Immerse yourself in books that come alive with imagination
A “WRITE it yourself” self-help journal that’s taking over social media is baffling the French literary elite.
Neatly packed onto shelves and exposing taut spines with covers that enclose pages as smooth and velvety as pure silk, there’s nothing quite like getting lost inside a world woven together by someone else’s words.
However, in recent years, books in the traditional sense have evolved into something more interactive. And no, we are not talking about finger puppets and pop-up books for children. In fact, this genre of New Age books that have emerged was designed exclusively for teens and young adults, addressing a variety of subject matters.
Pushing the limits of what a best-selling book can be, Burn After Writing, by British author and graphic designer Sharon Jones, has its readers engaging with their surroundings in a new way as they embark on an adventure of their own making.
More than just a journal, the book is available in a range of colours to “suit your mood”. It contains a list of introspective prompts that challenge your perspectives, with the main aim being to spend less time scrolling through social media and more time self-reflecting.
According to The Times, mainstream media critics snubbed its launch while TikTokers and Instagram influencers seized the opportunity to document their lives on paper, sharing their journey with their millions of followers online. As a result, the French printing company, Trédaniel, had to rush to restock book stores after the initial 120 000 copies sold out within a month.
This genre of book is for everyone. It allows its readers to pour their thoughts and creativity onto the pages, breaking all the rules of traditional book culture. As far as Jones’s book goes, once you’ve completed each task, you’re invited to toss the book, hide it, or even burn after writing.
5 more interactive books to immerse yourself in:
This Book Is A Planetarium
by Kelli Anderson
Defying every expectation of what a book can be, this pop-up extravaganza transforms into six functional tools. Artist Kelli Anderson contributes enlightening text alongside each pop-up, explaining the scientific principles at play in her constructions and creating an interactive experience that’s as educational as it is extraordinary. It inspires awe that lasts long after the initial pop.
The Escape Book
Novel by David Baldacci
The first book to be based on the fast-growing phenomenon of escape rooms, The Escape is like climbing inside a real-life game with every intricacy thoughtfully designed by the author himself. Ridden with challenges, puzzles and mysteries galore, your role is that of an investigative journalist who knows too much. The labyrinth in which you find yourself in the book has you trapped by a corrupt, high-flying businessman Castian Warnes. This is where you have to escape, putting your problem-solving skills and perseverance to the test.
Wreck This Journal
by Keri Smith
Wacky, playful and downright bizarre at times, Wreck This Journal was created for those who’ve always wanted to colour outside the lines but were too afraid to do it. It features a broad range of suggestions, probing readers to put their best mistakes, mess-making abilities and creativity on display while filling up the book (and destroying them). The illustrated prompts, designed by acclaimed artist Keri Smith, encourage journallers to engage in “destructive” acts like poking holes through pages, adding photos and defacing them, painting with coffee, colouring outside the lines, and more in order to experience the true creative process.
Finish This Book
by Keri Smith
The story begins on an eerily dark and stormy night when author Keri Smith stumbles upon pages strewn across an abandoned park. Curious, she decides to collect and assemble them, in a bid to uncover the mystery behind her unexpected discovery. This is where the reader comes in – you’re tasked with the mission of becoming the new author of this work by carrying out the remaining research and filling in the rest of the missing content. In order to complete the task,
My Lady’s Choosing: An Interactive Romance Novel
Novel by Kitty Curran and Larissa Zageris
Taking romance novels to new heights, the enticing book will have you amid 19th century society, right as courtship season has begun. You, the reader, will play the part of the plucky but penniless heroine who will be wooing your way toward finding love. Make choices, turn pages, and discover all the daring delights of the multiple (and intertwining) story lines. And in every path you pick, stunning illustrations will bring all the lust and love to life.