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It's time to kick off the Romance Reading Section of Lemondrop's Book Club. Our first selection is Diana Gabaldon's classic "Outlander." We know she's a historical writer, not a romance novelist, but her swoon-worthy stories have nonetheless earned her a spot in our love-book hall of fame. Whether or not you've read the book, you can chime in on our questions each day. (For the uninitiated, the story follows Claire, a married nurse in the 1940s who's transported back in time where she falls for a redheaded warrior type and ultimately has to choose between two loves -- and two eras.)
Click here for the first series of questions, then leave a comment with your thoughts. Everyone who comments in the book club between now and October 1 is eligible to win a copy of "An Echo in the Bone," the latest book in the "Outlander" series. And sign up for our Book Club mailing list for more exclusive offers.
Our questions for "Outlander" -- * If you were stuck in another era, would you prefer 1700s Scotland like Claire, or is there another culture you think would be more interesting to live in?
* Claire's knowledge of medicine and herbal remedies helped her survive in 1700s Scotland. What skills do you have that would help you survive if you were marooned in that century?
* What would you miss most about the present day if you woke up in the distant past?
* Who's your favorite kilted dude -- past or present, real or fictional? Extra credit: Write a poem of 10 lines or less about men who wear kilts.
Check back every day -- we've got an exclusive interview with Diana Gabaldon and more discussion questions coming up.
About the moderator: Beatrice Underwood-Sweet is a voracious reader of anything and everything, including the backs of cereal boxes. Her other hobbies include knitting, writing and ice skating, often while reading. She reviews books at My Kingdom for a Book.
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Friday 25 September
By Ginevra da Cunha
I love this series of books, and can't wait for the next one.
I am a historic re-creationist and I would like to go back in time to mid 1500's Venice. I fell in love with Jamie, but the poetry and art in Venice were awesome. Dangerous Beauty is an all time favorite movie, and her book " The Honest Courtesean" and the poetry of Veronica Franco is beautiful.
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Friday 25 September
By miswings
this series is AWESOME. they are "can't put it down" books. Each time I read them i notice more connections. They are written so that the Jamie & Claire and everyone became so real. Share them with my friends at work and discuss them.
Can't wait fo the next book to arrive.
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Friday 25 September
By Susan Helene Gottfried
Nice to meet you guys! I'm dropping in to say thanks to Beatrice for the e-mail. I've posted about this at Win a Book. (No need to enter me in the give)
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Saturday 26 September
By Dora
I love the time. Think a man in a kilt is very hot indeed.
Not sure what skills ai would have to offer. I can cook and sew. So maybe run a household. Hmmm
and I am not one for writing poems. Love to read them though
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Saturday 26 September
By Rae634
I love these books...I am currently on book 3....and I just love JAMIE!!!!
I would love to go to the Cragh na dun stones and also visit Culloden field where there are the acutal grave markers of the MacKenzies, Frasiers, and the other clans that are listed in the book...and then I would also love to go back in time to the 1700's and see what it was really like back then. I have always loved history and would love to meet the REAL JAMES A. FRASIER, who actually lived in the 1700's and acutually fought in Culloden.
I am not sure if I actually have any skills that I would be able to take with me into the 1700's, but I sure would love to try.....especially if JAMIE was there waiting on me...
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Saturday 26 September
By therobertson403
I would miss working toilets, lol :) I love camping except not having a working toilet.
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Saturday 12 December
By Liz
If I were to be transported back, the modern convenience I would miss you most definitely be electricity! I though I was a pioneer type woman until Hurricane Katrina and being without for 50 days. Being in New Orleans in the fall without it is unbearable!
Saturday 26 September
By Galynn
I am reading the Outlander series for the 3rd time, finally got "A Breath of Snow and Ashes" and until I read this site, wasn't aware there was another one coming. Wonderful. I love the series, Jamie, of course, is just about perfect. Too bad there aren't more men nowadays like him. I've always liked history and been interested in the Civil War era, just not sure how well an independent female would do there, since we weren't exactly respected as females. Don't know that I have any particular skills to take with me though.
What's really interesting to me as I got into the story, was where they finally end up. The town they talk about when they come down from Fraser's Ridge, Cross Creek, I actually live where that used to be, so made the story more interesting as I've seen all the Scottish names around town in the 35 years I've been here.
As for someone in a kilt, I like Christoper Lambert and Adrian Paul from the Highlander movie and series.
Sorry folks, no poem from this one. Just never had the knack.
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Sunday 27 September
By MMW
I would want to try Victorian England if I got to choose another era. (I do kind of like modern conveniences though...)
As a health care worker I know a lot about medicines and such. I would hope that it would give me a little bit of hand up.
I would miss the modern world way too much! I would miss the showers the most. I would believe that body odor of the highland (or Victorian Eng. too) would be overbearing!
thanks for such a great book club. I will be back for more!
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Tuesday 29 September
By Tina Bruce Daniels
I have many talents that I feel would help me survive in the 1700's. I am an excellent cook, which would enable me to fix a meal for my family or to impress a gentleman. I am interested in the healing arts as well. I could also entertain with my singing voice. These things would be sure to catch the eye of a desirable Scotsman, who would protect me and provide for me and our family.
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Wednesday 30 September
By Carolyn
I am just loving the Outlander series having just recently "found" them. I am so glad "Echo" just came out because people are taking about the series again. Having just started I am crazy thrilled to talk to people about the series, characters, plots, etc.
Jamie is the ultimate kilt wearing hero but have to plug Liam Neeson in Rob Roy and Mel Gibson (would have loved to interview for more candidates though - there just aren't enough!).
