Chicks On Lit discussion

Let me know if this reading schedule works.
Read
Section 1-Hudson and 2-Bree by Nov.9th.
Section 3-Elliot and 4-Sonia by Nov.16th
Section 5-Leila by Nov.23

Who else is coming on this road trip?

Sounds good, Irene! I'm in. :-)

I figured we use the last week to catch up and discuss the story as a whole.

I am going to sit this one out. I usually dislike YA books. Plus, the description on this one sounds a bit sweeter than I generally like in my fiction. I fear that I would only be a Debbie Downer if I tried to participate.

You are always welcome to join us with questions. I talked to the author about writing that's why I know about the book.

If I can get it from the library, I will try to join in.

Just requested it from the library!

Excellent Kohinoor! :-)

This looks really good! I'll see if I can get it from the library in time to join int!

Adi Alsaid was born and raised in Mexico City, then studied at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. While in class, he mostly read fiction and continuously failed to fill out crossword puzzles, so it's no surprise that after graduating, he did not go into business world but rather packed up his apartment into his car and escaped to the California coastline to become a writer. He's now back in his hometown, where he writes, coaches high school and elementary basketball, and has perfected the art of making every dish he eats or cooks as spicy as possible.

I tweeted with Adi and a question I asked was, "What advice would you give students about waiting?" his reply was, "Write every day."

Irene wrote: "I tweeted with Adi and a question I asked was, "What advice would you give students about waiting?" his reply was, "Write every day.""

Along those lines, I am hoping to participate in Nanowrimo this November (http://nanowrimo.org/), so I'm intending on starting this one soon and I will either try to cram this one into a few days, or I will be woefully behind!

Jennifer W wrote: "Irene wrote: "I tweeted with Adi and a question I asked was, "What advice would you give students about waiting?" his reply was, "Write every day.""

Along those lines, I am hoping to participate..."

Thanks for sharing. I think I will join too. I started writing everyday since the Adi's advice. :)

As you are reading this novel, keep a log of questions you would ask the characters. Wait to see if it is answered. If not then post it.

I finished the book already, so I'll try to accidentally give out any spoilers in my posts :D

Amy wrote: "I finished the book already, so I'll try to accidentally give out any spoilers in my posts :D"

Haha :) we can discuss in codes.

Just got started last night. So far, so good! :-)

I'm hoping to get started tonight!

A question to think about as you finish part 1 of 5. How did the end of the first part make you feel? Did you expect it to end like that? Why or why not? Why do you think it did end the way it did?
No spoilers please.

I thought the first part seemed a bit like an escape for both Hudson and Leila. It sounded like Hudson was from a small town, and since she was from somewhere else, it may have made her appear more interesting to him. There was a very fast connection between them. This, along with Hudson sneaking out, gave me the impression that part of the thrill of the relationship was an element of recklessness.

I agree with Amy that Part 1, with Hudson and Leila, seemed like a bit of an escape for both characters. Hudson seemed like he had always been the type of kid to "toe the line", the serious student without a girlfriend, and Leila seemed to give him a reason to let loose a bit. I was a bit surprised at how it ended for Hudson though. It didn't quite seem realistic, given how his character was portrayed. He doesn't seem like he would have actually let this happen.

I agree it was reckless. I was annoyed that he acted so irresponsible with his future.

Do you agree with Leila that Hudson really didn't want to leave Vicksburg?

His future at Vicksburg was already set. He has a house and the business. Why change it?

Most people that age aren't looking for security, and the fact that he appeared to rush into a relationship with Leila would indicate that he wasn't the nesting type.

Maybe he was just feeling pressured, and maybe he is still unsure what he really wants? I don't think it seems realistic that he didn't want to leave Vicksburg though. Maybe he was just scared of what the future held. But to throw away his chance at a full scholarship???

I agree that this seemed a bit "off." I did have a bit of trouble with the relationship because of it. That aspect didn't make sense to me.

What passages strike you as insightful, even profounding in the first part, Hudson?

Next we meet Bree. What basic vision of life does the novel reflect and extend?

