Books-to-Movie


Books To Movies & TV Shows in 2019

It’s that time of year that the summer is about halfway over, Comic Con just finished (trailer releases) so a bunch of good stuff is on the way. What is coming, you may ask? Check out this list.


The Witcher [Netflix]

Based on a book by Andrzej Sapowski, this 8-part series produced by Netflix may be something you want for your Autumn 2019 ‘to watch’ list. Seems like Netflix may be trying to make their own kind of ‘Game of Thrones’ TV show?

It Chapter Two

Part 2 of Stephen King’s terrifying novel It is finally on it’s way. A continuation from the 2017 movie, this follows the children after they are grown up and come back to once again fight Pennywise. I know I’ll be there, but looks to be a nail-biter! Excited?

His Dark Materials

HBO has found something to keep them afloat after ‘Game of Thrones’ finished off with Philip Pullman’s novel His Dark Materials. A follow on from the movie The Golden Compass, this will be produced as a TV show. Could be good as there’s more episodes, but are you a fan of book to TV show?

Cats

A movie-adaptation of the book Old Possum’s Book of Practical Cats by T.S. Eliot. The reviews of the trailer are pretty damning (which you can decide for yourself what opinion you have) but I have to agree with them. I loved the book and the Broadway musical but this? They did this without asking if they should. I’ll be keeping on top of the news regarding this one and haven’t decided if I want to see it. What do you think?


Suffering From Game of Thrones Withdrawl? Help Is Here

Games of Throne fans are having withdrawal now that the series has ended. Completely. No more. And for readers it is worse, you have invested so many hours with the characters, immersed yourself in the world and now you have to face reality.
So what is a GOT reader to do to alleviate the withdrawal? Penguin Random House  has come up with some really useful suggestions that are loaded with battles, cold weather and darkness. For those of us who aren’t coping to well without their fix of epic fantasies this list is good start to help step into another world.
Go check THIS OUT OUT and see which new world can fill the gap.

What Movies/TV Shows to Watch Out For in 2019

With the summer rapidly approaching, a bunch of awesome new movies, and TV shows, are on the horizon!

Check out these few that I think will be some fantastic adaptations of a book to a movie, with a few I’m just interested in.


1. We Have Always Lived In The Castle – May

Based on the Shirley Jackson novel (which I just finished – review coming soon), I’m super excited about this one!

 

2. Good Omen – May

 

3. The Sun Is Also A Star – May

 

4. Artemis Fowl – August

5. Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark – August

 

6. It: Chapter 2 – September

 

7. The Goldfinch – October

 

8. Cats (2019) – December

 

 

 

 

 

 


We Have Always Lived in the Castle by Shirley Jackson [Book Review]

Summary

“Taking readers deep into a labyrinth of dark neurosis, We Have Always Lived in the Castle is a deliciously unsettling novel about a perverse, isolated, and possibly murderous family and the struggle that ensues when a cousin arrives at their estate.”

-From Amazon.com

Review

This book honestly was not even on my radar until I saw a trailer for the movie coming out soon. So immediately I had to read the book. I adored Jackson’s other book, The Haunting of Hill House, and was really curious about her other works. I certainly wasn’t disappointed with this wonderful read.

A perfectly manageable size.
This book is honestly the perfect length. It’s about 150 pages and a relatively quick read. With my course load at the moment, I’m trying to avoid really meaty texts (which is why Anna Karenina is taking me so long to get through) so something that is more bite sized is my style. But don’t be fooled that just because it is a small book doesn’t mean that there isn’t a lot going on with lots of underlying meanings and messages.

A slow beginning and then suddenly a twist happens.
This book isn’t going to keep you on the edge of your seat or biting your nails, like I’m sure the movie will. The movie, while looking fantastic, will definitely need to spice the book up because it was relatively simple with just a few darker themes and ideas. Nothing creepy. Just kind of a ‘woah’ moment. If you choose to read this, don’t feel discouraged that nothing is happening. The twists begin about 3/4 through. The beginning is a large set up to really give this atmospheric vibe to the town and the family.

