Outlander Read-a-long Final!

I thoroughly enjoyed reading Outlander for this read along. I did end up getting a bit behind due to personal illness, but am finally caught up now. 

Here are the final questions/answers.


1. Jaime has the worst case of seasickness. Do you get seasickness or motion sickness? If not, is there something else that makes your stomach a bit queasy? Thankfully, I do not have motion sickness. I am unsure of seasickness as I haven't been on a boat since I was very young.


2. How did you handle reading the details of Jamie’s torture at the hands of Randall? Did you blame Jamie for anything that happened during the encounter with the captain? If you were Claire, how do you think you would have taken hearing about the abuse from your husband? What did you think of Claire’s method’s to get Jamie to start healing psychologically from his wounds from Randall (when she filled his room with opium and simulated another attack by the Captain)? Man that was brutal! I really almost had to stop reading as Jamie went into detail about the horrible things Randall did to him. I do not think I could remain as outwardly calm as Claire did hearing Jamie recount his torture. I imagine she must have been tore apart inside. When she begin filling the room with opium, I honestly thought she was about to take off his injured hand. I don't know that what she did was the best method, she could have killed them both in the process. Thank goodness it worked!


3.  “history, warfare, medicine, sex, violence, spirituality, honor, betrayal, vengeance, hope and despair, relationships, the building and destruction of families and societies, time travel, moral ambiguity, swords, herbs, horses, gambling (with cards, dice, and lives), voyages of daring, journeys of both body and soul…you know the usual stuff of literature.”
Which of the above elements of Outlander were you most looking forward to? Which did you enjoy the most while reading? Which did you enjoy the least while reading? Which did you just not care about? Any of these do you which there were more of? Or less of? I was looking forward to the time travel aspect but was completely blown away by the romance! She really did a great job making me care about Claire and Jamie. I felt their love. Sometimes the history stuff got a little bland, but luckily she moved on soon enough before it got too boring.


4. Share with us your overall thoughts on Outlander by Diana Gabaldon. Your favorite quotes, scenes, and/or your favorite words that had you searching for a dictionary. If you haven’t been marking your favorite quotes/passages, you can find Outlander quotes on Goodreads. Outlander is a great book. There were times when I felt like I would never finish it because of the length but I never got tired of it. Diana Gabaldon does a great job of making the characters feel real. The romance was quite possibly the best I've read, especially on Claire and Jamie's honeymoon. 


“For where all love is, the speaking is unnecessary. It is all. It is undying. And it is enough.” This was my favorite quote because it is just so true.


I do plan on continuing on to the second book of the series but will be taking a break to read the other books I placed on hold!

Outlander Read-a-long Week 5

This week's questions were presented by Logan E Turner for chapters 29-35

1. We are now settled into life at Lallybroch. What are your impressions of this place, and Ian and Jenny Murray? How do the stories of Jamie’s life here growing up shape your feelings toward him? I really enjoyed getting a picture of Jamie from his childhood. Jenny is a wonderful character, a perfect female version of Jamie himself. 

2. What do you think of the story of what really happened between Jenny and Jack Randall? Could you have been as bold as Jenny? Does this change your understanding of Randall? Jenny did exactly what I imagine Jamie would have done. She's strong willed and deviant. It took much more bravery to stand up to Randall and mock him than it would have to simply endure his assault. By mocking him she could have beaten much more severely once he was angry. Randall is a very sick man. He makes my blood boil.

3. For the second time, we see Claire warning a Fraser about future events. Do you think this is wise? Or does this mess with history/the space-time continuum/the natural order of things? I don't see how she has any other choice. Everything she does, her mere existence messes with history. But at the same point, this is her reality now and she needs to protect herself and those she loves.

4. Do you consider Claire brave or foolish for going after Jamie? Would you be courageous enough to go into enemy territory to try and save the man you love? Absolutely not! I'd go after my husband without a moment's hesitation. That's what you do for love. 

5. Jamie makes a gut-wrenching decision in Chapter 35. Do you blame Claire for putting him in that position? What kinds of repurcussions do you expect? Yes, but it's not like she did it on purpose. She was simply trying to free him. Unfortunately, Randall is only encouraged by the drama and Jamie will be the one to pay.

Outlander Read-a-long Week 4

This week's questions were presented by Into the Hall of Books for chapters 22-28.

1. How do you feel about Claire disobeying Jamie and the resulting punishment he brings forth on her for this? Do you feel that Jamie's punishment was justified by the fact that everyone was put in danger by Claire's actions? Finally, did Jamie's vow with Claire's dagger do anything to sway your thoughts or change your mind on how you initially feel/felt about his punishment?  While I never, ever condone beating (even in the 1700's) Claire definitely deserved punishment. If only I could have delivered the blows myself! I was so angry at her for even considering going back when she had Jamie right there...this amazing man.  

2. Just for fun, what was your reaction to the suspicious black spot Claire spotted on the floor near the area where Jamie was sleeping? Did you have any theories to what it might have been before it was revealed to be a _____? No, I was too busy racing along to stop and ponder. 

3. With regard to the 'changeling' baby Claire and Geilie spotted in the wild - if it were you back then and you happened upon a changeling baby in the wild in a circumstance such as this, do you think you'd have reacted most like Claire or Geilie? Explain. I absolutely would have gone to the baby, especially if I had medical training like Claire, but even if I did not.

