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Geek Girls Don't Cry: Real-Life Lessons From Fictional Female Characters
What does it mean for a woman to be strong—especially in a world where our conception of a “hero” is still so heavily influenced by male characters like Batman, Spider-Man, and Superman? Geek Girls Don’t Cry explores the subject, offering advice tailor-made for fans of any age. Andrea Towers, who works in public relations at Marvel Entertainment and has written about superheroines for outlets such as Entertainment Weekly, outlines some of the primary traits heroic women can call upon, like resilience, self-acceptance, and bravery, pulling in stories from real-life women as well as figures from the pop-culture pantheon. She also interviews the creators of our favorite fictional heroines, who discuss how they drew from their own experiences to develop these protagonists and how, conversely, their own creations continue to inspire them.
208 pages, Hardcover
Published April 2, 2019
31 people are currently reading
768 people want to read
About the author
Andrea Towers
12 books22 followersAndrea Towers is a writer who has worked at Entertainment Weekly and Marvel. She is the author of the upcoming book GEEK GIRLS DON'T CRY: REAL-LIFE LESSON FROM FICTIONAL FEMALE CHARACTERS, which will be published on April 2, 2019 by Sterling. A lover of coffee, porgs, and all things fantasy, her work on pop culture/comics with a focus on female-led media has been published in print and online.
She currently lives in New York City. Tweet her at @_atowers or learn more about her at www.andrea-towers.com.
She currently lives in New York City. Tweet her at @_atowers or learn more about her at www.andrea-towers.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 61 reviews
June 23, 2019
I was so disappointed in this book. It has great potential and what is there is really interesting but there just isn't enough there! Every character is introduced in the same format:
1. Character and quick summary of the story.
2. Explaination of trauma or mental illness experienced.
3. How the character overcame her struggles.
4. What we can learn from it.
And all of this is covered in about 3-4 pages for each complicated character. I want more.
1. Character and quick summary of the story.
2. Explaination of trauma or mental illness experienced.
3. How the character overcame her struggles.
4. What we can learn from it.
And all of this is covered in about 3-4 pages for each complicated character. I want more.
March 13, 2019
ARC provided by Edelweiss and the Publisher.
So I don't know on what planet I was on when I thought that this was going to be YA leaning self-help/personal growth book ... maybe it was the cover (because this cover would sell SO HARD to teenage girls - especially the fangirls and the cosplayers)? Maybe it was the use of the word "girls" in the title? Maybe it is because micro-biographies are having a moment in YA non-fiction and a book set up as a fan-girl index/guide to life would have CIRC'ed SO HARD? My expectations were dashed when I discovered that this was not YA at all.
So I don't know on what planet I was on when I thought that this was going to be YA leaning self-help/personal growth book ... maybe it was the cover (because this cover would sell SO HARD to teenage girls - especially the fangirls and the cosplayers)? Maybe it was the use of the word "girls" in the title? Maybe it is because micro-biographies are having a moment in YA non-fiction and a book set up as a fan-girl index/guide to life would have CIRC'ed SO HARD? My expectations were dashed when I discovered that this was not YA at all.
December 24, 2021
the last quote being nat saying shes not alone sliding down the wall screaming and crying
February 7, 2022
the last quote im sobbing
March 5, 2019
I received an advanced copy of Geek Girls Don't Cry from Sterling Publishers in exchange for an honest review on The Beat. You can read my full review by clicking here, or check out an excerpt below!
***
Quick! Name three fictional characters with whom you identify. Now consider: what do they have in common? In Andrea Towers‘ debut book, Geek Girls Don’t Cry, she explores connecting threads between some of the most iconic female characters in fiction. From Diana of Themyscira to General Leia Organa to Barbara Gordon to Hermione Granger to Ellie from The Last of Us, Towers examines the various traumas that force these women to build their emotional, mental and physical strength to push forward in the face of overwhelming trauma. She also talks to real women about their own relationships to fictional characters and interviews mental health experts about the potential impacts of these characters’ experiences, as well as how those ripples manifest in their stories.
Geek Girls Don’t Cry is as much a history as it is a confessional, not just for Towers but for the real-life women she interviews, including Kelly Sue DeConnick and Catrina Dennis. The book is divided into sections, exploring topics like: trauma, grief, adversity, depression and isolation. Towers pulls examples from all over pop culture, including comic books, television, video games and even webseries like Critical Role. Throughout the book, Towers attempts to examine intersections of oppression, noting how marginalized people have a different relationship to mental health than those who come from privilege.
