Review: Geektastic: Stories from the Nerd Herd

Geektastic: Stories from the Nerd Herd is a fantastic anthology edited by Holly Black and Cecil Castellucci. The title of this book explains it all - the stories within are all about geeks, fanboys and fangirls. Each of the individuals in each of these stories is fascinated/obsessed/interested in something outwardly. It could be a movie, a television show, a phenomenon or a certain object and talent. This is what ultimately links all the individuals in this book.

As a fellow fangirl (Doctor Who, if you don't already know), it was wonderful to not only read references to my favorite television shows (e.g. Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Doctor Who), but it was also good to realize that being a geek/fangirl wasn't such a odd thing - that many people have that something that they are head over heels in love with. And it's not always what one might think. The short stories are also full of humor from some of the best YA authors out there. There are short comic strips separating the stories.

I enjoyed some of the stories more than others, naturally. Here are some stories that stood out in my opinion:

Once You're a Jedi, You're a Jedi All the Way - Holly Black & Cecil Castellucci
One of Us - Tracy Lynn
I Never - Cassandra Clare
The Wrath of Dawn - Cynthia & Greg Leitich Smith
Quiz Bowl Antichrist - David Levithan
The Truth About Dino Girl - Barry Lyga
The Stars at the Finish Line - Wendy Mass

The reader is provided with a short bio on the author/authors after each of the stories. I didn't know anything about quite a few of these authors, but after reading their work - I will be sure to check out their work. Rest assured, you'll be left with this same urge as well.