Lauren is absolutely one of my favorite people to discuss books with. She literally discusses books, y’all. We talk daily, and all over the place. And since she has been wanting to read Outlander, this is a most excellent time for her to do so…right when she can do it along with us! Perfect timing, right?
As Lauren isn’t currently blogging, I have invited her to please, please officially join our ReadAlong by posting her answers here on my blog. So for the duration of the #OutlanderRA, you will see both Asheley’s answers & Lauren’s answers weekly. Because this week is the official Introduction Post for Lauren, there are two Outlander Readalong posts on my blog today. Please be sure to visit them both because they are different.
Frank, Claire, and Jamie so far.
I am so very excited and honored to have her here on my blog, sharing her answers with this awesome group.
Welcome, Lauren!!
No. I’m pretty much a failure in this area. If I ended up stranded in the 18th century, I’d be no help whatsoever. I don’t know anything about herbs or botany or home remedies. Although I find it interesting THAT plants and herbs can be used for healing; I don’t care enough to want to learn which ones they are. And honestly, this information isn’t really needed today. I don’t seem myself having to go out into the woods to collect plants and create medicines. Though if the amount of post-apocalyptic and dystopian books out there is any indication of what’s to come, maybe I should rethink this.
Um. Everything? I love studying the past – I was a history major in college – so learning about life Scotland in the 1740s is fascinating. But I don’t think I could live it. I definitely would not be as adaptable as Claire. She’s amazing. She’s barely stumbled over anything. The hygiene and lack of bathroom facilities would completely ruin me. And I don’t eat seafood, so herring every day? I couldn’t do it. Plus I would need extensive coaching on their clothing and etiquette practices. There’s no way I could just jump right into life over 250 years ago.
Jamie as favorite character, for sure. Though, I feel like we haven’t spent enough time with anyone besides Claire and Jamie for me to really care enough about any of the other characters (except for Dougal whom I don’t love). Also, I do like Colum a great deal. He possesses a personal strength that I really like.
So many good scenes already! The wedding was sweet. And I liked when Claire and Jamie schemed to free the boy from the plinth. I love seeing them work together. It shows how great a match they are. I just want to tell Claire to hurry up and fall in love with Jamie!
I’ll admit to finding something morbidly romantic about the blood bond and oath (and possibly, to getting excited that it makes Claire even more bound to Jamie than Frank). But in real life, I can’t imagine doing it. And I think I’d find it way over the top (and freaky) if I witnessed anyone performing the ritual at a wedding. Hey, my sister’s getting married this summer. Maybe I should suggest it?
I started a bit late, but worked to catch up quickly, despite the density of the text and adapting to the Scottish speak. I’m having a hard time not reading ahead! I’ve never tried a read-along, but I’m going to do my best to stick with the schedule. It was pretty hard to stop after this section, and I did read chapter 15, but that’s it.
Questions for chapters 15-21 answered &questions announced for chapters 22-28 on Into the Hall of Books
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.
I’m so thrilled and honored to have you on my blog!
~Ash
I think a lot of people might have had trouble with sticking to the chapter 14 stopping place lol – I wrote my post having stopped at the right spot, but then I ended up breaking my resolve and reading a little further. I mean, come on, worst place to stop EVER, right? lol
Yes! It was a cruel place t make us stop reading :). But at least it was in the middle of something happy and not stressful or dangerous. That would probably be harder for me to bear. Thankfully, it's the next week so I can start reading again!
I love how Jamie & Claire are so in tuned with each other. They compliment & play each other well. *swoon*
Yes, I agree! It's one of my favorite things about them. And a marked difference between Claire and Frank. I know Claire still loves Frank, but he doesn't seem to "get" her.
Welcome. Better late than never I always say. Happy to have you!
Thank you! I'm so excited to be here. I think this is definitely a book that warrants a read-along. It's so much more fun when I can discuss a book with people who are exactly where I am in it – that so rarely happens to me.
Yeah, I agree, I'm not feeling anything that strong toward the characters yet either. But I'm hoping this will change or else the rest of the book will be really boring. And I'm the same when it comes to medicines. I feel like I know quite a bit about unique forms of healing for present day, but when it comes to IDing flowers and stuff, I'd be useless!
Claire's been all over the place in the first 200 pages. We keep meeting people for short periods of time, but I hope that she can stay in one place for a while. Though I'm loving Claire and Jamie enough that I don't think I'll get bored!
And I'm not even good with modern medical remedies! It's pretty great and useful that you are. If I had to go out and pick a plant for a cure, I'd probably choose something poisonous and kill everyone. Ha!
Welcome, Lauren! Yes, the whole herring for breakfast, lunch and dinner would be problematic!
And I love seeing Jamie and Claire working together too!
Thanks, Heather! Yeah herring – yucko! I wonder if they still eat it a lot in Scotland? And I'm definitely looking forward to more and more Jamie and Claire.
Um totally agree with you that maybe we should all start working on our skills for survival…You just NEVER know! I also thought the blood bond was romantic as well, so glad I am not the only weirdo :] I read ahead through chapter 15 too, and I will be reading it again before starting 16, it was THAT good!!
Ha Ha! Exactly. When I was reading The Hunger Games, I kept thinking – I would not survive this! I'd most certainly pick the wrong berries and die. What if zombies come and we are forced to run for our lives? I mean, it could happen, right?
Yeah it was torture to stop at 14. I think I'll have to read 15 again too! Such a good chapter. I'm sure there's lots more drama to come, so it's always nice to go back to the swoony moments.
Hi Lauren! Thanks for joining the read-a-long 🙂 I'm happy you decided to do it!
I would be screwed if the apocalypse came…
I'm not much of a seafood person either. I will eat it, but as long as I don't prepare it myself. I'm weird.
I would love to see the look on your sister's face if you suggested a blood bond…do it and put it on YouTube HAHA!
That WOULD be hilarious. Or maybe I should "surprise" her at the wedding. I'm sure she'd love it if I broke out a huge knife during the ceremony!
Welcome, Lauren!!
I'm kind of happy you mention Colum, as I like him a lot myself. He's just such a great character. I totally loved the part you mention about Jamie and Claire working together. And I found that blood bond just as romantic as you did. 🙂 We'll be morbid together, haha.
Yes. I really do like Colum. He's thriving despite his illness. I hope we get more of him in the future.
I'm a bit late coming around to comment – sorry about that! But I'm super happy that you joined up with us and I'm wildly impressed with your ability to catch up reading SO FAST.
I always wanted to be a history major in college but didn't because of the amount of papers I'd have needed to write. Isn't that shallow? So instead I became a nurse, which is just weird given the number of people I had to touch.
And to tell you the truth, I was a bit nervous about how you'd feel about Claire and Jamie. But I'm glad you like them. I am wild about Jamie and I want Claire to hurry up and fall in love with him too! I already have. 🙂
Well I'm usually pretty susceptible to what the author wants the reader to feel/believe, so I've fallen for Jamie along with the rest of you! Thankfully, this is fiction, so I can suspend my belief (and morals) a bit and enjoy the ride.
I'm so glad you joined, Lauren! I really think it's those most interested/knowledgeable about history who romanticize it the least. You've really thought about what life would be like in the 1750s, and so you realize it's not quite as romantic as Outlander might make it out to be! 😛