Outlander TV Series

Oh my God!  Oh my God! Oh my God!  Oh my God! Oh my God!  Oh my God!  I need this to happen and I need it to happen now!  Apparently the Outlander series is one step closer to being made into a cable TV series.  You can read more about it here:  http://www.deadline.com/2012/07/ron-moore-to-adapt-outlander-novels-into-cable-tv-series/#more-302257

If they do this, it would work out perfectly if they did one season per book like they do with the Game of Thrones.  Only problem may be the casting, who could possible fill Jamie's shoes?  For now, I will have to make do with reading the books and waiting for the newest one to come out.

Cleaning Bookshelves

I know I haven't posted in a loooooonnngg time.  I started a course in June and there are assignments due almost daily.  After I am done those, I do not feel like writing or reading anything else!  But, I finished a couple assignments early, so here I am. 

Do you ever get tired of seeing your bookshelves crammed with a ton of books?  I think I am getting to that point.  But, last summer I culled the shelves to take out books that I haven't reread in a couple of years.  I boxed the books up and put them away thinking that if I didn't want to read one of those books within a year, it would be safe to get rid of them. So now all that is there are my favourite authors.  But I am starting to get that spring cleaning feeling and want to get the shelves all nice and streamlined.  Problem is, what if a couple of months from now I suddenly have an urge to read Nora Roberts' Dream trilogy but they are no longer there?  I tell myself that I could just borrow them from the library, but what if the library doesn't have them? 

If I were to take out some books, I think that most of my Nora Roberts books would be gone.  I would just keep a couple of my absolute favourites.  I am finding that I do not return to read any of her books lately.  And I think it is most of her books that are taking up so much space.  But it almost feels like I am breaking up with an old friend!  I would have to keep all of Diana Gabladon's books and all of Johanna Lindsey's books.  Almost every year or two I return to read through their complete backlists.

Right now all the paperback books I have are stacked two books deep on the shelves.  Anyone have any suggestions on making the shelves look neater?

30 Days of Books - Day 20

Favourite Romance Book

What?  Just one book??  There is no way I can do that, so I am going to list my favourite romance book in different categories.

Romantic Suspense
Divine Evil - Nora Roberts

Contemporary Romance
Simply Irresistible - Rachel Gibson

Civil War
One Wore Blue - Heather Graham

European Historical
Tender Rebel - Johanna Lindsey

Historical Fiction
Outlander - Diana Gabaldon

Medieval Romance
Prisoner of My Desire - Johanna Lindsey

Renaissance Romance
Highland Outlaw - Monica McCarty

Urban Fantasy
Bloodfever - Karen Marie Moning

Viking Romance
Hearts Aflame - Johanna Lindsey

That's all I can think of.  I know I'm only supposed to list one, but it's my blog and I can do what I want!!

30 Days of Books - Day 15

Favorite Male Character

No question, it is James Alexander Malcolm Mackenzie Fraser from the Outlander series.  He's tall, built, rugged, smart, hot, and always seems to know what to do and say.  And yet he doesn't seem like an exaggeration or stereotype, he seems real.



Diana Gabaldon has said that the above picture of Gabriel Aubry is pretty close to what Jamie looks like.  But I have also come across a video of Gerard Butler that is close to my personal image of Jamie.  Maybe not in Outlander, Gerard Butler does not look like a young 23 year old.  But definitely a 30 something Jamie.

30 Days of Books - Day 9

A Book You Thought You Wouldn’t Like But Ended Up Loving

Hard to believe now, but the book I picked for today is Outlander by Diana Gabaldon.  Even though this book is one of my all-time favourite, ten years ago I wasn't sure if I would like it.  I think the first time I came across Diana Gabaldon's books was when I was looking for the newest book of Marius Gabriel.  Every time I was at the bookstore I would stop to see if he had a new book out.  Diana's books were right next to him.  Each time I would pick up Outlander and read the back cover.  And each time I would consider getting it, but decided that I wouldn't like the heroine having two husbands or the time traveling.  So each time i would put it back.  Finally, after reading the back cover for the hundredth time I decided that if I saw it at the used book store I would get it.

