Past vs. Present

[afrakes]

This month's genre discussion is travel fiction/non-fiction. Do you prefer to read travel fiction books that transport you to the past or to the present? Why do you prefer that time period?

[katiesquilts]

I definitely prefer historical modern fiction over novels that take place in the future. I like that each time period in the past has its own unique characteristics, to the point where the era doesn't even have to be explicitly stated and yet it's still easily guessed from context. Although I like novels set in alternate universes, almost no one envisions bright futures in their novels, and sometimes thinking about the future is a little too depressing.

[barb429]

It depends on the era for me. While I do like historical fiction, there are certain eras that hold little interest for me. I really enjoy the early and mid 20th century. I am rarely interesting in reading books that take place in Medieval times.

[adria_charles]

I definitely prefer historical modern fiction over novels that take place in the future. I like that each time period in the past has its own unique characteristics, to the point where the era doesn't even have to be explicitly stated and yet it's still easily guessed from context. Although I like novels set in alternate universes, almost no one envisions bright futures in their novels, and sometimes thinking about the future is a little too depressing.

I completely agree with "The future is a little too depressing" statement you made. I find reading books that are set in the past, not picky on era, are more interesting for me than those that are based in the future. Don't get me wrong, I find books that are about the future fascinating, but as I am currently reading Ready Player One by Ernest Cline (wonderful read so far, by the way), the talk of the desolate wasteland that becomes Earth is disheartening. I too see a trend with much of the books I read that are based on the future, which is generally Earth being doomed. I also love reading stories that are developed on alternate realities, past or present timeline.

[kio]

I prefer the ones that travel to the past or stay in the present. They feel a little more inspiring and feel a little lighter, since you know it all works out in the end. Future never seems to end the way you want it to.

[LarkSpur25]

Personally I like books that travel back in time. To me it doesn't have to be a specific Time period, it just has to be interesting and have romance. I'm a romance kind of person .

[MrsCatInTheHat]

I enjoy "traveling" to different places and different times. What is most important is that the author takes me there in a way that makes me want to be there.

[Sarah_Khan]

I enjoy reading books that are based on the past or that have been written a long time ago. I don't really like reading about the future because most futuristic books have some aspect of science-fiction, which I don't prefer. Although I don't think a book needs to be based in a different time era to transport us, any books that are based in a different, vibrant location can help us escape.