Y’all it’s the best time of the year! Not only is March Women’s History Month BUT WONDERCON is upon us!
WonderCon is a comic book convention that takes place yearly in Anaheim, CA. I have found that because there is so much hype around Comic Con in San Diego that WonderCon is underappreciated. The vibe is low key, the lines are long, but not to the extremes that you would see in San Diego. An absolute gem! Having been to both events I say that WonderCon is my preferred Con. If I get the chance to go to both, do I go? Yes, of course. Duh!
But what exactly is a Con?
It is not the Six of Crows getting together to pull off a huge act of deception, no (though you may find some cosplayers of the group at the center).
It’s a place I like to call home.
A place where you can come as you are or as your favorite superhero/ anime character/ book character; the possibilities are endless. It’s a place where pop culture thrives and you can connect with others who love that book too or who also love that tv series! There are booths from small businesses, independent publishers, art galleries and oh so many places to shop from. There are programs to see and exclusive shows.
It’s just a bunch of nerds having a big party to talk about nerdy stuff.
via GIPHY
I don’t know why there is such a stigma around conventions about them being “nerdy” and that being said in a negative connotation, but as far as I am concerned being nerdy is cool!
If you have never been to WonderCon or any sort of convention here is a list of books that can take you there!
1. Con Quest! by Sam Maggs | Fiction, Middle Grade Published by Square Fish June 22, 2021
“An awesome adventure that celebrates fandom–and what could be better than that?” —Nerdist “The debut novel from bestselling author Sam Maggs, Con Quest! is a comics convention adventure for young readers about fandom, family, and finding your place in the world! Cat and Alex are excited to be at the world’s most popular comics convention–and they’re even more excited to compete in the Quest, a huge scavenger hunt run by their favorite nerdy celebrity. The big prize: a chance to meet him! The twins ditch their older sister Fi and set off to find geeky clues, tackle nerdy challenges, and cross as many items as possible off their Quest list, which includes volunteering at an Artist Alley booth, gathering cosplayers in enough colors to make a double rainbow, and actually finding something healthy to eat in the convention center!Can the twins work together even when they disagree on how to compete? Will Fi find Cat and Alex before their parents realize they’re missing? Most importantly, can these ultimate fans complete the ultimate Quest? “–Bookshop.org
I just recently discovered this book while I was on the search for books set within a convention center and the cover art really caught my attention as well as the target age group. To begin with, there are not a lot of stories set in such a space and even fewer that could be enjoyed by kids in the age range of 8-12 and really these events are family friendly. Can’t wait to check this book out my first impressions are that Con Quest looks like a book that the whole family can read together and enjoy.
2. Geekerella: A Fangirl Fairytale by Ashley Poston | Fiction, Young Adult Published by QuirkBooks April 4, 2017.
“Cinderella goes to the con in this fandom-fueled twist on the classic fairy tale romance–now in paperback, with a special Starfield bonus scene! Part romance, part love letter to nerd culture, and all totally adorbs, Geekerella is a fairy tale for anyone who believes in the magic of fandom. Geek girl Elle Wittimer lives and breathes Starfield, the classic sci-fi series she grew up watching with her late father. So when she sees a cosplay contest for a new Starfield movie, she has to enter. The prize? An invitation to the ExcelsiCon Cosplay Ball, and a meet-and-greet with the actor slated to play Federation Prince Carmindor in the reboot. With savings from her gig at the Magic Pumpkin food truck (and her dad’s old costume), Elle’s determined to win…unless her stepsisters get there first. Teen actor Darien Freeman used to live for cons–before he was famous. Now they’re nothing but autographs and awkward meet-and-greets. Playing Carmindor is all he’s ever wanted, but the Starfield fandom has written him off as just another dumb heartthrob. As ExcelsiCon draws near, Darien feels more and more like a fake–until he meets a girl who shows him otherwise.”—Bookshop.org
Read my goodreads review from 2017!
Geekerlla is a personal favorite for me and I recommend it to readers of all ages if you’re into to pop culture, cute romances and Cinderella retellings. I recall meeting the author when the book first came out at WonderCon 2017 and I was able to interview her, but I was way too shy to actually put it out into the world! It is a core convention memory for me though. <3
3. Queens of Geek by Jen Wilde | Fiction,Young Adult Published by Swoon Reads March 14, 2017
“Three friends, two love stories, one convention: this fun, feminist love letter to geek culture is all about fandom, friendship, and finding the courage to be yourself. This is the geeky, queer book of our dreams.” —Seventeen “Charlie likes to stand out. She’s a vlogger and actress promoting her first movie at SupaCon, and this is her chance to show fans she’s over her public breakup with co-star Reese Ryan. When internet-famous cool-girl actress Alyssa Huntington arrives as a surprise guest, it seems Charlie’s long-time crush on her isn’t as one-sided as she thought. Taylor likes to blend in. Her brain is wired differently, making her fear change. And there’s one thing in her life she knows will never change: her friendship with her best guy friend Jamie–no matter how much she may secretly want it to. But when she hears about a fan contest for her favorite fandom, she starts to rethink her rules on playing it safe.”
–Bookshop.org
The tagline alone has me sold on this one: “Three Friends. Two Love Stories. One Convention.” This sounds like it will be a lot of drama, heartache and geeky fun!
