Cline, Ernest-Ready Player One; Relaxed Buddy Reads starts March 1, 2018**REVISIT** June 5, 2018

[Claire]

Just starting it now. I'm at the very beginning.

As soon as he mentioned Warren Robinett and the very first video gema easter egg, I went to check if it was true. I was excited (but not very surprised of course) to see it was. I'm looking forward to learn more about videogame history and 80s culture !

[Sunshine]

Kathleen wrote: "-somewhere in Level 2 ;)

For a second there I thought we were going to [spoilers removed]

Getting to the fun stuff now!"

I was surprised by that too

[Elize]

Kathleen wrote: "~about to start chapter 13

Hm, the game is starting to sound scary. [spoilers removed]"

I really love how it does that. It makes you think about how easily that could happen to us in the near future...

[kat (wanderfulbooks)]

Elize wrote: "Kathleen wrote: "~about to start chapter 13

Hm, the game is starting to sound scary. [spoilers removed]"

I really love how it does that. It makes you think about how easily that could happen to u..."

I know! Decades ago, people wouldn't have thought the internet was possible and now it has become such a big part of our lives.

[Eldarwen]

✿ Claire ✿ ~ Foxgard wrote: "Just starting it now. I'm at the very beginning.

As soon as he mentioned Warren Robinett and the very first video gema easter egg, I went to check if it was true. I was excited (but not very surpr..."

Ah cool!
I didn't realise he was real because the name didn't ring a bell but I do remember a friend of mine mentioning the Atari game console. I think he may even still have one.

I was born in the 80s, so my references are a little muddled hehe, but I looooove the Brat Movies!! So the mention of the extras in John Hughes movies made me grin :-)

[Eldarwen]

I am jumping into this today and hoping to get a good chunk read. So far, I'm enjoying it!

[Eldarwen]

Sunshine wrote: "I still have the TRS-80 computer
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/TRS-80

My husband was going to toss it to electronic recycling.

Me: No, we can sell it
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/TRS-80#......"

Good old floppy discs hahaha. :-)

[Eldarwen]

Read Chapters 1 - 9 and I have to say that I'm enjoying the ride!

In this last chapter, (view spoiler)[Wade finally encounters Art3mis after finding the Copper Key. From here on out, things are probably going to pick up quite a bit as far as the action is concerned. (hide spoiler)]

There was a lot of information on Halliday, Oasis, the background of both etc etc but it was nicely wrapped up and didn't feel too much like simple information dump because Wade is so very interested in it all.

As for Wade himself, I'm not getting a proper sense for the character yet but that may be because the virtual reality character and the real character aren't quite the same, even if he doesn't alter his personality all too much, it seems.

[maria helena]

I'm finally starting my reread of this one today.

[Brooke]

I've made it through chapter 8 so far.

I'm loving all of the 80's references! Like Halliday, I was a teenager in that decade, so even though I wasn't a big gamer, I still know a lot of what he is talking about.

(view spoiler)[The section with Halliday's background was interesting. I actually had to remind myself this was fiction and not a biography! I'm loving the amount of detail put into the virtual world of the OASIS. (hide spoiler)]

[Tammie]

I'm almost done...haven't been able to check in much because I was away for the last few days. Will catch up by tomorrow.

[Annalisa]

I just started today. I know I'm getting a bit of a late start. Also, I've only made it through the introduction. I wasn't expecting this to be a book I would connect with. However, the introduction was very engaging. I hope the rest of the book can keep that speed and narrative style.

[maria helena]

Brooke wrote: "I've made it through chapter 8 so far.

I'm loving all of the 80's references! Like Halliday, I was a teenager in that decade, so even though I wasn't a big gamer, I still know a lot of what he is ..."

I also grew up in the 80's and love all the references to that time period. Overall, I love all the attention to the details.

[Eldarwen]

Chapter 14

One word: WOAH!

(view spoiler)[Ok, so I figured everything wasn't as it seemed, but this was quite something! IOI are bastards and they are dead-serious. (hide spoiler)]

[Eldarwen]

Chapter 18 is brilliant.

(view spoiler)[Anyone who has ever spent a lot of time online, playing a game, often with the same people, i.e. spending time with "friends" knows that there is a very thin line sometimes between reality and virtual-ity. The exchange between Parzival and Art3mis was brilliantly written.

