Good Morning!
I slept in my own bed for the first time in three days last night and it was NICE. It was actually good just to be home, and for the most part I was home most of yesterday.
Catching up on my e mail reading I noticed that Diana Galbaldon’s Outlander was re-released in hard cover yesterday. This is a series that I have heard so much good about and have yet to read. As I am looking at this lovely book I am thinking now may be the time to do so.
I think I am having book envy. 😛
Have you read this series? Do you want to?
On a fun note – both boys were home last night for dinner. We had Honduras Lasagna, and strawberry shortcake for dessert and sat on the deck and talked for hours. It was a good time. I made sure we captured a couple of pics of Brad and I before he heads back to the Navy next week.
Book Journey 
Great pics! I read Outlander about a year and a half ago. Good story, fun idea, I bought the next book in the series (but haven’t read it yet). I’ve read that the audiobook is good.
I just ordered this one today Mary. i have heard such good things about the series!
Oh, I love having my grown-up “boys” visit, even though we’re now the same age…LOL. Yes, since I’m still forty-something, too, HA-HA.
Strawberry shortcake is one of my favorite summertime treats, and my mom’s recipe was the best! Time to try it out again… Yum.
I haven’t read anything by Diana Gabaldon, but I’ve certainly heard a lot about this series. Time to think about reading it. Thanks!
I love that it is a lovely hard cover anniversary addition… yes, I am that book dorky – I love anniversary additions 😛
I love that series, I’ve actually read the first book more than once. I’ve read the whole series except for the latest one. I bought it for my birthday a long time ago and then had trouble getting back into the story. I highly recommend all the books though!
I am excited to give it a try Jill – so much good things said about the series!
What adorable pictures!
I haven’t read anything by Gabaldon, but was kind of turned off by her after seeing her speak at the Tucson Festival of Books. I know her books are very well loved though!
Jill I have never heard her speak – but I know what you mean…. an author demeanor can turn me off of their books.
I am curious what she was like now at the festival.
Congrats on having the boys home 🙂
Thank you Amy 😀
Fantastic photos! Fun!
I love, love, love the Outlander series, and I WANT….no…MUST have…NEED…this 20th anniversary edition. I have read this first book, Outlander, 3 times already, and will re-read it many more times.
The audiobooks are fantastic, Davina Porter does an excellent job narrating. Although, they are very lengthy so if one has trouble following plot via audiobook then I would not recommend them for the first ‘read’ of the book due to their length.
OOH audio! I have to keep that in mind! 😀
I read Outlander and the second in the series, Dragonfly in Amber a couple of years ago. A fantasic book to sumerge yourself in, transports you to another place and time. I read these books in the winter time and picture myself snuggled up on the couch under blackets when I pick up the third. The characters are wonderfully flawed and yet perfect :), and there are a ton of them. There is a character guide, which I didn’t need when I read the books back to back, but might need when I go back to read number 3. Enjoy and I can’t wait to hear what you think.
Kristen, you are just selling me more and more on these books! 😛
I haven’t read Outlander either so I hope you will so we can all read your review! It’s good to see I am not the only mother who has no qualms in taking such photos. 😉 Glad you had this time with your boys.
Ordered it this morning Shirley… nothing like a shiny hard cover book to draw me in 😛
Boy, that’s some good lookin’ sailor you’re patting on the cheek! So nice for you to have the boys home.
LOL – yeah I like to think so Barbara 😀
How nice that you had both your boys home for the weekend! ❤
I have not read the Outlander series, but it intrigues me!
I am so intrigued Alison…. the reviews are raving.
I’ve read the first-in-series, OUTLANDER when it first came out and more recently a couple of years ago. I thought I had remembered so much from the first reading so I was shocked when I discovered that so much seemed new to me! I went on and read the next two titles in the series; but neither of them compares to the first. That said, I still plan on picking up the series again, even though it moves away from Scotland and into Revolutionary era America (not my favorite historical time/place.)
Tanya I know little to nothing about the book other than the “oohs and ahhhs”. 😀
Revolutionary era America is not a fav of mine either.
I just love that second picture!
LOL, my other son took the photos so until I seen them on my camera I had no idea the expression on Brads face… 😀
I’ve read the entire Outlander series and would absolutely do it again. It is by far my favorite series. I need to pick up the new hardback, thanks for reminding me!
Wow. I am so impressed when people say a series is their fav… those are powerful words and really draw me in 😀
I have had the Outlanders on my To read list forever! Maybe I need to find it in audio?? How wonderful to have your sons both home at the same time. As my oldest is getting ready to be married and move out of our home, I understand so well the joy of having your son’s home!!
Hope you had a wonderful 4th.
