Outlander Read-a-long: Chapters 8-14 Answers + This Week's Questions!

 Howdy everyone! Well, here we are, wrapping up another week of the read-a-long (which I sincerely hope everyone is enjoying so far) and beginning another. What do you all think so far? 

Since I am hosting this week, make sure to check out the next set of questions at the bottom of this post! :) 

Here are my answers for chapters 8-14: 

1.  Claire has been given the task of healer at the castle. She must adapt her nursing skills for the time and learn what herbs and etc will cure each particular ailment that is presented to her. Do you have any home remedies that were passed down to you (cure for a cold, bee sting or what have you)?  

Just off the top of my head, the ones that randomly come to mind are taking a spoonful of honey for a sore throat, putting baking soda on an ulcer/sore inside your mouth, putting milk on razor burn, and putting toothpaste (that has to have baking soda in it) on a pimple.

2. What do you think would be the biggest challenge of living in the past? (Clothing, hygiene, food, etiquette or etc.)

I think just about everything to do with being from different cultures would be a challenge. The people of the 1700s and the people of the 1940s are just so vastly different. I would constantly feel like I was about to blurt something uncouth or do something outlandish. I would probably end up burned at the stake or something! 

Although, I have to admit, the hygiene thing would be a really tough one for me to overcome...

3. Do you have a favorite character, scene or quote so far? If so, share it with us. 

Since typically, characters are my very favorite part of any book I read, I'll focus on my favorite. I mean, OBVIOUSLY Jamie is all sorts of swoon, but I just love Claire. I love how spunky she is and how "no nonsense" she is. I mean, like we all talked about last week, I know that if I were in her situation, I would have been hysterical. But she just takes the hits as they come, and I like people like that. 

4. What did you think about the addition of the blood bond in the wedding ceremony? Is this something you would do with the one you love?

I thought that it was an interesting addition to the story, it just added one of those extra tidbits of authenticity, y'know, that makes you think, "Oh yeah, this is definitely Scotland in the 1740s." I don't think I could personally do it, though. First of all, I would NOT want to risk getting blood on my wedding dress (silly, I know). Second of all, I just don't really like the idea of swapping blood with anyone. Not that I'm a germaphobe by any means, but it just seems really unhygienic to me. 

5. Are you reading along closely with the scheduled chapters or are you ahead or behind? 

I am pretty much in my own dimension. I am skimming along with everyone on schedule, since I had already read this about a month ago. Just enough to enjoy the story again and keep up with everyone. 

Okay, so here's the next set of questions for chapters 15-21: 

I feel like this goes without saying, but SPOILERS ABOUND AHEAD! 

1) We FINALLY get to the scene we've all been waiting for. You know what I'm talking about--yay sexytimes! What were your impressions? Was it what you were expecting? Or did you want more? 

2) I know that some readers thus far have been bothered by the fact of Claire being married to Frank but still being involved with Jamie, despite the different time periods. Does their time as newlyweds change anyone's opinion of that? If not, now what are you thinking of the situation?  

3) What did you think about the "waterhorse" that Claire saw? Why do you think Peter was so spooked? And what do you think this means for Claire? 

4) If you were Claire and you were knowingly in the vicinity of the stones, would you have done the same thing she did?  

5) What do you think about Captain Randall? How do you think the family resemblance between him and Frank affects Claire and particularly her relationship with Jamie? 

I can't wait to see what you all think next week! Make sure to check in next week with Asheley at Into the Hall of Books for the next set of questions for chapters 22-28!

Don't forget to link up with your posts answering questions for chapters 8-14! 

Outlander Read-a-long: Chapters 1-7

Yay--the Outlander read-a-long is here!

 I hope everyone is enjoying it so far. I'm so excited to be able to fangirl with everyone because this has definitely been one of my favorite reads of the year thus far. I can't believe I didn't discover it until this year!!

Anywho, to the questions:

1. Outlander is a well-known book. Before you cracked it open, what were your expectations or assumptions about this story? Or did you jump into it with a blank slate? 

Okay,  I have to say, I didn't really know what this story was going to be about, but I knew that it's pretty much Sarah's (from Sarah Says Read)  favorite read EVER, so I knew it would be good because she has excellent taste in books. I had also heard that there were going to be some pretty steamy scenes, but that didn't bother me at all. I don't normally read a lot of romance, but the historical fiction part was enough to pull me in.