Giving life to houses seems to be Jackon’s ‘thing’.
While this did book didn’t give life to the house like it did in The Haunting of Hill House, there certainly were these underlying ideas of this house being alive. To me, I loved that. This book didn’t have any ghosts or anything like that, but you constantly were questioning if there was something more going on. But never really got to know. I adored that because it made it real but with this supernatural air about it.

This is one of those books that keeps you guessing as to what is going to happen next. You are constantly wondering if there is something supernatural going on or if it’s just your imagination. It’s fantastically written with all these little ideas being weaved throughout the pages which makes you need to keep reading to find out what happens!

Honestly, I can’t say too much about this book because it was incredibly short. It’s a simple book with a few twists that just kept me reading. It was honestly amazing. I read it and my mum read it as well and we have a generation between us but we were able to share an experience and it was so wonderful. It’s a ‘read in a day’ kind of book. And with the movie coming, this is definitely one to read.

 

5 teacups

Happy Reading!

 


My Family and Other Animals by Gerald Durrell [Book Review]

Summary

“When the unconventional Durrell family can no longer endure the damp, gray English climate, they do what any sensible family would do: sell their house and relocate to the sunny Greek isle of Corfu. My Family and Other Animals was intended to embrace the natural history of the island but ended up as a delightful account of Durrell’s family’s experiences, from the many eccentric hangers-on to the ceaseless procession of puppies, toads, scorpions, geckoes, ladybugs, glowworms, octopuses, bats, and butterflies into their home.”

-From Amazon.com

Review

This was another Christmas book and I swear, I devoured this one sooooo fast. I am obsessed with this book, the story and just everything to do with it honestly.

It’s a memoir but it didn’t feel like it at all.

It’s so challenging to keep in mind while you read this that the book is based on true events. It’s just so…unbelievable with everything that happened. But, it was a different time then, in a completely different world than any of us are used to. So, anything is possible in Corfu. You must always remember that! But while this is a memoir, it never felt like it. Memoirs can be sometimes dry and a little dull and a drag to read, but this one was a page turner. It was hilarious, exhilarating, heart-warming, sad and just everything you needed.

Who needs a vacation when you can travel in these wonderful books?!

Honestly, I felt like I had this wonderful vacation while reading this book. I was able to imagine the sun and the warmth and I just felt like I was part of this incredibly dysfunctional family in a wonderful way. I honestly don’t know what it was, but you just were able to feel like you were with this family in their trials and tribulations, there for just everything. It’s so wonderful and beautiful to read and the fact that there are 2 other books (The Corfu Trilogy) makes me so happy!!!

The writing was just so beautiful and eloquent.

The writing was unlike anything else. Reading about this young boy, Gerald, the author (who the story is about) and everything he went through, from his perspective as a young boy, was unlike anything else. Gerald is disgustingly smart and just such a free spirit. Reading about his perspective on everything that was happening was just so different. I don’t have tons to compare it to as besides memoirs for school that I have to read, I honestly don’t read many of these, but based on the few that I have read, this was, by far, the most enjoyable ever!!!

Overall this is a book that EVERYONE needs to read.

It’s just so sweet and innocent and a beautiful book to read during these really troubled times. It was a fantastic escape, and once I get through a few other reads, I will be working through the rest of this trilogy! Everyone needs that book in their life that they can pick up and relax to, and for me, this is one of them. I felt so calm reading it and was constantly laughing out loud. It’s such a wonderful story, and there’s an amazing TV show to boot that does a fantastic job depicting the book (it’s on Amazon so check it out if you can!). But of course, read the book first!!!!

I easily give this book 5/5 teacups. This is one of the few books that will hold a special place in my heart.

5 teacups

Happy Reading!