As some of you may know, I have, and read, a lot of books. Last month I clocked in around seven books, and one of them had been sitting on the shelves for several years: Ready Player One by Ernest Cline.

In retrospect, I have no idea why I waited so long to read it, as it combines many of the things I love: the ’80s, video games, and a glorious adventure. As soon as I started reading it, I knew I wouldn’t be able to put it down.

The story, as described on the back cover:

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’s 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.

As excellent as this description is, it in no way contains the adventure that readers are in for.

As soon as I started reading, I was all in. 100%. I wanted to know more. I wanted to know what happened. How it happened. I wanted to see where this story would go, and it went places I could only dream of. It was so satisfying, that, I’m not going to lie, in the last chunk of pages, I full on cried. I didn’t want it to end. And I can only hope Cline decides to write more in this universe.

The funny thing about this experience was how it unfolded.

I had been looking around our shelves, and I saw Ready Player One facing out and thought, yes! This is the next book I will read.

I loved it so much, I told my partner, “You really should read this. Like…now. Or as now as possible.”

He did. And he quite enjoyed it.

Then the next week, someone he interacts with for work referenced it. That was odd enough (I mean, the book came out nearly four years ago, so all this coming up now seemed odd), but then someone I occasionally play Destiny with mentioned that he’d just finished an excellent book and, though I asked I almost knew, he said it was Ready Player One.

So how about that?

He said he almost cried at the end and that he didn’t want it to be over.

I can relate.

I love that so many people can enjoy something and take different things away from that experience. Much like games.

Much like life.

I don’t even want to discuss specifics of the book, as I’d hate to ruin it for anyone. If you are even remotely curious, I urge you to locate a copy of the book. But settle in, as once you start, you won’t want to stop until the story is over.

And then you’ll just want to read it again.

On that note, I wish each of you a happy Friday. Also, if anyone else out there has read Ready Player One, what did you think of it (no spoilers please)?