This 'Ghostbusters' Book Is More Than Just A Prop

Who ya gonna call? Ghostbusters — and possibly, Barnes and Noble. Lately, it seems a blockbuster movie can't be released without merchandise to accompany the release. You know: books, T-shirts, action figures, bobble heads, snacks, etc. Everywhere you go, you're pretty likely to find something tied-in to a new major film, and while for some movies, this might be overkill, for others, it's a brilliant marketing strategy. Interestingly, though, it seems the marketing team behind the new Ghostbusters movie has not only done some great marketing — they've gone a step further, by making the book from Ghostbusters, Ghosts from Our Past , totally real.

Said in the movie to be written by Kristen Wiig's character Erin Gilbert and Melissa McCarthy's character Abby L. Yates, Ghosts from Our Past is now an actual book you can purchase. It hit shelves on June 28, and the full title of the book is Ghosts from Our Past: Both Literally and Figuratively: The Study of the Paranormal. The book has been described by its publisher as being "groundbreaking" and "criminally under-appreciated," featuring Erin and Abby's childhood experiences with the paranormal, a history of ghosts, a guide in identifying them, and a quiz to find out if you're really seeing a ghost, among other treats. Basically, it's a Ghostbusters fan's dream.

And no, before you think it's too real, Wiig and McCarthy did not take time out of their busy schedules to write a book about ghosts. In the film, both actors' characters are the stand-alone authors of the novel, but for the real life edition (the one you can purchase here and here), it's written by Andrew Shaffer who shares credit with the fictional paranormal scientists on the cover. Ghosts from Our Past isn't Shaffer's first foray into turning film ideas into real-life novels and parodies. He's written books such as How to Survive a Sharknado, Fifty Shames of Earl Grey: A Parody, and The Hunger Games & Philosophy.

Whether or not you believe in ghosts, this book isn't one to pass up, especially if you're a huge Ghostbusters fan. The book provides extra insight into the characters as well as explains some plot elements in more detail. It's been described as a "spoiler book", according to NYC Ghostbusters, so be careful picking this one up before seeing the film. Ghostbusters hits theaters Friday July 15, so grab your proton packs and gear up for some ghosts and some laughs.

Images: Columbia Pictures