Outlander

Outlander by Diana Gabaldon

Category: Must Read, "What to read after Twilight"

Book Synopsis:

The year is 1945. Claire Randall, a former combat nurse, is back from the war and reunited with her husband on a second honeymoon - when she innocently touches a boulder in one of the ancient stone circles that dot the British Isles. Suddenly she is a Sassenach - an "outlander" - in a Scotland torn by war and raiding border clans in the year of our Lord... 1743.

Hurled back in time by forces she cannot understand, Claire is catapulted into the intrigues of lairds and spies that may threaten her life... and shatter her heart. For here James Fraser, a gallant young Scots warrior, shows her a love so absolute that Claire becomes a woman torn between fidelity and desire...and between two vastly different men in two irreconcilable lives.

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If I could recommend ONE book to read after Twilight - it would be Outlander!

MY Take on this epic love story - So, how many times have you Google searched "What to read after Twilight?", well, I did it all to often before I stumbled upon this glorious series. Every time I did a search for my next book, the only thing that seemed to be recommended reads were teenage vampire stories. For me, when I fell in love with Twilight, I was anxious to read a more sexy adult version. Something that didn't leave EVERYTHING up to the imagination, but still had substance. My next attempt was pointing toward the Charlaine Harris series, True Blood. While I'll say it had some of what I wanted, there was something missing. I was left wanting something more. I stopped reading at book 2. So the search to find "what to read after Twilight" continued for me.

During a casual visit to Borders one day, I remembered a conversation with Izzy where she mentioned a different recommended read, which didn't involve vampires. I was intrigued, and decided to go for it (although it's no small read).

Claire's accidental travel into eighteenth century Scotland begins with disorientation and turmoil. Her confused feelings are accompanied by heartache while her husband Frank remains in 1945. When she is put into a situation where her nursing skills are needed there's an unexpected chemistry between her and her patient is not even acknowledged by her until later.

Jamie and Claire's remarkable star crossed lovers story has everything from passion, intense adventure, anguish and even (surprisingly enough) comedic relief. These characters are developed so well (although many criticize Gabaldon's OVER descriptions from time to time) that you are able to relate to their experiences even when we can not even begin to imagine what these times were like. While the endeavors are an important part of this novel (duh!), the core of the novel is still based around Jamie and Claire's relationship (much the way I felt about Twilight). It is very difficult for me to describe the intimacy you feel within the relationship between Jamie and Claire, maybe because I have never read a book that has such gripping descriptions of the steps this romance takes.

To say simply to read Outlander after Twilight, I believe does this book an injustice. If you simply read the first book, you WILL read the others. It is NOT another vampire story, however, it does have the supernatural twist of time travel. So, if you are like I was...googling away...looking for your next read. STOP NOW! Pick up this book, and you'll be hooked.

Don't forget to give me your feedback (Isn't that the best part?).

Twilight

Twilight By Stephenie Meyer


Category: Must Read (If you are reading this blog, the chances are that you have probably already read it at least twice)

Borders Book Description


Isabella Swan's move to Forks, a perpetually rainy town in Washington, could have been the most boring move she ever made. When she meets the mysterious, alluring Edward Cullen--a vampire--her life takes a thrilling and terrifying romantic turn.Isabella Swan's move to Forks, a small, perpetually rainy town in Washington, could have been the most boring move she ever made. But once she meets the mysterious and alluring Edward Cullen, Isabella's life takes a thrilling and terrifying turn. Up until now, Edward has managed to keep his vampire identity a secret in the small community he lives in, but now nobody is safe, especially Isabella, the person Edward holds most dear. The lovers find themselves balanced precariously on the point of a knife -- between desire and danger.


OK. My thoughts. That's why we are here, right? Well, I could start by saying that this book changed my life, but I don't want to sound overly dramatic. Except in a way it did. It definitely changed my expectations of a book. I can not tell you how many times I have googled the phrase "what to read after twilight". After reading Twilight, an ordinary book just didn't hold my interest in the way that it used to. I kept thinking back to Bella, Edward, and Forks...


Before Twilight, I guess you could call the books I liked "chic lit". My favorite authors were Jane Green and Sophie Kinsella. I haven't read one since Twilight.  It's not that I think there is anything wrong with them. They were good books, but they just can't hold my attention like they used to. I found that I now need books that have a compelling love story, a little suspense, and even some action.


Another way it changed my life: ROBERT PATTINSON. I mean,come on.  Without the books, we wouldn't have the movies. Without the movies, who knows if we would have ever been introduced to the creation that is Robert Pattinson.  Personally, I had no trouble accepting that this was my Edward....

I can relate anything to Twilight. Sad, but true. It just seems like my brain can find any relation possible with the books and / or movies.  Here is an example:


Having Just Watched Red Riding Hood:

Izzy: So, that was a pretty good movie.
Sassy: Yeah, I thought so too.
Izzy:All these movies are jumping on the Twilight Wagon. Seriously, like there's a love triangle, an exciting slightly dangerous love interest vs. the good wholesome (maybe boring) love interest. Then you have the werewolf, which by the way, that wolf looked like he was part of Jacob's wolf pack...
Sassy: Exactly, but on the plus side - I felt like I got a little Twilight fix (lol). But of course, like always, the relationship didn't compare like I wanted it to...


As for the overall reason that I love the book, I feel like I can't put the reason into words. Stephenie Meyer created a world I wish I lived in. She made Bella to be such a relatable character. She made Bella's flaws "cool". Since when is it OK to be clumsy, completely average, and shy. Well, it is now. She wasn't made out to be a beautiful, larger than life character. Because of those flaws, you can relate to Bella in a way that you feel like you know her, and what normal girl wouldn't want the hottest guy in the world to love her?


I watched the movie first because honestly I had never heard of the books. (I know shame on me!) I am one of the fans that loved the movie. Whereas, Sassy, not so much. She stayed away from the Twilight Phenomenon because of the movie. (That is until I got ahold of her.) Something about the movie intrigued me. I watched the movie like 3 times in a week (I know what you are thinking...loser...hah). Then for a reason unknown to me, I googled the movie. I really don't know why, but I am glad I did.  I discovered the world that is Twilight. I found that there were 4 books and they were continuing making the movies as well.  I was so excited. I overnighted all the books to my house and read Twilight in a day.


The book and the movie to me are completely separate entities.  I like the movie for completely different reasons. It is in no way as good as the book, but that is normal for book adaptations.  Heck, I probably like the movie so much just because we are introduced to Edward Cullen as he enters the cafeteria. My god, the hair, the smirk, the walk! Honestly, who doesn't... 

The book was so different from anything else I had ever read. It had the right balance of suspense and romance. I had never before been so invested in the characters of a book. I felt personally attached to Edward and Bella.  To me, it wasn't a vampire love story. It was a gripping love story between a girl and a boy (who just happened to be a vampire). Stephenie Meyer threw all the rules out the window with this series. You want to keep reading just to know more about the Cullens. I found her vampires very intriguing. Since the book is from Bella's perspective you have to keep reading to unravel the mystery that is the Cullens. She made Edward to be the perfect boyfriend. We all know he has his flaws as well (can we say overprotective?). But even with the flaws, every women still wants to find their own Edward Cullen(hah...or believe their husband is their Edward!...I still you love you Mr. Izzy!)


Overall, I feel like I can't pinpoint the reason that this is my all time favorite book. I became completely engrossed in the book immediately in a way that no other book did. I didn't want to put the book down (and when I absolutely had to, I couldn't stop thinking about it.)  If you haven't read the book yet, stop whatever you are doing and join the club!


Now, I want to know what you think....Tag your it!


-Izzy