GeekSugar

Fun Summer Geek Reads

GeekSugar — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 01:45:26 -0700

To me, Summer is not only about throwing parties, taking trips and getting out your waterproof beach gear, it's also about winding down . . . and by winding down, I mean losing yourself in a good book. They are geeky, witty, and full of flair - here are some of my favorite Summer beach reads for all the geeky gals out there.

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Geek Reading: Tech Girls Are Chic

GeekSugar — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 01:44:50 -0700

Lately, it seems like publishing has started to recognize us - us, as in geek girls (sorry boys) - by churning out books for us, even if it's not in our usual medium.

I enjoyed How to Be a Geek Goddess, and for different reasons, Geeky Dreamboats, so Tech Girls Are Chic ($18) is a welcome addition.

The book focuses on 16 women who work in technology jobs, to show an audience of all girls (not just us geeks who already know what's up) that tech jobs are welcoming to women. I'm all for something that encourages girls not to shy away from tech.

One question though: Does it come in a Kindle version?

What's All This Tweet Stuff About? Twitter Gets Its Own Book

GeekSugar — Tue, 02 Jun 2009 07:33:25 -0700

With Twitter taking over our lives, I suppose it was only a matter of time before it got its very own book. Twitter Tips, Tricks, and Tweets is a beginner's manual that brings you all the goods on Twitter, from how to sign up to adding your Twitter feed to your blog and social networking sites.

If you didn't already get enough info from my endless Twitter news, then I guess this book might be worth picking up if you absolutely must have a book to hold in your hands. The glossy cover is totally attractive and eye catching, but how someone crafted a 272 page book from Twitter is beyond me. Isn't the basis of Twitter pretty simple? Or are you really interested in Twitter tips and tricks in book form?

Website of the Day: Book Army

GeekSugar — Wed, 29 Apr 2009 14:30:44 -0700

Though I've yet to splurge on a Kindle 2, I'm dying for one, since I don't think I'll ever grow out of my bookworminess.

Until I get one, I'll still read them the old-fashioned way, and I can still use tech to find new reads. Book Army is my new destination for literary recommendations. "Never read a bad book again" is its tagline, and I say amen to that.

From pages dedicated to talking about authors to the book reviews, the pretty UI and easy-to-navigate layout set the site apart. I've already got a few new titles lined up to read next.

Found a cool website you'd like to share? To learn how to post your favorite websites to our Website of the Day group, read more.

I know that this long list looks scary, but trust me, once you get the hang of it, it'll be a snap the second time around.

First of all, join the Website of the Day group.
Click the pink "Share" menu on the top left side of the page.
Choose "Blog" and "Regular Post."
Give your story a "Title."
Fill in the "Body" with a link to your favorite website and the reasons why you love it.
Click "Next."
Choose the audience for your story to "Website of the Day" in the dropdown menu.
Add keyword(s) (for example mine for this photo was "Website of the Day").
Change channel to "Technology and Gadgets."
Fill in tag field with relevant tags.
Click "I’m done" to submit content.

So join the Website of the Day group and share information about all your favorite sites! Yours just might end up on the geeksugar homepage!

Crobots: I'm Gathering My Crocheting Tools Now

GeekSugar — Wed, 15 Apr 2009 13:25:17 -0700

You're a crafty bunch, so I know you're going to love this. On a recent trip to SF's Japantown, I stopped in to one of the many bookstores and found this awesome amigurumi craft book that includes two of my favorite things: robots and DIY. Called Crobots, this gem contains 20 patterns to make your own crocheted robots to post on your desk, and show off at work. Although I'm not much of a knitter, the sight of these little robots makes me want to test my skills.

Just released this month, Crobots ($10) is geared toward the novice crocheter, but is fun enough for pros to pick up. And if it doesn't work out in the crafting department, you can always just cut out the pictures and post them in your office as some geeky wall art. Yup, they're that cute.

How to Be a Geek Goddess: A Textbook For Aspiring Geeks

GeekSugar — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 14:30:19 -0700

Christina Tynan-Wood is a girl after my own heart - tech savvy, but knows that technology is something that can and should be used to make your life easier, not harder. So when she wrote How to Be a Geek Goddess, she had all those women that are afraid to dive in to the (sometimes intimidating) world of technology in mind, and uses the book like a guiding hand to ease you in. Gently.

From how to set up an RSS feed, to explaining what a modem is used for, to sharing her lust of some cool gadgets, How to Be a Geek Goddess is like geeksugar, but on actual paper! She dishes on the joys of online shopping, but reminds us that just like any new relationship, you gotta use protection . . . then tells you how to keep your WiFi and credit on lockdown.

I enjoyed reading through HTBAGG, especially since it helped me refresh on some subjects I had forgotten! To see who I think this book would be perfect for, read more.

If your BFF is tired of relying on her boyfriend for tech support, or if your cousin gets a blank look on her face when you ask her if she's done her system updates lately, this book is the perfect birthday (or anytime) gift for an aspiring or wanna-be geek. It's well-written with a witty and easy tone, and never makes you feel like you are trudging through mud to understand. Just think of it like the textbook you keep on your shelf for reference when you need it.

How to Be a Geek Goddess is available now online and in stores for $ 17.

Hungry Scientist Handbook Is the Cookbook For Geeks

GeekSugar — Tue, 07 Apr 2009 14:00:45 -0700

If you want to get your geeky kitchen skills up there on par with the Kindle Cake baker, you might check out the Hungry Scientist Handbook ($17).

Filled with instructions on how to make stuff like dry-ice martinis and electric cakes, the guidebook will help bridge your love of tech with your love of cooking.

Bottoms up!

Geeky Dreamboats Book: A Celebration (Indeed!)

GeekSugar — Fri, 27 Mar 2009 14:32:03 -0700

Well, what do we have here? A compilation book full of hot geek men, Geeky Dreamboats: A Celebration ($13)?!

I'll be taking a copy for myself, plus several copies for my girlfriends, thank you very much.

Michale Cera, Adam Brody, Flight of the Conchords? Yes, I have crushed on all of these men (I'm willfully ignoring the Jonas Brothers inclusion).

French Kiss: Colette Does Lomography For the Dianalogues

GeekSugar — Mon, 09 Mar 2009 09:03:54 -0700

French design house Colette is getting in on the Lomography trend with a special edition camera adorned with blue dots, as well as a dreamy book based on the inherent romance of the Diana Dreamer titled the Dianalogues: Through a Woman's Lens.

This all makes perfect sense to me: Colette, Paris, the Diana: the romance of it all dovetails perfectly together.

Le sigh.

Project Runway Alum's New Book: Fashion Geek

GeekSugar — Thu, 19 Feb 2009 09:01:31 -0800

Wonder what happened to your favorite former Project Runway contestants?

Here's one who's published a book that'll look perfect on my shelf. Second season contender Diana Eng's new book is titled Fashion Geek: Clothes Accessory Tech, and it's full of how-to projects that combine tech and fashion, like a hat that integrates headphones. The official release date is next month, but is available for pre-order on Amazon.

And this isn't Eng's first foray into tech/fashion; she won the Yahoo Hack Day contest with her project, "Blogging in Motion" in 2006.