Ready to dive into the world of virtual reality? Then you’re going to need some good resources. If books are your thing, then look no further! We’ve compiled a list of incredible books about VR that will help you stay ahead of the curve.
For a great overview of the Metaverse, virtual reality and its possibilities, check out The Metaverse: And How It Will Revolutionize Everything.
From overviews and introductions to more specialized applications – there’s something in here for everyone interested in pushing the boundaries of what is possible in this rapidly growing field.
As a bonus, we also included some science fiction books about virtual reality for inspiration. Get ready to uncover the secrets driving today’s hottest trends in immersive technology and interactive media. Who knows – these reads may lead to your next big project!
Virtual Reality Books
Virtual reality is not just about VR headsets, accessories, and other VR-related technologies.
If you want to learn more about how Virtual Reality and Augmented Reality work, there are also books you can read. From beginner to advanced information, you’ll surely find the right book for you.
If you are not too interested in non-fiction VR books, there are also science fiction books about virtual reality that you might want to read. These books can transport you into virtual worlds as seen in the eyes of the protagonist.
Our Virtual Reality Book Recommendations
In this list are 7 of our recommended books about VR. We made sure to include both nonfiction and fiction books so you have different options to choose from.
| Book Title | Pros | Cons | Price | |
 | Metaverse and Virtual Reality for Beginners | For people who are new to Metaverse, Cryptocurrency, and NFT | Might be boring for people who already know how Metaverse works | Check Price |
 | Metaverse Investing for Beginners | For those who are planning on investing in digital assets | Might not be for those totally new to the Metaverse | Check Price |
 | VRx: How Virtual Therapeutics Will Revolutionize Medicine | Very interesting read for people in the Medical field or those interested in the field of Medicine | Might be a hard concept to grasp especially for people who are not into technology | Check Price |
 | The Metaverse: And How It Will Revolutionize Everything | Wallstreet Journal and Publishers Weekly Bestseller Good book overall for people who wants to understand the Metaverse better | Concepts might be too advanced for people new to the Metaverse | Check Price |
 | Ready Player One | For people who are into sci-fi, likes treasure hunts, and gaming | People who do not like video games might find it uninteresting | Check Price |
 | Otherworld (Last Reality) | Action-packed sci-fi novel with a bit of romance | Characterization can be lacking to some people | Check Price |
 | Snow Crash | Interesting book with a cyberpunk theme | Book was published in 1992 which can be too old to read for some people | Check Price |
Metaverse and Virtual Reality for Beginners
Author: Alvin Walker
If you have no idea about how the Metaverse, Virtual Reality, Cryptocurrency, and NFTs (Non-Fungible Tokens) work, this book will guide you in understanding these terms.
The whole Metaverse can be overwhelming especially if you are not exposed to these terms all the time. But, if you want to get a grasp on how virtual reality and augmented reality make the Metaverse possible, this is a good book to start with. Just understanding how immersive technology works can be the start of your VR journey.
Metaverse Investing for Beginners
Author: Jason Limbrey
If you have a little bit more knowledge of what the Metaverse is and its relation to virtual reality, this book will take you further and show other possibilities of the Metaverse.
This book will tell you how the Metaverse, Web 3.0, and Cryptocurrency relate to each other in terms of virtual asset investing.
Cryptocurrency, NFTs, and Bitcoins are digital assets that you can invest in. If that is something you are interested to do, this is a book you might want to read.
Readers of this book found the information about investing in digital assets helpful. Aside from understanding how to invest in digital assets, you will also understand how minting and selling NFTs work.
This book can also be read by people who are just starting to get into the Metaverse as the author explains the terms where you can understand them well.
VRx: How Virtual Therapeutics Will Revolutionize Medicine
Author: Brennan Spiegel
Now if you are someone who is in the field of Medicinal Therapy, you might find this book interesting.
The author, Dr. Brennan Spiegal, wrote about the possibility of using virtual reality in treating illnesses like Schizophrenia. In the book, he called it “Virtual Medicine”, which is a new kind of care in the field of Medicine.
There are positive editorial reviews from different known institutions such as the University of Southern California and Stanford University.
One of the reviews stated:
“If you are curious or concerned about the future of healthcare, then VRX is a must-read. It is smart, thoughtful, and informative — not only does Dr. Spiegel provide us with an exciting view of the future of healthcare, he also captivates us by weaving into his narrative a healthy mixture of neuroscience, history, philosophy, and drama.” – Dr. Walter Greenleaf, Stanford University
Other editorial reviews have said that this book is compelling and provocative, and will really make you think about the possibilities of VR in the field of Medicine.
Readers have also said that this book changed how they look at their VR goggles and that VR goggles have the power to shape their minds. This book can really show us how virtual reality can have an impact on human life.
This is really an interesting book to read if you want to see how VR can be integrated into the field of Medicine.
The Metaverse: And How It Will Revolutionize Everything
Author: Matthew Ball
This book is a Wall Street Journal Bestseller and a Publishers Weekly Bestseller.
