Between the Lines: Does Bonus Content in Books Hook Readers?

January 23, 2019

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

is a series of posts focused on better understanding books, trends in writing, and the labels associated with these.


 

As a book blogger, I’ve somehow ended up on a lot of bookish distribution email lists. Which is totally fine by me! I love hearing about how their writing is going, what’s new in their worlds, and what sorts of crazy new ideas they’ve come up with for their characters and their worlds. And yet… every author and publisher newsletter I pick up seems to have one thing in common: Bonus Content.

Bonus content comes in many forms. In fiction, it could be bonus chapters, novellas, the first chapter for their next book, discussion questions, maps, art, or more. In nonfiction, it could be additional recipes, tips, quizzes, workbooks, discussion questions, or more. For physical books, it could be a signed copy, a signed bookplate to insert, exclusive art, and limited editions. Bonus content appears in physical books and eBooks. It comes in many forms and is always tied to the author’s work on some level.

But my question for you is: Do you notice or seek it out? Do you ever decide to buy a book based on the bonus content you’ve discovered?

There are many ways to acquire bonus content. Some bonus content can only be acquired by purchasing specific editions from specific booksellers (Barnes and Noble have really gotten into this lately to try and set itself apart, though Target is also getting in on signed editions). Others can only be found by purchasing the eBook or pre-ordering a copy of the book. Even more bonus content can only be found by signing up for the author’s or publisher’s newsletter or seeking it out on their respective website. Content varies from edition to edition, format to format, year to year — potentially, each different from the same text.

When I was younger, I found bonus content related to readable material to be amazing. I loved to see out the extra little details to the story. Each word fleshed things out a bit more and helped me better understand the author and their world. But as I grow older, I find this readable bonus content appeals to me less and less. Perhaps it’s the introduction of the Information Age and how easy it is to share these details. But I find all the extra novellas, chapters, and such easy to locate online. And I find them, honestly, substantially less satisfying than the original content it is based on. Perhaps I’m jaded; perhaps the easy way to share this information means authors are putting less effort into this content or they feel obligated to create it. Either way, readable material bonus content doesn’t appeal to me any longer.

I’m on the fence about workbooks, discussion questions, and quizzes being included in books. While I enjoy reading this content, I never see this out when purchasing my own copy of the book. Discussion questions, in particular, make it easy to have a book club, but I love the challenge of coming up with my own!

Bonus content in terms of art, however, does appeal to me. As an avid reader who doesn’t see pictures in her head, I love the opportunity to visualize the characters, the world, the maps, etc. Even little character profiles provide me a ton of joy. Suddenly a world I was shut off from is completely tangible.

I also love autographed editions. While it’s not the same to buy a pre-signed edition as it is to have the author sign the book in person, it’s still a treasure. There’s something about author signatures which capture me. Some of their personality and passion comes off on the page. I liked to trace the signatures and ponder this particular pen writing the content of the book. I mean, likely that never happened, but it fills my little bookish heart with joy.

 

Bonus content comes in many forms, and not all of it does something for me. But we’re definitely seeing more and more of it in the publishing world. Bonus content is meant as a little treat, an incentive, to pick up this book and connect with the author, the content, the characters, and the world. For me, bonus content rarely influences my purchase of a book or my interest in connecting with an author. But, if there are multiple versions available when I’m shopping… well, there are definitely bonus content editions I would lean towards purchasing.


What do you think?

  • Do you seek out books with bonus content? Why or why not?
  • What bonus content types are meaningful to you?
  • Have you ever purchased/borrowed a book because of its bonus content?
  • What are your favorite books with bonus content?

51 Comments

  • Grab the Lapels January 23, 2019 at 9:57 am

    I am a huge fan of the mass market paperback. Given a choice, I will always choose the MMP. It’s inexpensive (usually no more than $7.99), small enough to fit in my purse, and easy to hold. Thus, when I’m offered extras, that doesn’t tempt me. I’m especially annoyed by academic extras: the introduction, the forward, the analysis, etc. Typically, folks are both spoiling the book AND telling you what to think (or, it feels that way) about a text before you’ve even started it. Lately, as I did with Barracoon by Zora Neale Hurston, I skip that material and enjoy the book more.

