Tag Archives: book review

Make Your Bed by William H. McRaven

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The book Make Your Bed: Little Things That Can Change Your Life…And Maybe The World was written by and uses personal stories from Admiral William H. McRaven, a retired member of the US Navy. He served as a Navy seal for 37 years, with his highest ranking being Commander of all US Special Operations Forces; a four-star admiral.

Throughout the book, McRaven uses his personal experiences, through both his training and his time during service, to teach you how to better live your life.

The book is a more in-depth explanation of McRaven’s speech he gave during the University of Texas Commencement Ceremony in 2014. A major positive of the book is that it is short but sweet. It is only 125 pages long, with lots of empty space and large font. By cutting out the unnecessary information, the author makes the lessons more digestible and easier to understand.

Each of the 10 chapters focuses on a different life lesson. A similar formula is used throughout: McRaven begins by explaining his personal challenges and relating them back to the lessons.

For example, the first chapter begins with a story of how he and his fellow trainees were always required to make their beds during Seal training. This simple habit spread to other areas of his life and promoted overall organization and cleanliness. He explains that the act of making your bed helped him start the day off with a task completed.

Finally, the lessons taught in the book can be applied to every aspect of life, whether you serve in the military or not. McRaven emphasizes teaching others with respect and building connections with others. He believes that “it takes a team of good people to get you to your destination in life. You cannot paddle the boat alone. Find someone to share your life with. Make as many friends as possible, and never forget that your success depends on others.”

He asserts not only ideas of discipline and perseverance but also not judging people for how they look and standing up for yourself. No matter what your background or goals are, this book is a must-read for anyone who would like to change themselves for the better.

Make Your Bed: Little Things That Can Change Your Life…And Maybe The World by Admiral William H. McRaven is available to check out from the Mission Viejo Library. It is also available to download for free from Libby.

Book Review: House on Mango Street by Sandra Cisneros

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Recently, I read a book called House on Mango Street, which is the story of a girl named Esperanza, which translates to “Hope” in English, as she navigates her process of coming of age. This book was definitely an interesting read, as it is formatted and told in a style that not many books utilize.

To understand the novel and its purpose, it is recommended that one reads the author’s foreword, as it explains the author’s story, how her background led to this book’s creation, and how Esperanza is loosely based upon Cisneros herself, as both of them like writing. This novel starts off with the author introducing the environment that Esperanza grows up around, her house, and the school she goes to. The author deliberately makes Esperanza an unreliable narrator at the start, realistically depicting a younger child’s naive view of the world. Cisneros shows this through the fact that she didn’t know a car she was riding was stolen by one of her cousins earlier in the book, and is expressed later in the book when she doesn’t understand that some boys were joking with her friend, causing her to react unexpectedly.

The novel is written into short little segments, which the author calls “vignettes”, instead of being split into specific chapters like a traditional novel. This gives the novel a more personal feel and really frames the story, as well as giving the readers more details of the impoverished neighborhood in which Esperanza eventually comes of age. The author also blends her cultural background into her writing with this story, and it is reflected in the character of Esperanza, whose parents are quite similar to Cisnero’s parents in a way.

Overall, this book is a great read for those who are interested in reading novels in which the protagonist grows and matures as a person, and the author definitely makes this process interesting through plenty of storytelling and nuanced descriptions of this book’s setting, giving the reader a more personal look at the lives of the characters within this book.

The House on Mango Street by Sandra Cisneros is available to check out from the Mission Viejo Library. It is also available to download for free from Libby.

TFIOS: An Updated Review

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It’s irrational to think that no book has flaws. It’s silly to imagine it. Alas, I was still in the stage after reading a book where you haven’t quite processed everything, and you can only think of either brilliant praises or detestful criticism. My original review of The Fault in Our Stars on the blog was skewed in the former. This is my redo.

Needless to say, I still love this book. I didn’t have a complete change of heart like that, but now I am more able to recognize faults and places where the writing fell short.

My biggest gripe upon rereading and rethinking is that while there are some great, really quotable, and flowy lines, they don’t always fit naturally into the dialogue. if you can suspend your disbelief and accept that all of this is apparently normal people things for these teens, you can really enjoy the poeticism of it all. Seriously though, they pull monologues as normal conversation starters. In particular, the cigarette metaphor was not resonant with me

Fortunately, for the most part, I was able to overlook this and let myself sink into the writing.

