6 to Try aka Did I mention It Travels Through Time?

Time travel has been a huge part of my life ever since a blue police box walked ok materialised into it. Strangely a lot of Doctor Who wasn’t interested in the intricacies of time paradoxes until recent years; but I always love the juxtaposition of our world versus the past. As I’ve grown older, I also recognise that our interpretation of any history often suits our own worldviews too. So, for today’s booktempting here are six stories that use time travel in quite interesting ways

The Fifteen Lives of Harry August by Claire North – Here Harry lives his life from beginning to end and then is reborn with a memory of all that has happened before! Then once again. Eventually he discovers more like him but also becomes aware that something is apparently destroying the future and sets out to stop it. North always writes interesting stories and the idea of a society of such people passing updates up and down the timeline is brilliantly thought out

The Unravelling of Arlo Knott by Heather Child – Everyone would like a re-do switch and Arlo has the power to unwind decisions. A power that seems to come out of tragedy should make Arlo a relatable figure but we soon see how someone can become addicted to abusing that power, but Child also gives us someone realising they need to do better. So if you had such a gift would you use it?

Night Watch by Terry Pratchett – One of the more sombre Discworld stories that takes a well-loved character in Sam Vimes and sends him into his past. A tale of revolution and fighting for the right things plus how you can see events differently with an older head on your shoulders.

Kindred by Octavia E Butler – A black woman from the 1970s is pulled to a small slave plantation in the early 19th century. The time travel is not really explained although there is possibly a genetic link to major characters, but Butler brilliantly thrusts the horrific nature of slavery into our eyes. Its not simply working for no pay it is about dehumanisation and abuse. One of the best stories you’ll ever read.

Threading the Labyrinth by Tiffani Angus – a recent story where the past present and future of a single garden pull together across various lives over the centuries. Its eerie, mysterious and strange but I loved how the tale plays with the concept of how a place changes over time yet impacts up and down the future users of it.

And finally, a trilogy (yes I always cheat)

Control, Shift and Delete by Kim Curran – a YA series about a group who find they have the power to change time. Secret societies, betrayals and hidden agendas are everywhere but I really enjoyed the action-packed approach on this plus how it explores changing characters as timelines shift.