Let's Talk is a weekly feature here at i swim for oceans. I think it's important that we all have our say, and there's something to be said for raising our voices. Simply put, here on the little old blog, I like to host some of my very own discussion posts because, well, I like to converse with you all.
And so, Let's Talk will feature questions or prompts, which I will answer, too. Love it or hate it, weigh in or don't, it's my hope that Let's Talk will at least get you thinking...and maybe even get you discussing with the rest of us!
What books do you wish would be made into TV shows or movies?
I'll have you know, this is kind of a double-edged sword with me. I love a good movie and show, but I love a good book, and when an adaptation is made, you always run that risk that, perhaps, the visual interpretation just won't measure up, you know? That said, I never stop wishing (or imagining) about my favourite books being made into films and movies. The following, in my humble opinion, would just be amazing. And awesome. Yeah, I'd die.
A. If you haven't read Code Name Verity yet, I swear you're missing it. It's one incredibly powerful read, and I think it's one of those books that could translate perfectly onto the big screen with the right cast.
B. This series is a bit of a hot-button issue with me, as you'll probably know if you've been following this blog for a while. I loved how it started, but I hated how it finished. I can almost guarantee it would be amazing as a TV show though...we'd get to know the characters so much more.
C. I'll bet dollars to donuts that 99% of you haven't read The Last Silk Dress. It's probably my favourite historical fiction of all time - and I read it long before I started blogging. This book would be so, so, so awesome as a movie. With Orlando Bloom. Obvs.
D. I don't know about you guys, but the Gossip Girl TV show bugged the bejeesus out of me. The Daughters series is vaguely reminiscent of it, but without all the trite, socially demeaning drama of the show. I think it would make a wonderful, sweet and fun show.
What about you? What books do you think would make great films or shows?
Life As We Knew It would make a GREAT tv show!
ReplyDeleteRight?! I think it might actually be developed enough to make me love it!
DeleteI've imagined CODE NAME VERITY as a movie so many times. I would love to see it filmed.
ReplyDeleteFor a TV show, hmm - I just finished reading BURN FOR BURN by Siobhan Vivian and Jenny Han and LOVED it. All the drama, the great setting, the plethora of characters from diverse backgrounds - I can imagine it as a fantastically addicted CW teen drama. I would watch the hell out of it if they went for it.
I'm so glad you'd love to see CODE NAME VERITY as a movie, too! I think it would be perfect. And yes, I agree that Burn for Burn would make a great CW show. They get some of the edgier teen dramas, so I'd be thrilled!
DeleteI've never read any of those books, so I can't really comment. In honesty, I just don't like it when books are made into tv shows or movies. They never really live up to my full expectations and they destroy the image of the characters in my head.
ReplyDeleteTake the Divergent movie for instance. I know I shouldn't be judging it before watching the movie itself, but the cast is completely wrong for me. They may be good actors, but they look nothing like how I pictured the characters. And there's so much hype around the movie and I can tell I'll be sorely disappointed like with The Host.
The Hunger Games was one movie that I was satisfied with. They not only stuck to the major plot line, but the cast was spot on!
Anyways, enough of me whining! Great post, Melissa!
Haha no, I hear you on this, Nick. Like I said, it's a double-edged sword, and I totally agree with you on Divergent. I can't tell you how upset I was about who they cast as Tris. It doesn't work for me, and the girl's acting abilities have always been questionable for me...I dunno. Blergh.
DeleteI've not read any of these but I definitely agree with you about it being a double-edged sword. However, when it's done right and it brings the book to life I really do love the idea of adaptations. It's like your imagination has been taken and projected onto a screen and that's always going to be amazing! On the other hand, it can be so disappointing and end up tainting a book negatively, and that's just sad :(
ReplyDeleteI'll definitely be looking into these books though, The Daughters sounds really fun. I do like Gossip Girl on TV but have never read the books so have nothing to compare it to - also...the TV show has Ed Westwick... :) haha.
Great post Melissa, I love coming here on a Friday and reading them!
Thanks, Hannah!
