High Rise by J.G. Ballard

Last book of 2016!

Title: High Rise

Author: J.G. Ballard

Publisher: 1975

Genre: Science Fiction?

Pages: 208

Rating: 4/5 stars Movie: 4/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Book to Movie

When a class war erupts inside a luxurious apartment block, modern elevators become violent battlegrounds and cocktail parties degenerate into marauding attacks on “enemy” floors. In this visionary tale, human society slips into violent reverse as once-peaceful residents, driven by primal urges, re-create a world ruled by the laws of the jungle.

Wow! I am still reeling from this slim volume. Ballard packs a seriously intensive punch in this story. At first everything thing in the high rise seems about right. But quickly things break down and then things get crazy. I was not expecting the intensity or pace of this one. Reminded me of a more adult version of Lord of the Flies. Ballard raises some very interesting questions about the nature of humanity and constructs of society. I would not recommend this book to everyone, but I very much enjoyed the journey.

Movie:

The movie definitely changed some aspects of the books, but kept the spirit of the story. I think the changes made sense when it came to adapting a very strange book to the screen. The movie created a bit more plot to move along the storyline and character development. You get a little less introspection and narration, but make up for it with more screen time for some of the other characters. My favorite parts of the movie were the set dressing and overall look and the editing. The super imposing structure of the high rise is carried through to the interior sets. Very eye catching! I especially loved Laing's apartment juxtaposed with Wilder and Helen's apartment. Finally, the editing was fantastic. The movie starts with traditional-length scenes and slowly devolves into almost a montage-like pace. As the society in the high rise devolves we get more and more sharp cuts and fragments of scenes. Definitely an interesting movie! I can't believe that it only got two stars on Netflix.

Wild by Cheryl Strayed

Title: Wild: From Lost to Found on the Pacific Crest Trail

Author: Cheryl Strayed

Publisher: Vintage Books 2013

Genre: Memoir

Pages: 342

Rating: 3/5 stars Movie: 4/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Popsugar - Oprah's Book Club; Book to Movie; 52 Books - W46

At twenty-two, Cheryl Strayed thought she had lost everything. In the wake of her mother’s death, her family scattered and her own marriage was soon destroyed. Four years later, with nothing more to lose, she made the most impulsive decision of her life. With no experience or training, driven only by blind will, she would hike more than a thousand miles of the Pacific Crest Trail from the Mojave Desert through California and Oregon to Washington State—and she would do it alone. Told with suspense and style, sparkling with warmth and humor, Wild powerfully captures the terrors and pleasures of one young woman forging ahead against all odds on a journey that maddened, strengthened, and ultimately healed her.

I wasn't initially jumping to read this book. I have memories of hating Eat, Pray, Love and thought this was going to be in the same vein. Thankfully it wasn't as bad as I was expecting, but I don't think I'm the right person to love this book. I finished the book and had a neutral reaction. And that's not necessarily a bad thing. I just wasn't that into Cheryl's journey or even her. I just kept thinking "okay fine, you lost your mom and lost your way. But where were the great insights during your journey?" So not bad, but not good.

Movie:

I liked the movie a little more than I liked the book. I felt that the Cheryl in the movie was a bit more relatable. But the big plus of the movie is the visuals of the settings. Such gorgeous cinematography. Just for that, I had to add a start from my rating for the book.

Childhood's End by Arthur C. Clarke

Title: Childhood's End

Author: Arthur C. Clarke

Publisher: 1953

Genre: Science Fiction

Pages: 240

Rating: 4/5 stars TV Miniseries: 2/5 stars

Reading Challenges: NPR SciFi/Fan (perpetual); Popsugar - Science Fiction; Book to Movie

Without warning, giant silver ships from deep space appear in the skies above every major city on Earth. Manned by the Overlords, in fifty years, they eliminate ignorance, disease, and poverty. Then this golden age ends--and then the age of Mankind begins....

My first Arthur C. Clarke book! And I think I did pick a good one. I love how we are throw right into the action and forced to figure out the situation along with most of mankind. From there we get three distinct books showing three different ages after the appearance of the Overlords. I loved reading about the progress of humanity and the implications of having no war, no starvation, etc. Clarke poses some interesting questions as to the fate of mankind. And then we learn more about the true intentions of the Overlords. I won't give away any spoilers, but I will say that I was very intrigued by the last third of the book.

