Showing posts with label Diana Gabaldon. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Diana Gabaldon. Show all posts

Monday, July 9, 2012

False First Impressions: Musing Mondays

A Musing Mondays prompt from Should be Reading:

Have you ever read a book that, at the time, you didn’t feel a strong connection towards, but as time goes by you find yourself thinking about it a lot?

When I first picked up Diana Gabaldon's Outlander, I was anything but smitten. I didn't get the hype. And I was especially shocked that my mom passed it along, that she found it entertaining and liked it enough to recommend it. My mother is rarely wrong.

Turns out she wasn't.

I read the book when my youngest child was only months old. I read it here and there, taking way longer than normal thanks to sleep-deprived nights and child-filled days (I had three kids five and under at the time).

Years later, I picked up Dragonfly in Amber, book 2 in the Outlander series. I didn't dislike the first book. I was just disappointed that I wasn't more enchanted with it. I needed to give it, and my mother, another chance. I was quickly smitten this time. I read this one plus two more in a few months time. I craved to know more about Claire, Jamie, and Brianna. I still think about them and want to get back around to the series soon.

In the same vein, I've always wanted to go back and read some classics. It's hard to appreciate some of the great works when you are a teenager and being forced to read them by a teacher. I know I'd love so many more of them now.

What initially forgettable book became one of your favorites? Or are your instincts usually right the first time?

Tuesday, February 14, 2012

Valentine's Day and Love Stories

Happy Valentine's Day! A day honoring love makes me want to talk about love stories. I was swamped yesterday and missed my Musing Mondays post. The prompt from Should be Reading:
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What is your favorite romantic book--or book that includes a love story? (an adult romance, young adult, kids' story, anything)

My favorite romantic book in the last few years was Outlander by Diana Gabaldon. My complaint with most romance novels, although even I like a simple romance now and again, is how closely they all follow the same formula... boy meets girl, boy is terrified of commitment, there's an instant attraction, girl follows her heart, a misunderstanding occurs, boy and girl end up together.

Outlander offered so much more. It's realistic, gritty, but still captures your heart. On the young adult side, I really enjoyed the City of Bones trilogy. There's romance, but it's not clear cut and both the male and female characters have strength (same with Outlander).

I don't enjoy seeing a woman who ignores all brain signals to listen to her heart. Sure, I want her heart to rule in the end, but only after running some obvious things through her brain first.

I also noticed Oprah's book club online posted The 8 Greatest Love Stories of All Time. They are:
  1. The Invisible Bridge, Julie Orringer
  2. Important Artifacts and Personal Property from the Collection of Lenore Doolan and Harold Morris, Including Books, Street Fashion, and Jewelry by Leanne Shapton
  3. The Hunchback of Notre Dame, Victor Hugo
  4. Blankets, Craig Thompson
  5. Brokeback Mountain, Annie Proulx
  6. Tuck Everlasting, Natalie Babbitt
  7. One Day, David Nicholls
  8. Love Story, Erich Segal
I haven't read any of these, although One Day is in my to be read pile.

Reader friends: Have you read any of these? Would you recommend any?

And on this Valentine's Day, please share with me the best love story you've ever read.

Friday, January 20, 2012

Reading and Enjoying Series: Day 3 in the 30 Day Book Meme

For some Friday fun, I'm continuing my 30 Day Book Meme series.

Day Three: Your Favorite Series

Until a few years ago, I didn't read a lot of series. Instead, I tend to jump all over the genre and author choices when choosing books. But, I get the allure of sitting down with familiar characters and storyline.

The hardest part of any book is getting started. I don't know how agents judge an entire book by the first five pages. I need at least a few chapters to get into the reading groove.

Since becoming a mom, I find myself more drawn to series. I like having an immediate relationship with characters and increasing my chances I'll enjoy a book. Maybe it's Mommy brain and my increasing difficulty with focus.

My favorite series, in order:

1. The Lord of the Rings Trilogy, J.R.R. Tolkien - I read these in middle and high school. One of these days, I'd like to reread the series and appreciate them all over again.

2. Hunger Games Trilogy, Suzanne Collins - I've only read the first two, but Mockingjay is sitting by my bed taunting me. My daughter has already read all three and loved them.

3. Outlander Series, Diana Gabaldon - I read the first book just after giving birth to my third daughter in five years. I didn't connect to it, but kept hearing people talk about how much they loved the books. I figured I'd give book two a chance and sure enough... I really enjoyed it. I've read the first five so far.

I also enjoyed the City of Bones books, as has my daughter, but I wanted to name my top three and it just barely missed the cut.

What's your favorite series?


Also, it seems to me that series have become increasingly popular. Do you agree?

Related post: Day Two: A Book You've Read More than Three Times