literature
Geek literature from the New York Times or the recesses of online. Our favorite stories showcase geeks.
Madaya Mom: How Marvel's Latest Comic Profiles A Real-Life Superhero
As starvation and death plunge the Syrian mountain town of Madaya into despair, a mother fights to keep her family alive. Since the town is under siege by the Assad regime, access to fuel, food, and electricity is extremely limited. Except for the occasional humanitarian aid truck, no one can enter; no one can leave. Even journalists have been unable to enter since the siege began; Assad’s regime is operating a complete media blackout. But that doesn’t mean that the story of Madaya can’t be told. During two weeks in January, ABC News communicated via text messages and phone calls to get first-hand descriptions of what conditions in Madaya are like from a woman nicknamed “Madaya Mom” and her family, and now ABC News journalists Xana O’Neil and Rym Montaz and Marvel Comics illustrator Dalibor Talajic have teamed up to tell the story of a family (who remains nameless for their own protection) struggling for survival in an online graphic documentary available to read here.
By Sarah Quinn8 years ago in Geeks
The Funniest Harry Potter T-Shirts
This is a pretty solid list of the funniest Harry Potter t-shirts out there, which makes me ask myself, "WHY is this all there is?" I mean really - the Harry Potter series has HUGE potential for developing funny t-shirts (which I firmly believe are one of the three most important components of anyone's wardrobe, along with "comfortable pants" and "at least one jacket that makes you look like you're ready to fly a B-52"). The business opportunity's out there, people. Somebody get busy. I personally would like to request a shirt depicting the scene where Voldemort hugs Draco. Most. awkward. hug. EVER. (What about the part where Ron forgets that he doesn't actually have a wife? What about the part where Ron dances with Professor McGonagall? What about his entire relationship with Lavender and how she calls him "Won-Won?" What about everything that Ron has ever said or done, on a t-shirt?)
By Sarah Quinn8 years ago in Geeks
The Best Dieselpunk Books
If you’re looking for a recipe for your next great read, look no farther. Violently stir together gears, gadgets, nuclear powered airships, atomic bombs, robots, DNA experiments, washed-up astronauts, and biotech, then season to taste with a generous sprinkling of Nazis. Read until after midnight and don’t stop until you’ve slaked your hunger for the very best dieselpunk books in the genre. Enjoy!
By Sarah Quinn8 years ago in Geeks
Actual Sci Fi and Fantasy Classes That Get You College Credit
While your mom might question how watching Battlestar Galactica could possibly be considered educational, a whole bunch of college professors have somehow managed to convince their department chairs that your mom is wrong. (Just about the Battlestar Galactica thing. Otherwise, moms are always right.) Sure, it’s deeply meaningful and has a lasting effect on culture and taps into truths about who we are as human beings, but it’s also FUN. Marvel at the stupefying genius of the academics who made it possible for you to get credit for reading Hitchhiker’s Guide and doing your final project on cyborgs--if you’re lucky enough to go to the universities that offer them. (Of course, this list don’t include the many Science Fiction Literature or Fantasy Literature classes you can take at colleges all over the country. You’ve probably got a decent shot at finding one of those.)
By Sarah Quinn8 years ago in Geeks
Ralph Bakshi's 'Lord of the Rings'
Long before Peter Jackson transformed Tolkien’s masterpieces into works of cinematic art, there was a hardcore fanbase that seemed to transcend generations. Since its publication in the 1950s, the late J.R.R. Tolkien's fantasy trilogy of Middle Earth, The Lord of the Rings, had been the object of an ever-growing cult following. A perennial favorite of high school and college students including yet undiscovered Ralph Bashki, Rings had been merchandised in poster art and annual calendars, sweatshirts, buttons ("Frodo lives"), and in other related wearable forms. In addition to hardcover and paperback editions of the original texts, numerous critical and cult-oriented ancillary volumes populated the expanded universe. These included histories, guides, and exhaustive interpretations of the trilogy.
By Frank White8 years ago in Geeks
Must Read Books for ‘Stranger Things’ Fans
If you’re like most of humanity, you are either in the midst of binge watching Stranger Things or you have finished up and left wondering “WTF?!” If you aren’t part of the above groups, GET WITH THE PROGRAM PEOPLE! If it wasn’t Eleven’s story, Dustin’s toothless banter, or the Upside Down that kept you coming back for more at 2:00 AM when you were supposed to be sleeping, it was the friendship among the young boys, the twisted story line and the Christmas lights. I know you remember the Christmas lights.
By Lindsie Polhemus8 years ago in Geeks
Interview with Larry Blamire, Creator of 'Steam Wars'
In Steam Wars, the year is 1897. Warfare is fought with large steam-powered fighting machines––steam rigs––designed to resemble ancient armored warriors. Manned by crews, the steam rigs serve a larger purpose in the Second Steam War of the world.
By Natasha Sydor8 years ago in Geeks
Dave Barrett Exclusive Interview for 'It's All Fun And Games'
When six friends accidentally cross into a dangerous (and very real) fantasy world, how will they make it back alive? This is the question Dave Barrett pursues in his debut novel It's All Fun And Games, published by Nerdist as an Inkshares Collection. When Allison, the novel's strawberry-blond heroine, reluctantly agrees to hang out with her geeky friend TJ, he exposes her to the world of LARPing (live-action role playing). Whip out your dictionaries, because LARPing is a term you'll want to remember, as the fantasy-sport's popularity has grown significantly in recent years.
By Natasha Sydor8 years ago in Geeks
History of 'Goosebumps'
In the world of children’s horror fiction, American author R. L. Stine created a series of stories that follow young children who always seem to find their way into scary situations. Beginning in 1992, Scholastic began releasing these soon-to-be trendy tales of young characters. By 1997, the publishing house put out 62 Goosebumps books and sold over 350 million copies in 32 languages.
By Geeks Staff8 years ago in Geeks
Joyce Carol Oates' 'Zombie'
A few years before zombie’s became a pop culture phenomenon, Joyce Carol Oates published a tiny novel called Zombie. Though known mostly for contemporary literature, Oates also has a gothic side which we’d previously seen in her novels like Mysteries of Winterhurn and many of her short stories, like those found in her collection, Haunted: Tales of the Grotesque. But Zombie shows a dark and twisted side of Oates' writing that is not present in her other works. This tale is so intense, many have described Zombie as one of the most frightening books I’ve ever read.
By Stephen Hamilton8 years ago in Geeks