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3.65 AVERAGE
3.65 AVERAGE
This is really cute!! It really is what it says: a guide to being a fangirl. Dos and do-nots; how best to express your feelz; where to find your fellow flailers; and then wrapping it up with how it fits in to feminism at large. Tbh it could have used a better editor (minor grammar errors), but otherwise I enjoyed it! It's one of those books that you can read and go, "oh! That's me! Those are my people!"
i wasnt in the target intended for this book, i wanted to find more bookworm and kpop related stuff but there really wasnt any
This book is super cute. Who needs a guide based on out actual lives? Apparently me. LOL. I loved this book though. It talks about all the things we fangirls like to squee over including fanfic, cosplay, and conventions. It addresses all sorts of fandoms, which is super fun. I love all the references for websites, that I had to go check out after reading the book. The book is very cute, like I said, but I think it is more geared to tweens and young teens, who are not confident in their geekery yet, or for parents of young geeks who don’t know the internet lingo their kids are slinging. LOL
I didn’t realise when I bought this exactly what the book was. It’s essentially a guide book for new fans of a thing, to more fully enjoy the thing and find like minded fans.
It does that, is cute, and short.
I didn’t love it, and won’t read it again, but if you know what the book is, and think you’d like it, pick it up and enjoy it.
It does that, is cute, and short.
I didn’t love it, and won’t read it again, but if you know what the book is, and think you’d like it, pick it up and enjoy it.
lighthearted
fast-paced
This is a beginner's guide to fandom - how to go to a convention, how to find other fans online, how to cosplay and so forth - that's directed entirely at women. The oft-repeated message is that fans, no matter their gender, should feel free to like what they like and make friends with other fans who like what they like, even if it's sometimes different. It's basically an entry-level text, which is fine: fittingly, the book is very accessible, being both friendly and laidback. The determinedly perky tone can get a little wearing, but then sometimes relentless positivity is what's needed, and if this book does encourage more women to embrace fandom then all credit to Maggs for laying out the welcome mat.
I've got to say, though, just reading the description of mega-conventions like the San Diego Comic Con is enough to make me slightly anxious! I think I'll stick to the smaller cons with less people...
I've got to say, though, just reading the description of mega-conventions like the San Diego Comic Con is enough to make me slightly anxious! I think I'll stick to the smaller cons with less people...
(I’m just going off of my own experience in writing this but) If you were on Tumblr somewhere between 2012 and 2014, and you identified as being a part of a “fandom,” this book sounds exactly as if it were written during that era. That is not a good thing, at all.
I get that the author was trying to relate to the audience, but the way she wrote was horribly outdated, and even more difficult to digest in print form. Even in my most embarrassing moments on the internet, there was never a time when I thought that “huge-tactic-est” was a real word that should be used in any situation. Any credibility in the book is lost by trying to make every sentence cutesy and feminine-related (way too many interjected women adjectives). It would have been much easier to read if it were just the facts, and not trying to be some kind of “nerdy revolution."
A lot of the stuff that the book covers is really basic, and I didn’t get why there had to be an entire book based around it - stuff like bring water to an event, check your local area for fun events, and etc. isn’t anything new. Even though I’m a person who grew up going to conventions, most of the tips included in the book are basic of any event, regardless of whether it is “geeky” or not.
There are also entire sections that explain how different social media sites are used. That might be helpful for the elderly, but that isn’t the target demographic in this book. The tone really jumped all over the place, and was much too scattered to be a cohesive guide.
While the author does point out some ways of being critical of media (Bechdel test, Manic Pixie Dream Girl trope, etc.), there are a lot of problems inherent with fandoms that are praised within the book, and even trivialized as being essential to the “fandom experience.” Fetishizing other cultures (especially within the context of anime), fetishizing same-sex relationships, and objectifying real people are all things that come up in relation to fandoms, but in a positive light. More than just the media that is being consumed, how we consume it is important, and the idea that “people can’t tell you what is or isn’t wrong” doesn’t apply in this situation.
The idea of “fandoms” was also overhyped: like, forcing your friends to consume and enjoy the same media as you! Befriending someone solely because you have a common interest! Making the friends of a lifetime at cons! Like, you can’t go into it with the expectation that a shared interest makes you a big family. It’s a common interest, and the idea of “sisterhood” that the author kept promoting throughout the book felt really flimsy compared to the way that people interact in the real world.
I did like the interviews included in the book (my favorite interviewee being Kate Beaton - someone who I’ve been a fan of for a long time), since they kind of gave an older perspective (although I really couldn’t tell what age range this was targeted towards). They were pretty minimal, however, and didn’t drastically shift the book for the better.
Honestly, this should not have been a book. I could see it more as a blog series, but even then, it’d need a lot of editing for both style and relevancy. You could get more useful information from a quick Google search than from this.
