You'll love this one...!! A book club & more discussion

One of the group reads for December is Out of the Easy by Ruta Sepetys.

Please discuss the book in this thread.

I will be leading the discussion.

In order to receive a badge you must:
1. have read the book before or during December 2019.
2. discussed it in this thread. Discussion must be more than "I read the book and I liked it". Discussion requires something more substantial and analytical of what you read, for example, thoughts, opinions, impact it had on you, what was your favourite part, was it what you expected it to be like etc. You may also like to review the book and post a link to the review in this thread. Please refer to our group spoiler policy for further information.
3. Report that you have read AND discussed the book in the reporting thread (include a brief summary of what you thought of the book).

A note on discussion: Discussion must be more than "I read the book and I liked it". Discussion requires something more substantial and analytical of what you read, for example, thoughts, opinions, impact it had on you, what was your favourite part, was it what you expected it to be like etc.

In addition to this, the group reads are meant to be a "read along" so it is preferable that you discuss the book as you read rather than wait until you've finished the book.

And finally, discussion is not about just listing your thoughts. Please interact with the other group members, comment on their thoughts, and if they comment on yours, respond to them. This is what makes a good book discussion!

You may also like to review the book and post a link to the review in this thread.

Please refer to our group spoiler policy for further information.

General Rules:
1. Please mark your spoilers with the spoiler tags along with mentioning what stage of the book you are at so other's don't get a nasty shock. Chapter numbers/titles are generally best as they are the same across all formats and editions. See our spoiler policy
2. The book may be combined with the Year Long Challenge, Topplers, and Monthly Challenges.

Happy reading!

I have two books on the go at the moment, so I'll start this one when I have one of them finished. Hopefully by the end of the week.

I picked up my hold on Friday, but will probably be starting it at work tomorrow

I am hoping to read this one this month. It'll probably be later in the month though.

I started this the other day but haven't had much time to listen. I think it's going to be a quick read. Even though I haven't had much time, I'm already in the middle of chapter 7.

I like our young protagonist, Jo. She's spunky. She's 7 years old when we first meet her and her mother. Chapter 1 (view spoiler)[ She accompanies her mother to Willy's brothel house where her mother hopes to reside and ply her trade. Willy agrees to hiring her mother, but insists she live outside of the brothel house because of the child.

Willy claims to hate children, but I think our Jo charms her over with her spunk and sass. (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 2-7 (view spoiler)[ At 11 years old, she finds her own place to live - in a room above the bookshop where she hangs out. There's no spoken agreement between her and the owner. One night, she sneaks up to the room and finds it outfitted with a bed.

It's New Year's Eve, and Forrest Hearn walks into the store. There's something familiar about him, and she wonders if he could be her father. She seems to enjoy these fantasies about who her father is, even keeping a list of potential candidates. Forrest goes on the list. I'm wondering what the familiarity will turn out to be. Hours after she met him, he turns up dead, and the mystery begins.

I thought it sad that her mother didn't go to her graduation, yet Willy did. (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 9 & 10 - (view spoiler)[ Cincinnati is a nasty piece of work. He concerns me. I'm glad the driver (is his name Coco?) burst in with a tire iron ready to protect Jo.

I like that Willy sent someone to the restaurant as Jo's protector. I was wondering if it was a trap, but her mother did show up minus Cincinnati. She really is tone deaf towards him. Maybe Willy wasn't so far off about her character. At least with her mother leaving for California with Cincinnati, he will be out of the picture, I hope. Something tells me that would be too good to be true.

When her mother said, "Maybe you'll read about me in the papers," I immediately thought it would be in the obituaries. She thinks she's going to become a famous actress.

It's sad that the men surrounding her mother assume that Jo will follow in her footsteps and become a prostitute. (hide spoiler)]

I finished Chapter 34. The chapters are short, so they go by quickly. I'm close to the 50% mark.