2. Claire's husband, Frank, is fascinated with learning more and more facts about his family tree, which extends back pretty far. Do you or anyone in your family keep a family tree? How many years/generations back does it go? If not, have you ever considered or attempted to create one? 

Well, on my mom's side, some third or fourth cousin (or something like that) has had her side of the family all figured out for years now. I'm not sure how far back it goes, and to tell the truth, I'm not sure my mom does either. Now, on my dad's side, my dad, my uncle and my grandma have all been working everything out. I'm not exactly sure how far back that goes, but on my grandma's side, we have it back at least to the Civil War, and on my grandpa's side, we have it traced back to the little town in Italy that we hail from. I think it's really fascinating, and we have some really interesting people in the family tree!

3. How did you find Claire's initial conclusion as to her surroundings after waking up from going through the stones? Did you think that was a reasonable conclusion? 

I don't know that my first thoughts would have gone to a reenactment. I mean, I guess it's logical enough, but I probably would have thought I was dreaming or drugged or something. Then again, since I don't really believe in anything supernatural/paranormal (for as much as I read about it!) and if I absolutely KNEW I wasn't sleeping, I probably would have stretched for any logical explanation.

4. How about her composed, rational way of dealing with the fact she's traveled back in time? Did you find it believable? Do you think you would have acted the same way? 

Okay, as far as this goes, let me just preface this by saying that I am phenomenal at suspending my disbelief while reading. The only time it doesn't work for me is if the writing/story is just that ridiculous. That wasn't a problem here, though. I knew that Claire was probably used to thinking on her toes, what with her experience in combat nursing. With that being said, I also knew that I definitely would not have reacted that calmly. I would have flipped out. I would have been hysterical.

5. At this point in the story, what are your feelings or expectations on Claire and Jamie? Is Frank still a factor for you? 

Because I'm weird like that, I always read the back cover/synopsis before reading a book. So from reading that, I pretty much knew that Claire and Jamie were going to end up together at some point or another. I remember, though, that I really liked Frank for the first couple of chapters, but he slowly started getting on my nerves. I don't know why. It was before Jamie was even introduced. He (Frank) just didn't seem like the kinda guy I'd swoon over, although he is a nice guy. When Jamie entered the picture, though, I was all about him. I still am! I looooove me some Jamie!

Bonus question: Frank encounters a man outside of the inn where he and Claire are staying. He is afraid it might have been a ghost. What do you believe it was? Do you have any predictions or suspicions on what that was about? 

I actually had to dig out my copy to look this one up because I only vaguely remember reading this part. Having done that, I thought it was the ghost of Jamie. Or maybe Jamie there in some sort of vision-world, a la Mists of Avalon. Like maybe he was looking into a crystal ball or something. I say this because Frank was very adamant about the fact that his kilt wasn't blowing in the wild wind.

Alright, that's all for this week, but you can head over to Stalking the Bookshelves for the questions for chapters 8-14!

Happy reading!

  

Come sign up for the Outlander by Diana Gabaldon read-a-long!

Alright, so if you all remember well, not too long ago, I posted a review of Outlander by Diana Gabaldon. If you don't remember well--it was AWESOME. I am so excited for this read-a-long!

When I first saw Jacinda talking about doing an Outlander read-a-long on Twitter, I jumped at the opportunity. I had literally just picked up the book that day to read it, and I thought what better way to enjoy a book than to read it along with fellow bloggers/booklovers?! I went ahead and read before the rest of the group because I know I'm a slow reader, but all along the way, I was itching to talk about it with someone! So I'm super pumped to be able to discuss questions with everyone! Plus, discussion should be pretty interesting, since we have some people reading it for the first time, some people reading it for the umpteenth time and others, like myself, who have just read it recently.

Seriously, folks, this book became one of my all-time favorites. This is one of those books that I loved so much that I could just hug it. If this book appeals to you in any way, shape or form, I encourage you to join us next month for our read-a-long, us being:

-Myself
-Asheley at Into the Hall of Books
-Jess at Gone With the Words
-Logan at Logan E. Turner
-Carrie at Stalking the Bookshelves 
-Jacinda at The Reading Housewives of Indiana

So now for the details.

