When one thinks of biographical literature, the first things to come to mind are probably books we were forced to read in school. Even contemporary biographies of celebrities and other people of note who are alive in our lifetime usually only draw a select group of devoted followers. Felicia Day has appeared in television shows such as Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Supernatural, starred in web shows like Doctor Horrible’s Sing-Along Blog, The Guild, and Dragon Age: Redemption (the latter two, she also wrote), and founded a YouTube Channel called Geek & Sundry. With a career like that, it would seem that Day’s memoir, You’re Never Weird on the Internet (Almost), would appeal only to nerds and geeks, but there are a number of things about this book that give it some value outside of its perceived niche.
Day’s personality shows in the writing itself; it’s colorful and peppered with silly commentary about her life. Sometimes it feels like she’s jumping from one thought to another and back again, but it only adds to the experience. The entire book reads the way you would expect a face-to-face (or maybe instant messenger) conversation to sound. Day even uses her childhood photos, coupled with silly captions, to illustrate. You don’t have any idea what she’s talking about to have a good time, because her enthusiasm alone is entertaining.
While Day’s conversational tone could probably have made up for several chapters of boring topics, the pieces of her life that Day chooses to share are anything but dull. She cites her parents and her homeschooling for her weirdness, and some of her whacky upbringing sounds like it be a plot in a sitcom. She leads us through how her nerdiness and love for the Internet and gaming became her tools to building both her career and discovering her own identity. Her relationship with the Internet is something that can speak to most of us in some way, because most of us have also grown up with the Internet.
You’re Never Weird on the Internet (Almost) is funny, inspiring, and even a little reassuring. Whether you’re chronically weird or have never once had trouble fitting in, Day’s quirky personality and practiced use of Internet jargon turns even her most unique life experiences into entertainment for all.