Not saying that you can't actually meet awesome people and true friends online - I'm still in touch with people I played with 10 years ago - but there is always that risk when people hide behind avatars and don't reveal much about themselves. (hide spoiler)]

[Tammie]

I'm finished too...I'm 'ready'.
This is my second read as well...so many twists and turns.
What did you all think of Parzival/Wade?
I thought he was super smart given the fact that he slept through most of his school to play games. This weird reality was so 'far fetched' to me...but it kinda scared me too. It's way in to the future and I keep thinking that it couldn't really happen...but then I think about my life 40 years ago...and I really never thought some of the things today would ever be reality either.

[Tammie]

Re: Chapter 1 vs the end of the book!

Random thoughts keep coming...Elize you read this before too right...did you catch the (view spoiler)[two quarters covering Halliday's eyes on page 3! Do you think even then this was part of the final key to this whole game! (hide spoiler)]

[Tammie]

Eldarwen wrote: "Chapter 18 is brilliant.

Anyone who has ever spent a lot of time online, playing a game, often with the same people, i.e. spending time with "friends" knows that there is a very thin line sometime..."

I've read some bad stories about meeting people in 'real life' from what's seemed like a relationship online...awkward! is what I've heard. It get's even stranger...read on!

[Elize]

Tammie wrote: "Re: Chapter 1 vs the end of the book!

Random thoughts keep coming...Elize you read this before too right...did you catch the [spoilers removed]"

Oh yeah! I just went back and read it but it must have gone over my head the first time. There was so much going on in that description that you don't know what is important or not. (Probably the point)

I love when you can go back and find the clues though. :)

[Tammie]

I absolutely loved the end of this book...anyone else think (view spoiler)[it was kinda weird that it ended with a 'romance'. I'm a romance reader, but somehow it didn't seem to quite fit...I'm thinking it just didn't seem realistic...not that the book was realistic overall... (hide spoiler)]

[Claire]

I haven't got far in the book yet. Other things got in the way. But today I'm determined to read a good chunk of it !

[Brooke]

I read a couple of chapters last night. I'm on ch. 12 and should make a good dent in it today.

(view spoiler)[ What a cool experience to be in a movie like that for the first gate! I wonder if that will eventually be a reality for us. I'm interested to see what happens next! (hide spoiler)]

[Annalisa]

I'm also getting a slow start and hoping to at least make it past the first chapter tonight. So far I liked the introduction, but know I'm not sure about the narrative being one that I'll get into, but again not even through first chapter.

[Brooke]

chapter 13

(view spoiler)[ It doesn't seem very smart for Wade/Parcival to license his avatar appearance without having a lawyer read the contracts. Or to meet with Nolan, although I understand why he did it. (hide spoiler)]

I'm still enjoying the book way more than I expected. It is about a topic I don't care about (video games) and in a genre that I'd never heard of until a reading challenge this year (cyberpunk), but I want to keep reading!

[Tammie]

Brooke wrote: "chapter 13

[spoilers removed]

I'm still enjoying the book way more than I expected. It is about a topic I don't care about (video games) and in a genre that I'd never heard of until a reading cha..."

I was shocked I loved this book...same here...not in to video games at all...I think the nostalgia hooked me as I grew up during that era.

[Brooke]

Through the end of Level One

(view spoiler)[ Wow. That was an intense few chapters! I like Parcival's friendship with Aech and the friendly competition/flirtation with Art3mis.

I wonder why Colombus, OH was picked for the headquarters of OASIS. If the city has no significance, I wonder why Cline wouldn't choose a city like Austin, where he actually lives and where there is already a Silicon Valley-esque environment with all of the tech companies there. (hide spoiler)]

Chugging along! Bring on more 80's references!

[Tammie]

Brooke wrote: "Through the end of Level One

Wow. That was an intense few chapters! I like Parcival's friendship with Aech and the friendly competition/flirtation with Art3mis.

I wonder why Colombus, OH was pi..."

here's the answer to your spoiler question (view spoiler)[...I just couldn't resist looking it up...nothing majorly earth shattering... https://www.clevescene.com/cleveland/... (hide spoiler)]

[Brooke]

Tammie wrote: "here's the answer to your spoiler question...."

