Tag Archives: book review

Paper Towns by John Green

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I first read Paper Towns when I was 14, and it quickly became one of my favorite books of all time. I would consider this book to be a “classic” that any teenager should read. John Green writes about the teenage experience in a way that many pieces of media fail to capture. Paper Towns follows teenagers Quentin Jacobsen and Margo Roth Spiegelman. Quentin, being neighbors with Margo since they were kids, watches Margo from afar, and she never seems to notice him. One day, Margo approaches his window with the promise of an adventure. The next day, she goes missing.

On their adventure, Margo and Quentin drive through their hometown of Orlando Florida in the middle of the night on a sort of scavenger hunt, and it places the reader right into the action. I love this scene, and I think it is the perfect introduction to the rest of Margo’s journey.

This book is full of adventure, mystery, and anticipation. It is funny, and witty and keeps you on the edge of your seat. All the characters are loveable and relatable, and by the end of the book you’ll either love or hate Margo’s quirky personality. The last chapter is a long adventure, with twists and turns, and one of my favorite endings I’ve ever read. The concept of a “Paper Town” is explained, and it’s something I had never heard of before, but it was really cool to learn about. Throughout the book, you get to see the characters evolve. Quentin, who was perceived as uncool and dorky seems to find himself, and Margo, who was a stereotypical popular girl, shows her true personality as she spends time with Quentin and his friends.

Ultimately Paper Towns is an essential novel for teenagers and a classic in the YA genre. This book is perfect for any age, and I believe everyone should read it at least once in their life. Someone recommended this book to me when I was younger and browsing the YA section at a bookstore, and I thank the person who gave it to me.

Paper Towns by John Green is available to check out from the Mission Viejo Library. It can also be downloaded for free from Libby.

All Quiet on the Western Front by Erich Maria Remarque

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Having started my World War One unit in my history class, I remembered I had read a book on it. All Quiet on the Western Front by Erich Maria Remarque is a historical fiction novel I read all the way back in November for my English class. We were given the choices of either reading a book about World War Two or a book about World War One. I made the decision to read the one about World War One, realizing I had barely any information on it in my head. 

All Quiet on the Western Front is set in Germany during World War One following Paul Baumer, his friends and other young men. Throughout the novel, they are slowly losing the spark of fighting they had when they first started. The novel goes in depth on the lost ideologies of war and how they were tricked into becoming patriots of their country, unknowing of what they are fighting for. It’s a gruesome story of loss and reveals the realities of war and what it is like being out on the front lines.

At first, I didn’t really find the novel all that interesting. I am not usually one to watch war films or read war related books. I’ve always been more of a fantasy kind of person. But as I read through this novel, I found more to the simplicity of what I had deemed to be “just a war story.” The novel focuses highly on the small moments outside of war, what happens during battles, what happens to others and the aftermath of war on people. Remarque does a great job on illustrating scenes with her descriptions of the battlefield and the conditions of war back then. We see it when we travel with Paul as he experiences different battlefields, the pain of coming back to and leaving his family, and losses of friends and family. I enjoyed reading this point of view as through Paul’s eyes, I was able to see and live through the emotions and intensity that were experienced in trench warfare and war in general.

However, seeing the ideology of the soldiers fighting in the war was what really interested me. It was the fact that they were young men that didn’t know what they were fighting for that really got me thinking. The strength of nationalism and propaganda on the younger generations is incredibly useful in getting them to do what others want, despite them not truly knowing what they are signing up for. They risk losing their lives and they completely lose their innocence, childhood, and will to live fighting for something they don’t understand; a theme touched throughout the entire novel. I found this theme to be the most striking, something I still remember now even though it’s been a while since I’ve read the book.

While I was skeptical of this book at first, All Quiet on the Western Front was a delightful read. It was difficult at times, because of the strange pacing, but looking back at it now, it really helps to add to the story and pacing of war. I also got to learn more about World War One and what it was like. I definitely recommend this book, for knowledge and the historical portion of it but also because it’s an interesting and emotional read.

-Nicole R. 

