Comments on: Authors In The News http://helenkaydimon.com/blog/2007/11/authors-in-the-news/ SEXY, SASSY, SMART ROMANTIC FICTION Wed, 07 Jan 2009 21:50:19 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.5.1 By: Nicole Hulst http://helenkaydimon.com/blog/2007/11/authors-in-the-news/#comment-19384 Nicole Hulst Fri, 30 Nov 2007 05:09:35 +0000 http://helenkaydimon.com/blog/2007/11/authors-in-the-news/#comment-19384 I tried reading Outlander once and couldn't stand it. So never tried it again. I just really didn't like the writing. But ooph, it's amazing how people can be so rabid about it. I tried reading Outlander once and couldn’t stand it. So never tried it again. I just really didn’t like the writing.

But ooph, it’s amazing how people can be so rabid about it.

]]> By: HelenKay Dimon » Blog Archive » Fans Gone Wild http://helenkaydimon.com/blog/2007/11/authors-in-the-news/#comment-19256 HelenKay Dimon » Blog Archive » Fans Gone Wild Wed, 28 Nov 2007 17:25:58 +0000 http://helenkaydimon.com/blog/2007/11/authors-in-the-news/#comment-19256 [...] Two days ago I posted a small portion of the review Entertainment Weekly did on Diana Gabaldon’s newest book. Let me say that again so there’s no confusion: the review someone else - not me - wrote on Gabaldon’s new book. You can read my blog entry here. The only change from the original post is the UPDATE part at the beginning. [...] [...] Two days ago I posted a small portion of the review Entertainment Weekly did on Diana Gabaldon’s newest book. Let me say that again so there’s no confusion: the review someone else - not me - wrote on Gabaldon’s new book. You can read my blog entry here. The only change from the original post is the UPDATE part at the beginning. [...]

]]> By: Jill http://helenkaydimon.com/blog/2007/11/authors-in-the-news/#comment-19225 Jill Wed, 28 Nov 2007 00:06:07 +0000 http://helenkaydimon.com/blog/2007/11/authors-in-the-news/#comment-19225 I love her books and I personally wouldn't consider them "bodice-rippers". Yes, she has aspects of romance, which are quite tame when you consider romances, but also infuses fantasy, mystery, and adventure into each story she tells. Sure it is a little tough to believe that this family experiences all these things but the mere fact that this family seems to set out to influence the history going on around would make it obvious why all this adventure happens to them. I have read all Gabaldon's books (both Outlander Series and Lord John Series, I prefer Outlander Series) and haven't found anyone who writes nearly as well. I love her books and I personally wouldn’t consider them “bodice-rippers”. Yes, she has aspects of romance, which are quite tame when you consider romances, but also infuses fantasy, mystery, and adventure into each story she tells.

Sure it is a little tough to believe that this family experiences all these things but the mere fact that this family seems to set out to influence the history going on around would make it obvious why all this adventure happens to them.

I have read all Gabaldon’s books (both Outlander Series and Lord John Series, I prefer Outlander Series) and haven’t found anyone who writes nearly as well.

]]> By: Dana http://helenkaydimon.com/blog/2007/11/authors-in-the-news/#comment-19205 Dana Tue, 27 Nov 2007 07:16:43 +0000 http://helenkaydimon.com/blog/2007/11/authors-in-the-news/#comment-19205 Helenkay-I felt much like you did about Gabaldon's books. My Mom, of all people, told me I should read Outlander. She was sure I would love it, but the time travel, historical fiction just didn't sound very appealing to me. I bought a used copy of Outlander at a library book sale in Aug. 2004, and didn't even crack open the book until November. By the second week of January I had read all 5 of the books she had published at that time. And then I re-read them. I have never read a series that I enjoyed so much, let alone wanted to re-read. You should probably wait until Christmas time to read them, because if you are anything like me, you won't be able to put them down. Helenkay-I felt much like you did about Gabaldon’s books. My Mom, of all people, told me I should read Outlander. She was sure I would love it, but the time travel, historical fiction just didn’t sound very appealing to me. I bought a used copy of Outlander at a library book sale in Aug. 2004, and didn’t even crack open the book until November. By the second week of January I had read all 5 of the books she had published at that time. And then I re-read them. I have never read a series that I enjoyed so much, let alone wanted to re-read. You should probably wait until Christmas time to read them, because if you are anything like me, you won’t be able to put them down.