I enjoyed Augustus’ character over Hazels, the trope of “We can’t be together cause I could die!” is particularly grating but thankfully the plot graces over this fairly quickly.

Again, there were some monologues and dialogue that really, really, REALLY worked for me. It wasn’t all a bit meandering, I promise.

For all of the criticism that this review seems to hold, I promise you that this book still holds a place in my heart. I merely wanted to present that this book, like all others, has flaws. What worked for me might not work for you, or vice versa.

Either way, you should still check it out. A lot of what I said in the first review still applies. It’s beautiful writing, a beautiful story, and it’s a beautiful experience to read. Do check it out.

The Fault in Our Stars by John Green is available to check out from the Mission Viejo Library. It is also available to download for free from Libby.

The Selection by Kiera Cass

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America Singer has been chosen to compete in The Selection for a chance at Prince Maxon’s hand. The only problem? She’s secretly in love with her best friend, Aspen.

Upon arriving at the palace, America and Maxon strike a deal. America will spy on the other girls for Maxon to find out what their true intentions are and Maxon won’t eliminate America from the competition, so that she can continue to improve her family’s financial situation.

As far as storylines go, it’s a little cliche with your typical childhood friend romance trope and rags-to-riches story. However, personally, I liked how it was kind of like a dystopian version of Cinderella.

America also has a very strong and selfless personality as she is willing to do anything if it means that her family’s living situation will improve. She’s also very sympathetic with others as she tries her best to make friends with the other girls in the competition, even though they all see her as an enemy. Prince Maxon is very sweet as well. He’s completely understanding when America is having a panic attack or when she’s feeling homesick, to the point where he arranges an event at the palace, so that she can see her family again.

Overall, I’d say it’s a 4/5. It can be kind of predictable at times but if you’re a fan of royal romances or books like The Red Queen, I’d say that this is right up your alley.

The Selection by Kiera Cass is available to check out from the Mission Viejo Library. It is also available to download for free from Libby.

The Outsiders: Some Spoilers Ahead!

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Yesterday, my class finished a classic novel called The Outsiders. Of the many classic novels I’ve read, this one was really deep for me!

The book starts off with the rivalry between two gangs: the Socs (pronounced soashes, not socks!) and the Greasers. The Socs are the wealthy rich kids, throwing parties almost everyday and “jump” Greasers for fun. The Greasers, however, are the poor kids with all the “rough breaks” but they are one big family and look out for each other. They don’t look for trouble with the Socs unless one of their gang gets jumped.

The story follows Ponyboy, the youngest of a Greaser gang in his neighborhood. Both his mother and father died in an unfortunate car accident, and has been living with his two brothers, Sodapop and Darry, ever since. However, it’s reassuring to know that the three of them aren’t alone throughout this adventure; they have friends who help them along the way.

For me, the novel was really heart-warming and bittersweet! I don’t want to spoil the entire story, but the ending took me by surprise! Additionally, I love how the Outsiders makes allusions to poems and books. Throughout the novel, S.E Hinton connects to Robert Frost’s poem “Nothing Gold Can Stay”, and Gone with the Wind to enhance the plot of this book! If you ever decide to read this book, the amount of allusions you will find will shock you! Heads up however, there is A LOT of slang in this novel! Sometimes, I was reading the book, and I had to stop and ponder on what the words meant, for example, one of Ponyboy’s friends asked Ponyboy, “Ain’t you freezing to death Ponyboy?”, and Ponyboy replies with “You ain’t a woofin”. Just make sure to bone up on your slang vocabulary before reading! I would most definitely recommend this book to people who need a reminder of the good in life!

Happy Reading!

-Alia Charles, 8th grade

The Outsiders by S. E. Hinton is available to check out from the Mission Viejo Library. It is also available to download for free from Libby.

It Ends With Us by Colleen Hoover (Book Review)

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The book, It Ends With Us, dives deeper into Lily Bloom’s life, a businesswoman, who tries to let go of her past and focus on her future. Lily is constantly reminded of her past in her present-day life and is challenged with the people she meets and the people who return into her life.

