It's been a pretty heavy few months, what with the live-streamed genocide, the weird Western media mainstream complicity and the feeling that I wanted to shout into the void. To lighten my load and add some levity to proceedings after reading/ hearing some pretty heavy and sometimes depressing books including Minority Rule by Ash Sarkar, Moral Ambition by Rutger Bregman, The Message by Ta-Nahisi Coates, Toxic by Sarah Ditum, What Just Happened?! by Marina Hyde, The Anxious Generation by Jonathan Haidt and A Heart That Works by Rob Delaney (all within the last 6 months no less) I thought I'd read something delightful and uplifting to nourish my poor husk of a soul. So, I picked up the entire Geek Girl book collection.

Now, stick with me here, I know I'm not the target audience for this book series which is aimed at tween and teenagers but after watching and loving the first series on Netflix, I decided I wanted to read the rest.

For those not in the know Geek Girl is a series of 6 books by Holly Smale. It is is a delightful and heartwarming journey that truly embodies the sentiment, ‘Magic comes when you're not looking for it.’

At its core is Harriet Manners, a protagonist on the spectrum who you can't help but root for. Her self-awareness and unashamed embrace of her geeky identity, even in the face of bullying, is truly inspiring. Harriet's confidence in who she is and efforts to be her best self, despite external pressures, is a quality many readers will wish they possessed.

The series beautifully navigates the trials and tribulations of adolescence with humour and genuine emotion, making it a joy to read for anyone who has ever felt a little different.

I had a wonderful couple of weeks away from the darkness and feeling of ennui that pervaded thr world and for that I am very grateful. Strengthen, I go once more unto the breach.

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