A Thursday review.

I’d like to start dedicating Thursdays to sharing all about my favourite (and not so favourite) things. And what better way to start than with my all-time favourite favourite. Outlander. *swoon*

I'll begin by sharing a confession. I am absolutely, 100%, unabashedly in love with reading. Novels, magazines, fiction, non-fiction, drama, comedy, mystery, (a little bit of) horror, historical romance, science fiction; you name it, I’m probably going to love it! I also don't read things just one time. Once I've fallen head over heels for it, I'm probably going to devour it a few more times.

What better way to end a typical Thursday than by gushing about my favourite novel of all time.

If you haven’t read Outlander, you haven’t lived.

For all you fellow readers out there, it’s got everything you could possibly imagine. It’s historical, hilarious, and suspenseful. It’s full of action, thrill, and love. It is such a page turner and keeps you right at the edge of your seat, I’ve read it 4 times. Yep, all 627 pages of it. ‘nough said. Diana Gabaldon just fills the pages with such great dialogue and banter, it’s hard to put down.

The story begins in 1945 where we meet Claire Randall, an English nurse in WWII, on a second honeymoon in Scotland with her husband Frank, a lover of genealogy. After coming across an archaic rock circle on their travels, without giving too much away, one thing leads to another and Claire finds herself in 1743 Scotland at the hand of the incredibly creepy Black Jack Randall (Who is actually her husband Frank’s six-times-great-grandfather, go figure). While getting away from Randall, she finds herself “rescued” by a group of hilariously unique Scots. Most importantly the young, handsome, red headed Jamie Fraser. (I’m sure you can imagine how THAT all works out)
I’ll leave you hanging here, because I can. J

The people she encounters and messes she gets herself into while trying to make her way back to 1945 (and her husband) make for a phenomenal story. The best part? It’s the beginning of a 7 (soon to be 8) book series! I'll admit, I have not read farther than Outlander, only because I’m so invested in it. It’s hard for me to move on in Claire’s story; it’s that captivating. It’s the perfect little getaway from everyday life.

What makes a good book for me is when the characters become close to my heart. Claire, Jamie, and everyone in between have become my very dear friends and I feel like I’ve been a part of their story.

I'm sure many of you love a great love story (hello Allie and Noah!),  however there is something about Claire and Jamie that just takes my breath away. You can feel their love on the pages. I don't know how it could possibly be, but 2 fictional characters taught me quite a bit about love. That it isn't 50-50, it must be 100-100. You must always believe in one another, even when everyone else is against you. And that someone may want to kill one or both of you, but if you have each other anything is possible.

Jamie's way of telling Claire how he loves her, is phenominal. Ya'll can keep your Christian Grey. Jamie Fraser is seriously the man. If you read it, you'll know exactly what I mean.

When I start to describe Outlander to someone, every single one has given me ‘the look’, a mixture of ‘this girl is crazy’, ‘that sounds bizarre’, and ‘why is she getting so excited and flailing her arms around?’ I’ll be the first one to say, my description just doesn’t do it justice. It’s one of those situations where you just have to take my word for it. So please, do me a favour and give it a try! I promise you will not be disappointed.

All I can say is thank you, Diana Gabaldon, for sharing this amazing story with me and everyone who loves a little escape every now and then.  

 

              ''For where all love is, the speaking is unnecessary. It is all. It is undying. It is enough.''
                       -Diana Gabaldon, Outlander