I'll Meet You There by Heather Demetrios

Title: I'll Meet You There
Author: Heather Demetrios
Publisher: Henry Holt and Co.
Publication date:  February 3, 2015
Pages: 379
Source/format: Purchased/Hardcover

Rating: ☆☆☆

Synopsis (from goodreads.com):

If seventeen-year-old Skylar Evans were a typical Creek View girl, her future would involve a double-wide trailer, a baby on her hip, and the graveyard shift at Taco Bell. But after graduation, the only thing standing between straightedge Skylar and art school are three minimum-wage months of summer. Skylar can taste the freedom—that is, until her mother loses her job and everything starts coming apart. Torn between her dreams and the people she loves, Skylar realizes everything she’s ever worked for is on the line. 

Nineteen-year-old Josh Mitchell had a different ticket out of Creek View: the Marines. But after his leg is blown off in Afghanistan, he returns home, a shell of the cocksure boy he used to be. What brings Skylar and Josh together is working at the Paradise—a quirky motel off California’s dusty Highway 99. Despite their differences, their shared isolation turns into an unexpected friendship and soon, something deeper. 

My Thoughts:

I heard great things about I'll Meet You There. For some reason, I could not get into the book as much as I wanted to. The premise of the story sounds intriguing and I was super excited to have my hands on a copy of the book. Maybe I had high expectations about the book. Sometimes if a book is over hyped, I expect more from it. I am glad I give it a chance though. It is not a horrible book. It's maybe not a book for me.

The novel starts with a graduation party after a high school graduation ceremony. Skylar Evans is waiting around for Josh Mitchell. She is super excited that she graduated and she is college bound. However, life takes a turn and things get complicated. With Skylar's dad's death, her mother hasn't been herself. Her mother ends up losing her job and Skylar's dream of leaving Creek View becomes unreal. Josh comes back from Afghanistan not too long ago but with one less limb. He is trying to adjust to life but sometimes life is hard. People don't understand what he went through. They don't understand what he lost. Skylar and Josh have been working at the Paradise Motel for quite awhile. Although they both have their own problems, they are able to share something special between them.

What I like about this novel is how raw and honest the book is. There is no sugarcoating about how life is like for Skylar and Josh. Sure it may be something different than the "average" person's experience of life at age 18 or 19, but this is what life is for some. Not everyone is fortunate from birth or even when they are growing up. Things happen. Life happens.

I see the struggles of high school aged students everyday. I work with low-income and first-generation students. Some students are raised in broken homes, some lose a parent, some barely have enough food to eat everyday. Yet they strive to do something better for themselves. Sure, others may look down upon them for not having certain things. People can live without material things but living without a parent or working a lot in order to help support your family while in school is hard. You can't change that. Kids don't wish that upon themselves. Some of them wish to find a way out of where they live but sometimes it is impossible to leave.

But the reason why I couldn't get into the book is mainly because I couldn't connect to the characters as much as I wanted to. I have a grasp about what their situations are like but maybe it's the way that the novel was written. Some of the profanity can be toned down. There were times where I was bored. There were times I didn't want to finish the book. The book didn't hit me hard as I expected. I understand the content of the story can be uncomfortable to read at times but I have read books with difficult issues and I still felt more connected with the characters from other books. This is a book where you have to read it for yourself to decide whether you love it or not. So far I have not read one bad review about it and I don't want to deter others not to read it just because I didn't love the novel.

Top Ten Characters I'd Like To Check In With

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted by The Broke and the Bookish. This week's Top Ten Tuesday asks bloggers to list their top ten characters we'd like to check in with. The following characters are in no particular order.

1. Luna Lovegood from the Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling. I would love to see how Luna is doing these days with her lovely family. She is my favorite character in the series and I wonder what quirky things she is doing as a mother and as a wife. Oh Luna, how I miss you!

Image from harrypotter.wikia.com

2. Sydney and Adrian from the Bloodlines series by Richelle Mead. Although I just read The Ruby Circle, I would love to see what's up with Sydney and Adrian. How is life for them now since Sydney does not have to worry about Alchemists trying to hunt her down. How is life with Declan? Sydney and Adrian is my OTP so there is no question why I want to know more about them.

