Nose in a Book

Whether that means linking to flickr or deviantart or only posting their own pictures, as far as I know these blogs never use weheartit or post anything uncredited. I’m sure I missed a lot, but here’s some. 

Pretty Books

The Girl and Her Books

Books and Tea

Book Mania

Optimists Daughter

Book Lover

Books Be Beautiful

Juliette Tang

Omfg Books

The Bookish Dark

Fairy Tale Mood

Six-Fiftyeight

Cinderella in Rubber Shoes

23 Books

Some of my least favourites I had to read for school, so that might be why I disliked them so much. I had to read The Pilgrim’s Progress by John Bunyan for Children’s Lit, and I barely finished it.
I read Breaking Dawn on my own time, and I couldn’t stand it. I’m not going to go to into it, since a lot of what I think has been said a million times, but if vampires do not age at all and humans age at a normal rate, why would a half vampire/half human age so quickly? Am I just being dense and missing something?
Anyways, those are two books I will never reread.

Author: Ruta Sepetys

Publisher: Philomel Books

Publication Date: February 12^th, 2013

Genre: YA, Historical Fiction

While New Orleans is good for some people, it’s never been kind to Josie Moraine. The year is 1950, and Josie is an intelligent girl who has grown up in the Big Easy. Josie’s mother is a brothel prostitute, and Josie taught herself to read as a young child while her mother taught her how to make martinis. Now seventeen, Josie works at a bookstore while helping clean the brothel during the day. In New Orleans, Josie can’t escape her mother’s reputation. When a chance encounter with a like-minded girl sets Josie’s sights on a University far from Louisiana, Josie focuses on finding a way out. But when a murder in the French Quarter happens, Josie finds herself drawn into the mysteries of the underworld. When her past and ties to New Orleans might be the one thing stopping her from having the future she wants, Josie will have to shape her own destiny.

Ruta Sepetys’ first novel, Between Shades of Gray, was a phenomenal debut, and you could say that Out of the Easy had big shoes to fill. This book is set in 1950’s New Orleans, looking at the lives of the poor and those looked down on by society. I read a lot of historical fiction related to World War II, so this was a refreshing change. This well written novel features a cast of likable and well-rounded characters, including the leading character Josie, a smart and independent girl who dreams of a life that New Orleans can’t give her. This novel is very character driven and whether the characters were lovable or despicable, they’re all well written and many have hidden depth. The story was interesting and quick moving, with mystery and suspense. Out of the Easy would be a perfect choice for a book club, especially for teens, and is the type of historical fiction that can appeal to anyone. Fans of Between Shades of Gray won’t be disappointed by this entertaining novel about shaping your own life, despite all obstacles. While it is just as well written, it is different from Sepetys’ debut and can stand on its own. Well of originality, mystery and intrigue and a strong leading character, Out of the Easy is difficult to put down and will prove to be even harder to forget. 

4.5/5

“Sometimes we set off down a road thinkin’ we’re goin’ one place and we end up another. But that’s okay. The important thing is to start.”