I've just seen this at Colletta's blog and thought I would join in as I love books (I may have mentioned this before 😂)!
It's hosted by That Artsy Reader Girl: "This week’s topic is “Books Set in Another Time”. These books can be historical, futuristic, alternate universes, time travel, etc. You could also share the titles of books set in other worlds, where timing is not measured by our world’s standards."
Here is my top ten of all time:
1. Sleeping Tiger, Rosamunde Pilcher - set in the 1960s. It's an easy read, and makes me feel all summery. It makes me want to live in a village in Spain and be a free spirit haha. Her other book The Shell Seekers is equally wonderful I think, but this was the first book that made me fall in love with Rosamunde Pilcher books.
2. Under the Whispering Door, TJ Klune - such a moving uplifting and at times hilarious story. It's based in a tea shop that helps people cross over after death. So definitely an alternate universe to ours.
3. The Herb of Grace, Elizabeth Goudge (I think it's known as Pilgrim's Inn in the USA) - based after WW II. It's a timeless story about a family, it's the second in the Eliots of Damerosehay series. I find the writing to be deep and thoughtful, with a gentle spiritual background. I love the character of Hilary, who is a priest and member of the family, here's a quote: "Increasingly, as he got older he enjoyed things. As his personal humility deepened, so did his awareness of the amazing bounty of God... So many things... The mellow warmth of the port, the pleasure of the game, the sign of Lucilla's lovely old face in the firelight, and David's fine hands holding the cards, his awareness of Margaret's endearing simplicity, and the contentment of the two old dogs dozing on the hearth... One by one the small joys fell; Only, to Hilary no joy was small - each had its own mystery, aflame with the glory of God"
4. Pride and Prejudice, Jane Austen - I feel this needs no introduction.
5. Red Dwarf, Grant Naylor (I love the TV series too). The Red Dwarf books are hilarious. Set in the year 2044 (I think) onboard a mining ship - then after the 'accident' set in the year 3 million and something because that's how long Holly waits to wake up Lister.
6. Anne of Green Gables, LM Montgomery - and ALL the Anne books haha. These are my perennial favourite books. If I'm feeling low or tired they are an enjoyable, magical, escapist read. Set in the 1880s onwards. An aside: apparently Megan Follows who played Anne in the popular adaptation is going to play LM Montgomery in an upcoming biopic - exciting news eh?
7. Dirk Gently's Holistic Detective Agency, Douglas Adams. Has time travel and ghosts, so definitely alternate universe fantasy stuff. It's quirky and fun and very much British humour. I also really like The Long Dark Tea-time of the Soul, which is the second book.
8. Three Men in a Boat, Jerome K Jerome. Published 1889. My granddad used to read me snippets of this with tears rolling down his face in laughter. It is hilarious. Totally recommend. Honestly get it. It's not a long book but it is so funny.
9. Lord of the Rings, JRR Tolkien. Another that I am sure needs no introduction.
10. A Little Princess, Frances Hodgson Burnett. Most people know her book The Secret Garden, but not as many know this beauty. It is a wonderful, life affirming story, and I LOVE IT. Set in 1905 it follows the rise and fall and rise again of the fortunes of a rich little girl called Sara. She is a little like Anne of Green Gables in that she is kind and imaginative and even in the darkest moments retains dignity and kindness. It's beautiful. Read it.
Special mention:
11. The Tenant of Wildfell Hall, Anne Brontë - my favourite Brontë book. Some people don't like it as it is 'dated' and 'moralising'. But I love Helen Graham's quiet dignity and bravery. It's not as dramatic as Jane Eyre (which I love) or the dreadful Wuthering Heights (which, as you can guess from 'dreadful', I dislike intensely).
Anyway, what are your favourite books set in another time?
Sarah x
36 comments:
Awe! Thanks for the shoutout! This was a fun topic :)
You have two of my favourites there, The Little Princess, such a lovely book. And any book by Elizabeth Goudge can be read over and over again.
I LOVE Colin Firth as Mr Darcy
I haven’t thought about A Little Princess in ages!
So fun :)
I have a few Elizabeth Goudge books in my 'to read' list. I've read all the Eliots of Damerosehay books and City of Bells, which I really enjoyed.
He is the definitive Mr Darcy! :)
I love it so much. It's technically a kids book I think, but definitely worth reading as an adult too.
Elizabeth Goudge, and the Little Pricess are up there with my favourites. Also 'I love work, I could watch it for hours' JKJ; Three Men in a Boat
I love Douglas Adams, so I'm here for any rec of his!
Here is our Top Ten Tuesday. Thank you!
I like your list and I see several of my old friends there too.
His writing is so funny, I love it.
Books really are like old friends :)
Such a funny book :D
Definitely three men in a boat and Anne of Green Gables. I like the Miss Read stories set in the 1950's and also A Victorian Family by MV Hughes.
I enjoyed Anne of Green Gables as well, and the Secret Garden. I know we own A Little Princess, but I can't remember if I've read it.
Great list. The only one I read from it is Pride and Prejudice. It was a long time ago and I should do a re-read.
Anne of Green Gables is such a wonderful choice for this week's topic.
Pam @ Read! Bake! Create!
https://readbakecreate.com/favorite-historical-fiction-reads-from-2024/
Nice work! I've read a few of these. Three Men in a Boat is the most recent read.
I had no idea Dirk Gently was a book!! I need to read it now. And I also need to read Under the Whispering Door.
Welcome to Top Ten Tuesday! It's such a fun link-up. I hope you'll keep joining in.
I also adore ANNE OF GREEN GABLES, although I still haven't read most of its sequels. PRIDE AND PREJUDICE is a favorite of mine as well. Great list!
Happy TTT (on a Wednesday)!
I haven't read a Miss Read book for years, they are great.
Such great books
Yes definitely read it again, it's worth it
It's a classic :)
It is so funny.
Yes, he did two Dirk Gently books. They are both so quirky and funny
Thanks Susan :)
My husband loves Red Dwarf and Douglas Adams. I didn't know there were Red Dwarf books. I'm a huge Anne fan but didn't enjoy some of the later books in the series. I finally read The Fellowship of the Ring last year and this year is The Dark Towers. Glad to have found your blog. I'm on Wordpress at www.lisahoweler.com.
Fun to see your list. All of the Anne of Green Gables (& really all of the L.M. Montgomery books) were absolute treasures to me my whole growing up years. And I still adore them to this day. :)
I need to read Anne of Green Gables. I somehow missed it when I was a kid.
Ah you should totally recommend the Red Dwarf books! I think there are a few people that didn't like the later books in the Anne of GG series, I love them all right up to Rainbow Valley and Rilla of Ingleside which aren't really Anne. Lord of the Rings is quite the tome to be sure, it took me a while to read, but totally worth it.
They really are treasures and make me so happy.
Yes do read it! It's such an easy heart-warming read.
I'm another one who didn't know that Red Dwarf was also a book, thanks for expanding my knowledge! I've read and enjoyed several of the books on this list and I appreciate that you included The Tenant of Wildfell Hall. Happy reading!
Thanks :) totally recommend Red Dwarf
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