From the Bookshelf of Desperate BookJunkies…

Ready Player One (Ready Player One, #1)

Ernest Cline

Start date: January 12, 2015

Finish date: February 1, 2015

Discussion: Monthly Group Reads in General

Why we're reading this: This was the title that was picked with our vote of 3 votes :o) And well my cousin talked it up and it ac…more
[close] This was the title that was picked with our vote of 3 votes :o) And well my cousin talked it up and it actually sounds like a lot of fun.

Find A Copy At

Libraries

Group Discussions About This Book

Showing 2 of 44 topics — 413 comments total

Monthly Group Reads in General

* Cybersp@ce by Jeff Horton Discussion (Spoilers)
By Steven · 1 post · 9 views

last updated Mar 28, 2013 06:09AM

He Digs A Hole Discussion ( Possible Spoilers)
By Steven · 2 posts · 3 views

last updated Aug 01, 2018 06:42AM

What Members Thought

Oct 03, 2011 Mike (the Paladin) rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: science-fiction

I finished this a few days ago and thought I'd let my thoughts about it, percolate. There were times when I found this book annoying. I'm tired of authors who feel obligated to send me a message about all the politically correct claptrap they have to peddle. This book does have it's share of said claptrap. Other than that however there are parts of this book that I like greatly.

I wasn't a teen in the '80s...my kids were. BUT I am a nerd...maybe I'm a proto-nerd? How far back can you go and still I finished this a few days ago and thought I'd let my thoughts about it, percolate. There were times when I found this book annoying. I'm tired of authors who feel obligated to send me a message about all the politically correct claptrap they have to peddle. This book does have it's share of said claptrap. Other than that however there are parts of this book that I like greatly.

I wasn't a teen in the '80s...my kids were. BUT I am a nerd...maybe I'm a proto-nerd? How far back can you go and still be a nerd? (actually it seems Dr. Seuss may have come up with the word in If I Ran the Zoo in the 1950s.) Anyway, while the music of the '80s isn't my choice for fun and favorites I am a huge fan of RPGs (table top and electronic), vintage video games, science fiction and fantasy books and movies. In 1978 I was the one who organized our Dungeon and Dragons game... I bought the books, dice and other accoutrements. I've been a DM since 1978. I (and a couple of friends) played Galaga, Space Invaders, Joust...I ~~wasted~~ err, I mean spent, yah spent many hours in arcades (though I was never really into any of the Pac Mans (Pac Men??? no I'm pretty sure Ms. Pac Man wouldn't be one of the Pac "Men", so Pac Mans...whatever). Moving on, I saw Star Wars (you know the first one that is actually the fourth one, but is actually the first of the only 3 that are worth seeing) at a drive in movie...3 times (and now own the DVDs of the first 3....that are really the last 3 but are really the only ones...oh, you get the idea). Of course I'm also a fan of older science fiction movies, not to mention the Indiana Jones flicks and tons of other fantasy/adventure movies. What I'm saying is, the book allowed me to "renew and check my nerd credentials".

In other words, aside from the music everything else in the book is a nostalgia trip for anyone who's into the pass times, hobbies, interests and whatnot that also appeal to the guys on Big Bang Theory.

I found the book's story interesting and all the vintage gaming and fiction references great. There were some things that were pretty predictable and while I wouldn't call this story the worlds most original, the setting is one that I haven't seen done more than a couple of times before...and this one does it better than the others that come to mind. (view spoiler)

So, if you're a gamer, a fantasy or science fiction fan (books, movies graphics or whatever), an '80s music enthusiast...in other words a nerd (and proud of it) this book's for you. If you're like me, you can side step the annoying crap and enjoy the nostalgic fun. I settled on 4 stars. Enjoy. ...more

78 likes · Like · see review

Apr 11, 2012 Gregor Xane rated it did not like it

Shelves: unfinished, 2012

I'm not a fan of pop-culture references to begin with. I am biased in that regard. But this really seemed to me like the literary equivalent of a list of favorite things from some guy's social networking site. I stopped reading after an impromptu '80s trivia contest that actually involved high-fives and fist-bumps. The premise seemed contrived, constructed solely for the purpose of setting up a justification for the author to indulge in nostalgic name-dropping.

This wasn't for me. But I'm sure th ...more

25 likes · Like · see review

Jul 22, 2012 ♥ Unaeve ♥ rated it really liked it · review of another edition

I loved it.
I am just one year older then Anorak,so totally lived most of the described '80 period and enjoyed now being reminded about it all..
And yes,Oasis would find a new faithful participant in me :)

For those who didn't read the book...
It is about a huge virtual online world a crossing between "second life" and..lets say -"world of Warcraft" .A very huge part of the human population is participating in this virtual reality,kids going to school,people working,earning money,having fun etc..and ...more

5 likes · Like · see review

Feb 23, 2017 Joe rated it it was amazing

I was shocked how much I love this book. The characters are so well written. Being that most of this books takes place in a virtual world, i was unsure how I would relate. I hope the world does not come to this. There were parts of this book that just made me want to get up and go outside and enjoy all that we have. That's how good the writing is. There were twists and turns that were completely unexpected and kept you wanting more. I will definitely be reading more of Cline's stuff. ...more

4 likes · Like · see review

May 12, 2014 Steven rated it it was amazing

Shelves: ernest-cline

Absolutely awesome!!! I'll be shocked if this isn't adapted to film or a graphic novel in the near future. ...more

1 like · Like · see review

Oct 17, 2011 Heidi Ward rated it really liked it

Shelves: own, qpb, 21st-century, reviewed, apocalypses-and-dystopias, sci-fi, comedy-and-satire, postmodern, journey-or-quest, cyberpunk

I'm not sure I loved this book, but I certainly feel warmly towards it. Clever, funny and thoroughly geeky, Ready Player One is a cornucopia of pop and gamer culture, with easter eggs for just about every kind of nerd on Earth scattered throughout. If you were a teen in the 80s; if you ever haunted video arcades with pockets full of quarters; were a Dungeonmaster; love John Hughes or William Gibson or Joss Whedon; got strung out on an MMORPG; or invested any time studying "The Hero's Journey" an ...more

Like · see review