Luke Skywalker Can't Read: And Other Geeky Truths

If there's such a thing as nonfiction beach reading this is it. These meditations on geek culture are eminently readable and relatable, eschewing the immersion in details of the secondary world that can make geek debates compelling or infuriating in favor of considering how pop culture touchstones both reflect and shape our own selves and our society, from Star Wars and what it means to have a culture apparently without its own literature to robots representing hipsters' passion for vintage experiences. Occasional autobiographical asides may not intrigue some readers and disconcert others, but they ground the essays firmly into the personal and avoid sweeping pronouncements. Journalist Britt also doesn't shy away from the sometimes problematic politics inherent in fan favorites. Essays stand well on their own, making this a solid choice for reading a chapter at a time.