Virtual Reality and Augmented Reality have been around for a long time, and even the word “Metaverse” is not a recent discovery as you might think. But, Matthew Ball’s book described that the Metaverse is just a “glimpse of what is to come”. This book can really show the possibilities of a digital world.
Readers said that even if you are not interested in the Metaverse, you will see why it is used today and why different industries are also integrating VR into their technologies.
Ceo of Sony, Kenichiro Yoshida stated in his review that the book is “A thought-provoking look at the evolving intersection of technology, society, human nature, and creativity. Matthew Ball’s enlightening guide is a must-read for every creator and company that is embarking on their journey to the new frontier that is the Metaverse. A new world shaped by individuals and driven by incredible social experiences has just begun.”
Ready Player One
Author: Ernest Cline
Ready Player One is a science fiction novel written by Earnest Cline.
The story takes place in 2045 where the protagonist Wade Watts spends his time in OASIS, which is a virtual reality world.
In this book, the creator of OASIS left a series of puzzles when he died and Wade Watts set off on a hunt for clues to solve the puzzles. He’s met with people who also want to take the prize for themselves.
Ready Player One got the #1 New York Times Bestseller and Steven Spielberg directed the movie which is the same title as the novel.
This book is a great read for those who are into science fiction. It will take you to a dystopian world where a virtual world is your only escape.
Readers found this book fascinating as they follow Wade Watts in his journey to find clues that the OASIS creator left behind. And, if you are left wanting more, there is a sequel to this novel entitled “Ready Player Two.
Otherworld (Last Reality)
Author: Jason Segel & Kristen Miller
If you liked Ready Player One, you might also want to have a go at reading Otherworld by Jason Segel and Kristen Miller. This book is action-packed and will transport you to a world where you can have your greatest desire.
The protagonist, Simon, uses a headset from Otherworld to get into the virtual world. In Otherworld, the world seems too good to be true as you can smell, taste, and feel what you want without having to go anywhere.
Aside from being a sci-fi novel, this also has some romance elements between Simon and his love interest Kat.
If you want a thrilling sci-fi novel filled with action, adventure, and romance, then this book is the one for you.
Snow Crash
Author: Neal Stephenson
When you hear the word “Metaverse” you probably would immediately think of Mark Zuckerberg. He founded Facebook and later on rebranded his company to “Meta” and introduced the Metaverse as an escape from reality.
But, the word “Metaverse” was actually coined by author Neal Stephenson and it first appeared in his book “Snow Crash.
In the novel Snow Crash, Hiro Protagonist is a pizza-delivery guy in the real world and a warrior prince in the Metaverse. Hiro is off to investigate a drug called Snow Crash, a digitally encoded new computer virus when his fellow hackers fell into a vegetative state because of it. Hiro then tries to track down the shadowy virtual villain threatening to spread the drug.
Readers of this book find it an interesting story that is packed with action and adventure. If you are a fan of search and destroy mission types of books, check this out.
This book shows you how virtual reality is presented in the early days.
Virtual Reality Design
Virtual reality design is a cutting-edge area of the tech industry. It allows people to don virtual reality goggles and enter virtual worlds with lifelike visuals and audio that create a virtual environment that allows for fully immersive experiences.
Despite its potential, virtual reality design presents unique challenges as developers must develop software for a still relatively new technology and paired hardware in order to provide innovative virtual experiences.
Many are stepping up to the challenge, utilizing creative problem solving skills to create virtual simulations and virtual environments like never before seen – an exciting time indeed for anyone interested in experiencing virtual reality!
You have to think differently when designing for a digital context. The resources on our list should give you some inspiration for all the possibilities for the future of immersive technologies.
Types of Virtual Reality
There are a few different types of virtual reality, so you’ll need to understand them in order to design an experience. Non-immersive, semi-immersive, and fully immersive are what explain what makes up the various types of virtual reality.
Non-immersive VR
Non-immersive virtual reality allows users to interact with digital environments without a dedicated headset or any additional equipment; think your smartphone or gaming console displaying a 3D environment.
Semi-immersive VR
Semi-immersive experiences require some dedicated hardware, like specialized displays and movement sensors, but interactions are limited.
Fully Immersive VR
Fully immersive VR completely envelops its user in a digital environment as if they’re actually there. With cutting-edge headsets accompanied with motion controllers and more advanced sensors, what used to be an unrealistic fantasy has become part of our present day society – all in the form of Virtual Reality!
Augmented Reality
Augmented reality is when computer-generated images appear to interact with real-world environments through an interface, whether that’s your smart device or a VR headset.
Wrap up
Whether you’re looking to create your own virtual reality experience and need to understand how it works, or you just want to keep up with the times, there’s a book for that.
We recommend The Metaverse: And How It Will Revolutionize Everything if you want to know more about how the Metaverse works and Ready Player One if you like Sci-fi novels.
Have fun learning about this rapidly evolving technology!
