Ready Player One (Ernest Cline)

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It’s the year 2044, and the real world has become an ugly place. We’re out of oil. We’ve wrecked the climate. Famine, poverty, and disease are widespread. Like most of humanity, Wade Watts escapes this depressing reality by spending his waking hours jacked into the OASIS, a sprawling virtual utopia where you can be anything you want to be, where you can live and play and fall in love on any of ten thousand planets. And like most of humanity, Wade is obsessed by the ultimate lottery ticket that lies concealed within this alternate reality: OASIS founder James Halliday, who dies with no heir, has promised that control of the OASIS – and his massive fortune – will go to the person who can solve the riddles he has left scattered throughout his creation. For years, millions have struggled fruitlessly to attain this prize, knowing only that the riddles are based in the culture of the late twentieth century. And then Wade stumbles onto the key to the first puzzle.Suddenly, he finds himself pitted against thousands of competitors in a desperate race to claim the ultimate prize, a chase that soon takes on terrifying real-world dimensions – and that will leave both Wade and his world profoundly changed.


I’ve had this book for ages on my shelf, basically since I started book blogging back in 2015, but I just now decided that I truly needed to read it, and I’m so glad I did. I absolutely loved this book, and I can’t wait to see it’s movie adaptation.

I honestly don’t truly know how to review this book without spoiling it, so I’ll keep it short and on point.

I’ve seen a lot of reviews saying that their biggest issues with the book were the info dumps and the slow plot, and the expectations of lots of action, only to be disappointed with the type of “action” that actually happens. I had no issues with any of these things. I thought the setting was incredible, and to be honest, quite realistic, in a sad way. There’s just something that speaks to the human nature and the instincts of the current generations.

Furthermore, I really liked the amount of information dumped on the reader – in this case, me! I’m an 80’s and 90’s kid, so I got most references, and even those who weren’t from my time, I remember my siblings playing/listening or watching them. But in this kind of setting, these clues and tidbits had to be properly explained, in my opinion, because they’re not part of the actual reality of the characters. And there was also the way this info was given… Wade is an extremely good narrator, and funny as hell!

And then, I actually really liked the slow pacing and plot. for a moment there after the first key is found, I was actually scared that things would start going too fast, and I didn’t think that was the best thing for the story. I’m glad that the author didn’t go that route, and instead took his time to tell the story.

I liked the story, the pacing, the plot and I loved the characters! Even though they only know each other online, the connections and feelings are real, and I loved the way they were dealt with. I loved Wade, Art3mis and especially Aech :D. They were all awesome.

I just… I loved this book! If by some miracle you haven’t read it yet, do it! I did read Cline’s second book, Armada, and I have to say that I liked RPO way more…

So, have you read RPO? Did you like it? Anything to discuss?

January TBR

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Welcome to my first TBR of 2017 :). I have to say that I’m kind of in love with my new color scheme… Back to the matter at hands… I read 25 books last month, and that was a lot, though I know that I won’t be able to have a repeat performance. For this reason, I’m aiming for 14 reads, and hoping that I can surpass it.

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  1. Falling for the Player by Jessica Lee
  2. Back Check (Aces Hockey #4) by Kelly Jamieson
  3. Mia and the Bad Boy (Backstage Pass #2) by Lisa Burstein
  4. Worth the Wait (Kingston Ale House #4) by A.J. Pine
  5. Trust (Wrong #3) by Jana Aston
  6. The Rule Maker (The Rule Breakers #2) by Jennifer Blackwood
  7. Ready Player One by Ernest Cline
  8. Kisses On A Paper Airplane by Sarah Vance-Tompkins
  9. The Room Mate (Room Mate #1) by Kendall Ryan
  10. A Thousand Pieces of You (Firebird #1) by Claudia Gray
  11. Good Boy (WAGs #1) by Sarina Bowen & Elle Kennedy
  12. How Not to Let Go (The Belhaven Series) by Emily Foster
  13. The Girl Who Fell by Shannon M. Parker
  14. To Professor, with Love (Forbidden Men #2) by Linda Kage

Book Traveling Thursdays: A Book That Will be a Classic (someday!)

