How did you find the Outlander Series?

[Karol]

I bought this book on audible because it was on sale and it has such good reviews. It sat in my queue for about 6 months until my supervisor mentioned she was re-reading the series for the 4th time!! I knew I had to listen and now I'm obsessed. I've spent about 10 hrs this weekend listening to this book and had to force myself to stop. :)

[[deleted user]]

Earlier this year I posted a note on FB asking my friends for book suggestions since if I'm not reading a book I feel lost and I was between titles. A male friend from college wrote back, "Try Diana Gabaldon." This was the last person I expected to get a suggestion from! I looked on Amazon and downloaded a Lord John book that was only $1.99 to my Kindle. It was interesting and made me wonder what else she had to offer. I started reading reviews of her books and decided that I couldn't really go wrong by spending $8.99 to download "Outlander." The rest is history (no pun intended). I was immediately addicted and swept up in the characters and raced through all seven books (to the complaints of my husband and child since reading was all I wanted to do!) and then immediately started rereading the series (now on book 2) again. I also purchased the entire series in hardcover so that they could be displayed on my shelf and intend to purchase Claire's wedding ring once I figure out my ring size. I've never been this hooked on a story (or this in love with a fictional character!). I have thanked my FB friend repeatedly for telling me about these books. They have made life a lot more interesting and it's so nice to have a place to talk about them with other Outlander lovers!

[Lauren]

My mom had heard about the series from one of her friends. She knew that I was also looking for another book to read and suggested it. I devoured the book and have been obsessed ever since. I like to re-read the entire series before each new addition comes out so that I can really enjoy the whole story together. Even though all of the books are amazing, my favourite by far is the Outlander. I love the writing, the story, the history, and the characters!

[Melissa]

I had a co-worker recommend it to me after I was put in the hospital on bed rest with my last daughter. I tried to read and get lost in the story but just has way to much going on. I felt the fist was was so detailed and drawn out. That being said I picked it up later and was reading after life calmed down and once I hit the second book I was off and running. I did have to re-name the male lead as that was my ex-husbands name and I did not want to think about that. I have since read or listened to it a couple of times. I enjoy the strength of Claire and how they worked through and became friends also. I think about how our time is different from the two time periods in the series. I think about children of then and children of now, most of the time we do not feel we can even let them out of our sight for a while because of our society. But back then they could have been attacked by wild life or what have you. Looking forward to the new book and the STARZ series :) At this point my mom, aunt and sister have all read or are reading the series. Family fun!

[Heather in FL]

Lol... so who is Jamie to you?

[Melissa]

I am fine with him being James or one of his other names. I just skip over the name... When I was first reading this the wound was new and open, now I doubt I would care. I know crazy huh? But that won't stand in my way for the enjoyment of the series!

[Stephanie]

When I don't have a specific book I'm looking to read, I usually like to browse titles at the library and see if anything sounds interesting. I thought the title "Outlander" sounded interesting so I went ahead and checked it out. I'm so glad I did! The Outlander series is by far my favorite series and Diana has spoiled me. Now I find it hard to read other books without comparing them to the Outlander books. I'm eagerly awaiting the eighth book! Come on March!

[[deleted user]]

My mom forced me to read the books. I had a new baby and really had no time to read. My mother flat out told me I had to read it and she would not take no for an answer.
So, I made the time and I thank her for forcing me to read them as this was a start to my mad obsession of reading.

[Caroline]

The book was #1 on a list titled, Top 100 Romances of all time. I had to check it out and became hooked.

[Stéphanie]

My cousin talked about readint the forst book, so I decided to give it a try. It was love at first read. Those are my favorite books ever.