All Quiet on the Western Front by Erich Maria Remarque is available to check out from the Mission Viejo Library. It is also available to download for free from Libby.

The Second Mrs. Giaconda by E.L. Konigsberg

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The Second Mrs. Giaconda, by E.L. Konigsberg, is a historical novel featuring Leonardo da Vinci and the background of his famous painting, the Mona Lisa. The story is told from the perspective of Leonardo’s apprentice, Salai. Before meeting Leonardo, Salai was a liar and a thief. Leonardo catches Salai in the act of stealing, but does not punish him. Leonardo realizes that Salai and his family are living in poverty. Moved by compassion, Leonardo takes in Salai as an apprentice.

Soon after Salai is made an apprentice, it becomes apparent that Leonardo favors him over his other apprentices. A bond develops between the master and the apprentice that becomes stronger through the many hardships that they endure together. After a surprising turn of events, this relationship ultimately leads to the painting of the Mona Lisa.

This is a short novel, but I enjoyed it very much. Even though the story is fictional, it seems realistic. It gives a sense of what life was like during the Renaissance. I think that this book conveys the emotions of the characters very well. I was especially impressed by the development of the character of Leonardo da Vinci, but I enjoyed the other characters as well. 

Overall, I found this book to be very compelling. The plot twists are intriguing, and surprisingly complex for such a short book. The story also teaches good lessons, such as the dangers of wealth and materialism. This book is very entertaining, and I would recommend it to anyone.

Adventures in Biodiversity: Thoughts and Review

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You may have heard of the term “biodiversity” before, but what is it and why is it so important? The book, Adventures in Biodiversity by Alexandre Antonelli gives new insight to these questions. Antonelli is a highly experienced and respected plant scientist. He has devoted his career to studying the evolutionary science of tropical plants and habitats. Throughout his book, he applies his knowledge to educate about the loss of biodiversity, and the dangers that come with it. It includes many details about the study of habitats and biology.

Personally, I am interested in biology. This book has furthered my passion for it: I have learned so much! I especially enjoyed reading about the author’s trips to rainforests and endangered ecosystems. I never knew how interconnected and complex nature truly is. Did you know that more than 500 species of flowers rely on bats to pollinate them? I didn’t either!

This book has also educated me on the dangers of endangered species and habitats. Everything needs biodiversity to thrive. All species, from cocoa plants to horseshoe crabs, play a major role in our everyday lives. Although we rely on the unique variety of species to thrive, humans are the leading cause for loss of biodiversity. We destroy rainforests, kill species for their fur, and steal habitats for our own. This decline of biodiversity has rapidly accelerated throughout the years. For example, the Amazon rainforest has already lost 20% of its area due to deforestation. It is projected to lose 7% more by 2027. The book goes into much more detail; there are many specifics on the causes, types, and consequences of the loss of biodiversity. I highly recommend everyone read this book and spread this knowledge to others.

Book Review: Catcher in the Rye

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I read this book as classwork for my English 1 class, and it was actually a really interesting book. It changed my outlook on life, and I really love the perspective of Holden. The book is written in first-person, from Holden’s point of view, and it shows the thought process of a teenager in internal conflict with himself.

The book is about a young boy named Holden who was born into a rich family. He went to Pencey Prep, a boarding school, due to his behavior and actions. His family was successful, and he wondered why he was not the same as them. This school journey ultimately leads him to the decision of leaving his school and wandering the streets of New York City. There, he talks about how he feels about life and what he needs.

Holden also talks with the people around him. For example, when he gets a taxi, he asks the cab driver about “what happens to the ducks in the Central Park lagoon.” I do not want to spoil the book too much because it is very interesting, and you will definitely not expect where Holden ends up.

The depression and mental illnesses Holden faces lead him to try to change his life for the better. He tries to protect other people’s childhood and innocence. He transforms eventually and in the end, he shifts his perspective in life and tries to redeem himself.

Overall, I would rate the book a 9/10, especially since I read it when I had just turned 14. I would mainly recommend this book to teenagers and high schoolers since the perspective is of a highschooler. It was a blast seeing Holden come of age and evolve throughout his thoughts and actions.

