A Quiet Place–Movie Summary & Review:

Posted on October 6, 2024 by Gwendy M.

SPOILERS AHEAD!!

A Quiet Place is a movie which is set in the future where the population of the world has dwindled to an unknown number. Strange creatures have inhabited the earth and hunt people (and animals) by sound. Any sound from dropping a blender to stepping on a leaf will be heard by the aliens and will result in death. The name A Quiet Place is drawn from the need to be quiet and not utter a single noise. This movie is about the Abbott family’s silent life in the countryside of New York. The family consists of Lee (father), Evelyn (mother), Reagan (deaf daughter), Marcus (son), Beau (son), and a newborn baby (son). Since one of the children is deaf, the family communicates with sign language.

The opening scene of this movie is of the Abbott family traveling to a nearby pharmacy to get medicine for Marcus. During this scene, the youngest child Beau finds a toy rocket with batteries. Lee takes away the toy but soon after when the parents walk out of the store, Reagan hands the toy to Beau (who secretly grabs the batteries too). Later, as the family is traveling back home, Beau turns on the toy which makes a loud noise. Seconds later, the strange creature kills the young boy in front of everyone’s eyes.

Fast forwarding to months later, the mother is weeks from giving birth to a new baby. After the movie shows the Abbott’s typical life on the farm, Evelyn is days from childbirth. A series of events (stepping on a nail and dropping a picture) leads Evelyn to accidentally attract an alien to their farm. This happens all the while her water breaks. Unfortunately, Lee (the father) is gone with his son fishing while this happens. When he and his son get back, they quickly discover that Evelyn is having trouble giving birth. So, they create a distraction so that the mother can give birth. A couple of scenes later, the kids are being hunted down by a creature and the father sacrifices his life to save them. The movie ends with the rest of the family finding a way to kill the aliens.

Usually, I hate watching horror movies with jumpscares and scary moments. However, this movie was not scary at all. I found that it was entertaining to watch since the characters are very likable. The concept of having to live in silence was also provoking to think about. Overall, I would recommend this movie to those who want to watch something both interesting and suspenseful.

A Quiet Place is available to check out from the Mission Viejo Library.

Book Recommendations

Posted on February 17, 2024 by Melody M

Picking out your next read can be a difficult and time consuming task. Many of us barely have the time to read at all, and when we do, we want a book that absolutely consumes us. Below I have compiled a list of book that I have read and enjoyed. I have categorized these books by genre and included short summaries, as well as my thoughts, for maximum efficiency. Happy reading!

Dystopian

The Hunger Games Series- Annual games are held in Panem, a dystopian and futuristic America, and when 16 year old Katniss Everdeen is selected to participate in these games, she stirs a spirit of rebellion that changes Panem forever. The Hunger Games series had me hooked with great twists and turns. The movie adaptations are also some of the best I have seen!

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins is available to check out from the Mission Viejo Library. It is also available to download for free from Libby.

The Selection Series- 35 eligible young girls are selected to compete for the prince’s hand, for most girls this is all they have ever wanted. For America Singer however, a five on the rigid caste system, this is her worst nightmare. The Selection series was one of those series I simply could not put down. I was extremely immersed in the world of America and Maxon and I have actually read the whole series two times through!

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.

Romantic Comedies

Better Than the Movies- With the inspiration of 2000s romantic comedies, Liz Buxbaum searches for love. While trying to get the guy of her dreams, Liz ends up in a fake dating scheme, and realizes she has been after the wrong guy all along. I really enjoyed all the quotes and references to romantic comedies. This book was such a fun read and if you are a Swiftie you will definitely enjoy all the references as well!

Better than the Movies by Lynn Painter is available to check out from the Mission Viejo Library. It is also available to download for free from Libby.

Today Tonight Tomorrow- During their last 24 hours of senior year, academic rivals realize that they have a lot more in common than they previously believed. Today they were enemies, tonight they were friends, and tomorrow they might be falling for each other. I really enjoyed the time frame of this novel and the scavenger hunt aspect made it fun and fast-paced!

Today Tonight Tomorrow by Rachel Lynn Solomon is available to download for free from Libby.

Book Review: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes by Suzanne Collins

Posted on June 27, 2023 by Lam T.

I’m sure a lot of people out there have read Suzanne Collins’ bestselling dystopian trilogy, which includes the novels The Hunger Games, Catching Fire, and Mockingjay. But what many don’t realize is that the story told in this trilogy is preceded by its spinoff, a prequel to the series.