Interesting. I guess that makes sense, as Austin is a lot sunnier with a lot of green space. Thanks, Tammie!

[Eldarwen]

I just finished chapter 25.

(view spoiler)[IOI are definitely not kidding. After the failed attempt on Wade's life, they have now unfortunately succeeded in killing Daito. And creepy Sorrento is the first to have one through the Jade gate. This does not bode well! Am definitely not liking the odds at the moment. (hide spoiler)]

I'm enjoying the writing quite a lot. While Wade is prone to long passage of giving information and reminiscing about this or that from Halliday's background, almanac, the 80s, I'm enjoying the ride immensely.

[maria helena]

I’m a bit behind. RL getting in the way of my reading time this week, but I’m very much enjoying this reread so far. I think I’m noticing different details this time around.

[Tammie]

Eldarwen wrote: "I just finished chapter 25.

[spoilers removed]

I'm enjoying the writing quite a lot. While Wade is prone to long passage of giving information and reminiscing about this or that from Halliday's b..."

I can't imagine competing for that kind of money...(view spoiler)[ it is sad and pathetic honestly that lives are lost on a game! I'm not sure how I would feel if I lost a brother and then continued on...totally mixed feelings on this but I think I would motor on just to try and get my punches in on those who committed murder and are totally getting away with it! (hide spoiler)]

[Eldarwen]

Eurgh, yes, Tammie!!

(view spoiler)[I feel like punching Sorrento in the face - unfortunately he is the face of IOI in this book and I really really do not like their methods.

As for the sad and pathetic part, ha, yeah, unfortunately. Well, it is one thing that lives are lost within the game, since it's only an avatar, but that it branches out to real life? Now that is a pretty scary thought! Then again, they're playing for real money there, and money has always been a strong motivator for murder... (hide spoiler)]

[Eldarwen]

maria helena wrote: "I’m a bit behind. RL getting in the way of my reading time this week, but I’m very much enjoying this reread so far. I think I’m noticing different details this time around."

Wouldn't be surprised! There is SO much information in this book and so many details all over. It's taking me much longer to read a page in this book than in others. (Ok, the font is smaller, too haha.. ;-))

[Elize]

Eldarwen wrote: "Eurgh, yes, Tammie!!

I feel like punching Sorrento in the face - unfortunately he is the face of IOI in this book and I really really do not like their methods.

As for the sad and pathetic part, ..."

The thing I loved about this book was not the references to the 80's or video games or even the action. It was the comment on our society and what it could so easily become.

[Eldarwen]

Elize wrote: "The thing I loved about this book was not the references to the 80's or video games or even the action. It was the comment on our society and what it could so easily become."

Very, very true.
Makes me wonder what more is to come in the book - I have two chapters left in Level Two (I think), and then Level Three to read.

[Brooke]

Eldarwen wrote: "Elize wrote: "The thing I loved about this book was not the references to the 80's or video games or even the action. It was the comment on our society and what it could so easily become."

Very, v..."

That is hitting home with me also, although I am a huge fan of the 80's references since they are bringing back so many memories.

(view spoiler)[I can't believe we had to wait until ch. 22 for Pac-Man to be played. That was the biggest game then! And as the book mentioned, there was a cereal and Pac-Man cartoon because of hits popularity. It was one of the only games I played back then, as it was marketed for everyone not for just videogame junkies. (hide spoiler)]

[Eldarwen]

Brooke wrote: "Eldarwen wrote: "Elize wrote: "The thing I loved about this book was not the references to the 80's or video games or even the action. It was the comment on our society and what it could so easily ..."

So true!!
(view spoiler)[I played Pac-Man as well (born in the 80s only though so I didn't get the full impact of it all) but it was a huge deal. I have to admit though that I didn't know there was cereal and a cartoon. Were they a world-wide thing? (hide spoiler)]

[Brooke]

Eldarwen: (view spoiler)[ I would guess they were just a U.S. thing. I remember the cartoon on TV on Saturday mornings, maybe for a couple of years but the cereal never made it to our house. (hide spoiler)]

[Tammie]

Elize wrote: "Eldarwen wrote: "Eurgh, yes, Tammie!!

