This past week I have done something I rarely ever do, I read a book I had already read. The reason behind my rarely doing this is because I believe there are so many books out there. If I keep rereading books I’ve already read, I may miss out on the opportunity to read a new and wonderful book. With that being said, the book I am about to mention is definitely worth the risk and is a story I will most likely reread again in the future.
The book I am describing is Ready Player One by Ernest Cline. I stumbled upon this book a few years ago when I tutored at my town library. I would walk the stacks of book either before or in between my tutoring sessions. This book jumped right off the shelf due to its vibrant cover. After reading the book jacket I was intrigued and checked it out. I finished reading the book in one day; it was that good that I literally picked it up and did not put it down until I finished.
The story is from my favorite genre, science fiction, and follows teenager Wade Watts through a dystopian-like future. It’s the year 2044 and everyone escapes reality into a virtual utopia called OASIS. The catch: the world’s richest man has stated in his will his fortune will go to whomever can find an “Easter Egg” hidden within the game. Wade Watts sets out on that mission with plenty of suspense and obstacles along the way. The most endearing part of this novel is it is riddled with 1980’s pop culture references, because the “Easter Egg” is hidden among 1980s trivia. The story is funny, puzzling, and keeps the reader in a virtual suspense.
Rereading the novel for a second time allowed me to really hone in on the references and details I missed in my first speed reading. This book sits on my shelf with my other sci-fi favorites including Ray Bradbury’sFahrenheit 451 and H.G. Wells’The War of the Worlds.