TEN OF THE BOOKS THAT HAVE FLASHBACKS
There are always things we like in books. Sometimes it’s a specific trope or a lack of romance, symbolism or great dialogue. I don’t always remember what I adore most in books but know in the “moment” there are things I love about novels and the stories I read. Today I’m going to try and remember some of the books I’ve read using one specific plot device as a means of telling its story. The focus is books using flashbacks.
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TEN OF THE BOOKS THAT HAVE FLASHBACKS. How many of these #Books have you read? #TopTenList #BookList #TopTen Share on XInspiration for this topic came to me because of a book I recently read, which then got me to thinking, what other books use flashbacks. I’m not sure if I can remember which books I’ve read that use this, but looking at my shelf will hopefully refresh my memory and if not, well then, that’s what reviews are for. This all means it’s time to war the search engine and see what we discover.
TEN BOOKS using FLASHBACKS
EVERNEATH, BRODI ASHTON
I had this one on my shelf years ago but never read it. At this point I’ve either unhauled it or it’s in a box to sell. But research tells me this one is “tagged” as a novel with flashbacks. Goodreads
THE HUNGER GAMES, SUZANNE COLLINS
A book I did actually read, but don’t remember details like flashback for. From cursory reading of others reviews, it seems to fit with our category today. Goodreads
THIS TIME NEXT YEAR, SOPHIE COUSENS
This one heavily relies on flashbacks to tell its story and also to connect with the present. While I’m not a great fan of flashbacks in stories (yes, I know, why am I using it as a topic then?), I understand them. I think mostly the reason I don’t love it is because it tends to pull us out of the present and I’m a big believer in the present because that’s what we have. We cannot change the past and we don’t know the future. Still, I appreciate the flashbacks in this novel and think they’re well done and purposeful. Goodreads
BLACKMOORE, JULIANNA DONALDSON
Based on my review (from 2013!), this one has flashbacks. Don’t quote me though since it’s been too long, so remembering for certain is a mystery. The book is a historical novel and I made mention to Jane Austen (probably a good book to read if you like her stories) in my review. Goodreads
IF I STAY and WHERE SHE STAYS, GAYLE FORMAN
I read this one years ago (before seeing the film) and while I expected not to like it, I did end up really enjoying the book. It’s about a girl who suffers a traumatic injury and the people around her who wonder if she’ll be able to come back to them. I didn’t read Where She Stays (yet). ‘Stay’ on Goodreads • ‘Stays’ on Goodreads
THE SUMMER I TURNED PRETTY, JENNY HAN
Read this one years ago but it was a long time ago so I don’t remember specifics but I think it jumps between the present and its teen heroine and her summers of past visiting this beach house. These novels are of course where the show Prime Video adapts their material from. Goodreads
PEOPLE WE MEET on VACATION, EMILY HENRY
I had this one on my shelf for a while but didn’t love Beach Read in the way everyone else did. But research says this one has flashbacks, too. Goodreads
ONE TRUE LOVES, TAYLOR JENKINS REID
Another one I cannot remember with 100% certainty if this uses the flashback trick. But I think it does because it’s a story about a woman believing her future is taking one path only to then have to face her past when it walks back into her life. Goodreads
SAFE HAVEN, NICHOLAS SPARKS
I cannot remember for sure how this story unfolds, but I think it has flashbacks. From what I remember these are to demonstrate the tragic and emotional past of the heroine. All I know is I did like the novel, so tell me, am I remembering correctly? Goodreads
How many of these have you read? Do you like books using flashbacks? Do you think they work or are they a distraction? Which books using this do you love? Comment all of your thoughts in the comments section below.
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Linking up with That Artsy Reader Girl March 11: Books that Include/Feature [insert your favorite theme or plot device here] (for example: unreliable narrators, coming of age, darkness vs. light, time travel, metafiction, a specific romantic trope, good vs. evil. cliffhangers, flashbacks, plot twists, red herrings, loose ends, stories within stories, meet cutes, symbolism, etc.) (submitted by Alice @ The Wallflower Digest)
I haven’t read any of these. For me, flashbacks have to make sense to the story, not just be thrown in for no reason. They must also be clearly defined as flashbacks, much like reading books with dual timelines.
