Browsing the library shelves at the University of Alberta Library can be a fairly daunting process. We have eight library locations spread across three campuses! Where to begin?
Today we are having a look at books that explore time (and our relationship to it). We invited colleague Brett Sheehan, Student Information Services Assistant and University of Alberta student in Library and Information Studies, to share these book suggestions drawn from a book display he curated at Rutherford Library last year (or was it? – time flies).
Time / noun
- the indefinite continued progress of existence and events in the past, present, and future regarded as a whole. “travel through space and time”
- a point of time as measured in hours and minutes past midnight or noon.
Brett: From the start, I wanted to look into our library’s science fiction collection. Turns out, we have an incredibly large and diverse collection of science fiction works; over 6,000 books alone, last time I counted! This richness of choice allowed me to consider a more specific theme within our larger collection.
I was struck with a weird phenomenon that always seems to happen with a new year. Near the end of the year, time starts to feel somehow both fast and slow. While term deadlines and the Winter holiday break approach at an alarming rate, the end always seems to stretch impossibly far away. This idea of time or temporality was the perfect centrepiece for this selection of books.
These books explore time in a myriad of ways: from alternate histories to future histories; dystopias to utopias; time travel to time unravelling; all of this and more, ranging from science fiction to science fact. Some books are from from fresh voices (This is How You Lose the Time War or Flux) as well as more-seasoned writers (like Timeline or Way Station); some stories are more quirky (like How to Live Safely in a Science Fictional Universe or Time Beavers) and others contemplative (like The Future of Another Timeline or Wapke: Indigenous Science Fiction Stories).
For even more book suggestions, have a look at our #Good Reads Library News posts.
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As always, if you need help with your library research… Ask us!
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