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3.65 AVERAGE
3.65 AVERAGE
This book is highly geared towards those that would "label" themselves as a "fangirl". Most of the book is thus inaccessible to those who do not label themselves as one. I did, however, enjoy the chapter on Geek Girl Feminism. This book may have been improved with some included reference to research into statistics and academic research/literature on the subject on "fangirls" or "fandoms".
Okay, first of all, how awesome is it that there’s now a book that totally revolves around celebrating girls and their geeky/fangirling interest? Answer: so completely awesome. The Fangirl’s Guide to the Galaxy is a fun, if introductory, exploration of all things fangirl. This book is unabashedly proud in geek girls, and it makes me love it so.
That being said, The Fangirl’s Guide to the Galaxy is definitely a sort of introductory, geekiness 101 sort of book. Even though it’s not marketed as YA, I think the people who will get the most out of this book are teenage girls who feel alone in their interests. Fifteen-year-old Stormy, who was more interested in secretly reading fanfiction and writing stories than the more stereotypically Texas activities(football, hunting, etc) that were popular in her hometown on 5,000 people would have LOVED this book. It would have felt like a lifeline and a reminder that she wasn’t the only one interested in these things.
At twenty-three, I don’t have the same need for this book. I’ve been in fan culture so long that for the most part, I wouldn’t really categorize this book as “useful” to me personally, though there were a few good references I bookmarked for later. I think women who have been in fan culture for a long time might not be the right audience for this book, unless they want to read it just for fun. I understand why this book isn’t marketed as YA, since quite a bit of it is about connecting to other fans in real life, things like conventions, etc. which teens wouldn’t be able to attend without parental permission, but I do think the people who are going to get the most out of it are teens and people who are just joining in geek culture for the first time.
The Fangirl’s Guide to the Galaxy is written in a very informal, conversational style–the kind I would very much describe as a “blog” voice, and while I do think that modern non-fiction books sometime rely on this type of voice too much, it absolutely works here. That sort of casual style really just cements that “not alone in this” feeling and makes the entire fan culture seem less intimidating to someone who might be new–and let’s be real, it’s definitely its own culture, with its own terms and conventions and “rules” that can be difficult to navigate if you don’t already know them.
Probably the highlight of The Fangirl’s Guide to the Galaxy was how non-judgmental–and indeed affirming–everything was. Even when Maggs approached more sensitive topics(like how to think critically about something you love, for example), the book still felt empowering more than anything. There was a great chapter at the end on feminism in fan culture that worked really well since this book is aimed at female fans, which was by far my favorite. There was also this thread that ran through the book, even though it was only outright stated once, how there’s no real “wrong” way to be a fan. You don’t have to like X, Y, and Z to be considered a geek, nerd, or fangirl. You can only like Z and like it SO much that you write fanfiction, make fanart, AND spend money to go to conventions. OR you can like A, X, Y, and Z and be less intense about it. It’s all good, and I loved that.
Some other smaller aspects I loved about The Fangirl’s Guide to the Galaxy: the definition of terms & explanations of some of the larger internet fandoms, the pros & cons of certain social media sites, the useful information about conventions, the recommendations of media with awesome female characters(which I pretty much added all of them to a to-read or to-watch list immediately except the comics, since those aren’t my thing), and the exploration of how to critical examine media you love. I also loved the addition of interviews with women whose fangirl identifies have become a part of their career, though I think I might have found those slightly more interesting if they had been asked more specific questions rather than the same three broad ones.
As a final note, I will definitely say that were I to pick up a finished copy of this book, I’d definitely go for the physical over the ebook edition. While a good chunk of this book is pretty broad enough to appeal to fangirls of all types who get invested in fandom in multiple different ways, there are some parts that are incredibly specific to certain hobbies. There’s a part about writing fanfiction that gets pretty in-depth, which I figure would probably be boring to anyone not into that, and also one about cosplay that I skimmed because as cool as it is, it’s not something I’m personally interested in. It’s definitely a book that has sections you might want to skim/skip depending on your interest.
That being said, The Fangirl’s Guide to the Galaxy is definitely a sort of introductory, geekiness 101 sort of book. Even though it’s not marketed as YA, I think the people who will get the most out of this book are teenage girls who feel alone in their interests. Fifteen-year-old Stormy, who was more interested in secretly reading fanfiction and writing stories than the more stereotypically Texas activities(football, hunting, etc) that were popular in her hometown on 5,000 people would have LOVED this book. It would have felt like a lifeline and a reminder that she wasn’t the only one interested in these things.
At twenty-three, I don’t have the same need for this book. I’ve been in fan culture so long that for the most part, I wouldn’t really categorize this book as “useful” to me personally, though there were a few good references I bookmarked for later. I think women who have been in fan culture for a long time might not be the right audience for this book, unless they want to read it just for fun. I understand why this book isn’t marketed as YA, since quite a bit of it is about connecting to other fans in real life, things like conventions, etc. which teens wouldn’t be able to attend without parental permission, but I do think the people who are going to get the most out of it are teens and people who are just joining in geek culture for the first time.
The Fangirl’s Guide to the Galaxy is written in a very informal, conversational style–the kind I would very much describe as a “blog” voice, and while I do think that modern non-fiction books sometime rely on this type of voice too much, it absolutely works here. That sort of casual style really just cements that “not alone in this” feeling and makes the entire fan culture seem less intimidating to someone who might be new–and let’s be real, it’s definitely its own culture, with its own terms and conventions and “rules” that can be difficult to navigate if you don’t already know them.
