Top 10 Book to Movie Adaptations

(Brought to you by the Broke and the Bookish)

Hello! This week, we will be sharing our top 10 book-to-movie adaptations. This will actually be separated into different sections: Best book-to-movie adaptations I've seen, Book-to-movie adaptations that need to exist right now, and book-to-movie adaptations that need to be remade into better book-to-movie adaptations. Let's begin :)

Best Book-to-Movie Adaptations

Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling
This one is obviously at the top of the list. I'm putting the whole series because I did enjoy all the movies. I mostly have the opinion that the books are, for the most part, better than the movies. This is one where I enjoy the books and the movies fairly equally, when viewed as what they are. That is, the books are good books, and the movies are good movies. However, when comparing books to movies, the books win :)

Hunger Games series
Like Harry Potter, this is another one where I enjoyed the books more than the adaptation but I still really enjoyed the movies, mostly when looking at it as a movie, not a book adaptation.



Lord of the Rings series
This is one of the rare cases where I enjoyed the movies more than the books. I attempted reading the Lord of the Rings and quit around the time Gandalf had a 5 page monologue... It just was not my cup of tea, but I adore the movies.



Book-to-Movie Adaptations That Need to Exist Now
The Lunar Chronicles
This is one where I would be over the moon to see a movie come out, but at the same time, I would be extremely nervous because I love the books so much. I would have very high expectations for the movies, as would most of the fans. I have heard rumors of the rights to the Lunar Chronicles being sold and a screenplay being in the works so we will see :)

Throne of Glass
This is another where I would love to see a movie but would hope it would be half as good as the books. Rumor has it that Throne of Glass was optioned for a TV show by the Mark Gordon Company (most notable for Grey's Anatomy). All I can say is, I'll take a TV show :) And again, hope it is half as good as the books. 

 
5th Wave
This book is already set to come out in January 2016 and I'm fairly excited to see it. I hold my usual reservations, but so far it looks good. I really enjoyed the book and can only hope the movie is the same.




Book-to-Movie Adaptations That Should be Remade 
 
City of Bones
I haven't seen the movie but I was actually reluctant after hearing some of the backlash from it's release. I really liked the books and didn't want that opinion to be tainted by a bad movie. Since then, apparently a TV show (Shadowhunters) is in the makings to try to redeem the movie and I have fingers crossed that it does.





Da Vinci Code
I adored Dan Brown's books. The mystery and suspense I had when reading, were sadly absent during the movies. Da Vinci Code has been my favorite of the Robert Langdon series so far and I was sorrowly disappointed in the movie. I hope the series can redeem itself in the new movie, Inferno, set to come out in October 2016.

Eragon
 Oh Eragon.... a classic case of a book-to-movie flop. I enjoyed the book a lot while reading and tolerated the movie to a point. I really liked the animation of Saphira, but no matter how many times I watch the movie... I can't get behind it, not even as just a movie. I hope something comes along sometime to try a type of do-over.





Percy Jackson series
An example of a movie that I disliked so much I almost blocked it from my memory. I've watched Lightning Thief at least twice and both times I can't really remember any specific parts of the movie. I read these books as audio books and really enjoyed them and thought they had a lot of potential as movies, I just wish they were executed better. 

So tell us.... What are your favorite book-to-movie adaptations? What movies are you excited for??

Top 10 Wishes for the Book Genie

(Brought to you by The Broke and the Bookish)

This week on Top 10 Tuesday, we are discussing the top 10 wishes we would like granted from the Book Genie :) In no particular order, here are my Top 10 Wishes!