...
In Geek Girls Don’t Cry, Towers centers women and their stories. She explores the importance of seeing ourselves represented in fiction. She even explores these characters’ coping mechanisms and encourages readers to find healthy routines that work for them, whether they have the benefit of professional, therapeutic help or not. Geek Girls Don’t Cry isn’t a self-help book, but it will definitely help someone. It may even help you.
***
Quick! Name three fictional characters with whom you identify. Now consider: what do they have in common? In Andrea Towers‘ debut book, Geek Girls Don’t Cry, she explores connecting threads between some of the most iconic female characters in fiction. From Diana of Themyscira to General Leia Organa to Barbara Gordon to Hermione Granger to Ellie from The Last of Us, Towers examines the various traumas that force these women to build their emotional, mental and physical strength to push forward in the face of overwhelming trauma. She also talks to real women about their own relationships to fictional characters and interviews mental health experts about the potential impacts of these characters’ experiences, as well as how those ripples manifest in their stories.
Geek Girls Don’t Cry is as much a history as it is a confessional, not just for Towers but for the real-life women she interviews, including Kelly Sue DeConnick and Catrina Dennis. The book is divided into sections, exploring topics like: trauma, grief, adversity, depression and isolation. Towers pulls examples from all over pop culture, including comic books, television, video games and even webseries like Critical Role. Throughout the book, Towers attempts to examine intersections of oppression, noting how marginalized people have a different relationship to mental health than those who come from privilege.
...
In Geek Girls Don’t Cry, Towers centers women and their stories. She explores the importance of seeing ourselves represented in fiction. She even explores these characters’ coping mechanisms and encourages readers to find healthy routines that work for them, whether they have the benefit of professional, therapeutic help or not. Geek Girls Don’t Cry isn’t a self-help book, but it will definitely help someone. It may even help you.
May 5, 2019
Well informed presentation of different aspects of psychology and how they may be reflected in women characters we’ve seen in media.
All of the sections read as short biographies and though they are well thought out (and clearly Towers read a ton of psychology pieces to be informed of what she refers to) the biographies are quick passes at the story. More seemingly meant to say “look, here is someone you may identify with.” The references to comics do not always include an issue number (which would be helpful to do more reading) and there is at least one character in the book who’s media isn’t mentioned by name.
The concept is encouraging tho I believe this fell short on going into further details. Why these particular characters are important to women especially. I enjoyed reading through but was left wanting at least one to two more pages on each character, but delving deeper into there story and why they were significant. How a fan might connect to the story and why these particular women are so important for other women to read about (instead of branding them as people important to read about for women AND men)
All of the sections read as short biographies and though they are well thought out (and clearly Towers read a ton of psychology pieces to be informed of what she refers to) the biographies are quick passes at the story. More seemingly meant to say “look, here is someone you may identify with.” The references to comics do not always include an issue number (which would be helpful to do more reading) and there is at least one character in the book who’s media isn’t mentioned by name.
The concept is encouraging tho I believe this fell short on going into further details. Why these particular characters are important to women especially. I enjoyed reading through but was left wanting at least one to two more pages on each character, but delving deeper into there story and why they were significant. How a fan might connect to the story and why these particular women are so important for other women to read about (instead of branding them as people important to read about for women AND men)
September 2, 2019
Read this because it looked interesting when my daughter checked it out, but it's basically a series of term-paper-like essays on various female characters and their challenges and resulting mental health issues. Spoiler alert: everyone has PTSD and would benefit from physical exercise, a supportive chosen family, and therapy (though meds are only mentioned once, and somewhat dismissively). Some may identify with specific characters, but if you're already a fan, there is nothing remotely insightful or even interesting here. Disappointing.
April 13, 2019
Loved the deep dive into these characters' not only physical strength, but emotional strengths as well. Would love to see a second book with other characters, expanding on more diverse backgrounds and other pop culture areas, like Anime (love me some Sailor Moon).
Highly recommended.
Highly recommended.
