Voices

Ned Talks: Nerdy oppor-tuna-ties

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November 22, 2024

     “Hey Ned, in your humble opinion, what books do you think everyone should read? Sincerely, a curious English major who’s definitely not looking for recommendations. Nope. Not at all.”

     Ned: Hiya, friend! It’s kind of hard to read underwater since books and water don’t exactly mix… but that doesn’t mean I don’t take every oppor-tuna-ty to read when I can! So, let’s dive in and look at a (relatively short) list of books I recommend to everyone any chance I get. And who knows? Maybe you’ll find something you want to add to your reading list!

     First up is “Loveless” by Alice Oseman. I know, you’ve probably never heard of it, and you’re probably wondering why in the world Ned the Narwhal of all people (narwhals?) would be recommending some obscure young adult book. Sure, it’s a bit cliche at times, and the writing is sort of all over the place, but it’s a young adult novel with a poignant message. It follows 18-year-old college student Georgia and her journey of understanding herself as someone who doesn’t experience romantic or sexual attraction in a world built around those kinds of relationships. There aren’t enough books out there about being aromantic and asexual, so give “Loveless” a read!

     Next, Ntozake Shange’s “for colored girls who have considered suicide/when the rainbow is enuf” is a play written in verse, also known as a choreopoem. But don’t let the fact that it’s poetry scare you off. It’s beautifully written, and it’s just plain fun to read. The play is told from the perspectives of seven Black women, all representing one color of the rainbow, with one Black woman acting as the color brown. It’s a poignant exploration of the diverse experiences of Black women, from their very different dreams and joys to their sorrows. Trust me on this one.

     Sir Ned III, Nature’s Guardian: Oh, Ned, but you can’t forget the best book known to humankind: the Dungeons and Dragons “Player’s Handbook,” the ultimate guide to beginning your life as an adventurer! How could you dupe your readers in such a way by failing to mention such a cornerstone of literature?

     Ned: …Right. Sure. Erm… Anyway, back to it. If those books aren’t quite your thing, try “A Dark and Hollow Star” by Ashley Shuttleworth (queer YA fantasy), “Legends and Lattes” by Travis Baldree (cozy queer fantasy), “Native Guard” by Natasha Trethewey (poetry), “Not Here” by Hieu Minh Nguyen (poetry), “Cemetery Boys” by Aiden Thomas (queer YA fantasy), “The Picture of Dorian Gray” by Oscar Wilde and “The Round House” by Louise Erdrich (Ojibwe fiction). Happy reading, friend!

     “Hi Ned, I noticed that you talk about D&D [Dungeons and Dragons] and RPGs [role-playing games] a lot! What drew you to start playing, and are you a new player?”

     Ned: Hiya, friend! Thanks for noticing all of my nerdy shenanigans, especially since they seem pretty niche for some of my readers. But it’s no secret that role-playing games are becoming more widespread in popular culture, so I guess I’m not alone, huh? 

     I started playing after my narwhal best friend introduced me to “Baldur’s Gate III,” a role-playing video game released in 2023. I loved playing the game with my community of nerdy narwhals, and since the mechanics of the game are closely based on D&D, we decided to try playing D&D for the first time. So I guess I am a pretty new player!

     What’s appealing about it, you ask? Well… I guess it’s being able to create whatever kind of character you want, from a tiefling sorcerer to a gnome bard! 

     Sir Ned III, Nature’s Guardian: Oh, but Ned, you forget yourself. Why, we play in pursuit of the spirit of adventure, my friend! That is what we adventurers are about! The irresistible life of questing, slaying monsters, defeating evil and reinstating the power of good with one’s friends and companions…

     Ned: I mean, it’s not just that, though, Sir Ned. It’s the collaborative narrative you create with others as you and your team of adventurers roleplay and roll the dice—it’s a pretty low-stakes game, and it’s just plain fun! It might seem pretty nerdy, but honestly? I’m okay with that.

     Well, that’s all for this edition of Ned Talks. If you have a query you’re just dying to ask, don’t be afraid to write in and ask me for advice by filling out my Google Form: Ned Talks. Don’t hit the wall; call Ned the Narwhal!

     This is just the beginning of my silly shenanigans, so stay tuna-ed for more content next time. As always, one thing’s for shore: who knows what puns I might use next? Sea you next time!