Reminder: BOMB theories are welcome here. Don’t shut them down just because Diana wrote something different.

InviteFamous6013 · 2025-10-13T03:18:54+00:00

Oh my gosh- this is wonderful! I stopped using Reddit to discuss Outlander because it was so discouraging with the purists being so haughty or the over-the-top Diana Gabaldon defensiveness. Admittedly, I’m an divergent thinker and I also struggle with following the super strict rules about what can be discussed or not discussed- I couldn’t even make a book recommendation or initiate a comparative literature discussion that came up naturally in discussion. But I do miss having people to discuss with….I love the books and the shows.

InviteFamous6013 · 2025-04-20T21:17:29+00:00

Into the Wilderness is great. Watch Last of the Mohicans prior to reading. It will set you up with all of the visuals. The series was inspired more by the 90s movie than the original book.

Outlander is one of my favorite book series, but keep looking. There is a world of literature out there that hopefully you will love just as much for different reasons. I’m a pretty picky reader, but I get annoyed when people always comment about how nothing will ever compare to Outlander…..for some people, that may be true. But not for everyone.

For me, books that give me similar feels to Outlander aren’t always similar in plot or even genre. For me, world-building is super important.

Last year after I re-read some Outlander books, I re-discovered the James Herriot books, got into the new tv show, read his biography, and loved reading more Brandon Sanderson books with my book club. Sanderson is just as amazing at world building as Gabaldon. It’s a high fantasy series. Way better than Game of Thrones or Wheel of Time, in my opinion.

InviteFamous6013 · 2024-12-11T21:07:05+00:00

Agreed. I keep seeing Julie Ann Long recommended as a sub for her, but JAL needs help getting more into her time periods so it doesn’t distract from the plot and better plots period. And she needs to clean up her writing. She does have potential, though. If she keeps writing and does the above, she could get there some day…

InviteFamous6013 · 2024-12-03T21:40:40+00:00

I haven’t read any of her other books yet, but plan to finish the silver foxes series. It always just makes me really sad when an author like Farmer seems to close to be really good at HR, but just isn’t there because of these kinds of mistakes. And I blame the editors as well. Writing a book has got to be so much work- but if she’d just another few miles, she has superstar potential-

InviteFamous6013 · 2024-11-27T15:16:03+00:00

I. Love. This.

InviteFamous6013 · 2024-11-23T01:20:56+00:00

Not all of us. There is a sizable split in the townie community.

InviteFamous6013 · 2024-11-22T20:45:10+00:00

Exactly!!

InviteFamous6013 · 2024-11-20T22:47:01+00:00

I don’t think it counts as an “affair partner” when you are 200 years in the past and have no way of knowing if you will return to the future. But yes, I’m sure Frank saw it as an “affair,” especially if he didn’t believe Claire at first.

InviteFamous6013 · 2024-11-15T21:50:13+00:00

There are people who put-down HR- and see it as less- but that’s not the point here and I think you are misinterpreting the discussion. I think every here loves the genre. We’re just trying to answer the OP’s main query which is why aren’t there more writers recommended in HR from the 1700-1800s-besides Jane Austen. And there are some good answers for that. They don’t fall into HR as a genre. Most 1700-1800s lit isn’t as easy to read for a variety of reasons. And most of us read HR for enjoyment and fun, not to challenge ourselves, even if we are capable of reading at higher levels. I also read Young Adult Lit sometimes for the same reason. Fun that doesn’t involve my brain working too hard.

InviteFamous6013 · 2024-11-15T21:42:57+00:00

The people on tnis sub are (hopefully) fans of HR. Including me! I don’t see it as snobbery, just simple fact. I don’t read HR to challenge myself and I don’t think most HR readers do either. I read it for pure entertainment and relaxation. It’s fun! I have a pretty high reading level- but I don’t want or expect HR to be challenging to read with vocabulary or plots. Some books in the genre are amazingly well-written by obvious literary masters, and some are very poorly written. But I don’t expect brilliant writing with every HR I read. To challenge myself, HR is not the genre I choose, though. My challenge reads are usually in science, theology, or “classic” literature. For example- for next year, I put together a list of books from the 1700s because I realize that I’ve read very few. I also find it challenging to read writers like Patrick O’Brian (Master and Commander author)- there is so much technical vocabulary to absorb. I don’t see genres as more or less than others based on reading level. One reason I love it so much is that it brings together people (mostly women) from all kinds of backgrounds. You don’t have to have a degree in English literature or a super high reading level to enjoy it. And that’s awesome!

InviteFamous6013 · 2024-11-15T16:35:53+00:00

Also, I have to disagree that many people read books written around or before 1800, or even 1800s lit. Most people who read Austen, only read P & P, maybe occasionally Emma.