Chapter 15 - (view spoiler)[ Why does Louise (Jo's mother) have Forrest Hearn's watch? She was with Cincinnati the night he died. Did she have something to do with it? (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 16 - (view spoiler)[ Something is fishy with Patrick. (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 22 - (view spoiler)[ Jo is pressuring John Lockwell for a letter of recommendation to college. She's really determined to get away from New Orleans and go to college. When the police met her outside the door and took her to the station, I really thought she was being arrested for blackmail. (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 28 - (view spoiler)[ "Shoes for a letter. Sex for a string of pearls. Is there any difference?" Interesting thought. I don't think I agree with her on this one. I just wish she wasn't going to Lockwell's. I have a bad feeling about it. (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 29 - (view spoiler)[ It turned out better than I expected. Lockwell seems to admire her pluck. Even wants to hire her, but she sees right through him. (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 34 - (view spoiler)[ I felt bad for Jo when Charlie took the scissors and cut himself badly. I knew something bad was going to happen when she left the scissors to go into the kitchen. Patrick is being a bit of a jerk towards her.

Patrick is involved with something not on the up and up.

Jo's mother did hit the news. She's been arrested for Hearn's death and being returned to New Orleans. Perhaps it would be best if Jo gave the watch to Willy. (hide spoiler)]

Oh, and the driver's name - Cokie, not Coco.

I finished reading the book and gave it a low 4 stars. I liked it overall but found it dragged a bit in the middle.

(view spoiler)[ There were a lot of people that called it a mystery, but to me it wasn't a mystery. The author's note at the end talked about it being a book about decisions and how they impact our lives. That theme was introduced fairly early when Forrest Hearn came into the shop and talked about Jo going to college.

The big pivotal moment for Josie was when she was being strong armed by the mob into paying her mother's debt. She decided to take John Lockwell up on making a special arrangement for $1500.00. I'm glad that she didn't go through with it. That decision would have shackled her to a life of prostitution.

How would Patrick's life have been different if he had told Jamie that he was in love with him? Instead, he ran away with plans to enlist.

It was sad that Charlie and Willy died in the story. I even shed a few tears about Willy. (hide spoiler)]

I wish I hadn’t already read this book. It seems like I really liked it but, unfortunately, don’t remember enough to discuss it. Terrible of me.

Janice, I see in your review that you expected something more of the book. Not sure what you mean by that exactly (maybe it's in your spoilers but can't read them yet), but interesting that you say that as it's sort of what I also felt with the one other book I read by the same author, Between Shades of Gray. It was much more YA than I expected and I raced through the book, which felt kind of wrong given the subject.

I finished one of my current books. I'll focus on my paper chunkster during the weekend, but I have Out of the Easy as an ebook so I'll start it on the train on Monday.

I think your experience with Between Shades of Gray echoes mine with this book. It's set in 1950's New Orleans, and concerning a brothel in the French Quarter. It should have been a wild ride, but it was toned down significantly to fit a YA audience. The unfortunate thing is that I never once got a feel that it was set in New Orleans.

I'll be reading Between Shades of Gray after I finish my current audiobook. I hope it's not too YA.

Wow, Janice, from your spoilers, I did not recognize any of the names or events, and yet, I gave the book 5 stars and wrote a very brief review. I wonder if I marked the wrong book?

Cherie wrote: "Wow, Janice, from your spoilers, I did not recognize any of the names or events, and yet, I gave the book 5 stars and wrote a very brief review. I wonder if I marked the wrong book?"

You read it almost 3 years ago according to your review, so it's possible you've forgotten about it.

I've been known to forget a 5-star read within months of reading. It makes me wonder if my initial assessment was a bit off. You'd think a 5-star would have a lasting impression.

Janice wrote: "I started this the other day but haven't had much time to listen. I think it's going to be a quick read. Even though I haven't had much time, I'm already in the middle of chapter 7.

I like our you..."

I agree about (view spoiler)[ it being sad that her mom didn't go to her graduation. Her mother seems like a piece of work - she has become very bitter since Jo was a little girl. (hide spoiler)]

This is turning out to be an interesting read. The chapters are short and move quickly.

Chapters 1 - 7 (view spoiler)[ I like Jo. She is a no nonsense person who is making the best of her situation. She does have people looking out for her in off beat sort of ways. I am really intrigued with Willie. Being the madame I would have thought that when Jo graduated she would have wanted her to come work for her, but I think she really likes Jo and values her. I think Jo's life would have been harder without the watchful eye of Willie protecting her. Cokie seems like a good guy too.
I also think Sepetys does a great job explaining the life in a brothel without going into to much detail..
I am also intrigued with the death of Forrest Hearne. I bet her mom and Cincinnati are linked somehow. The plot thickens. (hide spoiler)]

Janice wrote: "Chapter 9 & 10 -
I like that Willy .."

