What happens when you love a book

About, oh, eight years ago, I was a passionate devotee of a discussion board.  I loved this DB.  I made lots of friends on this boards - we traveled together, we talked ever single day, and I know more about them than most of the people in my life today.  I LOVE those women.  I learned so much from them.  They kept me sane, held my hand during various trials, and cheered me on when I ran my first race and lost weight.  I asked them question after question about any topic under the sun. I still read there every day, posting rarely, but still follow the boards.

When my fourth son was born, I needed some new reading material.  I asked, and a few of the women recommended the book Outlander, by Dianna Gabaldon.  Being that it was almost Christmas, my mother asked me what I wanted for my gift.  I said that I had heard about this new series of books, and she agreed to buy them for me.  The ladies on the board talked about the books, raving on the characters and the setting and the incredible greatness of the books.  I couldn't wait to read them.  My mother called me two days before Christmas and told me that she'd gone to get the first book in the set, but she was puzzled that I'd like them.  "They look kind of weird."  she said.  Knowing that the main topic of the story dealt with time travel, I didn't really worry about it and counted on new reading material appearing Christmas day.  Just in time, too - I had nothing to read.

Christmas came, and my mother came over with my gift.  I was ON FIRE to read - I'd heard nothing but raves about these books.  I couldn't WAIT to meet Jamie and Claire and learn all about them. I just about grabbed the package from her and ripped the paper off - to see a SCI -FI book that was definitely NOT the Gabaldon set.  My mom could tell by the look on my face that this wasn't the right book. "I did wonder about it, but you used to read really weird books when you were in high school, so I though that these must be them.  I asked for Outlander (and this one was CALLED Outlander, but it clearly was NOT it - the cover had droids  and mutilated bodies on it) that I just thought this was it."  she said.  She wasn't offended in the least when I told her I'd be taking it back the next day. 

And that was the worst part - it was Christmas day and all of the book stores were closed.  I had to wait until the next day to discover the beauty of Jamie, Claire, Brianna and Roger. 

I've since introduced the series to several people, and 95% of them LOVE it.  In particular, a coworker has started them, and we talk about where she is in the books every day.  She told me last week, "I hate you for starting me on these books.  I love them, and I find myself reading them every waking minute."

I've read the entire series - not yet complete - more than seven times.  My books look like this, held together with rubber bands and duct tape, and I think that's the mark of an awesome book. 
                                                                                                            

Comments

[Hall]

Have you read the Lord John series? Jamie Fraser is in it a bit. It's not Outlander, but it is Gabaldon. I accidently read them out of order and I'm not quite sure where in the Outlander series they fit. I need to re-read the Outlander books as I've only read them once.

[Motherofbun]

This is totally off topic of your blog post but just thought I'd throw this out there. Followed Belinda from Ninja Poodles to you. (But have been meaning to check you out since after Camp Baby.)

I hadn't realize you'd lost weight. And what I mean by that is -- I saw you at Camp Baby and assumed you've always been this tiny, petite, strong, fit woman. Congrats on your transformation. That's no easy feat. Very inspiring. Ok. Am off to read more of your blog! Love the few posts I've read thus far.

Take care!

[Karen (from Our Deer Baby)]

Awwww, I love this series too! Thanks for reminding me of it.

Karen

[Jennifer]

I've heard of this series but I have never read it. I'm going to check it out. I'm a big fan of the No. 1 Ladies' Dectective Agency Series by Alexander McCall Smith. They are breezy and light, yet have some remarkable truths in them about human relationships, forgiveness, grief and finding happiness.

[Michele]

My friend tried for 4 years to get me to try this series. I just kept thinking time travel-yuck. Little did I know that was less than 1% of the story. Love love love this series-and my friend will never let me live it down. LOL

[Karen M]

Maybe you can purchase these books in audio. You are a fan of your IPod.