    I was always a fan of autographed books. I would go to a reading, buy the book, get it autographed, and then take it home to read it. And then uh-oh. What happens if I hate the book? It has my NAME in it — written by the author! And now I feel like I have a responsibility.

    Nick and I were talking the other day about discussion questions in the back of books and discovered that they are often asking the reader if they actually read. We noted that the questions just ask you to summarize some part of the plot instead of giving your opinion. I think discussion questions could be an excellent tool if they were more challenging and less “book report.”

    • Jackie B January 23, 2019 at 2:04 pm

      I like it when the author writes an introduction or afterward. But when things start to get academic, or someone other than the author is writing, well, I’m right with you there. I agree, the introduction content in Barracoon wasn’t great. It made the rest of this book substancially less satisfying. I just wanted the original text!

      Wait. Have you gone to a reading, purchaed the book, gotten it autographed, and THEN realized you didn’t like the book? Either way, I’d totally Free Little Library or secondhand it. Inscriptions are the best part of used books.

      I hate it when discussion questions are misused! I don’t want you to check for my comprehension. I want you to give me a starting place by which I can launch into a conversation. I understand if middle grade books have those sorts of comprehension questions in the back. But adult literature? No way.

      • Grab the Lapels January 23, 2019 at 10:55 pm

        MANY times I’ve gone to a reading, bought a book, got it autographed, then decided the book was awful. Reading attendance was required for two of my degrees, and when you’re sitting there and the author is being charming and telling stories and explaining their work, IT ALL MAKES SO MUCH SENSE. I do put the books in the Little Free Library, but oh, the shame of my name in there! 😀 Might as well say, “Melanie did not like this book, and how many Melanie’s do you know??”

        • Jackie B January 28, 2019 at 4:52 pm

          Ahhh, required attendance at readings. That makes sense. How do they even know if you attend? This is like when I was required to go to the wind symphony/orchestra/symphonic choir/name-music-group-here concerts in Uni. At least you know the authors charmed you! As Marie Kondo would say, the book brought you joy when it needed to. Now it’s time to let it go. XD

          • Captain's Quarters February 18, 2019 at 8:12 am

            I have to admit that I love getting inscriptions in me used copies of books. I like to imagine the lovely journeys that the books have been on. Arrr!
            x The Captain

            • Jackie B February 20, 2019 at 1:33 pm

              Me too! I like to imagine the experiences these books have had and the love which has shared between people and these books. <3 It's so heartwarming.

  • Isabelle @ BookwyrmBites January 23, 2019 at 12:46 pm

    I think I tend to view bonus content as just a nice aside – not worth preordering or buying a special edition of a book I wasn’t already going to get, but nice to have when it does coincide with my book-buying plans. my favorite kind are probably short stories/outtakes about secondary/minor characters or things that happen before/between the events of the book, or a cozy little foreword by the author about their inspiration/what they hope we get out of the book/how they write.

    my only signed book is from a giveaway and I didn’t really like the book very much, so right now I’m kind of indifferent to author autographs as a whole. but if it’s an author I love, and I’ve read enough of their work/follow them on social media long enough to feel like I kind of know them (in that weird way that we tend to feel like we “know” public figures without having ever met them) I think a signed edition would be cool. of course, even cooler if it’s a memento of getting to speak to them!

    • Jackie B January 23, 2019 at 1:18 pm

      Ooh, I never thought about content which focuses on secondary/minor characters. My favorite characters in books are almost always the minor characters. Like Poppet and Widget, in The Night Circus or Liam Ironarm from The Song of the Lioness. I love all the little asides about these characters. Can you think of any particular books which have secondary/minor character bonus content?

      Hm. I guess I never considered author notes bonus content! That’s definitely some of my favorite content in books, though. Particularly in short story collections. I love hearing about the inspiration to the words I am about to explore.