January 5, 2025
When I saw this book was marked as a self-help book, I thought there would be more parts that explain how the female heroes dealt with/overcame their trauma with tie ins of how readers can do the same. In each section there is one character with a note titled “Practicing Self-Care: Lessons from [Insert Character]”, which was a bit more along the lines of what I expected, but these were the shortest segments, read as almost an after thought, and a vast majority have the main advice of finding friends/family to speak and support you. Which. Yes, great. However, it made it so some of the sections of different heroes seemed almost repetitive when there was the same advice given at the end. Most of the book reads more as a thesis (admittedly, one I would read) about the representation of trauma in female heroines and how this is relatable to readers/viewers. That being said, this was an interesting read with lots of references to psychology publications that defend and explain the diagnoses the female characters have or are suspected to have. Which, in the comics/films/shows, are sometimes named and sometimes just alluded to. Reading it as this kind of an analysis rather than viewing it as a self help book, I had a much more enjoyable read. I also loved the short segments where we learn about real-life women in the geek-world like Kelly Sue Deconnick and more. I do wish we had more analysis and details on the female characters. More on the symptoms showing the diagnosis, more on how they overcame what they were facing and how it reoccurred throughout the seasons.
December 22, 2022
I’ve read a lot of fiction books this year (actually, they were all fiction) so I wanted to read something a bit different before the year is over. Being a Geek Girl myself, this was an insightful read, with plenty of moments for learning and featured some of my favourite fictional ladies - Scarlet Witch, Buffy Summers, Hermione Granger, to name a few. Who knew that there was actual scientific evidence to prove that relating to fictional characters is normal?
July 31, 2023
If you read this when you're happy, I think you'll love it. If you read this while you're going through something/depressed/anxious/worried, I don't think it'll help much.
I mean, it’s fine. It’s a mental health/illness book with a really pretty cover about fictional women’s struggles. It feels too long at times and sometimes a bit silly to read. I think I would have enjoyed it more if I had read this at an earlier time, but when you’re going through a not-so-great time yourself, reading a fictional character’s struggles doesn’t really help much. (At least it didn’t for me.)
There is one interview early on that changed the mood of the whole book for me. I think she was one of the writers for one of the character deep-dives and the lady just did not care about her answers or work - very weird.
I mean, it’s fine. It’s a mental health/illness book with a really pretty cover about fictional women’s struggles. It feels too long at times and sometimes a bit silly to read. I think I would have enjoyed it more if I had read this at an earlier time, but when you’re going through a not-so-great time yourself, reading a fictional character’s struggles doesn’t really help much. (At least it didn’t for me.)
There is one interview early on that changed the mood of the whole book for me. I think she was one of the writers for one of the character deep-dives and the lady just did not care about her answers or work - very weird.
March 18, 2019
What is not to love about an author praising and discusses fictional characters and how they impact her and other consumers of media in a positive way?
June 25, 2019
This is definitely a YA nonfiction book that features a lot of psychological lessons seen through the challenges faced by female characters in pop culture. The takeaways are very light, even though Psychology Today is mentioned a lot and medical terms are peppered throughout. I initially wanted to rate this 3 stars, but I am not the intended audience, so looking at it from a young adult to a college student perspective, I can see how this book could be a worthwhile read for those demographics.
I feel like the book could have benefited with the addition of illustrations and some cool quotes from the female characters (like affirmations or mottos).
I feel like the book could have benefited with the addition of illustrations and some cool quotes from the female characters (like affirmations or mottos).
June 24, 2019
but i LOVE the cover
May 11, 2019
As a comic book nerd and survivor of much trauma, I could not pass this book up, and devoured it super swiftly. I love how it addresses the many routes to improved mental health vs. promoting a one size fits all solution, while also examining characters from all realms of fiction. I highly recommend it. Thanks Andrea!
June 1, 2019
An overview of how Buffy Summers, Wonder Woman, Xena, and Hermione Granger can help you face personal challenges in your life. I would have liked it if the author had dug a little deeper (most chapters are about 3-5 pages) and focused less on trying to include the maximum number of female characters from video games, comics, movies, TV shows and books.
April 6, 2019
An easy read — good to dip in and out of if you want to use the story of a geek girl to motivate yourself. However, the book contains some factual errors the editors should have caught—names, time periods, things like that being listed incorrectly.
June 1, 2019
Just ended up skimming this. Too dry for me (and then I found an error that killed some of the geek cred for me).
October 27, 2025
The DSM-V and its consequences have been disastrous for the human race.