TV Miniseries:

I had to wait until J finished reading the book, but we finally got around to watching the Syfy miniseries. And it was bad y'all... So very bad. The first episode was decent although the timeline was accelerated. Annoying, but not really bad. The second and third episodes went completely off the rails. The show focused on Ricky's invented dead wife for far too long. The tone became very confusing. I think we were to fear the Overlords and read into them a sinister intent which was so not what I read in the book. Milo was given an unnecessary girlfriend that resulted in a very disturbing scene right at the end. After finishing, I was left with a very bad taste in my mouth. Did not enjoy...

The Scorch Trials by James Dashner

Title: The Scorch Trials (The Maze Runner #2)

Author: James Dashner

Publisher: Delacorte Press

Genre: YA Fantasy

Pages: 361

Rating: 3/5 stars Movie: 3/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Perpetual (NPR YA, 100 YA); Book to Movie

Solving the Maze was supposed to be the end.
Thomas was sure that escape from the Maze would mean freedom for him and the Gladers. But WICKED isn’t done yet. Phase Two has just begun. The Scorch.
There are no rules. There is no help. You either make it or you die.
The Gladers have two weeks to cross through the Scorch—the most burned-out section of the world. And WICKED has made sure to adjust the variables and stack the odds against them.
Friendships will be tested. Loyalties will be broken. All bets are off.
There are others now. Their survival depends on the Gladers’ destruction—and they’re determined to survive.

I didn't have super high expectations for this sequel, but I was still disappointed. There's too much misdirection and confusion. I didn't feel that the characters grew at all. We just get nonstop action for 361 pages. Overall, I just wasn't interested in the book...

Title: The Scorch Trials: The Graphic Novel Prelude

Author: James Dashner

Publisher: kaBoom 2015

Genre: YA Fantasy, Comic

Pages: 96

Rating: 4/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Graphic Novel

Randomly saw this on the shelf and grabbed it. The volume contains a few different short comics about people and events before The Scorch Trials. I loved the story centering on the creation of WICKED and the big players. Plus we get some interesting insight into Brenda and Jorge. I actually liked this volume more than The Scorch Trials.

Movie:

J and I finally watched the movie last night and basically picked it apart the entire time. I'm so not impressed with the movie. They changed a ton of major events and added some characters. I was so confused the entire time. And the victims of the Flare? Atrocious! The filmmakers went all Resident Evil with them when I saw them more like Reavers from Firefly... As J said, "by tomorrow, I will have forgotten the entire movie." Yep, my thoughts exactly...

The Maze Runner

#0.5 The Kill Order
#0.6 The Fever Code
#1 The Maze Runner
#2 The Scorch Trials
#2.5 Thomas’s First Memory of the Flare
#3 The Death Cure
#3.5 The Maze Runner Files

The 5th Wave by Rick Yancey

Title: The 5th Wave (Fifth Wave #1)

Author: Rick Yancey

Publisher: Putnam 2013

Genre: Science Fiction

Pages: 457

Rating: 4/5 stars Movie: 4/5

Reading Challenges: Perpetual - 365 Days of YA; Popsugar - Movie This Year; Book to Movie

After the 1st wave, only darkness remains. After the 2nd, only the lucky escape. And after the 3rd, only the unlucky survive. After the 4th wave, only one rule applies: trust no one.
Now, it's the dawn of the 5th wave, and on a lonely stretch of highway, Cassie runs from Them. The beings who only look human, who roam the countryside killing anyone they see. Who have scattered Earth's last survivors. To stay alone is to stay alive, Cassie believes, until she meets Evan Walker. Beguiling and mysterious, Evan Walker may be Cassie's only hope for rescuing her brother--or even saving herself. But Cassie must choose: between trust and despair, between defiance and surrender, between life and death. To give up or to get up.

So I grabbed this off the library's Lucky Day shelf on a whim. It hadn't been on my TBR shortlist. And yet, I'm glad I picked it up. I was assuming this was going to be a wimpy alien invasions story heavy on the melodrama and sap. Amazingly, it wasn't. I found myself intrigued by Yancey's world building and characters. I thought Cassie would be our only narrator, but thankfully we get to hear from a few other characters. I got so sucked into the story that I finished this in two days. I don't know what got into me, but I only surfaced once I read the last page. And then I was disappointed by the ending until I figured out that this is a trilogy. Guess who just reserved the second novel from the library...

