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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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Tuesday 22 September
By Beatrice
I think Scotland would be fascinating to live in because of the rich history! I'd also like to live in Ancient Rome.
Did they have teachers that were women in Scotland during the 1700s? If so, I could totally do that. Otherwise, my most useful skills are probably needlework type things--knitting, crochet, embroidery, needlepoint.
I would miss my daily shower if I woke up in the 1700s. That's part of why Ancient Rome appeals--they loved their bathhouses!
Does my boyfriend count for favorite guy in a kilt? Other than him, I have to say that I think my favorite kilted dude right now is Gerard Butler! Liam Neeson looked pretty awesome in a kilt in Rob Roy, too.
I can't wait to see everyone's kilt poems!
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Wednesday 23 September
By Seminnepateama
I LOVE this series and I seriously want my own Jamie!
I'd do 1700's Scotland and I'm a nurse, so that skill set would come in handy. I'm all about the personal hygiene, so I'd build my own bathhouse/sauna, and although Liam Neeson is awesome in a kilt, so is The Highlander Christopher Lambert. *Fans self*
Alas... I have many talents, but being a bard isn't one of them so no poem.
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Wednesday 23 September
By Jen
I adore these books and have spent most of my adult life searching for my very own Jaime. I recently found him - he is exactly like Claire's and I am making my Jaime read the books. He totally agrees with me!!!!!!
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Wednesday 23 September
By Beatrice
Ooh, how lucky to find your own Jamie! Does he wear a kilt for you? : )
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Wednesday 23 September
By Gayle
I totally love this book and the whole series--so fascinating and romantic. If you liked reading it, then you'll love listening to it. I downloaded the Recorded Books edition to my iPod and am actually listening to it for the second time. The narrator is fabulous! She does the English and Scottish accents perfectly, not to mention that she knows how to pronounce those Scottish words, which adds so much to the experience of the book.
I'm so spoiled by modern culture that I don't know if I'd enjoy going back in time. Claire's time being raised by her uncle prepared her for rustic living. I have a hard time camping for a couple of days :) I'd definitely miss indoor plumbing! Plus women got a lot less respect in earlier days. Jaime is definitely my favorite kilted guy--fictional guys are usually the best. I don't even want to see anyone's idea of him in a picture; my imagination is better than reality.
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Wednesday 23 September
By Linda W
I absolutely adore the Outlander series. Jaime...well, what can you say about him...he's all man and every woman's fantasy in a kilt.
There are many men who have worn kilts....Mel Gibson as william Wallace,
Christoper Lambert as the Highlander. I'd love to see some fellow Scots in the role....Gerard Butler....Ewen McGregor. Those men also know how to wear a kilt well!!!
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Thursday 24 September
By Quinn
I would be happy in 1700 Scotland. The weather, the people, the lack of electronics.
My skills that I could use would be to help with babies, I work with them every day. Also, common sense, it seems to run very low in people nowadays.
I think, like Claire (in book 3 or is it 4), I would miss hot water & showers the most.
My most desirable man in a kilt is Jamie Fraser, hands down.
I love the Outlander books. I am reading them for a second time, waiting until I can get my hands on book 7. They take me back to a time when I think I was really meant to be, and men acted as they are meant to (well, most of the time) and women acted like women.
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Sunday 27 September
By Stephani
Sounds sort of like another time travelers story, having to make the choice, to stay or go back to his time. Always been my #1 fantasy is to travel back in time. I have many choices.... The time of the Minoans (Atlantis) the Greeks, in the time of Pericles, or Aristotle, Socrates, Plato it would be interesting to visit with any one of these people, or maybe DaVinci, then every time I visit Mackinac Island I can't help but want to see what it would be like to be back there 100 or 200 years ago. We used to go there every summer and go to the forts and other historical places, the Island was by far the most elegant of accommodations but the whole area was intriguing. That was even before I read the book or saw the movie Somewhere in time, which took place on Mackinac Island. The book I mentioned about the time traveler with the choice to stay or go back, was written by the same author that wrote Somewhere in Time. I can't remember the title but it was a good read.
So for me I can't really decide when I would want to go back I would want to make several trips. I am curious to see what others want to do.
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Thursday 24 September
By raderrico
I have been a long time fan of the Outlander books- book 1 is falling apart from being reread so many times. I would probably only travel back enough in time to really experience the 1960's- a time when people were searching for different ways of relating to each other and the world. Opportunities were expanding, showers readily available, and the music was unbelievable. I am on OB nurse and lactation consultant, so I would be sure to get in on the beginnings of the natural birth movement (though I would still shave my underarms).
Favorite men in kilts. . . what a delightful image. Aside from the excellent choices already made, I have to say that my choice would be my twin sons, who wore the whole regalia for a family wedding on Loch Lomond when they were seven. Only one kept with total tradition and "went commando", though he made sure to put his boxers back on before any dancing began at the reception.
