I read this book a couple months ago and you're the 1st other person I've found that's read it! It's so fun to watch the experience of someone else reading this book when you know the mind-bending journey they're about to go on. I felt really similarly to you and enjoyed the story within the annotations more so than the "Ship of Theseus" novel. I think if you enjoyed this you'd also appreciate House of Leaves so would definitely recommend checking that out!
I received this book as a Christmas gift the year it was published, and it has been sitting on my shelves since. I love hearing about your experience and am bubbling it up higher on my reading list. Thanks for sharing your experience!
I’ve been ‘reading’ ship of thesis for 8 years now according to goodreads 😂. I’m about 60% in. Your vlog has just given me motivation to pick it up again and keep on trucking. I was enjoying the reading experience but like you said it can be a bit….much. 😅 I would get fatigue reading it and switch off to something else.
The word “bits” in reference to this book is sending me 😂😂 I’ve always been so confused by this book when I’ve seen it in stores bc I’m like when did JJ Abrams start writing ? But I’ll just enjoy you reading it bc it seems above my IQ level 😂
I read this probably 6 years ago and LOVED the reading experience, but I need to reread it. I also loved your description of doing research for your advisor and how this book feels like that, I'm now an archivist at a large university and baby me loved that mental experience back then. It all comes full circle!
Very interesting vlog! I'm glad you did it because I'm completely 100% colorblind, so the color coded thing is good to know. Probably not a book for me. I am intrigued though.
for me both Ship of Theseus, V. M Straka, and Jen and Eric's relationship is about the relations between labourers and capitalism. S is shanghaied into the S. with there being 19 sailors, and 19 is the number of S in the alphabet and how he gets caught up in these battles of labour unions against Vervoda the capitalist arms dealer. He even could be a story of V. M. Straka surviving his suicide attempt, and his name becoming used by the group of S. to help write their agendas of labourers against the capitalist arms dealer Bouchard. Jen and Eric are labourers whose work is being used by capitalists like Moody and Ilsa to try and make their own fame. The relationship between S and Sola, F.X Caldiera and V.M Straka and Eric and Jen are echoes of labourers finding love within their battle of labour versus capitalists, and how whether such relationships can be maintained with these battles of left wing versus right wing. Basically these stories are echoes of each other, the three layers being "character" with Ship of Theseus, "author" with V.M Straka, and "reader" with Eric and Jen, talking about layers of reality and repeating conflict between workers and employers, or labourers versus capitalists.
Until your vlog I'd never heard of this book but it sounds fascinating! Have you read the Griffon and Sabin trilogy? It is epistolary with a magical realism element.
I am so glad that you picked this up! I started it about a week ago and I agree with your take. The experience reminds me of grad school for sure. I am loving the interaction in the marginalia, both the original annotations from the grad student and then the interaction between the two of them. I started to try the total dive into it and realized how challenging that would be, even from a logistical standpoint. I’m not sure I want it to be my carry-with-me book. So, I decided to take it more slowly and really take it all in. I love the experience of it. What a fascinating read. And I agree that a book club or read along with a group would work well. People will undoubtedly pick up different points. Great review!
I read this a few years ago and I loved the experience. The core story is very melancholy and I have to say the marginalia and developing relationship between the two students was my favourite parts of the book. I also had to read it all through at the same time. I've read House of Leaves too, I'd like to try some more books with different formats.
Have you heard of the book Cain’s Jawbone? It’s another non traditional reading experience in that the book is not in order and you need to figure out who is the perpetrator and who is the victim. I haven’t read it myself, but based on your enjoyment of this experience and with doing research projects in college, I thought you might like it. Jack in the Books has a video on his channel and do does Pages and Pens. If you’re interested.
I read this some 3-4 years ago and loved it! Keep in mind that there are websites online that tell you where each insert is supposed to go if they fall out Edit: I can see you found them!!
I am way more interested in this than house of leaves and its on sale right now... might see if my partner would be interested in slowly reading this with me since maybe with two of us we will notice different things
I can relate to the compulsion to read everything on the page. I felt the same and had to switch to the audiobook for Ship of Theseus. It doesn't have the footnotes, but I found that they are more of a layer than a part of the book-within-a-book. Then I went back and read the margin notes and footnotes and "bits."
I am loving how upset you got opening the tab as I would have reacted the same way. I am a very hard stick also and have to get my blood taken every couple of months for a clotting problem. I cannot imagine having to get iv work done often.
