And that's a wrap on our first book club pick, I Wanna Be Where You Are. Although this reading journey has come to an end, it was an absolute blast taking this adventure with you all. We loved every minute of it: the dancing, the music, the family drama, and of course, everyone's favorite pit, Geezer. As we’ve been reading and taking this road trip with Chloe and Eli,  we realized there was so much more we wanted to know. We went to the source to answer all of our burning questions and give us the ins and outs behind this book. Check out our interview with author Kristina Forest below. What was your inspiration for writing I Wanna Be Where You Are? I had a dream about a girl and boy who were on a road trip. I didn’t know why or where they were going, just that the girl, who was driving, was a little nervous. When I woke up, I wrote down everything that I could remember, and I knew right away that it could be a book. At the time, I had been finishing my MFA in Creative Writing, and whatever project I started next was going to be the book that I sent out to agents with the hope of finding representation and eventually being published. I wanted to write something fun, adventurous, and romantic. The road trip idea felt the strongest, so I trusted my gut and started writing. I knew Chloe’s road trip needed to be fueled by a goal, one she’d been working toward her whole life. I spent many years in ballet, so I decided to make her a ballerina who was on her way to a major audition. But I needed to raise the stakes and add a risk factor. Cue Chloe sneaking out on the road trip behind her mom’s back, and Eli catching her in the act and somehow finessing both himself and his dog onto her trip as well. For research, I actually took the road trip that Chloe and Eli take, from southern New Jersey to North Carolina, so that I could get all of the landmarks correct. Some of the locations in the book are real, and I took creative license with others. Avery Johnson, Chloe’s idol, was inspired by Alvin Ailey, a Black man who started his own dance company in New York City many years ago. I actually took some classes at Alvin Ailey while I was writing this book to brush up on my skills, and wow, was I rusty. But it was fun! I felt closer to Chloe and her love for ballet. Hopefully, that comes across on the page. What was your favorite scene to write in the book? Most of my favorite scenes are spoilers, so I can’t really go into detail without ruining the reader’s experience. One scene that isn’t much of a spoiler is when Chloe and Eli sneak Eli’s dog, Geezer, into a fancy hotel. They later start bouncing around on their huge hotel bed and may or may not get into trouble. That scene is so sweet and funny, and it really shows the strong connection between Chloe and Eli, even though Chloe tries to fight it. So much of the book deals with music and the characters' connection to music, what are some of the songs Chloe would choose on her playlist and why?

• “Formation” by Beyoncé. Chloe spends much of the novel trying to regain her confidence. Who better to encourage her than Beyoncé, especially with this song, which is about going after what you want and being strong.
• “Last Dance” by Donna Summer. Chloe is a dancer and disco is the best genre for dancing.
• “While We’re Young” by Jhene Aiko. This song is about being adventurous and in love when you’re young, which is what I Wanna Be Where You Are is largely about. Jhene Aiko has a very chill vibe, and I always kind of imagined that she’d be Chloe’s favorite singer.

What are some of the songs  Eli would choose for his playlist and why?

• “C.R.E.A.M.” by the Wu-Tang Clan. When Chloe finally lets Eli take the aux cord in her car, he blasts a Wu-Tang Clan song. This is the song that I imagine he would play.
• “ATL Freestyle” by 6lack. Eli has a tough exterior, but he’s actually pretty soft underneath it all, so he definitely loves some R&B, and 6lack’s sound balances the duality of softness and hardness well.
• “High Fashion” by Roddy Rich feat. Mustard. This is a song about a boy who thinks his girl is just the flyest out there, and that’s how Eli feels about Chloe.

Pick up a copy of I Wanna Be Where You Are wherever books are sold and download the discussion guide to continue talking about Chloe and Eli's journey. "In a world where it's easy to lose faith in love, I Wanna Be Where You Are is a brilliant burst of light. A dazzling debut." — Nic Stone, New York Times bestselling author of Dear Martin and Odd One Out When Chloe Pierce’s mom forbids her to apply for a spot at the dance conservatory of her dreams, she devises a secret plan to drive two hundred miles to the nearest audition. But Chloe hits her first speed bump when her annoying neighbor Eli insists upon hitching a ride, threatening to tell Chloe’s mom if she leaves him and his smelly dog, Geezer, behind. So now Chloe’s chasing her ballet dreams down the east coast—two unwanted (but kinda cute) passengers in her car, butterflies in her stomach, and a really dope playlist on repeat. Filled with roadside hijinks, heart-stirring romance, and a few broken rules, I Wanna Be Where You Are is a YA debut perfect for fans of Jenny Han and Sandhya Menon.