Charlie’s Review of The Geek’s Guide to Dating By Eric Smith

When I was given The Geek’s Guide to Dating by Eric Smith to read, I was intrigued by the concept as I identify myself as a 21^st century geek. We all know that this is a cool thing these days, even though I have had these interests long before they were cool. As far as dating advice goes, anyone who knows me knows I don’t need that. I was quite the ladies’ man before I found the love of my life. So, I read this book solely based on the entertainment factor as I have no need for help in my love life. However, for all you out there looking for that special someone, The Geek’s Guide to Dating is not just entertaining, but may actually help you succeed!

From the publisher:

Boldly Go Where No Geek Has Gone Before! You keep your action figures in their original packaging. Your closets are full of officially licensed Star Wars merchandise. You’re hooked on Elder Scrolls and Metal Gear, but now you’ve discovered an even bigger obsession: the new girl who just moved in down the hall. What’s a geek to do? Take some tips from The Geek’s Guide to Dating. This hilarious primer is jam-packed with cheat codes, walkthroughs, and power-ups for navigating the perils and pitfalls of your love life with ease. Geeks of all ages will find answers to the ultimate questions of life, the universe, and everything romantic, from First Contact to The Fellowship of the Ring and beyond. The Geek’s Guide to Dating will teach fanboys everywhere to love long and prosper.

This guide is a geek reference bible. From Star Wars to Star Trek to Doctor Who, the list goes on and on. It’s very heavy on the video games references as well (just look at the cover.) All of these witty references have a purpose, though, and they apply themselves towards being useful knowledge. Whether you need help meeting someone in the real world or in cyber space, there is something here for you!

Referring to the reader as “Player One”, this book seems like it’s specifically made for guys, which is always a geek stereotype, but there are plenty of girl geeks out there too! With that being said, there is a little something for all of us here. This isn’t your average self-help nonsense. As I said earlier, this is more of a geek culture book, and reading all the references makes it a great read and much more than a dating book. This guide touches on not just how, but when to talk to the ladies. Something that stood out in the book was that it teaches readers that they WILL fail, and that is OK. Just as I have experienced in life, as has almost everyone else in the dating game, sometimes you fall, but you just have to pick yourself back up again. Learn from your mistakes and life just gets better. Eventually you all will be as lucky as me and find your Princess Leia (I am obviously Han Solo.)

All and all, Smith has constructed an excellent geek read, even if you aren’t looking for dating advice. It’s well written, creative, and funny (the list goes on and on.) His knack for understanding the geek culture really makes the book shine. I would love to see him write a Sci-Fi novel! While some may not agree, I really believe this book can appeal to not just guys, but girls as well. I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves all things geek because at its core, that is what it really is. In the end, it definitely can help out with some dating hints, but you are going to want to read this for all its references.

4 out of 5 Stars

The Geek’s Guide to Dating by Eric Smith
Quirk Books (2013)
Hardcover: 208 pages
ISBN: 9781594746437

Special thanks to Quirk Books for my review copy!

Winners Announced in the Valentine’s Day Giveaway!!

Eight people have been chosen as winners in our Valentine’s Day Giveaway!

Congratulations to:

1. Christine N who left a comment on February 17th
2. Felica who left a comment on February 16th
3. kelsoh7 who left a comment on February 18th
4. gnottinggecko who left a comment on February 17th
5. Krista who left a comment on February 16th
6. heidenkind who left a comment on February 16th
7. DoingDewey who left a comment on February 17th
8. jacquemeier who left a comment on February 17th

Please contact me with your mailing address and book choice (first come first serve) by Saturday, March 2, 2013 to claim your prize.  Shipment is to the US only.

Valentine’s Day Giveaway!!