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Hello, welcome back to another Book Traveling 168709Thursdays, which a weekly meme created by Cátia @The Girl Who Read Too Much and Danielle @Danielle’s Book Blog. The goal is to share the covers of a book related to that week’s theme, which you can see at the Goodreads group, indicating the original cover, the one of your country, your favorite and least favorite.

This week’s theme is “Choose a book that you think it should be a classic in a few years“. I’m using Ready Player One by Ernest Cline, which I haven’t read, but I think it will be a classic someday.


Original COver:

I’m not a fan of the original cover…. not at all!

COVER FROM MY COUNTRY (PORTUGAL) & COVER FROM THE COUNTRY I LIVE IN (SPAIN):

                                               

I have to say that I really like both covers :D, the portuguese and spanish editions are very different, but great, right?

Favorite COVER(s):

   

I love the British cover – the one I own, and then I really like the French and the Danish ones. Then I’m kind of in love with the Japanese edition.

LEAST FAVORITE COVER(s):

    

My least favorite ones are: Italian, Turkish, Russian, Norwegian and Romanian.

Sailor Moon Book Tag

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Hi guys! If you don’t know yet, I’m a huge fan of Sailor Moon, so when I saw this tag at Rayna @ReaderRayna‘s blog, I just had to do it! This tag was created by Kristin @Super Space Chick, Alexa @Alexa Loves Books, Cee @The Novel Hermit, Cristina @Girl in the Pages, and Sierra @SDavReads.


Moon: A book that makes you hungry

                      

The reasons for Simon Snow wanting to go back to school were mostly FOOD! So, how can one read Carry On by Rainbow Rowell and not think of food and being hungry?


Mercury: A book that features science and technology

                       

I love Ami and Sailor Mercury 😀 – look at her! Illuminae by Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristoff takes place in space, and has several elements of science and technology.


Venus: A book that makes you want to play video games

                         

I think the only logical answer for this question is Ernest Cline, and because I’ve only read Armada so far, I’m saying that. I really liked this book 😉 .


Mars: A book inspired by mythology or folklore

                

Rei Hino was for a long time my favorite Sailor Scout. I loved how she would give shit to Usagi, eheh. A Court of Mist and Fury by Sarah J. Maas is a retelling of Hades and Persephone, so it has some elements of mythology.


Jupiter: A book that gave you strong feelings

                     

Then Makoto Kino (a.k.a. Sailor Jupiter) got there, and she stole my heart. I mean, this girl cooks and kicks ass? What’s not to love about her? Back to the question… Forbidden by Tabitha Suzuma gave me SUPER STRONG FEELINGS! So much so, that I haven’t been able to write its review yet…


Saturn: A post apocalyptic book you love

                   

I’m not a huge fan of post apocalyptic books, but I absolutely loved Angelfall by Susan Ee, and I highly recommend this trilogy to everyone. The story is great, but the characters are absolutely amazing!


Pluto: A time travel book

                     

Sailor Pluto… eheh, should we talk about her massive crush on King Endymion?! The Girl From Everywhere by Heidi Heilig is much more than a time travel book, but it works for this question perfectly 😉 .


Uranus: A book featuring elemental magic

                     

Sailor Uranus, or Haruka Tenoh, was always one of my favorite characters in this show. I loved her sass, and her confidence, and I loved (and still do) her relationship with Michiru. So it’s only fitting to use Heir of Fire for this question, where 2 of my favorite book characters EVER have elemental powers.


Neptune: A book featuring music

                     

Oh Michiru ❤ ! Loud is How I Love You by Mercy Brown features a LOT of music, given that the main character and her love interest are part of a band, and they write together too.