Albert X., 10th Grade

The Catcher in the Rye by J. D. Salinger is available for checkout from the Mission Viejo Library. It can also be downloaded for free from Libby.

Annabel Lee by Edgar Allan Poe

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“Annabel Lee” by Edgar Allan Poe is a poem about a young man and woman’s love story. The story follows a love that provokes even the angels to strip the man of the woman as she passes away in the poem. The poem surrounds the themes of love and how both deep love and death cause great grief and sorrow. 

I particularly love how Poe develops the poem and creates it into a short story. While reading, it barely feels like a real poem, and rather a simple story about a couple in love and their tragic ending. I also love the way that Poe describes the couple’s love as he conveys their love as almost ethereal and something only seen once in a lifetime. The reader is truly immersed in their love especially with how Poe emphasizes how they had a “love that was more than love.” 

I did not dislike anything in particular, except for Poe’s eccentric habit of writing about a young, beautiful woman’s death. I find Edgar Allan Poe an extremely odd man who often wrote about darker themes. Despite how much I enjoy his poems, they may appear a bit strange or may carry hints of weird recurring themes. 

I truly enjoy this poem and recommend that anyone reads it. “Annabel Lee” is a short poem that is easy and fun to read that makes you wonder more about the couple’s story. Please give it a try as well as Edgar Allan Poe’s other works like Tell Tale Heart, a short novel, or even “The Bells,” another poem.

Kaiya T.

Books by Edgar Allan Poe are available to check out from the Mission Viejo Library. They are also available to download for free from Libby.

A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens

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In my English class, we read one of the most famous stories that Charles Dickens has ever written. This story is called A Christmas Carol. A Christmas Carol is about a very greedy and selfish person named Ebenezer Scrooge. In the story, Scrooge goes on a journey through time to get taught important lessons that would hopefully change him for the better. While reading this story, I had fun reading about Scrooge’s character development and the hidden meanings in the text.

Early in the story, we learn that Scrooge had a business partner who died named Jacob Marley. Later, Scrooge is visited by Marley’s ghost who warns Scrooge that if he doesn’t change for the better, he will be miserable after death. Marley also tells him that the only way that he can be saved is if he follows the teachings of three different spirits that will visit him. The first spirit that visits Scrooge is named the Ghost of Christmas Past, who reminds Scrooge of things that have happened in his past. The next spirit is named the Ghost of Christmas Present, who shows Scrooge visions of people who are celebrating Christmas with others. The final spirit that visits Scrooge is named the Ghost of Christmas Future. The Ghost of Christmas Future shows Scrooge things that will happen in the future if he doesn’t change for the better. After he gets visited by all three spirits he wakes up on Christmas day to change his fate. 

As I read through this story it is easy to see Ebenezer Scrooge’s character development. It made the reading experience more fun as Scrooge changed from a horrible and greedy person at the start of the book to a generous person. I also enjoyed finding the hidden meanings inside the text Charles Dickens wrote. In many pages, there is a hidden meaning in the text that teaches Scrooge a lesson, which is fun to find.

Overall, A Christmas Carol is a fun book to read. My favorite part about it was seeing the character development of Scrooge. At the beginning of the story, he demonstrates how he’s a selfish and greedy person who only cares about money. Then, he turned into the complete opposite person. I highly recommend this story to others since it is a fun book to read while in the Christmas spirit.

-Matthew R.

Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol–along with every variation–is available for checkout from the Mission Viejo Library. It can also be downloaded for free from Libby.

From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler by E. L. Konigsburg

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From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler is a short novel by E. L. Konigsburg. This book won the Newbery Medal in 1968. The main character of the story is a girl named Claudia Kincaid, who lives in Connecticut. Claudia is the eldest of four children. She does not feel like she is treated fairly at home, so she decides to run away. She carefully plans the best way to run away from home. She selects her younger brother, Jamie, to go along with her. After several weeks of preparation, the two siblings finally put their plan into action. They travel to the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City, intending to secretly live inside the museum.