[Vanessa Eden]

I found Outlander by looking at book lists. I was looking for some books to read. I googled "Top 100 Historical Romance Novels" and Outlander was in the top ten of every list looked at.
I then looked Outlander up on good reads to see what it was about. I loved how passionate the readers were about the series. That made me understand the series was unlike any other. I began looking for it at my local book store but it was never there. I had a dream one night that I was at the mall and I bought it. The next day my husband asked me if I wanted to go to the mall and hang out and get my book (because he knew how much I wanted it). I was so excited! I got Outlander and DIA and we went out to dinner. It was such a great day, and I have had my nose in one of the books ever sense.

[Rachael]

I can not for the life of me remember exactly how I discovered Outlander....but I do remember reading it through in only a couple of days and going out to buy the next book, flying through that and getting Voyager...I was beside myself waiting for Drums in Autumn and remember reading it slowly....never wanting it to end.
I have read the series almost through each year. Outlander is my favorite, because I still remember how I felt when I fell in love with Jamie and Clair.
I have passed on these books to so many others who also fell in love with them.

[Dee]

I was getting some physical therapy and the therapist and I got to talking about books. I turned her on to Julie Garwood and she turned me on to the Outlander series. Normally when someone tells me about a book I tend to forget the author, but for some reason this one stuck. I picked up the audio version from the library and the rest is history.

[Linda]

I picked up a copy in a used book store - "Voyager", seeing on the cover that it was a trilogy. The book was so thick, I thought it contained all 3 books. Only when I got home did I realize I needed volumes 1 and 2. Luckily I found those in another used book store that afternoon. I remember reading that Diana's publisher told her that he didn't mind long books, as long as they were good. I wholeheartedly agree!

[Susan]

I picked up Outlander looking for a series book. It sounded right up my alley. I've been obsessed since. I would walk around at work on my way to break or lunch with my nose in the book. Since then I have bought the hardcovers when they came out, then the paperbacks for the second time reading them through and now they are on my Nook. In my own Hearts Blood will be the first I ever bought on Nook first. All the hardcover and paperbacks have been passed onto someone who will love them as much as I have. I also have the Audio for when I'm driving, traveling or out for a walk. Yes this is my favorite books and I've read/listened to them 3 times now. I like to re-read the series of the previous book before the new one comes out. Diana's the best.

[Vanessa Eden]

Do you all reread these books once a year? Because it has taken me two years to get through the series and I am only on book 5 right now, and this is my first read through. However, I have read other booms in the mean time.
How long did it take all of you to read through the series your first time?

[Lorraine]

Last year a friend of mine insisted that I read these books. I kept putting it off because I didn't think I would be interested in historical fiction. She told me that it involved a woman that travels back in time to the 18th century. Now, I love sci-fi, FUTURISTIC, time travel stuff, but this just sounded a little hokey to me. I was in between books and decided to give it a try. I had a hard time for the first four chapters or so. I kept falling asleep or feeling frustrated by all the words that I needed to look up (thank God for Kindle). After that I was hooked. As soon as I was done with Outlander, I read it again immediately. Then, I devoured each book in rapid succession. After the main books I continued on to the Lord John series. I read every second I could and often stayed up all hours of the night. I read EVERYTHING in 3-1/2 months and went through withdrawals when I was done. I started re-reading the main books again in October (at a more leisurely pace) in preparation for MOBY. I am so spoiled that I never had to wait for the next book until now. I'm so excited, I think I might lose my mind. LOL

[Bonnie]

I really can't remember how I found the "Outlander" Series but I believe it wasn't long after the 1st book came out. I have always loved time travel stories and I love the stories that involve Claire and Jaime. The introduction or even "hint" of things of modern times interjected into Jaime's time fascinates me. I really love it. I've read all of the books plus the Lord John Grey stories. Anxiously awaiting the new book next month.

[Stacy]

I was in High School when the first book came out. I read a lot of Bertrice Small novels just cause I really enjoyed her knowledge of history. I somehow found Diana's book and thought it sounded interesting. Absolutely loved it! It's been a while since I have read the novels and I really need to pick them up again....

[Josephine "Dau"]

I read Voyager and was hooked. Only by mentioning it a friend did I learn it was not the first. After that I was truly hooked!