Movie:

Overall, a decent adaptation of the novel. Of course there were changes, but those changes didn't fundamentally alter the story or characters for me. The pace was okay. Lots of the slower moments and conversations were cut for time and pacing. I get it. It's a Hollywood movie. I would have liked to see more character development especially from Ben and Ringer. But I get it. I did like Chloe Grace Moretz as Cassie Sullivan. Good casting there. The actor who played Ben wasn't quite what I had in mind, but oh well. The twins enjoyed the movie. So I guess it was a win for movie night.

Ffith Wave:

#1 The 5th Wave
#2 The Infinite Sea
#3 The Last Star

In the Heart of the Sea by Nathaniel Philbrick

Title: In the Heart of the Sea: The Tragedy of the Whaleship Essex

Author: Nathaniel Philbrick

Publisher: Viking 2000

Genre: Nonfiction – History

Pages: 301

Rating: 5/5 stars Movie: 3/5

Reading Challenges: Nonfiction; Popsugar - National Book Award Winner; Book to Movie

In 1820, the whaleship Essex was rammed and sunk by an angry sperm whale, leaving the desperate crew to drift for more than ninety days in three tiny boats. Nathaniel Philbrick uses little-known documents and vivid details about the Nantucket whaling tradition to reveal the chilling facts of this infamous maritime disaster.

After reading two of his books, I have to say that Philbrick is my second favorite history author. He doesn't quite beat Eric Larson's wonderful storytelling, but he sure produces some great books. How I have never heard of the whaleship Essex is just crazy! It may have something to do with the fact that I hated Moby Dick and the Essex's story is the inspiration for that book. Thankfully, the real history is a fascinating look at whaling, early 19th century life, and survival. I couldn't put this book down and finished in 2 days. Definitely a must-read. I really should look up Philbrick's other books...

Movie:

Of course Hollywood always has to sensationalize the story. I was not very excited about this movie. It felt like the movie took the real story and crossed it with Moby Dick. The whale continues to pursue the crew even after the ship sinks. Definitely not part of the original story. Plus they made some changes as to the personalities and decisions made by Chase and Pollard. Overall, a disappointing movie.

I, Robot by Isaac Asimov

Title: I, Robot

Author: Isaac Asimov

Publisher: Gnome Press 150

Genre: Science Fiction, Short Stories

Pages: 253

Rating: 4/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Perpetual (NPR Scifi/Fan); Read My Own Damn Books; Book to Movie

The three laws of Robotics: 1) A robot may not injure a human being or, through inaction, allow a human being to come to harm 2) A robot must obey orders given to it by human beings except where such orders would conflict with the First Law. 3) A robot must protect its own existence as long as such protection does not conflict with the First or Second Law.
With these three, simple directives, Isaac Asimov changed our perception of robots forever when he formulated the laws governing their behavior. In I, Robot, Asimov chronicles the development of the robot through a series of interlinked stories: from its primitive origins in the present to its ultimate perfection in the not-so-distant future--a future in which humanity itself may be rendered obsolete.
Here are stories of robots gone mad, of mind-read robots, and robots with a sense of humor. Of robot politicians, and robots who secretly run the world--all told with the dramatic blend of science fact and science fiction that has become Asmiov's trademark.

My first Asimov! J has been trying to get me to read his works for years now. I've always been too scared. I dove in this short story collection and really enjoyed it. My favorite story has to be "Catch that Rabbit." I love the storyline but more that that, I really enjoyed the commentary on human psychology. Overall, this short story collection has some intriguing commentary on humanity highlighted through the use of robots. Looking again at the publication information, I was so surprised to find this kind of work being produced in the late 1940s. Very fascinating! With this volume under my belt, I may be ready to tackle the Foundation series...

Movie:

So, this movie isn't really based on any of the short stories in the collection. There are hints here and there. And of course the inclusion of the three laws of robotics. But the plot and characters are definitely something else entirely. I wasn't a huge fan of the movie when it was released and I still am not a huge fan after reading the book and rewatching the movie. I just wasn't that excited about the plotline or characters.