I feel like punching Sorrento in the face - unfortunately he is the face of IOI in this book and I really really do not like their methods.

As for the sad an..."

Exact same here... it's been proven again and again...society is capable of anything...I'm thinking of the atrocities occurring right now. (view spoiler)[I think this book tells us too...there is hope...it only takes one person to step up! (hide spoiler)]

[Brooke]

I have a chapter or two left in level two.

(view spoiler)[Nolan and the Sixers are awful. Corporate greed at its worst. It is sad that the company, which is already huge and profitable is willing to kill a competitor just to attempt to secure their victory.

I also find it disturbing that people are spending so much time in the OASIS that they don't have any real life human contact. That has become their reality. (hide spoiler)]

I plan to finish this today!

[Brooke]

I finished. A solid 4-star read for me.

(view spoiler)[Well, the ending was a little predictable, but I'm not really sure what they could have changed without making it depressing or weird. Overall I enjoyed the read. The obsessive fandom freaked me out. It is creepy to think that a large group of people - and an entire megacorporation - spent nearly every waking hour memorizing anything and everything that had to do with Halliday. The chance of them winning the game was probably equivalent to winning the lottery, but they still gave up their entire lives to go for it, losing themselves in the process.

Now the corporate greed was completely out of control. Sorrento was about as awful as possible. And IOI rigging the castle to explode was also pretty terrible, but thank goodness Parcival had the quarter. I was wondering when that would come into play! (hide spoiler)]

[Annalisa]

So I finally had a good bit of time and I've read up to chapter 10. (view spoiler)[I like the set up but I do find the narration to be a bit slow, I feel like I'm hearing everything after it happened. I don't know if this will grow on me or if it will continue to bother me. Other than this I'm finding the story very interesting and as others mentioned a little scary. I can see this being a future reality. Not a likely one but a possible one. The video game side of it certainly feels like the direction we are headed. I'm interested to continue reading and see where the story goes. (hide spoiler)]

[Claire]

I just finished chapter 5 and so far it was just full of infodump. But stangely enough it doesn't bother me. I find it all very interesting. I'm fascinated by OASIS and how it works. I'm really enjoying it so far.

[Brooke]

✿ Claire ✿ ~ Foxgard wrote: "I just finished chapter 5 and so far it was just full of infodump. But stangely enough it doesn't bother me. I find it all very interesting. I'm fascinated by OASIS and how it works. I'm really enj..."

The infodump didn't bother me either like it usually does. Unexpected since I generally don't like video games, etc. The OASIS is definitely fascinating!

[Claire]

Just got to chapter 16

(view spoiler)[This book just took an explosive turn, to say the least! I’m filled with adrenaline! I can’t wait to see what happened next.
I can’t believe the sixters actually made a whole trailer tower explode like that. It’s crazy.
If I were one of the five I’d accept to team up. Now they’re alone against an army. Nobody else will ever get a chance to reach the egg.
Going back to reading now. I need to know what happens next! (hide spoiler)]

[Elize]

✿ Claire ✿ ~ Foxgard wrote: "Just got to chapter 16

I loved how it gripped me to not want to put it down. Haven't had a book like that in ages :)

[Eldarwen]

Wanted to read the last chapters last night because I really want to know how it continues but had to go to sleep otherwise I would've been dead on my feet today for work haha.

Will finish tonight, can't wait!!

[Claire]

Elize wrote: "✿ Claire ✿ ~ Foxgard wrote: "Just got to chapter 16

I loved how it gripped me to not want to put it down. Haven't had a book like that in ages :)"

Just happened to me. If I wasn't dead tired I would have finished it last night. As it happened the minute I woke up I finished it !!

[Claire]

Finished !!

It really was an amazing read. It was so hard to put down once you really enter the game. It also really made me want to play videogames, haha.

[Eldarwen]

Somewhere in Chapter 33

(view spoiler)[Whaaat? Like Wade said, I knew Aech was hiding something - like I figured he was way older and that it had been a long time since he had actually been a kid - but I never thought Aech would turn out to be a girl. Kind of awesome though!

As for Og's appearance? That was great! I knew he was involved in one way or another and knew more about Halliday's hunt then he let on, but it's really cool that he offers them sanctuary. (hide spoiler)]