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The Importance of Books and Reading

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A Love of Books and Reading

Books have been around for centuries but for much of that time they were not available to the common person. Only the upper classes or monks and scholars were able to read. Books were very expensive and had to be copied by hand. It was not until the invention of the printing press that books and especially the Bible, became cheaper and more widely available. In this day and age reading instruction is available to virtually everyone. We have only to take advantage of it. The importance of books and reading cannot be underestimated.

Reading is fun!

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I have always loved to read. I loved to spend time at the library browsing books and I loved it when the bookmobile would come around in the summer.
Books are not only a way of passing time but of immersing yourself in a story. Getting to know characters and guessing about the plot are part of the experience. Reading can transport you to different countries and cultures, or it can take you on a great adventure. When I was growing up in the 50s and 60s we didn't have so many distractions. There was no internet and no video games. There wasn't much TV either so I think maybe more people in that generation were readers. Books and reading have been a part of my life ever since I learned to read.

The Outlander Series, by Diana Gabaldon

A Series that I Love

I heard about the Outlander series from some online friends who loved it and kept recommending it. I resisted reading it for quite a while because it didn't sound like something I would like. One day I happened to run across it at the library and I thought, "Well, why not see what all the fuss is about?" I took Outlander home and within a few pages I was hooked! In a few days I was back at the library looking for the next one. I hardly ever read a book more than once but I am on my third time through the Outlander series. There is a new one coming out in September, 2009 and I want to have the series fresh in my mind before I read the new one.

Outlander (Hardcover)

First in the Outlander Series

1,155 Amazon.com customers gave this book 5 stars.

Outlander

by: Diana Gabaldon

Amazon Price: $14.95 (as of 02/13/2012)

Do not be put off by the 850 pages in this book. You will lose your heart to it and the pages will fly by.

Dragonfly in Amber (Paperback)

Second in the Outlander Series

208 Amazon customers gave this book 5 stars.

Dragonfly in Amber (Outlander, Book 2)

by: Diana Gabaldon

Amazon Price: $7.99 (as of 02/13/2012)

Even men have been known to get drawn in by this book series. It's just that good.

Book Bag

I Need More Books!

From the designer, "Books - I Need More Books! Fun book lover slogan comes on handy canvas tote bag that's just right for your next trip to the local bookstore or library."

Cute I Need More Books by booklovergifts
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Voyager (Hardcover)

Third in the Outlander Series

134 Amazon Customers gave this book 5 stars.

Voyager

by: Diana Gabaldon

Amazon Price: $13.45 (as of 02/13/2012)

This is not the kind of book I typically read but so many of my friends were raving about it that when I saw Outlander in the library I picked it up. I was captivated and hardly stopped until I had finished the book. Then I hunted down the other books!

Drums of Autumn (Hardcover)

Fourth in the Outlander Series

201 Amazon customers have given this book 5 stars.

Drums of Autumn (Outlander)

by: Diana Gabaldon

Amazon Price: $6.90 (as of 02/13/2012)

It's best to start at the beginning with Outlander and read the books order as they build on each other. Don't be afraid of the length of the books. When you finish them you will wish they were longer.

The Fiery Cross ( Paperback)

Fifth in the Outlander Series

189 Amazon customers gave this book 5 stars.

The Fiery Cross (Outlander)

by: Diana Gabaldon

Amazon Price: $5.33 (as of 02/13/2012)

Every time a new book comes out in this series I start at the beginning and read them over again. Then the stage is set for the new story!

Peace Love Books!

Nice Looking Book Bag

From the designer: "Cute pink and brown peace symbol, heart and stack of books with the titles Jane Eyre and War and Peace. A canvas tote makes the perfect book bag for a book lover. A great gift for an avid reader, author, writer, novelist, English teacher or anyone who enjoys a good book."