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 walks through a standing stone 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 Highland clans in the year of Our Lord...1743. 

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

Sound good? It is! And I hope you think so, too.

Our read-a-long starts June 11th and will run through July 23rd, with posts running every Monday. Our read-a-long is a little stretched out because Outlander is a BRICK of a book, so we wanted to make sure that everyone can read at their own pace.

Here's more about our schedule:

June 11th
Questions for chapters 1-7 announced at Gone with the Words

June 18th
Questions for chapters 1-7 answered & questions announced for chapters 8-14 at Stalking the Bookshelves

June 25th
Questions for chapters 8-14 answered & questions announced for chapters 15-21 on Tangled up in Blue

July 2nd
Questions for chapters 15-21 answered & questions announced for chapters 22-28 on Into the Hall of Books

July 9th
Questions for chapters 22-28 answered & questions announced for chapters 29-35 on Logan E. Turner

July 16th
Questions for chapters 29-35 answered & questions announced for chapters 36-41 on The Reading Housewives

July 23rd
Questions for chapters 36-41 answered on Gone with the Words. The end.

Each Monday, that week’s host will also have a linky for participants to link-up their discussion questions so everyone can hop from blog to blog and see other reader’s thoughts!

If you're interested, you're probably wondering at this point, "Okay, now how do I join/participate?"

1) First thing's first--go grab a copy of Outlander! Whether you borrow it from your local library, borrow it from a friend, buy a copy from your favorite bookstore (online or real life) or even buy a copy for your e-reader, you won't regret reading this.

2) Write a participation post, that way we know you're joining us, and add it to the linky posted below. It doesn't have to be anything extravagant, just let us know you're along for the ride! The linky is the same on all of the host blogs, so you only have to link up once! 

3) Get to reading! Read at our pace, read at your pace, read at whatever pace is comfortable for you. Just sit back and enjoy the story.

4) Answer the questions on our discussion posts (see the schedule above). Like I said before, we'll be posting Mondays throughout June and July. Stop by the host blog for that week, link up your answers, and hop around to the other participating blogs to see what everyone is chatting about!

5) Most importantly, though, enjoy Outlander and have some fun with it! We want this read-a-long to be a good time for everyone!

We also have this really cool button that you can grab for your blog if you're participating:

And finally, here's the linky to join up. I hope you'll be reading along with us! 

If you have any questions about anything, you can contact me by leaving a comment or emailing me at countrygirl922@verizon.net

Review: The Squire's Tale (Squire's Tale #1) by Gerald Morris

Growing up an orphan in an isolated cottage in the woods with Trevisant the Hermit, young Terence never expected much adventure in his life. But one evening a stranger named Gawain shows up and Terence's life takes an odd turn. Gawain--who defeats his first knight armed only with an empty stewpot--is destined to become one of the most famous knights of King Arthur's Round Table. Trevisant, who can read the future, sends Terence off with Gawain to King Arthur's court to be his squire.

In no time, Terence is plunged into the exciting world of kings, wizards, knights, wars, magic spells, damsels-in-distress, and enchanters. Soon out on a quest with Gawain, Terence embarks on a quest of his own--to solve the mystery of his parentage. Their journey brings them into another realm where they encounter a helpful sprite named Robin, a castle in the mist, and an evil enchantress intent on destroying King Arthur. There Terence learns the secret of his past and discovers a challenge that only he can face. 

In The Squire's Tale, Gerald Morris brings King Arthur's world to life as no author has done before. Filled with rapier-sharp wit, jousting jocularity, and chuckleheaded knights, King Arthur's Court and the Chivalric Code will never be the same. 

To be honest, I wasn't too sure about this for the first few chapters, but I ended up really enjoying The Squire's Tale, so I'm glad I stuck with it.

I am, by no means, an expert on Arthurian legend, but I feel like this is a good introduction to the tales of the Knights of the Round Table. Intended for younger readers, this is an entertaining and humorous read that can be amusing even for adults. Gerald Morris makes these Arthurian tales accessible, staying away from flowery or overbearing language while still maintaining that "storytelling" feel. Plus, like I mentioned, it's funny! Maybe not laugh-out-loud funny, but this has an undeniable Monty Python feel to it. (In particular, I thought of Monty Python during the scene where the two brother knights are fighting and threatening to kill each other even though neither can remember why they're fighting--I just kept thinking "It's just a flesh wound!")

