15.1 - Time After Time

[Sandy, Moderator Emeritus]

15.1. Time After Time

January was named for Janus, the god looking both forward and backwards.
A. Read a novel of historical fiction
AND
B. Read a novel set in the future.

To qualify as "historical" or "future," the book must be set at least 30 years before or roughly 30 years after the time it was written.

For example, 1984 works as a "future" novel, because it was written in 1949. Pride and Prejudice, on the other hand, would not work for historical, because the setting is contemporaneous with the time it was written.

Many (most?) dystopian/post-apocalytic/science fiction books don't specify exactly when they take place - but this type of book is clearly not present or past, so will qualify as "future."

[Sandy, Moderator Emeritus]

Snow Falling on Cedars
Water for Elephants
Catching Fire(and others in the series)
The Children of Men
The Mists of Avalon(and others in the series)

[Sandy, Moderator Emeritus]

not approved:
The Time Trilogy: A Swiftly Tilting Planet, A Wind in the Door and A Wrinkle in Time

[Kathy G.]

Is Snow Falling on Cedars Historical Fiction. Thanks.

[Sandy, Moderator Emeritus]

Kathy G. wrote: "Is Snow Falling on Cedars Historical Fiction. Thanks."

Yep - written in 1994, set in 1954 - so it meets the 30 years test

[Usako]

Lily of the Nile by Stephanie Dray is a historical fiction/fantasy that follows Cleopatra's Daughter. I highly recommend!

I may re-read it or if I get through my tbr-own list, grab something from my TBR list. Goes for the future tasks, too.

[Sheila]

Hi Sandy I've been working on my "plan" and was wondering about The Christmas Quilt by Jennifer Chiaverini for the historical book for this task. It starts in current times but when blocks for a long forgotten Christmas Quilt are found in the attic the story transports back to the depression era.

The Christmas Quilt

[Riona]

Does Water for Elephants count as historical? I believe it's set during the Depression.

[Sandy, Moderator Emeritus]

Riona wrote: "Does Water for Elephants count as historical? I believe it's set during the Depression."

Yep, that works (and it's a terrific book, too!)

[Sandy, Moderator Emeritus]

Sheila wrote: "Hi Sandy I've been working on my "plan" and was wondering about The Christmas Quilt by Jennifer Chiaverini for the historical book for this task. It starts in current times but when blocks for a ..."

It's been awhile since I read this one, and I seem to recall a significant part of it being set in the past - if so, it works.

[Jayme(theghostreader)]

Would "Catching Fire" work for future?

[Dee]

if anyone needs a book set in the future - JD Robb's In Death series (starts with Naked in Death) are all set in 2058 NYC

[Sandy, Moderator Emeritus]

Jayme(the ghost reader) wrote: "Would "Catching Fire" work for future?"

yes - I don't think any of these books specify dates, but they are clearly in the future.

[Erin]

Would The Children of Men work for the future? It's definitely a dystopian novel, but it was published in 1992, and the description says it takes place in 2021...only 29 years.

Thanks!

[Sandy, Moderator Emeritus]

Erin wrote: "Would The Children of Men work for the future? It's definitely a dystopian novel, but it was published in 1992, and the description says it takes place in 2021...only 29 years.

Thanks!"

I'll take it. It's clearly a "future" novel.

[Foxy Grandma]

Will the Avalon Series by Marion Zimmer Bradley work of historical novel?

[Sandy, Moderator Emeritus]

Beth NC wrote: "Will the Avalon Series by Marion Zimmer Bradley work of historical novel?"

Yes - it takes place in an Earth context (as opposed to a complete fantasy world) and deals with the Arthurian period, so that will work.

[Inez]

The Andromeda Strain would this work for the furture? Thank you for your help.

[chucklesthescot]

I recently bought Gone but don't know exactly when the book is set. It sounds futuristic so does anyone know if it would be suitable for part 2?

Also Uglies, The Forest of Hands and Teeth and The Road

[Sandy, Moderator Emeritus]

Inez wrote: "The Andromeda Strain would this work for the furture? Thank you for your help."

yes

[Sandy, Moderator Emeritus]

chucklesthescot wrote: "I recently bought Gone but don't know exactly when the book is set. It sounds futuristic so does anyone know if it would be suitable for part 2?

Also Uglies, Th..."</i>

Don't know about the other two, but [book:Uglies and The Road are certainly future

[Inez]

would Timeless work for the past?

[Sandy, Moderator Emeritus]

Inez wrote: "would Timeless work for the past?"

sounds good to me.

[Julie J]

Would any of the wrinkle in time books work for future? or The giver books?

[Sandy, Moderator Emeritus]

The Giver is set in a dystopian future, so those work. A Wrinkle in Time, though, while science fiction, is set in a contemporary world, not the future, so that group of books won't work.

