Out of the Easy

By Ruta Sepetys. Josie Moraine is the daughter of a prostitute in a brothel in New Orleans during the 1950's, and she can't wait to leave all of it behind. Her dream is to go to college far away from New Orleans, but a mysterious death catches her eye. Should she stay and learn more? Or go off to college? I thought this was a pretty good book, but I never really understood what it was getting at. If there was a bit more clarity and maybe more plot development I would have liked it better. This is a book set in a brothel, so as a warning for all of you this book talks about prostitution. A few have read this in our class, and it is definitely at the reading level where anyone in our class could read it. I think my favorite part was that it was set in the 50's, just added another level of interest into the book.

I choose a book based on recommendations of others who tend to like the same genre as I do. I wrote down a bunch at the beginning of the year when Linda came in and gave a book talk, so at first I went off of those and then later I started reading some books that my friends like. After I read the first couple on my TBR at the beginning of the year, I did not really like some of the books as much as I thought so I asked some other people what they thought I should read.

TBR:
The Dream Thieves
Second to this one^
Tigers Curse

Shooting the Moon

This book is by Frances O'Roark Dowell. Jamie Dexter is twelve years old when her brother goes off to fight in the Vietnam War, and both of her friends have moved away. Because she is lonely, she gets a job at her local rec center, and becomes friends with a 19-year old soldier who also works there. Jamie's brother TJ has a hobby of photography while he is in Vietnam, and he sends them to Jamie to develop. Mostly he shoots pictures of the moon, but some others too. This book is about her life while TJ is away; developing his pictures from the war, and working at the rec center.

I thought this was a good book, but I did think it was also kind of a sad book. There is kind of a plot twist, which in retrospect was a little predictable but it was a pretty good addition to the story. Jamie was my favorite character because she was the most relatable. Mainly because she is the closest to my age. I would recommend this book to anyone in out class who would want to read it.

TBR:

Out of the Easy

Second book of the Raven Cycle

Third book of the Raven Cycle

SOL

We turn the last corner in my mom's green Rav 4 and arrive at Sweet Action. "Hailey, what are you going to get?" "I don't know, maybe the Vegan Mocha?" That sounded a little weird, but I wasn't judging. The mountain of Vegan Mocha was passed to Hailey over the counter, and I begged for a taste. Bits of cake were layered into the ice cream, and it was surprisingly delicious. Though it was good, I quickly ordered my classic mint chocolate chip in a cake cone. Both of our eyes flew over to the bar stools at the window, and we rushed over.

We would then take turns making stories about random people we saw walking down the street. "Ok that girl wearing the Bronco sweater." Hailey blurts out through licks of ice cream. "She is going to the urgent care because she dislocated her foot. She was so mad that the Broncos didn't win, that she went around driving into light posts down her neighborhood. She came so close to hitting a post, she stepped on the brake as hard as she could which dislocated her foot." Laughter escaped our mouths, some in the ice cream. "Ok, ok my turn." I say still smiling. "Ok, that man over there handing out the flyers is actually Morgan Freeman's younger brother. He was also an actor, but his brother got the spotlight, so he had to go hand out flyers to strangers and practice his acting by pretending he cared." People walked by and giggles were released into the shop, out into the street, and down the block in the car. 

I grin at my computer screen as I am typing this. This took place a couple of years ago, Tari's class maybe? All I know is that the only interesting thing happening right now would be that I am listening to J-lo, so I try to savor this memory. Hey for all you logan people who are working on expo stuff try thinking of a happy memory while work. It makes things funner. 

If I Stay

Mia Hall is in a coma, and is faced with a life altering choice. Dream, or love? This whole book is about this main idea, while she has an out of body experience.  This is a good book written by Gayle Forman and is probably a young adult realistic fiction book. A bunch of people also thought it was good, and decided to make a movie after it! By the way if you need encouragement to read it, that is a pretty good point. My favorite character was Kim (Mia's best friend) because she is kinda witty and sarcastic. If you have read my other posts you'll see that I tend to like the witty and sarcastic characters. They make the story fun and a little brighter! Well thats about it, I don't want to give too much away. If you like what I have said, read it!

Would you choose your life long dream, or love?

Next Ravens cycle book
Tigers Curse
Out of the Easy