I get that the author was trying to relate to the audience, but the way she wrote was horribly outdated, and even more difficult to digest in print form. Even in my most embarrassing moments on the internet, there was never a time when I thought that “huge-tactic-est” was a real word that should be used in any situation. Any credibility in the book is lost by trying to make every sentence cutesy and feminine-related (way too many interjected women adjectives). It would have been much easier to read if it were just the facts, and not trying to be some kind of “nerdy revolution."
A lot of the stuff that the book covers is really basic, and I didn’t get why there had to be an entire book based around it - stuff like bring water to an event, check your local area for fun events, and etc. isn’t anything new. Even though I’m a person who grew up going to conventions, most of the tips included in the book are basic of any event, regardless of whether it is “geeky” or not.
There are also entire sections that explain how different social media sites are used. That might be helpful for the elderly, but that isn’t the target demographic in this book. The tone really jumped all over the place, and was much too scattered to be a cohesive guide.
While the author does point out some ways of being critical of media (Bechdel test, Manic Pixie Dream Girl trope, etc.), there are a lot of problems inherent with fandoms that are praised within the book, and even trivialized as being essential to the “fandom experience.” Fetishizing other cultures (especially within the context of anime), fetishizing same-sex relationships, and objectifying real people are all things that come up in relation to fandoms, but in a positive light. More than just the media that is being consumed, how we consume it is important, and the idea that “people can’t tell you what is or isn’t wrong” doesn’t apply in this situation.
The idea of “fandoms” was also overhyped: like, forcing your friends to consume and enjoy the same media as you! Befriending someone solely because you have a common interest! Making the friends of a lifetime at cons! Like, you can’t go into it with the expectation that a shared interest makes you a big family. It’s a common interest, and the idea of “sisterhood” that the author kept promoting throughout the book felt really flimsy compared to the way that people interact in the real world.
I did like the interviews included in the book (my favorite interviewee being Kate Beaton - someone who I’ve been a fan of for a long time), since they kind of gave an older perspective (although I really couldn’t tell what age range this was targeted towards). They were pretty minimal, however, and didn’t drastically shift the book for the better.
Honestly, this should not have been a book. I could see it more as a blog series, but even then, it’d need a lot of editing for both style and relevancy. You could get more useful information from a quick Google search than from this.
I can see why some people really hate this book, its because it is a guide and people are going into it expecting in depth specfics. The thing about fangirl/fandom books is that it relies of generalizing because the term is so broad.
So if you are an experienced fangirl(boy) then I can see why it may come off as redundant or useless.
Its like an experienced fisherman reading a guide about fishing. Sure it relates to the fisherman's intrest but besides the odd thing it doesn't really inform anything new and can come off as annoying, boring or blantent obvious. But that is what a gude does. It guides or helps one naviagate things they may be unfirmilar with, and with such a broad term to begin with, the author can only go so far without making the book endlessly long.
So if you want to read about the development and history of geek culture or various pages with obscure facts about one specfic fandom then look elsewhere. There are books like that out there.
BUT if you want a guide to explore the entirity of a fangirl's world or just remenisce about your early years of entering geek culture then you will enjoy this.
I think that's why I enjoyed this book so much despite wanting more. It made me remember what a novice I once was and smiling at how true most of it was (at least in my case).
So if you are an experienced fangirl(boy) then I can see why it may come off as redundant or useless.
Its like an experienced fisherman reading a guide about fishing. Sure it relates to the fisherman's intrest but besides the odd thing it doesn't really inform anything new and can come off as annoying, boring or blantent obvious. But that is what a gude does. It guides or helps one naviagate things they may be unfirmilar with, and with such a broad term to begin with, the author can only go so far without making the book endlessly long.
So if you want to read about the development and history of geek culture or various pages with obscure facts about one specfic fandom then look elsewhere. There are books like that out there.
BUT if you want a guide to explore the entirity of a fangirl's world or just remenisce about your early years of entering geek culture then you will enjoy this.
I think that's why I enjoyed this book so much despite wanting more. It made me remember what a novice I once was and smiling at how true most of it was (at least in my case).
informative
inspiring
medium-paced
Un buen libro para frikis, especialmente si eres "novata" en tu nueva pasión.
El libro habla de todo un poco, como por ejemplo de algunos de los "fandom" más conocidos, cómo moverse por las redes o las convenciones y también tiene un apartado sobre feminismo y muchas entrevistas a creadoras con consejos para las lectoras. Es ameno de leer, aunque está muy centrado en el mundo anglosajón y sus eventos. Dicho esto, fantaseo con una traducción de este título porque habría que reescribir muchas partes, como el diccionario o los eventos localizados a los países de habla hispana, ¡todo un reto de traducción y documentación!
