As the world waits anxiously for the premiere of “Catching Fire,” several readers are still experiencing “Hunger Games” withdrawals.  It’s difficult to find really good books these days that allow you to be immersed in the imaginary (or not so imaginary) world of the book.

With the “Hunger Games” series, the world saw a dystopian nation where everything was under the surveillance of the capitol.  Imagine again, a closed off United States where everything is under control of the “Consortium,” but this time, love is illegal.  Armor deliria nervosa is seen as a deadly disease and the only way to prevent it is to receive the “cure.”

 Delirium, by Lauren Oliver, submerges the reader in an enthralling world where 17-year-old Lena faces an inner struggle with herself over what she has been taught is right and what her heart tells her is right.  After getting over the typical, teenage girl antics of best friend fights, popularity contests, graduation, and the evaluations that determine how you are going to spend the rest of your life, she attempts to have the best summer ever before the “cure” closes off the part of the brain that feels love.

Haunted by the memories of her past, Lena counts down the days until she will be “safe” from the deliria.  However, certain events take place that make her question the authenticity of the claims against love. 

Lauren Oliver creates a novel that will keep you on your toes.  You simply cannot put the book down.  Oliver uses qualities similar to Suzanne Collins by creating a nation that is an over-controlled, government-regulated country where the citizens have next to no rights.  The dystopian world Oliver pictures is one that is terrifying to imagine, but one that you can’t help thinking about.  The reader imagines themselves in Lena’s shoes and waits anxiously until the end of the book to find out the fate of the characters.