The Maze Runner by James Dashner

Title: The Maze Runner (The Maze Runner #1)

Author: James Dashner

Publisher: Delacorte Press 2009

Genre: YA Fantasy

Pages: 374

Rating: 3/5 stars Movie: 3/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Perpetual (NPR YA; 100 YA); Popsugar - Recommended by Someone You Just Met; Books to Movies

When Thomas wakes up in the lift, the only thing he can remember is his name. He’s surrounded by strangers—boys whose memories are also gone.
Nice to meet ya, shank. Welcome to the Glade.
Outside the towering stone walls that surround the Glade is a limitless, ever-changing maze. It’s the only way out—and no one’s ever made it through alive.
Everything is going to change.
Then a girl arrives. The first girl ever. And the message she delivers is terrifying. Remember. Survive. Run.

I feel like I would have really liked this book if I was a 13-year-old boy. (In fact, maybe I should give it to the twins to read this summer...) As I am not a in fact a 13-year-old boy, this book felt a bit tired and predictable. It definitely has a big influence from Lord of the Flies. And it reminded me of The Hunger Games series. Which isn't to say that it's a bad book. I just think I've read too much to be blown away by it. Other than the predictability, my biggest complaint is with the lack of characterization. I wanted to get more from the characters and their motivations. Unfortunately, the books glosses over a lot of that in favor of lots of action. Oh well. I'll keep reading the series. Now I want to know more about WICKED and the trials.

Movie:

J and I both agree that the movie was better than we excepted, but it still wasn't that good. I understand most of the changes from the book. They make sense for the movie. And I did enjoy the visuals for the maze. Nice to see it up close and personal. I wasn't a fan of how they changed the grievers. I like their design in the book much better. I still have issues with some of the character motivations and the entire premise of the series. But that's to be excepted. We have the second movie sitting on the server, but I would like to read the second book before watching the movie.

The Maze Runner

#0.5 The Kill Order
#0.6 The Fever Code
#1 The Maze Runner
#2 The Scorch Trials
#2.5 Thomas's First Memory of the Flare
#3 The Death Cure
#3.5 The Maze Runner Files

2016 Book to Movie Reading Challenge

From Ebook Classics:

Yes, it’s back! The Book to Movie Challenge is being rebooted in 2016 with more discussions, more monthly themes and more fun because let’s face it — the format last year probably bored all of you to tears! In addition, I’ll be giving away a few prizes throughout the year because bling is great motivation to participate.
GUIDELINES
♦ You can join at any time.
♦ Neither the book nor the movie has to be new in 2016.
♦ TV shows and mini-series count.
♦ Comic book and graphic novel adaptations count.
♦ Active participation in the challenge is required to qualify for prizes.
♦ Participation includes (but is not mandatory):
◊ Linking to a book to movie review on your blog
◊ Commenting on Book to Movie posts and participating in discussions
◊ Reading and commenting on the reviews of your fellow challenge participants
◊ Giving some of the mini-challenges a go
◊ Talking about the challenge on social media
♦ Prize winners will be randomly selected.
To sign-up for the challenge, post an introduction on your blog that names three (3) book adaptations in 2016 you’re excited about and tell us:
♦ Have you read the book and did you love/loathe it?
♦ Why are you excited about the adaptation?
♦ What do you think of the casting?

I'm going for 10 book to movie adaptations for this year. I'm leaving most of my list open for discoveries, but I do know that I want to read/watch:

Chocolat -- Watched the movie and loved it, but have never read the book. It's on for my TBR for January.
The Maze Runner -- Haven't read the book or watched the movie. Looking forward to it.
The Mists of Avalon -- I saw the mini-series years ago and have wanted to read the book for years now.

Chocolat by Joanne Harris

Title: Chocoat (Food Trilogy #1; Chocolat Trilogy #1)

Author: Joanne Harris

Publisher: Doubleday1999

Genre: Fiction

Pages: 321

Rating: 5/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Read My Own Damn Books; Book to Movie; Popsugar - Europe

In tiny Lansquenet, where nothing much has changed in a hundred years, beautiful newcomer Vianne Rocher and her exquisite chocolate shop arrive and instantly begin to play havoc with Lenten vows. Each box of luscious bonbons comes with a free gift: Vianne's uncanny perception of its buyer's private discontents and a clever, caring cure for them. Is she a witch? Soon the parish no longer cares, as it abandons itself to temptation, happiness, and a dramatic face-off between Easter solemnity and the pagan gaiety of a chocolate festival.

