At the library where I work, self-help books crowd the non-fiction section, each promising to transform you into someone happier, calmer, healthier, and more productive. I shelve most of them without a second glance, but The Nerdist Way: How to Reach the Next Level (In Real Life) caught my attention and I could not put it down. Author Chris Hardwick makes The Nerdist Way stand out through his unique voice and ingenious advice, using his own experiences to help readers take a more active role in their lives.
Chris Hardwick earned serious geek cred as the creator of the Nerdist media empire, and he encourages readers of The Nerdist Way to unleash their own creative sides. To help readers achieve success, Hardwick offers advice on goal-setting and time-management tailored to a geek audience. Tech-savvy nerds will love reading about different software apps you can use to track time use, and gaming nerds will love creating a Dungeons & Dragons-style character sheet to articulate goals and identify skills to improve.
Hardwick connects to his audience with a casual and humorous writing style that reminds me of reading a blog post from my older brother. He peppers the book with references to geek canon such as Star Trek and Doctor Who, and he conveys boundless excitement through multiple exclamation points and words in ALL CAPS. If other self-help books read like choking down wilted spinach, The Nerdist Way is like popping candy-colored gummy vitamins.
Hardwick shows a serious, more vulnerable side, though, as he candidly discusses his own struggles with weight loss, alcoholism, anxiety, and financial trouble. Because Hardwick knows how battling personal demons feels, readers can relate to him. Dealing with emotional issues and insecurities can be a scary undertaking, so I admire his strength, resilience, and ability to maintain a sense of humor.
After reading The Nerdist Way, I felt equipped with the tools to make my life an epic quest. Notebook in hand, I will map out my destiny. If you wish to embark on a similar journey, check out The Nerdist Way and visit Nerdist.com.