1) Meet Marissa Meyer

I sadly did not win the writing contest she held recently where winners would get to go meet her at her release party for Winter on November 10 and receive a signed copy. So this wish sadly remains on my list. She still remains one of my favorite authors of all time (and I guess I could also include in this wish, to know what she thought of my fanfic ^.^)

 

2)  Be able to read super-fast and remember everything

So this may be a weirdly written wish, but I think it's something every book fanatic with a plethora of unread books and not enough time to read, wishes for. I would wish for some way to be able to finish a book in like 30 minutes but remember everything detail of the book. Just think of the possibilities!! Being able to read multiple books a day while also not neglecting my job :)

3) Book boyfriend, come to life

Like many readers, it is hard to pick just one Book Boyfriend, that's why I have failed to give a specific name. I love Rowan from Heir of Fire for his loyalty, Sage from The False Prince for his wit and sarcasm, the male superheroes from any superhero comic (priority to Nightwing, Aqualad and Flash/Kid Flash) because we all need some superheroes in our lives, pretty much every male character from The Lunar Chronicles just because they are amazing their own way, and also every male protagonist from The Black Dagger Brotherhood because... well who doesn't want to meet a sexy, protective vampire (who doesn't sparkle). 

 

4) Bad-ass Heroine, come to life

I can't just focus on the awesome possible book boyfriends. There are some really awesome heroines I would love to meet. Celaena from Throne of Glass, Charley Davidson from The Charley Davidson series, any female protagonist from The Lunar Chronicles because they are just as awesome as their male counterparts, and any female superhero (priority to Batgirl (Barbara Gordon), Supergirl, and Wonder girl) because again... who doesn't want some superheroes in their lives. 

5) Ability to jump into a book

I think this is also something every avid reader wants to do at one point; I want to be able to just jump into any book world and become part of the story. Whether it's to meet the characters or just to see how you would survive, I'd love to be able to put myself into the story!

6) Own a super popular book store

One of my dream jobs is to own and run a popular book store :) Spending my whole day surrounded by books and people who love books would be absolutely perfect!

7) The perfect reading nook

In addition to a perfect house, I would like the perfect reading nook! This would include massive amounts of books shelves for all my books, and a super comfy area for reading. This area would have both places to lay down as well as sit. I would also like surround sound capabilities for audiobooks and playing my instrumental music while I read (if you ever read with instrumental music playing and the music matches the mood of the book... it's like a theater in your mind!!) 

8) Flawlessly write an amazing book

I've been working on my own novel since high school, with another novel I started in college. With my job, I don't have as much time to spend writing and editing as I would like. So I'd definitely ask the Book Genie to help me finish my books and make them the best to my ability :) That's not to say make them the best period, though that would be nice. I would just like to finish them and be proud of them :-D

9) Pause the world and read

This kind of goes with my #2, and if I can't read super fast, I would like to be able to pause the world whenever I get stressed or just feel the need (especially during those late night where I have school the next day but NEED to finish the book I'm reading). 

10) Teen Titans comics all in one collection

When I was first trying to figure out where to start with the Teen Titans comics, I had to research for a long time where to start and what the order should be. To make life easier, I would love all the Teen Titans comics in a volume collection, in correct reading order, starting from the 1980's The New Teen Titans and going through to The New 52. 

Tell me.... What would be your top wish?? Comment or post a link in the comments!!

Top 10 Books on my Fall TBR List

(Brought to you by The Broke and the Bookish)

Hey all! Welcome to another great Top 10 Tuesday!! Here, I will be listing my top 10 books on my TBR list that I'm hoping to get around to in Fall, starting with 10 and working my down to the book I cannot WAIT to start!! Hope you enjoy and don't forget to comment with your top TBR books :)

10) Deja Dead by Kathy Reichs

The first book in the Temperance Breannan series has fans of the popular TV show, Bones, drooling. I like good crime novels almost as much as I like good crime TV and can't wait to dive into this goody!

9) Pile of Bones by Bailey Cunningham

I found this book at a book sale and the concept of people going to different worlds always intrigued me, but a land that appears after midnight and gives people the chance for real-life role-playing?? Sign me up! 

8) The Shadows by J.R. Ward

My friend just finished this and called me in a jumble of emotion. She was this crying, angry, but still laughing (kind of that crazy laugh which really frightened me...) saying I HAD to read it! We have been reading the Black Dagger Brotherhood series for years and this one seems to be on par with all the others. Can't wait to read it!

7) Z for Zachariah by Robert C. O'Brien

Speaking of movies... this book to movie adaptation was released on August 28, 2015 with apparently very little publicity since I never heard about it's release, yet knew it was coming out eventually. So now I really need to get a move on to read this book before my friends and I take on the movie.

