The Book Addict Reviews: Delirium by Lauren Oliver

Genre: Young Adult, Science Fiction, Dystopian, Love & Romance
Order Online: Amazon.com
Author Info: Website | Goodreads
Rating: First time: 4 stars/Second time: 2 stars
First time: Borrowed the book from a friend/Second time: Borrowed the book from the library. 

In A Nutshell:
This story intrigued me--the idea of love as a disease that must be cured.  My initial reading of this book left me on pins and needles eagerly awaiting the next book's release.  But it is not a book I can re-read often because my second time through I found Lena to be a very annoying narrator.

Review:
Love is a disease--and like many diseases the scientists and doctors have sought for and apparently found a cure.  A procedure that all 18 years old in the established cities have to protect themselves from being infected by love.  But with the loss of the ability to love, they lose some of their memories from before the procedures, their ability to establish meaningful relationships, even their ability to care for their children and families.  

I read this book over a year ago--and I loved everything about it.  Since Pandemonium is coming out soon, I decided to re-read this one to prepare to read the next one.  I found my feelings changed quite a bit upon re-reading.  In particular, I found Lena to be a very annoying character.  She seems incapable to focus on the task or issue at hand.  And since she is the narrator--we have to read all of her scattered unrelated thoughts as we go through the story.  More than one time I wanted to slap her cheek and shake her a little like they do on television in order to get the character to focus.  Focus Lena Focus!!

But Alex kept me coming back for more.  There was something about him that always drew me in--from the first moment that Lena saw him at her evaluation.  I was almost as bad as Lena as I eagerly anticipated the next time that they would hang out so that I could read about him again.

I felt for Hannah.  I think she would have more eagerly accepting of Alex and the opportunities he presented because she already seemed posed to rebel against the life that was prescribed for her.  As I eagerly anticipate Pandemonium, I hope that Hannah is there and that there is something good in store for her.
 
Recommendations:
Despite my so-so feelings after re-reading this book, I cannot wait for the next book.  I am intrigued and excited to see what comes next for Lena, Hannah, and Alex:

The Book Addict Dares You To Read: Sarah Dessen

I love having the opportunity to challenge people to read books that I personally found compelling or interesting or just all out fun.  But I want to know what you think?  Have you read the book?  Did it stick with you?  If so, why?  If not, why? _________________________________________________

My blogging buddy, Jen, repeatedly recommended Sarah Dessen books to me--and I would put them on my TBR list and there they would stay.  Then I finally sat down and read one and I was in love.  Her characters are flawed, human, relate-able, cute, fun--anything that positive you can say about a character.  Her stories are engaging, believable, and all around fun to read.  In short, she is quickly becoming one of my favorite authors.

Here are links to the reviews for her books that I have written so far:
Just Listen
This Lullaby
The Truth About Forever
What Happened To Goodbye

And here is the review for my latest Sarah Dessen read:


Genre: Young Adult, Love & Romance, Siblings, Family
Order Online: Amazon.com
Author Info: Website | Goodreads
Rating: 4 stars
Borrowed this book from the library. 

In A Nutshell:
Sarah Dessen masterly tells a difficult story with an optimistic tone--so rather than feeling overwhelmed at the end.  I felt hopeful and happy with the world as the story ended, but I wanted more.  I wanted the ending to stretch out a little longer. 

Review:
Lock and Key may not be my favorite Sarah Dessen novel but I still loved it.  The story centers around two teens who have no where to go--or at least feel like they have no where to go. 

Ruby had been taking care of herself ever since her mother disappeared.  She is going to high school by day, working her mother's delivery job by night, and dealing with the electric company, the lack of running water, and the housekeeping in her spare time.  But what else can she do?  There is no one else in the world who cares about her, right?

Then we learn Nate's tale of abandonment on the part of his mother after she started a new family with her new husband.  It may not have been too bad except his father is abusive and using Nate as free labor in his errand running business.  There is no one in the world who cares about him, right?

There is a balance between empathizing with the teens and wishing they could see the options to get help around them because there are people who are willing to and want to help them.  Part of the time, I wanted to call out to Ruby and Nate--tell them to accept the help available to them.  But more than that, I was heart broken because there should not be a need for teens to be worried about not feeling loved, cared for, appreciated, and safe.  That should be a given for them. 

While the basic storyline tugged at my heart, I commend Sarah Dessen's ability to handled the complicated and emotional story with finesse.  The focus is not on the sad elements--the focus is on the hopeful elements.  Throughout the story, I was optimistic.  I always had the feeling that it was going to turn out well.  I was happy. 

Recommendations:
And my favorite part was that Sarah Dessen brought back glimpses of some of my favorite characters from her other books--Annabel on the radio or Kristy and Bert at the mall.  It almost makes me want to re-read my first Sarah Dessen to see if I recognize some of my favorite characters embedded in the story: