Monday, August 28, 2017

My Favorite Time Travel Novels


I'm still having fun sharing my lists, so here's another one. I have a few more in the pipeline, and not all of them concern books so you have that to ponder while you're taking a look at my favorite time travel novels.

Once again, I suppose this list proves that I don't always need to have both feet firmly planted on the ground when I read. Once in a while, I do like to ponder "what if..." and I think that's how I use time travel novels. They give me a chance to imagine what life was like in other eras while still keeping me tethered to the life I have now.

As in my other lists, the books are in no particular order other than the one in which they popped into my mind. Let's take a look to see if any of these are familiar to you! (Click on the caption below each cover to be taken to Amazon to read more about it.)


Originally Bid Time Return, the book is much better than the movie.


The best time travel novel about being black and a slave.


A young woman experiences life as her grandmother.


The book that started a fascination with Scotland.


The Plague? Count me in!


What would you do if you could live your life over again?


What if you had the power to change the course of history?


The book that started my love of time travel.


Three short stories by the Master of Time Travel.


Most of the books on this list have been favorites for decades. My reading in this particular sub-genre has really slackened off in recent years, although I have read and enjoyed the first book in Jodi Taylor's The Chronicles of St. Mary's series, Just One Damned Thing After Another. Speaking of which, I need to move on to the second book now, and... I recently purchased Melodie Winawer's The Scribe of Siena, so there's another time travel novel that I need to read.  When will it ever end?

So... what did you think of my list? Is time travel anything you've ever read and enjoyed? If so, is my list missing any of your favorites? Which ones? You know I'm always on the lookout for books to read! Please share!

17 comments:

  1. I have never read time-travel books -- no surprise! However, I had two friends who devour Diana Gabaldon's books. One is a retired nurse who loves historical fiction, so she read the first book which I gave her. Next thing I knew she had read all of them. And she loves the contemporary medical knowledge and techniques that the main character brought to the past.

    The other friend, a psychologist, has read all of the books and just returned from an Outlander tour of Scotland. She has posted some photos and I am awaiting the rest.

    The thought of what would we have done to change the course of history? So much it's mind-boggling -- i.e., stop wars, etc.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I have an acquaintance who's fallen in love with Scotland because of Diana Gabaldon's books. Gabaldon is so much fun to listen to, and I love the stories Barbara Peters tells of when Gabaldon was just starting to write and would visit The Poisoned Pen to order books.

      Delete
  2. I have to admit, Cathy, I don't read time travel books. I suppose it's because my disbelief likes to sit right next to me when I read. That said, though, I did really enjoy Isaac Asimov's The Ugly Little Boy. A group of scientists is able to bring a Neanderthal child into the (then) present - fascinating!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh, I'll have to look for that one-- thanks! It also reminds me of Robert J. Sawyer's excellent Hominids.

      Delete
  3. I've read several books but only the Gabaldon from your list! I was never a fan but am now converted.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Good list, I've read most of them, Kindred was heartbreaking. Love Connie
    Willis, she has several other time travel books--Black Out, All Clear and To Say Nothing of the Dog.
    I think the Stephen King book is one of his best. I'm up to date on the Diane Gabaldon books, waiting for the next one.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I really like Connie Willis. I almost included To Say Nothing of the Dog, and I have Black Out on my Kindle to read.

      Delete
    2. Doomsday Book is one of my favorites. I so enjoy Connie Willis' books. Have you read Passages or The Bellwether?

      Delete
    3. I know I've read The Bellwether (and liked it), and I'm pretty sure I've also read Passages but can't swear to it.

      Delete
  5. Yes - Jack Finney with Time and Again started me on my love of time-travel journey. I also enjoyed the sequel Time After Time.

    I've read several Connie Willis books and you'll find that her Black Out is really just the first half of a longer book. The second half is All Clear. Great story!

    One of my favourite books of this genre is When You Reach Me by Rebecca Stead. I loved it! It's a book for middle-graders but oh, it's so good!

    I really liked 11/23/63 and I've added Replay to my TBR. I'm still not sure about Outlander.

    Great list!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I knew about Black Out being part of a longer book. For some reason I haven't snatched all of them up yet...just the first.

      Outlander is a bit too sexy for some folks. I think it would be for me now, but when I read it all those years ago, I fell for the story hook, line, and sinker. I loved it.

      Now I have to look up When you Reach Me. Thanks!

      Delete
  6. Kathleen in New York said:

    "As Capt. Janeway once said, 'Time travel gives me a headache!' I concur, though I found the Millhiser book intriguing. Thanks for sharing."

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Love the quote from Captain Janeway, especially since I think she's the best Star Trek captain!

      Delete
  7. Oh, gosh, someone wrote about Rebecca Stead.

    I knew her when she was an adorable 10- and 11-year-old and occasionally came with her mother to work at the nonprofit civil liberties organization where I worked. Her mother is one of the funniest human beings I have ever met, like having a stand-up comedian on-the-job.

    Nice to hear that Rebecca Stead is doing well writing children's books. She was an attorney for awhile.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Lawyers often make very good writers, don't they?

      Delete
  8. Yes, the ones that can write, i.e., John Grisham. And there are many others.

    ReplyDelete

Thank you for taking the time to make a comment. I really appreciate it!