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Last updated on April 16, 2026
Ready Player One by Ernest Cline is such an epic sci-fi story. It is perfect for anyone who enjoys The Hunger Games. I am super excited to see this upcoming film, and I am loving this audiobook narrated by none other than Wil Wheaton! Keep reading to learn more about the book and the quotes I have chosen to share.
Title: Ready Player OneAuthor: Ernest Cline
Genre: Dystopian, Science Fiction
Narrator: Wil Wheaton
Publisher: Random House Audio
Publication Date: August 16, 2011
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. 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.
Book Quotes: Ready Player ONe by Ernest Cline
Thoughts
Ready Player One by Ernest Cline audiobook is well over 15 hours of listening and I am about an hour and a half into it at this point. I have laughed out loud so many times that I am sure those around me are curious or think I am delusional. Maybe I am the latter. Wil Wheaton is a perfect narrator for this five star audiobook and I highly recommend giving this addictive book a try. If you love gaming, this is one book to check out!
BOOK BEGINNING
Everyone my age remembers where they were and what they were doing when they first heard about the contest. I was sitting in my hideout watching cartoons when the news bulletin broke in on my video feed, announcing that James Halliday had died during the night.
FRIDAY 56
About Ernest Cline
ERNEST CLINE is a novelist, screenwriter, father, and full-time geek. His first novel, Ready Player One, was a New York Times and USA Today bestseller, appeared on numerous “best of the year” lists, and is set to be adapted into a motion picture by Warner Bros. and director Steven Spielberg. His second novel, ARMADA, debuted at #4 on the NYT Bestseller list and is being made into a film by Universal Pictures. Ernie lives in Austin, Texas, with his family, a time-traveling DeLorean, and a large collection of classic video games
About The Candid Cover
Olivia ❀ Canadian YA book blogger, Starbucks lover, & professional bibliophile.
I have been trying to get this one from my library so I can read it before the movie comes out, but it is so popular right now, I’m on a wait list! I like that Wil Wheaton narrates the audiobook; maybe I’ll try that out!
I hope that you enjoy it as much as I am! 🙂
I totally want to listen to this e-book now because of Wil Wheaton, and from what I heard so far already I really like it! 😀
I saw a review for it over at Bookish Whimsy a while ago and she hooked me on it. I am so grateful because it really is fantastic so far. 🙂
I’m waiting for my copy to arrive in the mail. I thought listening to it would be even more fun than reading it.
I hope that you love it! 🙂
I enjoyed this one when I read it in 2011 even though a lot of the references to 80s gamer life went right over my head. Happy reading!
Ha! I am the exact same! I only know what Atari is/was, but it doesn’t seem to be affecting my enjoyment. 🙂
I listened to this one, too! It was a great way to enjoy the book!
Oh my, I think I would love Wil Wheaton as a narrator. This sounds really cool. Only an hour in and you have laughed that much. I love when books can do that. I have to put this on my Audiobook list! Great mini review!
Wil Wheaton is the big draw, for sure! 🙂
I wasn’t a gamer in the 1980s, but I think I’d enjoy this book anyhow. LOVE your Friday 56 excerpt.
I am not much of a gamer at all! There is something that has drawn me into this one. 🙂
Loved the audiobook for Wil alone. He was literally perfect!
I also recently read Ready Player One and really enjoyed it.
Yay!! I am hearing only positive things, so that makes me hopeful for the ending. 🙂
I am neither a gamer nor a child of the 80s, but that didn’t stop me from LOVING Ready Player One. The story is so relatable and universal that you don’t get stuck in gamer jargon or 80s trivia. I didn’t listen to the audiobook, but Wade’s voice still had me chuckling to myself. I cannot think of a better book to adapt for the big screen!
That is exactly how I am feeling about the book. It is so wonderful that it can be enjoyed by a non-gamer. 🙂
I’m kind of disappointed that they are making this into a movie because then no one will read the book anymore and I love the book. I listened to the audiobook, too. Love it!
I hope that people are inspired to read it, but you might be right. 🙂
I really, really, really need to read this one!!! Happy weekend!
My daughter asked me to get this book for her in print AND audio. She hasn’t read it yet. Maybe I need to borrow it! I was a child of the 80s and would love to go back in time to those fun memories.
The 80’s references are a blast! I think that Netflix is bridging the gap a little for some of us. I hope that she enjoys it! 🙂
Wil Wheaton does an amazing job narrating the audio of this book. I want to buy the audio version because of him. ❤
I have seen this one for years, but never really paid much attention to it. It sounds like a good read though. I enjoy virtual reality type stories, most of the time. This one seems like it could be a good one!
I loved this one and I’m so hyped up for the movie!
I’m hoping to pick this up very soon before the movie comes out. I’m glad you’re enjoying it, so far! I hope you love it! 🙂
Wil Wheaton is narrating the audio book? Oh wow, I might have to get that. I loved the book when I read it, but I could see it being even better with him narrating it.