What is book simulation? Book simulation is a multi-step process which creates the illusion of book reading.This is a strange book, but refreshingly so. I’ll admit that I wasn’t sure to expect from this book based on the synopsis other than the promise of humor and that the first page had me more than a little dubious on whether this book would be for me… by page six I was rolling in laughter, terrifying my cat in the process. If you play video games, reading Book Simulator reminds me of playing The Stanley Parable (which I am going to play once finishing this review).
I love the irony of reading a book that is supposed to teach you how to pretend to read to give the impression that you are a reader. An intellectual. From discussing the pros and cons of book simulation at various times of the day to discussing basic book simulation techniques, Yee maintains a humorous voice that reads as almost motivational. You too can simulate reading with just these easy steps!
If you do not get enough rest, you risk the possibility of falling asleep mid-simulation. Chances are you’ll drop that book right on your face and suffocate in your sleep. Your tombstone will claim that you died doing what you loved, wearing a book mask.This has happened to me. Not the dead bit, but the dropping-a-book-on-your-face bit. Book Simulator really discusses what it is to be an avid reader, poking fun at some of the habits we book addicts have, but for me it was a celebration of storytelling and a love story for all readers.
With imaginative descriptions such as unicorns on stilts (think about that for a bit!) and a flying rhinoceros with chicken legs in a pink skirt, you will be entertained and dazzled by a truly unique method of storytelling. I personally enjoyed the chapter on note-taking because I am a heathen and write in my books. I know what you are thinking. But no, I see it as my way of having a conversation with the author. But this isn’t about me. This is about how much I loved that chapter because even I have issues writing in books and that chapter resonated.
Things… shift around the mid-point of the book that I am not going to discuss because spoilers, but suffice it to say that this book keeps the reader guessing at its true objective and is incredibly clever. If you play video games, reading this book is similar to playing The Stanley Parable. This is precisely my sense of humor, but it may not be for everyone – all I can say is it does kind of serve a purpose.
Take risks. Aim high. Be the cashew!Overall I was pleasantly surprised with this book and thoroughly enjoyed this read. If you decide to pick this up, I urge you to stick with it until the end (it’s only 122 pages!); it’s a great, fast read – or one that you can easily come in and out of – for any reading slump or lazy day where you don’t have the mental focus for something heavier. And I have to say how much I LOVED the epilogue.
I read the print version and am definitely interested to see how different the ebook format is to the process of book simulation. Many thanks to the author Chris Yee for sending me a free print copy of this book in exchange for my honest review, and I nabbed the eBook from Amazon to compare the versions!
On an unrelated note…I want to be known as the Read Genie. Can we make that happen?