El libro habla de todo un poco, como por ejemplo de algunos de los "fandom" más conocidos, cómo moverse por las redes o las convenciones y también tiene un apartado sobre feminismo y muchas entrevistas a creadoras con consejos para las lectoras. Es ameno de leer, aunque está muy centrado en el mundo anglosajón y sus eventos. Dicho esto, fantaseo con una traducción de este título porque habría que reescribir muchas partes, como el diccionario o los eventos localizados a los países de habla hispana, ¡todo un reto de traducción y documentación!
The Fangirl's Guide to the Universe is a great handbook for anyone who may be new to concepts such as fandom / "fangirling". While a lot of us Tumblr folk feel like veterans in this scene, there's a lot of people who aren't growing up during the tumblr-era, and may need help understanding some of the lingo and phrases we use not only at cons, but even in online realms.
This is a book I would highly suggest to pre-teens / teens, as it helps break down sites, cons, and other basic need-to-know facts or terms such as slash-fic to lemons (which please learn these terms so you can understand what you're walking into, sincerely pre-teen me who read a lemon fanfic thinking it was some AU about making lemonade [hint: Lemon is not an AU about making lemonade]).
Overall, it's a fun book!
This is a book I would highly suggest to pre-teens / teens, as it helps break down sites, cons, and other basic need-to-know facts or terms such as slash-fic to lemons (which please learn these terms so you can understand what you're walking into, sincerely pre-teen me who read a lemon fanfic thinking it was some AU about making lemonade [hint: Lemon is not an AU about making lemonade]).
Overall, it's a fun book!
Received this book from Netgalley in exchange of an honest review.
3.5 stars.
I was delighted when I found out that I was approved for this book. The blurb sounded great, like the perfect little book for a geek/fangirl like me. My expectations were high and I had hopes for lots of fun fangirl stuff, some conventions and glossaries.
However, it disappointed me. There was still a lot of fun fangirl stuff, fandom stuff, but sadly there were things I didn't like.
Let me start with the things I liked.
I loved the glossaries in the book, with what word/abbreviations meant. Things like: RPF (which apparently means Real Person Fiction), Femslash, Songfics.
We also had a big chapter on the various fandoms, of course not all of them are mentioned, that would be impossible as for every tv-show/anime/manga/book/whatever else there is a fandom, be them big or small. But in this one they at least addressed the biggest ones (at least I would count them as the biggest ones). At the end of the chapter there is also a big list (without descriptions on the numerous other fandoms).
I loved the parts on the trolls (I really laughed out loud at the description and it was great to see how spot on it was). Of course I really loved the counter attacks. I am sure a lot of people could use those as trolls are everywhere. Not all of the counter attacks are ones I would agree with though, so I would say use and be careful.
We also have various interviews with writers, creators of things (sorry, I don't know what kind of stuff they create (could be games/tv/books anything really).
There is also a huge part on how to survive and prepare for a convention. That one was really interesting, though most of the stuff mentioned didn't apply to me as the cons in my country aren't that big and we don't have a lot of the things mentioned (Like photoshoots? Signings?), but also our cons here aren't that big. The author describes cons that are seemingly huge. Still a lot of the tips are usable and interesting.
There is also a whole planning list and what to do if you are going alone or in group. What to do when you meet up with people you met on the net and several other interesting tips and hints.
I really like the Cosplay Directive. I really think people should read this one. Not only the ones that are the group that should read this book, but everyone. I have seriously seen so many things go wrong or people being treated like shit and I think this should really be printed out and posted at every con that has cosplayers.
However, there were things I didn't like. If I had known that this book was so full of feminism, I wouldn't have applied for the ARC or even considered the book. No offence to all feminists, you are all free to do whatever you want. But I am not one that likes Feminism (and yes I am a girl). I like feminism in the way of equality for girls in school and workplace (like being able to study or getting the same pay as your male colleague who does the same thing as you do), but other than that I am actually getting a bit tired of the feminism stuff that is coming up all over the net and outside of it. I won't go further with it, as that is a topic that falls outside of this review, but I am really disappointed that apparently even in a book like this, we get the whole thing shoved at us. So yeah, those are parts I read through (since I have to review the book), but really disliked, and it also made me give this book a -1 star.
Then we have the other thing that I didn't like. The book is quite U.S centred. There is a big chapter about all the wonderful, fantastic cons in the U.S and that is nice, but there is a whole world out there. You are now just centring it on one continent, not even that, since it is only North America/Canada(ish). And this is a shame. I know the U.S is a big, big country and a big, big thing in people's mind, but hello. Hi! Europe here. We also want to read your book, and we also want to know about our cons. It would have been fun if there was a part about the U.S and then also parts about the other continents/parts of the world. Like a top 5, or a top 10. We, in Europe, got some big and great cons. England, Germany and France have some huge cons that really deserve mentioning, and the same goes for Asia and other parts. Now it just feels off to me. Sure, I am planning to go to the U.S one day, but for now that is a) too expensive and b) too difficult (there are soooo many rules one must follow to get in the U.S). I wish the author had done a bit more research and had looked outside of their own country.