Image from alicemarvels.com

3. Cath and Levi from Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell. They are perfect together and I want to know more about them. I know they make a cameo in Landline but that was such a small glimpse of their life post Fangirl.

Image from thebooknerdinme.wordpress.com

4. Four (aka Tobias Eaton) from the Divergent series by Veronica Roth. How is Four doing after all these years after what happened to Tris and Uriah? Can he understand why Tris made such a big sacrifice? Does he still blame himself for it what happened to Uriah? I want to know what he is going through and how his life is.

Image from galleryhip.com

5. Jem and Tessa from The Infernal Devices by Cassandra Clare. So we know Jem and Tessa reconnect in the City of Heavenly Fire. I want to check in with them to see how life is like after this raging war between Shadowhunters and Endarkened.

Image from kara-lija.deviantart.com

6. Charlie from the Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky. Charlie has dealt with a lot throughout his life and I want to see check in on him to see how he is. Does he still stay in contact with Patrick and Sam?

Image from Pinterest.com

7. Sookie Stackhouse from the The Southern Vampire Mysteries by Charlaine Harris. I've always wonder how Sookie's life is since Dead Ever After. She went through so much over a span of 13 books so I hope she is able to settle down and enjoy life.

Image from Pinterest.com

8. Rose and Dimitri from the Vampire Academy series and Bloodlines series by Richelle Mead. I've always wonder if Rose and Dimitri ponder about the new discovery about dhamphirs possibly having children. Do they plan on having children or do they think it is best not to have children. How is their life at the Palace after The Ruby Circle?

Image from Fanpop.com

9. Morgan and Hunter from the Sweep series by Cate Tiernan. I haven't read the Sweep series for awhile but I enjoyed the last book and always wondered how life is for Morgan and Hunter after reuniting. Morgan has always thought Hunter was gone forever but finds out that her half sister has been keeping him hostage. What did Hunter go through during those many years?

Image from catetiernan.wikia.com

10. Annabeth Chase from Percy Jackson and the Olympians series and The Heroes of Olympus series by Rick Riordan. I have always wondered what path Annabeth would take in life. I assume she will attend a higher institute of education and that she will still be in a relationship with Percy Jackson. However, I would love to see her blossom from a teenager to an adult.

Image from Pinterest.com

Have You Seen This...April Edition

Andi of Andi's ABCs and Brittany of The Book Addicts Guide are the fabulous hosts of Have You Seen This... which is an awesome feature for those searching for hard-to-find books such as ARCs and international copies. There is a linky where you can link up your post for others to see on Andi's and Brittany's blogs. Check out their blogs for more information about this awesome collaboration.

This is such a fun way help others find books that they have been trying to hunt down. Not only is this a way to find a coveted copy of a book you are looking for but this is a great way to build friendships and to check out new blogs.

I am having luck with this amazing feature and I have to thank Andi and Brittany! I am enjoying checking out other people's blogs and see what others' are looking for. It's interesting to see what books are popular in the YA scene.

There are certain books I have been searching for. I am a big fan of collecting the special collector's editions of books I love but I would love to own ARCs of certain books. Check out below to see what books I am looking for.

S T A T U S

Clockwork Angel Manuscript - Thank you Emma!

If you have any of the books listed above and don't mind parting with them, please let me know. We can work something out. You can contact me at nicolesnovelreads(at)gmail(dot)com or DM me on Twitter.

Accio Book 2015: The Tri-Library Tournament!

It's that time of year again where The Harry Potter Alliance hosts Accio Books! This is a great way to clear out your shelves of unwanted, gently used books. The Accio Books! The Tri-Library Tournament includes three locations where you can send your books to. You can send books to a location in the United States, the Netherlands and to England. These books will then be distributed to children and families in need of books. The goal is to raise at least 600,000 books this year! Beyond the book drive, Accio Books! plans to "engage in advocacy for public libraries by participating in the American Library Association’s National Library Legislative Day (May 4-5) and Celebrate Teen Literature Day (April 16)."