The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes is set 64 years prior to The Hunger Games in a nation known as Panem and tells the story of the 10th hunger games and the events that surrounded it. Something that makes this novel especially intriguing is that it is not told by an ancestor of a protagonist in The Hunger Games, as one might expect. On the contrary, the story is narrated by young Coriolanus Snow, known as the cruel and calculating dictator President Snow in The Hunger Games.

Throughout the story, the history of Panem and the Hunger Games is unfolded, and connections can be drawn between this sequel and the narrative that follows it. I found The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes very interesting, because the reader is able to see into society in the Capitol, where life is perceived as perfect and easy. Light is shed on the history of the Hunger Games and earlier versions of the event, which explains a lot about how developed the event had become by the 74th Games (during which The Hunger Games took place).

Further, this novel shows how a dictator so brutal and merciless as President Snow came to be. Throughout the events of the novel, readers watch as young Snow, innocent and kind, grew into a power-hungry monster hated by all of Panem.

All in all, The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes is an amazing dystopian novel and a very well-written prequel/spin-off that gives much interesting background on the story of The Hunger Games, particularly a character perceived as a villain. If you are a fan of The Hunger Games, I would absolutely recommend this book!

-Lam T.

The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes by Suzanne Collins is available to check out from the Mission Viejo Library. It is also available to download for free from Libby.

The City of Ember by Jeanne DuPrau

Posted on June 25, 2022 by Peri A.

The City of Ember is a dystopian novel. Although it takes place in the future, the mysterious Builders of the city from a couple of hundred years ago have greatly restricted their technology. Instead of phones, they have Messengers who run from place to place delivering messages. They have no movable lights or cars; the only light in the entire city comes from the many lamps lining the streets and in their homes, and they can only walk or run to places.

When creating the City, the Builders knew the people would eventually need to emerge from their new home – after 200 years, to be exact. They created the Instructions and locked it into a box with a timed lock, to be passed down from mayor to mayor, set to open when those 200 years had passed. Yet, when the seventh mayor became sick and desperate for a cure, he brought the secret box, which no one but the mayor knew about, to his own home. Unsuccessful in opening it, and passing away soon afterward, he became the last to know of its existence.

The story then skips to around the year 240 (in years of Ember), where the lights have now begun to flicker and sometimes temporarily go out, and their food, supplies, and resources are beginning to quickly run out. 12-year-old Lina re-discovers the now-open box. However, since her little sister Poppy ate some of the paper message contained inside, she struggles to make sense of it. She and Doon, her former friend and former classmate, set to work attempting to decipher it and save Ember from the imminent permanent darkness.

I usually don’t like dystopian stories, but The City of Ember was actually an enjoyable book that contained logical puzzles throughout.

-Peri A.

The City of Ember by Jeanne DuPrau is available for checkout from the Mission Viejo Library. It can also be downloaded for free from Libby.

The Memory Police by Yoko Ogawa

Posted on May 6, 2022 by Natisha P.

As someone who has been reading American and European-written novels my entire life, the only times I’ve gotten close to experiencing Asian literature were through mangas, movies, and TV series. After reading The Memory Police by Yoko Ogawa–a Japanese-written book translated into English–I was opened to a new type of writing style that readers don’t often see in American or European novels. However, that doesn’t make this novel worse than others.

Published in 1994, The Memory Police is a close parallel to 1984 by George Orwell, in the sense that both take place in a dystopian society where the government constantly watches over its citizens. Although both emphasize the dehumanization of totalitarianism, Ogawa wrote her novel differently. Her story begins on a small island where objects disappear routinely, causing people to forget that such things ever existed. Those who try to remember are caught by the police. Those who do remember are taken away only to never return, creating a government-fearing society. The protagonist lives on the island as an orphaned novelist. When she discovers that her editor remembers a long-forgotten object, she keeps him hidden in her home while the Memory Police search for him. As the novel progresses, a fear of forgetting is expressed through her writing as a way to preserve the past.

Considering that this novel was translated from Japanese to English, I’m grateful that the translator was able to keep the same amount of tension and emotion from Ogawa’s writing. Although the protagonist isn’t some fearless character fighting to overthrow the government like in American literature, that only makes her more realistic and more relatable. She isn’t trying to do anything unreasonable–she simply wants her editor and herself to survive. I admit the plot could seem dull to some readers who focus on the action, but I enjoyed the psychological development of the protagonist’s mind. There’s so much depth to her personality and her thoughts which can connect to today’s world. That fear of losing everything–including yourself–is clearly shown in Ogawa’s novel, and I applaud her for her writing.

