Multimedia Books
I’m a complete sucker for a book where the story is told through multi-media, such as text messaging, social media, transcripts, or images. Some folks are calling this kind of storytelling “modern epistolary” as most multi-media aspects are forms of communication. In modern times, maybe Frankenstein’s monster would be texting the good Doctor. The novel that really set this format related genre off was World War Z by Max Brooks, published in 2006. It’s a multi-person “historical” account of a zombie apocalypse told through interviews and electronic communication and so worth checking out. If you liked World War Z or just want to check out some good books in this format, here are a few suggestions.
- The Rise and Fall of D.O.D.O. by Neal Stephenson and Nicole Galland. This is the story of the inception and downfall of a super secret government organization that uses witches for the purpose of quantum physics based time travel. It’s told first as a series of diary entries and over the course of the book incorporates emails, letters, chat transcripts, and one character’s internet search history.
- Night Film by Marisha Pessl. This is a book about the mysterious death of Ashley Cordova and her reclusive father, a cult horror film maker. We follow investigative journalist Scott McGrath as he tries to uncover what really happened to Ashley. The printed and audiobooks include an app that gives you access to chat conversations and news articles about Ashley and her father. Some chapters include medical reports and pictures. Those and interactive links are all included in the e-book.
- Sleep Over by H.G. Bells. Sleep Over is exactly what it sounds like – the world is hit with an insomnia plague. People stop sleeping. Their bodies start shutting down. The world crumbles in weird and unpredictable ways. H.G. Bells takes the WWZ approach with this book and tells the story of the insomnia apocalypse from the perspectives of multiple characters in interview and electronic exchange formats.
- The Supernatural Enhancements by Edgar Cantero. This book is a ton of creepy fun. The protagonist, only known as A, inherits a house from wealthy relatives he didn’t know he had. He’s also pretty sure the house is haunted but needs proof. Cantero tells the story of A and this haunted house with letters, handwritten notes, transcripts of audio surveillance equipment, and ciphers.
- The Future of Us by Jay Asher and Carolyn Mackler. This one is also a ton of fun. It’s 1996 and Josh and Emma are next door neighbors and best friends. Emma’s dad gives her a computer as a high school graduation gift. Josh gets his hands on an AOL disc. They pop in the disc and are taken to – facebook? Considering facebook wouldn’t be invented for another 8 years this is weird. The teens have a strange glimpse into their future lives and realize through the facebook status updates of their future selves, that the things they do in a given day now can change the entirety of their lives in the future.
Post by Carey Gibbons, Reference Specialist
About #FDL
Welcome to #FDL! #FDL is a twice weekly update on all things Fondulac District Library and East Peoria. Twice a week, library staff will make posts that highlight some aspect of library life and relate it to you – our readers. Have you ever wanted to know which Dewey number represented a certain topic? Are you looking for book recommendations based on your favorite television show or television recommendations based on your favorite book? Have you ever wondered about the secret details of librarian life? If the answer to any of these questions is yes, then #FDL is for you. We look forward to writing posts that are informative and entertaining and hope that you enjoy getting better acquainted with Fondulac District Library.