Arts & Literature
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Still Just a Geek: An Annotated Memoir
Celebrated actor, personality, and all-around nerd, Wil Wheaton updates his memoir of collected blog posts with all new material and annotations as he reexamines one of the most interesting lives in Hollywood and fandom--and now for the first time in audio, narrated by Wil himself!
From starring in Stand by Me to playing Wesley Crusher on Star Trek: The Next Generation to playing himself, in his second (third?) iconic role of Evil Wil Wheaton in The Big Bang Theory, to becoming a social media supernova, Wil Wheaton has charted a career course unlike anyone else, and has emerged as one of the most popular and well respected names in science fiction, fantasy and pop culture.
Back in 2001, Wil began blogging on wilwheaton.net. Believing himself to have fallen victim to the curse of the child actor, Wil felt relegated to the convention circuit, and didn't expect many would want to read about his random experiences and personal philosophies.
Yet, much to his surprise, people were reading. He still blogs, and now has an enormous following on social media with well over 3 million followers.
In Still Just a Geek, Wil revisits his 2004 collection of blog posts, Just a Geek, filled with insightful and often laugh-out-loud annotated comments, additional later writings, and all new material written for this publication. The result is an incredibly raw and honest memoir, in which Wil opens up about his life, about falling in love, about coming to grips with his past work, choices, and family, and finding fulfillment in the new phases of his career. From his times on the Enterprise to his struggles with depression to his starting a family and finding his passion--writing--Wil Wheaton is someone whose life is both a cautionary tale and a story of finding one's true purpose that should resonate with fans and aspiring artists alike.
From starring in Stand by Me to playing Wesley Crusher on Star Trek: The Next Generation to playing himself, in his second (third?) iconic role of Evil Wil Wheaton in The Big Bang Theory, to becoming a social media supernova, Wil Wheaton has charted a career course unlike anyone else, and has emerged as one of the most popular and well respected names in science fiction, fantasy and pop culture.
Back in 2001, Wil began blogging on wilwheaton.net. Believing himself to have fallen victim to the curse of the child actor, Wil felt relegated to the convention circuit, and didn't expect many would want to read about his random experiences and personal philosophies.
Yet, much to his surprise, people were reading. He still blogs, and now has an enormous following on social media with well over 3 million followers.
In Still Just a Geek, Wil revisits his 2004 collection of blog posts, Just a Geek, filled with insightful and often laugh-out-loud annotated comments, additional later writings, and all new material written for this publication. The result is an incredibly raw and honest memoir, in which Wil opens up about his life, about falling in love, about coming to grips with his past work, choices, and family, and finding fulfillment in the new phases of his career. From his times on the Enterprise to his struggles with depression to his starting a family and finding his passion--writing--Wil Wheaton is someone whose life is both a cautionary tale and a story of finding one's true purpose that should resonate with fans and aspiring artists alike.
Editorial Reviews
"Wil Wheaton is a geek who's unafraid to sit at the keyboard and open a vein. There's a lot of scorching honesty mixed in with these convulsively funny memoirs." -- Cory Doctorow on Just a Geek
"Alternatively rueful and funny…a pleasure." -- Kirkus Reviews
"Alternatively rueful and funny…a pleasure." -- Kirkus Reviews
Readers Top Reviews
Jennifer JordanCindy
Wil Wheaton is a national treasure. Not just for being in one of the most popular science-fiction shows of all time. Not just for being in Stand by Me. Or Big Bang Theory. Or The Guild. Wil Wheaton is a national treasure because he has spoken openly and fearlessly about his experiences of child abuse, depression, and anxiety. He has made countless survivors, including myself, feel less alone, less afraid, and more hopeful. And I will always grateful for that. Thank you, Wil. This book has a fascinating structure. Essentially, it is a reprint of his 2004 memoir, JUST A GEEK, which he has annotated in order to reflect upon his experiences with more distance, to demonstrate his growth and changes in perspective, and yes, to tell silly jokes. Though I am in the library world now I am an academic at heart, and I love a good footnote apparatus. It's really fun to flip back and forth between the TNG days, the early aughts, and the present. Wil is an entertaining, thoughtful, and insightful narrator of his own experience, and it is a whole lot of fun to watch him interact with his past selves.
CNE
This is an excellent book. Wil is a little too hard on his younger self. I think he has a lot more grace for others, a struggle I identify with. The audiobook format is unique. Don't let that deter you, it just works and is very entertaining. That said because of how I personally consume audiobooks I am also purchasing the ebook. I also want to wish Wil and his family the very best. Love Table Talk and TBBT P.S. This book is a lot more main stream and timely then I expected. It's not just for geeks. Wil is a family man and very introspective. I loved how he identified past mistakes and brought a mature insight. Very well done and I am finding it personally helpful. Some of the geek stuff went right over my head, which I expected. I don't agree with everything he says, for example I am a woman of faith, but I am enjoying his honesty and empathy. His story is a persective of life that is new to me. We can all learn to understand people from different backgrounds better if we take the time. Well done! -A 47 year old COVID widow from Maine who seeks wisdom and finds it in unexpectedly. There is wisdom in Wil's story.
Amy Hay
Will Wheaton' honesty, compassion, and humor all make this a great read. His gifts as a creator make it an awesome testestament. As someone late to WWdN, it was a joy to read this annotated collection of Wheaton's writings. What a pleasure! Thank you Will Wheaton
archmandrate
I get that a lot of celebrities write memoirs, and many delve into their pasts with full candor. But what Wil Wheaton does is beyond that. First: he's always had his heart on his sleeve through his blog. By re-examining those posts, though, and showing the growth (and, because he's a big kid sometimes, not), it's a great example of how to deal with adversity, both personally, professionally, and physically (especially psychologically). I'm sure his fans will love it (as I do!), but I also think it's good to hear someone talk so frankly about topics like abuse, trauma, and mental health that we too often sweep under the rug in this country. It's a fun book, but has important tidbits, and that's what makes it so appealing to me.
Kirve
I could not put this down. As someone who is just two years younger than Wil Wheaton, I grew up with him, while he grew up on the screen. This memoir is brutally honest, refreshing funny, a time machine to previous decades, and a love letter to his family, and fans, and humanity. Wheaton doesn't hold back on shining a spot light on his mistakes and owning them. Or is abundant use of the word "cool." Which is so cool! Even if you didn't watch every single episode of the TNG, or have ever seen Stand By Me, read this book. If you are struggling, or know someone struggling, through trauma, mental health issues, whatever, read this book.