      • Isabelle @ BookwyrmBites January 24, 2019 at 1:33 pm

        Magnus Bane is the one that comes to mind first – I think there’s an extra short story from right after he meets Alec, included with one of the TMI books? (though I’ll concede that he’s kind of on the borderline between primary/secondary character ) I know there are tons of others, but none that I can remember right now haha

        • Jackie B January 28, 2019 at 8:11 pm

          That’s totally fine! I read the first TMI books and I just… the ending… well, it jumped the shark. I was over it really quickly. That said, I’ve been told that I need to read them just for Magnus Bane. He’s apparently a wonderful character and the 10 seconds we see him for in the first book doesn’t cut it. I’m glad this has stuck with you!

      • Captain's Quarters February 18, 2019 at 8:15 am

        I adore author notes in books even if I don’t buy books just because those things be included. One of me favourite author inspiration stories was at the end of the a robot in the garden. I also like author interviews sometimes. I will read the discussion questions too but most of the time I think they are lame.
        x The Captain

        • Jackie B February 18, 2019 at 8:57 am

          I agree with you that most discussion questions found in the back of books are lame, actually. That feels a bit surprising coming from me. However, they always give me inspiration to write *better* ones, which is why I like them!

          With the exception of the discussion questions in the back of Scrappy Little Nobody by Anna Kendrick. Those discussion questions are far superior to the ones I’ve written. XD

          • Captain's Quarters February 18, 2019 at 9:57 am

            Ye do seem to be on a quest to write better questions if me shoddy memory serves me correctly. I don’t want to read scrappy little nobody but maybe I should download a copy just for the discussion questions. Arrr!
            x The Captain

            • Jackie B February 20, 2019 at 1:34 pm

              If you can get a copy from the library, I’d check it out. They are just silly and fun. Nothing highly intellectual, I promise. 😉

  • Sophie @ Blame Chocolate January 23, 2019 at 2:49 pm

    It really depends for me… Sometimes it’s great, sometimes it just seems to take a bit of magic off of the story… It really needs to compliment the original work, and not feel fastidious or superfluous. I feel authors have this pressure to have bonus content in their work because everyone is doing it, and not because they find it helpful or insightful. So, in doubt, just leave it out!

    • Jackie B January 28, 2019 at 4:22 pm

      Yes! I almost wonder if publishers are expecting this from series authors now. Sometimes the bonus content should remain in the closet where it was gathering cobwebs — the first short story you wrote for this book in order to better understand your characters does not good content make. I also wonder if authors have editors clean up this content? Often it feels unpolished compared to their longer works.

      • Sophie @ Blame Chocolate January 30, 2019 at 5:30 am

        Hahaha agreed xD
        I think they keep the content as unedited as possible to look more genuine? Like the readers are really getting into the author’s head. Mistakes will make that process easier, I think, more relatable. I’m not sure but that was always my impression! Some may even go as far as to make it worse than before LOL

        • Jackie B February 3, 2019 at 9:17 pm

          I’ve never considered that… honestly, that would be a turn-off to me. I find that unpolished works feel forced, incomplete, and overall a disappointment in writing style. Instead of making it relatable, I feel like the author just doesn’t care what they pass off to the reader. But, I also don’t tend to reach for these sorts of extras. Perhaps I’m not the intended audience?

  • Krysta January 23, 2019 at 8:54 pm

    I don’t really care about bonus content. To me, it feels exhausting. I don’t want to feel like I have to chase down and read everything an author wrote. I’d rather just get the books from the library and make it all simple!

    • Jackie B January 28, 2019 at 5:07 pm

      That’s a great point! The more I’ve been talking to people about bonus content, the more I realize I have an aversion to series-based bonus content. I like single book-based bonus content. Discussion questions. Author signatures. Introductions with some background as to why the author wrote what they did. Nothing which feels required or like an extension of the world.

      Honestly, I can’t remember the last time I felt compelled to read everything an author wrote. Weird. I feel like my personality lends itself to that sort of behavior. Ya learn something new about yourelf daily!

