Hayley’s Comments (group member since Mar 09, 2014)

Hayley’s comments from the r/books group.

Clayton- is that Red Rising by Pierce? I just looked it up- looks super interesting!!!!! I think I'll have to add it to my list!

I may join in..... I was looking at the goodreads reviews of Portnoys Complaint... Not sure if it is too dark for me..... Sounded a bit ominous....

So did anyone get a chance to read the Martian? I finally got my hands on a copy and just finished it! Great book....

The silver darlings looks interesting! But I am very intrigued by the Martian..... I think I'm voting for that:)

I've heard good things about The Goldfinch.... But the size is daunting! Is it 800 pages?

Hi Laura! Where in Canada? I'm in southern Ontario...

Also how cool is it Cline mentions Wade votes to reelect Wil Wheaton to the OASIS user council, and that Wheaton reads the audio version of the book! He must of loved that...

I'm on page 257! Should be done in the next day or two!

Along with Chris I could see this being a lot darker...

I am also envisioning a movie... I think this book would translate well into a movie script.

Jennifer- I think it is only a matter of time before something like OASIS does become reality.

Correct me if I'm wrong (I'm not into video games and I do not know a ton about them) but multiplayer role playing games like World of Warcraft already kind of enter into this zone. You can spend real money purchasing gear for your character and interact with others hooked up in the same quest. I guess the only limitation is the number of autonomous players who can interact at a time? Based on limitations in internet speed? I'm not entirely sure, but that's my understanding.

I think it is so interesting that we, as a generation, have witnessed one of the most rapid periods of technological growth since the industrial revolution. It is pretty wild that I can remember a time when every home did not have an internet connection (we got internet when I was 13 or so). Now we live with instant access to information 24/7, to the point you are almost bombarded with it. I really try to make a point of limiting screen time but it is hard to do with having an iPhone handy, iPad, computer, tv etc.... Sometimes you have to force yourself to step back from it all. That's one of the reasons why I prefer to read hard copy books instead of eBooks!

The one thing in Ready Player One that strikes me is Wade's unhealthy lifestyle. The convenience foods and lack of physical activity. I'm at a point in the book where he is holed up in his apartment and is able to exist without ever having to leave its confines. That prospect is terrifying. It scares me to think that this could be a possibility in the future. Where social contact is fulfilled via technological means, rather than real world contact. Is this where society is heading? More and more of our business is conducted online, from ordering goods (Amazon)to consuming media (Netflix). Recently a staple business in our city, a used bookstore that has been downtown since the 70s has announced it will be closing. They cite that they just cannot make up for the lack of patronage resulting from online ordering and eBooks. This prospect makes me sad! Will the day come when all small independent businesses will have to close their doors? Then we will only have these massive conglomerates to deal with?

Don't get me wrong I do purchase things online once in awhile but these days I do find myself opting to support small local business. You pay a bit of a premium but at the end of the day I don't want to be left with only one place in which to shop and no other options.

Sorry if I went on a bit of a tangent! These are just a few thoughts going through my head as I look to a future that seems to be ever more dominated by technology! Of course there are a plethora of positive things that come along with the prospect as well. I guess it's just about finding a balance.

Nicely put Jennifer! I am liking the plot developments but there a certain 'something' that is lacking or just not quite right. This surprises me as the book received such a high rating here on Goodreads. Mind you, the copy I own is an advanced readers addition that's a proof (I know someone who is an editor at Random House and she gave it to me). I hope that it is not drastically different than the final copy and I am being unfair in my opinions! Maybe I should find the Will Wheaton audiobook.

It's interesting you raised the question of intended audience. I guess probably twenty and thirty year olds would get a kick out of the nostalgic aspect of it, but I do agree the style does come off a bit juvenile. Then again it is a book about pretty much a giant video game!

How much appeal do you think the book holds for a younger generation? (I'm thinking 12,13,14 year olds). I think there has been a resurgence in a lot of the franchises mentioned (like Star Trek, Star Wars etc...) so someone who didn't necessarily experience the 70s/80s/90s would be able to identify with some of the references. Although I have to wonder if they would know who John Hughs was or Mathew Broderick....well there's always Wikipedia to fill in the gaps!

I don't know if it's just me but for some reason I picture OASIS and the avatars as being similar to Minecraft. I know it's described as being more realistic but I cannot shake that association.

I am 150 pages in so far... I am enjoying it, if only for the total throwback to the 1980s and 1990s. Even though I was born in '88 I think I am still grasping a lot of the cultural references.

That being said, does anyone find Cline is kind of overdoing it? Almost too many iconic references? I kind of get that feeling sometime.

How do you feel about the main character? Do you find him to be relatable?

I don't journal per se but I do scrapbook....and write during big events like travelling etc.... It's so much fun to look back on!

The scrap booking I do though is not the "expensive hobby scrapbooking" with fancy cutouts and matching borders... It's more a mishmash of found images that catch my eye, photographs, snippets of writing and whatnot. I feel it's less of an obligation than a true writing journal. When you have time great! If not no worries :)

Megan you bring up a good point! National geographics, and all magazine for that matter, are great for collages, scrap booking and school projects!

I have the Nat Geo from 1969 detailing the moon walk- it's great to flip through! And looking at the old ads are fun too.

I've listened to a few audiobooks (great for mutitasking! Especially while cleaning!) it is definitely a different experience. I remember I listened to 'The Help' on audiobook... It was great because they had different people reading for different characters, and it really brought the story alive with the use of accents/ dialect. Octavia Spencer who read for the audio version ended up being cast in the film which was neat!

Megan; I agree! Sometimes you just want the real deal in your hands.... We spend enough time looking at screens as it is! It's nice to take a break once in awhile.

I forgot to mention I LoVE National Geographic... And a digital copy of that would just not compare.

Looking forward to it!!!!

Might have to look for the audio version because that sounds great!

Oh I see I have to post my picks on reddit! Will do!

I have a few!

Ready Player One- Ernest Cline

Annabel- Kathleen Winter

Vurt- Jeff Noon

Why can't I get this ridiculous book out of my head!?! What did you think of it?

Guelph Ontario Canada- home to Robert Munsch!