Instead of a poem, I will share an old Scottish joke: When asked by a tourist what he wore under his kilt, the Scotsman invited her to put her hand under and check for herself. She did, then drew back in horror, crying, "Oh, it's gruesome!" The Scotsman replied, "Put yer hand back, lassie, and ye'll find it grew some more!"
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Thursday 24 September
By anna
It seems like I have been waiting forever fortthe next book in the series. Fascinating reading!
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Thursday 24 September
By parlamer18
I believe I would rather the 1800's era in the British Isles for the extreme violence of places like Culloden would have been past. The 1700's facinate me though especially in Scotland, Ireland and England.
The knowledge we have of different foods, such as Claire with potatoes as well as knowledge of what will come in the future would be of great help in surviving. Additionally the ability to use what I know regarding cleanliness, the proven use of herbs and the ability to recognize ridiculous treatments before they can do more harm than good.
Without a doubt I would miss indoor plumbing and feeling secure and safe.
Hmmpf, who wouldn't like to see Jamie Fraiser in a kilt?? But how can one choose a favorite from the likes of: Sean Connery, Gerard Butler, Ewan McGregor, Mel Gibson and Ashley MacIsaac? Kilts are amazing and I think more men should wear them!
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Thursday 24 September
By seryz
I have read the whole series of these books twice and have enjoyed them each time. I picked up on things I missed the first time reading. You will never get bored reading them........I suggest this series to all my freinds as a great reading experience
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Thursday 24 September
By Evangeline
Don't know if I'd like to time travel--women were so badly treated in so many parts of the world. I guess I'd go if I could be sure to find a Jamie waiting for me on the other side. I'd give 1700s Scotland a try.
As an MRI tech, I don't think my 21st century skills would translate too well to the past. I am also a published author though so maybe I could be a bard? If they had women bards, that is.
Fav men in kilts--Love Mel Gibson even though he's out of fashion now.
What would I miss most--besides creature comforts like hot water and good sanitation, probably the readily available entertainment we have today. Internet, books, i-Pod and of course, my trusty laptop.
Since no one else had tried, I'll take a stab at the poem
There once was a lad in a kilt
Who appeared most uncommon well-built
But he said with a laugh
When the lass grasped his staff
"Don't squeeze too hard lass, or twill wilt!"
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Thursday 24 September
By Karen
I read this book and loved it, but I only read the next one in the series. I would have a hard time picking out one era to travel back to. I have wanted to be a pirate or ride with the native Americans. Ancient Rome with their bathhouses sounds good to me, too. Liam Neeson and Mel Gibson both looked great in kilts, but as corny as it may sound, I'd love to have my husband wear a kilt for me. He has better legs than I do.
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Thursday 24 September
By Rachael
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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Thursday 24 September
By Kristine
I fell in love with Jamie and Claire.. I have all her books, including the Companion book(actually have one autographed).
If I could go vacation anywhere I would go to Scotland and visit the sites mentioned..
I would love to go to the Cragh na dun stones and also visit Culloden field where there are the acutal grave markers of clans that are listed in the book... I have always loved history and would love to meet the real Jamie lived in the 1700's and acutually fought in Culloden.
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Thursday 24 September
By Kelly Kellerman
There once was a Scotsman named Milt
Who walked in the hills at a tilt
His songs he sung with a lilt
And the girls all thought he was built.
When the wind lifted his kilt.
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Thursday 24 September
By Kathy
Oh yeah! Reading the series for the second time! Some of the books are hardbacks (I am collecting the series in hardback) and the paperbacks are a little worn since I have shared them with my daughter and friends who also got hooked and are waiting for the latest edition!!! I love Jaime and Claire and I was so glad she decided to stay with Jaime! Makes one believe that that kind of love is still around! Diana got me back into reading again!! God Bless You!!!
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Thursday 24 September
By Julie
I have read the books in the Outlander series so many times that my books are quite literally falling apart. I love them. I have several copies of each and read them in order or at random depending on my mood. Pop one open in the middle and read. Would I go back in time? Oh lord yes!!! Scotland works its on my list of places to go. 1700's are fine with me. Special skills....well I was a girl scout way back when and spent 9 yrs in the army....I can handle "living rough" lol also I can cook pretty much anything and have it come out almost gourmet!
I would miss my computer....for a while
Sean Connery/ Christopher Lambert/Mel Gibson and the guy who played "the Bruce" in Brave heart
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Tuesday 29 September
By Linda
I've read all of the Outlander books and totally love them! I think going back in time to Jamie Frasier's Scotland would be very interesting because of Scotland's wars with England. Jamie and Claire also show up in colonial America and again they're involved in a war for independence! I would most certainly miss all the technology we take for granted today. I don't know if I could actually do it, but my Polish grandmother taught me how to kill a chicken and clean it up for cooking, so that's a skill I could use! I'm a teacher so I could be of help with the children. I can imagine what Jamie would look like in a kilt and that's pretty delicious!
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