      • Krysta January 28, 2019 at 7:28 pm

        Yeah, I don’t mind stuff included in the back of the book, though I can usually take it or leave it. I just don’t like things where you have to sign up for the author newsletter or buy an ebook of book 2.5. I’m not that desperate for new content. Maybe if you were Tolkien, but that’s it. ;b

        I think it was more common for me to read compulsively when I was younger. Maybe I just had more time. Maybe I’ve learned that I don’t actually need to read/have all the things to be happy.

        I kind of feel that way with new releases. I don’t get people who, for instance, pirate books because they don’t want to wait on the hold list at the library. That feels like a younger person’s thing to do, I guess. My TBR list on Goodreads has 400 titles on it. It’s not like I need to read a book NOW or I’ll have nothing to do.

        • Jackie B February 3, 2019 at 9:07 pm

          Oh man, you’re speaking my language when it comes to new releases. I love that new authors are writing books and that the written word keeps progressing and sharing new stories. But ain’t nobody got time for that. I just cannot be bothered to keep up with new releases! I have far too many other books waiting for me. I’d love the world to pause for a bit so I can start to catch up, honestly…

  • Theresa @ TheCalicoBooks January 24, 2019 at 10:41 am

    I think bonus content can be fun and I usually enjoy reading it. If it’s a book I’ve really been wanting and say, there’s a B&N exclusive edition that comes with something extra, then I’ll seek out that version of the book. However, if I’m being honest, bonus content doesn’t make me want to buy a book any more or less. Likewise, I’m not going to be buying multiple copies or anything like that just to get bonus content.

    • Jackie B January 28, 2019 at 8:01 pm

      Theresa! Long time no see! Thanks for stopping by.

      Yes — I am with you on the B&N Exclusive editions for the books I’ve been looking forward to owning. The trick is that I don’t stay ahead of new releases, so I always end up picking up the Exclusive Editions for the first book in a series when the second book comes out. You know what I mean?

      I won’t pick up multiple copies for bonus content either. I mean. Unless the bonus content is includes fancy art and covers and perhaps a signature in one of my favoriteest books of all time. 🙂

      • Theresa @ TheCalicoBooks January 31, 2019 at 7:03 am

        Oh yes, school has been so busy I haven’t had much blogging time lately!!

        I get it about not staying up to date about new releases. I’m always missing book releases – even on books by authors I really love. And yes, I totally think buying multiple copies is justifiable for fancy art. Sometimes you just can’t say no to a pretty cover!

        • Jackie B February 10, 2019 at 12:16 pm

          I can understand — I feel like my blogging is more of a chore than I want it to be as of late.. things are just so busy with life!

          I love having multiple copies of my favoritest books so I can lend them out to others. I have 4 copies of The Night Circus and 5 sets of Harry Potter. I might have a problem… XD

          • Theresa @ TheCalicoBooks February 10, 2019 at 6:52 pm

            Haha owning multiple copies so you can lend them out to others is a genius idea! You get to share your favorite books while also keeping your copies safe! I love it.

  • Annemieke January 26, 2019 at 2:04 pm

    I see a lot of bonus content in exclusive editions I can’t get or in new rereleases. I don’t nessecarily care for it. I don’t read the first chapter or sample of the next book. And I’d rather not have to purchase the whole book again for an extra story. Having said that. I don’t mind it so much when it is like a pre order incentive. I got the short story from Mackenzie Lee for pre order The Lady’s Guide. And I like when there is an opportunity for getting book plates since I won’t be able to meet most authors since not many come to the Netherlands.

    • Jackie B January 30, 2019 at 4:27 pm

      I never read samples for other books in the back of the editions I’m reading. Ever. In fact, I try to avoid books which include that information because I get so frustrated with how it throws off my assumption of how much further I have to read in the book.