If I could give this 0 stars, I would.
Particularly emblematically bad quotes:
“No one is breaking down Katniss’s door to give her therapy or medication, so she continues to live in mental anguish…”
Yeah that would have totally fixed her lolzzzz
In fact I’m surprised her Capitol handlers DIDN’T try that
“[Black Widow] is no wallflower…but…[her] experience [losing to the Hulk in a fight] (before they even got together) is particularly jarring because it reminds us that not even a woman as strong and capable as Black Widow can feel empowered and capable in the face of intimate partner violence.”
I thought this was supposed to be about #girl power? Why is it the oppression Olympics?
Jesus Christ
Really weird awkwardly placed statistics about “females experiencing mental health disparities” and freaking Psychology Today quotes (lol) using an uncritical medical model of mental illness are all over this book and open each chapter. It’s exhausting. I expected this to be lame but it’s so much worse than I even thought it would be.
Catherine Liu would roll her eyes at this book and say “this is everything wrong with feminism” and I would begrudgingly agree with her even though I think she is wrong about feminism in some other ways.
Every single “chapter” (by which I mean 3-4 page aggressively glib and oversimplifying to the point of being straight up wrong explanation of a fictional character and her “mental illness” headcanon) ends with a propagandistic “go to therapy” and/or “don’t be afraid to take medication!”
I was given this book as a teenager by I forget who. Probably someone who thought I had a problem and was trying to fix me. LOL. I don’t know why I slogged through this. It turned into a hate read. I hate this! Hate hate hate! I don’t recommend this to literally anyone! Even a teenager who I’m sure it’s supposed to be for! I would not have benefited from this as a teen. I think it is bad to lazily and uncritically encourage people to see their daily struggles through the lens of a kind of trauma akin to a war orphan literally carrying the world on her shoulders! Maybe we should unpack why we as a society fetishize the extreme, aestheticized suffering female characters go through to be seen as “complex.” I feel insane reading this! I forgot how insane 2019 was! Wow! No wonder I was so mentally ill back then!
If I could give this 0 stars, I would.
Particularly emblematically bad quotes:
“No one is breaking down Katniss’s door to give her therapy or medication, so she continues to live in mental anguish…”
Yeah that would have totally fixed her lolzzzz
In fact I’m surprised her Capitol handlers DIDN’T try that
“[Black Widow] is no wallflower…but…[her] experience [losing to the Hulk in a fight] (before they even got together) is particularly jarring because it reminds us that not even a woman as strong and capable as Black Widow can feel empowered and capable in the face of intimate partner violence.”
I thought this was supposed to be about #girl power? Why is it the oppression Olympics?
Jesus Christ
Really weird awkwardly placed statistics about “females experiencing mental health disparities” and freaking Psychology Today quotes (lol) using an uncritical medical model of mental illness are all over this book and open each chapter. It’s exhausting. I expected this to be lame but it’s so much worse than I even thought it would be.
Catherine Liu would roll her eyes at this book and say “this is everything wrong with feminism” and I would begrudgingly agree with her even though I think she is wrong about feminism in some other ways.
Every single “chapter” (by which I mean 3-4 page aggressively glib and oversimplifying to the point of being straight up wrong explanation of a fictional character and her “mental illness” headcanon) ends with a propagandistic “go to therapy” and/or “don’t be afraid to take medication!”
I was given this book as a teenager by I forget who. Probably someone who thought I had a problem and was trying to fix me. LOL. I don’t know why I slogged through this. It turned into a hate read. I hate this! Hate hate hate! I don’t recommend this to literally anyone! Even a teenager who I’m sure it’s supposed to be for! I would not have benefited from this as a teen. I think it is bad to lazily and uncritically encourage people to see their daily struggles through the lens of a kind of trauma akin to a war orphan literally carrying the world on her shoulders! Maybe we should unpack why we as a society fetishize the extreme, aestheticized suffering female characters go through to be seen as “complex.” I feel insane reading this! I forgot how insane 2019 was! Wow! No wonder I was so mentally ill back then!
August 15, 2020
A fun book using fictional characters to teach mental health awareness. I learned a lot from it and would probably enjoy it even more if I knew more pop culture characters. But I loved reading about the ones I did know, and learning about the ones I didn't.
Some quotes that I liked from the book are below.