4. Share your thoughts on Geilie Duncan. Is there anything that surprised you about her story or were you suspicious of her from the beginning? I was mildly surprised about Geilie Duncan. I have to say the scene where she hypnotizes Claire was just creepy! I really wish Claire had had the opportunity to question her about the mark on her arm and her history.

5. Your thoughts on Jamie's LAST REASON for wanting to marry Claire - the one he had been so secretive about. GO! I had assumed it was something to do with money or an inheritance. His actual reason was much better! I just want to soak him up, he's so sweet.

Visit Logan E Turner for next week's questions and check back in with me next week to see what I have to say about chapters 29-35.

Outlander Read-a-long Week 3

This week's questions were presented by Tangled Up in Blue for chapters 15-21.


1) We FINALLY get to the scene we've all been waiting for. You know what I'm talking about--yay sexytimes! What were your impressions? Was it what you were expecting? Or did you want more? 

I have to say, the honeymoon held the most romantic sex scenes I've ever read. Jamie's inexperience and willingness to please portrayed him as the sweetest, sexiest character I've encountered in my reading history. He's adorable.

2) I know that some readers thus far have been bothered by the fact of Claire being married to Frank but still being involved with Jamie, despite the different time periods. Does their time as newlyweds change anyone's opinion of that? If not, now what are you thinking of the situation?  

Honestly, I thought Frank was so dull that Jamie was a welcomed change. Granted, this isn't moral thinking on my part, but I was glad to be done with him. If it were me and my husband, I would be a bit more frantic to get back and wouldn't be so accepting of a new husband.

3) What did you think about the "waterhorse" that Claire saw? Why do you think Peter was so spooked? And what do you think this means for Claire? 

I'm wondering if he thought she was some kind of witch or something. 

4) If you were Claire and you were knowingly in the vicinity of the stones, would you have done the same thing she did?  

If I were Claire, I wouldn't have even bothered. I like Jamie much more than Frank. However, if it were me then yes I would have taken off for them.

5) What do you think about Captain Randall? How do you think the family resemblance between him and Frank affects Claire and particularly her relationship with Jamie? 

Randall is a devil of a man. I honestly think his resemblance to Frank is part of her attraction to Jamie. If she ever makes it back to Frank I would imagine it would be hard to trust him as easily because of his looks. 

Visit Into the Hall of Books for next week's questions and check back in with me next week to see what I have to say about chapters 22-28!

Trouble in Mudbug

Trouble in Mudbug is a fun little book featuring mystery, suspense, humor and a splash of romance. Maryse has been living single since her good for nothing husband skipped out on her two years ago. Her mother in law, however, has not left Maryse to herself...even in death!

What's worse than a whiny, selfish, intrusive mother in law haunting you? Someone trying to kill you too! Luckily, Maryse has a mysterious (and very sexy) new zoologist working in her office to protect her.

I especially love books that are based in the South and Jana DeLeon hit the mark with this New Orleans series. Best part? You can get the Kindle Edition right now for FREE! Get it while you can, you won't be disappointed.

Gone

Gone by Michael Grant is the first book in YA/Sci-Fi/Horror series that will keep you up at night. First, because it's difficult to put down and secondly, because it's hard to shake the images this book creates.

One second, everything is normal. Kids are in school while their parents work or take care of younger children. Then in the blink of an eye, everyone 15 and over disappears. Gone.

Suddenly these children are left alone to deal with some very adult situations. If that wasn't enough, some of them are beginning to develop some strange powers and frightening animal mutations are starting to appear.

Gone is a nail biting, edge of your seat kind of book. It's disturbing without being overly gruesome. It's frightening without inducing too many nightmares. And there's just a touch of romance, but not too much.

Oh, by the way...I did not appreciate R.E.M's It's the End of the World As We Know It (And I Feel Fine) being referred to as an "old" song. Even if it was recorded in 1987 and well before the characters of this book were born. It makes me feel old, ok? So just stop it!

Outlander Read-a-long Week 2

I am thoroughly enjoying Outlander and this read-a-long! Stalking the Bookshelves has provided us with questions for Chapters 8-14.


Here are my answers!

1.  Claire has been given the task of healer at the castle. She must adapt her nursing skills for the time and learn what herbs and etc will cure each particular ailment that is presented to her. Do you have any home remedies that were passed down to you (cure for a cold, bee sting or what have you)?  Nothing uncommon. My family prefers chicken and dumplings to chicken soup though!

2. What do you think would be the biggest challenge of living in the past? (Clothing, hygiene, food, etiquette or etc.) For me I think it would be emulating the language and behavior of the other women of that time. For example, Claire refers to boxing to Jamie and he has no idea what she's talking about. What surprises me, is how Frank got upset with Claire over her vulgar language but she has been able to control it well since stepping through time. 

3. Do you have a favorite character, scene or quote so far? If so, share it with us. Really? Jamie! Duh! I could care less about Frank. In fact, I think Claire should just forget about trying to find her way back to the stones and just enjoy Jamie. I would! Well then again, my husband is not dull like Frank. I'd return to my husband...but if I were Claire, I'd just make myself at home in Jamie's arms!

4. What did you think about the addition of the blood bond in the wedding ceremony? Is this something you would do with the one you love? My husband is important enough to me that I would, but I would not be happy about being sliced open, yow! 

5. Are you reading along closely with the scheduled chapters or are you ahead or behind? I am one chapter ahead, simply because I had to know what happened on their wedding night! Heehee. 

Visit Tangled Up in Blue for next week's questions and check back in with me next week to see what I have to say about chapters 15-21!