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!

Lord John and the Brotherhood of the Blade by Diana Gabaldon

The second Lord John book, I was grateful I had it right on hand to follow the first! I'm not sure why it took me so long to read these but I really liked them. This one opens with Lord John's mother remarrying and he and his brother's doubts about the new family and step brother. Lord John and Percy (who Outlander fans know to be a bad apple later on) develop a romantic relationship that's fraught with peril, as homosexuality in the mid 18th century military was exceedingly dangerous and frowned upon. In all honesty I didn't mind flipping pages a few times when things heated up but I couldn't stop thinking about the book and the moral conflicts. Jamie and Lord John have a big talk about sexuality and of course, the perspective of a traditional catholic and a progressive gay man are quite different although they both value family and honor above all else. Although I'm very conservative myself I couldn't help but appreciate both sides and feel for the characters and their seemingly impassable conflict. This was a fascinating read for the history and culture alone and as always made me appreciate my life and freedoms even more.

Favorite Quotes:
"Dead is dead, Major," he said quietly. "It is not a romantic notion. And whatever my own feelings in the matter, my family would not prefer my death to my dishonor. While there is anyone alive with claim upon my protection, my life is not my own." (Jamie knows about death and duty more than anyone, poor guy! Have to admire his convictions!)

"I have loved my wife beyond life itself, and know that love for a gift of God."

Lord John and the Private Matter by Diana Gabaldon

This is the first in the Lord John Series, a shoot off of Diana Gabaldon's amazing Outlander books. While I totally understand that it takes forever to write her amazing books, waiting is still rough! The Lord John books are a fun Outlander distraction and I loved catching a glimpse of Jamie that you don't see in the Outlander series. This book starts with a personal dilemma- Lord John realizes that his cousin's fiance might be 'poxed' and doesn't know what to do. In the course of the novel things get sticky personally and professionally but Lord John handles it with courage and grace that has slowly made him one of my favorite characters (and I never thought I would say that!) This is a stand alone novel but extra enjoyable if you're an Outlander fan... and you should be! The insights into London in the 18th Century and military life were also really great (especially since I typically read the Welsh/Scottish side and tend to forget about the 'feelings' of the English!)

The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks

I like to think my fascination with medical information is more than an interest in Grey's Anatomy. When I heard about this book from the Phenomenally Indecisive Book Club, I couldn't wait to read it. The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot is an in depth look into the lives of the family behind the HeLa cells. When Henrietta was treated for cervical cancer in the fifties, part of her tumor was saved to be studied and the resulting cells were called HeLa. Some of the first cells to survive studying, they played a huge roll in the development of Polio and other vaccines, cancer research, DNA mapping, even in vitro fertilization. But while all this progress was made using her involuntarily taken cells, her family struggled with misinformation, ignorance, and abuse by the medical community. The story is fascinating and really makes you think about ethics, where we've come from and how much room we have to improve as a society. A great read.

Magic Study by Maria Snyder

The sequel to Poison Study, Magic Study by Maria Snyder is every bit as fascinating. I knew things wouldn't be easy for Yelena but was cheering her along and hoping things would work out the whole time. Reading about a new 'country' and culture was fascinating and the ending left my satisfied but excited to read the final book in the trilogy (hurry up library hold list!)

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.

Juliet by Anne Fortier

I've been reading a ton of books lately and fallen behind! Here's a book club book I read over the summer- Juliet by Anne Fortier. The story focuses on a young woman named Julie who is floundering through life until the death of her Aunt (and mother figure) sends her to recover a mysterious inheritance in Italy. She learns that she may be related to Juliet (as in... Romeo and Juliet) and discovers more about herself and her history along the way. There's action, history, love, speculation, mystery, and even some intrigue. It was a good read although a little slow in parts. The author obviously loved Italy and did a great job sharing details that made me feel like I was there.