by Jane Lee (grade 11), Teen Advisory Board

A selection of fiction books about the worlds of virtual reality, a possibility that is becoming apart of our reality as well.

What is virtual reality? Virtual reality is an artificial world created by a computer that is experienced through sensory stimuli. It holds a world where the player’s actions decide what happens in the environment. Virtual reality used to be an old sci-fi idea that was thought to be too problematic to pursue, however, virtual reality can now be seen not just in our books but in amusement parks, and games.

Find a book you like? Click on the title to see availability at Pasadena Public Library (PPL) and Glendale (GDL) branches.

 

Ready Player One by Ernest Cline

With the Earth decaying in year 2044, the OASIS is where almost everyone goes to escape reality. Wade commits his life to cracking the puzzles the creator of the OASIS left behind, but is in danger when he find the first clue. In order to survive, Wade must solve the 80’s pop culture ridden puzzles and confront the real world as well.

 

The Leveller (The Leveller, #1)

The Leveller by Julia Durango

With kids addicted to the virtual reality, MEEP, parents hire Nixy Bauer to retrieve their kids and bring them back to reality. However, when the creator’s son is stuck in the MEEP against his own will, Nixy and Salvador find themselves in a mind game unlike any other.

 

The Eye of Minds (The Mortality Doctrine, #1)

The Eye of Minds by James Dashner

When one gamer takes hostages in the Virtnet and victims end up brain-dead, the government hires Michael to capture the hacker. However, the challenge comes with a huge risk, if he accepts there is a possibility that the line between game and reality will be blurred forever.

 

The Six (The Six #1)

The Six by Mark Alpert

Adam’s muscular dystrophy has stolen his mobility and virtual reality games are his only escape from his wheelchair. However, when an artificial intelligence program, Sigma, hack’s into Adam’s game, it threatens both Adam and the world. Along with five other terminally ill teens, The Six forfeit their bodies and work together to prevent Sigma from destroying humanity.

 

Guy in Real Life

Guy in Real Life by  Steve Brezenoff

Lesh and Svetlana collide with each other on a dark street at two-thirty in the morning. Since then, their lives become intertwined by school, role-playing games, and a chance two-a.m. bike ride.

 

Insignia (Insignia, #1)

Insignia by S.J. Kincaid

With the world in WWIII over natural resources, Tom’s life changes when he enters the Intrasolar Forces for his virtual reality gaming skills. The enemy is winning and Tom Raines may be the only salvation.

 

Epic (Epic #1)

Epic by Conor Kostick

In the New Earth, all conflicts are resolved in the fantasy computer game, Epic. When Erik undermines the rules of Epic, he finds himself against the masters of the game, the committee.

 

Elusion (Elusion, #1)

Elusion by  Claudia Gabel, Cheryl Klam

When Regan discovers the dark secrets in the virtual world, Elusion, she has to choose between loyalty or love… a decision that will affect the lives of millions.

 

Doomed

Doomed by Tracy Deebs

When Pandora opens a link that her father sent to her, the whole world is plunged into darkness. Only Pandora’s Box, a virtual-reality game created by Pandora’s father, remains up and running. With her neighbors and step-brothers, Pandora must follow the clues to beat the game, find her father, and rescue the world.

 

Ender's Game (The Ender Quintet, #1)

Ender’s Game by Orson Scott Card

The result of genetic experimentation, Ender, may be the genius that Earth needs to defeat the alien enemy. Andrew “Ender” Wiggin thinks he is playing computer simulated war games, however, he is engaged in something far more desperate.