read The Three-Body Problem by Liu Cixin, and I found it a particularly impressive and riveting work of science fiction. So, I decided to read the second book in the series, which definitely met my expectations on a Liu Cixin work.

This book is the sequel to the Three Body Problem, so to understand the context and setting of this novel, one must have read the previous book. This book is situated under a pretext like the Three Body Problem, but this time focuses on humanity’s survival in the face of the Trisolarian invasion. This book mainly focuses on the efforts of the UN to find a way for humanity to survive, most notably through the Wallface project, granting several individuals great power. This was to counter the “Sophons” the Trisolarians used, a particle that disrupts advancements in physics, while at the same time communicating with Trisolaris via quantum entanglement, which is a theory in physics detailing a phenomenon where two subatomic particles can communicate with each other despite being separated by billions of lightyears of space.

This book was significantly interesting to me, as it is one of the more notable works in the hard science fiction genre of novels. “hard science fiction” defines any science fiction novel that puts an emphasis on scientific logic and realism. The Dark Forest, along with the rest of the Three-Body series, includes both of these things. More interestingly, the Dark Forest is based on a real scientific hypothesis, the “dark forest hypothesis”, which states that the universe contains intelligent alien life, but no advanced civilization would reveal themselves out of the fear of being attacked.

Overall, this was a great sequel to The Three-Body Problem, and I had a great time reading it. I would recommend this book and the corresponding series to anyone who is interested in physics, or anybody looking to read a science-fiction novel with a realistic depiction of scientific concepts.

The Dark Forest by Cixin Liu is available to download for free from Libby.

Misery, by Stephen King

Posted on by
Reply

With Halloween just around the corner, it would be a waste not to introduce one of the best thriller novels I’ve ever read. As many know, Stephen King is one of America’s most influential and creative authors to date when it comes to creating mystery, terror, and suspense. His book Misery is no stranger to this trend.

One of my favorite elements of Misery is its point of view. The story is told by the main character Paul Sheldon, a famous author. Since the main character and narrator of the novel is the author himself, it allows for his point of view to be very dynamic and descriptive, without foreshadowing, which increases the anticipation felt throughout the book.

I also love Paul’s point of view because it is told not only with his thoughts and dialogue but also with his dreams and visions of the novels he writes within the book.

The best part of the book by far though, which makes it eerily appropriate for the season is the antagonist of the book: Anne Wilkes. Anne is Paul’s biggest fan. She changes from being in complete aue of him to having complete control over him.

Anne, like any menace, is terrifying and conniving, but unlike many villains I’ve read about, she’s also naive. King’s writing almost makes you feel sympathetic for her at times. The flexibility of her character allows for a number of shocking plot twists you’ll never anticipate.

Overall, Misery is one of the perfect books to read in preparation for the spooky season, as it will chill you to the bone with suspense and vivid, grisly imagery.

Misery by Stephen King is available to check out from the Mission Viejo Library.

Crying in H Mart: How Food Connects Us

Posted on by
Reply

This summer, I had to choose a memoir to read for my AP Lang course. My friend and I chose Crying in H Mart so we could read and discuss the book together. Crying in H Mart has become one of my new favorite books.

When Michelle Zauner finds out her mother has been diagnosed with cancer, she puts her life in Philadelphia on hold to be with her mother. Told plainly and honestly, Zauner describes growing up Korean American, her strained relationship with her mother, and dealing with grief. At the center of it all is her and her mother’s shared love of food.

Reading this memoir was deeply thought-provoking as an Asian American. In the United States, when you can’t go back to your home country, food is the easiest way to connect to your culture. After all, what is the one thing all humans have to do? Eat. Our cultural recipes connect us to our ancestors and allow us to preserve the past. After Zauner’s mother’s death, she cooks Korean dish after Korean dish. All her life, she has never felt Korean enough. Cooking is how she reconnects to her heritage and her memories with her mother. Michelle Zauner provoked me to think about how food fits into my life and how it connects me to my heritage, especially when I feel torn between so many cultures. I know I’m not alone in the sentiment that I don’t feel Asian enough for other Asians and I don’t feel American enough for other Americans.

