Sleepers - Lorenzo Carcaterra ----------------------------- 2 Stars

Sleepers has been sitting on my shelf for probably 20 years before I picked it up to read a few weeks ago. I was in between books I really wanted to read and thought I'd give it a try. I knew they made a feature film about it when it came out in the 90s and that the premise was interesting - 4 best friends as adolescents share trauma together and as adults two become criminals, one a lawyer and one a writer (of the book). Unfortunately, I kind of wish I hand't picked up the book.

The book started off strong, providing a detailed explanation of the bond the boys shared in the neighborhood of New York City's Hell Kitchen in the 1950s/1960s. Clearly they were not well off and the criminal element surrounding them seemed an ever present part of their lives. As the result of a stupid prank, they were sent a way for a year to a juvenile detention center being only 12 and 13 years old.

At this point the book took a dark turn. While the first third was quite interesting and a strong read, the author decided to share, in detail, the trauma that the youths faced while in this detention center. This includes the violent beatings, constants rapes and sexual assaults, and even deaths that were witnessed. It was quite unpleasant reading. 

Just as I was going to write the book off as one of my least favorites, the final third of the book jumps ahead about 10 years to catch up with the boys, now adults. Just in case you might read it, I won't ruin it but the sequence of events described were exhilarating and the final few chapters left me enthralled.

Just as I was going to change my rating to something much more positive, I was curious to learn more about what happened to these individuals later in life. While the book finished with a short synopsis about them as of the 1990s, I wanted to know what transpired in the past 30 years. Quickly after I began my online search, I learned that it was established that much of the stories in the book likely didn't take place. While it's considered and delivered as a non-fiction story, the NY Times and other publications discredited the story and were unable to verify large parts of it. This was disturbing.

While I think the story is still interesting and perhaps worth reading (though, massive warning about the middle portion), the book loses luster knowing about the accusations of it being mostly fictional. It's still a good story with a solid ending (though, it seemed almost fantastical as I read it so it wasn't that surprising to learn it was fiction). On a whole, I'd probably save your reading time for something else.

Ready Player One - Ernest Cline ------------------4.5 Stars

It's been over a decade since the very popular Ready Player One was released to the world. I've circled around this book for the last few years and for whatever reason, never felt the inclination to pick it up and just read it. Well, I was in between a few other books I've had on my list that aren't available yet, so I gave it a shot. As you can guess from the rating, SUPER happy I did.

I presume you are likely aware of, or even read this book. It was a made into a major motion picture directed by Steven Spielberg (look forward to seeing), and received much adulation and, more recently, critique. Prior to reading it, I figured it was just a book about something in the future that related to video games. Which, was pretty spot on; of course, it's so much more than that too.

I flew through the first half of the book, struggling to put it down because I found the plot so captivating. That, coupled with so much (almost too much) nostalgic references, made me enamored when I began. And, while that enjoyment and engagement didn't go away as I continued the novel, I did slow myself down a bit. Besides having less time after Spring Break concluded to read, it was pretty clear I really enjoyed the book and wanted to do my best to savor the last of it. 

And savor I did. The ending stood up as a pretty solid finish after a super entertaining novel. Again, I think the focus on so many 80's pop culture references - music, tv, movies, made the book especially enjoyable to read. Of course, the age of the cast of characters, full on adventure vibe with almost no slow parts, and light "science fiction" edge made it a great read. 

After finishing I did do some short research into the book as I enjoyed it so much. Besides looking forward to watching the move, which, by all counts, will definitely disappoint compared the book, I was curious to see a backlash against the book that is more recent. Complaints include that it's super repetitive (I'd counter that most adventure stories are as they keep having adventure after adventure - hence the name of the genre), and that the prose is not as strong. I do agree with that last critique, though it never bothered me. I certainly didn't expect an adventure book about video games and 80's pop culture, to have amazing writing and great prose. If you are getting into a book like that with that assumption that's just off. However, if you going in wanting to read a super fun story, with a great plot that keeps you engaged the whole time, this book might be for you.