Outlander by Diana Gabaldon

Finished: July 2018

Holy cow. Over the summer, after the huge hiatus that was my stressful senior year of high school (☹️), I was finally able to sit down and do some serious reading. I read this 850 page book in about a week- that's quicker than pretty much anything I've read in years. When I wasn't reading it, I found myself thinking about it, and wanting to be once again absorbed into its pages and its world. It's honestly a wild story from beginning to end- emotional, vividly descriptive, and with a setting that was completely new to me. Set mainly in the 17th century Scottish highlands, this novel has guts and intrigue like no other I've read. Claire Randall, a WWII nurse finally enjoying a honeymoon with her husband, is thrown back in time and meets Jamie Fraser, a Scotsman who really tests her fidelity. This book is a must-read, especially if you're a romantic like me. The main characters, Claire and Jamie, are so intelligent, witty, charismatic, and emotional, and half the time I couldn't contain myself. Sometimes (most of the time) I get wayyy to attached to books, but this one rightfully had me. I recently started the show, but I really don't think it captures all that the book has to offer, so if you like the show, the book will be a homerun. Just read this book- it was everything I never knew I wanted or needed. So many fantasy books are geared towards kids and teens so when I started this book, I was sooo glad I found something from the genre I've been reading for years but meant for adults. My favorite thing from this book was probably Gabaldon's awesomely vivid descriptions and hilariously witty comebacks. Also, she manages to incorporate something that people struggle with constantly- making decisions. Her ability to write about love, loss, and people's day-to day struggles continues to astound me even now, almost six months after I finished the book. This one's definitely a must-read.