Delirium by Lauren Oliver

I hope dystopian YA is a trend that stays around for a long time. I love all the updates of Brave New World and 1984 for the under-20 crowd. Delirium (2011) by Lauren Oliver is a good addition to the list.

Length: 11h 41m; Grade: 3.5
Audio publisher: Harper Audio (2011)

Delirium is what happens when people fall in love, and it is to be carefully avoided by anyone who hasn't yet been given the Cure. The book follows Lena in the months before her Cure, focusing on the relationships between Lena and her friends. The book is very slow-moving, which is kind of refreshing. Lena goes to school. She comes home. I had hoped the book would give more about the world and the society, but instead it is very tightly focused on Lena. Unfortunately, she's very conventional and acts much younger than her nearly 18 years. Delirium is the first book in a series, and there are indications that Lena will branch out in the next book. Time will tell.

Reading - Sara Drew has a very young voice with a bit of a lisp which lends itself well to the main character. There are very few speaking parts in the book, so they are easy to discern. I like the voice she gives to the main boy. He sounds like he's still half asleep.

More - Matched by Ally Condie or Uglies by Scott Westerfield show how other (more outgoing) young women handle themselves in similar situations.

Nits - The book takes place in Portland, Maine, so I found it funny that the characters were always complaining about how hot it is. Good thing you're not in Texas, chicas.