[Diane]

Voyager was my favorite after Outlander but I can't imagine liking it near as much if I had not started with Outlander. When you went back and read the series did you reread Voyager again before moving on?

[MJ]

I heard about the 'woman crossing time and crossing back, having two husbands, one a commander in the past who she was pregnant to and didn't want to leave... must read this book so good', - god, I just did the count and it must be close to 15 years ago! And a quick check shows Cross-stitch (European name) was released in 1991.

Anyway, I loved the sound of it, but the name - not put me off, but didn't inspire me to run out and find a copy. I ended up reading it only around 2006... and couldn't tell you how many times I've reread the series since. I've refused to read it for the last year so I can go thru it all again when the next it released...

And how many people I've converted... Wow, let's just say there are many!

[Janice]

My sister introduced me to Outlander when I was 18 and I turn 40 tomorrow! It has been a LONG wait between books and I've read the entire series a couple times. I think I have introduced so many friends to the series because I love it so much.

[Denise]

How did I find Outlander?

I was getting ready to deploy for my last time in the Navy in 1993 and knew I needed a good book for the travel and occasional down time in the flight and maintenance schedule. I saw the book at the NEX and was first drawn to the cover. When I read the back I was completely intrigued by the story and it was long enough (I prefer long epic drama type books & movies...) and thought it would be perfect. It was more than perfect! I fell in love with the characters and was heartbroken when it ended, their story made me cry. I was hooked and told every one I knew about it. I can proudly say I am responsible for many members of my family getting to know Claire, Jamie, and Frank.

[Zaryna]

One of my favourite authors had reviewed it on Goodreads saying it was one of the biggest books shes ever read but was one of the best! So I decided I wanted to challenge myself and see how big of a book I could read! Loved it and I bought the rest of the series straight away. Ive just been to the shops today and bought Written in my own Heart's Blood! So excited to read this and completly ecstatic about the upcoming Tv Show!! Reading this series showed me how much I love Historial fiction novels so ive bought heaps of them now!

[Kathy]

Discovered the Outlander series last year before my first surgery to remove a cancerous lesion off my face (side of nose by right eye), ended up having five surgeries in less than three months (plastics to reconfigure my face with skin grafts from my forehead). Then, off to radiation therapy for 33 treatments, where I spent the duration away from my hubby; he took care of our horses at home. The books were a real blessing, being able to immerse myself into Diana's wonderfully descriptive journey of Claire and Jamie kept me grounded and my mind off the affects of the radiation. So glad to find the Audible version of her books when my right eye was unusable and reading was impossible... kept right on going with the books. So, you see the Outlander series made a difficult time in my life very positive... because my journey was a piece of cake compared to Claire's journey through the stones! lol

[Linda]

Kathy wrote: "Discovered the Outlander series last year before my first surgery to remove a cancerous lesion off my face (side of nose by right eye), ended up having five surgeries in less than three months (pla..."

Hi Kathy, that is wonderful that this series helped you through a difficult time. I just has suegery myself and i'm re-reading the series. It takes my mind off discomfort part plus i have series to look forward to.

[Kathy]

Hi Linda, glad you're using the Outlander series as you recover from your surgery. Diana's special way of storytelling helps make the time pass with each turn of the page. I'm about to start reading The Scottish Prisoner... getting anxious to view the TV series, so I must keep my focus! lol Blessings sent your way for a speedy and pain-free recovery. Seeing my surgeon Aug. 14th to plan further surgery to rebuild the tearduct for my right eye and some other little nips and tucks to make my face more symmetrical. It all takes time and patient healing! Prayers for you, friend!

[Joann]

I was asking for book recommendations coming up to the birth of my daughter. The long nursing sessions usually allow me time to get through a few novels. A friend suggested, but it was not available through the library, so I put it on hold along with Gaiman's American Gods.
After a month and a half, it finally came in. I devoured it, and decided I could not wait for the library copy of Dragonfly in Amber to come in. In a month, I have burned through the first three books. So good!!!

