35 - A book in a different format than what you normally read

[Drakeryn]

I think I mentioned this upthread when I was planning out my 2021 reading, but I'll mention it again because I read it and enjoyed it: Raging Loop is a visual novel (i.e. interactive video game novel) where the main character attempts to solve a series of murders in an isolated Japanese village.

Recommended if:
- You're a fan of mafia/werewolf/Among Us (the story takes a similar form where there are werewolves/impostors killing the townspeople, who have to figure out the culprits)
- You like time loop stories (the main character has the ability to loop, which he uses to try and not only solve the murders, but prevent them)

I might use it for this prompt, or I might use it for fresh starts and do-overs, since it fits really well there too.

[Heather L]

Jennifer W wrote: "Wow, awesome options, thanks Heather!"

You’re welcome! Some of the books on my list are ones I’ve actually finished, while some are books I’m working my way through now. I got 2/3 of the way through the 100 Classic Short Stories last year, and am trying to finish it off this year. I like reading a short story or two in between longer works. With the Scottoline books, the essays are short enough that each can be read in 10-15 minutes max, which makes them ideal for when you have a short wait time or commute, a short lunch break, or to read at start or end of the day.

If you like mysteries, I would also suggest Agatha Christie or Arthur Conan Doyle. Many of the Sherlock Holmes books are actually collections of short stories, and Christie also published numerous collections of short stories, such as Witness for the Prosecution and Selected Plays and The Adventure of the Christmas Pudding.

[Fannie]

Drakeryn wrote: "Some ideas/suggestions for unusual formats:

Webcomics
- On a Sunbeam - https://www.onasunbeam.com/ - High school sweethearts and found family in space
- Problem Sleuth - You're a d..."

Thank you for your suggestions. I tried On a Sunbeam yesterday and really liked it. Since I never read on the computer it fits perfectly that prompt.

I am trying Problem Sleuth right now and it's weird but fun.

[Tamara]

I read "Hidden America" by Jeanne Marie Laskas in large print.

[Amy (Other Amy)]

For other omnivorous readers, let me say that if you haven't experienced 17776: What football will look like in the future yet, it will absolutely satisfy this prompt and is well worth the hour or so it might take you to read it. It's a web based multimedia story, and pretty easily the best thing of its kind I've ever found. I just remembered that the first part of the sequel, 20020: An American football story, came out last year and is what I will be using for this prompt. (Don't worry if you're not into football; it's not a sports story really, or even at all depending how you look at it. I don't want to spoil it.)

You can read 17776 for free online right here.

[Dea]

I rarely read graphic novels, and I’m a huge Brandon Sanderson fan.

Time to catch up on White Sand! I own Volume 2 but haven’t gotten around to reading it. Oops. Bad fangirl!

[Mel (Epic Reading)]

I just finished The Snow Fell Three Graves Deep which is a fictionalized take on the Donner Party Trek.
It has things like: diary entries, letters, narrative, poem/verse prose, and two very unique POV. Snow (who can only say snow and the names of dead people) and Hunger (who is our core narrator and often reminds the reader that survival is survival; and whom fills in some gaps for us).
Like S or Illuminae it’s just really different for a book format.

[Julia]

so funny

[Drakeryn]

Is poetry a format? I never read poetry, but I just read Paul Park's Ragnarok (a Beowulf-style epic poem set in modern times) and I really liked it.

[Elizabeth]

Went with Kisses From Hell by various authors. I very seldom read anthologies.

[Lisa]

For this topic, I read Dawnshard by Brandon Sanderson solely as an ebook. I've never read a book exclusively as an ebook. This book hasn't been released in print yet, but I wanted to read more about Rysn and the Lopen.

[Ashley]

I tried an audiobook of a book I read a few years ago. While I loved the book, I discovered I am not a fan of audiobooks. This was well read, but I couldn't get into the book and just felt disconnected from it. I missed a lot of things as this format just couldn't hold my attention.

[Pua]

I'm wondering if Stay Sexy & Don’t Get Murdered: The Definitive How-To Guide works. I listened to the audio version. I listen to A LOT of audiobooks, but this was the first where parts of the book were read to a live audience and parts where the authors interviewed each other.

[Lilith]

Audiobooks just don't work for me. I fall asleep, or get distracted.
But I found The World of Relaxation: A Guided Mindfulness Meditation Practice for Healing in the Hospital and/or at Home.
I did it! I listened to an audiobook. I fell asleep.

But I love Jon Kabat-Zinn’s work, so I really tried hard to focus. Nothing new and mind-blowing for me here, but it was such a good visit with an old friend. Timed listening to it perfectly with the after-effects of the Moderna shot. If you’re not familiar, his work is completely worth your time.

[Janette]

Debbie wrote: "One style of writing books that I really love is something called multi-genre writing. Basically, those books that tell stories in collections of receipts, poems, journal entries, text messages, et..."

Would World Travel: An Irreverent Guide work for this? It is a mix of notes, journal entries and travel tips.

[Kaitlyn]

Kelsey wrote: "Would poetry count? I've read two poetry books in my life.. Milk and Honey and The Sun and Her Flowers"

I am not a fan of poetry and really hate reading it, so I'm going to choose poetry and read Rupi Kaur too. :)

[JessicaMHR]

I'm not a fan of poetry either but I have read both of those Rupi Kaur books and liked them. They are quick reads too.

[Vero]

I don't use audio books but yesterday I've started with my first one in this format. "To kill a kingdom" will fit this category.

[LeahS]

I read Rivers of London, Volume 4: Detective Stories by Ben Aaronovitch and others.

I really enjoy this series and had no idea there were graphic novel offshoots. These were short stories so an ideal quick read which would also work for the magic realism prompt.

[Britany]

Finished Kristy's Great Idea by Raina Telgemeier & Ann M. Martin

My Review:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[Heather]

I read a comic book. Captain America by Ta-Nehisi Coates, Vol. 1: Winter in America is a great story. Comics really, definitely are not my format, but I would have loved a novel or movie with this story.

[Dubhease]

I read lots of formats, so I interpreted this prompt differently. I read Playing with Fire because I had to get it through inter-library loans, which was its own adventure.

[Brittany]

I too read a lot of formats and was stuck on this one. The Sandman is currently free on audible and I have never listened to the audiobook for a graphic novel. Just wanted to share in case anyone was still stuck here. It’s got great reviews and I’ve read most of the graphic novels and I love Neil Gaiman so I’m pretty excited about this.

[Dana]

I have only read one manga my entire life, so I'll go with this one.
I have 2 mangas on my NetGalley shelf, so I'll read Romeo and Juliet by Stacy King.

[Anshita]

I have always been a fan of graphic novels, although I have only managed to read a few over the years. This year I read a ton of them, so for this prompt, I'm reading City of Glass: The Graphic Novel and continuing with my streak.

[Sofia]

I read Saga, Vol. 1, because it's only been recently since I've been into graphic novels/comics, and I am still not reading much of this format (besides the all the Saga volumes, it so addictive.).

[Dana]

Dana wrote: "I have only read one manga my entire life, so I'll go with this one.
I have 2 mangas on my NetGalley shelf, so I'll read Romeo and Juliet by Stacy King."

Eventually I read an audiobook of the poetry book The Witch Doesn't Burn in This One by Amanda Lovelace.
I have never listened to poetry audiobooks.

[Cassie]

Gender Queer by Maia Kobabe
Completed: August 24, 2021

[Graphic Novel]