Hungry Reader Weekend Picnic: The Time Traveler's Wife

Among the many poignant moments in this quirky love story by Audrey Niffenegger, it's the lazy picnics shared by grade-school Clare and her time-traveling husband-to-be that stand out for us.

In the future, Henry and Clare are married and have their own host of problems. But here in the meadow behind Clare's childhood home, they can take a break from their lives to play a game of chess, discuss their favorite Beatle, and nibble on the leftovers from Clare's lunches.

Since Clare's family can't know about Henry until he and Clare 'officially' meet in the present, these picnics are top secret and their meals consist of whatever food Clare is able to sneak out of her house: crumbly cookies, peanut butter and jelly sandwiches wrapped in tin foil, and occasionally some 'rocket fuel' coffee. Henry, always ravenous after time-traveling, wolfs down Clare's eclectic offerings with admirable gusto.

We like the idea of a clandestine picnic all our own! Sure, it's still chilly and gray outside. No matter! Poke around in the fridge for some leftovers, brew up a big thermos of coffee, and roll out a fuzzy blanket right on the kitchen floor. This weekend, how about we all steal a few secret minutes for ourselves and the folks we love?

A Mid-winter Picnic Menu:
Spicy Ovenroasted Chickpeas
Steelcut Oats with Dates, Coconut, Cinnamon, and Pecans
Clean-Out-the-Pantry Pumpkin Peanut and Ginger Soup
French-Press Coffee

• Buy The Time Traveler's Wife at Amazon, $11.20

I highly recommend this book, especially since it was written by my second cousin! She tells quite a story.

posted by Aldyth on March 14th 2008 at 8:31am
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I LOVE this book!! I was hoping for a sequel when it was finished. :)

posted by tipperella on March 14th 2008 at 9:49am
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GREAT book.

posted by troz on March 14th 2008 at 9:52am
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I love this book so much!!

posted by surplusj on March 14th 2008 at 9:58am
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My favorite book of all time. An absolute must-read!

posted by artymoi on March 14th 2008 at 2:01pm
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One of the best books I read last year.

posted by thotfulpot on March 17th 2008 at 7:25am
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I love this book. I have leant it to so many people it is getting a bit of a "well read" look. Everybody loved it.

posted by Vegeyum on March 18th 2008 at 12:53am
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I am posting about a year two late...but when I think of the Time Traveler's wife I always think of Thai food...they are always going out to Thai or eating Thai takeout in that book!

posted by emily7 on March 11th 2009 at 11:17am
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