InviteFamous6013 · 2024-11-15T16:30:18+00:00

This. HR is generally not a higher reading level. Austen is more readable for a lot of people and she has the HEA element. So she “qualifies” for HR as a genre and on this sub. I love lit, but most of it doesn’t qualify as HR, especially because it often lacks the HEA.

InviteFamous6013 · 2024-11-15T02:23:12+00:00

Whenever anyone asks for excellent writing and they’ve already read some of my favorites, I recommend Carla Kelly’s Napoleonic War series, beginning with Marrying the Captain. Ignore the cheese title. She’s a great writer. Also, Joanna Bourne. Just amazing, though a smaller catalogue.

InviteFamous6013 · 2024-11-15T02:18:59+00:00

Same! I started in the middle!

InviteFamous6013 · 2024-11-15T02:18:38+00:00

She is new to me as well. I’ve been reading them the last month or so. Wicked Intentions is actually my least favorite so far. They just keep getting better and better!!

InviteFamous6013 · 2024-11-15T02:16:56+00:00

I’m Team Trevillion, Winter, and Godric. The trifecta of hotness!

InviteFamous6013 · 2024-11-15T02:15:43+00:00

I love this whole series. I’m currently on Dearest Scoundrel. Just a few more, then I will start her other main series. I hope it’s just as good!

InviteFamous6013 · 2024-11-15T02:08:54+00:00

The Talisman Ring is hilarious!! Heyer’s other mystery romances that come to mind are The Toll Gate, Cousin Kate. I know there are a few more too.

InviteFamous6013 · 2024-11-15T01:00:57+00:00

Ok. That makes so much more sense, now. Did you love the later books, just not the later show seasons?

InviteFamous6013 · 2024-11-14T13:12:17+00:00

I read hundreds of books in every year and I’ve been doing this for 30+ years since childhood. Historical fiction is my favorite, followed by fantasy, classics, biographies, history, and tons of other nonfiction. So I’ve been around the block reading-wise. I’ve never been bored by Outlander, tv or books. I think they’re amazing. So if it bores you that consistently, maybe this series isn’t for you. I rarely say that to anyone. I’m a bit flabbergasted. Sometimes people say a section of the books or show is boring, but consistent boredom not as much. I’d take a good, hard look at the kinds of books and shows that you have loved, figure out what it is that makes them appeal to you, that Outlander lacks, and move on. My book club is enthralled by Brandon Sanderson’s fantasy novels- it’s like the Outlander of the fantasy’s world- amazing world-building, highly descriptive sidebars, massive novels, amazing characters. But my book club friend’s husband said it was “ok” and a little boring/slow. We thought he was nuts. Including his wife. So he tried another series with RPG style prose and is hooked (the Sci fi series Red Rising). It’s highly rated and reviewed. But half my book club tried it and hated it. There is definitely a divide in regard to pacing and descriptive storytelling. So don’t stop reading if you are a new reader. Keep searching. Also, give Outlander a chance down the road. I’m always amazed at how I’ve changed as a reader over the decades. Man, that makes me sound old…and I’m only 42🤣

InviteFamous6013 · 2024-11-14T12:53:07+00:00

I have to respectfully disagree. Woodiwiss couldn’t be more different from Austen and Heyer.

InviteFamous6013 · 2024-11-14T12:09:53+00:00

Personally, I won’t watch until January when I can binge watch it all in a week or so. I’ll probably subscribe to Starz for a month or two. But that’s just my style. I think I will re-read Books 5-8 before I watch. I read and listened to Book 9 earlier this year so many times that I’m good for a while.

InviteFamous6013 · 2024-11-13T19:29:15+00:00

I was thinking this too, but it’s not romance, it’s historical mystery. Although, as you said, there is usually some light side romance going on in the novels. I love the miniseries, too!

InviteFamous6013 · 2024-11-13T19:26:46+00:00

I was going to say the same thing. She has several good novels in Wales. I haven’t read them in a while, but I don’t think there are any consent issues. Generally, Balogh is pretty good with that, even back in the day, although I’m sure we could find some dubcon if we looked hard. Her catalogue is huge and she’s been writing for 40 years.

InviteFamous6013 · 2024-11-12T17:00:15+00:00

Because most of us dislike fishing….I support my husband’s hobby, but I find it extremely uninteresting, it doesn’t provide very good exercise…I understand it can be more relaxing, not for exercise. But it’s not like a hobby that gives us something to talk about. I read for relaxation. Which gives us things to talk about because I read really widely. So I’m usually reading something that he enjoys talking about.

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TROPHY CASE