If I had to live in another era it might be the early 1900's. Women's issues and sciences were gaining ground and making huge advances. Communications were getting easier and common approaches to hygiene were on the rise. What would I miss? My automatic coffee maker offering fresh, dark roast coffee with cream (fat free) first thing in the morning.
Here my attempt at the poem:
A Little Ditty to a Famous Scot
Lord Joseph Lister
Was born a mere mister
Over his fair head the lasses would sign
To see his bare legs in a kilt go by
Oh the laddie sure did know it
And encouraged the lasses to grow it
Alas his fame abounded
When modern surgery he founded
Was it work or was it play
We remember Lord Joesph Lister today
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Wednesday 30 September
By Beatrice
Here's another question! Who would you cast to play Jamie in an Outlander movie?
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Saturday 03 October
By mayra
I enjoyed this novel although I read it a while ago. I think that Scottish history is fascinating but I wouldn't want to go back through time to meet a man. There would be too many issues.
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Saturday 10 October
By Susan
I am hooked. I am almost done with Outlander and cannot wait to get to the next book. I am generally not a historical fiction or sci-fi fan, but one of my best friends turned me onto this book and I cannot get enough!! Diana Gabaldon is a spectular writer. She is a brilliant story teller!!
1) I think that anytime that is not the time I currently live in would be amazing to experience. The 1800 and 1900 era's I think would be the most interesting as there is so much that was changing during those time. The biggest attraction would be the medical advances in those era's as opposed to earlier times.
2) My courage and nuturing protector instincts would serve me well in the 1700's. Those are definitely Claire traits as well.
3) Creature comforts like my bed and jean, etc. The rest of it anyone could learn to deal with/live with. I think it would be interesting to live in that time. There was shelter and the clothing would have been amazing to wear and the ability to provide food would be fine depending upon where I ended up!!
4) Jamie is my favorite kilted dude and I know that I am not alone!! His honesty, tenderness and courage are things we all look for in a man. The things he says to her and his innocence combined with his common sense and passion make him the perfect man!! Jamie, come too 2009 and find me :)
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Wednesday 28 October
By Carol
Hi I only started reading the Outlander series this year but I love the books, I have recently finished Echo in the bone and I would have to say my favourite man in a kilt would definately have to be Christopher Lambert I really love his eyes and smile he was really good in Highlander and apart from him my husband says any time I feel like role playing he will put on a kilt for me so he can be my Jamie even though he has never read the books but he has heard me talk about them so often. I feel that if I went back to the 1700's I think because I grew in a family where my mum used to have to cook over open fires and she did things the old ways...I can make my own clothes if I wanted I am very handy with scissors and needle, thread as well as being able to crochet and knit as I said a lot of that was passed down to me. Even now I love camping outdoors and enjoy fishing as well . The thing I would miss the most from the twentieth century would have to be my car as I was never any good with horses. Apart from everything else I would fit in fine .
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Tuesday 03 November
By Jeanette
I would miss air conditioning, grocery stores and cars. I don't think I would survive 17th century. But I sure love Outlander series. Jamie...what could I say
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Monday 15 March
By carolyn
For Jamie must be young, must have that height, hair, charisma - the intense eyes.... Chris Hemsworth (Star Trek) (unknown enough), Rob Pattinson, seriously, look at the photo galleries, he does have some looks that would be Jamie dead-on esp. with longer red hair... or Gabriel Aubry (but he is a model, can he act??) Chris is probably the guy that has the best chance at the physical presence - Jamie is a head above the crowd - and he could probably pull off the hair and I hear he is an Aussie. I think it has to be a Brit, Scot, Irish or Aussie to begin to pull off the accent! Emily Blunt is my choice for Claire, I just think she has the emotion and the eyes, she isn't ridiculously skinny and isn't so over-exposed as some are.... Jason Isaacs, hands down for Frank/Jack Randall.... I really wish they'd option this for an HBO or Showtime series.... but if not, Jamie is so so crucial, McKid and Gerard, etc. are too old, not tall enough. I wish Mel Gibson would get involved with this project - his passion in Braveheart really gave me an appreciation for the Scots I never had before and Diana has amped that up. Diana, your books are stunning!
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Saturday 12 December
By liz
Gerard Butler...
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Thursday 19 August
By Sue
My Hero is always a highland warrior! Give me a good book and I will read cover to cover with out stopping. I love Outlander books... Ty to my hubby for buying me "Dragonfly in Amber" I was hooked from then on!
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Thursday 04 November
By DaintyDeb
1) I am a big fan of castles and castle everyday life. But I think I would like my very own Viking.... Lars. ;)
2) I sew very well, both quilts and clothing, I can make candles and soap from scratch, I can cook. I do ceramics but would have to learn about ground kilns. And I can make baskets and vases with pine needles.
3) Running water. Had to go 2 days without water when my plumbing broke and what a PAIN! I actually tote'd water from a stream nearby. Walking about 1/2 mile carrying 2 gal jugs of water is heavy!! (it was a bright idea) Next trip was to the gro store for a 3 gal bottle. lol
4) I saw a kilted dude at 'The Feast of the Hunters Moon' Lafayette Indiana. He played the bag pipes, did a little dance with the others but he shined brighter and was hotter then the sun.
Write a poem of 10 lines or less about men who wear kilts.
The Kilted men of Scottland... By DaintyDeb
The kilted men of Scottland are strong, and brave and true.
They hunt, they fish, they love their lass's deep into the nights of blue.
They fight for what they believe in, protect the ones they love.
Till heaven's gate opens up and cradles them above.
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