Intoxicating Reading

I have to be very careful about when I pick up White Oleander because it seduces me. Once I start reading, I can't put it down. If I need to get a cup of tea, I'll take the book with me so I won't have to leave it. The experience reminds me of Thicker Than Water which has at its center another fragile and creative young girl who finds herself in the middle of emotional and erotic maelstrom triggered by poisonous parents.

I'll now play the 'If I were writing a paper, I would" game by saying that I'm sure that many students have discussed the two novels, but I'm more interested in why they both can draw me so completely into their fictional worlds.