The story revolves around her first love Atlas and her new love Ryle. Lily and Atlas were young and in love and promised to return to each other after certain events had separated them. Lily and Ryle however, met later on in Lily’s life, and found themselves growing closer overtime.

Lily’s life is starting to come around as she opens her new business, finds a new best friend, and develops a closer and better relationship with her mother. Yet hardship comes her way as Lily finds out more about Ryle and gets too comfortable with the fact that his version of a relationship is too different from hers. She juggles with the idea of what other people might think of her relationship as she grows in fear of him over the course of months. This leads to her acknowledging where she stands and relates to the abusive relationship between her mother and her father.

Throughout the book you might find yourself wondering, why doesn’t Lily just leave him? How could she make that choice? Why can’t she let go of her past? Well, Lily wonders the same things in most chapters and is able to find an answer and solution to them all by the end.

I personally loved this book, it is very well written and leads the audience in a different direction than most books. The book itself entails a rollercoaster of emotions for the readers. I disliked the intimate/in depth scenes of Lily’s relationship that I skipped past but overall, it was hard to put this book down and I loved the story line so much that I have continued reading onto the sequel!

*Be advised this book is for older readers*

It Ends With Us by Colleen Hoover is available to check out from the Mission Viejo Library. It is also available to download for free from Libby.

The Rose Code by Kate Quinn

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Mab Churt, Osla Kendall, and Beth Finch are an unlikely trio. All from very different backgrounds, connected by one mysterious letter, calling them to action.

The Rose Code by Kate Quinn captivated me in its pages. This historical fiction novel shines in how Quinn wove her meticulous research into the plot. This book is perfect for anyone looking for a book that you can’t put down.

The story takes place at the start of World War II where women are called to action to help with the war. Not in the field, but as spies. Spies behind a desk, cracking codes. As I read further down the chapters, the rich history of Bletchley Park was connected with both stories of love and grief.

Mab Churt continues to wow me in everything she accomplishes despite being from the lower east end. Her heartbreaking secret will leave you in tears by the end of the novel. She certainly will jump off the page and you can easily envision her as a strong female heroine.

Osla Kendall, a cunning and smart debutante shows off her skill at espionage and shines in every situation she is in. Her relationship with a certain prince of Greece ends in tragedy but also hope. Read the Rose Code and dive into her secret relationship with the future king of England.

Beth Finch is a girl who has been lead in her abusive household to be homely and slow all her life. She has been stuck with her overly religious mother and push over father for too long. When the letter than Bletchley Park comes, she couldn’t believe her eyes. Beth slowly climbs up the ranks at the Park and becomes one of the greatest codebreakers.

This story is interesting as it has two different timelines. Alternating between 1940 and 1947, it shows a completely different story and the end of Bletchley Park. One of the girl’s story ends in confusion, one ends in a mental asylum, and one in a never ending road of grief. The trio of never ending female solidarity shatters into pieces as a traitor rips into the Park. Will they ever find who it is and rescue their friend from the sanitarium? Will they ever forgive and move on from the momentous secret that was exposed? Read the Rose Code by Kate Quinn to find out.

The Rose Code by Kate Quinn is available to check out from the Mission Viejo Library. It is also available to download for free from Libby.

Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros

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**this review may contain spoilers**

I have recently gotten back into reading after being on a month long reading slump with no desire to read, I decided that it was time for a genre switch. Fourth Wing is a romantic-fantasy novel that follows Violet and her journey entering Basgiath War College.

Typically 20 year olds are the main occupants of Basgiath whether they choose to be a Healer, Scribe, Infantry, or Rider. Violent Sorrengail has always had expectations among her being the youngest of her family with her two older siblings, Mira and Brennan being excelled riders as well as her mother running Basgiath War College. Violet seemingly passes through the entry to the Riders Quadrant, a lean bridge that can lead to a 200 foot drop if slipped upon.

Violet, along with her fellow cadets have to overcome challenges in order to survive it til graduating. Three more years of survival. The most important part for Riders is bonding with a dragon in order to gain a signet (a shared connection between a rider and a dragon). However, matching with a dragon isn’t as easy as it may be said and involves respect as well as strength.

