5 Books With Beautiful Typography
Overview
Books that go beyond the story and present their content in an intriguing or clever way hold a special place on my shelf. Here are five memorable books with exceptional typography and layout, and story of course! I'm basically the Globglogabgalab, and I love books.
Note on book sales—I’m using Amazon affiliate links for everything below. If you buy a book, I’ll probably make 3 cents or something silly. Help support my reading fetish.
House of Leaves
Author: Mark Danielewski
ISBN-13: 978-0375420528
Publication date: 03/07/2000
Pages: 736
House of Leaves was my introduction to the world of unusual typography in novels—it’s a prime example of ergodic literature—something that takes effort to read.
A terrifying psychological horror novel, the story follows Johnny Truant, a tattoo artist who inherits an unfinished documentary manuscript called the Navidson Record from a recently deceased man named Zampanò. In his endeavor to complete the record, he uncovers the disturbing accounts of the Navidson family and their house… and the explorations into a dark hallway that suddenly appeared in their living room.
The story is expertly told through font variations, footnotes, cross-references, indices, fact-checking, editorial notes, and the layout itself—the book has a dynamic nature about it. Truly something to savor!
Bats of the Republic
Author: Zachary Thomas Dodson
ISBN-13: 978-0385539838
Publication date: 10/06/2015
Pages: 448
Bats of the Republic is a steampunk narrative that follows two parallel timelines set 300 years apart. In 1843, Zadock Thomas, a Chicago museum illustrator, is tasked to deliver a secret letter to the front line general of the Mexican-American war in Texas. 300 years later, Zeke Thomas, an upcoming senator of a dystopian city state, is found to be in possession of an unopened, undocumented letter, whose very existence threatens to unravel his legacy, the republic… and possibly time itself.
The book is immaculate on every level: typography, illustrations, maps, diagrams, scanned documents, design elements, even the sealed letter—which you must resist opening until the time is right.
Follow This Thread
Author: Henry Eliot
ISBN-13: 978-1984824448
Publication date: 05/20/2019
Pages: 240
Beautifully designed and gorgeously illustrated, Follow This Thread is an immersive, puzzle-like exploration of the history and psychology of mazes and labyrinths—from mythology to modern day.
The material hits in just the right way by requiring the reader to follow the orientation of the text throughout, regularly rotating the book to continue reading. Following the red thread and keeping an eye on the page numbers ensures you won’t get too lost.
Illuminae
Author: Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristoff
ISBN-13: 978-0553499117
Publication date: 10/20/2015
Pages: 608
Illuminae, set in 2575, follows teenage colonist Kady Grant and her fighter pilot boyfriend Ezra Mason as they become caught in the political crossfire of rival megacorporations, a plague, and more frighteningly—the fleet AI.
This novel is told through a series of documents including classified reports, censored emails, interviews, and wonderful text art. Illuminae is the closest a book can get to manga without actually being a manga.
S.
Author: Doug Dorst and J.J. Abrams
ISBN-13: 978-0275921781
Publication date: 10/29/2013
Pages: 472
Yes, S (Ship of Theseus) is designed by that J.J. Abrams. The hardcover book Ship of Theseus—from unknown author V.M. Straka before his mysterious death—plays host to hand-written notes filling the book’s margins as a dialogue between two college students hoping to uncover the author’s mysterious identity and the novel’s secret. The story-within-a-story is that of an amnesiac on a strange journey to discover himself, and the meta narrative of Straka’s enigmatic life and death, enshrouded by conspiracy theories, espionage, and assassination.
Beautiful supplemental materials are tucked throughout the book; high quality postcards, newspaper clippings, letters, even a decoder wheel. The vintage feel, typography, materials, and handwritten notes really elevate this book into a class of its own.
Wrapping up
Never forget that inspiration can come from anywhere. Next time you’re doom scrolling Dribbble, grab a beautifully designed book instead and find a quiet place to get lost in the story. Thanks for reading!