The characters are a lot of fun, too. I especially liked Terence, but I usually am a fan of underdogs. We meet him living with a hermit in the woods, not knowing anything about his own background. By the end, Terence has grown and has come into his own. I'm looking forward to reading more of his tales as the series continues. Gawain was another favorite character of mine, and with him, there is a lot of character development. I liked that. Gerald Morris gives him some limelight in a world that tends to focus on Sir Lancelot. Both Terence's tale and Gawain's tale are left open-ended enough that I want to keep reading to see what adventures they meet.

Recommended for fans of Arthurian legends, adventure tales, and re-tellings, The Squire's Tale makes for a great read.

4 / 5 

Check it out: 
Goodreads page 

Happy reading and until next time,

Review: Little House in the Big Woods (Little House #1) by Laura Ingalls Wilder

Wolves and panthers and bears roamed the deep Wisconsin woods in the 1870's. In those same woods, Laura Ingalls lived with her Pa and Ma, and her sisters, Mary and Baby Carrie, in a snug little house built of logs. Pa hunted and trapped. Ma made her own cheese and maple sugar. All night long, the wind howled lonesomely, but Pa played his fiddle and sang, keeping the family safe and cosy. 

You know those favorite childhood books that leave you feeling all warm and fuzzy inside during every re-read? This is definitely one of those. 

It's a classic. I mean what else is there to be said? I can't truly speak for the rest of the series because, for whatever reason, I never read any of the other Little House books besides this one and On the Banks of Plum Creek. I definitely intend to finish out the series now as an adult. 

I think what makes Little House in the Big Woods so unique and so good is that this is not a story written with an overarching plot or some subliminal message. It is Laura Ingalls Wilder's memories of her own childhood. Granted, whether it is entirely factual, I do not know. What I do know is that this is a nice, wholesome tale to relax with. It would be perfect to read while cuddle up next to a fireplace. Maybe it's because she tells of a simpler time, or maybe it's because as a kid I was obsessed with all things "pioneer" (Kirsten was my favorite American Girl, hands down), but this has always been one of my favorite books. 

Another great thing about Little House in the Big Woods is its readability. When I was young, once I hit the chapter book phase, I pretty much did my own reading, but I know of lots of people who have had this read to them or who have read it with their own children. Heck, I remember I loved reading this out loud on my own! It's easy to read without feeling like it's dumbed down, even for an adult. 

The thing is, too, that this book is educational, which I didn't notice as a kid. Every so often different cultural/historical practices, that might be unknown to someone from the present day, are explained in basic terms. As a reader, you really get a feel for what daily life would have been like throughout all of the seasons for someone living back then. 

This story, told with the innocence of a child, is a story to last the ages. Easily accessible at any age, Little House in the Big Woods is a book to be read, enjoyed, and shared many times over. I can't wait to read the rest of the Little House books! 

5 / 5 

Check it out: 

Goodreads page

Laura Ingalls Wilder Home and Museum

Laura Ingalls Wilder

Happy reading and until next time, 

Review: Outlander (Outlander #1) by Diana Gabaldon

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 walks through a standing stone 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 Highland clans in the year of Our Lord...1743. 

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

Hello, my name is Jessika, and I am Diana Gabaldon's newest fangirl. 

How I am ever going to be able to put my love for this book into words, I have no idea. First, let me just say that it has been a long time since I have wanted to hug a book and have its babies. 

For a book that is over 600 pages long (at least my copy is), there was never a point when I was not completely immersed in this story. When I picked it up, I had no real idea of what I was getting myself into. I knew that this series is the favorite of Sarah from Sarah Says Read, and that was about it. I never expected to fall in love the way that I did. I read the first chapter, and I was hooked. 

Diana Gabaldon writes beautifully atmospheric historical fiction. Not only is her prose stunning, but I was completely able to picture everything. I mean, I was there. I'm a huge fan of historical fiction, and sometimes when you get into lengthy books like this, you inevitably run into dry spots. Not so here. I don't recall every having to struggle through. 

