Ready Player One: The Book is 10x better then the movie!

I have read a lot of books in my life.  When asked what my favorite book is, I've never been able to pick one - until now.

How can I do this book justice with a mere review? It had me in the first chapter.  Less then six minutes into the audiobook and the author quotes 1984's Ghostbusters - I was hooked. I listened to the entire book with a big, stupid grin on my face because it made me feel like a kid again!







If you played, enjoyed (or liked watching people play or enjoy) any of the following in the 1980's:

- home video games
- arcade games
- movies
- Dungeons & Dragons
- tv shows
- music

If you were born in the 1970's you will love this book.

I have only ever read a book twice in my life (and that was because I read it for school the first time and couldn't remember most of the book 20 years later). I finished the audiobook at 9:00am on my way into work and at 5:05pm I started it again from the beginning.  In 2018 I read the book to my 10 year old - After every chapter he said "why wasn't THAT in the movie?  That was SO mcuh better then the movie!"

The premise:  In 2044 society has wrecked the planet.  A virtual reality game called The Oasis has replaced internet, school, games, socializing - many people live more in The Oasis then in real life (think Matrix but with people fully aware they are in a VR).  The creator of the Oasis dies and wills his vast fortune and company to whoever can find an ester egg he has hidden in the game.  To do this one must first find 3 keys that open 3 gates.  It's a treasure hunt with a race to the end; good vs. evil set in a VR reality where knowing the pop-culture of the 1980's will help you get ahead of everyone.

Wil Weaton did a an ok job reading the audiobook, I wouldn't go looking for other books read by him, but he didn't take away from the story.  I listened to it at 1.25 speed because I found his narration a bit on the slow side, and because it was such an amazing story I was compelled to take it in as quickly as possible! Knowing how much of a geek he is for D&D makes me wonder if he requested to read the book or if the producer approached him.

In 2018 the movie adaptation was released. It did not hold a candle to the book.  The only way the movie could be considered good is if you do not read the book first.  I repeat:  the movie does not follow the book.  BUT - Do yourself a HUGE favor and read the book.  You won't be disappointed.

Reading Rocks: Blast From The Past

"There is more treasure in books than in 

all the pirate's loot on Treasure Island." — Walt Disney

One of the greatest joys is reading books to your kids that were read to you as a child.  My love of fantasy and action stories (and movies) comes from my father.  Before bed he would tell me the story of The Hobbit - no book, but the images created in my mind have stayed with me my whole life.  To this day I collect copies of The Hobbit for my shelf.  

Bedtime was a time of laughter and stories at my house.  Here are three "classics" that have stood the test of time for me (and my kids). 

Come Over To My House 

by: Theo LeSing (aka Dr. Seuss) 

Originally published in 1966, the story follows a little boy who travels the world as he is invited to friends homes in different countries.  Although the countries are hyper-stereotyped (circa 1960's:  e.g. his friend in the arctic lives in an igloo), the message of friendship across the world and regardless (or perhaps because) of culture comes through loud and clear.     

The Big Honey Hunt

by: Stan & Jan Berenstain

Before the cartoon, before the series of paperback books, even before Sister Bear, there was Mama, Papa and Little Bear (later re-named Brother).  This was a book I learned to read by way of an accompanying audio book.  The story follows Little Bear and Papa as they follow a bee to find honey for their honey pot.   The rhyming is fun and I personally love how Mama is ALWAYS right in the end  :)

Fox in Socks
by:  Dr. Suess
If you think you are good at reading tongue twisters out loud - give this a try!  It's one of the most difficult books to read out loud (in the proper rhythm).  My kids beg me to read it to them and laugh when I get the words mixed up.  By the end of the book I'm usually out of breath.  It's super fun, and super memorable.  Check out this You Tube video to see the "proper way" to read it: Fox on Socks amateur video

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Reading Rocks: It's good to be YOU!

"So please, oh PLEASE, we beg, we pray, Go throw your TV set away, 

And in its place you can install, A lovely bookshelf on the wall."

— Roald Dahl, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory

Every week I post a list of 3 books to read to your kids. Buy them, borrow them, read them cherish them, share them.


This week's list represents a handful of my favorite "be yourself" books.  These are fun to read, and great for boys and girls, ages 3+

I Wish That I Had Duck Feet 

by Theo LeSieg (aka Dr. Seuss)

This is one of my favorite books to read out loud.  

As Theo LeSieg, Dr. Seuss was able to write in a
different voice (no made up words or places in this book).  

The beat and rhythm of the verse is fun and catchy.  

