The Procrastinators Book Club discussion

Welcome to Ready Player One Buddy Read Discussion thread! This thread officially opens on November 2nd and anyone can join at any time. Please keep in mind that spoilers are allowed in this thread but only up to the group's current reading place. Do not spoil the book if you've read further than the group. Any extra days can be used to catch up!

Each week we will be reading by chapters. The suggested Buddy Read discussion schedule is as follows:

Week of 11/2
November 2: pages 1-35

Week of 11/3
November 3: pages 36-70
November 4: pages 71-105
November 5: pages 106-140
November 6: pages 141-175
November 7: pages 176-210
November 8: pages 211-245
November 9: pages 246-280

Week of 11/10
November 10: pages 281-315
November 11: pages 216-350
November 12: pages 351-374

This is based on the page numbers on Goodreads, so it might not be true to your copy, but this is just the suggested list anyway.

PARTICIPANTS:
- Jamie
- Kairia
- Dolinka

I'll be starting the book in the next few minutes and will be reading up to Chapter 3. :)

Chapter 0-2 Thoughts
I stopped reading right when I reached chapter three. There is definitely some juvenile cringe when reading this book, but considering the character's age, that's not completely unwarranted. The descriptions of Wade's attraction for Artemis made me roll my eyes a bit but overall, I'm curious to see where the story is headed.

I’m enjoying the dystopian like future and like the balance of high tech computers with rough living conditions. But I also found the section about Artemis a bit annoying and cliche as ‘everyone in oasis looked like supermodels but she looked normal which made her super unique’
So far I’m enjoying the world and the main plot and I am looking for to reading more too.

I’ve read up to chapter seven (page 68) I’m a little overwhelmed at the numerous references because I don’t think they have any importance in the book other than continuing to push the idea that Halliday loved the 80s. I found Halliday’s childhood and backstory interesting and it gave him some more character though I don’t know how accurate it is as a representation of Aspergers/autism.

I also stopped at the same spot. I felt the Asperger’s comment was a bit offhand but in context I don’t believe anyone really knew what Halliday suffered from, if anything.
The amount of unnecessary lists of books, movies, music, etc. is tiring and sometimes cringey. I get it. Wade knows anything and everything that Halliday could’ve possibly been interested in and he’s giving off these vibes being both inferior (financially) and superior (intellectually) over others. It’s reading much like a Gary Stue character.
I have a feeling the movie is going to be better than the book just based on the lack of narration you’d have to hear from Wade’s inner bragathon.

Chapter 7-10 Thoughts
Wade has met Artemis. After being turned on by her outfit, he immediately wants to kiss and marry her. Hormones at their finest.
Except for his meeting with Artemis, it seems the cringe has died down. Instead as I'm reading, I am met with nonstop information yet again. Sometimes the information is just Wade doing and thinking things. Otherwise this entire book feels like a watered down Wikipedia article, with an emphasis to mention as many different people/things/places as possible to appear sophisticated and knowledgeable about the contents being related.
I am incredibly bored with the writing style and the characters at this point. But I will pursue because I am a stubborn mule.

I’ve caught up to the same spot now. And I agree that line where he wanted to marry Artemis was quite painful to read. I’m also worn down by all the references and everyone in the book knowing them all, quoting to each other and then it being explained to the reader. I did enjoy the imagery of a thousand year old skeleton thing playing on an arcade machine as a battle to the death. But then of course wade is naturally talented at this and can easily win on the first try. I don’t mind the world this book is building but the plot and characters aren’t the most appealing. I’m really starting to wonder how the film compares

Apparently the movie has a lot of modern day video game references. I remember seeing the initial trailer for it and made a game of pointing out all the video game characters that I recognized. So at the very least, the references may be much more relatable/recognizable. Whether that makes the movie any better, who knows? I can't imagine it being any worse than this. XD

I could probably enjoy the movie by just guessing all the references. I have hope it’ll be better than the book because they’ll have to add more in to make it entertaining on screen?

Although it’s not like they can change the main characters from the book. So now I have less hope for the movie. I’ll probably just watch it for the references and try out your game.

Chapter 11-14 Thoughts
I found it really hilarious that Artemis wrote Wade an email and his response email includes the infamous, questionable winky face emote.
More stuff happened as opposed to Wade talking to the reader and overloading us with information again. Some cringey dialogue and character personalities were seen during the conversation between Wade and Sorrento.
Also, finally some IRL stuff happened with the explosion. I was wondering when the real world was going to become relevant again.

Sorry for the late reply I only just got around to reading it and I’m shattered so I didn’t think too much reading through the chapters. I’m sure the stacks exploding is suppose to add some serious drama and intensity to this whole quest but I did not have any attachment to the stacks or people in it so I have a general feeling of ‘oh’.
To be honest I don’t think the main character has much feeling for it either that the only felt bad for an old lady whose personality was just ‘kind’.

I stopped at chapter 19. It’s awkward to me that wade is in love with Artemis who he’s never met in real life. Also, I kinda wish there was more interactions with the real world because I enjoy the concept. Another thing is that as a reader I can’t guess the puzzles myself because I don’t know the context or references. I enjoyed the ‘something to learn’ riddle in earlier chapters where I could guess it was a school but the riddle for the jade key is about a 70s hacker who made free calls with a whistle from a captain crunch box. I’d just find it fun to guess myself if I had more clues but I suppose I could just read a murder mystery for that.

Can I still join this discussion? I’m going to start reading it today.

@dolinka sorry for such a late reply. Of course you can join in the read! I’ll keep spoilers to a minimum

Ik listening to this on audiobook tho so I don’t know on which page I exactly am

Im 34% in so that is 127 pages(?) I’m trying my best to catch up guys!

I've fallen behind as well. Sorry Jamie. :(
I'm hoping to do some reading and general discussion starting today. Again, I apologize for disappearing from GR suddenly.

Don’t worry about it too much! My own reading pace has slowed down a lot recently so I’m only about 50% through. Feel free to talk about any chapters you’ve read/listened up to so far if you want to

I will keep updating until I've finished the book, even if you've already beat me to it. XD

Im 47% in so about 175 pages and I’m really liking it, I love the vibe between our main character and Artemis. I dont like IOI tho! Morons.

Just checking in to tell you guys that I am on chapter 31. I’m really enjoying it and I can’t wait to see how his escape plan is going to go.

I’m 90% in so I will be finishing this today or tomorrow. It’s sooo good

Soooo I finished it. Gave it 4 stars. I really enjoyed reading this

I think I’d give it a rating maybe three or four stars. I thought the characters were a little too unrealistic so I wasn’t that drawn into it but I could see myself re-reading it in the future because it was a fairly fun story to me.