Ready Player One by Ernest Cline

Ready Player One by Ernest Cline
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Goodreads Synopsis:

At once wildly original and stuffed with irresistible nostalgia, READY PLAYER ONE is a spectacularly genre-busting, ambitious, and charming debut—part quest novel, part love story, and part virtual space opera set in a universe where spell-slinging mages battle giant Japanese robots, entire planets are inspired by Blade Runner, and flying DeLoreans achieve light speed.

It’s the year 2044, and the real world is an ugly place.

Like most of humanity, Wade Watts escapes his grim surroundings by spending his waking hours jacked into the OASIS, a sprawling virtual utopia that lets you be anything you want to be, a place where you can live and play and fall in love on any of ten thousand planets.

And like most of humanity, Wade dreams of being the one to discover the ultimate lottery ticket that lies concealed within this virtual world. For somewhere inside this giant networked playground, OASIS creator James Halliday has hidden a series of fiendish puzzles that will yield massive fortune—and remarkable power—to whoever can unlock them.

For years, millions have struggled fruitlessly to attain this prize, knowing only that Halliday’s riddles are based in the pop culture he loved—that of the late twentieth century. And for years, millions have found in this quest another means of escape, retreating into happy, obsessive study of Halliday’s icons. Like many of his contemporaries, Wade is as comfortable debating the finer points of John Hughes’s oeuvre, playing Pac-Man, or reciting Devo lyrics as he is scrounging power to run his OASIS rig.

And then Wade stumbles upon the first puzzle.

Suddenly the whole world is watching, and thousands of competitors join the hunt—among them certain powerful players who are willing to commit very real murder to beat Wade to this prize. Now the only way for Wade to survive and preserve everything he knows is to win. But to do so, he may have to leave behind his oh-so-perfect virtual existence and face up to life—and love—in the real world he’s always been so desperate to escape.

A world at stake.
A quest for the ultimate prize.
Are you ready?

My Review:

I loved this book. I've been avoiding everyone's reviews until I could write my own, so it would not be influenced by anyone else's opinions. I was somewhat surprised and happy that Ernest Cline made Wade Watts the stereotypical computer nerd. Not necessarily attractive, somewhat smart, and completely geeky. I love who he became throughout the book. He was forced into a situation where he had to change or die, and it wasn't just change for the better, he could have totally changed for the worst.

There was a lot of twists and turns throughout the story, many cliffhangers, and a roller coaster of climaxes. Cline's style of writing made it so I felt like I was there, completely getting lost in the text. He creates a uptopia in the OASIS, but just like many morals to many stories, the grass isn't always greener on the other side.

I'm sad to say this review is much shorter than it would have been had I wrote it immediately following, but I didn't ☹ . I was reeling too much following the conclusion and wanted time to process, however, I waited too long. I would recommend this book if you are interested in a fun and fast-paced story about nerdom and the future, or if you are a complete 80's buff. Any reason you choose to read this, I hope you enjoyed it as much as I did ☺.

Favorite Quotes:

“People who live in glass houses should shut the fuck up.”

“You'd be amazed how much research you can get done when you have no life whatsoever.”

“Going outside is highly overrated.”

“Virtual sex, no matter how realistic, was really nothing but glorified, computer-assisted masturbation.”

“One person can keep a secret, but not two.”

“No one in the world gets what they want and that is beautiful.”

Read from September 10 to 29, 2015

Top 5 Genres*: Science Fiction, Fiction, Science Fiction/Dystopia, Young Adult, Fantasy
*According to Goodreads
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★★★★★ - I absolutely loved it
★★★★ - Good book and would recommend
★★★ - Decent book, but wasn't spectacular
★★ - Not good, but was able to finish it
★ - Did not finish (DNF) and I don't usually rate a book I haven't finished (just to be fair to the author)

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Yellow Crocus by Laila Ibrahim

Yellow Crocus by Laila Ibrahim
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Goodreads Synopsis:

Moments after Lisbeth is born, she's taken from her mother and handed over to an enslaved wet nurse, Mattie, a young mother separated from her own infant son in order to care for her tiny charge. Thus begins an intense relationship that will shape both of their lives for decades to come. Though Lisbeth leads a life of privilege, she finds nothing but loneliness in the company of her overwhelmed mother and her distant, slave-owning father. As she grows older, Mattie becomes more like family to Lisbeth than her own kin and the girl's visits to the slaves' quarters - and their lively and loving community - bring them closer together than ever. But can two women in such disparate circumstances form a bond like theirs without consequence? This deeply moving tale of unlikely love traces the journey of these very different women as each searches for freedom and dignity.

