There’s something truly fascinating about how creativity can take so many forms. Whether it’s the brilliant strokes of an artist, the clever twists of a puzzle, or the iconic time-traveling adventure of Back to the Future, each of these worlds sparks a different kind of magic. Today, I’m diving into books that capture that magic—some that stir the artistic soul, others that challenge our inner puzzle-solver, and of course, a couple that will take us back to Doc and Marty’s unforgettable journey through time.
Note: October 21st happens to be Back to the Future Day as well as Celebration of the Mind Day (this, in honor of Martin Gardner’s birthday), while the 25th is International Artists Day, hence these books!
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Wondrous Creativity: Artists, Puzzles, and the Timeless Magic of ‘Back to the Future’
Puzzle Me Twice
Puzzle Me Twice: 70 Simple Puzzles (Almost) Everyone Gets Wrong by Alex Bellos (Puzzles)
From mathy mind-benders to eye-fooling illusions, here are 70 perplexing puzzles of every kind. But they all have one key thing in common―a wrong answer that seems so right! In Puzzle Me Twice, you’ll have to think―and think again―to overrule your first instinct and uncover the truth. For example:
Puzzle Me Twice definitely lives up to its name—each puzzle makes me pause and ponder before I answer. And while I consider myself pretty good at puzzles (not to brag!), I did get a few wrong from the ones I’ve tackled so far. But that’s exactly why I’m loving it—the challenges keep me on my toes, and I’m really appreciating the mental twists this book puts my brain through.
Now I am a fan of Alex Bellos and looking forward to the rest of the books in his puzzle series.
My Best Mathematical and Logic Puzzles
My Best Mathematical and Logic Puzzles by Martin Gardner (Author)
Over a period of 25 years as author of the Mathematical Games column for Scientific American, Martin Gardner devoted a column every six months or so to short math problems or puzzles. The present volume contains a rich selection of 70 of the best of these brain teasers, in some cases including references to new developments related to the puzzle.
Given that Martin Gardner (born October 21, 1914) was the reason behind this puzzling post, I had to feature one of his books at least. So why not this one, containing some of his best puzzles!?
Start Here: Draw
Start Here: Draw: 50 Ways To Be an Artist Without Trying by Moira Clinch (Drawing Books)
This book gives you exciting prompts for kickstarting an artistic practice centered on drawing. By exploring how simple motifs, such as lines or circles, can be repeated to draw more intricate images and patterns, Start Here: Draw builds up your understanding of shape, color, and technique without the usual intimidating jargon or theory.
I am loving this read (thanks to Edelweiss for the digital review copy of this and the Paint book below)
Also check out the next book in the series: Start Here: Paint: 50 Ways To Be an Artist Without Trying
For more artsy books, check out this post.
Back to the Future!
Of course, there are the Back to the Future books themselves and boy, was I going ‘Great Scott!’ when I discovered a few of them!
For fans, we have Michael Klastorin and Randal Atamaniuk’s Back to the Future Revised and Expanded Edition: The Ultimate Visual History. This book is a detailed look at the making of the trilogy with behind-the-scenes photos, interviews with cast and crew, and insights into the creation of the DeLorean, Hill Valley, and more.
If you are looking at fan-fiction type of stories, then the graphic novel Back to the Future: Untold Tales and Alternate Timelines is for you. It explores alternate versions of events from the movies and dives into side stories of other characters.
For those who want a taste of time, kind of, or maybe literally, check out Allison Robicelli’s cookbook. Aptly titled Back to the Future: The Official Hill Valley Cookbook: Over Sixty-Five Classic Hill Valley Recipes From the Past, Present, and Future!! This is a more whimsical choice, where you get recipes inspired by the movies, from Marty’s favorite meals to ’50s diner classics from Lou’s Café, and more!
One last one that I love simply for its take on the title. It is Brad Gilmore’s Back From the Future: A Celebration of the Greatest Time Travel Story Ever Told . This book explores the cultural impact and legacy of Back to the Future. It’s great for fans who want to learn more about the trilogy from another fan whose passion shows on these pages.
More Time-Travel For You
Then again, if you enjoy(ed) Back to the Future and are looking to read similar time-travel adventures, there are plenty of stories that play with time in fun, creative ways. Here’s a list of some fantastic time-travel books that might hit the spot for you:
- First up, the original time travel story itself. It is H. G. Wells‘ The Time Machine.
- Then we have the very cool and unique The First Fifteen Lives of Harry August by Claire North. This sci-fi time travel read sounds like one for the ages(pun intended). I have it on my TBR (tbh, one of my current reads already along with the others I mentioned recently), and it is fascinating!
- Chitty Chitty Bang Bang and the Race Against Time is fun, adventurous, and oh-so-appealing, as is this whole series for young readers. I enjoyed these books, as you can see from my thoughts on one of them.
- Another story for young readers that I can’t seem to find everywhere now (sadly) is Gerald Durrell’s The Fantastic Dinosaur Adventure. I picked up my copy ages ago at a used book store.
- There is also of course, A Wrinkle in Time and Rebecca Stead’s When You Reach Me, as well as Brian Selznick’s Wonderstruck.
- Last, but not the least, here is another list of time-travel books recommended by book bloggers.
And Now, the End of this Post
Dear reader, let me know which of these books have you added to your own list now (to own, to gift, to check out, etc)? Any similar recommendations for me? Do let me know
I love these picks! I’ve read a couple of these, so I can’t wait to dig into the rest.
You have an awesome list of books here! I always enjoy doing the puzzle books.
My boys do like puzzles. This puzzle book would make a great gift.
I’m going to have to check out the puzzle me twice book. I love puzzles and it’s a great way to stretch your memory.
I am loving the look of the first two books. I love a good puzzle and mind-bender. I will have to check these out.
I never read the book, the Time Machine but I recall a movie about it that was good at the time. I’ve not really read any time travel books. I think I’d quite enjoy a few of these though. Will try to get hold of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang to read with my son.
I know puzzles are great for the brain function and wellbeing. You have shared some good examples that help with memory and recall.. I will look out for Puzzle Me Twice, thank you!
It’s so interesting to think about how puzzles themselves are an art form, especially when they engage the mind and spark our imaginations.
My husband would love the Back to the Future book that is for sure. I am heading over to check that one out as a Christmas gift…. it is perfect and now I am going to have to binge all of the movies…. miss it so much!