The Scottish Prisoner by Diana Gabaldon

Of all the Lord John books, this is the one I was dying to read! When I first met Diana Gabaldon she was getting ready to tour for this book so I heard a lot about it then. Of course, I hadn't read any Outlander yet so I didn't know what a can of worms I'd just opened! But this book did not disappoint. Lord John is forced to put personal conflicts aside and work with Jamie to help a friend and prevent some serious political problems. Because the Lord John books take place during the 3rd Outlander book, I 'knew' how Jamie and Lord John would end up eventually but seeing the process was fascinating. There were some really great discussions in this book that left a big impression on me. Although I never agree with the morality of all the characters in these books, they always leave me searching and thinking, grateful for my life and my family and hoping to be and do better each day.

Favorite quotes from the Scottish Prisoner by Diana Gabaldon:

"He could feel the child's imagined weight on his shoulders, warm and heavy, smelling faintly of wee and strawberry jam. There were some chains you worse because you wanted to."

" 'No matter how much a man may try to do what is right, the outcome may not be the one that he either foresees or desires. And that's grounds for regret- sometimes verra great regret,' he added more softly, 'but not for everlasting guilt. For it is there we must throw ourselves on God's mercy and hope to receive it.' " So so true!

Poison Study by Maria Snyder

I heard about this book on a blog and put it on hold a while back. Once I started reading it I finished the same day because I couldn't put it down! Poison Study is about a young woman named Yelena who is condemned to die but spared in return for becoming the food tester for the 'king'. With recent political unrest, varying factions, no family and no friends to call her own, Yelena struggles and grows as she learns to survive. I couldn't wait to see how the story would resolve and to solve the big mystery- why did Yelena kill someone in the first place and how is she going to come to terms with her life? Between the setting of the story, the relationships, the elements of her past, the food, the physical and mental growth she experiences, I was really entertained and impressed. I loved this book and would recommend it as a coming of age and growing up despite hard times story over the silly Hunger Games any day.

These is my Words

Book club has started at Church again. I have a hard time with this because people are really unpredictable in their book choices and preferences. I hate to recommend a book and be told off that it was terrible and inappropriate and then feel that I must be too by extension. So I'm along for the Church book club ride for now. But I jumped on the wagon to reread this book because I loved it so much when I read it a few years (for the first time in 2008 I think). This time I read it, I couldn't help but think about Claire and Jamie and their relationship compared to Sarah's. These is my Words is a beautiful novel, inspired by a true story of Nancy Turner's ancestor. She lives in the Arizona Territory, overcomes loss, disaster, death, and the run of the mill stuff that would probably kill the rest of us (primitive standard of living, limited women's rights, etc). This book inspired me to be stronger, to suck it up and be grateful I have a washing machine and remember that I can do hard things. And to hold my babies close and enjoy them- life can change on a dime and while it's not helpful to stress over that, it is important to stop and be grateful every day.

An Echo in the Bone

The seventh and most current book in the Outlander series, An Echo in the Bone was a fast read at my house. There are several concurrent plots- the British army, Claire and Jamie, Roger and Brianna. Lots of heart break and shock, love, and cliff hangers. When I shut the book I wanted to yell 'but what about Jem? William? Claire and Jamie? Lord John? UGHHH!!" It's SO frustrating waiting for the next part of the series. I really love these characters and admire them. The way that they just keep on going, loving each other despite weakness, hardship, insurmountble odds. I can't believe how many times they have to pick up and start over. It's inspiring and makes my life feel a little vain. The 'hard thing' I deal with aren't that hard when I think about it.

A few things I loved remembering what I read so far (a few books blending together since I read the whole series in about 3 weeks)-

*Claire's approach to the 18th century- medicine, culture, etc. I loved seeing the comparisons and how she adapted.

*Jamie's unwavering loyalty. Wow. He is such a good man to the core- even when no one is looking. It makes me want to develop my character and to be a better spouse.

*The older perspective on new things and vice versa- Brianna explaining toilet paper, reconciling knowledge of the 'future' with the realities they are dealing with, trying to innovate. I love how Roger makes little toy cars for the kids but kind of ache when they can't explain what they are (I think that was the previous book).

