It’s called “Guilty Pleasures,” and as usual, we’re going to break in into three sub-categories, Books, Boys and Buzz.
* * * * *
My book-related Guilty Pleasure is only rarely satisfied, but when it is, I fall like a ton of bricks. It is my love of a beautifully written time-travel that moves from present day to the past and often back again.
I am not very focused on the scientific or magical properties (as long as they make sense), as much as the main character’s emotional journey, how she adjusts and hopefully triumphs. I can’t help putting myself in her place and trying to figure out how I’d retain my sanity and yet manage to suitably cope. For me, it’s almost like the best of both worlds, getting to read and create the happenings at once. And these are the sorts of books that I find myself thinking about for days, and talking up to friends.
A number of these much-loved time-travels contain scenes that some readers find disturbing, so instead of listing my favorites, I’m going to focus on one in particular that I'd recommend to anyone--the landmark time-travel that I came upon in the 1980’s, that first drew me in.
The Mirror by Marlys Millhiser focuses on a young woman on the eve of her wedding, who looks into the family heirloom mirror, and falls back into the young body of her grandmother on the eve of her wedding day. In contrasting chapters, the grandmother moves into her granddaughter’s body, which is an even greater culture shock.
This book was re-released about five years ago, and if you get a chance to check it out on Amazon, you’ll see 127 reviews, and many from readers like me, who just had to read it again. And loved it again! Although warning, when you read it now, the “present day references" to cassette players and disco music seem a bit historical, too!
Any other time-travel book lovers out there? And if so, can you recommend some others I could try?
What I’m Reading: Austenland, Shannon Hale
Tina
Tina Ferraro
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12 comments:
Oh, Tina, I looove time travels. They are so ripe with anticipation. You spend the whole book wondering how it's going to work out, and just when you think that everything is going to be okay (that the hero and heroine can be together) everything gets ripped out from under them! Sigh.
My fave? Has to be The Highlander's Touch by Karen Marie Moning. Time travel and a hunky Scottish warrior? Yum.
That book sounds great, Tina. I have to admit I'm not a big fan of time travels. I did give The Time Travelers Wife a try this summer though and it was pretty good.
Oh wow, Tina! I've never heard of this book, but it sounds amazing. Thanks for the recommendation.
As for time travel, to me, you can't beat Diana Gabaldon's Outlander series. Those books are like rich desserts you have to consume.
I started The Time Traveler's Wife last year, but then people came over and my hubby cleaned up and I have no idea where he stashed the book. As soon as I find it, I plan on finishing it. My agent thinks it's one of the best books...ev'ah!
Tina,
I remember you talking about that book and now I really want to read it. I loved the Time Traveler's Wife. And have the Outlander series in my TBR pile.
Here's a question for you. If you could travel to any time...past or future..where would you go?
Janie
Tera, I will check out the Highlander's Touch, thanks!
Steph, the Time Traveler's Wife is one I haven't tried yet, either. Good mention.
Marley, yes, Outlander is fantastic, and hope you find TTW.
Janie, what a thought-provoking question! And I guess that depends on how long I was staying, what I could bring and if I could come back! But as a quick answer, I'd love to visit the English countryside in the Regency period...Mr. Darcy, anyone?
Oooh, sounds so cool, even though I'm not a fan of time travel...that whole "fear of history class" still haunts me :)
BUT I would love to travel through time...I would give just about anything to go back to the 1940s and wear those amazing tweed suits and hats and be all film-noir with a guy in a fedora.
No, I haven't thought about it all that much :)
The Doomsday Book by Connie Willis is a great time travel. It's set in the future but the character goes back to the middle ages.
Yes, Moning's Highlander's book are WOW! Thanks for sharing this book, Tina!
I think we're onto another theme week: When Do I Belong? (I can totally see Dona as a film noir vixen, opposite Bogey and Bacall!) And Tina, you are SO a Lizzie Bennet! =)
Dona, I can sooooo see you in '40's garb!
Bethany, thanks so much for that recommendation! I'll check it out.
Kelly, I'm definitely picking Moning's book up--thanks for jumping in.
TLC, I get to be Lizzie Bennett? Really? The intelligent beauty who *gets the hero*. I am all over that! :)
Tina, I haven't read this book, but it sounds great. I did love that Jane Seymour/Christopher Reeve movie Somewhere in Time.... So romantic.
Hugs,
HD
Oh, yes, Heather, I loved Somewhere in Time, too. And I'm a big fan of the Kathleen Turner time-travel movie, as well, Peggy Sue Got Married.
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