When my sons were children, one of our favorite books to read was The Musical Life of Gustav the Mole by Michael Twinn. The book follows Gustav's rich and diverse musical education as he learns not only about various instruments, but the importance of music in our lives. The best part; It came with a cassette tape (hey, at least it wasn't an eight track) that allowed the reader to hear the sounds of the instruments being played in the book and to sing along with the songs Gustav's mother would sing.
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| Author Jessica Anthony |
Of course, at the time, there were other books that also offered an enhancement to the reading experience. 'Touch and Feel' books like Pat the Bunny come to mind, pop-up books and even scratch and sniff. I loved these variations for my children because it allowed them to use their other senses while reading a story.
So interactive books, in one form or another, is not new to the industry. Fast forward twenty-some years to the now. Sure there are still books that come with CD's and other 'accessories' to complement the hard copy. But we have entered a new age in books---the digital age. And honestly, how do you scratch and sniff your Kindle?
Easy. You write a book that is also a digital app. Actually, it isn't 'easy' at all. In a recent article in the Wall Street Journal, author Jessica Anthony discusses the process involved in creating her newest novel Chopsticks, a collaboration with graphic designer Rodrigo Corral. It incorporates video clips, IM messages and photo albums to tell the story. The book is scheduled to be released the first week of February and I can't wait. I've already pre-ordered the digital version and the hardcover.
There will always be opponents of any type of 'reading' that doesn't involve picking up an eight hundred word tome and flipping through pages. But let's admit it, the world is changing, and so is the way we read. According to Bowker Market Research as mentioned in the article above, "digital titles accounted for 14% of books sold in the second and third quarters of 2011, up from 4% for all of 2010." Oh, yes, things are changing and they are changing very quickly.
There will always be opponents of any type of 'reading' that doesn't involve picking up an eight hundred word tome and flipping through pages. But let's admit it, the world is changing, and so is the way we read. According to Bowker Market Research as mentioned in the article above, "digital titles accounted for 14% of books sold in the second and third quarters of 2011, up from 4% for all of 2010." Oh, yes, things are changing and they are changing very quickly. Are books like Anthony and Corral's Chopsticks the answer? Possibly. They are definitely a turn toward the future and authors and publishers should be paying attention. Readers are. I am, too.
So I will be anxiously waiting for my two versions of Chopsticks in the coming weeks: the traditional book version (which isn't, incidentally, traditional at all) and the interactive, enhanced digital version. Yes, I am a fan of Jessica Anthony's writing, but I also want to 'see' what she has envisioned for the future of digital books. This is the beginning, and Anthony is one of the pioneers.
And in the words of the great philosopher Kevin Cronin: "if you're tired of the same old story, turn some pages....(and) roll with the changes."
