A website dedicated to books in the Young Adult genre, featuring book reviews, author interviews contests and much more!


Friday, February 11, 2011

Ten Tantalizing Questions for Lauren Oliver & Giveaway!

I'd like to extend a warm welcome to Lauren Oliver, who took the time out to stop by and discuss her sophomore novel, Delirium which recently released on February 1st of this month. See details below for your chance to win a signed copy of Delirium. Let's get started!

Lauren Oliver is the author of Before I Fall, which ALA Booklist called a "compelling book with a powerful message should not be missed." A graduate of the University of Chicago and the MFA program at New York University, Lauren is now a full-time writer and lives in Brooklyn, New York. Delirium is her second novel.  Official Website

Delirium is a dystopian thriller about a world where people are cured of love. Can you tell us a little more about the book and share with us a favorite line, scene or passage?

Well, I don’t want to give away TOO much about the book! But it takes place in Portland, at an unspecified time; it is, essentially, an alternate history of the United States, so this technology of the era is not so different from our own, with one major exception: the scientists in this society have figured out a neurological procedure that can cure love. Since love in this world is viewed as a kind of disease, various personal and cultural forms of expression have changed: many books have been banned, “flirting” is considered a dirty word, and even friends and family members are discouraged from touching too much.

I think one of my favorite passages comes from the very start of the book, at the end of the first chapter:
They say that in the old days, love drove people to madness. That's bad enough. The Book of Shhh also tells stories of those who died because of love lost or never found, which is what terrifies me the most. The deadliest of all deadly things: it kills you both when you have it, and when you don't.

What three words would you say best describe Delirium?
Romantic and suspenseful.

When comparing Delirium to Before I Fall, would you say that Delirium was more challenging to write than your first novel?  What was your favorite aspect of constructing Delirium?

I think they were both challenging in different ways. BEFORE I FALL was structurally very complex, but DELIRIUM was a challenge simply because I have never written dystopian fiction before, and it requires the establishment of a whole alternate world and society, with different attitudes, rules, and habits. So I had to imagine a whole world before I could even begin writing. Ultimately, however, that—the imaginative freedom dystopian fiction not only permits, but requires—was also my favorite part of the process.

What do you love most about the main characters of Delirium?

I love Lena because I think she represents a radicalized version of some very common anxieties: fear of being hurt; insecurity about being worthy of attention and love; ambivalence about safety/security vs. passion/potential pain. In her world, these fears have just become institutionalized. I love Hana because…well, Hana is the best friend all of us have had or wish we had, the one who can make the whole world seem bigger, brighter, and more expansive. And I love Alex because he is my kind of romantic hero: brave, loyal, down-to-earth, with a strong sense of integrity and a capacity to give openly to others.

If A Delirium was to be made into a movie, do you have certain actors you envision in the lead roles of Lena and Alex, or do you think unknowns would be best suited to play them?

Sadly, I am so out of the loop when it comes to the Hollywood scene. I see about one movie a year! (I’m much more of a reader—shocker.) But if DELIRIUM becomes a movie, I’ll make an exception. 

If you had to pick a theme song for Lena which one would you pick and why?

Resistance, by Muse, which was first introduced to me by the fabulous blogger Lenore (of PresentingLenore.blogspot.com); or Run, Baby, Run by Garbage. For the latter part of the book (the final chapter or so), perhaps Bring Me To Life, by Evanescence. Lena’s emergent understanding of music actually figures fairly heavily into the book.

What were you like as a teenager and did you have any books in particular that were your favorites? If your teenage self was to read Delirium, what do you think she’d say?

I had tons of favorites as a teen, although I have a weirdly hard time trying to remember what I read, when. I know that just before high school I had a Jane Austen phase, and in my senior year I (along with the rest of the world) became obsessed with Harry Potter. I have a hard time remembering my literary obsessions in between. But I have no doubt that had my teenage self read DELIRIUM, she would have bawled like a baby. I get very worked up over books, and always have.

If you could inhabit the life of one literary character (your own included) and dive into their world for just one day, who would you choose and why? 

For just one day? Um, Hermione Granger, please! For a lifetime? Definitely Elizabeth Bennet. It’s a cliché, but Pride and Prejudice really is the most incredibly satisfying romance, and Mr. Darcy the most swoon-worthy romantic lead, of all time.

 What would you say is the best advice you’ve been given as an author?

Talking about writing is not writing. Reading about writing is not writing. Thinking about writing is not writing. So,write! (But you should read a lot, too.)

Delirium recently released this month. What can we look forward to from you next? Any new series or other upcoming projects in the works?

Oh, yeah. I’m not going anywhere. J In the Fall of 2011, my first middle-grade book, LIESL AND PO, will be released, and the following spring (February 2012), I’ll be releasing the DELIRIUM sequel, tentatively titled TEMPEST. I’m working on that now. And since DELIRIUM is actually the first book in a trilogy, I’ll be starting in on the third book as soon as that’s wrapped up. So I have a lot of projects in the pipeline!

****GIVEAWAY****
1 SIGNED copy of 
DELIRIUM by Lauren Oliver

Delirium (Delirium, #1)

Before scientists found the cure, people thought love was a good thing. They didn’t understand that once love -- the deliria -- blooms in your blood, there is no escaping its hold. Things are different now. Scientists are able to eradicate love, and the governments demands that all citizens receive the cure upon turning eighteen. Lena Holoway has always looked forward to the day when she’ll be cured. A life without love is a life without pain: safe, measured, predictable, and happy.