6) The Bourbon Kings by J.R. Ward

With this little beauty coming to the small screen soon, I need to get on this! I ADORE J.R. Ward (obviously since two of her books have graced my list), I'm so happy that one of the Warden's creations is coming to life! I heard so many good things about this book, but I mean... I didn't need much convincing... Bourbon? Sexy, rich men? J.R. Ward??? Hooked :)

5) Mechanica by Betsy Cornwell

This has made many peoples' WoW's and though I don't own a copy (yet) I'm seeking to remedy that situation post haste! I love some good fairy tale retellings

4) Welcome to the Dark House by Laurie Faria Stolarz

It wouldn't be a fall book without some kind of scary book :) I will probably read this around Halloween, in between watching scary movies. I also heard a lot about this and lent the book out to a friend to read (since I'm so backed up) and she loved it!

3) Winter by Marissa Meyer

I.... can't..... WAIT!!!! These top 3 books are all tied for books I need to read ASAP! The final book of the Lunar Chronicles and still so many questions!!! I can't wait to read what happens!!!! I adore Marissa Meyer and I know this book will live up (and surpass) all my hype (and really hope another series is in the works too!)

2) Queen of Shadows by Sarah J. Maas

After just having my emotions mutilated and having so many feels that I fear I will never feel those feelings again... This is another must read, and a must read that I.... well.... must read soon or I feel I will die of anticipation!

1) Dumplin' by Julie Murphy

We are finally past swimsuit season but this book definitely goes in the "Must Read ASAP" pile. I saw this book on many peoples' WoW's and have been so excited to read it!! Now that the kind people at OwlCrate have placed the book in my lap, there's just no saying no!

So Tell Us.... What books top you Fall TBR list???

Top 10 Fairytale Retellings

(Top Ten Tuesday brought to you by The Broke and the Bookish)

Time for another Top 10 Tuesday and I absolutely LOVE this week's topic!!! I'm going to divide this into two sections: 1-6 are my favorite retellings and 7-10 are retellings I want to read. Enjoy!

My Favorite Retellings

 1. Cinder (The Lunar Chronicles #1) by Marissa Meyer
Duh this is my number 1 :) I am only completely in love with the whole series and it is probably one of my favorite retellings ever! Retelling Cinderella, Red Riding Hood, and Rapunzel so far (With Snow White coming in November ;) )

2. Stitching Snow by R.C. Lewis
Another sci-fi retelling of Snow White that keeps pretty close to the original Snow White (as opposed to the Disney-fied version). Really enjoyed it and it is one of my favorite retellings :) I absolutely love Essie and Dane!



3. The School for Good and Evil (#1) by Soman Chainani
Another great retelling with a twist. Kids are kidnapped brought to a school for training the princes/princesses and villains of popular stories. Absolutely love this series :)

4. The Stepsister Scheme by Jim C. Hines
A retelling geared toward adults that is a cross between some popular princesses (Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty and Snow White) with Charlie's Angels. Now, it's the princesses turn to save the prince from Cinderella's horrid stepsisters. These princesses kick some major booty!

5. Grim edited by Christine Johnson
This is a collection of short story retellings by a bunch of popular YA authors like Julie Kagawa and Claudia Grey. All stories are inspired by different Grimm fairy tales (and I highly recommend reading the originals to compare to the retellings). I really enjoyed reading the multitude of different stories. Some took a fantasy spin, some took a sci-fi spin, and some just took the original story in more detail. There was something for everyone :)

6. Cruel Beauty by Rosamund Hodge
A great retelling of Beauty and the Beast. I really enjoyed the relationship between Nyx and Ignifex from beginning to end. It also had a lot of the elements from the Disney version in it :) And this was actually an ending that was, as I described, "cute as a baby bunny" :)

Retellings I Want To Read
7. A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas
A retelling of Beauty and the Beast with some Faerie lore mixed in. A retelling of my favorite fairytale, by one of my favorite authors? YES PLEASE!