I read House of Leaves earlier this year and this kind of puzzle, interactive story is a really fun experience if you enjoy riddles and puzzles. I have a copy of S that I have not read yet, but look forward to tackling to when I have the brain space and energy. Mara, I am not sure if you would like House of Leaves as another similar book/reading experience. You might and I did. But I also struggled a lot with a certain character POV that I think might be a dealbreaker for you. Lots of misogyny and hyperfocus on sex and women as sex objects. It was a lot and almost killed it for me.
This was on my book buying list some time back, but I ended up not picking it up. I am very fond of puzzles, so I might look into it again. I just have so much to read as it is that I don't think I could afford to spend so much time on one book.
Thank you so much for reading/experiencing this book. I finally bought it a few months ago and have been afraid to start it! Now I want to explore it with you
I haven't loved everything J. J. Abrams has done (let's not talk about Lost), but oooh, the puzzle of this beautiful book is calling me. I may have to get it sometime and dive it. Thanks for such an interesting vlog! (I also loved the red lip and black top! 🔥)
OK but Mara. 1) what's the red lipstick you're wearing near the end omg. 2) you mention J.J.'s film career but... please tell me you have watched Alias and Lost?! If not, um... DO I HAVE RECS FOR YOU. Literally as soon as you started summarizing I was like "knowing JJ I can guess some of the themes" lolllllll. It sounds really interesting!
It was so cool to see you experience this weird... thing? I don't know if i should call it a book since it's just soo multimedia. But it's so interesting!
I've had S. for a couple years now and I was so excited when I got it but so intimidated lol it was recommended to me when i read (and hated) house of leaves as an alternative since it's a bit more straight forward and your vlog just reignited my interest so I think I'm FINALLY gonna dive in ♡
I'm so excited that you covered this book and I can wait to finally read it!! I'm watching through Lost (also by JJ) for the first time and I love how it jumps through time and that there are tons of clues and threads to tug at all through the series so I really hope this book will be just as engaging with all its layers and everything!!
I bought this back when it was released. I started reading it and I gave it up because there was so much going on and I just wasn't in the mood tobread it. I've been thinking about trying to read it again. I think I may start it after I finish current read.
I'm a sucker for unique books such as this one with interactive elements. I read this with a friend and we would have a discussion after each chapter. I took lots of notes along the way and had fun figuring out what the heck was going on. Since you liked this, you might also enjoy Bats of the Republic and House of Leaves.
Thank you so much for doing this! I’ve been waiting to start because I was worried it would be a let down. I always annotate my books so to read one like this is so exciting.
You are my company while working...I have a monitor reserved just for you, but I had to hop on the phone as well to wish you best of health! I don't know you personally, but you are one my favourite booktubers and I wish you nothing but the best in this world!
I read this last year after having it for about a year! Definitely one of the more unique books I have read or owned, but I feel like I need to reread it at some point because I am still confused. I think Bookborn also read this and I think she gave it a good rating as well?
Have you read Only Revolutions by Danielewski? The House of Leaves author. It’s set up so you read each 8 page poetry passage and then cycle back to the footnotes in each passage. Then you turn the book upside down and start over.
I loved this book! The plot didn't all come together perfectly in the end-- too much of Abrams' beloved "mystery box"-- but I do not care because I enjoyed the reading experience so much.
I've had this since it was pretty new, and I started reading it and quickly realized I did not have the cutlery to invest in it at that time. And I have to laugh at myself because I'd catch myself wondering why I never read any Straka in college. (I had a similar reaction with Night Film.) Every time I see this on my shelf, I am sad, so I'm just going to have to set aside some time this summer and dig into it again.
“This book is keeping me humble” I’m out. I know Mara is smarter than me. I will just bow out now. 🤣😭
Too funny! I had the same reaction.
LOL same. I won’t even try 😆
I read this book a couple months ago and you're the 1st other person I've found that's read it! It's so fun to watch the experience of someone else reading this book when you know the mind-bending journey they're about to go on. I felt really similarly to you and enjoyed the story within the annotations more so than the "Ship of Theseus" novel. I think if you enjoyed this you'd also appreciate House of Leaves so would definitely recommend checking that out!
This feel like a book version of the computer game Myst, or that type of puzzle-adventure game.
I received this book as a Christmas gift the year it was published, and it has been sitting on my shelves since. I love hearing about your experience and am bubbling it up higher on my reading list. Thanks for sharing your experience!
This has been on my TBR for awhile now and I do think I would enjoy it.
I’ve been ‘reading’ ship of thesis for 8 years now according to goodreads 😂. I’m about 60% in. Your vlog has just given me motivation to pick it up again and keep on trucking. I was enjoying the reading experience but like you said it can be a bit….much. 😅 I would get fatigue reading it and switch off to something else.
