How-To Geek's Holiday Gift Guide 2013: Books
Great Books for Every Geek: A 2013 Holiday Gift Guide
The increasing popularity of science and geek culture has led to a significant increase in the number of excellent books catering to diverse geek interests. We present a curated selection of books ideal for any geek on your gift-giving list.
This article represents the fourth installment of the How-To Geek 2013 Holiday Gift Guides. To stay informed about all the guides released throughout December, please follow the GiftGuide2013 tag.
Diverse Reading Material for Every Geek
Finding the perfect gift is easy, regardless of whether you are seeking books for a geek fascinated by the rigorous disciplines of the hard sciences, immersive Sci-Fi dystopian narratives, or thought-provoking works outlining future possibilities. Alternatively, a classic game guide or comprehensive encyclopedia can also be a fantastic choice.
Join us as we explore the best book offerings available, and suggest alternatives should your intended recipient already possess our primary recommendation.
Exploring Different Geek Interests
- Hard Science Enthusiasts: Books delving into physics, chemistry, biology, and mathematics provide intellectual stimulation.
- Sci-Fi Aficionados: Dystopian novels and space operas offer escapism and exploration of complex themes.
- Futurists & Visionaries: Texts focused on technological advancements and societal change inspire contemplation.
- Gamers & Lore Masters: Game guides and encyclopedias provide in-depth knowledge and enhance the gaming experience.
The breadth of available reading material ensures there's a suitable book for every geek's passion. Consider their specific interests when making your selection.
With such a wide array of options, selecting a gift that resonates with the recipient’s geeky inclinations is a rewarding experience.
Video Game Lore: Exploring the World of Zelda with Hyrule Historia
For those seeking a gift for a video game enthusiast, a book detailing the lore of their favorite franchise is often an excellent choice. A standout example is The Legend of Zelda: Hyrule Historia, a comprehensive resource for fans of the series.
A Deep Dive into Hyrule's Past
This impressive hardcover volume, spanning 280 pages, presents a complete historical overview of the Legend of Zelda games. It offers an in-depth exploration of the series’ rich narrative.
The book is filled with a diverse range of content. Readers will discover captivating artwork, insightful interviews, detailed timelines, engaging comics, and a wealth of Zelda trivia.
Something for Every Fan
Even dedicated, long-time followers of the franchise are likely to uncover new information and perspectives within its pages. It serves as a visually appealing and informative addition to any collector’s bookshelf.
Beyond Hyrule Historia: Expanding the Gift Options
Should the recipient already possess Hyrule Historia, consider A Link Between Worlds player's guide ($24) as an alternative. This guide provides detailed assistance for the latest installment in the series.
A Universe of Lore Books
The availability of lore and guide books extends far beyond the Zelda universe. Numerous popular games and franchises have similar companion materials.
- The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim Player Guide ($33)
- Diablo III: Book of Cain ($26)
- MM25: Mega Man the Official Complete Works ($40)
Generally, if a game enjoys widespread popularity, it’s highly probable that a corresponding guide, lore book, or art collection exists to complement the gaming experience.
Dystopian Futures: Exploring Ready Player One
The term “dystopian” often evokes images of bleak and oppressive futures. However, our premier selection within the dystopian Sci-Fi genre is surprisingly engaging and accessible. Ernest Cline’s Ready Player One, priced at $10, presents a narrative where the tangible world experienced by the majority of Earth’s inhabitants is grim.
Yet, individuals find refuge in a virtual realm offering limitless possibilities. The novel centers on Wade Watts, a teenager determined to unravel a complex enigma established by the originator of the virtual universe.
This virtual world consumes the lives of Wade and his peers. A particularly captivating aspect of the book lies in the challenges set by the virtual world’s creator. These challenges demand an extensive understanding of 1980s video games and broader geek culture from those who seek to solve them.
Further Dystopian Fiction Recommendations
Are you seeking additional dystopian novels for the science fiction enthusiasts in your life? Cory Doctorow’s For the Win ($8) shares thematic similarities with Ready Player One. It concentrates on video game culture and the realities of existence within a virtual environment.
Dave Eggers’ The Circle ($15), released this year, is a suspenseful story. It explores a world dominated by a powerful social media corporation that challenges the limits of personal privacy, democratic principles, and even the very nature of memory.
- Ready Player One by Ernest Cline ($10)
- For the Win by Cory Doctorow ($8)
- The Circle by Dave Eggers ($15)
These novels offer compelling explorations of potential future societies, each with its unique perspective on the intersection of technology, society, and the human condition.