This novel seems to be portraying a vision of lost and confused youth. Of youth uncertain of their plans, their goals. Of growing pains and angst. I'm wondering where this is going. Is Leila going to change the path of a bunch of other young adults as she travels "north"? Are the changes for the good, or not necessarily? I'm not sure what she did for Hudson was good. Bree, that seemed like a better outcome.

I've already read the whole book, so I'm afraid I might accidentally give away a spoiler if I comment too much here. That in mind, I think that the title tells us the general theme: sometimes we need to get lost in order to find ourselves.

Amy wrote: "I've already read the whole book, so I'm afraid I might accidentally give away a spoiler if I comment too much here. That in mind, I think that the title tells us the general theme: sometimes we ne..."

Okay, elaborate on your theory regarding Hudson and Bree.

Is your opinion on Hudson's outcome bias to our cultural practices?

With both Hudson and Bree there's a sense that they're taking risks as if they have a desire to get lost because they don't know where else to go.

Amy wrote: "With both Hudson and Bree there's a sense that they're taking risks as if they have a desire to get lost because they don't know where else to go."

That's a good point. I'm trying to figure out the connections and the point of the author or lessons learned.

Next we meet Elliot. How is he similar to or opposite from the other characters?

I think that Elliot is a bit different in that he knows where he wants to go (he wants his relationship with his female friend to move into a full romance). However, he doesn't know how to successfully get the relationship to that place. So in that way he's similar to the others - willing to take risks and get a little lost as he figures out his path.

Amy wrote: "With both Hudson and Bree there's a sense that they're taking risks as if they have a desire to get lost because they don't know where else to go."

Good point, Amy!

I'm half way done with Elliot. Will probably finish this chapter tonight. Why does Leila feel the need to get involved in all of these people's lives though?

Sheila wrote: "I'm half way done with Elliot. Will probably finish this chapter tonight. Why does Leila feel the need to get involved in all of these people's lives though?"

We don't learn Leila's full story until the last section of he book. I have to admit, I felt a bit cheated about this because I felt there should have been more foreshadowing.

Okay, are these stories getting more ridiculous and unrealistic, or what? LOL Maybe I'm just old, but I'm starting to eye roll and wonder at the behavior of all the characters. I finished "Sonia" last night. Also, I live in Washington, and there are no Tim Horton's here. You have to go across the border into Canada to find a Tim Horton's. :-)

Sheila wrote: "Okay, are these stories getting more ridiculous and unrealistic, or what? LOL Maybe I'm just old, but I'm starting to eye roll and wonder at the behavior of all the characters. I finished "Sonia"..."

Sheila, I had some trouble with the book, also. I didn't know if it was my age or not, so I'm hesitant to criticize. I felt as if this book wasn't what I expected it to be based on the description, but a younger reader might feel the description was accurate. I thought that it would be a updated "On The Road" with a female protagonist. It wasn't.

I can finally pick this up at the library. I plan on reading it. It sounds like it has a similar to what I have been reading lately so I am curious to see if it turns how to be the same kind of writing style.

Rebecca wrote: "I can finally pick this up at the library. I plan on reading it. It sounds like it has a similar to what I have been reading lately so I am curious to see if it turns how to be the same kind of wri..."

I'm looking forward to your comments and perspective on the book. Since you're familiar with this genre you may add some additional insight to the discussion.

I'm very curious to see what you think also, Rebecca! Glad you are joining us. :-)

Do you think it is possible that all these events can really happen?

I keep cringing at every turn.

Irene, I don't think there is any way all these events could possibly happen on one girls road trip across the country! They were just too far fetched and out there. I was cringing, and eye rolling! LOL

Sheila wrote: "Irene, I don't think there is any way all these events could possibly happen on one girls road trip across the country! They were just too far fetched and out there. I was cringing, and eye rollin..."

Why would the author put all these events in one book? They are engaging though. I found it hard to put down at times.

I'm guessing the author was just trying to make it "exciting" but it just wasn't very realistic.

I not very far into the book but I agree Sheila. Right off the bat I am having trouble with Hudson's thoughts about Leila, they seem unusual for a boy in his teens. Is there more to Leila's trip to see the northern lights? It seems so random. Has anyone taken a road trip like Hudson and Leila on a whim? I know I wouldn't have ever done that kind of thing in my teens.

I can pick it up at the library..I put it on hold... I'll see what I think...