"As much as we want to be responsible for changing the world by smashing the patriarchy with our fists, smashing the patriarchy with our personality can make a greater difference."
P.71 Lara Croft workout:
"Focusing on your present life instead of the life you miss can help you become more optimistic and keep you positive about the future."
"According to existential tenets, people are often afraid of freedom (to choose) because with freedom to choose comes the possibility of choosing poorly. With freedom, in other words, comes responsibility."
Buffy quote "The hardest thing in this world... is to live in it. Be brave. Live."
"Make yourself responsible for your own mental health. Buffy learns the hard way that by taking care of everyone else, she's not taking care of herself. Giving herself the emotional space and vulnerability to grieve, breathe, cry, or show her emotions helps her grow and become a better Slayer. By letting your guard down and putting yourself first, you can improve your mindset and create a healthier mental space for yourself."
"Embrace the mistakes you're going to make along the way. They're inevitable. No one's perfect, so be gentle with yourself."
Some quotes that I liked from the book are below.
"As much as we want to be responsible for changing the world by smashing the patriarchy with our fists, smashing the patriarchy with our personality can make a greater difference."
P.71 Lara Croft workout:
"Focusing on your present life instead of the life you miss can help you become more optimistic and keep you positive about the future."
"According to existential tenets, people are often afraid of freedom (to choose) because with freedom to choose comes the possibility of choosing poorly. With freedom, in other words, comes responsibility."
Buffy quote "The hardest thing in this world... is to live in it. Be brave. Live."
"Make yourself responsible for your own mental health. Buffy learns the hard way that by taking care of everyone else, she's not taking care of herself. Giving herself the emotional space and vulnerability to grieve, breathe, cry, or show her emotions helps her grow and become a better Slayer. By letting your guard down and putting yourself first, you can improve your mindset and create a healthier mental space for yourself."
"Embrace the mistakes you're going to make along the way. They're inevitable. No one's perfect, so be gentle with yourself."
January 12, 2021
What does it mean to be strong?
This book covers a range of personal growth and self help topics from overcoming trauma and grief to adversity, isolation and depression. Using the basis of female superheroes and movie icons like Hermione from Harry Potter and Keyleth from Vox Machina of Critical Role.
By using these inspirational heroes, Andrea Towers teaches us that it is ok to feel and react to everything that is going on in our lives, but there is always a perspective where these changes make us stronger.
Each chapter is concluded with the insights of a real life hero: Margaret Stohl, Kelly Sue DeConnick, Sam Maggs, Catrina Dennis and Sumalee Montano. These ladies show how they use fictional characters that they connect and empathise with as role models. Even though these fictional characters are by definition fictional, each teaches a very valuable lesson that can be used by anyone.
The foreword is written by Marisha Ray, one of my very own role models, who is a voice actor, publisher, host and performer, working hard to succeed in male-dominated industries. Showing us that no matter who we are and what we do, if you are determined enough, you can succeed at anything you put your mind to.
I would recommend this book to anyone who has struggled with their own mental health or loves superhero stories! It is heart-warming and insightful with a range of viewpoints; it shows that it is ok to not be ok. The very things that we struggle can be the things that make us stronger.
This book covers a range of personal growth and self help topics from overcoming trauma and grief to adversity, isolation and depression. Using the basis of female superheroes and movie icons like Hermione from Harry Potter and Keyleth from Vox Machina of Critical Role.
By using these inspirational heroes, Andrea Towers teaches us that it is ok to feel and react to everything that is going on in our lives, but there is always a perspective where these changes make us stronger.
Each chapter is concluded with the insights of a real life hero: Margaret Stohl, Kelly Sue DeConnick, Sam Maggs, Catrina Dennis and Sumalee Montano. These ladies show how they use fictional characters that they connect and empathise with as role models. Even though these fictional characters are by definition fictional, each teaches a very valuable lesson that can be used by anyone.
The foreword is written by Marisha Ray, one of my very own role models, who is a voice actor, publisher, host and performer, working hard to succeed in male-dominated industries. Showing us that no matter who we are and what we do, if you are determined enough, you can succeed at anything you put your mind to.
I would recommend this book to anyone who has struggled with their own mental health or loves superhero stories! It is heart-warming and insightful with a range of viewpoints; it shows that it is ok to not be ok. The very things that we struggle can be the things that make us stronger.