Probably the highlight of The Fangirl’s Guide to the Galaxy was how non-judgmental–and indeed affirming–everything was. Even when Maggs approached more sensitive topics(like how to think critically about something you love, for example), the book still felt empowering more than anything. There was a great chapter at the end on feminism in fan culture that worked really well since this book is aimed at female fans, which was by far my favorite. There was also this thread that ran through the book, even though it was only outright stated once, how there’s no real “wrong” way to be a fan. You don’t have to like X, Y, and Z to be considered a geek, nerd, or fangirl. You can only like Z and like it SO much that you write fanfiction, make fanart, AND spend money to go to conventions. OR you can like A, X, Y, and Z and be less intense about it. It’s all good, and I loved that.
Some other smaller aspects I loved about The Fangirl’s Guide to the Galaxy: the definition of terms & explanations of some of the larger internet fandoms, the pros & cons of certain social media sites, the useful information about conventions, the recommendations of media with awesome female characters(which I pretty much added all of them to a to-read or to-watch list immediately except the comics, since those aren’t my thing), and the exploration of how to critical examine media you love. I also loved the addition of interviews with women whose fangirl identifies have become a part of their career, though I think I might have found those slightly more interesting if they had been asked more specific questions rather than the same three broad ones.
As a final note, I will definitely say that were I to pick up a finished copy of this book, I’d definitely go for the physical over the ebook edition. While a good chunk of this book is pretty broad enough to appeal to fangirls of all types who get invested in fandom in multiple different ways, there are some parts that are incredibly specific to certain hobbies. There’s a part about writing fanfiction that gets pretty in-depth, which I figure would probably be boring to anyone not into that, and also one about cosplay that I skimmed because as cool as it is, it’s not something I’m personally interested in. It’s definitely a book that has sections you might want to skim/skip depending on your interest.
A nice guide for girls starting to identify as a geek, nerd, or otaku. I've been some of those terms for a while now, and working on others, so most of it wasn't new to me. But it has some great interviews with women in the nerd culture, and a great section about feminism in the nerd world.
I appreciated the chapter on fanfiction and that no matter what you write, no matter what the rating, if you write it for yourself and not others, you are doing it right. Makes me happy!
I appreciated the chapter on fanfiction and that no matter what you write, no matter what the rating, if you write it for yourself and not others, you are doing it right. Makes me happy!
I wanted so much to love this book. Because I am a fangirl, of course, because of the title, and also because my son picked it out for me from the library. You have never seen anyone so proud as a 4-year-old saying, "Be quiet! Mommy is reading the book I picked out for her!"
So, really, I was all ready to be indulgent and encouraging and loving.
This book just sparked none of those emotions in me. It seemed not to so much be for established fan girls as for . . . girls who want to be fans? But then why would they not go consume a media? Girls don't need a guide on how to enjoy a fandom any more than boys do. I just couldn't imagine an audience for the book, and the writing itself--though I have enjoyed the author's online articles--wasn't enough to make up for it.
I'm sorry. Maybe it's for you. But it wasn't for me.
So, really, I was all ready to be indulgent and encouraging and loving.
This book just sparked none of those emotions in me. It seemed not to so much be for established fan girls as for . . . girls who want to be fans? But then why would they not go consume a media? Girls don't need a guide on how to enjoy a fandom any more than boys do. I just couldn't imagine an audience for the book, and the writing itself--though I have enjoyed the author's online articles--wasn't enough to make up for it.
I'm sorry. Maybe it's for you. But it wasn't for me.
I donЃEЂЃEt think this book was for me. It felt targeted towards young girls/people who are just discovering fandom and pop culture. ItЃEЂЃEs not really a book FOR fangirls.
It contained good encouragement for young girls/people finding fandom though sometimes felt a little preachy. Like when discussing different fandoms it talked about defining characteristics and accessories. I thought the only thing you needed to be a fan girl of something was passion for the thing. So I didn't like that section because whilst it listed popular fandoms, it kinda preached a particular way to enjoy or participate in that fandom.В
In the section about being a fangirl online, it
It contained good encouragement for young girls/people finding fandom though sometimes felt a little preachy. Like when discussing different fandoms it talked about defining characteristics and accessories. I thought the only thing you needed to be a fan girl of something was passion for the thing. So I didn't like that section because whilst it listed popular fandoms, it kinda preached a particular way to enjoy or participate in that fandom.В
In the section about being a fangirl online, it
ok let me just start by saying that I did really like this book, it was an entertaining read. I did however find it a bit ridiculous and presumptuous at times with regards to what people like and dislike and with people's lifestyles. But the author seems really cool and there's some really interesting interviews in there from fellow geeks and I would still definitely recommend giving it a read.
2.5 - some cute parts, laughed a few times, but mostly thought "I already know this..."
A how too of fan girl life. Though I must admit, the book is not covering new material for me, its still fun to see a book aimed at the amazing fan base that us ladies have created. <3
informative
inspiring
The only reason it doesn't get a full 5 stars is because it's too short! I would have loved longer sections on the media she highlighted and possibly more in depth information on finding your inner fangirl.