By 2045, this world has become a pretty crummy place to live. As a result, the majority of the population spends its time connected to a virtual world known as the Oasis. The protagonist, Wade, spends his days holed up in his tiny hideout in order to stay connected to the Oasis, which has essentially replaced the real world for him. 
 When James Halliday, the reclusive creator of the Oasis, dies with no heirs, his multi-billion dollar fortune is left up for grabs. In order to claim the prize, one must locate three keys and clear three gates within the Oasis. The entire world jumps into the hunt, but for five years the first key remains hidden. That is, until Wade finds it. His discovery creates renewed interest in Halliday's puzzle, from other hunters and from the corporate Sixers (employees of a company that hopes to take over rights to the Oasis for profit). Wade must use his vast knowledge of Halliday and 1980's pop culture to complete his quest before the prize is yanked away. 
 I typically love books that center around puzzles and quests, and Ready Player One was no exception. I definitely didn't have enough background to play along with the characters on their search for Halliday's Easter egg, but it was still fun to watch them fight their way through the different stages of the quest. Overall, I found this novel to be entertaining, light, and easy to read.