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Spirits Out of Time: True Family Ghost Stories and Weird Paranormal Experiences
I have always been fascinated by secrets... So begins Annie Wilder's collection of true family ghost stories, gathered from old letters and family genealogy books or told around the dinner table. From her Irish great-grandpa outsmarting the death coach to her German great-great-grandma seeing a falling star each time one of her children died, these personal vignettes illuminate the mysteries of the spirit world. Spooky at times but also poignant and humorous, these stories are brought to life with vintage photographs. They include true tales of a haunted hotel, a magical bookstore, and a faceless ghost girl who haunted Annie's mother for decades. You'll explore a wide variety of odd or mystical topics, from spirit guides to astral travel, totem animals, and premonitions. Along with fascinating insights from prominent psychics, this book includes simple protection rituals and a ceremony to honor your own family in spirit.
240 pages, Paperback
First published September 1, 2009
6 people are currently reading
155 people want to read
About the author
Annie Wilder
6 books21 followersAnnie Wilder is writer and proud mother of grown children who admit to seeing some strange things in their childhood home. Wilders first book House of Spirits and Whispers is a true account of her experiences living with ghosts for more than a decade. She regularly hosts haunted tea parties in her spirit-filled Victorian house nestled in a sleepy Mississippi River town in Minnesota. Her haunted house has been featured in several television and print news stories, investigated by teams of ghost hunters, and visited by a number of prominent psychics including Linda Drake and Echo Bodine.
Her new book, Spirits Out of Time, is an enchanting memoir spanning five generations of true family stories of spirits and strange experiences.
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
April 25, 2011
The book didn't flow well. The (see photo gallery) notations were annoying and I felt that the geneology would have been more interesting if it was introduced as an aside to the stories instead of the author expecting the reader to learn the wno's who at the beginning and keep track of it througout. I also felt many of the "paranormal experiencs" had perfectly natural explanations and the author's failure to recognize that left me questioning her credibility.
I read a lot of paranomal fiction and non-fiction and this certainly was not among the best.
I read a lot of paranomal fiction and non-fiction and this certainly was not among the best.
December 17, 2011
diddnt like it because it basically talked about her life more than talking ghost
October 8, 2010
I did enjoy this book written by a girl of Irish descent. She has a huge family that she talks about. It is easy to feel the love and comrederie of this large family. They all have experiences of seeing and living with ghost. I really enjoyed this book.
September 14, 2010
Such a great book, and so interesting. It gives me the motivation to search through my own family's history. Annie is a great person with great energy which radiates out from this book.
June 12, 2019
Let me note that this book is not what I was expecting. When I found this at my local thrift store I thought it was going to be a collection of ghost stories from Wilder's family members, but it was more. It has psychic aspects and experiences from the astral realm.
Does the other experiences add to the book? Yes, and it made it all the more interesting!! I especially love the strong family bond and the photos that are included, as well as a brief family tree to help note who is who.
One thing I would like to critique is the typos, which this book has a couple. For example, on the top of page 30 (in my copy) the "o" is missing in community. Another example is on page 93 where it says "a Ouija board" instead of "an Ouija board". There are also a couple places where "a" and "the" are missing. As far as I can tell, my copy of this book isn't an ARC or anything so I think it was published like that🤤.
Other then that this book is pretty good and I would reccomend, especially if you are interested in true accounts of the paranormal.
Does the other experiences add to the book? Yes, and it made it all the more interesting!! I especially love the strong family bond and the photos that are included, as well as a brief family tree to help note who is who.
One thing I would like to critique is the typos, which this book has a couple. For example, on the top of page 30 (in my copy) the "o" is missing in community. Another example is on page 93 where it says "a Ouija board" instead of "an Ouija board". There are also a couple places where "a" and "the" are missing. As far as I can tell, my copy of this book isn't an ARC or anything so I think it was published like that🤤.
Other then that this book is pretty good and I would reccomend, especially if you are interested in true accounts of the paranormal.