I know that Valentine’s Day happened two days ago, but I didn’t get a chance to post the giveaway I wanted to do in honor of it!  I’m not of the mindset that you must have someone to spend Valentine’s Day with, as long as you are happy with who you are and take time to appreciate yourself.  Therefore, why not curl up with a good book?  With that in mind, we at Reflections would like to give away a few books so that you can do just that.  So, without further adieu, here are the books we’re giving away:

1. Handle With Care by Jodi Picoult (Hardcover)
   
2. Sense and Sensibility by Jane Austen (Hardcover)
3. Marley & Me by John Grogan (Paperback)
4. Mr. Darcy Broke My Heart by Beth Pattillo (Paperback)
   
5. Textual Healing by Eric Smith (Paperback)
6. Young Master Darcy by Pamela Aidan (Paperback)
7. Lobsters Scream When You Boil Them by Bruce Weinstein and Mark Scarbrough (Paperback)
8. Mr. Darcy, Vampyre by Amanda Grange (Paperback)

Giveaway

Eight lucky winners will have the opportunity to win the novel of their choice from the selection above.  Simply leave a comment in the thread below telling us what you like about Valentine’s Day or about your favorite love story.  Comments will be accepted through midnight on Friday, February 22, 2013.  Winners will be picked at random and announced on Saturday, February 23, 2013.  Giveaway open to residents of the US only.  Good luck!

Todd’s Review of Textual Healing by Eric Smith

To be honest, when I first picked up this book I had no idea what it would be about.  Textual Healing?  Is that some kind of “Texters Anonymous” type of meeting?  Upon reading the back of the book, the mystery deepened.  “Few people have to deal with a haiku-speaking flower-shop-owning ninja every day on their way to work. Unfortunately for Andrew Connor, he is one of those people.”  Alas, upon reading that, I had to give it a try!  Kim’s contact (and friend) at Quirk Books, Eric Smith, was happy to offer us a copy to review, so I dove right in, now nervous about the prospect of ninjas on my own commute to work.

Andrew Connor is an average Joe.  Well, at least that’s how he sees himself.  The world predominantly views him as the author of Chasing Fireflies, the New York Times bestseller that was made into a made-for-tv movie on HBO starring Edward Norton and Penelope Cruz.  However, that was a few years ago, and Andrew hasn’t written anything since.  To add insult to injury, he finds his book for a paltry $1.37 at the local Barnes & Noble.  Terrified that his writing has become something of a one-hit-wonder, Andrew mulls joining a self-help group known as Textual Healing, run by his friend Stephanie.  If that wasn’t enough his girlfriend, Daniela, has left him as well.  If it seems like Ace’s life (his friends call him Ace) is in a sad state of affairs, then that wouldn’t be too far from the truth.  However, he does have a few things going for him.  He runs a moderately successful bookshop in Hoboken, NJ, has a number of good friends which he can rely on in his time of crisis, and has struck up a new friendship (and perhaps something more?) with a certain someone named Hannah.  Will Ace be able to overcome his sophomore slump?  What will happen between him and Hannah?  Will he ever get over his ex?

I have to give Eric a lot of credit for his humor.  His wordy jokes and self-deprecating humor (or Ace’s humor shall we say) kept the story light and good-natured.  Even the initial breakup between Ace and Daniela has a healthy dose of humor that kept things in perspective.  Eric’s story appeals to the emotions in all of us: loss of a relationship, feelings of inadequacy and failure, apprehension about meeting someone new, etc.  Therefore, although the story does seem lighthearted on the surface it really does have a meaning behind the words.  In connecting with our shared experiences Eric taps into feelings that we’ve all shared and makes us feel better about the many uncertainties in life.  It’s as if he’s making a dramatic example using the number of pitfalls that Ace experiences all at once, but he’s telling us that it will get better as long as you have the courage to pick yourself up and move on.  It’s positive thinking like this that I feel is lacking in a lot of media today, where we’re constantly bombarded with the gloom and doom of life.  I feel that if more people thought like Ace does in this book, we’d be a lot better off and more self-assured.  So, as a quick pep talk and fun read, this book will make you laugh and reconsider your own thoughts about how you handle the tests life throws at you.  Also, it’ll make you reconsider buying a sugar glider as a pet.  So, with that in mind, pick this up and give it a try!

4 out of 5 stars

Textual Healing by Eric Smith

AuthorHouse (2011)

Paperback, 280 pages

ISBN: 1452062455