Lauren Oliver's Butterfly Effect

We may only live 2 hours away from NYC but since it's a small town area we don't get too many author visits, so when we heard that NYT Best Selling author, Lauren Oliver, would be visiting Scranton we were beyond excited. BEFORE I FALL is a spectacular book. A painful, hopeful, moving, brilliant story that carries a powerful message that will haunt (in a good way) teenangers, parents and anyone who's been a young adult long after you've finished. We're not exaggerating when we say that reading a story like this changes you.

What if you had only one day to live? What would you do? Who would you kiss? And how far would you go to save your own life?

Samantha Kingston has it all: the world's most crush-worthy boyfriend, three amazing best friends, and first pick of everything at Thomas Jefferson High—from the best table in the cafeteria to the choicest parking spot. Friday, February 12, should be just another day in her charmed life.


Instead, it turns out to be her last.


Then she gets a second chance. Seven chances, in fact. Reliving her last day during one miraculous week, she will untangle the mystery surrounding her death—and discover the true value of everything she is in danger of losing.

Just as powerful as the messsage of BEFORE I FALL is what brought Lauren Oliver to our area. Over the summer, Delaney Sandercock, a teen from Dalton, PA  passed away in a boating accident. Thanks to Delaney's love of reading and the fact that she had BEFORE I FALL on hold with her local library Lauren became aware of the tragedy. And like the Butterfly effect that inspired Lauren when she wrote BIF, Delaney's death brought about a chain of events that would lead to Lauren not only donating to Delaney's memorial fund to renovate the children's room at the Dalton Community Library, but speaking in the county's lecture series and local high schools. You can read more about that story here and see the local news story here.

Library Director: Shu Qiu; Jenn (FallenArchangel),
Lauren Oliver, Rebccea (FallenArchangel)

As soon as we heard Lauren would be speaking here we contacted her about meeting for an interview and working with us at Fallenarchangel on our read-along of BEFORE I FALL this month, with a live chat at the end of the two weeks. Because as anyone knows who has read it, you will have lots of questions! We got the chance to meet Lauren before the dedication. She's a blast, so at ease, down to earth, kind, and excited to chat about her writing and the reason for her visit. We're thrilled to partner with Lauren as we re-read BIF and hope that you'll join us. More details and dates here on FallenArchangel.

There's also one other small detail (total sarcasm when we say small) we should mention. Lauren's next book, DELIRIUM, comes out in Februrary 2011. We were fortuate enough to read an electronic ARC (advanced reader copy) from http://www.netgalley.com/ and were completely blown away. DELIRUM is AMAZING! If for some reason you hadn't heard of Lauren Oliver before now you will when February rolls around because D is the start of what's sure to be one of the biggest trilogies in the YA world next year.

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 government demands that all citizens receive the cure upon turning eighteen. Lena Haloway 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.

And so have we--with the story and now the official cover. WOW.

 

Thank you Lauren for taking the time to meet with us, sign our books and agreeing to be a part of our read-along and, of course, the cover jacket. (We're still staring at it today) We're so excited to feature these amazing books discuss them with all of you!