I thought the same thing when (view spoiler)[Jo's mom said that about seeing her in the papers. I have a feeling this is going to get bad for JO. I really dislike her mom, but I think you are supposed to. (hide spoiler)]

I just finished. I think my only complaint is that the story didn't quite match the age of Josie for me

I started this book a couple of days ago, and am about halfway through (end of chapter 32). So far at least, my thoughts are about the same as yours, Janice.

(view spoiler)[ They story is fine, but I don’t find it engrossing or exceptional. In comparison to Salt to the Sea (pub 2016), which was a 4-star read for me, my initial thought was that it shows Ruta Sepetys’ growth as a writer. But I also have read Between Shades of Gray, (pub 2012). This book was published in between those two, and I think the writing was better in both of the others. Maybe the last half of the book will be stronger. This feels much more like a YA novel.

The characters are mostly likeable, including all of the working ladies. Character development (esp. Josie, Willie, Patrick) is much more interesting than the mystery of who killed Hearne.

I like that there were numerous adults looking out for Josie after her mother abandoned her. If only all children were so lucky as to have such a safety network. (hide spoiler)]

Can't read any spoilers yet, but from the first 4 chapters I agree that it seems like it will be a quick read. (view spoiler)[ I feel sad for Josie, having a mom who has so little interest in her. I'm glad there are other people who look out for her, like Willie, Cokie and the bookshop owner. (hide spoiler)]

Jenn wrote: "I just finished. I think my only complaint is that the story didn't quite match the age of Josie for me"

Do you have some other thought to share about the book Jenn? Characters or events you particularly liked or disliked, writing style, responses to comments made in this thread?

I sat and read while watching football and when I looked up realized I was on chapter 33.
to chapter 23 (view spoiler)[ I feel really sorry for Charlie, but I'm not sure how he is linked to the plot of Hearne's death. Unless he is used for another reason to hate Cincinnati and Josie's mother Louise since they were the ones who were responsible for his beating. I was thinking that Jesse and Jo may head out of New Orleans together except he's going to school there. I also think she needs to give Willie the watch. I really like Willie. She may be my favorite character. (hide spoiler)]

@Janice I think I understand why you think this doesn't feel like it is set in New Orleans. I think this is written to show a bit of the underbelly of New Orleans - the everyday life - not the New Orleans that tourists usually see. In the early 90's we lived a little more than an hour out of New Orleans, so we played a lot in the "big easy" and really mostly experienced the music and bars and night life that the tourist industry wants you to see. It wasn't until one night when I woke up around 3:30am and my brother and I went walking in the Quarter (we were staying the weekend in the quarter) that we really saw a grittier New Orleans. I think Sepetys tried to show that, but it ended up seeming like any inner city.

to chapter 33 (view spoiler)[ It seems now that there are several different plot lines; Josie wanting to leave, what is going on with poor Charlie and his son Peter (who I am beginning not to trust) and the death of Hearne. I think everything will come together soon. I am really hoping that Charlie recovers from whatever happened to him (hide spoiler)]

I am reading another book by Sepetys right now The Fountains of Silence and I think I like it better than this book because of the historical elements of the book.

Jayme wrote: "Janice wrote: "...
..."

Chapter 11
Very bitter indeed! (view spoiler)[ she also blames Jo for not having a perfect body and wasting the best years of her life on having a child. It angers me, she got herself pregnant, nobody else to blame for it, certainly not the kid. I'm glad she's going to California. (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 34 - end (view spoiler)[ I was really surprised when Josie didn't get accepted into Smith. I thought she would. I actually wasn't a big fan of Josie. She seemed a bit whiny to me and I was getting tired of her always feeling sorry for herself. I was sad when Willie died. She was the character that I liked the most. I guess Willie had to die to leave Josie the inheritance or else Josie would never have gotten out of New Orleans. (hide spoiler)]

Jayme wrote: "Chapter 34 - end [spoilers removed]"

I thought (view spoiler)[ she changed her name and got into Smith at the end. Or did I misread that? She was reconnecting with Charlotte at any rate. (hide spoiler)]

Janice wrote: "Jayme wrote: "Chapter 34 - end [spoilers removed]"

I thought [spoilers removed]"

She (view spoiler)[ changed her name and was on her way to interview for Smith when the story ended. Maybe it was left for us to decide if she got into Smith or not. (hide spoiler)]

Jayme wrote: " She [spoilers removed]"

Yes, (view spoiler)[ it was ambiguous, though the happy ending seems to imply that she would be accepted. (hide spoiler)]

I’ve finished. (view spoiler)[ The last half wasn’t any stronger than the first, and the ending was almost too tidy - the bad guys were mostly dealt with, and Josie can live happily ever after.