I loved this book. Between the descriptions of the chocolate making and the great characters, I couldn't put it down. I loved the switch off between Vianne and Reynaurd's narration. The two perspectives was a nice literary device to help the reader dive into the characters. Armande is hands-down the best character, but I also enjoyed Luc and Guillaume and Josephine. I'm intrigued by sequels that I never knew about. Hopefully I can get to those this year.

Movie:

The movie retains the concept of the plot, but so many changes. I really enjoyed the movie, but so many changes! Judi Dench is a treat as Armande and I really liked Alfred Molina as the antagonist. I love how the chocolate is so central to the movie. It was a nice focus that didn't always come through in the book. The scenery is also very lovely. And there's Johnny Depp, back when he wasn't so crazy and definitely gorgeous. I like his Roux more than the Roux from the books. Crazy talk, but it's the truth. A great movie. I'm glad I finally got around to reading the book to compare.

Food Trilogy:

#1 Chocolat
#2 Blackberry Wine
#3 Five Quarters of the Orange

Chocolat Trilogy:

#1 Chocolat
#2 The Girl with No Shadow
#3 Peaches for Father Francis

Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell by Susanna Clarke

Title: Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell by Susanna Clarke

Author: Susanna Clarke

Publisher: Bloomsbury 2008

Genre: Historical Fiction; Fantasy

Pages: 782

Rating: 5/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Fantasy Project; NPR Scifi/Fan; 21st Century Women Authors; A to Z - J; Books to Movies; 52 Books - W41

English magicians were once the wonder of the known world, with fairy servants at their beck and call; they could command winds, mountains, and woods. But by the early 1800s they have long since lost the ability to perform magic. They can only write long, dull papers about it, while fairy servants are nothing but a fading memory.

It's taken me years to get around to reading this giant volume, but I finally did it this week! And it was great! Clarke's writing reminds me of Jane Austen or Charles Dickens. I love the old-fashioned style of writing. The writing put me into the time period. And the story was great. I loved diving into Strange and Norrell and their strange personality quirks. The side characters were also very interesting. I loved Stephen and Arabella. The book meanderings through topics, stories, and characters, but somehow everything comes together in the end! The book is long, but I very much enjoyed it.

The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien

Title: The Hobbit

Author: J.R.R. Tolkien

Publisher: 1937

Genre: Fantasy Literature

Pages: 300

Rating: 5/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Fantasy Project; Fall into Reading; Mount TBR; 52 Books - W49; Rereading; Book to Movie

Bilbo Baggins is a hobbit who enjoys a comfortable, unambitious life, rarely traveling any farther than his pantry or cellar. But his contentment is disturbed when the wizard Gandalf and a company of dwarves arrive on his doorstep one day to whisk him away on an adventure. They have launched a plot to raid the treasure hoard guarded by Smaug the Magnificent, a large and very dangerous dragon. Bilbo reluctantly joins their quest, unaware that on his journey to the Lonely Mountain he will encounter both a magic ring and a frightening creature known as Gollum.

A classic. A classic that I haven't read for a few years now. I figured it was time to reread especially with the release of the last part of the movie trilogy. I love Bilbo Baggins so much. He is such a great character. I love that the audience can latch onto Bilbo along this crazy journey of his. My absolute favorite part of the book is Riddles in the Deep (chapter where Bilbo gets the ring from Gollum). I love the dialogue between the two characters, three if you count Smeagel. Smaug is also an amazing character. I love the interchanges between the dragon and the other characters. Great dialogue!!!

Movie:

Peter Jackson is a master of taking these classic books and turning them into beautiful film adaptations. I know that there are changes between book and movie, but the changes don't bother me at all. I was still so enthralled with the story. Martin Freeman was a great Bilbo, but my favorite was Richard Armitage as Thorin Oakenshield. Perfect acting! I can't wait to see the trilogy closer this Christmas.