October 20, 2024
*✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:*✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:*✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:
𝖗𝖆𝖙𝖎𝖓𝖌: ⭐
𝖗𝖊𝖛𝖎𝖊𝖜: This book left me underwhelmed, and that's not even half of it. When I opened the book, I was filled with excitement, expecting unsolved mysteries and haunting stories. I would say these ''stories'' were about a generous 5% of the book. Most of it was more of a biography of the author and her family. I still finished the book for the purpose of reading it through and through (I absolutely hate leaving a book unfinished) but apart from that, nothing kept my attention long enough for me to actually being interested in what was written in that book. The title is really untruthful of what it's about.
*✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:*✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:*✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:
𝖗𝖆𝖙𝖎𝖓𝖌: ⭐
𝖗𝖊𝖛𝖎𝖊𝖜: This book left me underwhelmed, and that's not even half of it. When I opened the book, I was filled with excitement, expecting unsolved mysteries and haunting stories. I would say these ''stories'' were about a generous 5% of the book. Most of it was more of a biography of the author and her family. I still finished the book for the purpose of reading it through and through (I absolutely hate leaving a book unfinished) but apart from that, nothing kept my attention long enough for me to actually being interested in what was written in that book. The title is really untruthful of what it's about.
*✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:*✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:*✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:
June 25, 2017
I enjoyed this book more than I thought I would. I feel like I'm now connected to the author since I was introduced to her family, both living and beyond. My only complaint would be that it did not seem to have good flow, there should've been a little better arrangement of family stories & chapters. I appreciated the photos, the appendixes, the glossary, and especially the list of recommended readings. I now have several more books to add to my TBR pile!
November 7, 2023
So far I'm having trouble finishing it. It's well written, but ultimately uninteresting. The paranormal experiences only take up a few paragraphs and the rest of each chapter is the author talking about people that I don't know or really care about. I can't keep track of all the names and who they are, there are simply too many.
July 8, 2017
The book started off slow, but by the end I found it delightful. A treasure of family history and stories. I very much enjoyed the comfort level her family has with the otherworldly and paranormal.
August 15, 2012
[This review originally appeared on Andi's Book Reviews.]
Annie Wilder's Spirits Out of Time: True Family Ghost Stories and Weird Paranormal Experiences takes us through her family's history of paranormal experiences, which almost seem to be genetic for them. She outlines her family tree, in hopes of helping the reader keep track of all of the "characters" contained within her book. (And it is somewhat helpful.) The end also includes an appendix with pictures of these people, to which she refers throughout the book.
Each chapter focuses on a different location that is significant to the Wilder family. She talks about yellow eyes that followed her around in childhood and the death knock that her Irish family heard before someone passed away. Some family members had astral experiences, which are basically out-of-body experiences. Others were haunted by childish ghosts, who in reality were shadows of their former selves. There are the highly sensitive young ones and the cats, who always seem to see things that humans can't.
Particularly touching is a chapter dedicated to the spirit of her friend Dylan. After passing away, he reappeared to her as a white deer. He also appeared to her in dreams, when she needed him most. There is some comfort in believing in the possibility that our loved ones are still here even after they are gone.
Wilder also often refers to her previous work, a book called House of Spirits and Whispers, which is a true story of living in her haunted house.
If you're looking for a truly terrifying tale, this book isn't going to scare you as much as others might, though it helps to read it late at night. It reads more like a family history then a scary book. Nevertheless, it is interesting to hear how one family has shared in supernatural experiences throughout time. And it kind of makes you want to call up your relatives to find out their stories, as well.
I received a complimentary copy from the publisher in exchange for my honest review.
Annie Wilder's Spirits Out of Time: True Family Ghost Stories and Weird Paranormal Experiences takes us through her family's history of paranormal experiences, which almost seem to be genetic for them. She outlines her family tree, in hopes of helping the reader keep track of all of the "characters" contained within her book. (And it is somewhat helpful.) The end also includes an appendix with pictures of these people, to which she refers throughout the book.
Each chapter focuses on a different location that is significant to the Wilder family. She talks about yellow eyes that followed her around in childhood and the death knock that her Irish family heard before someone passed away. Some family members had astral experiences, which are basically out-of-body experiences. Others were haunted by childish ghosts, who in reality were shadows of their former selves. There are the highly sensitive young ones and the cats, who always seem to see things that humans can't.
