The Secret Loves of Geek Girls

November 14, 2016
Love, loss, longing, and The Lord of the Rings—what do they all have in common? Quite a bit, argues this anthology of gloriously geeky women. Here, Margaret Atwood (The Heart Goes Last) recalls her early days as a bespectacled comic fan, Marjorie Liu (Monstress) ruminates upon a life spent in others’ worlds, and Mariko Tamaki (This One Summer) explores first love within The Rocky Horror Picture Show. Though, as with any anthology, quality varies between its many submissions, each one is fervently heartfelt—and it is this honesty that transports the volume’s narrow focus from merely niche to truly moving. This is chronicle of outsider adolescence, middle-aged splendor, and childhood melancholy; this is a book that is as chuckle-worthy as it is introspective. From Annie Mok’s moody ruminations on Casper to Paulina Ganucheau’s tribute to the power of ruffles, this anthology is a thoughtful, tenderhearted look at the inner lives of odd ducks, and a paean to the power of love.

December 15, 2016
In this paean to all things geek, an all-female crew of contributors (among them, Margaret Atwood, Marjorie Liu, and Adrienne Kress) spotlights loneliness, love, and longing in both fiery fandoms (Sailor Moon, Final Fantasy 7) and raw realities (divorce, distance). Initially published via Kickstarter, this newly expanded edition marries vivid single-page illustrations and intimate prose with compact comics. Diana McCallum's Four Fictional Happy Endings (That Are about to Go Tragically Wrong) uproariously skewers Hollywood classics (not even The Princess Bride is safe). Megan Kearney's Regards to the Goblin King astutely explores the sexual undertones of gothic romance, from Dracula to Labyrinth. And J. M. Frey's How Fanfiction Made Me Gay relates the reading and writing of sensuous stories to the formation of one's best and truest self. Refreshingly varied in its scope, this unique anthology covers everything from trivial text-message sagas to harrowing recollections of abuse. Crafted by creators and fans alike, this collection is a tender portrait of fandom and friendship, a testament to creativity, and a rallying cry for unshakable individuality.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2016, American Library Association.)