Wicked by Gregory Maguire

Title: Wicked (Wicked Years #1)

Author: Gregory Maguire

Publisher: HarperCollins 1995

Genre: Fantasy

Pages: 406

Rating: 3/5 stars 4/5 stars for the musical

Reading Challenges: Fantasy Project; ebook; Book to Movie (or musical); Lucky 14 -- Walking Down Memory Lane

This is the book that started it all! The basis for the smash hit Tony Award-winning Broadway musical, Gregory Maguire's breathtaking New York Times bestseller Wicked views the land of Oz, its inhabitants, its Wizard, and the Emerald City, through a darker and greener (not rosier) lens. Brilliantly inventive, Wicked offers us a radical new evaluation of one of the most feared and hated characters in all of literature: the much maligned Wicked Witch of the West who, as Maguire tells us, wasn’t nearly as Wicked as we imagined.

I probably read this right around the time is was released. I recall reading it in high school but can't pinpoint the year, so anywhere from 1995-2000. I recall that I really enjoyed the novel. Upon rereading, my opinion of the book has lowered. I love love love the premise! We get to see how the Wicked Witch became the WW. I always assumed there was more to the story than she was just wicked. Overall, I gravitate toward villains. They usually have much more interesting back stories than heroes. I was to learn what makes them tick. I want to see their motivations for doing wicked things. So, I love the idea of this book. I love the concept the Wicked Witch and the Good Witch were friends once upon a time. I love the idea of expanding the discussion of politics and social class within Oz.

But then we come to the actual book and most of it falls fairly flat. The story becomes a bit convoluted. I got lost in all the small details of the world that are included but don't seem to matter much in the long run. I was disappointed in the little growth exhibited by Elphaba and Galinda. I wanted to see more. I wanted to really track their paths to seemingly opposite ends of the spectrum. The side character flit in and out of the story with little to no consequence. I wanted to truly explore the world of Oz, but the choppiness of the novel impeded my ability to dive in and get lost. Upon rereading, I just didn't love this book.

The Musical

On the other hand, I adore the musical. I saw a production of Wicked in Chicago in 2008 and fell in love. Of course, I didn't get to experience the musical with Idina Menzel and Kristin Chenoweth, but the actresses in the production were very good and enjoyable. The musical succeeds by narrowing the focus to the journeys of Elphaba and Galinda. It cuts out Elphaba's childhood and some of the minor plots from the book. We also contain the action to Shiz and then the Emerald City. By doing so, we get a better sense of the women's journeys and the implications of their choices. Plus, it has some great songs!

Wicked Years

#1 Wicked
#2 Son of a Witch
#3 A Lion Among Men
#4 Out of Oz

Peter Pan by J.M. Barrie

Title: Peter Pan

Author: J.M. Barrie

Genre: Children's Classic

Pages: 162

Rating: 3/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Fantasy Project; TBR Pile; Book to Move; Well-Rounded Reader; Back to the Classics -- Adapted into a Movie

Somehow I've never gotten around to actually reading Peter Pan. Sure, we all know the story. There have been so many movie adaptations. But I've never actually read it. I enjoyed the storyline, but I must say the writing style is a bit off putting. The sentences are often stilted and oddly constructed. I can't say that it was the worst "classic" that I've ever read, but the book just didn't grab me like I thought it would.

Movie:

For my movie selection, I rewatched Disney's Peter Pan. I really enjoy this film. I love the music. I love Captain Hook. I love Smee. I love the fun and frivolity of the movie. This is the classic edition to me. That said, I really want to watch Neverland with Rhys Ifans. It looks amazing!

A Room with a View by E.M. Forster

Title: A Room with a View

Author: E.M. Forster

Genre: Classics

Pages: 204

Rating: 3/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Mount TBR; Book to Movie; Back to the Classics -- 20th Century Classic; 1001 Books; Rory Gilmore

British social comedy examines a young heroine's struggle against strait-laced Victorian attitudes as she rejects the man her family has encouraged her to marry and chooses, instead, a socially unsuitable fellow she met on holiday in Italy. Classic exploration of passion, human nature and social convention.

Overall, I was a bit disappointed in this novel. I had heard that it was a great social commentary piece. I had heard that it had great characters. I guess I can see those things. However, throughout most of the book I was just bored. Guess it just wasn't my cup of tea.

