That Diana Gabaldon

For my fellow Gabaldon lovers: A new Outlander book in 2009, along with a movie in the making, and a graphic novel. Dear God, I just want this year to go by fast. Also, lots of snippets of things that might or might not happen in the next book (which won't be the last) and even two excerpts from the book. Haven't decided if I want to torture myself with those just yet. Also included is the graphic novel illustrator's preliminary drawing of Claire. V. strange. All discussed on the Gabaldon site here.

That Diana Gabaldon is one busy woman.

Disclaimer

After receiving an email from a male friend, asking if he should really read the Outlander series, I feel it is my duty to explain more fully about the genre of the book: Outlander has tons of fans in the romance category.

I am not one to sit around reading romance novels, so I didn't mention this. I guess I didn't want anyone to think I was a romance reader. That being said, the reasons that I like the book have little to do with romance (although I would admittedly leave my husband for him if the hero showed up at my doorstep) and everything to do with genre-bending characters, strong females, adventure, what it might be like to live in the past, and a touch of time travel and witchcraft, mixed in with a healthy dose of biology and horticulture.

I don't read them because of the love story, but all of these other things I mention do add up to make this one of my favorite love stories (with apologies to Mr. Darcy.)

So, male-friend-who-shall-remain-nameless, I think since you went ahead and bought the book, you should go out on a limb and read the damn thing. If for no other reason than that you can share a discussion over a bottle of wine with your girl, and she (and I) will be highly impressed with the level of security you feel in your manhood.

My friend Mike, at the urging of his wife, did so. He liked it and ended up reading more of the series.