Peace Love Books Canvas Tote Bag by HobbyTeesGifts
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A Breath of Snow and Ashes (Hardcover)

Sixth in the Outlander Series

209 Amazon customers gave this book 5 stars.

A Breath of Snow and Ashes (Outlander)

by: Diana Gabaldon

Amazon Price: $12.05 (as of 02/13/2012)

This author is an amazing writer! She can tell a story and have many subplots going on and winding through all the books. The time travel aspect is something I didn't expect to like but it's an integral part of the story.

An Echo in the Bone: A Novel (Hardcover)

Seventh in the Outlander Series

Echo in the Bone has been out since September of 2009. Some readers were disappointed with the book saying that it left too many cliff hangers at the end and the story was somewhat boring. Despite this fact it still has 163 five star reviews, 106 four star reviews and Diana Gabaldon still has loyal fans. If you can't get enough of Jamie and Claire you won't want to miss Echo.

An Echo in the Bone: A Novel (Outlander)

by: Diana Gabaldon

Amazon Price: $3.00 (as of 02/13/2012)

After waiting for a long time for this book I was not disappointed. I was actually happy with the cliff hangers at the end because I knew that meant there would be another book! I will be so sad when this series ends.

The Outlandish Companion (Hardcover)

For keeping everything straight

110 Amazon customers have given this book 5 stars.

The Outlandish Companion

by: Diana Gabaldon

Amazon Price: $17.81 (as of 02/13/2012)

The Outlandish Companion is a great gift for Outlander fans. The story is so huge and has so many characters that it is sometimes hard to keep them straight. This book will help.

Beautiful Bookplates

Gifts for Readers

If you like to loan out your books, bookplates like this are a great idea. They help to ensure that your books will come home to you. These are great gifts for a reader, or maybe a teacher. Anyone who loans out their books will appreciate bookplates. Customize these bookplates with your name. Click on any of the images to order.

Cherry Berry Cupcake Bookplates Labels label

What is your favorite book in the Outlander Series?

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Kindle Wireless Reading Device

6" Display, Global Wireless, Latest Generation

Kindle Wireless Reading Device

The Kindle has many, many satisfied customers. A lot of the reviews go something like this:

"I've never written a review before but I love my Kindle so much that I had to sing its' praises! I spend a lot of time waiting around at practices, lessons etc. for my son so I thought that the Kindle would be a great way to make the experience more enjoyable. I LOVE MY NEW KINDLE!!! I charge the battery every few days and have never had a problem with it. It fits in my hand so comfortably and the font on the screen really makes it feel like you are reading from a book...(snip)...

The Kindle is the perfect answer to my wasted time dilemma; you don't realize how much time is wasted until you can just whip out your Kindle and start reading. I'll read it while I'm getting gas for my car, standing in the grocery line or sitting at karate practice. I've been too busy to read for pleasure the last few years which made me sad. The Kindle has given me back something that I really enjoy, reading for pleasure...(snip)...

You would think that I work for Amazon I'm so happy with this thing!! Bite the bullet and spend the money; you'll be thrilled that you did!! I can't wait to fly to Vegas next month; I won't have to lug a bunch of books on vacation with me! ~Deborah K. Lynch "tiedyedeb"

Kindle

Wireless Reading Device

Diana Gabaldon is mentioned in the Blogs

Books and Reading

WEEKENDER: Library Bylines – The Scottish Prisoner and other books: By Contributed - Grand Forks Gazette Diana Gabaldon wrote her first novel to learn how to write a novel but clearly she didn't need the practice. The remarkable success of that book, Outlander, the six others in the series and the spinoff Lord John ...
Book review: “The Scottish Prisoner” by Diana Gabaldon: By Betty Lytle Comments In England, circa 1760, Fraser, a former Scottish Jacobite officer, is paroled as a prisoner of war on an estate in the Lake District. He dreams of his wife, who was lost to him and who he hopes is still alive.
Mercer Island Library's February Book List: Books That are Loved: Outlander by Diana Gabaldon. If you're looking for an epic historical fiction read with a side of romance, look no further than this series by Diana Gabaldon. Claire Randall is on a second honeymoon with her husband in post-war Scotland in 1945.
How much can you believe?: 7 (5) 10 wks The Scottish Prisoner Diana Gabaldon This novel features Outlander hero Jamie Fraser in the latest book in the Lord John series. 8 (7) 13 wks 11/22/63: A Novel Stephen King A piece of historical fiction by the American horror master, ...

