Ready Player One by Ernest Cline

Finally finished Ready Player One by Ernest Cline. Fantasy/sci-fi...it's 2044, earth has used up all the energy & basically gone to crap. The most famous video game inventor, Halliday, has died and will leave his billions to the person who beats his last game. We find out from the start that the young main character, an online high schooler, has won the game but the media's coverage got it all wrong. So he's telling his story. No one actually meets in person anymore...gasoline is way too expensive, cars rot on the side of roads, everyone lives their lives online. Not too hard to imagine, eh? But the fun part of this book is all the prolific references to the '80's. From video games, movies, music, television...it's all here. As we read, we find ourselves wanting to go back and watch all of these movies, hear all the songs, play all the games. But it's the characters that make this book. Rooting for the underdogs is what will keep you enthralled! 4 Stars! Audio by Will Wheaton is superb. Spielberg to direct movie! We have hope.

HUNGER GAMES Fever!

The United States as we know it no longer exists. In its place stand 13 districts. Each year two names are drawn from each district, one girl, one boy, between the ages 12-18 to compete in a gladiator-type contest to the death. It is broadcast live on television for all to see. A gruesome reminder of the hungry times, in hopes that it will never happen again. The games takes place, ironically, in the prosperous Capitol, lead by President Snow.


From bleak district 12, Katniss and sister Prim are fatherless after an explosion in the mines. The sisters' mother has a break down, which Katniss can't, or won't, forgive. Katniss and her best friend Gale hunt in the forbidden woods to put food on the table for their families and trade in the black market. Horror strikes the family again as they hear young Prim's name drawn for the Hunger Games. Katniss immediately volunteers to replace her. Peeta, the baker's son, is the chosen boy. Soon, they are sent off to train and prepare for the Hunger Games, each knowing that only one can come out alive.

It's been a long time since I've gobbled up a trilogy this fast. My hubby has the fever and is now finishing the last book. My angst was so great, that I wrote sticky notes to let him know how I was feeling on certain pages. Many, many times I wanted to turn to the last page and end my torture. But I persevered. I made it.

Suzanne Collins has written, perhaps, the book that will entice girls to read a fantasy genre without vampires. And once the boys discover it, they will be racing to tell their friends, too. But kids aren't the only ones reading these fast paced, well written books, as I've witnessed adults raving and sharing.

Rumors for the movie are already circulating, realizing we are late in discovering the tomes. The young female star from True Grit, Hailee Steinfeld, is one of the favorites to play Katniss.


Ms. Collins never sugar coats, yet elegantly, showing us the brutal horrors of war, while we, as the reader, can do nothing but watch it unfold and marvel at her story telling. Nothing in these books is predictable, none of it is easy. If you start this series, be sure to have all three books handy. Trust me. 1 THE HUNGER GAMES 2 CATCHING FIRE 3 MOCKINGJAY