Recs if you like Hopscotch...

Books that play with the "book" as a medium or are otherwise self-reflexive/meta.

My current criteria for this list are (1) does the book highlight its own textuality consistently or (2) do the metafictional elements add significantly to the themes explored or (3) does the book's use of discourse and form (e.g., narrative situation, layout) significantly differ from the norm?

Make sure to comment your suggestions with a small explanation even if you're not 100 % sure if they fit!

I’ve seen lists, but not one strictly about Ergodic/odd formatting where it’s vital to read the e/physical because of the formatting and/or text —non inclusive of illustrated versions, and just adding non-vital images, etc.

These are the books where if you don’t read the physical (maybe the ebook) you’re MISSING something VITAL to the experience.

I often read audiobooks and don’t know I’m missing out 🫠

PLS recommend W/ explanation (& avoid spoilers) & feel free to argue cases!!

Examples & notes in comments!!!

the fragmentary novel is constructed of fragments or vignettes, typically following images, thoughts, and feelings over a sequential series of events. in a world of disruption, displacement, and of time being swallowed and spat out by the machines of capitalism and colonialism, the fragmentary novel offers an alternative structure.

title borrowed from jenny offill. recommendations welcome.

A starter pack for literary fiction from Argentina, plus a handful of modern picks.

Subverting expectations and getting meta in the genre sandbox! Books that play with genre, subvert the traditional, switch things up with language and form, offer a new angle for a retelling, or mash and mix things up before spitting out a brand new tale. Includes works that are mainstream now but were considered a subversion of the familiar in the time period in which they were published. Suggestions always welcome!

Books that ignore the traditional way of telling a story. These books tell their stories in unexpected ways, through letters, transcripts, diaries, documents, text messages, or unconventional layouts.

books with an experimental structure or narrative choices, metafiction, oulipo, postmodernism, etc.

A list of ergodic books I've come across through time. Those books that go beyond words on a page and contain special elements and features that make reading a whole new experience!

Ergodic literature is a term coined by Espen J. Aarseth in his 1997 book Cybertext—Perspectives on Ergodic Literature to describe literature in which nontrivial effort is required for the reader to traverse the text.

Unconventional and experimental novels that play with syntax, style, narrative and structure Tristram Shandy - the grandfather of experimental Pale Fire - intertwines a poem and commentary Dictionary of the Khazars - in the form of a dictionary Man Eating typewriter - written in Polari Exercises in style - 99 retellings of the same story Hopscotch - designed to be read in multiple ways If on a winter’s night a traveller - a story within a story within a…

choose your own adventure books!! or anything where the reader gets to similarly participate in the reading experience

Enjoy my newest lit series, ‘Reading the World’, in an attempt to diversify your own reading and broaden horizons, I have included a mix of genres. Sensitive topics often lie ahead as history, social and political issues are usually the centre of this writing. Enjoy!

From Percy to Pessoa — a literary gauntlet wherein each book becomes progressively more complex in writing style, structure, and/or vocabulary. Percy Jackson is our baseline, and Pessoa my personal biggest fear. Selections are almost entirely unrelated by subject matter, and obviously limited by my own inexperience and preferences. Good luck!

(Listed in descending order because I did not plan far enough ahead). If you’re still unsatisfied after this, go read Kant or something.

Books that aren’t content to be blocks of text. A collection for interactive, ergodic, unusual, and formally experimental books.

Latin American Literature - Lists jotted down from a few Instagram posts, inspired by the Bad Bunny Super Bowl show. (@muchneededbreak @jackbenedwards so far) Sorry, only posted 3 flags!

"ergodic literature is a mode of textual organization in which nontrivial effort is required for the reader to traverse the text, beyond ordinary eye movement or turning pages." - espen j. aarseth

books with unique formatting, books you can play like a game, books you need to take apart and put back together again, stories-within-stories, books containing found documents and ephemera, etc.

Famous & recommended reads from around the world - for PB users by PB users!