      Yes, book plates make me super happy! I love the art and the idea that I can get my copy “signed” by the author without having to purchase a new copy. I’ve never done preordering for swag myself, but I don’t pay close enough attention to new releases to be aware of that content. I bet that if I did pay closer attention I’d end up buying far too much of it. XD

  • Captain's Quarters January 29, 2019 at 12:53 pm

    Hmmm I don’t think I really ever think about bonus content. I certainly don’t buy a book for it. I base all purchasing on two things 1) price; and 2) will I read this again. If the cost is too high then I don’t get it and if I know I am only going to read it once then I don’t get it either. That be what the library is for. I read so much that I have to ration the loot. There are some auto-buy authors but not a ton. I think me favourite bonus material be when author’s tell ye silly stories about where the idea for the book came from or weird childhood memories. I don’t tend to care about the discussion questions or “what do you do for writer’s block” kinda questions. If the version I buy has them then I usually skim them. Fun and weird discussion question. Also many of yer comments seem to end up in me spam folder (though not all). Are mine getting through to ye? I have to figure out how many of yer comments be in no man’s land.
    x The Captain

    • Jackie B February 5, 2019 at 9:22 pm

      Yes!! Only buying books if you know you’ll read them again! This is my philosophy. Well, most of the time. Sometimes, a book is just too pretty and at such a good price I cannot help it. Used bookstores are my weakness. But I try to avoid them, as you’re right, the library is for this! If I will only read a book once, maybe twice, I shouldn’t buy it — I should borrow. Thank you, public libraries, for making this possible!

      Oooh, I wish I had more bonus content recollections with silly stories or childhood memories. Can you think of books/authors which have these? I definitely need to look up this bonus content style.

      Hey! Your comments end up in my spam folder, too! I wish I knew how to blanket say, “The Captain gets a full pass! Always let her through!” Alas. I cannot figure it out. I wonder if it has to do with our blog names? I’ve been told the “Tsundoku” gets trapped as spam because it’s not English. My theory with why your comments get stuck in my spam is the apostrophe. But, who knows. I just wish I could fix it! Regardless, I know to look. And that’s what matters. 🙂

      • Captain's Quarters February 18, 2019 at 8:18 am

        The only one I can think of at the moment that had silly stories was the goose girl by Shannon Hale. I don’t know if the childhood story was part of the paper edition but it was part of the audiobook. I adored it.

        And good point about the apostrophe. I bet that is what does it!
        x The Captain

        • Jackie B February 18, 2019 at 8:55 am

          I haven’t read Goose Girl, but I really enjoy Hale’s Princess Academy. I bet she has a lot of wonderful books I haven’t read!

          • Captain's Quarters February 18, 2019 at 9:02 am

            I love Shannon Hale’s work. So aye, she has a lot of good stuff ye should add to yer towering list!
            x The Captain

            • Jackie B February 18, 2019 at 9:25 am

              Anything in particular you’d recommend me to start with first?

              • Captain's Quarters February 18, 2019 at 9:32 am

                The goose girl for sure. She tends to write series and not standalones. Though the goose girl series is more companion books in feel.
                x The Captain

                • Jackie B February 20, 2019 at 1:25 pm

                  I love companion books, honestly. It’s more fun for me to explore the world from different perspectives and with different characters who have different priorities. I mean, I love series, but this sounds awesome. Thanks for the recommendation!

                  • Captain's Quarters February 20, 2019 at 1:44 pm

                    I adore companion books for the same reasons. I wish more authors wrote them.
                    x The Captain

  • Gayathri Lakshminarayanan January 30, 2019 at 7:31 am

    I loved this post. I used to gorge every extra bit of reading material but like you mentioned they are everywhere anyway. These days I feel so disappointed just realizing that the last 10-15 pages of a book I am reading is a chapter from the next book. Sigh. I still love the other swags though.

    • Jackie B February 8, 2019 at 4:58 pm

      You’re so right, Gayathri! Plus, it’s frustrating when you don’t know the last 10-15 pages are a chapter from the next book. I find myself wondering, “This seems to be wrapping up nicely… what is going on? What else will be covered?” I get distracted by my own thoughts and lose track of enjoying the end of the book! Disappointing.

      What swag speaks to you the most? What bonus content do you actually look forward to?

      • Gayathri Lakshminarayanan February 13, 2019 at 12:24 am

        I love bookmarks with book or funny quotes!

        • Jackie B February 16, 2019 at 10:18 am

          Oooh, bookmarks! I never thought about that. 🙂 Good bonus content!

