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smash_tv · Boot Joined: 31 Jul 2007 Posts: 23

ARG/new media related books/novels

**Posted:** Thu Oct 11, 2007 9:53 pm

rose · ...and then Magic happens Joined: 26 Nov 2003 Posts: 4117

I'm not sure that Cathy's Book meets all your criteria, but it was designed to be an ARG in book form.

**Posted:** Fri Oct 12, 2007 2:29 pm

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smash_tv · Boot Joined: 31 Jul 2007 Posts: 23

Thanks Rose...looking that up on Amazon led me to several books that seem promising

**Posted:** Fri Oct 12, 2007 6:13 pm

notgordian

This doesn't fit your "sci-fi" criteria, but I'd strongly suggest reading PopCo by Scarlett Thomas.

The book's plot is about as ARG-friendly as it gets, as the main character is the granddaughter of a cryptographer obsessed with the Beale Cipher married to a Bletchley Park codebreaker. She uses her experience to make codes-for-kids kits for a major toy company, and ends up communicating with a mysterious "someone else" via a variety of codes. Best chick-lit (yes, it's got heavy romance elements) I've read.

**Posted:** Fri Oct 12, 2007 9:07 pm

smash_tv · Boot Joined: 31 Jul 2007 Posts: 23

Cool...I will definitely look into it...sounds interesting. It's funny you use the term "Chick-lit" because I was reading some reviews for "Spin" and one in particular referred to it as a chick-lit type book. He went on to bash the "chick-lit" genre. I had no I idea what the term meant. I'm actually glad I didn't because if I did I most likely wouldn't have bought the book. Turns out I really like it so far despite its semi-romantic undertones.

**Posted:** Fri Oct 12, 2007 9:53 pm

Rekidk

You might like e, a story of office politics and corporate drama told entirely through emails. It was written by Matthew Beaumont, who (IIRC) was the head writer for Jamie Kane, one of the best (only?) single-player replayable ARGs.

It's not sci-fi and it's not really mysterious (it's actually more of a comedy), but it has a cool 'TINAG' factor that feels very ARGish.

**Posted:** Sun Oct 14, 2007 1:11 am

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jjason · Veteran Joined: 19 Apr 2007 Posts: 113 Location: St. Paul

You might like Halting States, Charles Stross' new book. It features games pretty similar to ARGs. Rainbow's End by Vernor Vinge is also pretty good for it's depictions of large numbers of people collaborating over the internet.

**Posted:** Wed Oct 24, 2007 3:48 pm