August 8, 2020
This topic is INCREDIBLY important so I am very glad it exists, but I personally needed more depth and nuance to these characters.
I feel the target audience is more for younger girls growing up that feel alone in the world, or feeling those pressures from society or... starting to really understand the discrimination that we face as women day to day.
It's why I bought it, why I'll support the author and why I'll recommend it to others...
It's structured - again why I feel it's suited to a younger audience - and captures perspectives for many great female characters that are good openers for a deep dive into their deeper complexities.
One thing that didn't sit right for me was the addition of Keyleth. She's a Critical Role character, and her creator/actor/RP-er is essentially the spokesperson of this book - including an introduction to the book. I play D&D, enjoy Critical Role, so I understand that there's great storytelling and thought that goes through it - but I feel D&D is reactive to stimulus created by the DM. To me, I felt that it didn't fit with these characters who are carefully constructed by authors over a greater period of time.
In saying that, all the characters featured don't have many pages dedicated so it wasn't a hinderance.. It's just something that created a bit of a blocker for me, but it's not major at all.
I feel the target audience is more for younger girls growing up that feel alone in the world, or feeling those pressures from society or... starting to really understand the discrimination that we face as women day to day.
It's why I bought it, why I'll support the author and why I'll recommend it to others...
It's structured - again why I feel it's suited to a younger audience - and captures perspectives for many great female characters that are good openers for a deep dive into their deeper complexities.
One thing that didn't sit right for me was the addition of Keyleth. She's a Critical Role character, and her creator/actor/RP-er is essentially the spokesperson of this book - including an introduction to the book. I play D&D, enjoy Critical Role, so I understand that there's great storytelling and thought that goes through it - but I feel D&D is reactive to stimulus created by the DM. To me, I felt that it didn't fit with these characters who are carefully constructed by authors over a greater period of time.
In saying that, all the characters featured don't have many pages dedicated so it wasn't a hinderance.. It's just something that created a bit of a blocker for me, but it's not major at all.
December 29, 2020
The book started out well, and I found that it had a refreshing and respectful take on mental health and the way we (specifically women and young girls) may find healing and representation in heroic women in media. Sadly, I didn’t end up liking it at all. The reason why i refuse to give it less than three stars was because it gave me exactly what it said it would: a bunch of essays and interviews. I didn’t give it more than three starts because it got boring and repetitive in a way that had me skimming at some points so I could just get the story over with. The essays followed a formula that left them distant and plain in a way that didn’t suit the personal writing style the author used and that left me asking for deeper analyses than what was provided. I feel like the author was ticking boxes while writing each essay, just barely meeting the requirements and refusing to go any deeper. Still, I found myself understanding more about character who I look up to and seeing myself and my own mental health struggles represented in some of the essays. The read is worth it as long as you go in with low expectations and use it as a way to spend time.
January 21, 2020
First, I did very much enjoy this book. It is well written, and a fairly easy read to get through. (The length it took me to read having more to do with suddenly getting busy and forgetting I was i n the middle of it.)
However, do not go into this book expecting depth. This book does an excellent job of casting a wide net and explaining the surface levels of a variety of mental health issues faced by individuals today. It does a good job of linking those issues to fictional characters and giving a summary of how those characters either do deal with those troubles or could concievably deal with them.
For someone with a passing interest in pyschology who enjoys a variety or fandoms or is perhaps looking for a character with whom to identify with this book is actually very good. If you are looking for a more academic study that goes in depth on the various mental health issues and the characters involved this is not the book for you.
I do recommend the book, but keep your expectations in mind.
However, do not go into this book expecting depth. This book does an excellent job of casting a wide net and explaining the surface levels of a variety of mental health issues faced by individuals today. It does a good job of linking those issues to fictional characters and giving a summary of how those characters either do deal with those troubles or could concievably deal with them.
For someone with a passing interest in pyschology who enjoys a variety or fandoms or is perhaps looking for a character with whom to identify with this book is actually very good. If you are looking for a more academic study that goes in depth on the various mental health issues and the characters involved this is not the book for you.
I do recommend the book, but keep your expectations in mind.
July 22, 2019
This was alright. I bypassed a lot of it, only reading the sections on characters I knew (which actually wasn’t that many; I’m apparently not that up on female characters in pop culture.) 🙃
This was a very simple book with short, simple chapters and simple explanations of everything these women go through on their journeys. I’d have liked to go more in depth on Scully and Xena especially, as they’re my favourites.
