Top 10 Games You Can Play in Your Head, by Yourself

By: Theophrastus J. Bartholomew, Sam Gorski, D.F. Lovett

Narrated by: Jack Voraces

Length: 4 hrs and 54 mins

Publisher's Summary

Your mind is now the ultimate gaming engine.

Top 10 Games You Can Play in Your Head, by Yourself is a collection of visionary author J. Theophrastus Bartholomew's most cherished mind games, edited and updated by filmmaker and storyteller Sam Gorski and author D.F. Lovett. No peripherals needed. No controllers. No pens. No dice or boards. Everything you need to experience the forefront of game design is right here in this audiobook!

What is a mind game? Great question! A mind game is a game where you control the characters, the world, and everything in between - a breathing, living story. A story that you can create on your own and come back to, time after time. A story with surprises that you will plant for yourself to find later...and never be the wiser!

What will happen in your game? It's up to you to find out!

©2019 Sam Gorski (P)2019 Sam Gorski

Choose Your Own Adventure Springboard

I received a free review copy.

I think I was confused by the "game" idea implicit in the title at first so I expected something different. Actually, this book is basically a springboard to prompt you to use your imagination to create stories in your mind - playing a choose your own adventure game. It accomplishes the following:

1) Helps you realize you can use your imagination to create stories in your mind.
2) Provides 10 starter scenarios to jumpstart story creation.
3) Models story creation by providing various paths the scenarios could take.
4) Provides entertainment as the starter scenarios can be quite funny.

The narrator perfectly matches the book as he accentuates the tongue-in-cheek humor.

Read the book reviews on Amazon for examples of people using the scenarios and running with them.

Guided Imagination / Daydreaming

This audiobook isn't a story in itself, it's a collection of different suggested scenarios for you to come up with your own story. Starting with a high level premise, it provides a number of prompts from choosing who you are, to who your nemisis is, what you are doing and twists along the way - whether it be searching for treasure in the desert or piloting a spaceship. Whether the adventures you have are grand or disappointing is all up to you.
As someone who has pretty poor imagination and generally can't come up with my own stories, I found this book useful to guide me along the way - however it is really 1 distinct game (imagining) with 10 scenarios as opposed to 10 different games altogether. It would probably be really useful for creative writers as well to help with prompting.
The narrator suits the book well with a highly expressive and grand persona.

A kick start for the imagination

This is the pinnacle of gaming. Made me a creative god of incredible power hitherto unbeknownst. In a rut with that creative project? Can't find the motivation to write? Just want a break from life? Then quit reading this review and start listening to or reading this book. I recommend buying a hard copy, but this audio book is really well done. The speaker seems a bit overpowering and distracting at times, but overall job well done.
This book really kick started my imagination. I ended up writing two short film scripts out of nowhere. One of my own that I'm working on and one for Corridor Digital's crew. I clearly have good taste so if anyone from Corridor Digital sees this, let's talk about it!

New fun game

My mind go to a new level :)
Level over 9000!!
Love it. Go deep!

Not for me, but I can see the value

I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.

TLDR; It's a how-to book for thought games.

I remember when this style of game hit my high-school I didn't really get it, I tried to, but it never really went anywhere for me. After listening to this, I like the process that's described here and think it would be interesting to revisit playing a game in this fashion. However, I doubt I'll get the time. This is basically how-to for creating games, but honestly, I'd rather just load up a PC/Console game and give that a go. If I were stuck somewhere without my phone, computer, books, etc. this would be an amazing way to pass the time, but I have those things so I'm not sure of the utility in a modern setting.

Overall, I love the concept, but I'm not sure I'd ever get around to really trying this.

Interesting listen

This is an interesting concept that can be a great source for story ideas for the aspiring writer. My only recommendation is to not binge read this one, as it can be overwhelming. Listen to the intro, then pick one or two games that interest you and . . . Go!

Gem ofa 90's book, Brought to Life by Jack Voraces

I listened to Jack Voraces Narration of this little Gem. As a narrator myself, I enjoy hearing others performances & his did not disappoint, though at times I found his American South accents a wee spot over the top, but at the same time... With the subject matter of this book, over the top kind of fits. Voraces has a very unique british lilt that reminds me of Dominc Keating (If you're a trekkie - Malcolm Reed of Enterprise). The American Editors & owners of the audio rights to this book Have a few asides & introduce the book, but Voraces brings it to life.
I wanted to listen to this book because I have a 13 year old son who is not content unless he is playing a game with someone. So I'm hoping he can be a little more content in his own head with some of the ideas in this book. I know I'll be trying some of them out.
The thing that kept recurring to me as I listened was, "Whenever I get around to becoming a writer along with a Narrator, this is a great way to start." In my working with authors, its apparent to me that they are able to seperate their "Shadow Selves" from their normal selves & get multiple perspectives.
I liked the initial excercise of a building in a field that you go in & leave your shadow outside. I haven't delved into any of the other games in particular, aside from my mind wandering to them throughout the listen. The "Building" in my particular field/hill is of course, the ruins of a crashed Federation starship. :)
The wit of "J Theophrastus Bartholomew" is apparent througout, though his initial jumping off points for most of his games is somewhat limited if you ask me.
What I didn't like - I grew up in the 90's & this book is set there, both in assumption about the reader & in assumptions about society, stereotypes & roles. In particular, the idea that if you're going to play "Trucks" a requirement is that you must be a bygamist. Highly cliche & a little disturbing. Also, the overall assumption is that the reader/listener is male, which is probably accurate, but still somewhat limiting.
Overall, I'd rate it 3.5 stars. 4.5 on the narration & 3 on the book itself. Worth the read/Listen? Mostly.
I received a promo copy of this from Jack Voraces, but my opinions are my own.

boring

bad . . . . . . . . . . . . horrible things for people

terrible and distracting ascents

This book is such gold. Unfortunately terribly done accents make it difficult to enjoy. Bad English accents, bad Egyptian accent, but comedic timing, bad. I know Brits I know Egyptians. This author sounds as if he hates everyone who isn't Anerican. He also sounds sarcastic all the time.

Sucks

Not a book. Some wacko video game concept or something that looked like a get rich scheme that no one was gullible enough to buyvinto. Made no sense to me and now I cant remove it from my library -- it KEEPS COMING BACK!!!

Not games more creative thinking prompts.

Well edited and written. That said these aren't games and for any none beginner in role play or creative writing it's not too useful for prompts.

Would make a good kids book. Not really sold as that though.