Posts Tagged ‘video ebook’

Vooks. It seems to be a trending topic in publishing circles today. A Vook is a book with embedded video as part of the narrative.

According to the website at vook.com

A vook is a new innovation in reading that blends a well-written book, high-quality video and the power of the Internet into a single, complete story.

You can read your book, watch videos that enhance the story and connect with authors and your friends through social media all on one screen, without switching between platforms.

Vooks are available in two formats: As a web-based application you can read on your computer and a mobile application for reading on the go. With the web-based application you don’t have to download programs or install software. Just open your favorite browser and start reading and watching in an exciting new way. You can also download and install the mobile applications through the Apple iTunes store and sync them with your Apple mobile device.

My first instinct was revulsion. When I pick up a book, at least a work of fiction, I seek to avoid all distractions and immerse myself in the words. Embedding distractions into the book is just wrong.

My second thought was that a Vook might be a perfect way to offer a how-to book.  The last time I picked up a book on do-it-yourself plumbing, I actually wished there was video, or at least better images, to illustrate what the authors were telling me to do.

My final thought on Vooks for the day? Not all innovations are going to be good for all genres.  Vooks could turn a steamy romance novel into a porno flick, and a thriller into a bad A-Team re-make. But if Ikea would offer Vooks for  building their furniture in place of those strangely wordless instruction books, I’d be an instant convert.