Book blogging, blogging books

2005-02-28T00:32:00+00:00

I’ve spent something along the lines of five hours on trains this weekend. I like trains because they give me time to read (and listen to podcasts, but that is way more easier finding time for). During my first year at the university I spent a fair amout of time on trains and that was enough for me to do most of the reading required for my studies. This time I continued reading Pragmatic Programmer, which I love but it takes a lot of time for me since I’m reading books far too rarely.

As I arrived in Malmö, waiting for my ride, I browsed a pocket book shop at the station. There I saw what I think is the first book I’ve seen as a blog first (perhaps it wasn’t a pure, by-the-book, blog, but at least blogish) Mil Millington’s Things My Girlfriend And I Have Argued About (hmm, but it seems like it’s a “work of fiction loooooooooosely ‘inspired’ by the Things page”, well ok I was close :-) ), translated into Swedish indeed. But I didn’t buy it.

The day after, Saturday, I went to Akademibokhandeln for the annual book sale. I have mixed feelings about book stores. I like books, I really do. There is something about the lo-fi, the feel, and the guts and endurance of the writer to go through with the editing process and releasing a book that appeals to me. Don’t get me wrong, I really like reading on web as well, the low barrier for entry of blogs, and the sheer amount of text and diverse topics you can digest in a small amount of time. If reading blogs is like looking through windows to other worlds, reading books is like being invited and setting up your tent (but of course less dramatic). But unfortunately the pile of unread books keeps growing and I rarely take the time to read them. So I try to refrain from buying books, no matter how tempted I am.

I planned on continue my not-buy-any-books streak, as I stumbled upon Wil Wheaton’s Just a Geek. I wouldn’t recognize the name, probably not even the face, had I seen it a couple of months ago. But his great appearance on ITConversations changed that. He is a really good, witty, smart and entertaining speaker and author. Back in the days he played Wesley Crusher in Star Trek: The Next Generation (I’m not a trekkie, but I saw a few episodes). The podcast made me subscribe to his blog (WWdN), which in turn made me buy the book.

The book is an autobiography, in the format of old blog posts dating from 2001, intermingled with some after-the-fact writings. As a reader, and fellow geek, Wil invites me to take part of his life. Of how it is to be a struggling actor, beeing called a “has been”, ending up in second place audition after audition, beeing one small part from success, loved and heckled, stepfathering two sons, supported by his wife, mending cats and dog, and most of all living. You know all the things you get to read in those blogs that makes you appreciate people’s honesty, transperency, and openness. And here you get the additional value of Wil describing the backstory of the entries, and especially in the earliest entries, why he sometimes didn’t write the whole story and euphemized. A fascinating read so far!

Thanks Wil for sharing!

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Book blogging, blogging books