I think this is aimed at a much younger audience than me and that may be why it read as far too simple for me.
It wasn’t bad, but it wasn’t great. None of the information I read is going to stick with me. Probably good for young girls just getting into pop culture though. I probably would have enjoyed it more if I’d read it when I was 11-13.
This was a very simple book with short, simple chapters and simple explanations of everything these women go through on their journeys. I’d have liked to go more in depth on Scully and Xena especially, as they’re my favourites.
I think this is aimed at a much younger audience than me and that may be why it read as far too simple for me.
It wasn’t bad, but it wasn’t great. None of the information I read is going to stick with me. Probably good for young girls just getting into pop culture though. I probably would have enjoyed it more if I’d read it when I was 11-13.
March 21, 2020
I really loved this: I got to read brief essays on inspiring women, learn about mental health and women's daily struggles, and find new things to appreciate in pop culture, from Supergirl to Lost to Avengers: Age of Ultron and even Dungeons and Dragons, that I was never aware of because of my life experience. For me reading as much as I could at once (it's a short read at around 175 pages), the similar structure of the essays started to blur after a while, but the information in here is so good and needed, I really can't fault Towers for that. Researched, incisive, inspiring, positive, enlightening, and practical - "Geek Girls Don't Cry" is worth your time whether you're a consumer or a creative.
November 16, 2025
I think I love the idea of this book. I picked it up due to the inclusion of Keyleth as one of the characters and the introduction by Marisha Ray, and any instance of my girl being loved in a sea of mindless Keyleth hate is an automatic win for me. However, I felt that the discussion of each of the characters was very surface-level and felt more like a summary than a deep dive. Maybe I'm just older than the target audience, though. Regardless, I would have loved to see some deeper analysis of the characters and their struggles, which I understand is hard to do when trying to talk about so many characters in one book. Perhaps choosing fewer characters as examples would have given time for more detail.
May 29, 2019
An inspiring book.
Opening it up and starting to read, I wasn't entirely sure about what I would find, and having now read it, I can say that I am not disappointed by my purchase.
The book covers a multitude of different mental illnesses and does so in a way that is is to relate with and find something to bring along into your own life. Something that you can later look back at and thing "huh, this reminds me of ..." and therefore correctly find help and or support someone.
All in all, a very compelling book that shines a light on many mental illnesses and does so in an easy to grasp manner. Would definitely recommend that you check out this book.
Opening it up and starting to read, I wasn't entirely sure about what I would find, and having now read it, I can say that I am not disappointed by my purchase.
The book covers a multitude of different mental illnesses and does so in a way that is is to relate with and find something to bring along into your own life. Something that you can later look back at and thing "huh, this reminds me of ..." and therefore correctly find help and or support someone.
All in all, a very compelling book that shines a light on many mental illnesses and does so in an easy to grasp manner. Would definitely recommend that you check out this book.
March 15, 2020
This was a great book. I throughly enjoyed reading about the psychology behind different pop culture women and how they overcome their different plights. I can see myself picking up this book and re-reading a chapter or two when I feel I need a bit of motivation.
I didn’t give it five stars because the way it was laid out started to feel very repetitive. Every character is introduced and explained in the same format. There were two Q&A’s towards the end that I didn’t care to read because I didn’t care to hear their answers to the same questions that had already been answered by a few other women before.
I didn’t give it five stars because the way it was laid out started to feel very repetitive. Every character is introduced and explained in the same format. There were two Q&A’s towards the end that I didn’t care to read because I didn’t care to hear their answers to the same questions that had already been answered by a few other women before.
January 26, 2020
This book did the exact opposite of its title: I cried the whole way through it. This is the voice of our geeky generation, the voice that makes sure we are seen. It was so cathartic and inclusive
Though I was familiar with nearly all the characters, I am interested to learn more about the ones I didn't after learning about their stories. Even when a topic or struggle didn't resonate with me personally, it is undeniably interesting and inspiring.
Content Warning: Pretty much everything, so read the sectional intros
Though I was familiar with nearly all the characters, I am interested to learn more about the ones I didn't after learning about their stories. Even when a topic or struggle didn't resonate with me personally, it is undeniably interesting and inspiring.
Content Warning: Pretty much everything, so read the sectional intros
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