"S." aka "The Book of S." by J.J. Abrams and Doug Dorst

[JewishHobbit]

What the heck?! This is the most creative, insanely interesting book I've ever seen. I just picked it up and was totally engrossed before the core story even started. It's hard to explain, so here:

Interview with J.J. Abrams and Doug Dorst

You HAVE to read it as the hardback due to the nature of the project, but if you'd like, you could also listen to the eBook of the Book of Theseus without the core story going on in the margins.

Has anyone else read this? I'm curious what people think (without spoilers of course). I'm still in chapter 1 at this point, but I don't think I've ever enjoyed studying something as much as I do this. As a writer, I'm so mad I didn't think of this.

 

[ComicChick]

this actually sounds very interesting

 

[JewishHobbit]

It's difficult to read, that's for sure. The marginal notes on the first few pages and during the Introduction was cool, but now that the actual story has started I'm having trouble keeping up with both sides (the story and the margin discussion). I'm thinking I might just read full chapters of the story and then go back and read the margins. It's tricky to figure out the best way to read it.

Who is in your avatar?

 

[Tron Bonne]

I saw that on Colbert Report. I almost picked it up, but I had a lot of Christmas shopping to do so I haven't, yet. Why do you say you need to experience in hardback? What's undoable about this that can't be translated to paperback?

 

[JewishHobbit]

I'm sorry. I meant you can't read it as an eBook. You can listen to the core story "the Ship of Theseus" as an eBook, but not the margin notes of the story.

 

[Tron Bonne]

Ah, I see. Yeah, I could see how they would be a problem if you were primarily an ebook person. What kind of story is the Ship part, a mystery?

 

[JewishHobbit]

I'm not sure. I'm still in the first chapter. It's been pretty busy for me lately.

 

[ComicChick]

It's difficult to read, that's for sure. The marginal notes on the first few pages and during the Introduction was cool, but now that the actual story has started I'm having trouble keeping up with both sides (the story and the margin discussion). I'm thinking I might just read full chapters of the story and then go back and read the margins. It's tricky to figure out the best way to read it.

Who is in your avatar?

alexis knapp. aka stacy from pitch perfect

i've added this book to my amz wish list

 

[JewishHobbit]

Ah. Never seen Pitch Perfect, but my wife said she liked it when she and the girls watched it a few months ago.

 

[Octoberist]

Pitch Perfect is actually pretty darn good. Surprisingly good.

 

[antsman41]

I've got about 100 pages left. I really love it, but it does take a lot of patience and time. It's a book in a book in a book... Bookception.

Every angle is great, not only are the margins interesting... the 'book' is great too.

Plus, I fear to read it outside of my home; all of the awesome pieces of material within it would be too easy to lose.

 

[JewishHobbit]

That's my problem I think. I've been busy with work, book stuff, etc. that I'm afraid to really dig into the book for fear of 'losing' stuff. I want to take my time with it.

I talked to the next person to pick book options for my book club and he's going to make this one of the options (I knew he would, it's his sort of book!). I it's selected, then I'm going to dig into it immediately. I not, then I'm going to quickly get the next book club option out of the way and then spend the next month on this one so I can appreciate it.

 

[antsman41]

Just finished, really enjoyable all around.

Was a tad ambitious at the end, but couldn't expect otherwise where this story within a story is clearly defined by the covers it is held within.

Wonderful idea, process, and creation. JJ Abrams greatest accomplishment since LOST...

 

[Ultimate Movie-Man]

Was this that trailer where it was black and white and had some guy ona beach and then another guy with a lamp whose eyes were stitched or something? I've also seen this book in bookshops, but because they're bookshops, they want $40 (AUD) for it. Ain't nobody got time for that. I'm only interested if it's really worth it.

 

[antsman41]

Oh, it's totally worth it. You're not paying ~$30 for just a book... you're buying an experience.

 

[Ultimate Movie-Man]

I might import it from Amazon US

 

[Tron Bonne]

I'm glad this got bumped; I need to grab this still and totally forgot about it.

 

[JewishHobbit]

I still need to finish reading it. I stopped due to book club issues (I can't start a book, stop to read a book club book, and then return to the previous book... it messes me up). Well, I've officially dissolved the book club, so I have time. I'm reading Dracula right now and am kinda bleh on it, so I might drop it for this. I just hate the idea of dropping Dracula when I've wanted to read it for years. Plus I have Once and Future King on my shelf, which I've been wanting to read for years and years, and my best friend's been BEGGING me to read Game of Thrones. Plus I have the sequel to Miss Peregrin's Home for Peculiar Children that I recently picked up, and I've been in the mood for a Nicholas Sparks book as well. If only I had more time.

 

[Doc Ock]

I forgot about this myself and had alot of interest in it, because JJ Abrams. I might pick it up next week.

 

[Ultimate Movie-Man]

Glad I was of some help for everyone! :P