Ernest Cline has earned a living in lots of different ways. He donated plasma, gutted fish, worked as a clerk in a video store where he had infinitely better taste in movies than his customers, and even played the role of a condescending tech support worker. A few years ago, he walked away from all that glamor and glitter to become an Austin, Texas spoken-word artist and screenwriter. In 2007, his film Fanboys hit a nerve with fans and became a cult hit. Now, Cline has taken his writing in a different direction and penned a novel, Ready Player One (Crown, $24). Given his penchant for the offbeat, this is not just any novel. The story takes place in the near future, when people spend most of their time in virtual worlds instead of the bleak reality that surrounds them. Wade Watts spends his time in OASIS, a virtual world where three keys have been hidden. Anyone who finds the keys will win a huge fortune. But the games creator hasnt made it easy. If players take a wrong step in OASIS, it might be their last. OLIVIA FLORES ALVAREZ
Tue., Oct. 11, 7 p.m., 2011
