Audio Book Review: Ready Player One by Ernest Cline

As my own introduction to the realm of science fiction, this reference-packed, video game-driven adventure about an underdog overcoming all obstacles for the good of the world that he lives in was an incredible journey to embark upon - and since I had this story playing in my ears instead of before my eyes as I went about my day, it became an even more immersive experience. Written by Ernest Cline and narrated by the great Wil Wheaton, these two combined help to create an unforgettable audio experience.

This book is set in the USA, 2044. The world is enraptured with the MMORPG-turned-virtual reality life experience called the OASIS. People work, go to school, shop and seek out various forms of entertainment through the OASIS, and it leads to the world at large being utterly neglected, which is why the world is in a dystopian state by the time the story begins. The co-creator of the OASIS, James Halliday, passed away from an illness 5 years ago. After his death, a video was released to every OASIS account to explain that the 80's-loving Halliday left behind an "Easter Egg" that he hid somewhere in the OASIS that is only accessible by locating 3 keys - copper, jade and crystal - and unlocking the three gates associated with each key. The journey to find each key and unlock each gate accessible only by creating the challenges and puzzles programmed by Halliday. The person who finds this Easter Egg wins the entirety of Halliday's vast fortune - so naturally, the world was especially changed after that day.

The main protagonist of the book, announced early in the novel, is the first person in history to acquire the copper key, 18 year-old Wade Watts who resides in a trailer park on the outskirts of Oklahoma City. Because Halliday was fascinated with 1980's pop culture, the decade where he was a teenager, the popularity of 80's music, sitcoms, movies and especially video games has grown massively popular again, and Wade is something of a savant on 80's references. He hangs out with his best friend H in the Oasis where they read comics and play video games in H's basement-styled chatroom.

Review: Everything That Makes You

Something I noticed after reading this book is that the best reviews come from where instead of picking up a book with the intention of reviewing, but where you get through a book and you find that you loved it so much for so many reasons that you just have to tell everyone! Everything That Makes You by Moriah McStay, published by Katherine Tegen Books (a HarperCollins imprint) was not what I expected it to be, and the fact that it took me by surprise is one of the main reasons I adore it so much and am so happy that I chose to purchase it back in May.

When I was visiting the Chapters bookstore near my new campus for the first time, I was torn between two young-adult titles, this one and another hard cover with a cover that reminded me of a movie poster. What ultimately made me choose this book was the draw of alternating perspectives. The story goes like this: Fiona Doyle was in an accident when she was 5 which scarred the right-half of her face. She's quiet and highly self-conscious about her appearance and it effects her quality of life in various ways; she's in love with the top jock Trent McKinnon from afar and she's petrified of singing her original songs in public at the open mic night hosted at her favorite coffee shop.

The second perspective that takes over every other chapter belongs to Fi Doyle. No accident, no scars. She's the top lacrosse player in memphis, but after experiencing a debilitating injury early in the season, she's faced with losing the one thing that defines her. Fi also has some other tragic occurrences to face along the way . . .

5 Favorite LGBT Representations - #LoveWins!

While there is a different prompt for this week, I've decided that in honor of last week's Supreme Court decision in the US, I would hijack today's prompt and do something a little bit different. The inspiration for this post came from Geek Girl Senshi, a fellow FGB Member who did a post filled with her favorite LGBT representations across different mediums, and I decided to apply it to 5 Fandom Friday for this week. As an ally, I'm more than happy to share some of my favorite LGBT representations in the media. #LoveWins! (FYI, it wasn't my intention to lean more towards male couples, these are just the ones that came to mind as my favorite)

Love Letters to the Dead by Ava Dellaira! The reason I included this YA novel in my list is because of the relationship that develops between the secondary characters, Laurel's senior friends (which for the life of me I can't remember the names of - I've searched the internet to no avail and I listened to this originally as an audio book so I can't exactly flip through a book in order to find out). The couple discovers their feelings towards one another when the events of the book are taking place, although it's done off in the background while the protagonist is focusing on other things. The two of them struggle through hardships together and do so with an admirable grace, and by the end of the novel it is shown that love, any kind of love, conquers all :)

Ontario Book Blogger Meet-Up

Ticket - Acquired. Blog/Business Card Design - In Progress. Nerves - Steeled for a killer event of meeting fellow book bloggers :)

I heard about this event from Just a Lil' Lost, a blog by another Ontario book lover. I thought this sounded like a fun afternoon, so I have purchased my ticket and am very excited to meet some fellow bloggers on July 25th :) If any of you are Ontario Book Bloggers and are interested in attending, click on the image or click here to be brought to the Eventbrite website where you can purchase your ticket. At last count there were 22 tickets still up for grabs, so don't hesitate to pick yours up now.

I'm looking forward to meeting other bloggers :) Comment below if this is something you think you might want to attend. I can't wait to meet you!

Wednesday Wish Lists #21

Been a while since I've done one of these :) TBH I'm fully experiencing the real-life financial levels of a full-time student, which are virtually nonexistent, so no shopping sprees are in the foreseeable future XP But at the same time, I've been so busy with my program that I've had no time to want for anything. Y'know, aside from the 5 items below XP

#1: Lesson Closely Dress from ModCloth! Lately, my ongoing TV obsession has been with New Girl, thanks to my roommate who gave me seasons 1-3 off her computer shortly after our first shopping trip together. I could see this as being a dress that Jess would wear, plus I just adore it in general.