          Do you have a blog of your own, Gayathri? I’d love to follow you, too. 🙂

  • Amanda @Cover2CoverMom February 2, 2019 at 7:44 pm

    “As an avid reader who doesn’t see pictures in her head, I love the opportunity to visualize the characters, the world, the maps, etc.”

    How did I not know this about you?! My mind is blown! So when you read, you can’t picture what is happening in the story? There is no image in your mind while reading?! I mean I knew this existed, my own son struggles with this, but I had no idea you don’t see pictures in your head while reading.

    I think this is why I despise TV so much… I prefer to read books and visualize the story in my own way.

    Do you seek out books with bonus content? Why or why not?

    I don’t specifically seek out books with bonus content, HOWEVER if there are multiple editions, I will select the book that includes bonus content… Who doesn’t like to get more bang for their buck?

    What bonus content types are meaningful to you?
    I personally love author’s notes, historical context, book discussion questions, illustrations, etc.

    Have you ever purchased/borrowed a book because of its bonus content?
    Yes! I’ve purchased new editions of old favorites because of updated covers and bonus content.

    • Jackie B February 10, 2019 at 12:31 pm

      No! I don’t see pictures in my head at all. Instead, I connect emotionally to the book. This is why I struggle with graphic violence and psychological thrillers– I cannot let them go. These feelings stick with me for weeks after I have read the words. It’s… unpleasant.

      Haha– I love that your bonus content seeking is to get a bargain! I should have known. 😉 Historical context is the best. I think that was my favorite part of A Gentleman’s Guide to Vice and Virtue! Lee’s historical notes at the end helped me understand the relevance of this content in real history. I might appreciate the book more on a re-read knowing what I know now!

      While I knew you purchase new editions of old favorites, it’s nice to hear that you’ll do it for updated covers and bonus content. Ditto. I own three special edition releases of Harry Potter books just for the fancy cover art. Sometimes I feel silly, but they bring me so much joy!

  • Evelina @ AvalinahsBooks February 3, 2019 at 6:11 am

    Agreed. Somehow the bonus chapters I just sort of.. Never read? Especially if they’re previews of the new book. Because I’ll need to wait till it goes out and forget, plus, it makes me think there’s so much more of the book left but there’s not, they’re just cheating xD

    I don’t know, signed copies might be nice, but since I never really get print copies anyway, they are also not that important for me.

    I think you’re right, it has to do with the fact that we have too much information as it is, and we just kidn of don’t want more, cause we’re tired of it already.

    But yes, bonus art content will always appeal to me. Even though I can visualize, it’s so cool to look at that stuff. Maps especially. Maps are great!

    • Jackie B February 12, 2019 at 10:51 pm

      Previews for the next book are so frustrating! I have a Kindle. If the book is already published and I’m interested in it, I’ll immediately buy it once this book is done. Kindle is my dealer in this case. If I’m not interested, or it’s not out, I’m not going to read it! Ain’t nobody got time for that. XD

      Maps are the BEST. David is writing a fantasy novel and he recently bought some map-making software to help him create his world. It’s so cool!

      • Evelina @ AvalinahsBooks February 13, 2019 at 7:52 am

        Exactly 😀 wait, he’s writing a novel? Wow 😀

        • Jackie B February 15, 2019 at 3:29 pm

          He is. Slooooooooowly. It’s a fantasy novel akin to The Wheel of Time and A Song of Ice and Fire, so not in your wheelhouse. Barely in mind, honestly, and I love fantasy. But he’s diligent.

          Sadly, he’s also verbose. We checked last night — he’s written about 1/2 of his plot and the book is already 450 pages. There will be MAJOR edits in the future. XD

          • Evelina @ AvalinahsBooks February 15, 2019 at 4:05 pm

            So basically, like any other normal epic fantasy novel then, in terms of length xD xD good for him though!

            • Jackie B February 18, 2019 at 3:13 pm

              Basically. That doesn’t mean it’s right! XD Baby steps. Perhaps he’ll have it written before our future kids go to college. Perhaps.

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