Forced Enjoyment

I am going to slow things down a bit and take us into a more personal direction.

As some of you may already know, life has been pretty chaotic for my family and I lately, but we are still going strong. Recently my wife asked me to read a book. The name of the book is irrelevant, since it is not alternate history and it is a private request by my wife. Nevertheless, she stressed to me how important this was to her and reminded me that when you are in a relationship you need to do things you otherwise would never do because you love the other person.

That sentiment, however, works both ways. So I proposed a deal with my wife. I would read her book...but, she would have to read a book of my choosing. She reluctant agreed (my love of the horror genre makes her wary of anything I suggest she watch/read after the Sean of the Dead debacle of '06) and asked what book did I have in mind. It took a couple days of thought. I was pretty sure it was going to be an alternate history book at the very least, but which one? I racked my brain for one she would enjoy...but then I though, why bother worrying about that?

You see the book my wife wants me to read is not about "having fun", so I saw no reason that she should get off as easy as me. No, I wanted her to read a book that would make her understand me. She needed to see how my cogs fit together and how fast they spun. So I needed an alternate history book that had a profound impact on me. Something that began my obsession...

Yep, that's right, my wife is going to read the book that started it all. My very first alternate history book, written by the master himself. The one that set me on the path to become the man I am today. O, I am sure she won't enjoy it, but that's not the point. This is a learning experience for her just as her book is for me.

Hopefully neither one of leaves with any lasting scars! And who knows? Maybe I will even get her to write down her thoughts on the book so I can post a review. By the way, have any of you ever tried to get a family or friend to read one of your favorite alternate history books? Let us know in the comments below.

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Matt Mitrovich is the founder and editor of Alternate History Weekly Update and a blogger on Amazing Stories. His new short story "Road Trip" can be found in Forbidden Future: A Time Travel Anthology. When not writing he works as an attorney, enjoys life with his beautiful wife Alana and prepares for the inevitable zombie apocalypse. You can follow him on Facebook or Twitter.