If anyone else is curious, for another UA-camr's opinion, Ashley from Ashley's Little Library also blogged this book about a month ago.
I weirdly randomly got this from the library while browsing.
The word “bits” in reference to this book is sending me 😂😂
I’ve always been so confused by this book when I’ve seen it in stores bc I’m like when did JJ Abrams start writing ? But I’ll just enjoy you reading it bc it seems above my IQ level 😂
I just ordered a copy for myself and my best friend. This sounds like something we could have a lot of fun with and discuss over lunch each week.
You talked me into this one. It's officially on my to be bought list.
Thanks for the video!
I love the Virgo energy trying to organize different steps of reading 😂😂😂
I read this probably 6 years ago and LOVED the reading experience, but I need to reread it. I also loved your description of doing research for your advisor and how this book feels like that, I'm now an archivist at a large university and baby me loved that mental experience back then. It all comes full circle!
Very interesting vlog! I'm glad you did it because I'm completely 100% colorblind, so the color coded thing is good to know. Probably not a book for me. I am intrigued though.
for me both Ship of Theseus, V. M Straka, and Jen and Eric's relationship is about the relations between labourers and capitalism.
S is shanghaied into the S. with there being 19 sailors, and 19 is the number of S in the alphabet and how he gets caught up in these battles of labour unions against Vervoda the capitalist arms dealer.
He even could be a story of V. M. Straka surviving his suicide attempt, and his name becoming used by the group of S. to help write their agendas of labourers against the capitalist arms dealer Bouchard.
Jen and Eric are labourers whose work is being used by capitalists like Moody and Ilsa to try and make their own fame.
The relationship between S and Sola, F.X Caldiera and V.M Straka and Eric and Jen are echoes of labourers finding love within their battle of labour versus capitalists, and how whether such relationships can be maintained with these battles of left wing versus right wing.
Basically these stories are echoes of each other, the three layers being "character" with Ship of Theseus, "author" with V.M Straka, and "reader" with Eric and Jen, talking about layers of reality and repeating conflict between workers and employers, or labourers versus capitalists.
Until your vlog I'd never heard of this book but it sounds fascinating! Have you read the Griffon and Sabin trilogy? It is epistolary with a magical realism element.
I am so glad that you picked this up! I started it about a week ago and I agree with your take. The experience reminds me of grad school for sure. I am loving the interaction in the marginalia, both the original annotations from the grad student and then the interaction between the two of them. I started to try the total dive into it and realized how challenging that would be, even from a logistical standpoint. I’m not sure I want it to be my carry-with-me book. So, I decided to take it more slowly and really take it all in. I love the experience of it. What a fascinating read. And I agree that a book club or read along with a group would work well. People will undoubtedly pick up different points. Great review!
I'm so excited!!!!!!can't believe you did it!!!!!I'm thrilled 🤗🤗⭐⭐⭐⭐👏👏👏👏👏
I read this a few years ago and I loved the experience. The core story is very melancholy and I have to say the marginalia and developing relationship between the two students was my favourite parts of the book. I also had to read it all through at the same time. I've read House of Leaves too, I'd like to try some more books with different formats.
Have you heard of the book Cain’s Jawbone? It’s another non traditional reading experience in that the book is not in order and you need to figure out who is the perpetrator and who is the victim. I haven’t read it myself, but based on your enjoyment of this experience and with doing research projects in college, I thought you might like it. Jack in the Books has a video on his channel and do does Pages and Pens. If you’re interested.
I read this some 3-4 years ago and loved it! Keep in mind that there are websites online that tell you where each insert is supposed to go if they fall out
Edit: I can see you found them!!
I am way more interested in this than house of leaves and its on sale right now... might see if my partner would be interested in slowly reading this with me since maybe with two of us we will notice different things
I've read house of leaves. Worth reading..I think I will enjoy S. more.
I can relate to the compulsion to read everything on the page. I felt the same and had to switch to the audiobook for Ship of Theseus. It doesn't have the footnotes, but I found that they are more of a layer than a part of the book-within-a-book. Then I went back and read the margin notes and footnotes and "bits."
I loved this book so can't wait to see what you make of it!
Thanks for this I own it and have not read it so I was really excited to see this video pop up!
What a unique book. I have never heard of it prior to this video. Thank you for sharing!
I am loving how upset you got opening the tab as I would have reacted the same way.