Jen C – reading in wbl
Its rare to get them home – let alone at the same time…. one in College, one in the Navy – I am glad they have moved on with their lives but it is still exciting to hang out with them. 😀
I first read Outlander and sequels several years ago – yikes! 10 years ago! Absolutely LOVED the first book then (discovered that there were sequels right before going on vacation so I had to wait until I got home to read them). I’ve now read as far as Fiery Cross twice. Need to get caught up with the others, as I do have them on the shelf.
I cant wait to start them!
I love the Outlander series, but it’s not for everyone. The first three books are spectacular in my opinion and stand up to multiple re-reads. The first hundred pages or so of the first book can be kind of slow going, but it is worth it if you stick with it through the rest of the book.
I say that the books are not for everyone because they do have some explicit sex scenes and one later in the book that is abusive. I almost never read books with this kind of content but I make an exception for this series because it’s such good reading.
The pics of you and your son are cute btw!
Thanks for bringing that up Alyce, I had no idea. Like you, I avoid those reads but yes – there is always an exception.
Thanks about Brad and I…. it was fun to hang out with him.
I haven’t read Outlander yet, either. I’m not entirely sure I want to, even.
I have heard such good things about the books Hannah I am going to give the first one a try. 😀
The outlander series is my favourite of all time (elsewhere in the world the first book was released with the title CrossStitch). I LOVE the first book but the entire series is fantastic. I have read the first 3 books more than once and the last couple only once. I own most of them but would love to own this special edition release! If you haven’t read this series yet then definitely do.
Thanks for the info about the book! Interesting about the name difference!
cute, cute pic of Brad…lol
Thanks Angie 😀
I read and loved Outlander and I am trying to get caught up with the series by participating in an Outlander Reading Challenge this year. Unfortunately I haven’t gotten very far yet and the year is half over! If you decide to read the book, I hope you like it.
I am getting the book and am excited to give this series a try 😀
I read Outlander years ago, after having several customers tell me it was a must-read. Thought I would see what all the fuss was about, and I loved it! I didn’t read the rest of the series, as I thought the first book was just about perfect. You need to read this one, Sheila!
I am going to! Enough people have said it was so good… I am sooooo curious! 😀
I love the Outlander series! Just have to skim a bit in the steamy scenes – some of them are a bit much for me. 🙂
Thanks for the heads up Carrie! 😀
Two of my friends heartily recommend the Outlander series, but they are so big, I just haven’t figured out a time to get started. I did pick up the first one at a used book store last year, maybe you should kick us all off on a group read!
Have a great rest of the week and enjoy this summer weather we’re finally having!
Big books kind of frighten me too Julie… such a commitment…. plus it takes a strong book to keep me entertained 500+ pages. I get annoyed with books that are BIG just for the sake of being BIG and are just excess words. 😛
OOH – I like your idea of a group read…. hmmmmm…..
It is no secret, I am a HUGE Outlander fan! I was swept away with The Outlander, and couldn’t put the books down. A word of caution, they are LONG books. If the story sweeps you away, like it swept me away, you will immediately want to pick up the next book to see where they end up. That same thing will happen with each novel. The descriptions of the countryside and all historical facts are accurate. It was an adventure and a refresher of history as well. I really can’t say enough good things about this series.
I found myself cooking dinner with the book in hand, doing laundry, waiting for my lunch break and diving it. I couldn’t put them down. The story and characters took me on a delightful journey.
My sister-in-law listened to them on audio and she said the audio was good as well.
If you decide to jump in, enjoy the world of Diana Galbaldon – there is nothing quit like it!
I agree, there is nothing quite like this series; the historical facts, descriptions (she covers almost all of our senses), the relationships are epic and continue to grow and move forward, etc. There is no author that can compare to Gabaldon’s writing.
Beyond Sarah G’s reply, regarding the sex within this book and the others; yeah, they are bit explicit BUT that they are NOT gratuitous. It fits the story and the relationship.
I echo Sarah G, if you do decide to read the book, I hope you enjoy Gabaldon’s world.
I’m a huge fan of the Outlander series, I can’t believe it’s been 20 years since the first one was released! I hope you enjoy it when you have the chance to read it 🙂
Your son is so adorable, what a lucky opportunity for you to be able to spend a few days with him!
Thanks Crystal – I am sooooo looking forward to hang out time 😀
The audio books are good. I listened to a couple of them after I had already read them and enjoyed them the second time around as well. I just started “The Hobbit” on audio yesterday after your recommendation earlier this month and so far we are enjoying it. We haven’t gotten to any of the songs yet though!
I purchased this one in book format but if I like it, I may continue the books on audio.
Have fun with the Hobbit – keep your windows up! LOL 😀
The songs started after I posted this. My kids didn’t seem to think they were odd yet. Tomorrow my husband will be along so I wonder what he will think! He’s read the book before but never listened to it.
LOL the songs continue and continue Jill…. stop back and let me know what hubby thought! 😀
Love the Outlander series (I’ve made it through 4), but Outlander was my favorite. My hubby was in the Navy too 🙂