Particularly touching is a chapter dedicated to the spirit of her friend Dylan. After passing away, he reappeared to her as a white deer. He also appeared to her in dreams, when she needed him most. There is some comfort in believing in the possibility that our loved ones are still here even after they are gone.
Wilder also often refers to her previous work, a book called House of Spirits and Whispers, which is a true story of living in her haunted house.
If you're looking for a truly terrifying tale, this book isn't going to scare you as much as others might, though it helps to read it late at night. It reads more like a family history then a scary book. Nevertheless, it is interesting to hear how one family has shared in supernatural experiences throughout time. And it kind of makes you want to call up your relatives to find out their stories, as well.
I received a complimentary copy from the publisher in exchange for my honest review.
June 11, 2013
I picked up this book on a whim, my local library is closed for renovation, and I had to bike several miles to the next closest one. I was about to check out when this book caught my eye. The cover is really striking.
It's not a fabulous work of literature, but it's an interesting read. It's written as if she's talking, which I'd normally find annoying, but considering the personal subject matter (it's all about her and her family and friends' collective experiences with the paranormal) it doesn't detract from the story. It reads as if I'm having dinner at my best friend's house, and her mom is telling me about weird things that happened to her and her family. It's not super professional, but I don't think that's a bad thing. I think have a personal and personable tone allows the paranormal (something I've always been fascinated and also utterly terrified by) to be more approachable. It makes me feel a lot less crazy about the odd experiences I've had in my life: the unnatural coincidences, the intuition and odd dreams, flashes of de-ja-vu, and occasional spooky occurrences. Some of the other reviewers commented that a lot of the happenings have perfectly normal explanations, and it's possible that it does, but none-the-less an interesting read, and one that I'm glad I found at this point in my life.
Definitely not for everyone. It has its scary moments, but it's not a horror story: most of the experiences seem positive, or at least spiritual in nature. It's not flawless, but definitely interesting for people interested in the subject-matter.
It's not a fabulous work of literature, but it's an interesting read. It's written as if she's talking, which I'd normally find annoying, but considering the personal subject matter (it's all about her and her family and friends' collective experiences with the paranormal) it doesn't detract from the story. It reads as if I'm having dinner at my best friend's house, and her mom is telling me about weird things that happened to her and her family. It's not super professional, but I don't think that's a bad thing. I think have a personal and personable tone allows the paranormal (something I've always been fascinated and also utterly terrified by) to be more approachable. It makes me feel a lot less crazy about the odd experiences I've had in my life: the unnatural coincidences, the intuition and odd dreams, flashes of de-ja-vu, and occasional spooky occurrences. Some of the other reviewers commented that a lot of the happenings have perfectly normal explanations, and it's possible that it does, but none-the-less an interesting read, and one that I'm glad I found at this point in my life.
Definitely not for everyone. It has its scary moments, but it's not a horror story: most of the experiences seem positive, or at least spiritual in nature. It's not flawless, but definitely interesting for people interested in the subject-matter.
November 21, 2013
I enjoyed reading all of the ghost stories from Annie's personal experiences and those of her family. This book made me think back to so many experiences I cannot explain that I had when I was a kid. Annie is very in tune with spirits and other paranormal experiences. I recommend this book to people who enjoy reading family stories and ghost stories. Most of the stories in this book are not scary. The chapter that stood out the most for me was when Annie was living in Lake Elmo with her parents and siblings. I know the area where she had lived in the farmhouse. It is now where there is a Best Buy and townhomes. I believe all of the experiences she has had. I think there are so many things we are not aware of because we are not conscious of it and Annie really connects with this other world that cannot be seen. It is nice to know that someone else sees and experiences things that cannot be explained so I know I am not the only one. I enjoyed reading about the many dreams she has had and what they mean to her. I had a psychic dream once. A few days after having the dream the events in the dream came true. The only story I am not quite sure was actually a ghost experience was her stay at the hotel in Trempealeau, Wisconsin. That really may have just been the radiator making strange noises, but she believes it was a ghost. It still was a fun story to read about her stay in the hotel. Overall, this book was very entertaining and informative to read.