I am a very hard stick also and have to get my blood taken every couple of months for a clotting problem. I cannot imagine having to get iv work done often.
I read House of Leaves earlier this year and this kind of puzzle, interactive story is a really fun experience if you enjoy riddles and puzzles. I have a copy of S that I have not read yet, but look forward to tackling to when I have the brain space and energy. Mara, I am not sure if you would like House of Leaves as another similar book/reading experience. You might and I did. But I also struggled a lot with a certain character POV that I think might be a dealbreaker for you. Lots of misogyny and hyperfocus on sex and women as sex objects. It was a lot and almost killed it for me.
This was on my book buying list some time back, but I ended up not picking it up. I am very fond of puzzles, so I might look into it again. I just have so much to read as it is that I don't think I could afford to spend so much time on one book.
Thank you so much for reading/experiencing this book. I finally bought it a few months ago and have been afraid to start it! Now I want to explore it with you
that book sounds like it was made for me!! added to my TBR and highlighted 😸🕵
I haven't loved everything J. J. Abrams has done (let's not talk about Lost), but oooh, the puzzle of this beautiful book is calling me. I may have to get it sometime and dive it. Thanks for such an interesting vlog! (I also loved the red lip and black top! 🔥)
OK but Mara. 1) what's the red lipstick you're wearing near the end omg. 2) you mention J.J.'s film career but... please tell me you have watched Alias and Lost?! If not, um... DO I HAVE RECS FOR YOU. Literally as soon as you started summarizing I was like "knowing JJ I can guess some of the themes" lolllllll. It sounds really interesting!
It was so cool to see you experience this weird... thing? I don't know if i should call it a book since it's just soo multimedia. But it's so interesting!
I've been wanting to read this so badly!!!
I've had S. for a couple years now and I was so excited when I got it but so intimidated lol it was recommended to me when i read (and hated) house of leaves as an alternative since it's a bit more straight forward and your vlog just reignited my interest so I think I'm FINALLY gonna dive in ♡
I'm so excited that you covered this book and I can wait to finally read it!! I'm watching through Lost (also by JJ) for the first time and I love how it jumps through time and that there are tons of clues and threads to tug at all through the series so I really hope this book will be just as engaging with all its layers and everything!!
Well done.
I bought this back when it was released. I started reading it and I gave it up because there was so much going on and I just wasn't in the mood tobread it. I've been thinking about trying to read it again. I think I may start it after I finish current read.
I'm a sucker for unique books such as this one with interactive elements. I read this with a friend and we would have a discussion after each chapter. I took lots of notes along the way and had fun figuring out what the heck was going on. Since you liked this, you might also enjoy Bats of the Republic and House of Leaves.
Thank you so much for doing this! I’ve been waiting to start because I was worried it would be a let down. I always annotate my books so to read one like this is so exciting.
I'm so glad you did this video! I have been really curious about that book. Love your content!! ❤❤
Hope you enjoy it!
You are my company while working...I have a monitor reserved just for you, but I had to hop on the phone as well to wish you best of health! I don't know you personally, but you are one my favourite booktubers and I wish you nothing but the best in this world!
I just finished House of Leaves a couple of weeks ago. I would LOVE for you to read it and let us know your thoughts! 🤞🏼
I read this last year after having it for about a year! Definitely one of the more unique books I have read or owned, but I feel like I need to reread it at some point because I am still confused. I think Bookborn also read this and I think she gave it a good rating as well?
Have you read Only Revolutions by Danielewski? The House of Leaves author. It’s set up so you read each 8 page poetry passage and then cycle back to the footnotes in each passage. Then you turn the book upside down and start over.
Interesting. I need to look this book up. Was it a good read or just an interesting format?
@@JodieTheReader it’s a beautiful story, sort of a road trip through American history.
I didn’t like the story at all but I loved Jen and Eric. I really loved the interactiveness and entertainment was so cool.
I loved this book! The plot didn't all come together perfectly in the end-- too much of Abrams' beloved "mystery box"-- but I do not care because I enjoyed the reading experience so much.
I would read this if I could rope a buddy into reading with me, if I read it alone I would probably froth at the mouth with all my theories
I've had this since it was pretty new, and I started reading it and quickly realized I did not have the cutlery to invest in it at that time. And I have to laugh at myself because I'd catch myself wondering why I never read any Straka in college. (I had a similar reaction with Night Film.) Every time I see this on my shelf, I am sad, so I'm just going to have to set aside some time this summer and dig into it again.
What an interesting reading experience.
Ouch, in the wrist, must hurt like a bi $#@!
Love your channel!