Paper for the Win
Book that have an element you’ll miss out on if you read as an audiobook, whether it’s fun formatting or illustrations
created by C.Margarita
last updated December, 2025
Comments
I couldn't find a genre the books on this list should be from. So what I immediately thought of when seeing this list is "S - Ship of Theseus" by J. J. Abrams. I don't even know how you could make an audiobook version because there aren't only lose objects completing the story, but a rather huge part of the story happens via pseudo-handwritten comments in the margins.
The list doesn’t have any one genre, so this is a great suggestion!! That sounds really cool
The first book that came to mind when I saw this concept was the Ersatz Elevator 💀
Hahaha I forgot about Lemony Snicket! Is there anything in particular about that one that made you think of it? (I never made it this far in the series)
There’s a page or two that is completely black to emphasize the darkness of the elevator shaft!
shut up!!! that’s so cool
It was the coolest thing to me as an eleven year old 😂
You should add don’t let the forest in :)
Thanks bestie, I will!
Oooo! What did I miss out on by listening to the audiobook?
There are some really beautiful illustrations in the physical book of Thomas’s monsters!
oh coool thank you so much for letting me know checking that out asap
Slewfoot: A Tale of Bewitchery by Brom has very cool character illustrations included if you are taking recommendations. 😊
Ooh yes! I’ve been looking for more recs this is great! Thank you
Definitely gonna have to look this up! I listened to it earlier this year and really enjoyed it but I feel like the illustrations would make it a more complete experience!
They might be available on his website! They are very cool.
Oh this is brilliant! I’m a huge audiobooks person but I don’t want to miss out on fun extra bits!
I made this list because I listened to Dead of Summer & didn’t realize until I say Ryan post something on Instagram that there was a LOT I missed by listening & it made me sad!
oh what a cool concept! same as thistle_bitch, I read majority through audiobooks so it's nice to know this for future books! :) if you are taking suggestions:
I have read: Empire of the Vampire by Jay Kristoff (fiction) has amazing illustrations that are very impactful in the storytelling. Poets Square by Courtney Gustafson (memoir) cute lil cat illustrations before each chapter 🥹
I haven't read these but I own them/high on my tbr: Bite by Bite by Aimee Nezhukumatathil (nonfiction) The Comfort of Crows by Margaret Renkl (nonfiction)
Thank you! I am always taking suggestions! I will add these!
I’m glad you like the concept, I think it’s a really useful list. I’m contemplating breaking out the books with just footnotes into a separate list.
I didn't know Poet's Square had cute illustrations! I did miss out 😩
I didn't know until I bought the book!! They are small, but just lil cute additions to the book ☺️
I recommend adding Katabasis by R.F. Kuang, she has quite a few diagrams in her book! Also Babel for the footnotes (which I believe are sometimes hidden in ebooks due to formatting)
I totally forgot about the footnotes in Babel! Katabasis is a great suggestion, thank you!
omg this is awesome!! im a physical book purist so now i gotta read all of these
I mostly prefer reading on physical, I have only recently gotten into audiobooks & have ideas on books you should ONLY read on audio too but not enough for a list
Shatter Me might fit this? They try to accomplish the strikethroughs with a sound effect but I had no idea what it was so I had to look it up.
This is a great recommendation! Thank you so much!!
Nooo I just got Of Monsters and Mainframes as an audiobook the other day :(( what will I be missing out on?
Not much! What you’re gaining rather is having to listen to them read out long sections of binary
Oh nooo hahhaa - thanks for the heads up though, I shall be referring to the translations frequently 🙂↕️
Some kind soul also put the translations into the PB forum!
Wow I love pb sm 🥹 thanks both for the tips!
The funny thing is that book is also on lists for excellent audio books! So I think either medium will be a good experience!
Oh hahaha! That’s funny! I read someone say they found the binary reading to be intolerable & I think it would have bothered me too so I added it here
Oh interesting!! Well it will make for an unusual experience either way haha, so a good investment of 2£ in the sale 😅
It’s incredible! I gave it 5 ⭐️! Definitely worth the sale, I hope you love it!!
Ooh exciting :)) also, I just saw The Everlasting on my feed and someone in the forum said it has gorgeous art and typesetting so could also be a good fit for this list!
Ooh perfect! Thank you!
The Serviceberry has illustrations as well! Though for anyone thinking of reading the audiobook, it is narrated by the author, who does a wonderful job of it! Also, the whole Stormlight Archive series by Brandon Sanderson has illustrations throughout the books, as well as the illustration under the chapter titles doing some cool things in the last book!
Ooh good to know! I’ll add those!
I loveeeee maps. Can I recommend The Hobbit and LOTR?
Yes! I couldn’t remember if they had them & forgot to check my editions
Actually sorry I thought this was a reply to my other list, I have a separate maps list called You’ll Never Get Lost!
I looked at both lists and must’ve posted in the wrong one. My bad!
No worries! They’re both on the other list for sure!! 😊
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