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Fantasy Freaks and Gaming Geeks

February 8, 2018

Calling all gamers! Put down your dice and pick up this book.


My husband doesn’t really—you know—read. As much as I’ve tried, it just isn’t his thing. However, once in a while, I’ll find a good book that I think he’ll like. Or it’s about something he likes. In honor of Valentine’s Day this year, I’m going to share a potential husband-liking book. (He hasn’t read it yet, but if he sees how much you like it, he might be more motivated. Feel free to leave comments to that end. #nevergiveup)
My husband might not read, but he does like to play games. Card games, computer games, board games, video games. You name it, he’ll play it. But I think if he could only pick one, it would have to be D&D (or Dungeons and Dragons for those of you not in the know). If they ever met, my husband and author Ethan Gilsdorf would get along just fine.
In high school, Gilsdorf played D&D and was a self-proclaimed geek. However, when he got to college he realized that most of the real world thought gaming was lame, and he stopped so people would think he was cool. Twenty years and a mid-life crisis later, gaming has become more mainstream and after finding his old D&D gear in a big blue cooler at his Dad’s house, Gilsdorf sets off on a quest to regain his love of gaming. The author goes on beyond regular gaming, joining several different LARPing groups and travelling to England and New Zealand to bask in fabulous Tolkienness. 
I liked this book, even though I, myself, am not a gamer. I play a few games here and there—and even manage to beat my husband once in a while at Mario Cart—the best video game ever, but I can’t play for more than 20 minutes or so without getting bored. I enjoyed getting insight into the mind of a gamer. This was a good read, but if you can’t decide if you should read it, maybe you should roll Initiative (gamers, did I use that correctly?).
Happy gaming…
:) Amanda
PS Gamers, if you can't get enough, our Cube Pushers Game Club and Swap Meet happens at the Main Library on the third Saturday of every month. Come on down, meet my friend Bryan, and get your game on.

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Amanda

Amanda is a classically-trained pianist who loves to read. Like any good librarian, she also has two cats named after Italian cities. Amanda spends her free time sitting in Nashville traffic, baking, and running the Interlibrary Loan office at the Nashville Public Library.