Follow the little boy as he thinks about all the things he'd like 

to have only to realize the best thing to be is... himself!

A Porcupine Named Fluffy

by: Helen Lester

Find out what happens when Fluffy (the porcupine) trys to be more... fluffy.  

Hilarious and heartwarming.   

Moosetache

by: Margie Palatini

Try and try as he might, Moose can't do ANYTHING about is unruly mustache.
By the end he discovers he's not the only one with this problem... and that's ok.

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6 Books That Aren't Goodnight Moon

Baby showers become an opportunity for seasoned parents to pass on their tips and experiences to new and to-be parents.  My tips are modest and usually focus on saving sanity like: "if you think you have enough onesies - buy 10 more!" (incidentally, you can buy 10 onesies at a local Goodwill for about $3-$5 and they will be like new - most kids outgrow clothes gifted at showers before they get a chance to wear them in).

That being said, I don't usually gift clothes.  I like to gift books at baby showers because they give years of enjoyment for both parents and kids.

Between my two baby showers, I received three copies of Goodnight Moon and two of Good Night, Gorilla.  Now, don't get me wrong, there are excellent books.  I enjoy reading them and my kids have loved them for years.  They are classics that I think should be in every child's library.  They just seem to be "over-gifted".

If you want to give books to new parents that will ensure years of enjoyment for boys, girls and parents, here are a few that I found fit the bill, and aren't usually duplicated by other gift givers. Each uses one or all of (what I call) "The 3R's" of baby/toddler books: Rhythm, Rhyming and Repetition.

Hand, Hand, Fingers Thumb by Al Perkins
(specifically the shortened board book edition)
I like to give the shortened version of this book because it's a quick read for younger kids yet still retains a fun, catchy rhythm.  No real story-line, just a really fun book.  While reading it we would beat our thumbs along with the words.  Building up to the last few pages, I would hold my boys tight and rock back and forth to the beat of the drum: "Dum ditty, dum ditty, dum dum dum" - they would giggle with anticipation each time we read it.  To this day it brings a smile across my face.

Each Peach Pear Plum by Allan Ahlberg and Janet Ahlberg 

Originally published in 1978, this classic was introduced to me by a former co-worker.  I am a fairy tale "nut" and the fact that I had never heard of this book blew my mind!  It's essentially a look and find book, where each page has a fairy tale character hiding somewhere in the (beautifully illustrated) picture.  The corresponding verse contains a hint for each page and is fun and easy to remember.  This is another story I could repeat without the book in front of me, something I was grateful for when I needed to comfort my boys late at night without free hands or a light.

Rock-a-Bye Farm by Diane Johnston Hamm 

A cute, endearing story about a farmer who rocks his baby to sleep and then proceeds to rock the dog, the sheep and all the other animals on his farm.  The copy I found at my local used library book sale had illustrations by Rick Brown, personally I like the Rick Brown version better then this one, however it is out of print now and the newer edition is the one I've linked here.  Rock-a-Bye Farm is a perfect bedtime story.

Can't Catch Me by Michael Foreman
Another book I came across at our local library sale!  This fun story is about a mommy monkey trying to put her son to bed.  He jumps out the window and says "Can't catch me!".  Each turn of the page shows the little monkey running from a different group of animals, until they all finally catch him and.... TICKLE HIM!!!!  It's fun, funny and another great story for bedtime.

Hug by Jez Alborough

A little monkey (what's with all the monkey stories?) is looking for a hug.  All of the animals he passes in the jungle are giving or getting hugs from their mommies.  The interesting thing about this story is that there is only one word (well three by the end) through the whole book.  My kids liked to help me read this one and we all had that warm-fuzzy feeling when the little monkey found his Mommy at the end.

Inside Outside Upside Down by Jan & Stan Berenstain

One of the great things about reading to your kids is re-discovering books you loved growing up.  This was one of my favorite books when I was little.  There's no Sister Bear in the original Berenstain Bear books, just Brother, Mother and Father.  Inside, Outside, Upside Down is a quick, basic story that uses repetition and rhythm while teaching the difference between inside, outside and upside down. 

So, the next baby shower or toddler birthday you're invited to, consider giving books!

I've enjoyed reading these to my kids for almost seven years.  They have survived the book and toy purges throughout the years and have ended up on my bookshelf.  I pick them up, smell them, flip through the worn pages and even read them aloud to myself.

My kids have outgrown them, but not me.

Who can say THAT of a pack of onesies?

Side Note:  

Personally, I prefer the 

Board Book editions 

(they last longer with wee ones)

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