[Mimi]

I have to admit, I wonder if there's something genetically wrong with me. I have read the first two, have the third in my "to read" pile. I find them a bit better than ok, I keep reading because I want to know how the plot advances, but I know so many people who LOVE them and I get annoyed with it as it moves along sometimes. Clare and Jamie are ok, but not amazing.

Anyway, I love a well loved book.

[Kathy]

I'm also a HUGE fan of the Outlander series - have been for several years. I received the latest for Christmas, but I decided to go back and re-read the series from the beginning (AGAIN) before I read the new one. I was glad that you said the series isn't finished...I found myself almost not wanting to read the last book if it was the finale. I just hate the thought of this story ending!

[Elizabeth]

I LOVE the Outlander books! A blog friend sent me hers in 2006 and I read them straight through. My paperbacks of the Tad Williams "Otherland" series look like those photos.

[Brandy]

I have books like this, just not this series and not this author. Sorry. As a HUGE bibliophile, I am always happy to hear of another lover of books!

[Thumper]

How is it I have never heard of these books? What genre are they? I'll read almost anything except formula Romance...

[Sandra]

I don't read much, but when I do I totally submerse myself. I'll have to check out the Outlander series.

I just wanted to comment on your message board commentary. I have currently been chatting and been friends w/ the ladies from my son's birth board for almost 7 years. In fact, this weekend I'm flying to Tampa to meet up w/ a few of them. I love these ladies dearly and consider them my friends for life. In fact, when I was on my honeymoon I checked in w/ them daily. LOL

[Anne]

For Christmas this year I treated myself to the entire series in hardback. Had read them a while back and remembering waiting anxiously for The Fiery Cross and A Breath of Snow and Ashes to be published. Read them straight through (it didn't take nearly as long as I had thought it would) and loved them just as much this time. For a treat, check out the Outlander casting videos on YouTube. Some of them are really good! Who would play Jamie Fraser if you were in charge?

[Christine]

I love love love these books. I too, have turned many people on to them. It's always nice to "meet" a fellow devotee!

[paige]

Jamie and Clare. Sigh. Swoon.

I resisted these books for long, long time. Finally I broke down when a fellow MA in English insisted that I make time for them. I love sf and fantasy and have a severe allergic reaction to romance, so I was quite skeptical.

I love them. And I'm only three books into the series. Dragonfly kept me sane on a plane and during a 10 day Christmas visit with the inlaws in WA state.

Heady stuff, that. Plus, I've got a Jamie of my own in Biker Hubby, who is tall, broad, ponytailed and brave as any Scottish outlaw.

The only catch for me is that I read very quickly and it makes the books be over too fast.

[Stephanie]

Your books look very similar to mine. I have a first edition hard cover of Outlander from 1991...if I had only known then how much I would love every book in the series, I would have taken much better care! My poor Outlander is hanging on by threads.

I began reading the books when my oldest child was a toddler not even two years old. Now he's graduating and becoming a young man. And with every re-read I have a new perspective on the stories.

[amy]

Oh I so remember those discussions on said mb. I could use a little shot of Jaime about now...perhaps a stop at the bookstore is order to begin the series again and to have my own copies to keep forever :)

[Lisa]

When we named our third child James, and we told people that we were calling him "Jamie," there were a few who said, "Oh, but isn't Jamie a girly name?" I would just shake my head and say, "You have OBVIOUSLY never read anything by Diana Gabaldon, or you would know that there is NO more manly name than Jamie!" LOL!

[Michele]

LOVE LOVE LOVE the series. LOVE it. Favorite by far, and I can't count how many times I've read it.

[ttlyeightmom]

I have never posted a comment here before but I saw your Outlander thread and had to say something. Have you checked out the ladies of lallybroch website yet? They have been around since there was only like one maybe 2 books. Diana has even added them to her dedications in one of her books. loove love love James alexander malcom mackenzie fraser!!!!

[Kyooty]

ha!!! I love this series. and if you break down some "names" I'm married to the main Man... :) andyes he's blonde with red beard, So I get to picture him when i read hte books.