Tuxedo Mask: A book with masquerades or hidden identities

                     

I’m so glad that in the new anime Mamoru revealed his identity as Tuxedo Mask to Usagi way earlier in the game, because come on… it was so obvious! In The Girl’s Got Secrets by Linda Kage, the main character pretends to be a boy to be able to get the gig as a band’s drummer. Things get tricky when she falls in love with her frontman.


Rini/Chibi Moon: A favorite middle grade book

                     

I haven’t read a lot of middle grade, so I’m going with the most obvious answer of all, and say Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone by J.K. Rowling.


Luna, Artemis & Diana: A book for animal lovers

                     

How cute are Luna, Artemis and Diana? Either way, Wallbanger by Alice Clayton has the most amazing cat ever in books :D.


I Tag:

Top Ten Tuesday: Movie Adaptations I’m Looking Forward To

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Hello, welcome back to another Tuesday. Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted by The Broke and the Bookish. This week’s theme is:

Top Ten Book To Movie Adaptations I’m Looking Forward To or Ten Book To Movie Adaptations I Still Need To Watch

I’m gonna go with 10 Book to Movie adaptations that I’m looking forward to, even if it not in line to happen as of right now.


1. Eleanor & Park (Rainbow Rowell)

This one is in the works! Dreamworks has the rights to the movie, and everything appears to be moving forward, but there still isn’t a director or any cast associated with the movie.

I think this will be a fantastic story for the big screen 😀 and I honestly can’t wait to see it (whenever that might be).

2. Simon Vs The Homo Sapiens Agenda (Becky Albertalli)

This was just announced the other day, this is definitely going to happen, well, at least the rights were sold, so, fingers crossed.

This is one of my favorite books of the year, so I’m super super super excited that it might make its way to the big screen. I can’t wait to start hearing something about the casting 😀 .

3. The Rosie Project (Graeme Simsion)

This will be a fantastic movie! Director Richard Linklater was attached to the project a while back, and so was the amazing Jennifer Lawrence.

I’m curious to see who they’ll get to play Don.

     

fantastic-beasts-084. Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them (J.k. Rowling)

This one is so close, the first movie of the trilogy will be out in a little over a year.

The screenplay adaptation was written by J.K. Rowling herself and it stars the super talented Eddie Redmayne as Newt Scamander.

And, come on, Harry Potter universe!

5. Mockingjay (part 2) (Suzanne Collins)

It’s almost time for the last part of Mockingjay to hit the theaters and I can’t wait.

I think that The Hunger Games have been super well adapted to screen, and that is a rare thing.

So, I’m super excited to see the last instalment later this month.

6. Inferno (Dan Brown)

Confession time, I still haven’t read this book, but I read all the others of the Robert Langdon series, and I love them.

And I also liked the movies, they are always super watchable 🙂 .

So, I’m waiting on this one as well, scheduled to hit the screens in 2016.

7. Red Queen (Victoria Aveyard)

This book has been optioned by Universal Pictures and I hope they hurry up with it already, because I want to watch it badly!

Elizabeth Banks was even connected to the project, being pinned as director – and I would very much like to see that, because Elizabeth Banks is amazing.

8. Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children (Ransom Riggs)

Again, I still haven’t read this book – it was on my TBR last month, but I failed, I just wasn’t in the mood for it.

I’ll try to get to it before the movie comes out next year, because I’m so excited about this adaptation… Tim Burton is directing, people!!!

9. Ready Player One (Ernest Cline)

Once again, this has been in my TBR for a while, and it will likely remain there for a little bit more. This movie is set for December 2017, so I still have plenty of time.

Steven Spielberg will be at the helm, and so far, the only actor attached to the project is Olivia Cooke (from Me and Earl and Dying Girl). I like her a lot, so I’m happy about this.

10. Angelfall (Susan Ee)

Now, this is more of a hope right now. Back in 2012 this book was optioned for a studio, and at some point had director and some cast attached. But it has been 3 years and no more news came up. At this point is safe to assume that it might not happen, at least not now. It’s a shame, because this would turn out to be an epic movie, Penryn is a true female hero, and I would like nothing more than for my newest OTP to be on the big screen.

