This sounds like a cool thing to me, but maybe you disagree?
A service called Booktrack adds music, sound effects, and sound to the text of e-books. From the New York Times August 2011 article: “It makes a new and engaging way to read and really enhances the experience and enhances your imagination and keeps you in the story longer,” Paul Cameron, Booktrack’s 35-year-old co-founder and chief executive, said in an interview. “And it makes it fun to read again. If you’re not reading all the time, it might help you rediscover reading.”
Recently, Booktrack announced the debut of its BookShelf, from which users can browse the Booktrack catalog, try free previews, and purchase titles. It looks to me like the entire catalog is pretty small, but they plan to continue to release additional titles. Interestingly, one of their titles is a Salman Rushdie short story. 
Mr. Rushdie was apparently skeptical at first, but agreed to give it a try. “Mr. Rushdie said he was impressed with the orchestra’s work. He was particularly pleased when his 14-year-old son pronounced it ‘super cool,’ he said. ‘What I didn’t want it to sound too much like was special effects,’ he said.” (Wall Street Journal, February 9, 2012.)
I do like to listen to music while I read. I haven’t checked it out yet, and maybe I’ll let you know what I think once I do. In the meantime, if you’ve tried it, I’m interested in your comments. And if you haven’t, I’m interested in whether you think it’s a good idea.