8. Splintered by A.G. Howard
This has been on my TBR list for a while and I'm still super excited for this Alice in Wonderland retelling :) Good thing I have both this book and it's sequel.

9. Beastly by Alex Flinn
I've heard so many good things about this book! It's a retelling of my favorite fairytale that I'm even surprised at myself for not reading this yet. I'm going to have to get on this....

10. The Great Hunt by Wendy Higgins
Again... another Beauty and the Beast retelling :) I've seen this on a number of WoW's and am so excited to dive into this!!

So tell us.... what are your favorite retellings?? :)

Top Ten Tuesday: The Last Ten Books That Came Into My Possession

Happy Tuesday, all! I never thought that I'd be at the point where I am now--books overflowing in my room, stacks taking up any available space on my desk and floor (my bookshelves are more stuffed than a double stuffed Oreo)--but here I am.

So, I hope you'll forgive me if I struggle with remembering what the last ten books I most recently got were. But my lovely co-blogger Amy is going to help me fill in the list.

Brianna's List:

1. Illuminae by Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristoff

Courtesy of: TeenReads/Penguin Random House

 I am so so so excited for this. Amie Kaufman is brilliant and I've heard great things about this book.

2. Crenshaw by Katherine Applegate

Courtesy of: Feiwel & Friends

 GUYS. This book is about imaginary friends-which, if you must know, was baby Brianna's favorite game.  And Mary, Publicist Extraordinaire, wrote an amazing follow-up email after I requested it that made me want to read it more. You should TOTES have this on your radar. (Yes, I did just say totes.)

3. Dreamstrider by Lindsay Smith

Courtesy of: Roaring Book Press

This cover is so gorgeous and I'm so excited to read it. Dreams? Political intelligence? INCEPTION. I'm in love.

4. The Devil You Know by Trish Doller

Courtesy of: Me at Books of Wonder

Where The Stars Still Shine took my feels, stomped on them and gave them back to me in tattered shreds. I loved it so much that Trish will go on my "Read/Buy instantly" list. I am so lucky to have gotten the chance to meet her at the Boldly Bookish book tour.

5. Emmy and Oliver by Robin Benway

Courtesy of: TeenReads/HarperTeen

For some weird reason, I'm very intrigued and equally horrified by kidnapping stories. I think because I desperately want everything to turn out okay. But I've heard that this book is adorable (not sure if this is a good or bad thing) and I'm looking forward to it.




Amy's List
(*Note* All of the books I've recently received have been from my wonderful friend (who enables my books hording), and lovely blog owner, Nicole <3)

6.  A Whole New World (Twisted Tales #1) by Liz Braswell

This was one of my top books on my wishlist!!! I am so pumped for this series, mostly because I am pumped about anything and everything Disney related. I am currently reading it (because I'm pretty sure I would literally die of anticipation if I waited any longer) and so far it is phenomenal!

7. A Frozen Heart by Elizabeth Rudnick and the Disney Storybook Art Team

Keeping with the Disney theme, this book is a take on Disney's Frozen. It's Anna and Hans' story, told in alternating chapters and going into more in depth detail about their (ultimately failed) relationship. Being that I love anything Disney related, I'm pumped to have this book :)

8. The Midnight Thief by Livia Blackburne

Another book that reminds me of Throne of Glass. A thief/assassin and a prince working together to defeat a common enemy... what's not to love about that?!? Thank goodness Nicole got me the sequel too ;) (And come on! Just look at that awesome cover!!)


9. Welcome to the Dark House by Laurie Faria Stolarz

 A young adult horror that I'm just itching to dive into! I've been wanting to switch gears and try more horror books and can't wait to kick it off with this book! Again, thank goodness Nicole got me the sequel to this too ;)

10. The Bourbon Kings by J.R. Ward

This book.....makes me..... SO HAPPY!!! I ADORE J.R. Ward and am soooo excited to have the first book in her new series!!!! I'm letting a friend of mine read it right now while I finish up some of the books I'm currently read. From some of the reactions I see to her reading it.... I can't wait to dive in!!!

That's it for our Top 10 :) Leave a comment with books that entered your top 10 or a link to your blog!! We'd love to see what you have!