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Apr 29, 2015 CrystalIsReading on StoryGraph rated it it was amazing

Shelves: memoir-bio-autobio, audio

This book was SO MUCH FUN. I can't remember the last time I enjoyed an audio book so much. I know of Felicia Day, thanks to geeky gamer friends who forced me to watch the Guild, which I enjoyed, although I didn't get all the jokes, being newly indoctrinated into gamer culture. Then I heard that Felicia had come out with a memoir, and the reviews were great, so I decided to pick it up. And I'm so glad I did! Felicia is funny and warm and neurotic and anxious and brilliant and creative and funny.. This book was SO MUCH FUN. I can't remember the last time I enjoyed an audio book so much. I know of Felicia Day, thanks to geeky gamer friends who forced me to watch the Guild, which I enjoyed, although I didn't get all the jokes, being newly indoctrinated into gamer culture. Then I heard that Felicia had come out with a memoir, and the reviews were great, so I decided to pick it up. And I'm so glad I did! Felicia is funny and warm and neurotic and anxious and brilliant and creative and funny...did I mention funny? As a fellow homeschooling survivor, I could actually relate to a lot more of Felicia's story than I expected to, even though my family was a lot more poor than hers was, from the sound of it, and I am not a violin or math genius. However, I understand being socially awkward (a condition she describes so well. one of those moments where you're listening and you shriek, "Yes, like that! that's me too!"), being more interested in intellectual issues than the people who live in your area, with a difficult time connecting with them. I understand scholarships and anxiety and self-doubt. fortunately, I have never suffered as badly as Felicia did with her anxiety and depression. I can't imagine dealing with it, and I have the greatest admiration for her willingness to be so honest about the condition. about panic attacks and the inability to achieve ANYTHING in a given day, and about hiding out by the hummus bowl (I always hide by the hummus bowl too.). So there was a wonderful balance of issues I could relate to and yet a life I couldn't even imagine living. Felicia is modest in recounting her violin prodigy status and her academic success (in math, no less. yikes!), as well as her other success. But her passionate pursuit of what she wants in life and what she dreams about is what's truly inspiring, both to hear how she has achieved all that she has, and to hear her encourage others to do so. I love that she keeps the gifts fans give her, knowing that they are valuable because they come from a place of affection and creativity. And finally, I just loved this book because it made me laugh so much. all the time. Felicia's obviously a great comedic performer as well as writer, so having her read the book she wrote is an absolutely perfect match. This was a book I didn't want to put down, and that I was sorry to see end (Even if the chapter on Gamergate was depressing. Wow, I had no idea.). I'm grateful for the perspective it gives me into the lives of gamers I know (especially female gamers), as well as, obviously, into Felicia's own life.
I can't recommend this book highly enough. even if you're not a gamer, I think the material should be accessible and funny for you. If you are, it just has extra layers of awesomeness. Read this when you need some frenetically paced fun in your life. you won't regret it. ...more

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Dec 11, 2014 Julianne Dunn rated it it was amazing

Love her. Love this book. Day is incredibly honest about her overwhelming need to please while simultaneously occasionally being unable to motivate when the path isn't clear. I loved her description of how "The Guild" came about and her POV from the #gamergate. The section on her devolving was so relatable, I just wanted to hug her through the book and tell her that we will be alright together. Even though I read the book (autographed, thanks to Lauren), I could practically hear her voice throug ...more

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Jan 11, 2017 Christina, Join Me on Storygraph! rated it liked it

Shelves: audio-book, 2017

I'll admit, I'd never heard of Felicia Day before starting this book. Nevertheless, it was an enjoyable way to pass the commute. I love it that the author is the reader of the audiobook, because it added a much more fun layer to the book. Her stories are pretty accessible even to the non gamer like me, since she talks about femininity in a masculine world, cyberbullying, and striving for what you really want from life. ...more

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Dec 04, 2015 Kate rated it it was amazing

Shelves: readers-advisory, non-fiction

loved this book! Glad I am not the only super awkward person.

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Jul 11, 2017 Laurie rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: 2017

I really enjoyed this book. I'm not a gamer and wasn't a giant Felicia Day fan before reading this, but this is a great book for everyone who suffers imposter syndrome or struggles with anxiety, perfectionism and procrastination. I found it really relatable and full of good reminders about how to be ambitious and dream big but also take care of yourself. ...more

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Aug 25, 2015 Jennifer rated it really liked it

Shelves: memoir, library-book

Maybe not the greatest book or writing, but fun. And she and I lived parallel lives on Prodigy and the WWW and in WoW... which made this hilarious and filled with memories for me.

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