[Throwback] Delirium by Lauren Oliver

 

Buy on Amazon or Book Depository

Title: Delirium

Series: Delirium #1

Author: Lauren Oliver [Twitter | Facebook | Website] 

Audiobook Performer: Sarah Drew

Publisher: Harper Collins

Genre: Young Adult- Science Fiction, Dystopia

Release Date: February 3, 2011

Source: audiobook via public library/OverDrive – review policy here.

Synopsis via Goodreads:

Ninety-five days, and then I'll be safe. I wonder whether the procedure will hurt. I want to get it over with. It's hard to be patient. It's hard not to be afraid while I'm still uncured, though so far the deliria hasn't touched me yet. Still, I worry. They say that in the old days, love drove people to madness. The deadliest of all deadly things: It kills you both when you have it and when you don't.

Letters to the Characters

Since this series is complete and it's sort of a throwback, I'm just gonna write some shipping letters. It's my blog, my rules. 

Lena, oh sweet Lena. I adore you for all of your qualities. Girl you are fierce, smart, witty and so naive that it's endearing. And not naive about this deliria nonsense, we all know that's craziness, but about sweet first kisses, butterflies, secret crush codes, flirting, and all of the yucky, love stuff. Lena I LOVED spending the hours in my car to and from work with you as you went on your exploits to spend more and more waking moments with Alex. Thank you for reminding me what middle school love feels like. I needed those smiles and giggles while sitting hours of traffic each day. 

"It's amazing how words can do that, just shred your insides apart. Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words can never hurt me - such bullshit."

Alex, I swear I saw you on my TV Monday night. In case you're wondering I've attached a photo below. 

You're such a nice guy... so far... that I couldn't imagine you as a book boyfriend, because I'd be too mean. Also that whole motorcycle bit broke my heart... I mean, broke it. Please don't make Lena promise you anything like that again. No more sacrifices, Lena's a cool chick but let's try and stay alive. K? Mkay.

"I'm tired of sleeping.”

Hana, Every girl needs a person like you. Someone to run with, be the voice of reason and believe in you. You're that awesome girl, and I hope you are brave and fearless. I have a feeling we're going to need you in the next book. 

“You can't be happy unless you're
unhappy sometimes".” 

Gracie, Stay strong. Don't give up your fight on silence. One day you'll venture into the wilds and you'll be home. 

4 Stars: Read it!!! I'm already listening to book 2. I couldn't wait!

[Throwback Thursday Review] If I Stay by Gayle Forman

Throwback Thursday is a Twitter based meme using #tbt to showcase old photographs.
Check out for an awesome linky hosted by I Heart YA Fiction of book bloggers doing the same remix style with books in the TBR pile! 

Buy on Amazon or The Book Depository

Title: If I Stay

Author: Gayle Forman (Twitter, Facebook, Website)

Publisher: Dutton Juvenile

Genre: Young Adult - Contemporary

Release Date: April 2, 2009 

Format: audiobook via public library

Synopsis via Goodreads:

Choices. Seventeen-year-old Mia is faced with some tough ones: Stay true to her first love—music—even if it means losing her boyfriend and leaving her family and friends behind?

Then one February morning Mia goes for a drive with her family, and in an instant, everything changes. Suddenly, all the choices are gone, except one. And it's the only one that matters.

If I Stay is a heartachingly beautiful book about the power of love, the true meaning of family, and the choices we all make.

This book has received a lot of hype since before it was even released back in '09. Unfortunately, in 2009 I was buried up to my ears in grad school work, so I decided since I loved Gayle's more recent duology, Just One Day, I had to check it out.

My jaw dropped at least a dozen times, I laughed, I cried and I needed a hug before this was all over. My guess is an 8 out of 10 on the feels scale. 

The plot does not waste time and Mia is faced with her tough decision within the first couple of chapters. Told beautifully from Mia's point-of-view, she recounts past memories of various friends and family members as she balances the choices that are to come. The secondary cast is hilarious! Each one has their quirks and you really feel like Mia is laying on your bed, with popcorn, telling you a series of short stories from her childhood. Ranging from how she met her best friend, her first date with Adam, the birth of her baby brother and her never ending love for the cello. If you're looking for swoon-worthy moments between Mia and Adam, look elsewhere. Their relationship is tender, genuine and a whole lot of other adjectives but the focus is always on the "big issue" at hand. 

Great read and when the audio ended I was definitely like... wahhhh????? So glad I can now listen to the second part, set three years ahead and from Adam's point-of-view. 

4-Stars: Great book, many feels... if you haven't already read this!

This was my first successful attempt with an audiobook. I really liked it! I feel like sitting in traffic was so much more productive... haha.

The narrator's voice was smooth and since the story is told in first person it fits really nicely. I've started Where She Went in audiobook, which is part two to this duology, and its a little bit more jagged. We'll see how it goes...

This novel has been optioned for a film and is currently in post-production. The film will star Chloe Grace Moretz (Kick-Ass,Carrie) as Mia and is set to release later this summer on August 22. IMDB

What are your hopes for the movie?
What do you think about the casting choices?

Not the Adam I envisioned... at all!!

[Throwback Thursday] Happy 112th Birthday, John Steinbeck!

photo from Biography.com

So it's John Steinbeck's birthday today, 112th birthday to be exact! Since Steinbeck's books make the rounds on most high school reading lists he's the YA Throwback Thursday feature. 

My favorite Steinbeck novel is Of Mice and Men

Tell me what's your favorite Steinbeck?


Check out a list of Steinbeck novels here.
The latest movie adaptations of his work will be East of Eden (starring Jennifer Lawrence) and Grapes of Wrath (directed by Steven Spielberg) in the next few years.