A go to plot line for me is something that involves nerd culture, fandoms, Comic Con, all of the above. These books fuel my nerd brain until I can get my next convention fix, or Star Trek film release. They always tend to be such easy reads that are fun, relatable and full of all things nerd, whether it’s a made up fandom, one that we all know, or a niche one you may not have heard of. Here’s my top five best in the business at being nerdy books (in no particular order):
Fangirl, Rainbow Rowell
This is the book that introduced me to this genre, a novel about a girl who is completely and utterly in love with her fandom. She writes popular fan fiction for a Potter like book/film world and it just made me feel like I was stuck in the loop of waiting for a new Rowling book over and over again. Rowell’s writing style is so much fun, easy to read but creative and imaginative, she has a way with words that makes you fall for every protagonist.
Queen of Geeks, Jen Wilde
It’s easy to dismiss this read, it’s tiny and the cover isn’t the best? But honestly, this book was superb, I read it in one sitting and thoroughly enjoyed it. It’s about a group of friends going to a convention, they’re all at different stages in their lives, but this book is about the big changes they will be making, their friendships and their love lives. It’s a book that you don’t have to think about, just enjoy.
Read Player One, Ernest Cline
This one is a little different, in that it isn’t a contemporary and it doesn’t expressively talk about one fandom, but this book inhabits fandom through and through. The main characters in this book are all passionate about something, games, movies, TV shows, it’s full of references, especially ones from the 80’s. If you’re a gamer, a fan of 80’s culture or you just want to see some exciting new takes on the term fandom, then this is the perfect book for you. (Also the film is AWESOME, very different from the book, but amazing none the less)
The Fandom, Anna Day
I really enjoyed this book from the off because I picked up my copy ay YALC in 2017 at the Olympia and that is where the beginning of this book is set, a Comic Con at the Olympia. I loved that I could revisit this setting instantly, this book’s main characters fall into the world of the characters they are cosplaying as and have to fight to return to their normal lives. It’s exciting, it’s different and you feel like you’re getting two stories in one.
Geekerella, Ashley Poston
This book took me on an emotional rollercoaster that I didn’t expect, it’s a Cinderella retelling, but with a girl who loves a fandom similar to Star Trek. It’s a lovely story, a heartbreaking story and a story that will have you hooked. You know the path it will take, but that doesn’t stop this being a truly brilliant read, with several very lovable characters. I didn’t expect myself to fall in love with this book so much, but I felt like I was there with Elle the whole time.
Of course there’s loads of other books in this category. Eliza and her Monsters which is one of my favourite books, I loved it so much. The Upside of Unrequited, another awesome book from author Becky Albertalli. The Book Jumper, a book that features a lot of your childhood classics. There’s too many to list really, but I thought I’d show these ones some love!
What are your favourite nerdy reads?