]]> By: HelenKay http://helenkaydimon.com/blog/2007/11/authors-in-the-news/#comment-19202 HelenKay Tue, 27 Nov 2007 02:57:35 +0000 http://helenkaydimon.com/blog/2007/11/authors-in-the-news/#comment-19202 Sandy - What to call Gabaldon's work in terms of genre has always been a question. When I heard Gabaldon speak, she described her writing as a bit of everything. The EW review called in something like, romance/historical/time travel/fantasy. Could be that Gabaldon's writing transcends genre description in that she does not really write to any type. I admire that about her. She writes what she wants to write and not to what the market dictates she write. Deniz - I wouldn't review a book I had not read so don't worry about that. I didn't actually review the Gabaldon book here. The blurb on my blog is reprinted from the EW review. I was sharing it for those who did not see the review in EW. That's all. On reviews in general: EW wouldn't actually be my first stop for literary reviews, but I do admire the fact EW reviews popular fiction and some titles that don't get reviewed elsewhere. I actually like chick lit, so my reluctance to read Gabaldon isn't about that. And, really, I never thought of Gabaldon as chick lit, but I could be wrong. I think I haven't read Gabaldon because, after many looks, I just can't get interested in either the time travel or historical aspects of the books. You, Robin, Darlene and Kilian and many others love Gabaldon's work. One of these days I will try OUTLANDER to see for myself. I'm working up some interest. Maybe post-deadline and around Christmas... Sandy - What to call Gabaldon’s work in terms of genre has always been a question. When I heard Gabaldon speak, she described her writing as a bit of everything. The EW review called in something like, romance/historical/time travel/fantasy. Could be that Gabaldon’s writing transcends genre description in that she does not really write to any type. I admire that about her. She writes what she wants to write and not to what the market dictates she write.

Deniz - I wouldn’t review a book I had not read so don’t worry about that. I didn’t actually review the Gabaldon book here. The blurb on my blog is reprinted from the EW review. I was sharing it for those who did not see the review in EW. That’s all. On reviews in general: EW wouldn’t actually be my first stop for literary reviews, but I do admire the fact EW reviews popular fiction and some titles that don’t get reviewed elsewhere.

I actually like chick lit, so my reluctance to read Gabaldon isn’t about that. And, really, I never thought of Gabaldon as chick lit, but I could be wrong. I think I haven’t read Gabaldon because, after many looks, I just can’t get interested in either the time travel or historical aspects of the books. You, Robin, Darlene and Kilian and many others love Gabaldon’s work. One of these days I will try OUTLANDER to see for myself. I’m working up some interest. Maybe post-deadline and around Christmas…

]]> By: Ivka http://helenkaydimon.com/blog/2007/11/authors-in-the-news/#comment-19200 Ivka Tue, 27 Nov 2007 02:36:54 +0000 http://helenkaydimon.com/blog/2007/11/authors-in-the-news/#comment-19200 I have never read her books. I have never read her books.

]]> By: deniz http://helenkaydimon.com/blog/2007/11/authors-in-the-news/#comment-19198 deniz Tue, 27 Nov 2007 02:19:08 +0000 http://helenkaydimon.com/blog/2007/11/authors-in-the-news/#comment-19198 Hiya! I'm not sure how far I'd trust Entertainment Weekly for a literary review - it's a far cry from Publisher's Weekly, isn't it? I'm just wondering, what's kept you from reading her books for yourself? I'm not sure why you'd review something you haven't read yet... My friend lent me Outlander last summer, and at first I was reluctant to read it, thinking it was just "the usual chick lit". But the fact that it was set in Scotland got me started reading it (since I'm a suck for anything from the British Isles) and after that I was bowled over by her writing, the depth of the characters, and all the well-researched historical, medical, nautical, etc. details. Not to mention all the funny bits! Hiya! I’m not sure how far I’d trust Entertainment Weekly for a literary review - it’s a far cry from Publisher’s Weekly, isn’t it? I’m just wondering, what’s kept you from reading her books for yourself? I’m not sure why you’d review something you haven’t read yet… My friend lent me Outlander last summer, and at first I was reluctant to read it, thinking it was just “the usual chick lit”. But the fact that it was set in Scotland got me started reading it (since I’m a suck for anything from the British Isles) and after that I was bowled over by her writing, the depth of the characters, and all the well-researched historical, medical, nautical, etc. details. Not to mention all the funny bits!

