Ready Player One, by Ernest Cline: Currently a major motion picture in theatres now, I wanted to read the book before seeing the movie. Based in the future, everyone is addicted to virtual reality and no one knows anyone else’s true identity. A game is created by a single man and everyone is trying to win, the prize is trillions of dollars. The coolest part of this book by far are all the references to the 1980s. The creator of this virtual game was obsessed with the 80s and his entire game is based on movies, games, and culture from that time period. It’s a fun read, full of action that has you cheering on the characters and trying to guess at the riddles which lead to answers from, you guessed it, the 1980s. The ending was good, not drawn out, quick, and satisfying. I don’t think I’ve ever read a book based in the future, with so many references to a previous time period. It was done painstakingly, and even included a reference to the Pepsi Challenge and Max Headroom. The only unbelievable part for me was that the main character had a perfect game of Pac Man. I can’t make it past level 3 without being eaten by a ghost and playing makes my heart palpate! Impossible, I don’t believe it – until I looked it up and apparently someone has actually done this. Kudos to you! I am truly not worthy.

Do you have any futuristic books you couldn’t put down?