Geektastic: Stories from the Nerd Herd in Book Riot's Read Harder Challenge

Oct 06, 2009 CrystalIsReading on StoryGraph rated it liked it

Shelves: short-story-collection, young-adult

I'm not usually a big fan of short story collections. I find that I typically only enjoy a few stories out of the whole book. But when I saw this at the library, I had to grab it. My friends and I have an ongoing debate about whether I qualify as a geek or not, so I thought this would be of interest. Plus, there were a lot of authors I recognized and liked featured in this collection. Overall, I enjoyed it. There were a few stinkers (IMO) and some really enjoyable stories. I also loved the forma I'm not usually a big fan of short story collections. I find that I typically only enjoy a few stories out of the whole book. But when I saw this at the library, I had to grab it. My friends and I have an ongoing debate about whether I qualify as a geek or not, so I thought this would be of interest. Plus, there were a lot of authors I recognized and liked featured in this collection. Overall, I enjoyed it. There were a few stinkers (IMO) and some really enjoyable stories. I also loved the format--how the authors each had their own little pixilated avatar, both with their bio blurb at the end of their story, and then in the rows of characters on the front of the book. All except for John Green. His avatar was NOT among the characters on the cover art, and I'm not sure why, or if I should be offended on his behalf...especially since I enjoyed his story.
Anyway, here's a breakdown of what I did and didn't like specifically:
the comics? meh. Some were interesting, but they were kind of boring overall. They lacked the zing I expect from comic strips, and were more just like illustrated lists.
*Holly Black and Cecil Castellucci's story was cute, although weird to me to imagine someone so totally living by the code of an imaginary/fictional group of humanoinds. I guess that was the point, though. Overall it made me laugh, which isn't bad.
*I really liked One of Us by Tracy Lynn. She found a clever and engaging way to introduce the spectrum of geeky delights to the reader, and created mostly likable characters worth rooting for, all in a short amount of time.
Scott Westerfield's story may have been a clever way to explain alignment, but I detested both characters and the resulting events of the story, so I didn't enjoy it at all.
*Cassandra Clare's story was quite enjoyable. Having read many of her novels, I was pleasantly surprised by this story. I think it makes me like her more. Her protagonist in this did remind me of Tessa a bit, from her Clockwork series. Since she's my favorite of Clare's characters, that was a good thing. Just a pleasant, interesting story. Even if yet another fictional character liked Wuthering Heights (blech!). Also, I think the vision of geekdom she depicts, the literary one, is probably closest to any claims I have to geekdom.
M.T. Anderson's story was apparently an homage to old pulp fiction. I guess I just wasn't into that topic. weird and kinda disturbing story.
*Cynthia and Greg Leitich Smith's story was cute. the ending was a bit cheesy/ treacly, but it kept my attention the whole way through, and I liked the characters.
David Levithan's story? I didn't even read the whole thing. I found the characters obnoxious, and the story too long for this format to make reading about obnoxious characters. I skimmed enough of it to realize I didn't necessarily dislike some points the protagonist made. I just didn't like him. or anyone else in the story.
*Garth Nix's story was one of my favorites in the whole book. His Quiet Knight has stuck with me long after reading the story, in a good way. Very thoroughly realized story, interesting plot, and fascinating setting (LARPing), all in a relatively short short story.
*Lisa Yee's story was fine. I couldn't relate much to the annoyingly peppy school spirit protagonist, but who can't relate to feeling like an outsider, or to making the most of a tough situation? The story was well told, and the bits about Hawaii were interesting.
I tried to read Kelly Link's story, but something about the writing style really annoyed me, especially the constant refrain of "Paul Zell". I gave up after a few pages, especially since it seemed to be one of the longer stories in the book.
*John Green's story restored my faith in the idea that I might like geek stories written by male authors. The characters were well developed in a relatively short amount of writing, and were likable and worth rooting for. I really enjoyed it.
Barry Lyga's story was alright. It was a bit too malicious for my taste, and not a happy story really. but it wasn't terrible.
I was looking forward to Sara Zarr's story, as I'd really enjoyed Once Was Lost. But this story of hers was a disappointment. The monologue format isn't my favorite anyway, and the protagonist came across as immature and annoying. I still love Sara Zarr, though. Just not this story.
*Wendy Mass's story was sweet and clever and interesting. I really enjoyed it, even though I really don't care about astronomy at all.
Libba Bray's story was weird and sad and not very enjoyable. I like when she sticks with humor.

So, overall, enjoyable collection. I think my friend who claim I am a geek might be correct, but only marginally. I am not nearly obsessed enough with most geek topics to truly qualify. This was certainly an interesting peek into the many faceted world of geekdom, though.
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Aug 16, 2010 Dana Berglund rated it really liked it

Shelves: youngadult, shortstories

This book sat on my nightstand for months as I read only one story at a time, during particular fits of insomnia. The diversity of authors, tones, and geek-dom represented in each story lends itself to this one-at-a-time reading. You probably won't love every single one, for the same reasons. A couple of the stories pretty much went over my head. In general, though, I found the body of work both amusing and touching. A few of the stories I will reread over and over. Some are near genius, and som ...more

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Jul 04, 2013 Renata rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: ya, short-stories, fiction

Obv any short story anthology is going to have highs and lows, but overall I thought this was really strong. It's clear each author brought their own geeky passions to play in their particular stories, and it's usually cool to see authors writing about what they LOVE, even if I don't love it (eg Star Trek, astronomy, tabletop gaming). I tended to connect more with stories that overlapped with my own geeky sensibilities (eg Sara Zarr's theater geek story, DAVID LEVITHAN'S SCHOLASTIC BOWL STORY!!! ...more

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May 24, 2010 Talia rated it really liked it

Shelves: ya-fiction

Sometimes hilarious, sometimes painfully real, always geekily delicious! This collection of short stories covers all areas of dorkdom, from LARPing to being a theater nerd to Buffy sing-alongs; there is something that will appeal to ALL nerds! My faves: “Once You’re a Jedi, You’re a Jedi All the Way”, “Quiz Bowl Antichrist”, “The Quiet Knight”, and “The Truth About Dino Girl”.

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Oct 16, 2011 Autumn Skye rated it it was amazing

Shelves: short-stories, superfavorites

I could reread these short stories over and over. I love this book so much. There were geek sentiments here that I really related too, not to mention the satisfaction I felt when my feel knowledge was referenced.

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Aug 12, 2009 Abby Johnson rated it really liked it

Shelves: blogged

This collection of stories about all things geeky has something for everyone. What happens when a Jedi and a Klingon hook up at a convention? Is Dawn Summers more than an intrusive annoyance to Buffy fans? Are you still a theater geek when you've never actually been given a part? While I loved most of the stories, there were a few I didn't care for. But there are many kinds of geeks in the sea, so hand this to your gamers, your Varsity quiz bowl contestants, and any teen who knows what LARP stan ...more

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Mar 05, 2011 Jill rated it liked it

Shelves: ya, short-fiction

Some were better than others (as often happens with collections) and this really defines "geek" broadly from art geek, to sci fi geek to band geek etc. Most were humorous to varying degrees. It was a great way to pass small amounts of time - nice shorts. ...more

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