If you want to participate, please check out this site. Accio Books! will be running April 2 - June 2, 2015. Once you plan to send out your books, complete this submission form. Remember, media mail is the most efficient way to send out books. Just make sure you pack the books well. House Ravenclaw won the Accio Books! House Cup last year for donating the most books. Which house will win this year?

"We do not need magic to change the world, we carry all the power we need inside ourselves already: we have the power to imagine better."

-JK Rowling

Here are the donation locations:

Operation Breakthrough 
3039 Troost Ave
Kansas City, MO 64109
USA

Borderline Books 
Sjaak van Rijn
Orangery 2
2316 ZK Leiden
NETHERLANDS

Borderline Books 
1 West View
Wrekenton
Gateshead NE9 7UY
ENGLAND

If you are apart of a HPA chapter, please contact your chapter for information about donating books.

Black Dove, White Raven by Elizabeth Wein

Title: Black Dove, White Raven
Author: Elizabeth Wein
Publisher: Disney-Hyperion
Publication date:  March 31, 2015
Pages: 368
Source/format: e-ARC from Netgalley

Rating: ☆☆☆☆

Synopsis (from goodreads.com):

A new historical thriller masterpiece from New York Times bestselling and award-winning author Elizabeth Wein.

Emilia and Teo's lives changed in a fiery, terrifying instant when a bird strike brought down the plane their stunt pilot mothers were flying. Teo's mother died immediately, but Em's survived, determined to raise Teo according to his late mother's wishes-in a place where he won't be discriminated against because of the color of his skin. But in 1930s America, a white woman raising a black adoptive son alongside a white daughter is too often seen as a threat. 

Seeking a home where her children won't be held back by ethnicity or gender, Rhoda brings Em and Teo to Ethiopia, and all three fall in love with the beautiful, peaceful country. But that peace is shattered by the threat of war with Italy, and teenage Em and Teo are drawn into the conflict. Will their devotion to their country, its culture and people, and each other be their downfall or their salvation? 

In the tradition of her award-winning and bestselling Code Name Verity, Elizabeth Wein brings us another thrilling and deeply affecting novel that explores the bonds of friendship, the resilience of young pilots, and the strength of the human spirit.

My Thoughts: 

Delia and Rhoda are known as the Black Dove and White Raven, a female duo of stunt pilots. An aerial performance goes wrong and Delia passes away. Rhoda loses her soulmate and raises Teo, Delia's son, along with her own daughter Em. In the 1930's, it is looked down upon if Whites and Blacks mingle and females have less rights than males. Rhoda seeks a place to raise both children with little discrimination as possible. Rhoda's Quaker parents in Pennsylvania take care of the children when Rhoda tries to mend her broken heart. Before Delia passed away, Rhoda and Delia were saving up money to relocate to Ethiopia to raise their children. Rhoda ultimately relocates to Ethiopia where Teo's father is from because she wanted to fulfill Delia's dream. Rhoda eventually teaches Em and Teo to fly. Teo is a quick learner but Em is a little bit more hesitant. Life is good until the second Italo-Ethiopian War (Second Italo-Abyssinian War) threatens the family of three. Italy swoops in to invade the then independent nation of Ethiopia.

Elizabeth Wein does an excellent job with Black Dove, White Raven. Her writing is beautiful and lyrical. I am a big fan of historical fiction and this one did not disappoint. Wein not only created a wonderful story but she also taught me a lot about history. I know very little about Ethiopia so I am glad I learned a lot from reading Black Dove, White Raven. This is a good book to incorporate into history or English curriculum if students are studying the 1930's.

The characters are well developed and I love how Wein included information about Delia even after she passes away. Reading about Delia's and Rhoda's relationship is touching. I love how Rhoda's mother describes how Rhoda has lost her soulmate and how a soulmate is "two people who understand each other without talking about it. Two halves of a whole" (ARC, page 21). I totally agree. Soulmates do not have to be married. I appreciate how Em and Teo take on the personas of their mothers.

The narration of book is pretty interesting. Some people love it and some people hate it. I enjoyed the style of it. It gives me a glimpse of what the characters are thinking, the passion they pour into letters and provides me factual data for the logs. I enjoyed watching Teo and Em grow throughout the book. Will their friendship and family loyalties be tested? Will the war separate them? Pick up Black Dove, White Raven to find out!