The book was good enough to keep reading, but I won’t be recommending it to anyone. Three stars. (hide spoiler)]

TrudyAn wrote: "I’ve finished.
."

I agree with your viewpoint and rating.

Jamie, could you edit your message #28 to remove the spoiler. When replying to Trudy, the spoiler was opened and is now visible, giving away the ending.

Janice wrote: "Jamie, could you edit your message #28 to remove the spoiler. When replying to Trudy, the spoiler was opened and is now visible, giving away the ending."

So sorry. Done!

Thanks Jayme. It's a known issue with Goodreads that they don't seem to be in a hurry to resolve.

Ch 20

It's a very quick read, but also one that's not very remarkable. With some books I really want to share my thoughts about all that's happening and discuss with others, but I don't feel that so much with this book.

(view spoiler)[ Jo found Hearne's watch in a sock in her mother's room. I'm thinking she and Cincinatti may be involved in his death, and they have not just travelled to California, but fled. Why would she leave his watch though? Perhaps it's a hint or a cry for help? (hide spoiler)]

Ch 33 (view spoiler)[ Poor Charlie! He was said to have been soft in the head before, but I wonder if the beating worsened it. I like that Jo wanted to see the effects on him of no medication, in terms of him becoming more lucid. Leaving the scissors was not a good idea.

Patrick seems to be involved in something fishy. I like Jesse. Both seem to be interested in Jo. (hide spoiler)]

Jenn wrote: "I just finished. I think my only complaint is that the story didn't quite match the age of Josie for me"

What do you mean exactly? I read your comment in the reporting thread, but I'm still not sure.

TrudyAn wrote: "I’ve finished..."

I finished too, and I agree. Good enough to finish and I wasn't annoyed by it at any point, but nothing remarkable either. So, 3 stars. I think that's also why this thread is a bit quiet, there just doesn't seem to be that much to discuss or to immediately want to talk to others about. (view spoiler)[ I was also sad about Willie. I liked her, and Cokey too. One of the things that attracted me about this book was the New Orleans setting, but like Janice I never really got a feel for the place. (hide spoiler)]

Sorry for the delay Peggy.

I knew how old Jo was at the beginning, but for me she never seemed to age (grow up) past maybe 12-14 - maybe? It made some of the situations she was in more horrifying in a way, until I reminded myself of her actual age.

There were some really interesting characters, Willie, Cokie, and Jesse were my faves, but I don't think enough was done with any of them development wise. I think the YA style did very little for the subject matter, it was a little thin/glossed over, and it really didn't do justice to the location, situations, subject matter. But, maybe I am trying it against Adult standards, and it really was good by YA standards, I will have to continue mulling that.

It was a quick, easy read, but I think it could have been soooo much more.

I agree with the last bit Jenn. I felt the same after reading Between Shades of Gray (which I did enjoy but had expected to be a more adult read), so I was prepared that it might be the same with this one.

As for the age, I think it was said she was 7 in the first chapter and then 17 and 18 in the rest of the book, which made sense to me. Given that so much of the book was centered around (view spoiler)[ her job and going to Smith, I never felt like she was younger than that. (hide spoiler)]

In comparison to Between Shades of Gray, I think the writing took just enough of the edge off of the subject matter to make it readable by a younger audience but didn't suffer too much. Whereas, I feel like Out of the Easy should have been written up for a more mature audience? It is a strange feeling as I was enjoying the stories that were happening, and was growing attached to some of the characters . . .

I am going to begin this book today. My library has it

What do you think so far, Tasha?

I will be home tomorrow and plan to hopefully start and finish this one quickly. I hate to read it so late in the month, but Christmas activities have prevented a lot of my reading time other than audios in the car. If I’m not able to read a chunk tomorrow, I’ll most likely skip it since there are only a few days left for discussion.

Hope you'll make it Kristie! It's a quick read.

Almost the end of the year! Don't forget to report in the reporting thread if you haven't done so yet :)