I am of Pakistani, Burmese, and Indian heritage. I have never visited these countries but when I eat my grandma’s shrimp biryani, or I slurp the broth of the Kaukswe my mom learned how to make from her dad, I feel as if I am home. Food is what ties my family together. We were all born in different countries: Burma, Pakistan, India, and America, but when we all sit down at the dinner table, we are all tied together by the same string. Food.

Crying in H Mart by Michelle Zauner is available to check out from the Mission Viejo Library. It is also available to download for free from Libby.

Spark of the Everflame Series: Book Reviews (NO SPOILERS)!

Posted on by
Reply

To start off, this book is a romantasy, which is short for romantic fantasy. And I really think this is one of the best fantasy books out there for a couple reasons (I’m going to try and not spoil anything)…

  1. First of all the cover though!!! I’m in love!! If you do start binge reading the whole series (like I did), you’ll realize the progression of the girl on the front cover change overtime to what she symbolizes in each book.
  2. Honestly, I loved all parts of this book. For those of you who are dragon girlies, I think you’ll love it too (Yes, there are gryverns involved!!!). It’s a slow burn and currently there are three books out, but the fourth book is coming out this year! It gives a Throne of Glass, but also kind of Hunger Games kind of vibe (trials and politics are more book two though).
  3. So for the gist of the setting: It is a mortal world colonized by the gods. The cruel offspring of the gods called the Descended rules over the mortals. Diem Bellator, our main FMC lives in the slums of the human villages as a healer.
  4. I won’t spoil anything, but a quick summary of the story is that pretty much a mortal rebellion is brewing and although the mortals are still undermined, they are gaining the attraction of the Descended. But I promise there are a lot of plot twists and way more found family kind of energy/trope, which I love sooo much!
  5. Even though our main female character (Diem) is the center of attention, the side character development is amazing! They didn’t develop too many side characters, a good six to seven, but they were developed really well and you were able to connect with each one! The author also really tried to incorporate diversity into the characters as well which I really loved. There are some brooding characters here and there (our MMC especially), but there were ones that were quirky and funny too that really hit the mark! Some people don’t like Diem because they think she’s too stubborn, but that is my favorite trait about her! Yes, there are some parts where the reader obviously knows what’s going on, but she just refuses to accept it. But don’t worry, she’ll figure it out, I promise!
  6. Also, I really think this is my favorite MMC of all time! In some of the romantasy books I read, the MMC was too over-protective, but in this book, he really gave her space and gave her time to figure out what she wanted to do with what was put on her at the moment. It is also a slow-burn romance and also a sort of enemies to lovers, but the hate was mostly one sided (mostly from Diem haha).
  7. In my honest opinion, the third book is the best one because it really goes into all of the trials they have to go through (the romance also starts to develop more heavily here). Book 1 was mostly world-building and book 2 was mostly court politics.

Lastly, I just wanted to end with a quick quote from one reader who read this!

Happy reading everyone!!

Louisiana’s Way Home by Kate DiCamillo

Posted on by
1

Louisiana’s Way Home, by Kate DiCamillo, is a novel written from the perspective of a twelve-year-old girl named Louisiana Elefante. At the beginning of the story, Louisiana is abruptly awakened in the middle of the night by her grandmother. Granny says, “The day of reckoning has arrived. The hour is close at hand. We must leave immediately.” Louisiana does not think this is a big deal, because Granny had said things like that before. However, this time is different. Louisiana soon realizes that they are moving from their home in Florida and embarking on a journey to Georgia. This time, Granny intends to leave Florida for good.