March 5, 2022
*✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:*✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:*✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:
𝖗𝖆𝖙𝖎𝖓𝖌: ⭐
𝖗𝖊𝖛𝖎𝖊𝖜: This book left me underwhelmed and that's not even half of it. When I opened the book I was filled with excitement, expecting unsolved mysteries and haunting stories. I would say these ''stories'' were about a generous 5% of the book. Most of it was more of biography of the author and her family. I still finished the book for the purpose of reading it through and through (I absolutely hate leaving a book unfinished) but apart from that, nothing kept my attention long enough for me to actually being interested in what was written in that book. The title is really untruthful of what it's about.
*✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:*✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:*✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:
𝖗𝖆𝖙𝖎𝖓𝖌: ⭐
𝖗𝖊𝖛𝖎𝖊𝖜: This book left me underwhelmed and that's not even half of it. When I opened the book I was filled with excitement, expecting unsolved mysteries and haunting stories. I would say these ''stories'' were about a generous 5% of the book. Most of it was more of biography of the author and her family. I still finished the book for the purpose of reading it through and through (I absolutely hate leaving a book unfinished) but apart from that, nothing kept my attention long enough for me to actually being interested in what was written in that book. The title is really untruthful of what it's about.
*✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:*✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:*✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:
June 13, 2014
I connected with Ms. Wilder's stories in many ways. Some were entertaining and poignantly familiar (my family is also visited by feline family members who have left this plane). I have had "out-of-time" experiences similar to those mentioned in the book, as well as portents from both living and spirit animals. Her story about her friend Dylan, however, brought me to tears as it was eerily similar to my friendship with someone who passed suddenly and tragically.
I look forward to reading Ms. Wilder's first book and I appreciate how she's sharing her family's experiences!
I look forward to reading Ms. Wilder's first book and I appreciate how she's sharing her family's experiences!
February 5, 2015
Annie Wilder's Spirits Out of Time: True Family Ghost Stories and Weird Paranormal Experiences takes us through her family's history of paranormal experiences. I love hearing stories from the past and this book has many, many stories. Annie Wilder has captivated her readers with a very personal collection of family ghost stories and photos and history. When I put the book down, it was almost as if I'd stopped by her house for a visit.I am definitely adding this book to my personal library.
September 2, 2012
This book was quite readable, an interesting family history which focused on paranormal events. However, almost every paranormal event related in the book had an easily explainable alternate explanation, so I wouldn't take these events as proof positive that spirits exist after death. The author believes that to be so, and that is enough.
February 28, 2014
Meh. Just another Llewellyn book on ghosts. It is what it is. I tend to think books like this are best read at Halloween when we are looking for spooky stories, but as spookiness goes, these were pretty mild stories. If you find this for a buck at your local used book store, go for it. But otherwise just read some good ghost fiction, like M.R. James.
abandoned
June 20, 2013Not for me. I believe in ghosts and have a fairly open mind about the paranormal. But this author's open-mindedness blows mine out of the water. She embraces the mystical/metaphysical/intuitive much, much more than I do. I like my ghost stories straight up, without the side helping of auras, astral travel, spirit guides, and psychic sensitivity.
September 24, 2016
This was an interesting read but I think it would be far more interesting if you were a part of this woman's family. In fact, I think that every family should have such a book with the supernatural happenings of that family recorded and I am thinking that I may begin just such a book for my family!
June 27, 2012
I have read this book before, but felt like looking it over again. A nice book, with tales of the authors family and experiences, it is a nice read.
January 20, 2013
Good book not as good as the first but still enjoyable
January 27, 2013
I really enjoyed this book. Although I don't necessarily believe in everything that she does (i.e. spirit guides, astral projection, etc), I thought that her family's stories were fascinating.
July 28, 2013
I read this authors first book and enjoyed it so much that I figured this book would be just as good and I was right, very entertaining to read and very interesting
March 23, 2013
Good read not as good as her first book,but still enjoyed it
January 10, 2015
Difficult to follow the family lines- but a good local 'haunting' quick read!
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews