Outlander by Diana Gabaldon

Title: Outlander
Author: Diana Gabaldon
Rating: ☆☆☆☆(☆)
4/5 Stars

I have been a most delinquent blogger for the past 2 months, and for that I am truly sorry. I'm trying to get back into the swing of things and keep my reviews updated, but it's difficult since I'm studying in London this semester and have a TON of reading to do for class. However, here I am with a review of my first read for 2010!

Outlander has, apparently, been something of a cult classic since it's publication in the early 90's. I had never heard of it until I saw An Echo in the Bone, the seventh book in the series, on Amazon's bestseller list. The plot summary piqued my interest, so I picked up book numero uno. I'll have you know, this was no 3 day read. It's not ridiculously literary, but it was very dense. At 850 pages, it was a seriously daunting task.

The length may have been the sole reason I didn't give this book a five. I found that the minor plots that caused the book to be 850 pages were, at times, unnecessary. However, I loved the story. Claire is an ex-nurse in post WWII Britain, on holiday with her husband when she walks through a circle of ancient standing stones and is transported back in time. The would-be sci-fi element of time travel is made much more fantastical by the old magic supposedly lurking in the stones. Whilst in 18th century Scotland, Claire falls in love with Jamie Fraser, a Scottish warrior and is now torn between her two loves. I won't give much more away, because the book was truly thrilling and beautifully written.

This is definitely NOT a YA book, by any means. The reason for the series' cult following is probably the book's sex scenes. They get pretty steamy. Sookie Stackhouse fans, this series may be something to look into while we wait for the release of Charlaine Harris's newest book! Anyway, like I said, very adult content, but appropriate for the storyline.

All in all, I definitely enjoyed Outlander, but I won't be attempting any of the other books in the series until the summer. You really need a couple of marathon sessions to get through these.

ISBN: 978-0385319959
Price: $16.00, paperback
Pages: 850

BTT: Favorite Unknown

Who’s your favorite author that other people are NOT reading? The one you want to evangelize for, the one you would run popularity campaigns for? The author that, so far as you’re concerned, everyone should be reading–but that nobody seems to have heard of. You know, not JK Rowling, not Jane Austen, not Hemingway–everybody’s heard of them. The author that you think should be that famous and can’t understand why they’re not…

Absolutely and without a doubt, it's Marcus Sedgwick. I think I've said this in my reviews of his books, but I love him and I don't know why he isn't that popular. His books do very well in the UK (which is where I am right now!) but US readers just have not picked them up. You have to order all his books on Amazon if you want them in the states. I love them and wish they's be more readily available over there!

BTT: Holidays

What books did you get for Christmas (or whichever holiday you may have celebrated last month)?
Do you usually ask for books on gift-giving occasions or do you prefer to buy them yourself?

I got a bunch of new books for Christmas, and I couldn't be happier. Here's which ones made their way under my tree:

-Witch's Business by Diana Wynne Jones
-Dark Lord of Derkholm by Diana Wynne Jones
-The Year of the Griffin by Diana Wynne Jones
-The Letters of JRR Tolkein edited by Humphrey Carpenter
-Norwegian Folk Tales
-Russian Fairy Tales
-Folktales from India
-Irish Folk Tales
-Eat What You Love, Love What You Eat by Michelle May

I love getting books as gifts, but usually I ask for more expensive or eclectic titles, since I buy myself a lot of quick reads.