Even though I haven’t been reading as much lately, I have managed to finish a few books this month. I even made it through Catch-22, but only because I was buddy reading it with Kim. I kept getting sidetracked by other things…mostly because of Andi, who wouldn’t shut up about this series she’s been reading. It’s one that’s been around for awhile, and that I’d heard of (often, actually), but that I refused to get suckered into.
But somewhere mid-month I just couldn’t find anything that I was dying to read, or that reeled me in (ahem…Catch-22). And Andi was gushing so much I just couldn’t ignore her. I figured what did I have to lose? So I caved. Or would that be suckered?
That’s right, people. I’m reading the Outlander series. I’m about halfway through Drums of Autumn at the moment (which means I’m also about halfway through the series), and so far, it’s my favorite. Actually, I have to confess…I got bored halfway through Voyager (I missed Brianna and Roger) and I skipped to the next book. Except now I’m at a certain point in Drums where I realize I missed the return of old characters, so don’t worry. I’ll be reading the second half of Voyager soon. (Does it drive you crazy to know that I’m skipping around between books in a series? Or are you like me and you feel giddy with all of the choices a series offers?)
(Or maybe not so soon in regards to Voyager, since I need to start The Stand, and holy crap, have you seen the size of that book???)
And okay, so there are some things I don’t like about the books, but damned if they’re not compulsively readable. (Specifically: I thought the spanking in book 1 was over the top. I still don’t get the ghost in book 1. Why does no one wig out about Claire’s time travel and reappearance from the dead? Frank…I have major issues there. The whole Laoghaire thing and Claire’s reaction. Especially in regards to the whole Frank thing. And finally…20 years?? Seriously???)
I’ve managed not to be drawn into that series . . . yet.
bermudaonion (Kathy)´s last [type] ..Review: A Land More Kind Than Home
Hah! It’s only a matter of time…
Did either of you ever post about Catch-22? I never saw it. I’m sorry it didn’t draw you in. I admit, the first time I read it, I wasn’t really taken either. There was just too much there to really have any idea what the hell was happening. But I went back and reread later, and again later, until now I’ve read it five times and it’s one of my all-time favs.
It did help that the first time I read it, it was for a class and my prof warned us in advance not to try to make sense of the timeline, as certain characters (ahem, Milo) actually have a timeline that’s completely opposite everyone else’s.
Amanda´s last [type] ..Warbreaker – Week 1
Nope…haven’t managed to post yet, so you haven’t missed our Catch-22 posts!
I am so excited that you are reading this series, Jill! It’s one of my favorites! As you go further into the series, Brianna and Roger become central characters, so that’s great for you! So very thrilled that you are getting into these!
zibilee´s last [type] ..The Lost Summer of Louisa May Alcott by Kelly O’Connor McNees — 384 pgs
I’m actually hoping the next book she weites is the last…otherwise I’m going to forget everything and lose interest down the road (just like what happened with Harry Potter).
i’ve heard so much about this series too! maybe its my turn to cave next. i’ll just wait and see how much you gush about it before i dive in to it. i’m glad you found a book, or rather a whole series actuallly, that got you out of your reading slump.
toothybooks´s last [type] ..Giveaway: Wife 22
Rumor has it The Stand will be just as good. And just as long. *sigh*
Hmmm… Catch-22 is another one of those books that I love, but it is certainly rambling in parts, so I could see how if you weren’t in a focused reading mood how it might not give you the incentive to keep plowing forward.
Outlander on the other hand, I hear it has plenty of plowing…
Sorry for that, but it’s interesting to hear your take on it, because after reading A Discovery of Witches last year, I started to think Outlander might be a series I would enjoy… but then I heard about things like spanking and other unsexy sexiness (to me at least), and I gave it a pass for the time. Perhaps this is the kind of series that will make the loooooong train and plan journeys in my impending future go by a little bit faster?
Steph´s last [type] ..Dissertation defended!
I hope you’re taking an e-reader with you, ’cause these books are HUGE. They’d make good travel reads, though. Especially if you found yourself in Scotland.
