Just a Geek

Just A Geek (ISBN 059600768X) is a 2004 book of memoirs written by actor and author Wil Wheaton. Wheaton released a revised follow-up, Still Just a Geek, in 2022.[1]

Background

Many of the stories in Just a Geek originated from his blog, also called "Just a Geek," which had run for several years at the time.[2] In the book, he talks about life before and after his defining role as Wesley Crusher on Star Trek: The Next Generation, including stories about clashes with executives and a disagreement with Jimmy Kimmel over a co-hosting job he didn't receive.[3] Other stories discuss his reaction to the September 11 attacks, his relationship with his wife and stepchildren, and his experience learning HTML, web design, and Linux.[4]

In 2012, the book was included as part of the first Humble Bundle collection of ebooks, curated by Cory Doctorow.[5]

In 2022's Still Just a Geek, Wheaton annotates the original text with commentary related to his gaining further context, growing as an individual, and how he views the process of writing the book and his life experiences in retrospect.[6]

Critical reception

Just a Geek was praised by the science fiction/fantasy trade publication Chronicle for its "amused but not bitter" anecdotes.[7] The Oregonian called it "unflinchingly honest."[8] Entertainment Weekly, however panned the book in a brief blurb titled "Whiner of the Week."[9] The updated follow-up published in 2022 was called "alternately rueful and funny" by Kirkus Reviews.[6] Publishers Weekly gave it a more negative review, calling it "repetitious" and "joyless".[10]

References
  1. Davis, Linsey (22 April 2022). "Wil Wheaton revisits, revises memoir 'Still Just a Geek'". ABC News. Retrieved 19 April 2023.
  2. Avvaru, Shashank (20 April 2022). "Still Just A Geek Review: Wil Wheaton Reflects On His Life And Career In Captivating New Memoir". Trek News. Retrieved 19 April 2023.
  3. Bonin, Liane (6 January 2005). "THE ALTERNATIVES; 'Trek' wasn't his final frontier; Actor turned writer Wil Wheaton draws new fans in cyberspace". Los Angeles Times.
  4. "O'REILLY & ASSOCIATES: The search for life, love, and fulfillment beyond the Star Trek Enterprise; O'Reilly releases Wil Wheaton's "Just a Geek"". M2 Presswire. 9 July 2004.
  5. Reid, Calvin (3 March 2014). "Humble Bundle Looks to Add E-books". Publishers Weekly.
  6. STILL JUST A GEEK | Kirkus Reviews.
  7. D'Ammassa, Don (October 2004). "Just a Geek". Chronicle.
  8. Cain, Chelsea (16 December 2004). "Life in the Shadow of Wesley Crusher". The Oregonian.
  9. "Wil Wheaton is the Whiner of the Week". Entertainment Weekly. 17 September 2004. Retrieved 19 April 2023.
  10. "Still Just a Geek: An Annotated Memoir by Wil Wheaton". www.publishersweekly.com. n.d. Retrieved 2023-09-26.


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