What Is This Is Not a Book by Keri Smith
This Is Not a Book is an interactive workbook by Keri Smith, designed to prompt creative action rather than passive reading. The book uses prompts, experiments, and blank spaces to guide users through exercises that blur the line between journal, guide, and object. It is published by Chronicle Books and is part of a broader series of interactive journals by the same author.
The core concept is that the book is not meant to be read like a conventional narrative but used as a tool for exploration. Each page contains instructions that ask the reader to perform tasks, document results, or rethink everyday objects. The format has made it a reference example in discussions about non-traditional publishing and experiential books.
Who Is Keri Smith and What Is Her Background
Keri Smith is a Canadian author and conceptual artist known for works that invite audience participation. She has written multiple bestselling interactive journals, including Wreck This Journal and How to Be an Explorer of the World. Her books are published by major houses and translated into many languages.
Smith's approach blends art instruction with ideas from design thinking and experimental practice. Her work has been featured in publications and platforms that cover creative industries and publishing trends, and she is frequently cited as an example of authors who reimagine the role of the reader as co-creator.
Why This Is Not a Book Stands Out in the Publishing Market
The book is often listed among popular interactive journals that challenge standard book formats. Its success is tied to the rise of experiential and activity-based publishing, where readers seek hands-on engagement rather than linear storytelling. Retail data and bestseller lists show sustained interest in this category.
Publishers and retailers categorize it under art, creativity, and gift books, and it is frequently recommended in lists of unique books for journaling, mindfulness, and creative practice. The format has influenced other titles that use similar prompts, blank spaces, and task-based structures to differentiate themselves from traditional prose books.