Time Travel discussion

Come read with us The Little Shop of Found Things by Paula Brackston. I don't remember who offered this title originally, but I hope y'all come up with a discussion question, to help us all.

My prereading question is "17th century? That seems rather far back, not an easy time to have any fun adventure in. What do you know of the 1600s and expect our characters might have to cope with?"

Information from another reviewer: "“A chatelaine was a belt or clip – in this case a clip – worn at the waist or hip of the lady of the house. Most, like this one, had several chains dangling from the clasp, and to the end of these chains would be attached various useful or beautiful things.”"

Do you have a favorite antique shop? What treasures have you purchased there?

Have you ever felt an inexplicable connection to an object?

If you could drive a vintage car, which would you choose and why?

Ooh!

I've never actually shopped antiques, though I do discover treasures at little old thrift stores. I have a couple of dinner plates that I picked up that are just lovely.

My favorite object is an LED lit 'tree' that I got from Costco over a decade ago. It's meant to be seasonal & outside, but I use it as a floor lamp in my bedroom as it gives off a bright but diffuse light, fit for the whole room and for reading, almost like natural light.

I'm not interested in 'boats with fins' or convertibles etc. I suppose a VW bug would be fun.

I like to read books like this to see how other people think... clearly I don't resemble the character, sharing none of the same interests (at least as implied by these questions).

My favorite antique shop is called Heritage Square in Columbus, Ohio. I've bought so many things from there including a desk, end tables, a mercury glassware set, lamps, a set of china (Steubenville Monticello, the blue design), a bathroom scale, and an Atwater-Kent radio from 1934.

It would be fun to have a car from the 20s or 30s with a running board and a rumble seat, but I only know how to drive an automatic and I like to go fast. It would have to be modified for me to want to drive it as my primary vehicle.

One of the issues I have with this book (view spoiler)[is that Xanthe seems to know she is susceptible to time travel though to the best of my knowledge she has never done it before. It also doesn't make any sense that the ghost is adamant that Xanthe has to go back to save her daughter urgently even though obviously her time has long passed. Wouldn't it be smarter to come up with a plan and approach it prepared instead of being thrown into an unfamiliar time in anachronistic clothes blindly groping for clues? (hide spoiler)].

So you're the target audience for the setting of this book!

Re' the spoiler - well, yes. But then where would be the fun? Welles' Time Traveller had only a book of matches, after all.

I won't be able to get to this immediately, but am looking forward to it as soon as I can!

I am hoping to start mid-month and looking forward to reading it as well.

One of the joys of reading time travel novels is the opportunity to experience life in another time through modern eyes, noticing all the minor differences in the way people behave. So far I don't feel that this book indulges much in that, other than to point out ways Xanthie doesn't fit in or feels uncomfortable in the past. It doesn't feel authentic or thrilling.

Oh too bad.

I still plan to read this! Family stuff happening.

Well that was an interesting historical fiction romance ghost story with a time travel twist written in a YA manner. It wasn't my favorite time travel book but wasn't my least favorite. Probably I will give it 3.5 stars. There were a few times that I thought other characters should have called her out more to explain what was going on with her mannerisms, etc. And the ghost was over the top I thought.

To answer your questions: I work for an antique dealer so that is my favorite antique shop. She has had some really lovely items over the years.

I have never felt a "connection" to an item except a ring that was my Grandma's that I inherited.

Nope, wouldn't drive a vintage car. I would be too afraid it would be damaged beyond repair (or be too costly to repair).

Sorry that I'm not much help with the discussions, I'm often out of sync with the group. Many times I've already read the selection and sometimes I don't get the book in time. This month I actually have the book checked out of the library, but I still have another book I need to finish first, sorry but due dates can trump the group's schedule.

I was very disappointed by this book. The characters were flat, simply pawns to fill out Xanthe's story. They went along with her for no reason, some not even questioning her odd behavior. The love story was forced and dry. The time travel setting felt scant, just an outline to facilitate the mission and the romance. It was a good idea that could have been executed infinitely better.

Oh dear.
I am sincerely apologetic that I haven't been able to make time to read and discuss... but maybe it's a relief after all!