The Internet isn't all cat videos. There's also Felicia Day - violinist, filmmaker, Internet entrepreneur, compulsive gamer and former lonely homeschooled girl who overcame her isolated childhood to become the ruler of a new world . . . or at least semi-influential in the world of Internet geeks and Goodreads book clubs.
After growing up in the south where she was 'homeschooled for hippie reasons', Felicia moved to Hollywood to pursue her dream of becoming an actress and was immediately typecast as a crazy cat-lady secretary. But Felicia's misadventures in Hollywood led her to produce her own web series, own her own production company and become an Internet star.
Felicia's short-ish life and her rags-to-riches rise to Internet fame launched her career as one of the most influential creators in new media. Now, Felicia's strange world is filled with thoughts on creativity, video games, and a dash of mild feminist activism - just like her memoir.
Hilarious and inspirational, You're Never Weird on the Internet (Almost) is proof that everyone should embrace what makes them different and be brave enough to share it with the world, because anything is possible now - even for a digital misfit.
As a longtime fan, I was so excited when I heard Felicia Day was writing a book. I pre-ordered it the day I found out, and then counted down the days until it was released. To say I had high expectations would be an understatement, and I wasn't disappointed. I could have read the entire book the day I got it in the mail, but I made myself slow down so I could at least enjoy it for a couple of days.
She talks about her life as a home-schooled child, attending college at a young age, playing violin, and, of course, being an early adopter of online / internet forums. She then moves on to discuss her move to California to become an actress, the development of The Guild, and, surprisingly, her mental health and battle with depression.
Her voice shines through, and it almost felt like I was sitting in a room with her while she told me about her life. I've never used audiobooks, but I've been thinking about getting a couple to listen to in the car during my daily commute, and I think this might be a good one to use as a test.
It was interesting to read about the development of The Guild from the very beginning, and to learn about some of the behind-the-scenes info. It was, however, hard to read about her depression and mental health issues, as she was very honest, and her writing is extremely evocative. I definitely felt for her, but this isn't a sad book. It's peppered throughout with her trademark "quirky" and geeky humor, and I found myself laughing out loud several times.
I thought this memoir was inspiring, and she showed what can be accomplished if you never give up, and continue to work toward your dreams no matter what anyone says. She was encouraging and motivating, and I would highly recommend this book, especially if you're already a fan of hers.
(Full review, including a pic of my signed copy, can be found on my blog!)