]]> By: Darlene Ryan http://helenkaydimon.com/blog/2007/11/authors-in-the-news/#comment-19184 Darlene Ryan Mon, 26 Nov 2007 17:11:34 +0000 http://helenkaydimon.com/blog/2007/11/authors-in-the-news/#comment-19184 I've read several of her books and enjoyed them all. I agree with Kilian, these are not typical romance novels and that's part of the attraction for me. I’ve read several of her books and enjoyed them all. I agree with Kilian, these are not typical romance novels and that’s part of the attraction for me.

]]> By: Kilian Metcalf http://helenkaydimon.com/blog/2007/11/authors-in-the-news/#comment-19183 Kilian Metcalf Mon, 26 Nov 2007 15:37:56 +0000 http://helenkaydimon.com/blog/2007/11/authors-in-the-news/#comment-19183 I think of her books as the "intelligent woman's bodice rippers." I used to think that the adventures were too much until I read a short summary of the life of John Smith, governor of the Jamestown Colony in Virginia. If someone wrote his life as a novel, a reviewer would call it farfetched and unbelievable. As far the the romance label, the books are certainly different from any typical romance I have read. The lovers are age 55 and 60 at the end of the latest book. Gabaldon herself has said that her goal was not to write a "happily ever after" book, but to explore the elements of a long-term married relationship. The first couple of books are the setting for the essence of the story which is beginning to bloom as the characters age. I think of her books as the “intelligent woman’s bodice rippers.” I used to think that the adventures were too much until I read a short summary of the life of John Smith, governor of the Jamestown Colony in Virginia. If someone wrote his life as a novel, a reviewer would call it farfetched and unbelievable.

As far the the romance label, the books are certainly different from any typical romance I have read. The lovers are age 55 and 60 at the end of the latest book. Gabaldon herself has said that her goal was not to write a “happily ever after” book, but to explore the elements of a long-term married relationship. The first couple of books are the setting for the essence of the story which is beginning to bloom as the characters age.

]]> By: Robin Snodgrass http://helenkaydimon.com/blog/2007/11/authors-in-the-news/#comment-19162 Robin Snodgrass Sun, 25 Nov 2007 23:00:39 +0000 http://helenkaydimon.com/blog/2007/11/authors-in-the-news/#comment-19162 I have always been a reader. That said, there was a time where I didn't read much - too many things going on, work, family, etc. Then, a friend recommended OUTLANDER by Diana Gabaldon to me. I thought - "oh my gosh, I'll never finish this huge book" but I bought it anyway. I was hooked. I read the first 4 books in 3 weeks. After that, I couldn't get enough to read. I have every one of Gabaldon's books, although I'll admit I don't like the last couple of the Outlander series as much as the first ones. I enjoy Lord John's books but they still aren't the same as the first ones in the series. Since that time, I've read hundreds upon hundreds of books (some weeks I was reading AT LEAST 1 book a day), but I still credit OUTLANDER with my renewed love of reading. I have always been a reader. That said, there was a time where I didn’t read much - too many things going on, work, family, etc. Then, a friend recommended OUTLANDER by Diana Gabaldon to me. I thought - “oh my gosh, I’ll never finish this huge book” but I bought it anyway. I was hooked. I read the first 4 books in 3 weeks. After that, I couldn’t get enough to read. I have every one of Gabaldon’s books, although I’ll admit I don’t like the last couple of the Outlander series as much as the first ones. I enjoy Lord John’s books but they still aren’t the same as the first ones in the series.

Since that time, I’ve read hundreds upon hundreds of books (some weeks I was reading AT LEAST 1 book a day), but I still credit OUTLANDER with my renewed love of reading.

]]>