I think part of what helped that along was the plot. As the reader, you're never settled into one place for too long. There are twists and turns and revelations galore. I was alternately shocked, finding myself in tears, feeling my own blood pressure rise with rage, cringing, panicking...oh, and swooning. TONS of swooning. Diana Gabaldon knows how to write amazing sexytimes (and many of them) throughout the book. My point is that besides being astoundingly atmospheric, this book will make you feel a wide range of emotions. Feelings...so many feelings in this book. 

The best part of any book, to me at least, is the characters. This cast of  has become one of my favorites to date. They are all so fleshed out--I know I won't soon forget any of them. A lot of times with books like this that have an extensive cast of characters, the focus remains on the main characters. That doesn't happen in this book. I still find myself randomly daydreaming about what these characters are up to. Also, I have said it before, and I will probably say it again--good writers write good villains. Oh man, Captain Randall. Just his name makes me cringe. I have never been so angry, so repulsed, so disgusted with a villain before. The things that man is capable of...::shudder::

Now. Claire and Jamie. Do I really need to say anything more? Claire is witty, charming, resourceful, devoted, loyal, loving, and intelligent. Jamie is much the same, and also...completely and totally sexy. I love them both so much. I loved watching their story unfold. Never fear, no insta-love here! Claire spends a lot of time agonizing about her duty to her life in 1945 and her new life in 1743. And Jamie has troubles of his own. But put the two of them together, and you've got the chemistry of the century. I won't say any more. I'll let you go and read their story for yourself! 

This book gets my highest recommendation. It has easily become one of my favorite reads of the year. I will definitely be continuing this series. If this story sounds remotely interesting, I urge you to pick up this book and immerse yourself. You're in for a wild ride.

5 / 5 

Check it out: 

Goodreads page

Diana Gabaldon's website 

Happy reading and until next time, 

 

Also, if you are interested, there will be an Outlander readalong from June 11th to July 23rd (I read ahead because I am a slow reader). It will be hosted by Jacinda from The Reading Housewives of Indiana, along with several other bloggers and myself. We're still working details out, but keep an eye out for sign up information coming soon if you're interested! 

Review: Bleeding Violet by Dia Reeves

Love can be a dangerous thing... 

Hanna simply wants to be loved. With a head plagued by hallucinations, a medicine cabinet full of pills, and a closet stuffed with frilly, violet dresses, Hanna's tired of being the outcast, the weird girl, the freak. So she runs away to Portero, Texas in search of a new home. 

But Portero is a stranger town than Hanna expects. As she tries to make a place for herself, she discovers dark secrets that would terrify any normal soul. Good thing for Hanna, she's far from normal. As this crazy girl meets an even crazier town, only two things are certain: Anything can happen and no one is safe.

I'm not quite sure what to say about this book.

On the one hand, I loved it. This is, without a doubt, the most unique book I have ever read. It was different, it was crazy, it was a wild ride, and I loved that.

Hanna was an awesome narrator. I mean, this chick is certifiable. The last diagnosis from her doctor said manic-depressive, but they don't even really know what all is wrong with her. I wasn't always her biggest fan--her personality could be a bit grating, and sometimes she was way too whiny. I think what I liked about her so much was just that she was so different. As much as I can relate to the shy, awkward, average-looking girl that pops up in YA so often, it was nice to be jolted out of the same old, same old.

Portero was a cool little town, too. All of this weird and crazy stuff happens there on a daily basis, so as a reader, you kind of have to sit back and enjoy the ride and just go with it. I'm definitely looking forward to re-visiting this town, that's for sure.

On the other hand, sometimes it was hard to keep reading because, like I said, Hanna and especially Rosalee could be very grating. And sometimes, the weird and crazy stuff came across as gimmicky. However, as a whole, it didn't detract from my reading experience, and I really enjoyed this book. I have to say, too, that it has been a long time since I have been that satisfied by an ending. It couldn't have ended any other way.

I recommend this for older YA readers (there are some mature scenes) if you're looking for something unique to cleanse your palate.



4 / 5 

Check it out: 
Goodreads page 
Dia Reeves' website

Happy reading and until next time,