Welcome to the latest edition of Looks from Books, which aims to prove that you can look smart, while still being book-smart, too. Fashion inspiration can be found between the pages of your favorite stories, on well-designed book covers, and in your favorite characters… if you read closely enough.

This week, I’m taking on a recommendation from a regular “Looks from Books” reader, and branching out of my comfort zone with a historical multi-genre romance… and boy, did I enjoy it. Here’s Diana Gabaldon’s Outlander!

Outlander Cover via Amazon

Table of Contents

Inside Cover

The Outlander series, by Diana Gabaldon, is a work of historical romance fiction that was published in 1991.

The first novel of the eight book series, Outlander (published in the United Kingdom as Cross Stitch), follows the story of Claire Beauchamp, an Englishwoman on a second honeymoon after WWII with her husband, Frank Randall, in Inverness, Scotland.

After a time-bending experience at the stones of Craig na Dun, Claire finds herself thrust into a battle between the English “lobsterbacks” and Scottish clansmen in the 18th century, and is unable to get back home. However, when a handsome young highlander named Jamie McTavish catches her eye – and her heart – will Claire even want to?

The book was a success upon its release, and won the Romance Writers of America RITA award for Best Romance of 1991.

A Fashionable Literacy

A promotional poster for the new Starz adaptation

The popular novel has recently been adapted for television by Starz network, and stars Caitriona Balfe as Claire and Sam Heughan as Jamie. Tobias Menzies also stars as Black Jack Randall, the ancestor of Frank and merciless captain of the British Army, who is after both Jamie and Claire. The season has already gotten rave reviews from major critics, and will run for sixteen episodes. The first episode it set to premiere on August 9.