The Time Traveler's Wife

I’m reading this at the moment, I would say I am about half way and it’s the best book I have read in a long while. I hadn’t even heard of it until they made it into a film – I found the film somewhat confusing and was worried that the book would be the same. It isn’t confusing at all, it is addictive and compelling.  For those of you who haven’t heard of it or have no idea what it is about...

This extraordinary, magical novel is the story of Clare and Henry who have known each other since Clare was six and Henry was thirty-six, and were married when Clare was twenty-two and Henry thirty. Impossible but true, because Henry is one of the first people diagnosed with Chrono-Displacement Disorder: periodically his genetic clock resets and he finds himself pulled suddenly into his past or future. His disappearances are spontaneous and his experiences are alternately harrowing and amusing. The Time Traveler's Wife depicts the effects of time travel on Henry and Clare's passionate love for each other with grace and humour. Their struggle to lead normal lives in the face of a force they can neither prevent nor control is intensely moving and entirely unforgettable.

I would recommend this book to anyone.  It is highly original and it written from the points of view of both Clare and Henry at different points of their lives. At some points it is even written from Henry’s point of view when he has time travelled to himself when he is younger – so there are two Henry’s. I don’t want to say too much about the plot because I don’t want to ruin it for anyone who is wanting to read it but essentially it is a love story or sorts.

 'A beautifully written, compulsive look at a couple trying to live an ordinary life in extraordinary circumstances' IMAGE 2004

Reading this book has been making me think about destiny ... is it possible that whatever life choices we make we will end up in the same place anyway. Meeting the same people, falling in love with the same person. In a way I find it mildly reassuring that my life is written already and that no matter what I do, even if at the time I regret the decision it doesn’t matter because it won’t affect the overall outcome. On the other hand I would quite like to be in control of my own destiny, I’m not sure I completely like the idea that some unknown force is controlling my life. What do you lots think? Are our futures predetermined? Or do we control our own destiny?

Raindrops on Roses

‘And whiskers on kittens,
Bright copper kettles and warm woollen mittens,
Brown paper packages tied up with string
These are few of my favourite things’

Don’t ask me why, but I have this song stuck in my head. So I thought it would be a good time to share some of my favourite things with you.

Smell: Homemade cakes baking

Sounds: Babies giggles, it’s a sure fire why to put a smile on my face.

Movies: I love Chick flicks and my all time favourite is Dirty Dancing. I love everything about the film. The songs, the dances, the lines, the actors. Also like pretty much everything with Johnny Depp in.

Tv Shows: Supernatural is probably the only show that I have seen every episode and would watch them all again. You can’t beat a bit of Friends though, I will never tire of that show. Other American comedy like Will and Grace and Two and a half men.

Music: Anyone who knows me, knows I have a big weakness for Westlife. A few other faves are snow patrol, Pink and Bon Jovi.

Places: As corny as this will sound, anywhere that I’m with my son. Also love Ireland so much, have done ever since I was a small child. Edinburgh is a beautiful city and I hope to be able to go there again one day.

Books: Pride and Prejudice. Books that I have read recently that I loved are by Cecelia Ahern... The Gift and The book of tomorrow.

Things to do: Go to concerts, shopping, watching movies and I like to do these things with all my loved ones. I love to write and I love to read, which you have probably already grasped from my previous posts.

Anyway they are just a few of my favourite things, and honestly the song is right. When I am feeling down, thinking of my favourite things helps to make me feel better.

Twillight

I have jumped on the Twillight bandwagon, I saw the film and enjoyed it and everyone is always raving about how great the books are. So I decided to borrow them from my niece. Read twilight in 4 nights, I just couldn’t put it down – really had a hold on me. Now I have started New Moon, wasn’t going to because I was tired last night when I went to bed but I couldn’t resist and had to open it up and read.

I think I may have fallen in love with Edward Cullen (the vampire for those who don’t know), not the actor in the film but the character in the book. He doesn’t look like the actor (what’s his name?) I imagine him slightly different – that’s the joy of books one part I enjoy the most is being able to visual the characters and scenes allowing them to play out in your mind as your eyes follow the words on the pages. Stephanie Meyer seems to have a real skill with her words, to me a good author can bring the words to life.

There is so much I love about the book but one quote that sticks out in my mind is the one below.

 

When life offers you a dream so far beyond any of your expectations, it’s not reasonable to grieve when it comes to an end.

Bella Swan, Twilight

What are your thoughts on the quote? Do you think it is reasonable to grieve when an unexpected dream comes to an end? Or should you not just rejoice in the memories of the good times that the dream brought? I’m with the second option. What about you? Would like to hear your thoughts.