Claudia and Jamie manage to live in the museum for a while. During the day, they blend in with school groups of other children. At closing time, they hide as the security staff inspects the museum to make sure that all visitors have left. At night, they sleep on an antique bed in the museum.

After several days in the museum, Claudia and Jamie discover a statue of an angel. The statue is believed to have been sculpted by Michelangelo. The children are so impressed by the statue that they decide to research its origins. They learn that it had been purchased from a mysterious art collector named Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler. The children decide to investigate further, which leads them to an unexpected adventure that will change their lives forever.

This book is very well written. The story is quite unique and imaginative. I have never visited the Metropolitan Museum of Art, but the book’s description of the museum is captivating. Even though I would not generally condone the idea of children running away from home, this book includes some wise counsel at the end. I would expect that anyone who has visited this museum would especially enjoy this book. Overall, I found this book to be very original, and the ending is quite satisfying.

From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler by Richard Powers is available to check out from the Mission Viejo Library. It is also available to download for free from Libby.

Book Review: The Overstory by Richard Powers

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From the start, this was probably one of the most unique books that I’ve read, with a very good message behind it. Although it was definitely one of the longer ones I’ve read, it was well-written enough to keep any reader interested.

This book tells the story of 9 Americans who work together to prevent the destruction of forests within the U.S. The book starts in the 1800s with the story of the Hoel chestnut tree, detailing an important background for another character later in the story. The Hoel family had a tradition of taking pictures of the tree every year, and these pictures were eventually inherited by Nicholas Hoel, the great-great-great grandson of Jorgen Hoel, who planted the tree. After this chapter, the book fasts forward in time to the story of Winston Ma and his family, who escapes communism in China and becomes an electrical engineer in the U.S. He starts a family, and plants a mulberry tree. However, later, when everything falls apart, he takes his own life underneath the very tree he planted, leaving behind his daughter, Mimi Ma, who will be an important character later in the story.

There are seven more individual stories in this book, each revolving around a specific character in a different time period. Each of these nine individuals has seen their live impacted massively by nature, and each one of these stories are centered around a certain tree, as seen in the two early characters. The 9 characters eventually go on to formulate a plan to spread awareness for their cause, but It does not really go as planned. I won’t spoil what happens to each of these characters, but I will say that this book can have either a happy or sad ending, depending on one’s interpretation of it.

Overall, I think this book had a great message behind it, with the author clearly emphasizing the importance of nature to the world, as well as the importance of the continued existence of trees. This book is an amazing example of environmental activism through literature, and I would recommend this book to anybody interested in the environment and its preservation.

The Overstory by Richard Powers is available to check out from the Mission Viejo Library. It is also available to download for free from Libby.

Book Review: 1984

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1984 written by George Orwell is a great book if you want to get into the classics, if you read his other book, Animal Farm, you might like this book as well.

A grotesque take of a corrupt communist society, 1984 follows Winston Smith, a cog in the machine in the records department of the Ministry of Truth. His work forces him to work with the documents of the “erased,” those who have committed atrocities towards the party and therefore are erased. Winston struggles with the meaning of how to be human in a world that does not value the creativity of the individual but rather the longevity of the party under their leader, Big Brother. People in this society are blatantly brainwashed consistently throughout the novel and the only one bothered by this seems to be Winston. He buys a contraband journal where he writes these thoughtcrimes and eventually finds a woman that shares the same thoughts as him.

It’s interesting to see the parallels between this book and our world today where Uncle Sam represents our country, and communist Vietnam former president Ho Chi Minh is referred to as “Uncle.” Big Brother always watching is also symbolic of North Korea, where it is custom for every room to have portraits of Kim Il-sung and Kim Jong-un watching over their citizens at all times.

I would recommend this book to those who enjoyed: Zone of Interest, The Creator, Oppenheimer, All Quiet on the Western Front, or the Matrix. The similar theme among these are humans versus their government and their allegiance to their morality party.

1984 by George Orwell is available to check out from the Mission Viejo Library. It is also available to download for free from Libby.