I have got to stop reading books with such long subtitles. Thank goodness for copy/paste. After reading "Memories of the Future" by Wil Wheaton, I decided to try his autobiography "Just A Geek". After leaving Star Trek and doing some personal work on his life, Wheaton decides he's ready for that major acting career. Then not much happens. He gets married, has a couple stepsons, and goes on auditions for jobs he doesn't get. So to pass the time he starts a blog WilWheaton.Net. The book is a mixture of autobiographical information and pertinent blog posts. This is where the "unflinchingly honest" part comes in. It's almost too honest. His insecurities and, at times, an almost whiny tone wear after a while in parts. Most of that is connected to Star Trek and acting. Wheaton eventually makes his peace with Trek and the ghost of what might have been.
This book was written before "Memories of the Future" and it shows. It isn't nearly as polished or professionally distant. Where this books is good is in his journey from actor to writer. To see the transition slowly taking place is very interesting. To feel that self-confidence start to build and solidify is cool. It's also an interesting look into the life of a non-A list actor and see the process at work. Where this book shines is when Wheaton talks about his family and his love of all things geek. His love for his wife, stepsons, family, and friends is evident in every word he writes about them. He is also a geek from way back. The story told in "The Trade" illustrates this point. Be it comics, tech, movies, or gaming he has a giddy joy in it all. I can't give this book an enthusiastic thumbs up, but it was interesting and I'm glad I read it.
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