Enigmatically entitled, This is Not a Book, I looked at its book-shaped form and scratched my head. Then I noticed the author – Keri Smith – and I started to gain better clarity.

Smith is a fabulous author and illustrator turned guerrilla artist who revels in encouraging readers of her books to emerge themselves in creativity and to go beyond the page.

Her 2008 book, How to be an Explorer of the World –the Portable Life/Art Museum, details wonderful and somewhat quaint suggestions for looking at your local environment differently. Smith, who hand illustrates each of her books, declares that as a world explorer you are: “To document and observe the world around you. As if you’ve never seen it before. Take notes. Collect things you find on your travels. Document findings. Notice patterns. Copy. Trace. Focus on one thing at a time. Record what you are drawn to.”

Previously Smith’s Wreck this Journal (2007) stimulates aspiring – yet failing – journal keepers to tamper with the book to record creative outbursts and to “escape the fear of the blank page”. While some readers have difficulty with this mess-making task, it has been empowering for others!

This is Not a Book takes on a slightly more mysterious form, with a missing page 42 (something to work out for yourself) and various puzzles and conundrums that can only be found by logging online to the accompanying website, which also hosts a forum for the readers of the “book”  to discuss it.

Just like its cover title and Smith’s previous books, it has a more purposeful role than just a book:
“This object does not exist without you. You will determine the content and the final product. All will be shaped by your imagination. You must go out into the world in order to bring it to life and complete the assignments.”

Therefore,  one could say it’s a living book, one that breathes and – pardon the pun – it’s a wonderful dose of fresh air and with all its opportunistic activity is a perfect book to take on any journey. Pop along to your local bookshop or buy online today.

Image: Adam Jarmon Brown