Pam @ Read! Bake! Create!
https://readbakecreate.com/mature-citizens-of-the-world-books-featuring-mature-characters/
All excellent points, Pam! I don’t love flashbacks (which made me roll my eyes at myself for choosing this… but also a challenge is good for us), but I do apprecaite that at times they have a needed place in a story. :)
I love a good flashback! I’ve only read one book on your list (The Hunger Games). Here’s my list for this week: https://damppebbles.com/2025/03/11/toptentuesday-11th-march-2025/
I’m so glad! At times they do indeed work well for a story. :)
These sound good. I had to use Goodreads and my reviews for my list 😂
Have a great week!
Emily @ Budget Tales Book Blog
My post:
https://budgettalesblog.wordpress.com/2025/03/11/top-ten-tuesday-books-that-include-feature-multiple-timelines/
I have to do that sometimes time. For this list I did “research” the books that would fit (that I owned or had read) and in part I used my old reviews so that was helpful. :)
I liked the flashbacks in If I Stay. I was not such a big fan of the sequel due to how repetitive it felt, but I hope you like it if you read it.
That’s a great point about Where She Went, Lydia. I haven’t read it, but I can see (based on the stories) where it may feel the same. I think I’ve seen movie sequels like that too.
I liked If I Stay too. Never tried the sequel though.
Hope we both enjoy it if (or when) we finally read the book – and I enjoyed If I Stay way more than I thought so that was a win. :)
Great take on the topic! Flashbacks is an interesting choice because I’m not always a fan of them but I think if they’re done right and paced well, they can add so much to the story! I’m keen to try People We Meet on Vacation and This Time Next Year. I’ve heard great things about both!
I’m not always a fan either, Dini, which is why I rolled my eyes at myself for choosing this topic. But then on the other hand, sometimes a challenge is good! :) Hope you enjoy This Time Next Year. I thought it was a fun read, and the film adaptation was also good. :)
Sometimes a challenge is great and you found lots of them, too! 😍 I had no idea This Time Next Year was adapted into a movie. I might have to keep an eye out for that whenever I finish reading the book!
For sure! Sometimes I go the “easy” route with list like this and other times I like to make it a challenge. The film I think is British (as far as its production companies) but it did recently release in the U.S. so that’s what prompted me to read the book (finally) and I enjoyed both. :)
oh flashbacks are fun! I love this topic :)
Thanks, Carrie! Some of them work so well with the story. :)
I like flashbacks, but they don’t often show up in books that I read. I have read several lately that had them, but it was more PTSD triggers (which I guess is still a flashback). I have been meaning to read Blackmoore for at least 2 years, maybe I will eventually get to it. Have a great rest of your week!
SO many love Blackmoore and Julianna’s books. It’s been way too long since I Read this one, but I guess it wasn’t a favorite in the sense of buying more by her, becase I don’t think I own many. Definitely a book that must be a “me, not them” thing. ;)
Fun topic! I like flashbacks in novels as long as they are relevant to the plot and not overdone. I read mostly mysteries/thrillers and they can be use really effectively to create suspense and tension, which I love :)
Happy TTT (on a Wednesday)!
Susan
http://www.blogginboutbooks.com
I would agree re: the thriller/mystery genre and flashbacks! I think I’ve read some that use them too, but I couldn’t really think of any so I had to “skip” those. :)
The Hunger Games is a good one for this list. I vividly remember the flashback with Katniss and Peeta giving her bread.
I don’t remember the specifics of that one (too long ago I read it!) but when I was looking through reviews and such, it seemed to have mentions to a “flashback” or two. :)
This is a fantastic list, and I’m even more excited because there were a few of these that I’ve actually read! Somehow I didn’t recall there being flashbacks in The Hunger Games, but actually thinking about it, Katniss has flashbacks to her life when she was younger, like her first time meeting Peeta. I love when a book can use flashbacks and does it well, so thanks for introducing me to some new books to check out.
I don’t remember the specifics of The Hunger Games either – it was way too long ago! But browsing reviews while putting this together seemed to say that there are some. :) Hope you enjoy if you read some you think look good!