Movie:

Loved the actor choices for this novel. Loved the locations. Thought it was a very good adaptation of the novel. But, like the novel I was bored throughout most of the movie. This will not be on my rewatch list.

Vanity Fair by William Makepeace Thackeray

Title: Vanity Fair

Author: William Makepeace Thackeray

Genre: Classics 1847

Pages: 912

Rating: 3/5 stars Movie: 4/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Classics -- 19th Century; Mount TBR; Fall into Reading; Rory Gilmore (Perpetual); 1001 Books (Perpetual)

How I Got It: I own it!

Scorned for her lack of money and breeding, Becky must use all her wit, charm and considerable sex appeal to escape her drab destiny as a governess. From London’s ballrooms to the battlefields of Waterloo, the bewitching Becky works her wiles on a gallery of memorable characters, including her lecherous employer, Sir Pitt, his rich sister, Miss Crawley, and Pitt’s dashing son, Rawdon, the first of Becky’s misguided sexual entanglements.
Filled with hilarious dialogue and superb characterizations, Vanity Fair is a richly entertaining comedy that asks the reader, “Which of us is happy in this world? Which of us has his desire? or, having it, is satisfied?”

Hmmm... I thought i would like this book more than I actually did. The story is good. The characters are good. But I guess I just don't really like Thackeray's writing style. There's something about the prose that annoyed me throughout the book. Still, I would recommend this novel to those who already have a love of the 19th century classics.

Movie:

The movie was much more enjoyable than the book, probably because I didn't have to be annoyed by the writing style. I loved this lengthy adaptation. Reese Witherspoon is great as Becky Sharp, although I think she's nicer in the movie than the book. Romola Garai is great as the meek Amelia. And I so love Rhys Ifans as Dobbins. Overall, a few changes from the novel, but I still really liked it.

The Road by Cormac McCarthy

Title: The Road

Author: Cormac McCarthy

Publisher: Vintage 2007

Genre: Dystopia

Pages: 241

Rating: 3/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Fall into Reading; Dystopian; Monthly Key Word -- December; Book to Movie; Bingo -- 4 from everyone but me; NPR SciFan (perpetual); Fantasy Project (perpetual)

How I Got It: Library loan

A father and his son walk alone through burned America. Nothing moves in the ravaged landscape save the ash on the wind. It is cold enough to crack stones, and when the snow falls it is gray. The sky is dark. Their destination is the coast, although they don't know what, if anything, awaits them there. They have nothing; just a pistol to defend themselves against the lawless bands that stalk the road, the clothes they are wearing, a cart of scavenged food—and each other.

Another meh book. I can appreciate the stark simplicity of the writing, but I just wasn't a fan of the rest of the book. Nothing grabbed me and kept me really interested in reading. I'm fairly certain that I finished because it's only 241 pages. Don't really see what all the hype was about. I guess it just wasn't my kind of book.

Movie:

The movie added a ton of action beats that just don't exist in the book. It also expanded the role of the wife. I understand why they did it for a wide spread release movie. The book just doesn't have enough to appeal to mass audiences. Overall, I like the movie better than the book, but It still just wasn't something that really held my attention.

The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas

Title: The Count of Monte Cristo

Author: Alexandre Dumas

Genre: Classics

Pages: 1276

Rating: 4/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Classics -- Adventure; Mount TBR; Blogger Recommendations; Book to Movie; Fall into Reading; Rory Gilmore (perpetual)

How I Got It: iPad

Thrown in prison for a crime he has not committed, Edmond Dantes is confined to the grim fortress of If. There he learns of a great hoard of treasure hidden on the Isle of Monte Cristo and becomes determined not only to escape but to unearth the treasure and use it to plot the destruction of the three men responsible for his incarceration. A huge popular success when it was first serialized in the 1840s, Dumas was inspired by a real-life case of wrongful imprisonment when writing his epic tale of suffering and retribution.

I had put off reading this classic for far too long. When it showed up on the list for the Blogger Recommendations Challenge, I knew I had to add it to my 2013 TBR list. After taking forever to finish it (I blame the baby and Dumas' lack of brevity), I found that overall I really enjoyed the book.