As Louisiana faces the uncertainty of her new circumstances, her mind is filled with a mix of hope and fear. This book captures the emotions of a girl trying to make sense of her life in the midst of chaos. She struggles with feelings of loneliness after she is separated from her best friends. She meets many strange and sometimes funny characters in her travels, but she yearns to find her way home. This book deals with themes of resilience, friendship, and identity, as Louisiana learns to navigate her changing world and uncovers secrets about her family.

This is a touching and emotional book. I was impressed by the inner strength that Louisiana develops as the story progresses. Her raw feelings are wonderfully described by the author, and she becomes a very sympathetic character. The story is highly realistic and it brings Louisiana’s world to life. This book also teaches powerful lessons about love and forgiveness. I found the ending to be bittersweet, reflecting the harshness of Louisiana’s feelings but also her personal growth. As she comes to terms with her past and recognizes the potential of her future, it becomes clear that she has come a long way. I definitely appreciate this book overall and would recommend it to readers of all ages, and especially to young readers.

Louisiana’s Way Home by Kate DiCamillo is available to checkout from the Mission Viejo Library. It is also available to download for free from Libby.

Crying in H-Mart by Michelle Zauner

Posted on by
Reply

I don’t usually read nonfiction. I’m more of a fantasy, love-story, novel, kind of person. But starting this year, my first assignment was to read a memoir. Any memoir of our choosing, so long it was about overcoming adversity. At first, I struggled to find a memoir that really interested me, but somewhere in the back of my mind, this one came to mind. I must have seen or heard about this memoir somewhere because once I found it, I immediately purchased it. 

Crying in H-Mart by Michelle Zauner is a memoir in which Zauner must deal with the grief of losing her mother from cancer and learn to come to terms with her own identity. Zauner recalls her memories of when she was younger, how she had once looked up to and thought so highly of her mother to when she grew and began to resent her instead. Zauner lists disagreements she had with her mother and her own personal battles she faced throughout high school. However, it is only when she is through college and away from her family does she get the call that her mother has cancer. As she watches her mother fade, Zauner worries that losing her could also cause her to lose much more. 

This memoir really made me think about my own life. I had never really once thought about what would happen when my parents are gone. It’s not a fun topic to think about and definitely harder to talk about. But hearing Zauner’s personal story, it seemed to connect to my life in a way. I am a musician myself and of Asian descent. However, what I really connected to were the family dynamics. Specifically the connection Zauner had with her mom. I’ve had my fair share of disagreements with my mom, many talks and exchanged opinions. But I’m always–still am–looking for her approval, her advice, and her support. My mom is the one I go to and have true heart-to-heart conversations and without her, I might lose myself–just as Zauner nearly did. In losing her mother, Zauner had a hard time finding her identity–in both her culture and path. Without the advice and ties to her mother, Zauner felt lost in what to do until she could find her again through other means. I’m scared to lose my mom; whenever I need to go to someone, the first person that comes to mind is usually my mom. So without her, I may feel just as lost, but perhaps with this perspective, I can find ways to accept the loss and carry on when it inevitably arrives.

I also connected to the familial ties. I usually see my dad’s side of the family since they live here in the United States. My mom’s side lives in the Philippines–like Zauner’s mom’s side lives in Korea. I don’t see them much and when I do, it’s way harder for me to warm up to them. But in reading Zauner’s experience, it is important to connect to those you can to help cope and grieve. And that while I may not see my mom’s side of the family much, they will come to my aid just as I would for them. 

Crying in H-Mart opened up my perspective, showed what my future could look like, and helped me raise my appreciation for my family, friends and the ones I care about. While we take each other for granted at times, this memoir has helped me remember that nothing is forever and they will leave someday. The only thing we can do is spend time with them, love them, and keep them in our hearts and memories. Crying in H-Mart is a fantastic true story on Michelle Zauner’s struggles and overcoming them. It is one that I found myself relating to and one I will highly recommend to everyone.

-Nicole R.

Crying in H Mart by Michelle Zauner is available to checkout from the Mission Viejo Library. It is also available to download for free from Libby.