[Diane]

I was introduced to the Outlander series shortly after An Echo in The Bone came out by a customer. I have since wanted to find her, hug her and then beat her over the head with a stick. These are by far my favorite book series... BUT That biatch never bothered to tell me that it takes an average of four (five) years for each book to come out!! Of course, I barreled through the books in a matter of weeks... and, gasping for breath, went online to look for the next release date. That is just cruel and unusual punishment!!! For the record, I am always courteous when recommending these books and let people know that it takes YEARS for these to come out.

[Brizo]

Actually I was reading a book by Deborah Harkness and I checked out her site here on Goodreads and saw she was reading Outlander and liked it. As I really liked her books and the Book of Life wasn't out yet, I thought I'd try reading Outlander.. All I could say was thanks Deborah, wonderful series of books completely captivated by the story line and great details Diana Gabaldon has put into the books. What a fabulous imagination!

[Gwennie, biblioholic]

Diane wrote: "I was introduced to the Outlander series shortly after An Echo in The Bone came out by a customer. I have since wanted to find her, hug her and then beat her over the head with a stick. These are..."

I started reading these just after Drums of Autumn came out, I have forcibly lived through that punishment over and over and over again, hahaha.

[Pam]

I wish I could remember how I came to be an Outlander fanatic. I have only had to wait for Echo and MOBY to be published, as all the rest were available to me when I came to the Outlander world. But once I found DG, I was hooked. After so much drivel out there, it was such a relief to read quality writing! It feels like I have been a fan of her writing forever.

[Dawn]

I seem to be the late comer to the party. I have only had to wait for Written in My Own Hearts Blood. People in one of my groups kept talking about the books, so I gave Outlander a shot and was hooked immediately. That was just this year, and I thought I would be in a rush to get through them before the release of MOBY...but since I listened to the. Like a fiend...I had time for a re-read of Outlander lol.

[Teresita]

I remember how I came about finding out about the Outlander book series and glad I didn't pay attention to some of the bad reviews I read. Around 2009 or 2010 I searched on Google for best romance books/novels and Outlander was on top of the list. So I read the summary and since I had the romance book A Knight in Shining Armor by Jude Deveraux and fell in love with it and time travel romance I just had to check out Outlander. And so glad I did because out of so many books I have read this one is now one of my favorite books that I have picked up and read again and again. I am so happy they finally made a tv series out of it and with the actors that were chosen to play the roles. Especially the actor who plays Jamie's part. He is as close to how I pictured Jamie in my mind as they could find. Anyway I bought the whole book series and I love all the books.

[Kate]

I read Outlander around 10 years ago. I picked it up at a book-trade somewhere while sailing around the Pacific. I forgot about it till i kept seeing it on Best Seller lists and Must Read lists and so i read it again. WOW. I am on the second book now and i am a bit obsessed. I think they are amazing books. AND HUGE books...like George R Martin and Tolstoy huge. Very cool.

[Ness]

I found outlander in Munich 10 years ago as I was wandering through the booksstoe. I liked the name in german and the synopsys..started it right aaway and couldn't stop..It was during my finals..I woke up at 5 during a week so I could get 2 hours reading before starting the day:) and any break, lunch and freetime were spent with Jamie and Claire, very fond memories:)

[Marietta]

A neighbor gave me Outlander and when I finished it went knocking on her door for the next one. I got to read the first 6 in one month! No I had to wait for Breath of Snow and Ashes whichever one that was. xo

[Pauleta]

I picked up Outlander in a small bookstore in Dayton Ohio more than 22 years ago. I had just learned that my mother had pancreatic cancer. I need an escape. I gratefully latched on to the book it was just what I needed. Everytim time I hear "Claire hair" I think of my mother. She had some serious curls. The series gave me a place to escape.