Video Games as a Significant Cultural Force: Exploring the Impact
Our preceding discussions centered on video game narratives and the influence of gaming and internet culture within science fiction. However, not all recipients will necessarily be devoted followers of specific game franchises or science fiction themes.
For those interested in exploring internet and video game culture from a more analytical perspective, devoid of intense fandom or fantastical elements, a distinct genre of literature exists.
Recommended Reads on Gaming and Culture
A highly recommended title in this area is Jane McGonigal’s Reality is Broken: Why Games Make Us Better and How They Can Change The World ($13). McGonigal, a respected game designer, has dedicated her career to creating games that boost performance, function as virtual training environments, and generally improve lives by addressing real-world challenges.
Reality is Broken presents her argument for adapting the fundamental principles of effective video game design to real-life scenarios, essentially gamifying existence to increase enjoyment and productivity.
Tom Bissell’s Extra Lives: Why Video Games Matter ($13) offers a similarly engaging read, concentrating more specifically on video game culture and the inherent significance of video games.
Furthermore, journalist Harold Goldberg provides a comprehensive fifty-year overview of video game history in All Your Base Are Belong to Us: How Fifty Years of Video Games Conquered Pop Culture ($12).
Historian Tristan Donovan delves into every aspect of the medium in his extensive 500-page work, Replay: The History of Video Games ($19).
Exploring the Historical and Cultural Landscape
These books provide a diverse range of perspectives on the impact of video games, from their potential to improve our lives to their profound influence on popular culture.
Geek Culture and Philosophy: Futurama and Philosophy
A significant surge in publications has occurred in recent years, largely through Open Court and Blackwell's series focusing on Popular Culture and Philosophy. These series successfully merge widely recognized pop-culture entities with rigorous philosophical investigation.
The Intersection of Pop Culture and Philosophical Thought
The initial concept might appear artificial; however, the combination proves remarkably effective in practice. Television programs, films, and video games frequently present characters facing complex moral and ethical dilemmas.
These narratives often explore existential conflicts between opposing forces, the quest for individual identity within a broader societal context, and other enduring problems that have challenged philosophers throughout history.
Accessibility and Range of Topics
Priced typically between $15 and $20, these pop-culture philosophy books offer a thoughtful gift option for a diverse range of recipients.
Volumes dedicated to franchises like Futurama, Breaking Bad, Superman, The Legend of Zelda, and Doctor Who are readily available, representing just a fraction of the extensive catalog.
Finding Your Philosophical Pop Culture Match
A simple search on Amazon, combining a desired pop culture franchise with the keyword "philosophy," is likely to yield relevant results. Consider titles such as Big Bang Theory and Philosophy for a unique and engaging read.
The series provide a compelling way to explore complex philosophical concepts through the lens of familiar and beloved entertainment.
Engaging with Science: Fire Bubbles and Explosive Experiments
Should our previous recommendations seem overly intellectual, and a desire for more dynamic activities exists, rest assured you won't be disappointed.
A fresh wave of publications is dedicated to scientific explorations of varying complexities has emerged. Steve Spangler, recognized for his engaging, practical science demonstrations on national morning news programs, offers several excellent resources. These include Naked Eggs and Flying Potatoes: Unforgettable Experiments That Make Science Fun ($11) and Fire Bubbles and Exploding Toothpaste: More Unforgettable Experiments that Make Science Fun ($13).
Exploring Irresponsible Science and Backyard Ballistics
Sean Connolly’s The Book of Totally Irresponsible Science: 64 Daring Experiments for Young Scientists ($10) presents a collection of experiments designed for young learners, characterized by bubbling, popping, and explosive reactions.
For more mature enthusiasts – or closely supervised children – Backyard Ballistics: Build Potato Cannons, Paper Match Rockets, Cincinnati Fire Kites, Tennis Ball Mortars, and More Dynamite Devices ($15) provides a range of engaging projects. This book offers considerable enjoyment while remaining, likely, within legal boundaries.
Also from William Gurstelle, and with a pronounced interest in combustion, The Practical Pyromaniac: Build Fire Tornadoes, One-Candlepower Engines, Great Balls of Fire, and More Incendiary Devices ($13) is available for exploration, though caution and a water source are advised.
A Wealth of Scientific Literature
Similar to the abundance of philosophical texts for geeks, a vast selection of science experiment books exists. These resources cover a broad spectrum of topics, ranging from culinary science to pyrotechnics.
Important Note: Always prioritize safety and adult supervision when conducting any science experiment.
Selecting a limited number of books from the extensive range of available geeky titles proved challenging, much like narrowing down our video game recommendations.
If you have a favorite geeky book that wasn't mentioned, please share your suggestions in the comments section below!