[Sandy, Moderator Emeritus]

FYI - I'm going to be away until Sunday, and will have limited computer access. I'll try to get on here and answer questions if possible, but can't promise anything.

Happy Thanksgiving!

[Christina]

Would The Invention of Hugo Cabretwork for historical fiction? It is set in 1931 and was published in 2007.

[Julie J]

Thanks!

[Petra]

Would John Wyndham books be considered "future" (Part B)? His books are mainly post-apocaliptic type of settings where something catastrophic happened (caused by humans) and the survivors are continuing.
I was thinking of either The Chrysalids or Chocky.

[Sandy, Moderator Emeritus]

Christina wrote: "Would The Invention of Hugo Cabretwork for historical fiction? It is set in 1931 and was published in 2007."

yes

[Sandy, Moderator Emeritus]

Petra wrote: "Would John Wyndham books be considered "future" (Part B)? His books are mainly post-apocaliptic type of settings where something catastrophic happened (caused by humans) and the surv..."

The Chrysalids sounds like it would work, but Chocky doesn't sounds as if it's set in the future. A lot of his books, like Midwich Cuckoos, aren't necessarily set in the future, they're set in a contemporary time, but then science fictiony things happen.

[Petra]

Thanks, Sandy! I'll use The Chrysalids.

[Sandy, Moderator Emeritus]

KatieDE wrote: "Just for clarification...

Does The Poisonwood Bible work? Set in 1959, published 1998."

sure.

[Meagan]

Would The City of Ember count as future?

[Sandy, Moderator Emeritus]

Meagan wrote: "Would The City of Ember count as future?"

If it takes place on earth, it would, since it sure sounds like it would be in our future. If it's a fantasy planet not related to earth, no.

[Meagan]

City of Ember takes place on Earth...
"Unidentified architects and engineers, referred to as "the Builders", designed a self-contained city that would include everything necessary for its inhabitants to survive for a period of 200 years. During that time, the Earth would be uninhabitable for an unspecified reason."

[Sandy, Moderator Emeritus]

Meagan wrote: "City of Ember takes place on Earth...
"Unidentified architects and engineers, referred to as "the Builders", designed a self-contained city that would include everything necessary for its inhabita..."

so that works!

[Cindy AL]

Just started Bitter Seeds by Ian Tregillan (wow, it's not in Goodreads yet). It is an alternative history book about World War II. I was going to use it in a different slot, but would alternative history count for historical fiction or do you want straight historical fiction?

[Sandy, Moderator Emeritus]

Cindy AL wrote: "Just started Bitter Seeds by Ian Tregillan (wow, it's not in Goodreads yet). It is an alternative history book about World War II. I was going to use it in a different slot, but would alternative h..."

No, alternative history is okay. I'm just looking for past and future, not contemporary - but fantasy past works, just as fantasy future does!

[Kate]

Just checking, does Little Town on the Prairie qualify for part a?

[Cindy AL]

I found it, sorry, thanks for the reply Bitter Seeds.

[Sandy, Moderator Emeritus]

Kathryn wrote: "Just checking, does Little Town on the Prairie qualify for part a?"

Sure - it was written in 1941, and set in the late 19th century, so that works.

[Valorie]

Will A Kiss Before the Apocalypse work for part B?

[Sandy, Moderator Emeritus]

Valorie wrote: "Will A Kiss Before the Apocalypse work for part B?"

I can't tell from the description when it's set - a lot of urban fantasy is set in a contemporary setting. Paranormal doesn't necessarily equal future. If it's set in the future, sure - if it's paranormal action set in a contemporary time, then no.

[Valorie]

Sandy wrote: "Valorie wrote: "Will A Kiss Before the Apocalypse work for part B?"

I can't tell from the description when it's set - a lot of urban fantasy is set in a contemporary setting. Pa..."

Ok thanks!

[Stacie]

Will Castle Waiting work for part A?

[KSMary]

Will you accept The Host for the task? It appears that it takes place at the end of an alien invasion on Earth where there are few humans left on the planet. If not, I'll find someplace else for it.

[Sandy, Moderator Emeritus]

Stacie wrote: "Will Castle Waiting work for part A?"

It seems clearly set in "olden times" - since it's listed as a fantasy novel, it works if it's set on earth, not on some fantasy planet. Since it seems to be a retelling of fairy tales, I'll accept it as earth set unless there's an indication that it's on some other world.

[KSMary]

I think you might have skipped my question about The Host. Will it work for this task?

[Sandy, Moderator Emeritus]

KSMary wrote: "I think you might have skipped my question about The Host. Will it work for this task?"

I'm sorry. I think it works - it's future and it's earth.