*I loved in this book when they 'met' some real characters- Benedict Arnold, Nathan Hale, etc. I know so much of history is speculative and it's hard to say how it really went but I loved learning more about the way people lived and dealt with their challenges. I know so many of them were honestly terrible- lots of hardship. They must have thought the world was ending (just as people do now) but from where we sit, that is just a few chapters in a history book, come and gone. It's refreshing to gain a new perspective and appreciation.

I am kicking myself that when I met Diana Gabaldon, I hadn't read any of these books, didn't know who Claire and Jamie were, and didn't take the chance to pick her brain. I am so sad they are 'over' for now and can't wait for the next one. I'm sure when I meet her again at the next signing there will be hundreds or thousands of fans instead of the intimate setting where she was hosting Sharon Kay Penman. For now I will have to suffice my Outlander kick by starting over, reading Diana's blog and excerpts, and thinking about naming my next son James (would go with the William we have already!)

Voyager

The third book in the Outlander series, I devoured Voyager in about 2 days (impressive considering I was still there for my kids!) When Claire learns Jamie might have survived the battle of Culloden, she goes back to search for him. The travel through Edinburgh and the Indies was fascinating, funny, and at time terrifying. Now a physician, Claire helps many but is faced with the reality that she often can't help those that are closet to her. This book was a joy and I loved it, even if it made me feel like my comfortable, 21st life was kind of vain. I need to find more ways to serve and help others.

Dragonfly in Amber

The second Outlander book, Dragonfly in Amber tells the tragic story of the Scotish rising in 1745. Knowing the disastrous results from the future, Claire and Jamie attempt to save their countrymen by preventing the rising. The time spent in France was interesting and reminiscent for me. Their relationship was lovely, of course, though real enough with the challenges and trials. I laughed and cried the whole time. Will read it again!

Outlander by Diana Gabaldon

Last October, I attended a book signing for Sharon Kay Penman. One of my favorite authors, I couldn't miss it. Diana Gabaldon 'hosted' and they answered questions, talked about the writing process, and their favorite characters. Diana was gracious and witty and I bought this special edition of her book that started it all- Outlander. With the holidays and everything I didn't get to reading it until the week of Christmas. Once I started, I COULD NOT put it down. The story follows Claire, a nurse in post WWII England as she is accidentally sent back in time to 18th century Scotland. With her medical knowledge and historical information, she seeks to help those around her and find her way back to her own time. Along the way, daring Jamie Fraser becomes her friend, forced husband, lover, and confidant. I loved their relationship and willingness to courageously help each other. The second I finished this I picked up the next.. and the next. All I can say is I have a lot of laundry to fold and my floors need to be mopped, but it was worth it!

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows

I reread HP7 last summer, in time for the last movie to come out. It was so fun to read this time since I wasn't in a rush to find out what would happen to my favorite characters! The feel of the urgency and importance of their actions was really thrilling and I couldn't wait to see how it all went down again (if if I already, mostly, knew!) Can't wait to read them all again and relive the awesome journey.

The Time Traveler's Wife

Long, long ago I heard about this book becoming a movie and that it was great. I checked it out from the library, read a few pages, and couldn't get into it, so I returned it. Later it finally became a movie (with the beautiful Rachel McAdams instead of Jennifer Aniston like I'd heard at first, is that even remotely true?) I put the movie in my Netflix queue ages ago, when it was in the theaters. We finally had it on the computer and I hadn't watched it for months. Ben kept threatening to delete it. One night I was up late working on my knock off Pottery Barn Kids Felt Telluride Advent Calendar and, having exhausted slutty medical drama's from my dvr (love you, Grey's), I watched this. It was great, so I decided to read it. As fate would have it, I found a copy at Saver's for two bucks a few days later so I took it home. I knew the ending (mostly) from the movie but couldn't wait to see how the book would be different.

I have to say, this book engrossed me more than any I've read in a long while. I was dying to find out what would happen next, see how the relationship would progress, how their lives would change. I loved it. I read it as quickly as I could (without overly neglecting my kids or my house) and wanted to tell everyone about it except, I was worried to recommend it. The language leaves something to be desired and there is a lot of sex in the book. I would give the book an R rating even though the movie was only PG-13! I don't think the book was really graphic or inappropriate, or even excessive, but I wouldn't feel comfortable recommending it at Church book club for sure! Call me a hypocrite, though, because I'm definitely reading this again, and that doesn't happen too often! I loved the characters, laughed and cried with them, and only wished she would have left out some of those bad words, because this book was wonderful!