There are so many mediums that feature more than just words and enhance a story in a multitude of ways. Examples may include graphic novels and comics, audiobooks, or even multimedia novels. On this day, we will be talking about those books and formats that move beyond just the words and use other ways to experience a story. Which books stand out to you in these different formats?
Typically my reading format is old school, straight-up books. I gave audiobooks a try three or four times, but I've never finished a book in that format. I always pick up the print version because audio is SO AMAZINGLY SLOW. My only truly positive experience was listening the the first third of Lolita as Jeremy Irons' voice rocks. I don't have any experience with multimedia novels, but......
While the above two series focus on fantasy elements, graphic novels more rooted in reality are also delightful. In fiction, The Eternal Smile and American Born Chinese by Gene Luen Yang are hilarious and thought-provoking. And for non-fiction Persepolis and Maus are maddening, melancholy, and moving. And I could go on and on.
I'd love to hear your thoughts on works that move beyond the text-only format. What do you like? What should I try?
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ReplyDeleteHave you read Lauren Redniss' Radioactive? It's more of a picture book for adults than strictly a GN, and I thought the format worked really well.
I will definitely check that out. I also keep reminding myself that it is a sin I haven't read The Arrival yet.
DeleteFor sure the Saga series by Brian Vaughan. It's outré and outstanding!
ReplyDeleteAwesome! Thanks for the suggestion.
DeleteHave you read Hark! A Vagrant by Kate Beaton. That's a fun one. Smart too.
ReplyDeleteI've had to speed up a few audiobooks. Sometimes that helps.
Amanda suggested I do that, but I couldn't stand the way the voices sounded then. Just not my thing I guess.
DeleteI only started reading Fables recently and I absolutely love it! I love the way the author reinterpreted or carried the fable characters into the modern world. I only got around to the first issue of Sandman and thought that was fantastic too. One of these days I will get around to the rest of the series :)
ReplyDeleteI mostly read Marvel comics outside of the above two series. I also really adore the graphic novel adaptation of The Fountain by Darren Aronofsky, it adds something to the experience if you've seen the movie :)
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Aronofsky rocks as a director, so I will definitely check out the gn adaptation.
DeleteI NEVER see anyone mention The Eternal Smile! While I didn't love that one as much as Yang's other work, it's still Yang. And he's awesome.
ReplyDeleteAgreed. And I appreciate the interconnectedness of The Eternal Smile.
DeleteAudiobooks can be so so slow. I think that's why I liked to listen and read (not at the same time). That way I could listen during my commute but then pick up the book at lunch. Except now my boss doesn't require a commute and hates listening to audiobooks. ;)
ReplyDeleteI have Hugo Cabret just waiting for me to read! Though it's so heavy...
You will love it! Read now. :)
DeleteIf you'd like to give audiobooks another try, try speeding them up. I recently wanted to listen to some celebrity read audiobooks and started Inkspell by Cornelia Funke which is read by Brendan Fraser, who I love, but OMG it was like he was reading a bedtime story purposely to put you to sleep. It was sooooooo slow. So, I found an app at Google Play for my Fire (Audipo) that speeds up audio. I turned it up to 1.5 and he was at a normal pace. I ended up listening to him a 1.9 ~ almost twice as fast, and I followed along easily and got through the book much quicker. Now, I listen to all my audiobooks at a faster pace, depending on the narrator. I put it at a speed where I can clearly understand them, but is still faster than their regular speaking speed. I love it!! My More Than Words were audiobook recommendations, if you'd like to take a look.
ReplyDeleteI tried to speed things up once and the voices sounded really goofy.
DeleteIf you don't mind reading books for younger readers.... Zita the Spacegirl by Ben Hatke and Astronaut Academy by David Roman are my two favorites!
ReplyDeleteI am a big fan of books for the younger crowd, so thanks for the suggestions!
DeleteI couldn't stand the pace of audiobooks at first, but I've gotten used to it. It still can give me too much time to think about other things, and I'm always amazed at how quickly things start to move when I switch to my book. It's nice for when I otherwise couldn't be reading though.
ReplyDeleteI added all of your graphic novel recommendations to my library list. I own a few already. Maybe I'll actually read one soon! If not, my husband will read them for me. He is reading Saga now because so many bloggers were talking about it that I picked it up.
You should definitely read a GN; they are just so much fun, and the images, in a well done GN, add so much depth to the story.
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