Top Ten Books I Recently Added To My To-Be-Read List

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted by The Broke and the Bookish. This week's Top Ten Tuesday asks bloggers to list their top ten books few recently added to our to-be-read list. The following books are in no particular order.

1. This Ordinary Life by Jennifer Walkup is about a high school radio host named Jasmine Torres. Her brother has epilepsy which causes Jasmine to miss out on interviews and school in order to take care of her brother. She meets a guy names Wes who also suffers from epilepsy. Wes lives a normal life despite his medical problem which gives hope for Danny.

2. I Crawl Through It by A.S. King is a contemporary novel about four teenagers dealing with real life problems like coping with grief and facing the anxiety of standardized tests. The only way to escape real life problems is to face it head on. I am looking forward to this book. It definitely sounds like a novel right up my alley. I have test taking anxiety and I would love to read about the character who faces this issue everyday.

3. Signs Point to Yes by Sandy Hall is an contemporary novel about a girl name Jane. She takes on a babysitting job to avoid working at an unpaid internship. It so happens that she ends up babysitting the siblings of her childhood friend and crush, Teo. This book sounds like a cute romance. The novel is only 240 pages and will be a nice fun read.

4. Monstrous by MarcyKate Connolly is a middle grade fantasy about Kymera who is misunderstood and rescues girls from an evil wizard at night. Girls go missing in the city of Bryre because of a curse. Kym rescues them but she looks different with her wings, bolts on her neck and her spiky tail. However, despite her father telling her not to be seen by humans, she befriends a boy. This book sounds like a great story. I can't wait to pick this one up.

5. A Darker Shade of Magic by V.E. Schwab is a fantasy about Kell who is a Traveller. Kell is a rare magician who can travel between parallel universes. This books sounds pretty intriguing and I hope I end up enjoying it. I heard amazing things about this particular book and I cannot wait to start reading it.

6. Touch Me Not by Stacey Lee is a magical realism novel about a 16-year-old aromateur who is the last in a long line of witches and tries to reverse effects of a love potion that was administered to the wrong person. I don't know too much about the book but I love Lee's writing in Under a Painted Sky. I look forward to reading this book.

7. Stealing Snow by Danielle Paige is a Hans Christian Andersen's fairy tale of The Snow Queen meets Frozen retelling. The story is set in modern day New York. Snow, a 17-year-old girl, has no idea she is a snow queen and escapes from a mental institution only to find Algid, an ice-covered place that mirrors her own dreams. Even though I did not like Frozen, I am looking forward to the retelling of this classic fairy tale. 

8. Very Good Lives: The Fringe Benefits of Failure and the Importance of Imagination by J.K. Rowling includes Rowling's words of wisdom and inspiration. Her 2008 Harvard University commencement speech is included in this book. According to Goodreads, "Sales of VERY GOOD LIVES will benefit both Lumos, a charity organization founded by J.K. Rowling, which works to transform the lives of disadvantaged children, and university-wide financial aid at Harvard University."

9. Secret Garden: An Inky Treasure Hunt and Coloring Book by Johanna Basford is an adult coloring book with intricate designs. I can't wait to pick up my own copy! I find coloring is very relaxing. What a great way to unwind at night and to de-stress. 

10. Dream Things True by Marie Marquardt is a contemporary modern-day Romeo and Juliet novel. A wealthy southern boy falls in love with a undocumented Mexican girl in Georgia. I love Romeo and Juliet retellings so I am definitely looking forward to reading this novel.

March 2015 Challenge Recap

This month I had a small reading slump and I read less fantasy books than February. I am hoping to increase my fantasy reads for next month but I am right on track with the challenge. You can check my intro post about Flights of Fantasy here. You can check out January's recap here and February's recap here.

Flights of Fantasy books I've read in March 2015

 

I have been doing pretty well with the Dive into Diversity challenge over the past few months. I never plan to read "diversity" books. It just happens that books I end up wanting to read have diversity in them. Please check out my intro to the Dive Into Diversity challenge here. You can check out January's recap here and February's recap here. 

Dive Into Diversity books I've read in March 2015