The Secret Loves of Geek Girls

Love, loss, longing, and The Lord of the Rings—what do they all have in common? Quite a bit, argues this anthology of gloriously geeky women. Here, Margaret Atwood (The Heart Goes Last) recalls her early days as a bespectacled comic fan, Marjorie Liu (Monstress) ruminates upon a life spent in others’ worlds, and Mariko Tamaki (This One Summer) explores first love within The Rocky Horror Picture Show. Though, as with any anthology, quality varies between its many submissions, each one is fervently heartfelt—and it is this honesty that transports the volume’s narrow focus from merely niche to truly moving. This is chronicle of outsider adolescence, middle-aged splendor, and childhood melancholy; this is a book that is as chuckle-worthy as it is introspective. From Annie Mok’s moody ruminations on Casper to Paulina Ganucheau’s tribute to the power of ruffles, this anthology is a thoughtful, tenderhearted look at the inner lives of odd ducks, and a paean to the power of love. (Oct.)