In essence, I thought the book was a definite read, but only because it appealed to me. The only issue with this novel–along with many other books–is that there’s a limited amount of readers who would be interested. To those who think this novel focuses on characters trying to change a dystopian world: it isn’t what it seems. This book was more psychological than I assumed, with less action or romance. The protagonist doesn’t necessarily stand out amongst the citizens. Instead, the author is trying to show the perspective of a typical person living in a dystopian society. To me, that’s the beauty of this novel. In reality, the novel fits best with analytical readers who want more than just the plot.

-Natasha P.

The Memory Police by Yoko Ogawa is available for checkout from the Mission Viejo Library. It can also be downloaded for free from Overdrive.

Animal Farm by George Orwell

Posted on January 8, 2022 by Natisha P.

Animal Farm by George Orwell is a short, yet classic allegorical novella of dystopian and political fiction. The book takes place on Manor Farm, a large farm where animals constantly feel oppressed by humans. Their anger towards the human race motivates them to rebel against rulership by kicking their farmer out of the farm and running the farm on their own. In Animal Farm–where all animals are supposedly equal–the lives of the animals turn upside down when pigs and dogs begin to rise in power through manipulation and propaganda. Throughout the novel, there’s a gradual progression where the pigs of Animal Farm begin to resemble humans both physically and psychologically.

Although this novel can be a fictional book for children, adults and teens are able to look past the plot and truly understand the story’s meaning. I, myself, am grateful to have read this at an older age so the themes are more prominent and prevalent to real life. Considering that George Orwell himself was a democratic socialist, the novel was a direct form of criticism towards communism, totalitarian and authoritarian regimes, and two infamous dictators–Joseph Stalin and Adolf Hitler. Orwell also includes various ways in which the ruling class ridicules and manipulates the working class. The working class is often seen giving up energy and resources for the benefit of the ruling class, yet they’re brain washed into feeling content with their lives, believing that all their hard work is contributing to the farm as a whole.

After reading the novel, I was amazed by Orwell’s writing. I’ve never read a novel which thoroughly portrays the political maneuvering of totalitarianism. The message woven into the book was strong and clear, yet also written in a disturbing manner that will stick to readers for quite a long time. Personally, I enjoy these heavy topics, so it’s interesting to see Orwell’s light twist on the topic so the novel seems more kid-friendly. I also admire the author’s creativity when writing the book. It’s rare to see a writer eloquently convey a revolution. However, it’s more unique to see an author write an ironic revolution that comes back in a full circle and leaves the characters in the same position as they started. The symbolism of personified farm animals surprisingly pushes the plot forward as well, allowing readers to understand and connect with the characters more than humans ever could.

Would I ever recommend this to a child? Definitely not. I believe that it’s important to understand the true message of the novel, regardless of how dark the message may be. Even though many of us don’t live under a totalitarian regime or a communist society, it’s important to understand how we as individuals play a role in our current society and political system. Are we idly standing by, waiting upon others for a better future? Or are we making our own decisions for the future we want to achieve?

– Natisha P.

Animal Farm by George Orwell is available for checkout from the Mission Viejo Library. It can also be downloaded for free from Overdrive.

The Knife of Never Letting Go by Patrick Ness

Posted on June 2, 2021 by Bailey L.

The Knife of Never Letting Go follows 12-year-old Todd Hewitt and his companion Viola on their journey to reach New Haven, a town at the other end of the world. The history of their planet is one of the grim desolate conditions, which Todd learns early on as he has raised in Prentisstown: a town where every man can hear each other’s thoughts and all the women died of a mysterious disease soon after Todd was born. The youngest boy in the town, he is exactly one month away from becoming a man when his guardians, Ben and Cillian, send him away into the swamp with no explanations, and only a warning that everything he knows about the history of Prentisstown and the New World is a lie. In the wilderness, he meets Viola, a young girl that survived a space shuttle wreck meant to scout the area for new settlers. Together, along with Todd’s easily distracted yet loyal dog Manchee, they run and fight to survive in a world they soon realize is nothing like they were told.

Patrick Ness, the award-winning author of A Monster Calls, depicts the story through the thoughts of Todd, his inner monologue and Noise (men’s broadcasted thoughts in the New World), and the chaotic noise of the other men around him. He displays the emotional connections Todd makes with Viola and his guardian Ben, as well as the confusion and horror when slowly realizing the secrets of Prentisstown, all while hiding a dramatic bombshell of death and despair that we only get to read and imagine towards the end of their journey. Themes of maturity, love, death, and hope scatter the novel as the characters grow, leading to a beautiful final destination that feels all but complete, as plans are derailed for us to wait in anxiety for the next installment.

Having read this book for the first time several years ago, I was excited yet worried to read it again; the book is a towering and intimidating 500 pages, but is impossible to put down. The twists and turns shocked me once again, and I thoroughly enjoyed my second read. I look forward to uncovering the secrets of the rest of the trilogy in the coming months.

