by Lady Victoria Irwin
Senior Correspondent
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There are few things, aside from Quantum Physics and early Middle English Literature, that are more tedious and more difficult to comprehend than navigating the wants and needs of the opposite sex. In no arena is this more dificult than the realm of dating. If you want me to talk Doctor Who, I will break down every episode from Hartnell to the upcoming Capaldi ones with skills. Need someone to work on your computer; I’ve got friends who can break down every piece and rebuild you something magnificent. Playstation and Xbox? We’ve got that covered. Dating….not a chance. Enter writer Eric Smith, or should I say hit “Start” Player One; we’ve got work to do.
Eric Smith breaks down dating, the opposite sex, and how to start your road to relationship redemption in his book The Geek’s Guide to Dating. With consistant jokes and nerdy references, the book walks the reader through the begining stages of self-awareness to that promised land of love. Starting with self identification, Smith in no way tells you to abandon what you are passionate about. He instructs you to figure out, using a simple breakdown, what sort of Geek you are and what sort of Geek you with best mesh with. Smith helps walk the reader through that scary internet dating profile and how to write it, as well as how to make that first move into asking someone out. The best part? He does it with humor and video game references. Not once did I feel like I was being talked down to.
While much of the information is good common sense, sadly the book is geared far more toward the male of the species than the female. In no way, Ladies, is this a kiss off. In fact, Smith encourages woman to read the book, enjoy the references, and get a look into the insecurities the men of our generation are facing. However, the hygiene section mostly won’t apply to to girls (thank you so much Eric for encouraging deodorant. Female attendees of San Diego Comic Con thank you!)
The book is humorous without being insulting, informative without being a text book. Truth be told, I read it in one sitting while waiting for a plane at the airport and found myself laughing out loud at the terminal. It might be a sign of my nerdiness that I understood all the references from Portal to the 1984 edition of Dune, but I’m willing to own up to this. If you’re facing February 14th as “Singles Awareness Day” this year, or just want a dating book you can actually relate you, The Geek’s Guide to Dating is that book.
The Geeks Guide to Dating is available from Quirk Books, Amazon and fine book retailers everywhere.
