Consider the consequencesOriginally published in 1930, it is believed to be the first game book, a genre you may know better as a “choose your own path” book, or “a branching narrative based on choices” or interactive fiction. It was written by Doris Webster and Mary Alden Hopkins, and I found out about it because Pushkin Press reprinted it last year.
I had a great time. Three stories are included, with main characters appearing in the other plots. One story is about Helen, who has to choose between marrying the charming loser or the stable businessman or getting a job in the big city. The next one covers Jed, the rake, and his over-dependence on his mother. The third focuses on the businessman and his decisions regarding work, family, marriage or government corruption.
I was fascinated by it, especially because of the expectations of the thirties and what the characters should or shouldn’t do, and the lack of life options in many cases. (Although among the final 43 there are illegitimate pregnancies and divorces!) I also liked that the different branches are drawn at the beginning of the sections, although only Helen’s story has repeat pages (those that can be reached through more than one option).
You can read the book yourself at the Internet Archive and you can also stream it online.