As a publishing medium, books are survivors. They continue to flourish, even as our society embraces other high-tech forms of material consumption. There is still something about holding one in your hand that feels right.
So, it’s no surprise that web designers express their book fandom through code. Some pay homage to their favorite titles. Others try to recreate the form and function of the medium on a screen.
Today, we will introduce you to some notable code snippets related to books. They use CSS and JavaScript to bring literature to life. You’ll find everything from 3D objects to fully interactive page turners. Here we go!
Effect CSS Coffee Table Book by Lynn Fisher
With the help of CSS, any image can become a book. This section applies to the SEC transform and clip-path properties to create a 3D rendering. Perfect for display on your coffee table (or virtual desktop).
Check out the Pen CSS coffee table book effect by Lynn Fisherhello
Download clean css book by Aaron Iker
Loading graphics provides a simple way to improve the user experience (UX). But you don’t have to settle for something generic. For example, websites related to books could add an extra touch of context to this fun animation.
Check out the Pure Pen CSS Book Loader by Aaron Ikerhello
Missing Book 404 Page Animation by Valeria
Here’s an interesting way to use books in web design. This 404-page layout opens a cabinet to reveal stacks of books. Each book is a clickable navigation element. An empty outline indicates the missing page that cannot be found.
Watch the animation Pen 404 pages – missing book by Valeriiahello
1984 George Orwell in CSS & SVG by Theahello
Using a combination of CSS and SVG, this pen celebrates George Orwell’s classic “Nineteen Eighty-Four”. Hovering over the element changes the perspective, revealing the spine of the book. This effect would suit a bookseller or a review blog.
See the George Orwell Pen #CodepenChallenge by Theahello
Kindle Paperwhite Simulator in CSS by Iah Bello
Yes, books have entered the high-tech scene – thanks to devices like the Kindle Paperwhite. It even allows readers to carry around an entire library of literature (try that with an old-school hardcover), while offering a paper-like experience. Click around this emulator to explore the universe.
See the Kindle Paperwhite Pen Simulator by Iah Bhello
Field Notes Workbook with CSS by Tim Aaron
This ingenious replica of the Field Notes workbook is fully interactive. Hover over the cover to open the book, type a message directly on a page, and hold down on the page to go to a new one. Amazingly, this is all done with CSS and HTML forms.
See the Pen Workspace Notes w/ CSS by timaronanhello
Alternative Book Generator by Dave Rupert
If you’ve ever wanted to write a book, here’s your chance to play pretend. Enter the title, author and issue number of your book. You can also change the primary color of the cover. Then download the SVG image and share it with friends!
Check out the Pen A Book Generator Apart by Dave Ruperthello
Turn Page Flip Book with CSS & JavaScript by Anya Melnyk
The idea of ”turning” the pages of an online book has been around for a long time. The effect goes back to the days of Flash. These days, it can be built with a little CSS and JavaScript (the Turn.js library, in this case). It’s a fun way to add interactivity to any website.
See the Pen book flip page by Anya Melnykhello
Add a Literary Touch to Your Projects
Whether you’re creating an homage to Harry Potter or simply love the aesthetic of the books, there are many ways to integrate them into your website. The above items serve different purposes. However, they only scratch the surface of what is possible.
If you’re looking for more literary inspiration, be sure to check out our CodePen collection!