DeleteI think that I get so attached to the images of what I think that characters should be like that I often can't get past my own self-imposed limitations. But, that doesn't stop me from hoping that something will live up eventually!
I have always wanted to read Code Name Verity, the reviews are mostly positive and love a good historical fic.
ReplyDeleteGreat post, chick! <33
It's worth a read, Melanie! It's one of my all-time favourites, and I can't even bring myself to write a proper review for it.
DeleteFor me, Michael Grant's GONE will be fantastic on TV - I've actually written my own pilot and seriously WANT to write it, produce it, CREATE it myself. Every update on a Gone TV show from Michael Grant kills my heart a little more.
ReplyDeleteI also think the Across the Universe could make a great TV show. One book a season and can also be further developed after book three - you'd know what I mean if you've read Shades of Earth.
Oh, you're SO right, Braiden! GONE would be a perfect show...who knows...it could work out in your favour. And yes, I think Across the Universe would be great. For some reason, dystopian shows work for me more than movies - ie: Revolution.
DeleteI haven't read any of those books, but The Daughters sounds like it would make a good TV show.
ReplyDeleteI think it would be amazing, but I love the books, so I'm biased ;)
DeleteI'd like to see some of my favorite UF series become TV shows, especially the Mercy Thompson series or The Walker Papers. Maybe SyFy will pick those up, after the success of Lost Girl!
ReplyDeleteWe can hope! Love SyFy for always taking a shot!
DeleteI still need to read Code Name Verity Melissa, and Rose Under Fire. I've heard such amazing things about that book and grabbed a copy at BEA last year but I still haven't read it yet. *sigh* I feel like I say "I haven't read this yet" or "I need to read this" way too often. I need more reading hours in the day! :)
ReplyDeleteThey're both amazing books, Jenny! I know what you mean though. I think we should all quit working and just read ;)
DeleteYes to Code Name Verity! Although I don't know if a visual medium could capture all the emotions within the book, I'd still love to see it as a historical film or show. I've also always thought that chick-lit would make great chick-flicks, not to mention epic fantasy sagas would make great TV shows like Game of Thrones. Great post, Melissa!
ReplyDeleteI know, and I agree with that, Keertana. It would be hard to capture it all, which is why I'm scared for the film adaptation of THE FAULT IN OUR STARS, too! Thanks for sharing, girl!
DeleteI really, really need to read Code Name Verity. You've totally solidified this. I still think Sweet Evil would be a great tv show on The CW. It's as sexy as The Vampire Diaries. I was sad when they didn't pick up the script to go into production this year.
ReplyDeleteYikes! I haven't read any of these yet... I'll have to get to them soon. It is hard when a film adaptation falls short.
ReplyDeleteI cant believe that another person loves The Last Silk Dress! That was my favorite Civil War novel growing up (I went on a kick)! Basically, Rinaldi novels would be lovely shows (PBS, perhaps?).
ReplyDeleteI've totally read The Last Silk Dress. I think there's only one Ann Rinaldi book I haven't read, actually.
ReplyDeleteI haven't read Code Name Verity, but would totally watch it as a movie!! Actually, I haven't read any of these books, but despite that, I think they would make great movies :)
ReplyDeleteI haven't read any of the books you mentioned, but I'll definitely do so. I'd love to see A Monster Calls by Patrick Ness as a movie. God, it'll break my heart seeing it on screen, but it's amazing.
ReplyDeleteI haven't read Code Name Verity and the blurb on Goodreads seems a little vague to me. Can you tell me what's it about?
ReplyDeleteI've read Last Silk Dress! It's not my favorite of Ann Rinaldi's books (that would probably be Break with Charity or Fifth of March) but I really liked it. Totally agree that Daughter would make a great show. I like that it's less catty than Gossip Girls.
ReplyDeleteConfession: I haven't read Code Name Verity. I have it and the next book. I'm gonna be quiet now because I feel that revelation was enough for today.
ReplyDeleteI actually have read Last Silk Dress (though I prefer In My Father's House for Civil War HF). I love the idea of it being a movie though!
ReplyDelete