My Review:

Alright, so I started this book and immediately there was some detailed (and in my opinion, graphic) descriptions of birthing and breastfeeding. Being a woman with no children or desire for children, I was immediately uncomfortable. Yes I know it is a beautiful thing, and a miracle of God, I just have a hard time with it (my personal demon, no judgement on others from me). Anyways, I was starting to get worried that Mattie would be a wet-nurse the entire time. I wasn't sure I'd be able to handle an entire book of this. However, it wasn't long before Lisbeth, Mattie's charge, grew out of that stage. Soon, years seemed to progress quite rapidly, but at a comfortable pace.

I felt for Mattie and her situation, and I was amazed at how well she handled it, I could honestly say I'm not sure I'd have handled things that well. As Lisbeth grew up, I really enjoyed her love for Mattie, although her naivety started to wear thin.

Without wanting to give too much away, this was a great story, with great character development. I'm glad, no, I'm grateful, to have read this. I think Laila Ibrahim did a wonderful job on this beautiful story. If you haven't read this yet, get to it. I highly doubt you'll be disappointed.

Favorite Quotes:

“Focus on bearing, and beauty will follow. Your looks will not remain with you for life. But your bearing will go with you to the grave.”

“As far as I concerned, God loves ever’body so God forgives ever’body so ever’body gonna get to heaven.”

Read from December 15 to 21, 2015

Top 5 Genres*: Historical Fiction, Fiction, Historical, American/Southern, Romance
*According to Goodreads
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★★★★★ - I absolutely loved it
★★★★ - Good book and would recommend
★★★ - Decent book, but wasn't spectacular
★★ - Not good, but was able to finish it
★ - Did not finish (DNF) and I don't usually rate a book I haven't finished (just to be fair to the author)

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Graceling (Graceling Realm, #1) by Kristin Cashore

Graceling by Kristin Cashore
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Goodreads Synopsis:

GRACELING IS A FINALIST FOR THE 2010 AUDIE AWARD FOR DISTINGUISHED ACHIEVEMENT IN PRODUCTION

Set in a world where some people are born with a Grace—a unique, sometimes uncanny, gift—this is the story of Katsa, whose Grace, demonstrated at an uncomfortably early age, is for killing. This makes her a perfect tool for her uncle, King Randa But Katsa chafes at the way she is being used—and even more at the injustices she sees around her.

Then she meets Prince Po, who has a Grace to match hers… perhaps.

Featuring FCA favorite Chelsea Mixon as Katsa, and sensational newcomer Zachary Exton as Prince Po, the most fascinating and praised fantasy debut of 2008 now springs to life in a sensational full cast recording.

A 2009 BOOKLIST EDITOR'S CHOICE AUDIO BOOK!

My Review:

I listened to this audiobook, and I found David Baker and the full cast audio amazing. Along with the writing of Kristin Cashore I was immediately transported to this amazing realm. Cashore was so simply descriptive I could easily imagine the vibrant setting. I love when an author can paint a picture with few words (overly descriptive tendencies make me feel like they are trying to meet a word count).

As for the main and supporting characters, I loved them or loved to hate them. Katsa was a strong female, who had her insecurities, but as the story progressed, she adjusted and overcame some of them. Po was amazing from the beginning and I was immediately drawn to his outgoing sense of humor and self-assurance. Yes, I know at times that could be annoying, but he presented it so well. I also loved Bitterblue, and felt she was a very smart young girl, who had to grow up way too fast. I really enjoyed Raffin (not sure how it is spelled since I listened to the book instead of reading it). I wondered on several occasions of his sexuality.

The story itself progressed well, had twists and turns, and although we could sometimes see what was coming, it didn't take away from the story. I am very happy with the ending, albeit not a perfectly happily ever after. Although I loved this story with every fiber of my being, I cannot say that I will continue on in the series. Just like Daughter of Smoke and Bone it was wrapped up so nicely, that I'm afraid to read on and see what other emotional roller coaster I'll be taken on. We will have to see!

I'd definitely recommend this book to anyone who enjoys reading, enjoys a strong female main character, and likes a little bit of blood and romance (without a love triangle).

Favorite Quotes:

“When a monster stopped behaving like a monster, did it stop being a monster? Did it become something else?”

“Mercy was more frightening than murder, because it was harder.”

Read from December 01 to 17, 2015

Top 5 Genres*: Romance, Adventure, Fantasy/Magic, Young Adult/Young Adult Fantasy, Fantasy/High Fantasy
*According to Goodreads
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★★★★★ - I absolutely loved it
★★★★ - Good book and would recommend
★★★ - Decent book, but wasn't spectacular
★★ - Not good, but was able to finish it
★ - Did not finish (DNF) and I don't usually rate a book I haven't finished (just to be fair to the author)

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