Only problem was, the next time I saw it at the used book store, it was Voyageur that was there.  I got it anyway and decided to start reading it until i could get the first book.  I was immediately hooked and wanted Outlander then and there, I tried to wait until I had to go by the bookstore again, but I couldn't.  Within two days I was back at the bookstore and bought Outlander, Dragonfly in Amber, and Drums of Autumn brand new because I did not want to wait.  So moral of today's story is you never know what it is you'll like unless you try it first.

30 Days of Books - Day 4

Favourite Book of your Favourite Series

No question, my favourite book is Outlander, it's the one that started it all and introduced me to Jamie, Claire, Roger, Brianna, Ian, and Rollo.  Although I'm not sure I would classify this under romance, more like historical fiction with everything thrown in for good measure.  For anyone who has not heard about this book (there might be one or two out there) this is what it is all about:

Absorbing and heartwarming, this first novel lavishly evokes the land and lore of Scotland, quickening both with realistic characters and a feisty, likable heroine. English nurse Claire Beauchamp Randall and husband Frank take a second honeymoon in the Scottish Highlands in 1945. When Claire walks through a cleft stone in an ancient henge, she's somehow transported to 1743. She encounters Frank's evil ancestor, British captain Jonathan "Black Jack" Randall, and is adopted by another clan. Claire nurses young soldier James Fraser, a gallant, merry redhead, and the two begin a romance, seeing each other through many perilous, swashbuckling adventures involving Black Jack. Scenes of the Highlanders' daily life blend poignant emotions with Scottish wit and humor. Eventually Sassenach (outlander) Claire finds a chance to return to 1945, and must choose between distant memories of Frank and her happy, uncomplicated existence with Jamie. Claire's resourcefulness and intelligent sensitivity make the love-conquers-all, happily-ever-after ending seem a just reward.

30 Days of Books - Day 3

Your Favourite Series

Without a doubt my favourite series is the Outlander series by Diana Gabaldon.  I started reading these books back in the summer of 1998.  I had been thinking about starting this series for awhile but was waiting to find the books in a used book store.  I finally found Voyageur in a used book store and snatched it up.  For some reason I thought that I would start to read it slowly until I got the first and second book.  I kept on reading it, thinking that the next time I was at a bookstore I would get Outlander.  I think I held out for two days then had to go and buy the first two books.  I was somewhat lucky in that the first four books had been published by the time I started reading them.  But I am so jealous of newcomers starting right now who have seven books to go through before having to wait for the next one.  It is likely that book 8 will not be published until sometime in 2013 with the possibility of more books to follow.

      

Outlander Fans

For all the Outlander fans, here is a page with the excerpts for book 8.  I am torn as to whether I should read them or not.  On the one hand, it is rumoured that the book won't be out until 2013 and this would tide me over.  On the other hand, I read all the excerpts for The Fiery Cross, and when the book came out I felt like I had already read it.  I avoided all excerpts for the next two books, but I can feel my resolve weakening.  I think what really needs to happen is for Diana Gabaldon to ignore everything until Jamie and Claire's story is completed.

Diana Gabaldon's Outlander Book Trailer

I have just discovered trailers for books on youtube!  The last 30 minutes have been wasted on looking up trailers for my favourite books.  But there is only one that I have to share here today, Outlander by Diana Gabaldon.  Now I know that the author technically does not believe that this book is a romance novel per se, but Jamie is to die for!  If you love history, time travel, intrigue, romance, suspense, and anything else you can think of you might like this book.  The characters of Claire Beauchamp Randall and Jamie Fraser always stay with me for days after reading any of Gabaldon's books.  To be honest, a lot of times I compare other books to this series and not many hold a candle to it.