The same also goes for the links she posts. A lot of those links are international, but most of the shopping ones? Does the author know how expensive shipping costs are to Europe or another part of the world? (Spoiler: Very expensive, not to mention customs.) Not to even mention that maybe those stores don't even ship to Europe or Asia or whatever other part of the world?
All in all, I wouldn't really recommend this book. Maybe for some parts (glossaries, the basic con guide, fandoms), but if you don't like/feel uncomfortable with Feminism or with the lack of international stuff then I would suggest to turn away from the book.
Review first posted at http://twirlingbookprincess.com/
3.5 stars.
I was delighted when I found out that I was approved for this book. The blurb sounded great, like the perfect little book for a geek/fangirl like me. My expectations were high and I had hopes for lots of fun fangirl stuff, some conventions and glossaries.
However, it disappointed me. There was still a lot of fun fangirl stuff, fandom stuff, but sadly there were things I didn't like.
Let me start with the things I liked.
I loved the glossaries in the book, with what word/abbreviations meant. Things like: RPF (which apparently means Real Person Fiction), Femslash, Songfics.
We also had a big chapter on the various fandoms, of course not all of them are mentioned, that would be impossible as for every tv-show/anime/manga/book/whatever else there is a fandom, be them big or small. But in this one they at least addressed the biggest ones (at least I would count them as the biggest ones). At the end of the chapter there is also a big list (without descriptions on the numerous other fandoms).
I loved the parts on the trolls (I really laughed out loud at the description and it was great to see how spot on it was). Of course I really loved the counter attacks. I am sure a lot of people could use those as trolls are everywhere. Not all of the counter attacks are ones I would agree with though, so I would say use and be careful.
We also have various interviews with writers, creators of things (sorry, I don't know what kind of stuff they create (could be games/tv/books anything really).
There is also a huge part on how to survive and prepare for a convention. That one was really interesting, though most of the stuff mentioned didn't apply to me as the cons in my country aren't that big and we don't have a lot of the things mentioned (Like photoshoots? Signings?), but also our cons here aren't that big. The author describes cons that are seemingly huge. Still a lot of the tips are usable and interesting.
There is also a whole planning list and what to do if you are going alone or in group. What to do when you meet up with people you met on the net and several other interesting tips and hints.
I really like the Cosplay Directive. I really think people should read this one. Not only the ones that are the group that should read this book, but everyone. I have seriously seen so many things go wrong or people being treated like shit and I think this should really be printed out and posted at every con that has cosplayers.
However, there were things I didn't like. If I had known that this book was so full of feminism, I wouldn't have applied for the ARC or even considered the book. No offence to all feminists, you are all free to do whatever you want. But I am not one that likes Feminism (and yes I am a girl). I like feminism in the way of equality for girls in school and workplace (like being able to study or getting the same pay as your male colleague who does the same thing as you do), but other than that I am actually getting a bit tired of the feminism stuff that is coming up all over the net and outside of it. I won't go further with it, as that is a topic that falls outside of this review, but I am really disappointed that apparently even in a book like this, we get the whole thing shoved at us. So yeah, those are parts I read through (since I have to review the book), but really disliked, and it also made me give this book a -1 star.
Then we have the other thing that I didn't like. The book is quite U.S centred. There is a big chapter about all the wonderful, fantastic cons in the U.S and that is nice, but there is a whole world out there. You are now just centring it on one continent, not even that, since it is only North America/Canada(ish). And this is a shame. I know the U.S is a big, big country and a big, big thing in people's mind, but hello. Hi! Europe here. We also want to read your book, and we also want to know about our cons. It would have been fun if there was a part about the U.S and then also parts about the other continents/parts of the world. Like a top 5, or a top 10. We, in Europe, got some big and great cons. England, Germany and France have some huge cons that really deserve mentioning, and the same goes for Asia and other parts. Now it just feels off to me. Sure, I am planning to go to the U.S one day, but for now that is a) too expensive and b) too difficult (there are soooo many rules one must follow to get in the U.S). I wish the author had done a bit more research and had looked outside of their own country.
The same also goes for the links she posts. A lot of those links are international, but most of the shopping ones? Does the author know how expensive shipping costs are to Europe or another part of the world? (Spoiler: Very expensive, not to mention customs.) Not to even mention that maybe those stores don't even ship to Europe or Asia or whatever other part of the world?
All in all, I wouldn't really recommend this book. Maybe for some parts (glossaries, the basic con guide, fandoms), but if you don't like/feel uncomfortable with Feminism or with the lack of international stuff then I would suggest to turn away from the book.
Review first posted at http://twirlingbookprincess.com/