'outlander' is losing it's charm- what else could I read.

[ProperLavs]

I have persisted with the outlander series. I'm on roughly book number 5, but not I'll bother with the next one.
If I could get through the moments of cheese and Mills and boon there were some gripping storylines which I really enjoyed. Now it is getting tedious.
I love being told a good story. I loved TGOT books and have to have something to read before I sleep.
Any recommendations of either series or authors?

[Dottierichardson]

OP there's a thread that's currently active on what's a good series of books so have a look on that. The Poldark books are quite good, if you like period stuff. The Forsyte Saga books are excellent. GOT is harder to replicate as an experience because of the fantasy mixed with a kind of 'Godfather' sensibility. I'm rereading the Tales of the City books which are enjoyable and well-written.

[ProperLavs]

Thank you for your suggestions. I have already read those but will try and find that thread. I’m sure it will be useful!

[Dottierichardson]

Good luck!

[Redglitter]

Book 5 is notorious for being a long slog
I think it's generally the least favourite. It gets better again though

[Ginger1982]

I've been on book 5 for what feels like years. Nothing seems to be happening!

[Xiaoxiong]

The Patrick O'Brian books are brilliant and there are loads of them - Jane Austen on the high seas with loads of politics and espionage as well.

I enjoyed the Expanse novels by James SA Corey as well, combination near-future sci-fi but with loads of politics, arms dealers, a murder mystery, etc.

My dad has been after me to read the Chronicles of Barchester, he says they're excellent - I think he just wants someone to gossip about discuss them with!

[ProperLavs]

turns out I am just coming to the end of book four only! I have found that a mixture of tedious and gripping so book 5- which I have waiting will be tricky.
I find myself really really irritated by Brianna, Roger and Claire- Claire especially, which isn't great since she's a main player!
I find it all so unrealistic, which is completely daft since whole idea is fantasy, but someone all this cleft in the stones hopping is getting even sillier than it ever was.. But I have enjoyed the detailed history and the author has obviously done painstaking research .
Just think I've had enough of references to the 'great red Scott' and his 'slanted blue eyes'.

[Inmyownlittlecorner]

I’m a bit obsessed with The St Mary Chronicles by Jodi Taylor. The first on is called Just One Damned Thing After Another.

I’m about to attempt Outlander book 5. Wish me luck!

[MrStarkIDontFeelSoGood]

I’ve heard The Lymond Chronicles are good but I haven’t started it yet.

Ooo Pillars Of The Earth is a good shout if you like Outlander and GOT

[ProperLavs]

Pillars of the earth looks great!- had a quick read on amazon- my kind of book and there are lots of them which is even better!

[MrStarkIDontFeelSoGood]

Great! Let me know how you get on !

[Gladys123]

I'm just re-reading blackout by Connie Willis. Fabulous time travel booklet in 2060 and ww2. The sequel all clear is good too. Actually all her books are good!

[ProperLavs]

will do

[cdtaylornats]

Try Alexander McCall Smith either his 44 Scotland Street or his No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency series

[Artus]

Robin Hobbs Farseer Trilogy, and her Dragon and liveship series are very good if you like fantàsy.

[ProperLavs]

Thanks- I kind of like historical fantasy - hence GOT/outlander. Having said that I loved Harry potter!
The no1 ladies detective agency was on t.v wasn't it? I'll check that out too.
I have about 5 pages left of book 4 and find myself reading just a few lines a night. Roger is currently trying to have it off with Brianna in a little shack in order to re cement their love. If the author mentions are slanted cat-like eyes again I might have a strop.

[OliviaBenson]

Book 4 is dire but 5 is much better!!

Pillars of the Earth is epic.

[Appuskidu]

I am on book 5 (Fiery Cross) at the moment and am really enjoying it! The start has quite a lot of description and setting the scene, but I thought it was good-might be worth persisting with!

The Shardlake books are fab if you like historical stuff-crime solving in the reign of Henry VIII.

[slalomsuki]

I'm reading Labyrinth by Kate Mosse which is part of a series. It might be a between pre-medieval times and modern day and is good so far.

I traveled through Outlander books to the end and to be honest I lost the plot with them after about book 3 although the end of book 8 does make you want more.

[ProperLavs]

I have liked bits of book 4, the more gritty action bits, but tbh I really dislike Brianna and Roger as characters.
I wish the author had spent at least some time dealing with the basic realities of leaving in the 1700's and how this affected Claire, things like toilets, not having running water, having a period all those little things that would be a huge shock to the system aren't talked about at all.
I find it annoying that she seems to be able to fix about everything with whatever weeds she has foraged.
The first book was better because it dealt with details of daily life a bit more. As soon as they got on the boat to the Indies it all became very silly.
I might give book 5 a go.
well done slalomsuki!
Thank you all for your suggestions. I've ordered a few things and it's great to have lots of stuff to be going on with.

[DancelikeEmmaGoldman]

The Lymond Chronicles are wonderful. There is also Dorothy Dunnett's Italian series The Spring of the Ram.

It was MN which introduced me to the Chronicles of St Mary's which are excellent.

Phillipa Gregory's historical novels are excellent - based in the lives of real people. Also Wolf Hall.

A lesser-known historical writer Judith Merkle Riley is a favourite of mine. I do recommend her novel A Vision of Light, loosely based on the life of Margery Kempe. She has a quirky edge to her writing which I really enjoy.

Connie Willis' To Say Nothing of the Dog is a very funny time travel novel.

And Susanna Kearsley's books often have a time-travel element - Marianna comes to mind, but I've enjoyed all of them.

For big, fat historical books, Sara Donati's series set in America were pretty good, and I'm not normally a fan of the sweeping saga thing. Mind you, I've only read the first two, but I enjoyed them, while I really struggled with Outlander and game up pretty quickly. The first one is Into the Wilderness set in colonial America.

[ProperLavs]

DancelikeEmmaGoldman thank you so much! I will start looking those up