August Book Haul

How has August came to an end already?! o_O This month went by way too fast… WOW! So, once again, welcome back to my August Book Haul.

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This month I bought very few books. I was amazed at myself really! But I ended up hauling a lot of them, mostly e-books, given that this was my first month in NetGalley and Edelweiss… So, without further ado, I present the physical books I got this month.

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Funny haul, ah? I bought 3 traveling books for my upcoming trip to Seoul and Japan in October. The first two are for my mom’s collection – we always buy these and in truth, we just open them on the plane… Then I got A Geek in Japan, because I so fell in love with the concept of this book, and I’m a geek and I’ll be in Japan!

Then I got the amazing The Wrath and The Dawn by Renée Ahdieh and after reading Shatter Me, I couldn’t resist and bought the novellas, Unite Me by Tahereh Mafi, and I already read Destroy Me.

I also got the amazing audiobook of You’re Never Weird on the Internet (Almost) by Felicia Day.


Now the longer part… eBooks! I got my kindle on the first week of August, but I bought a few books even before I got it. The firsts (and so far only) books that I bought for my Kindle were: The Outlander Series 7-Book Bundle – Outlander, Dragonfly in Amber, Voyager, Drums of Autumn, The Fiery Cross, A Breath of Snow and Ashes and An Echo in the Bone. I want to get to this series eventually, but honestly I bought it because the price was too good to pass up… a little over 2$ for 7 HUGE books! It was a true steal, and I’m super happy about this buy.

Then I accumulated a few books from NetGalley, Blogging for Books and Edelweiss:

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And that’s it for my August Book Haul! I’ll be doing my wrap-up tomorrow (probably) and my September TBR on Tuesday 😉 .

Armada (Ernest Cline)

>>>>>  Nº 35 on My 2015 Reading Challenge – A book set in the future <<<<<

Zack Lightman has spent his life dreaming. Dreaming that the real world could be a little more like the countless science-fiction books, movies, and videogames he’s spent his life consuming. Dreaming that one day, some fantastic, world-altering event will shatter the monotony of his humdrum existence and whisk him off on some grand space-faring adventure. 

But hey, there’s nothing wrong with a little escapism, right? After all, Zack tells himself, he knows the difference between fantasy and reality. He knows that here in the real world, aimless teenage gamers with anger issues don’t get chosen to save the universe. 

And then he sees the flying saucer. 

Even stranger, the alien ship he’s staring at is straight out of the videogame he plays every night, a hugely popular online flight simulator called Armada—in which gamers just happen to be protecting the earth from alien invaders.  

No, Zack hasn’t lost his mind. As impossible as it seems, what he’s seeing is all too real. And his skills—as well as those of millions of gamers across the world—are going to be needed to save the earth from what’s about to befall it. 

It’s Zack’s chance, at last, to play the hero. But even through the terror and exhilaration, he can’t help thinking back to all those science-fiction stories he grew up with, and wondering: Doesn’t something about this scenario seem a little…familiar?  

At once gleefully embracing and brilliantly subverting science-fiction conventions as only Ernest Cline could, Armada is a rollicking, surprising thriller, a classic coming of age adventure, and an alien invasion tale like nothing you’ve ever read before—one whose every page is infused with the pop-culture savvy that has helped make Ready Player One a phenomenon.

Pub Date: July 14, 2015 by Crown

I received this book from the publisher through Blogging for Books in exchange for an honest review.


First off, I would like to let you guys know that I haven’t read Ready Player One yet. I’ve noticed that some people had a lot of problems with this book, due to their high expectations following Ready Player One, I had so such problem.

I quite enjoyed this book, it had me laughing and wanting to know what would come next, so I label it a success in my book. It isn’t, however, my kind of book, but I still enjoyed it a great deal.