I loved the first three Outlander books passionately, and then each one after that a little less. I think with time travel fiction you always have to be willing to believe a bit of the unreal, and because of that I think my critical inner voice might get a bit muffled. The spanking scene didn’t offend me because it seemed like something that could actually happen at the time, regardless of how awful it is or how much I want to judge it. (It actually kind of reminded me of the spanking scenes in the John Wayne movie “McClintock.” And by the way, be prepared for some synapse-scarring geriatric sex in the last book.
Alyce´s last [type] ..The Sunday Salon – May 27
I kept telling myself it fit in the context of the time, but then he just waled on her. Wasn’t so happy about that.
HAHA! And HA HA! Compulsively readable is right. So damn readable.
I was bummed by the 20 years, I have to say. Would’ve liked to see more young frolicking. BUT, love ‘em. Love Jamie and Claire’s dynamic. I was not as hooked by Roger and Brianna early on, but now that I’m reading Drums, I’m taken with them, too. Especially WHAT HAPPENED THAT JAMIE WAS HOMICIDAL ABOUT.
E-mail me.
Andi (Estella’s Revenge)´s last [type] ..Personally: Lazy Day and Pin It, Do It
Consider yourself e-mailed.
I went through the Outlander stage too, but I got burned out (praise JESUS these audios are like 50 discs long) so at some point I need to pick up the next (Breath of Snow and Ashes I think). The spanking cracked me up…all these 50 Shades of Grey fans would love that wouldn’t they? And there were some sex scenes that I about had to pull off the road to listen to. But yes after awhile I got tired of it all. Whichever one I last read, it felt like a means to an end…just to get from one book to the next. Anyway, good luck with all that. And The Stand? Just block off some time when you do without sleeping or eating. It will suck you in.
Sandy´s last [type] ..The Affair – Lee Child (Audio)
Great, I’m going to be reading competing sucking me in books. I don’t know whether to be happy or worried. Or to check my sick leave balance at work in case I need a reading day.
I’ve thought of reading this but it is very very big. And some people seem to hate it. But compulsively readable you say? Hmmmmmm.
Jenners´s last [type] ..Left Neglected by Lisa Genova
DO IT!!!!
Oh, I love the Outlander series and attempt to convert everyone to my love of it! So glad you’re reading and enjoying it.
Lexi´s last [type] ..Review: Justice Hall by Laurie R. King
I am avoiding the Outlander books because there are so many and I like variety…. still temped by The Stand… because it is so big it would be like conquering a mountain.
Sheila (Book Journey)´s last [type] ..Love and Leftovers by Sarah Tregay
Hey, there’s variety. Scotland, the Caribbean, America…
I’m still holding out.
Actually I did read Drums of Autumn in high school, but I hadn’t read any of the other books, so I was like, “WTF?” And the only thing I remember from the entire book is Clair growing her own bread mold to make penicillin.
heidenkind´s last [type] ..Review: THE SWIMMING POOL by Mary Roberts Rinehart
I became OBSESSED with this series one summer in college. I don’t think there is a series that has ever gripped me quite like the Outlander series since. So glad you are enjoying it!
Amused´s last [type] ..Book Review and Giveaway: Wife 22
I picked up the first one in the series and only made it about 50 pages. Hmmm…I keep seeing so much about it. Maybe I’ll give it another shot.
Kristi´s last [type] ..The Standalong/What I’ve Been Up To
I have steered clear of that series
Veens´s last [type] ..Easy Chicken recipe #2 – Chicken Handi
Goodness, all of those problems with the book and still you can’t put down the series? Oh damn, I’m going to have to cave in and read these, aren’t I? Inability to stop reading the series, no matter what, is exactly why I’ve been putting these off!
Lisa´s last [type] ..Pin It And Do It – Bring On The Sugar
I read the first book in this series and STILL haven’t felt compelled to read on. Although, Andi has tempted me a couple times… I have even read Outlander twice and enjoyed it… I just felt the ending was satisfactory and there are so many books and they are all so big… And, I suppose I have some issues. The spanking was very strange and bugged me, for example. One day I might read on… (I have heard people say Voyager was boring in parts before…)
Kailana´s last [type] ..Poetry: Read More/Blog More – A Monthly Event! -Month 5
I love the Outlander books so much! I must confess that I am shocked that you would choose to miss parts of books and skip around in a series. Shocked, I tell you! I have to read in order, no matter what!
Marg´s last [type] ..Armchair BEA: Introducing Me