A variety of apps have been exploring ephemeral territory, Snapchat perhaps being the most prominent example. Self-destructing messages, pictures and videos enjoy the the benefit of inhabiting the digital realm without leaving any trace behind. Inspired by this trend, writer James Patterson decided to release a special edition of his latest novel Private Vegas in the form of a book that literally explodes a day after it's opened. For $294,038 a ”lucky” fan can enjoy the reading experience in luxury accommodation with a set of 14-carat-gold binoculars. After countdown, the reader will have the chance to watch the book blow up in the presence of a bomb squad, followed by a 5-course meal with the author. It is an interestingly paradoxical self-estimation of the value of his work: on the one hand, 300K’s worth, on the other – entirely disposable.Private Vegas comes in digital format too, free but limited to 1000 downloads, also designed to delete itself in 24 hours. The digital version is accompanied by a microsite that tracks all US readers, and offers real time information, such as how far along they are and the speed at which they are reading. Patterson’s novel is more thank just a publishing gimmick, it is an astute reflection on the doomed condition of the book market. This is similar to the The Endangered Song project that also hoped to raise awareness for a topical issue - the extinction of Sumatran tigers – using innovative techniques of production and promotion.