I found Zack, the main character, pretty relatable in some things and highly likable. Unfortunately, due to the short length of time of this novel – roughly 2 days – the other characters were not fleshed out at all, with a couple of momentaneous exceptions (that you’ll have to read, because SPOILERS!). So, to be honest, I was only invested in Zack’s life really.

Although I’m not a gamer, or a HUGE Sci-Fi nerd, I really enjoyed all the references and thought that the premise was well engineered. The idea that the government has been supporting movies, shows and video games that simulate real life in order to prepare the human race for an upcoming invasion, it’s smart and I thought it was well done. The explanation for all the Sci-Fi tropes made sense, and I couldn’t help but laugh.

The main problem I had with this book was the predictability, though it managed to throw me off a bit by the end. I liked the ending, but it was sort of open and I would like to read more about what comes next.

Although not my favorite book of the year, it was still a good read.

Rating: 3.7 Stars

3-7

July Book Haul

Hi! As promised, I’m here today to share with you my July book haul, which obviously includes my shiny new The Mortal Instruments books, with their amazing new covers (the last books just got in today).

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Let’s start with The Mortal Instruments, which by the way, I have obviously already read some time ago…

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But they are so damn beautiful… look at their spines…

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Right?! Right? Gorgeous!

Other series that I got my hands on this month was the Shatter Me trilogy. I had been trying to get them for a while now, but the bookstore usually just had 2 of the 3 books, and I wanted to buy them all at the same time, to make sure their sizes were the same. A couple of weeks ago I went to the bookstore to pick up another book, and there they were, so, obviously, they came home with me. Shatter Me, Unravel Me and Ignite Me by Tahereh Mafi.

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As I had mention before on a Top Ten Tuesday post, I got Ready Player One by Ernest Cline, Dash & Lily’s Book of Dares by Rachel Cohn and David Levithan, Magisterium: The Iron Trial by Holly Black and Cassandra Clare, Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs, Hollow City by Ransom Riggs, The Princess Bride by William Goldman, Charmed: The Power of Three by Eliza Willard and Constance M. Burge, Nick and Norah’s Infinite Playlist by Rachel Cohn and David Levithan and The Shock of the Fall by Nathan Filer.

– click on the covers to go to their GoodReads pages-

      

                

My More Happy Than Not book by Adam Silvera finally arrived – on the day that I had to buy The Shatter Me series…

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And, I got The Assassin’s Blade by Sarah J. Maas, the novellas from The Throne of Glass series.

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Finally, I bought The Fangirl’s Guide to the Galaxy: A Handbook for Girl Geeks by Sam Maggs, with illustrations by Kelly Bastow.

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And that’s it, 21 books, next month will be a light-to-nonexistent book haul…

Top Ten Tuesday: Last Ten Books That Came Into My Possession

I’ve been looking at this weekly post for several weeks now, wondering when I’ll finally cave in and start doing it as well… I guess today is the day!

Top Ten Tuesday

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme created by The Broke and the Bookish. This topic is kind of perfect, because I bought 9 books just a few days ago… So, without further ado, here we go.

1. Ready Player One by Ernest Cline

2. Dash & Lily’s Book of Dares by Rachel Cohn and David Levithan

3. Magisterium: The Iron Trial by Holly Black and Cassandra Clare

4. Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs

5. Hollow City by Ransom Riggs

6. The Princess Bride by William Goldman

7. Charmed: The Power of Three by Eliza Willard and Constance M. Burge

8. Nick and Norah’s Infinite Playlist by Rachel Cohn and David Levithan

9. The Shock of the Fall by Nathan Filer

10. More Happy Than Not by Adam Silvera (ok, technically I still don’t have this one in my hands, but I ordered and am expecting the bookstore to call any minute to tell me that I can pick it up).

 

Worth mentioning that books 6 to 9 I found at a second-hand book store 😀 ! Oh, and if you click on the cover, they will take you to the book’s GoodReads page.