The Good

Dumas can create very interesting and intriguing characters. I especially loved Dantes, but of course the audience is supposed to connect with him throughout the adventure. The other supporting characters play their parts well. I also enjoyed the storyline even if I knew it before reading the book. I couldn't wait to see what happened next.

The Bad

As this was published in serial form in the 1840s, the novel lacks any sense of editing. Dumas rambles on and on, especially the dialogue sections. Characters take 20 pages to say something that could have been conveyed in 2 pages. There were times that I had to put the novel down because I was getting tired of the slow pace. As such, it took me three weeks to finish it. Also, I loved the passages with Dantes as the main point of view, but felt distracted by chapters from the other characters. Those chapters just didn't seem as engaging. The switching of narrators was tiresome.

While, I had some issues with the novel, this is a classic that everyone should experience at some time in their lives.

Movie:

We happened to own the 2002 version of the novel, so I watched that one. While I enjoyed the film on its own, it definitely changes much of the novel. Dantes is still imprisoned and enacts his revenge once he escapes. But most of the other parts and even character relationships have been changed. I found the weird renewed romance between Dantes and Mercedes to be the most troublesome aspect of the changes. I just couldn't get behind it, even if they made Albert their son instead of Mercedes and Fernand's son. On a much happier note, I loved the action scenes and the introduction of the Count by way of hot air balloon. To any thinking they can watch this movie instead of reading the book, you will miss so much... Go read the book first!

The Host by Stephenie Meyer

Title: The Host

Author: Stephenie Meyer

Publisher: Back Bay Books 2008

Genre: Paranormal

Pages: 620

Rating: 5/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Paranormal -- Aliens; TBR Pile; Book to Movie; Bingo -- 3 rereads

Melanie Stryder refuses to fade away. The earth has been invaded by a species that take over the minds of human hosts while leaving their bodies intact. Wanderer, the invading "soul" who has been given Melanie's body, didn't expect to find its former tenant refusing to relinquish possession of her mind.
As Melanie fills Wanderer's thoughts with visions of Jared, a human who still lives in hiding, Wanderer begins to yearn for a man she's never met. Reluctant allies, Wanderer and Melanie set off to search for the man they both love.

A reread for me. With the release of the movie this year, I wanted to reread the book and do a bit of comparison. I remember that I enjoyed The Host more than the Twilight series, but I wanted to see if my memories lived up. They do live up to my memories. I really enjoyed this book. The story of the aliens taking over Earth through body snatching isn't anything new. But Melanie/Wanderer's story of understanding and identity is nice and unique. I loved following their slow realization that neither of them are the enemy. And watching the love triangle (or is it a square?) develop did not annoy me like in the Twilight series. This one felt genuine. I loved rereading this book. And I'll even admit to ugly crying in parts.

Movie:

Overall, I quite enjoyed this adaptation. I'll admit that the voiceovers for Melanie and Wanderer's internal conversations were awkward, but the movie kept them to a minimum. The actors actually portray their characters well. The movie spent a lot of time following the searcher, but it added to the heightened fear of capture. My favorite character was Jeb played by William Hurt. He captured that exact mix of crazy and genius that I loved from the book. I went into the viewing thinking I would hate the movie, but it turns out that I really enjoyed it.

2013 Book to Movie Reading Challenge

From Doing Dewey:

Alright folks! Today we have another exciting new first for Doing Dewey! I will be hosting my first ever reading challenge, the 2013 Book to Movie Challenge. Your mission, should you choose to accept it, is to review books and the movies which they’ve been made into. It’s a tough job, but someone has to let us book lovers know which movies are going to fulfill our dreams of watching our favorite books come to life and which movies are going to ruthlessly shatter those dreams!
You can change challenge levels at any time and the challenge levels are as follows:
Movie Fan - read 3 books and watch their movies Movie Devotee - read 6 books and watch their movies Movie Lover - read 9 books and watch their movies Movie Aficionado - read 12 books and watch their movies
Credit for the logo, to which I artistically added writing, goes to the Ozark Dale County Public Library.

I'm going for the Movie Afficionado Level of 12 books and movies. I love comparing movies to the original texts.

My TBR List:

The Reader
Mansfield Park
A Game of Thrones
One Day
The Host
The Secret Garden
Emma
Never Let Me Go
Vanity Fair
TBD
TBD
TBD