Embedded Files
By Sophia Doshi
Many of us are familiar with the sometimes-tumultuous genre of science fiction. We're also well aware of how well this genre meshes with technology. Most likely, if you tick both of these boxes and you like to read, you've probably read Ready Player One by Ernest Cline.
Here's the summary of the novel:
In the year 2044, reality is an ugly place. The only time teenage Wade Watts really feels alive is when he's jacked into the virtual utopia known as the OASIS. Wade has devoted his life to studying the puzzles hidden within this world's digital confines, puzzles that are based on their creator's obsession with the pop culture of decades past and that promise massive power and fortune to whoever can unlock them. But when Wade stumbles upon the first clue, he finds himself beset by players willing to kill to take this ultimate prize. The race is on, and if Wade's going to survive, he'll have to win—and confront the real world he's always been so desperate to escape. The summary does, indeed, sum it up quite well. But beyond the concise overview of the book, Cline does an absolutely mind-blowingly amazing job at capturing readers' imaginations and launching them into a world of thrilling action.
Believe me when I say, I've read a lot of books in my lifetime. My room is like a library; bookshelves cover every single inch of wall space in my bedroom. I barely have any room to hang up wall decorations like posters, fairy lights, etc. Hundreds upon hundreds of books are in my room. The point of all of this? Aout of all of these books, Ready Player One is my favorite novel of all time (as of now). It's amazing, and has 100+ references to what I would like to call 'nerd culture'. I swear, I grinned every time I found a reference I understood, especially when it pertained to something like Star Wars or 80s music that I knew.
Image from Just Jared
I also loved the amount of character development that the characters underwent in accordance with their personality as well as their situations. It was realistic, even in a setting that might have tried to offset that realism. Cline writes the teenagers to make teenage decisions and it all feels very real to me, which I think is part of the reason why I love the book so much.
After I had read the book at least three times from front to back (yes, sometimes I'll reread books starting from the middle, don't hate me for it), I recommended it to my brother. He's not a big reader, as he prefers the stimulation of video games, but he really liked the book. I would like to credit myself with inspiring him to read more, but that would induce some semblance of vanity and narcissism... But there's nothing wrong with that! He proceeded to read most, if not all, of Stuart Gibbs's Fun Jungle series, having read a couple of his books before Ready Player One. He's now what I would call a 'beginner reader': not quite into it, but still has a repertoire of preferred literature.
To sum it up, it doesn't matter what age you are, how nerdy you consider yourself to be, or if you've never picked up a book in your life. Cline is what society would call a 'literary genius', and I am happy, just this once, to call myself a societal-conforming citizen. So, go read Ready Player One!
Cover image from Fandom
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