4. The Love Con by Seressia Glass | Fiction, Adult, Romance Published by Berkley Books December 14, 2021.
“He’s cosplaying as her boyfriend but their feelings for each other are real in this romantic comedy from Seressia Glass. Sometimes Kenya Davenport believes she was switched at the hospital–how else could a lover of anime, gaming, and cosplay come from STEM parents? Still, Kenya dreams of being able to turn her creative hobby into a career. She finally has a chance to make it big when she joins the reality show competition Cosplay or No Way.There’s just one catch: the challenge for the final round is all about iconic pairs, and the judges want the contestants’ significant others to participate. Unfortunately, Kenya is as single as can be at the moment. Luckily her best friend, Cameron Lassiter, agrees to be her fake boyfriend for the show. Roleplaying a couple in love will force them to explore what they’re hiding under the mask of friendship. Can Kenya and Cam fake it until she makes it, or will she be real about her feelings, knowing it could cost her the best friend she’s ever had?”—Bookshop.org
Look at that cover! I bought The Love Con at last years WonderCon thinking I would finish it in time for next years so I could make this very list of book recommendations. Yeah, here we are a year later BUT I have read the first couple of pages and as far as first impressions go-I LOVE IT.
5. One Con Glory by Sarah Kuhn | Fiction, Adult, Novella Published by Alert Nerd Press October 19, 2009.
“Diehard fangirl Julie loves Buffy marathons, fighting about comic book continuity, and being left alone. But more than anything, Julie loves Glory Gilmore, a mostly-forgotten C-List superheroine from the world of ’80s comics. For years, she’s longed to reclaim the precious Glory action figure that’s eluded her grasp so many times before. And one fateful weekend, she has the chance to do just that. Of course, no great quest is ever simple. Before she can triumph over the forces of loudmouth nerds and clueless Mundanes everywhere, Julie will have to deal with an avalanche of unexpected obstacles. In the midst of battles for videogame supremacy and frustrating encounters with a supremely irritating TV pretty boy, she’ll be forced to reconsider her fandom and reevaluate her life. She might even have to talk to people.”–Bookshop.org
As a fan of Sarah Kuhn, as a person–I have yet to read one of her books, I am interested to read some of her older works. Plus I read some of the reviews and they claim it to be very short so it would serve as a quick read which is always tempting!
Here is the end of my list of book recommendations that take place at a convention center.
I have not read all of the above, but maybe by this time next year! In the meantime tell me is there a book I missed? Tell me what book do I need to add to this list for next year??
Find all of the books mentioned at my bookshop!
BONUS Here are the books that I bought from the Small Press section of WonderCon 2022!
- The Battle for the Sky: In the Shadow of a Monster by Dalila Caryn | Fairy Tales & Folklore, Family-Blended Families, Fantasy Published by Evil Goddess Press April 1, 2022.
” There is no such thing as love. Baba’s words resound within Hadhi even after his death, as it feels like no one truly loves her. So trying to win the prince’s hand isn’t done with dreams of love. She only wants to improve her family’s fortunes and escape the pit of resentment they share. But more than just a prince washed up in Maltuba. A gaggle of foreigners, a mystery woman, and a vengeance seeker upset Hadhi’s life threatening her family and giving her a glimpse of a love that could prove her father’s every word wrong.
The arrival of foreigners is the answer to Asha’s every adventurous dream. When a stranger offers her any one wish she cannot resist rushing into the world to show her family just what they are missing.
Their upended world offers these sisters love, and adventure, and the chance to finally see one another-But will they be strong enough to abandon their lifelong battle and embrace what they truly deserve?And will it even matter if they do?”–Bookshop.org
2. Promised Prophecy: Oracle Series by Jaemi Lee | Fantasy, Epic Published by Bamboo Publishing December 07, 2021.
” Elliot Ashwood is a young elf who resides in a small elven village on the outskirts of civilization-a plight the elven race has been forced into based on unjustified prejudice. He spends his days dreaming of becoming a keeper, someone who protects the oracle-the chosen one, whose task is to communicate with the creator of the world. Unfortunately, a twist of fate causes him to question his entire existence and purpose. Not only is Elliot unable to become a keeper, but the oracle isn’t the oracle at all. Elliot is. He has been hidden from this truth his entire life. And his role as the oracle isn’t what it seems to be. Suddenly, Elliot’s quiet life is gone, and in its place is a dreadful and fateful prophecy that he alone must fulfill. In order to overthrow the return of the Necromancers-deranged worshippers of the Dark God who possess the ability of the dark arts-he must leave his village for the first time with his best friend, Minari Redwood. They must tread carefully, facing danger and prejudice at every turn, and even though Elliot feels unprepared and woefully unqualified, he must tread on. The destruction or salvation upon the world they hold dear is in the palms of their hands.”—Bookshop.org
3. Sere From the Green: The Shape Shifter Chronicles by Lauren Janokowski | Fantasy, Adult, Paranormal Published by Crimson Fox Publishing October 31, 2017
“There is a race that lives among humans, unbeknownst to them, called shape shifters, those that can shift from human to animal at will. Many protect the innocent on Earth and act as the eyes and ears of the guardians, divine beings similar to gods in ancient myths. Isis is a woman who lives a normal life until the day she photographs a murder scene for her job. When the body disappears from her photographs, Isis is determined to solve the mystery. Her investigation uncovers answers about her own past and sets her on a journey that will change her life forever.”–Bookshop.org
Thank you for visiting my page, to find all of the books mentioned check out my bookshop!