The book consists of Violet’s first year at Basgiath War College under the Rider’s Quadrant and the different friendships, enemies, lovers, she faces. The riders are split amongst four wings with 3 sections within each wing and 3 squads within each section. A relationship begins to form between first-year Violet and Fourth Wing leader, Xaden Riorson. However, these two have clashed without even knowing with each other, their parents have gone through rivalries of their own.

Fourth Wing encompasses components a fantasy novel should include but also touches on romantic aspects frequently which is exhilarating for a romance reader! I think venturing out to romantic fantasy actually is what I needed because I was obsessed after reading and even decided to re-read Fourth Wing. Those trying to get involved within fantasy, I would check out Fourth Wing because even though the writing isn’t complex, it allows new fantasy readers to grasp the storyline easily.

The book happens to end a pretty big cliffhanger that made me questioning myself for days but luckily this book is a part of a five book series that is slowly but gradually releasing. Yarros’ next book, Iron Flame releases on November 7th, 2023 so if you don’t like cliffhangers just start reading near then!

-Madison C.

Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros is available to check out from the Mission Viejo Library. It is also available to download for free from Libby.

Howl’s Moving Castle by Diana Wynne Jones

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Recently, I have read Howl’s Moving Castle which is a fantasy novel about a young girl named Sophie who is the oldest daughter of three daughters. The story surrounds her adventures and encounters with evil spells, wizards, and witches. She must handle the heartless Howl, a fire demon, and the Witch of the Waste in order to break an aging spell. The novel is a wonderful mix of magic, romance, and humor that anyone can enjoy.

I personally loved the romantic and fantastical aspects of the story. I also love Sophie’s characters, as she is portrayed as a headstrong and independent girl who trusts herself and her own decisions. I love the humorous aspects of the story as well and I believe Jones did a splendid job of combining comical and romantic themes in the novel. The novel always kept me on my toes and is overall an exciting and engaging story I think everyone should give a read.

Unfortunately, I did not like the initial character of Howl in comparison to the Studio Ghibli movie, however I think his character development is an aspect of the story many will find enjoyable.

Overall, the story is filled with lovely imagery and descriptions, beautifully written characters, and an interesting plot. It’s engaging and truly transports you into another world while reading.  Personally, I recommend this book to anyone looking for a short read!

Kaiya T.

Howl’s Moving Castle by Diana Wynne Jones is available to check out from the Mission Viejo Library. It is also available to download for free from Libby.

Book Review: Humble Pi by Matt Parker

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One of my favorite books that I have recently read is the book Humble Pi by Matt Parker. It is a very interesting book about how math mistakes affect the real world. I also found it very humorous and funny, and it was very interesting how it described many real-life examples in detail as well.

One thing that I liked most about the book was how detailed the descriptions are, giving a great deal of information on each of the various topics. I found it interesting about how it talked about how math affects and can even cause problems in the real world. I also liked how the topic was unique, as it talked about many things not covered in most books. It gives many good explanations for countless areas and topics, and it is sure to provide you with a very interesting, intriguing read.

The book is also very humorous and funny, also helping to make it an entertaining read. It has a very witty, delightful sense of humor, making for a lot of laughs. I found the book to be very amusing and entertaining overall, merging a funny, comic tone with fascinating descriptions. I also liked how it used many drawings and images to explain the different ideas and causes behind the events in the book.

One of my favorite sections from Humble Pi is about how math can go wrong in video games and other computer programs. I found it intriguing about how much math is used in everyday things like computers, and how important it is in the real world. I was surprised by how much math and numbers are used in things like programming. In addition, I found the book as a whole to be very educational, as it taught many ideas about how math and the real world interact.

Overall, Humble Pi is a great book to read as it is interesting, entertaining, funny, and educational. It has been one of my favorite books to read, and it’s sure that you’ll enjoy it as well. I would recommend this book to someone who wants to learn more or just wants an interesting read. If you enjoy this book, I would also recommend the other books by Matt Parker which cover math in a similar way to this book, and Math With Bad Drawings by Ben Orlin, which provides another fun, entertaining take on math. So don’t forget to check these books out for yourself sometime!