[Kathy Anne]

I was on this board several years ago and then left the country to go to school-I missed it.And glad to be back.

[Cindy]

My daughter bought the first 2 books when we got our kindles in 2008. She kept telling me how good they were but I was under the impression that is was just an historical romance, and I just wasn't interested. Then when the series was about to start, she started in on me again to read them and watch the series. Just to shut her up, I agreed to watch a couple of episodes to see if I liked it. Well, the rest is history. Since August 7, I've read the first 3 books, and I'm 18% into the 4th book; and I've watched the first 2 episodes of the series 3 times (so far). I am in love with Jamie!!!

[Mary Anne]

I was just thinking about this. One day I was meandering through Borders Bookstore, on the hunt for a nice, big, thick book. That's when Outlander jumped off the shelf and into my hands. Knew nothing about it, but boy moh boy was that somebody telling me something or what?!!

[Jana]

In College I worked at B Dalton Booksellers which was s perfect job for me. at this time when I didn't have a ton of homework I would read 3-4 novels a week. I went through them like water...... Working in the bookstore was Perfect job for me. When I graduate they offered me a position as a manager when I gave my notice. I had gotten my degree in Interior Design and I turned down the offered as I thought I should give try at wiring in the field that I had gotten my degree in. (Should of taken the job at the bookstore) I continued shipping at B Dalton and they knew my reading habits...... I love romance novels, historical fiction and the longer and bigger the book the better because it would take me a little longer to read. When Outlander came out the manager, Belinda told me about it as soon add it came in. There was a new book out that was really, really good and it was huge in comparison to most novels at the time. I took it home and couldn't put it down. I've been recommending it every since to anyone who would listen. If I find s used chippy at a garage sale, used bookstore, Goodwill, whenever I pick then up and will give it to friends that are interested as I want to share this incredible series and they won't forget about it if they have it.

[[deleted user]]

A couple of years ago, my best friend loaned me a copy of Outlander, book 1. I loved it. I am enjoying the TV adaptation now.

[Zoe]

Quite a few months ago, while looking for a new show to watch, I came across STARZ Outlander and I thought, "I am soo watching this! It has time-travel, it seems to be historical-fiction with a romantic twist, and its set in Scotland (I love kilts)."

It wasn't until I watched the first episode and watching the interviews that I realized that it was based on a book series. I thought, "Well I liked the first episode so I know that I am going to like the book." So I started reading right away, and fell completely in love!!! It was so hard to put down. Reading anytime I could and sleeping late nights. I finished reading Outlander in less than a week, after watching Episode 2. I am sooooo hooked!!!

[Diana]

Over 10 years ago now, I was garage sale-ing with my mother and i can't remember where. I found a box under a table with some books and I saw Outlander at the bottom that was old, yellowed and musty with that smell of old books and it had a ratty cover half ripped off with a picture of tartan and a ship(i believe) on the cover. I liked the cover because at the time I was obsessed with the Scotland Rugby team and therefore obsessed with anything Scottish... haven't looked back since! :D

[Ellen]

Zoe has me pegged: show first, book now, and I"m hooked. Very involved with the characters and the world that has been so very well crafted.

[Angie]

I saw the previews on Starz. I was on the waiting list for the ebook at my local library for 3 months. I got the book 1 day before the TV show aired. And I was hooked. I bought the first 3 books on Amazon for my IPad. I'm a huge fan :-)

[Ellen]

finished the first book, and I really want to wait until Season One of the series is over before I tackle #2. I'll need physical books, because they're too steeped in detail not to have on a shelf as quick reference. Very invested, listening to Ron Moore's podcast with the costume designer, and watching every Youtube interview I can find. The book was so rich I'll have to read it several times this year. Trying not to get too far ahead in the storyline so I can stay focused on the immediate interpretation of the actors in the series. Am now officially outlandish.

[Mollie]

I found this series through a cloth diapering forum. We talked about all things beyond diapering and then at some point, we began a reading group.