Read to Your Children

It is important to read to your kids

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When I had children I made it a point to read to them. We would go to the library and come home with a stack of books. I remember sitting in the recliner reading to my young son. I would fall asleep and the book would slip down. My son would push the book back up and say, "You can read Mommy! You can read!" I read to my 3 sons until they became teens and got busy with their own lives and it was hard to get them all in the same room at the same time. I may not read aloud to them any more but they have taken the ball and run with it. They all read well and love to read.

Links about Diana Gabaldon or the Outlander Series

Diana Gabaldon's Home Page: The adventure began in 1991 with the classic Outlander ("historical fiction with a Moebius twist"), continued through five more New York Times-bestselling novels--Dragonfly in Amber, Voyager, Drums of Autumn, The Fiery Cross, and A Breath of Snow and Ashes--and a nonfiction (well, relatively) companion volume, The Outlandish Companion, which provides copious details on the settings, background, characters, research, and writing of the novels.
The Ladies of Lallybroch: What is the purpose of Ladies of Lallybroch tm?
In 1996 I found the Outlander series. Not long after that I found a romance site on the Internet and thought it would be a great place to discuss my love of Diana Gabaldon's books, my love of Jamie, and of Claire - and all things Outlandish.
WRONG!
It seemed some people were jealous of DG and could not let me and other DG book lovers have fun discussing Jamie and the books. All they wanted to do was be negative about the books and DG - we had our Outlander-related messages deleted - it was not fun.
So in July of 1997 seven of us in a totally hosed way (see hoser references) declared our pledge of undying love for one James Alexander Malcolm Mackenzie Fraser and the Ladies of Lallybroch tm was born. I vowed to set up my own web site where LOVERS of the books and Jamie and Claire et al could come - a haven for us where we would not be bothered by naysayers.
You are now here!
If you feel as we do, make yourself at home, participate in the boards, have fun discussing these wonderful books.
Special thanks to Lady Lorri for giving us our name.

Judie
Book Reporter.com chat with Diana Gabaldon: Diana Gabaldon is the author of five previous Outlander novels --- OUTLANDER, DRAGONFLY IN AMBER, VOYAGER, DRUMS OF AUTUMN, and THE FIERY CROSS --- as well as LORD JOHN AND THE PRIVATE MATTER and one work of nonfiction, THE OUTLANDISH COMPANION. She lives in Scottsdale, Arizona.
Diana Jean Gabaldon on Wikipedia: Diana Jean Gabaldon Watkins (b. January 11, 1952 in Arizona) is an American author of Mexican-American and English ancestry. Diana Gabaldon is her maiden name, and the one she uses professionally. Gabaldon is the author of the best-selling Outlander Series. Her books are difficult to classify by genre, since they contain elements of romantic fiction, historical fiction, and science fiction (in the form of time travel). Her books have so far been sold in 23 countries, and translated into 19 languages.

Learn by Reading

Read to Learn

Good Housekeeping, November 1921
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If you can read you can learn anything. Once when my husband was job hunting I checked out a book about writing a resume and getting the interview. We did his resume according to the book and this got him an interview. I coached him from the book on how to answer the interview questions. After the interview he said the the interviewer must have read the same book as it went like a scripted event. He knew just what to say to every question. We sent the follow up Thank You note as the book advised. He was offered the job. Although he decided not to take that job we were both amazed at what we had learned from that book.