But with ninety-five days left until her treatment, Lena does the unthinkable: She falls in love.

Official Rules:
1.You must be 13 year or older to enter.
2. Open to entrants with a valid U.S. mailing address only. 
3. Entries must be received by Midnight EST on February 28th 2011
4.To enter to win, simply fill out the form below. Good luck!  

42 comments:

Jennifer said...

Delirium was a fantastic read and the plot was totally fresh and exciting. I'm looking forward to the next installment and finding out what happens next with Lena.

Kelly said...

Love the writing advice! I need to follow it!

Regina said...

Both of these books are on my TBR list and can't wait to get my hands on them. Great interview. Thanks for the post!

Anonymous said...

Thanks for the book oppurtunity. I am looking forward to reading the book either way!

ashley said...

WHAT MADE YOU PICK THE METALIC SHEEN TO THE COVER I JUST SAW THE BOOK IN BORDERS!!?

Moridin said...

I've heard a lot of positive feedback about Delirium.

Vivien said...

Thanks for the giveaway. Can't wait to read Delirium!

TheGirlOnFire said...

Thanks for the great giveaway!

The Library Owl said...

Great interview and giveaway! I'm not entering because I'm international but I still loved reading this post :)

Anonymous said...

Excellent interview. I've been dying to read this book. It's such a great concept and Lauren seems very down to earth. I'd love to win a copy.

Zombie Girrrl said...

Oh my gosh I love those songs! Delirium sounds so good. Thanks for the interview and giveaway!!!

Robin Blankenship said...

I quite enjoy dystopian fiction. I can not wait to read this book.

Laura Hartness said...

I love that Lauren would choose Hermione and Elizabeth Bennet as favorite personal characters! They're some of my favorites as well.

Although I don't know if I'd want Mrs. Bennet for a mother and Lydia for a sister.... ;)

Laura Hartness

Mona said...

I think the premise that love is a disease is fascinating. So far, I've only read one dystopian novel, THE UNIDENTIFIED, and I am looking forward to reading more in this genre.

monagarg@yahoo.com

Mrs. DeRaps said...

Love your advice for writers...I'll pass this on to my students. I have a couple who are promising new voices. And, they definitely loved Before I Fall. I need a copy of Delirium (which I've read through a book tour) for them to devour. Thanks for the interview, the giveaway, and for writing!

Nicole said...

I cannot wait to read this, it looks amazing!!!!!!

Carolyn said...

Aww, thanks for the opportunity...looks to be great read!

holdenj said...

Great interview and thanks for the chance to win. I liked Lauren's comment about Before I Fall being structurally complex. I remember thinking that as I read--there was a lot to keep straight for the author! Delirium looks like a great book, glad you have so many wonderful book ideas!
JHolden955(at)gmail(dot)com

jpetroroy said...

Great writing advice! And I agree about Hermione :)

Kimberly Sue said...

After reading the review of this book, it definitely looks like one that I'd be interested in!

Sniffly Kitty said...

It would be weird to be Hermione.

Sniffly Kitty
Sniffly Kitty's Mostly Books
Loving the Reviews Challenge

SarahS. said...

I've heard so much about this book, I can't wait to get my hands on it, thanks for the chance to win it! :)

LuAnn said...

It's interesting that you don't see many movies. I'm the same way. It seems like I would rather read a book and catch more of the plot dynamics than miss some of the aspects there is no time to explain in a movie. Plus, you can't bookmark something to come back to later!

Bere said...

Awesome interview, Kim! I really enjoyed reading Before I Fall so I'm really looking forward to reading Delirium. Plus, I've already heard brilliant things on it. Definitely this one cannot me missed. Thanks so much for the contest, Kim! =D

Jessie Harrell said...

I'm not a huge fan of dystopian fiction, but this book sounds AMAZING! I loved that passage Lauren shares from the end of the first chapter. If I don't win the copy, I'm sure I'll be downloading this one onto my Kindle soon.

bookworm1494 said...

Before I fall was an amazing book. Keep up the great writing cant wait to read this one!

bookworm1494 said...

Before I fall was an amazing book. Keep up the great writing cant wait to read this one!

Regina said...

Where does her inspiration come from?

Beverly Stowe McClure said...

A cure for love, huh? Sounds intriguing. Must read this book.

Very nice interview.

Jill the OWL said...

I want to be in Hermione's world too!!! That would be so cool :)

Tales of Whimsy said...

O great post! I need to try this book. Everyone just raves about it!

Aik said...

Thanks for dropping by The Book Butterfly, Lauren! I'm looking forward to reading Delirium!

Wrighty said...

I loved Before I Fall so I can't wait to read this one! It sounds so good and I seem to have a thing for dystopian novels lately. :) Best of luck!!

latishajean said...

Great giveaway thank you so much I can't wait to read this book sounds very good!

Kristina said...

Thanks for the giveaway I can't wait to get this book!

Minas said...

Great interview! I LOVED Delirium! Thanks for the giveaway!

Unknown said...

So many book blogs have been raving about this book, and I just can't wait to actually read it for myself!

Unknown said...

So many book blogs have been raving about this book! I can't wait to read it for myself :)

Unknown said...

I loved this interview! I can't wait to read the book!

Unknown said...

I loved this interview! I can't wait to read this book!

Anonymous said...

The book sounds awesome!!

Anonymous said...

The book sounds awesome!!