-Bailey L.

The Knife of Never Letting Go by Patrick Ness is available for checkout from the Mission Viejo Library. It can also be downloaded for free from Overdrive.

Unwind Dystology Series by Neal Shusterman

Posted on February 25, 2021 by Danielle B.

The Unwind Dystology Series by Neal Shusterman contains four main books called, in order, Unwind, UnWholly, UnSouled, and UnDivided as well as two books that are companions titled UnStrung and UnBound. The series is one of many dystopian books that Shusterman has written and the first book was released in 2007 with the most recent being released in 2015.

The series takes place shortly after the Second Civil War, which was fought between the pro-choice and pro-life people in the United States. The outcome was parents had the right to sign an order for their children between the ages of 13 and 18 to be “unwound” or sent to “harvest kill camps” where their bodies are taken apart and supposedly used to save the lives of others.

The first book follows Connor, Risa, and Lev who were all sent to be unwound and run away. It then follows them trying to survive while being stuck between the police trying to find them and black market sellers trying to get money off of kids. Throughout the first book, they fight to survive while also meeting other kids who are trying to escape the same fate. The rest of the books in the series follow these three characters and their friends while introducing new protagonists and antagonists with many twists and turns along the way.

Shusterman uses his writing to illustrate the struggles that teens during this time went through, while being sent away from their families and trying to grow up while still staying alive. Shusterman tries to teach the lessons of growing up and learning who you are in the world as well as what your role is while still being a teenager. This book series would most likely appeal to others who enjoy the dystopian genre. This includes if you enjoyed books such as The Giver, Hunger Games, or Divergent.

-Danielle B.

The Unwind series of novels by Neal Schusterman is available for checkout from the Mission Viejo Library. They can also be downloaded for free from Overdrive.

An Analysis in Summary of the Political Structure Portrayed in George Orwell’s 1984

Posted on May 1, 2019 by Mirabella S.

1984 is a political commentary written by George Orwell warning society of the dangers of both losing sight of truth and blindly following political doctrine. If you are a high school student, a dystopian enthusiast, or simply interested in political literature, it is likely that you will encounter this work at some point in your literary career. Although the themes conveyed by the novel are strong and often repetitively hit home by Orwell, it is undeniable that the novel is full of complicated historical background and political nuance which may not be apparent to the reader on their first, or even their second time reading it.

One of the sections of the book in which this idea is apparent is in Part 2, in which Winston reads excerpts from the book of Emmanuel Goldstein, which summarizes the complex world order which has lent itself to the rise of IngSoc. For the reader who may be confused about what this excerpt means and implies, I have compiled a simple overview of what the three principles of IngSoc really mean (be warned, minor spoilers follow!)

WAR IS PEACE
“In 1984, war is perpetual because it is impossible to win, but necessary for the world economy and for the permanence of governing principles around the globe. War causes a constant drain of supplies which could be used for the betterment of life on Earth, which would inevitably result in an unstable society in which no wealth distinction would exist, and therefore, no power.”

All powers are aware that it is impossible to conquer the other two superstates
All fighting occurs around the equator, over labor power
All superstates follow variations of the same doctrine, therefore no ideological differences actually exist
Human curiosity is harnessed solely in the search for new weapons
There are no undesirable or desirable consequences for losses or gains

FREEDOM IS SLAVERY

“Throughout history, all governments have risen and fallen because the middle class overthrew the upper class- that is- before the rise of 20th century ideologies like IngSoc, which were centered around power as opposed to human instinct and thus cannot ever fall.”

No threat from without- none of the superstates can be conquered
The masses never revolt because they are always prodded to do so by the middle class
The middle class cannot rise to power because unorthodoxy results in immediate death
The party will never lose motivation to rule because it is an organization, not hereditary

IGNORANCE IS STRENGTH

“Because every member of the historically volatile middle class is brainwashed into following party doctrine, doublethink is not just a principle, it is literally a way of thought ingrained into the minds of every party official- low and high ranking alike.”

Officials simultaneously know that the war cannot end for the stability of the world while consciously striving to defeat the other superstates
In order to survive, a Party member must automatically know a “true belief” and a “desirable emotion” for every situation

Of course, this is just a summary analysis of the major points directly conveyed within Goldstein’s text- there is deeper metaphorical meaning which can be inferred from analysis of Orwell’s historical context, other works, and even through drawing connections between the three principles! Feel free to comment further interpretations below if you have anything to add- and remember, Big Brother is always watching.

-Mirabella S.

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