Let's Talk is a new 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!

Question: What are your favourite swoon-worthy literary romances?

First off, please allow me to clarify the term "romances." I am by no means talking some 50 Shades of Grey garbage - although, heck, if that floats your boat, be my guest. I'm talking those romances that leave you breathless, teary-eyed and wishing that you could have a romance just like it. You know, a love that defies obstacles, means something true and has a pure, unadulterated worth? You don't know? Let me show you what I mean.

Take, for example, the love of Elizabeth Bennett and Mr. Darcy. (Hold please, I'm hung up on Mr. Darcy again.) Moving on. When we meet the two of them, they seem as different as can be. Elizabeth is carefree and exuberant with a love of writing and a free, unhindered spirit. Mr. Darcy is chained to his old-world values, straight-faced and carries the weight of the world on his shoulders. 

And yet, despite their initial reservations (read: anger/animosity), the two begin to have feelings for one another, which they must consistently battle. Morals, virtues, personalities, families, worlds and classes combine and intertwine to make their love come together, and holy hell...it is beautiful.

There is nothing quite as beautiful and painstakingly torturous than a star-crossed love. Jamie is dying of Leukemia when, unbeknownst to her, Landon is spiraling out of control. The preacher's daughter takes him under her wing despite his initial resistance, and she makes a place in her heart for him. 

His careful facade of toughness and badassery was designed to protect him though, and her purity put a chink in his armour, complicating things when she relapses. Their love blossoms from a mutual respect, and she transforms him, just as he transforms her. Honest and true, I cry every time I read this.

Guys, the point is, there are hundreds of swoon-worthy romances out there. Other ones right up there for me? Susan and Timothy from The Last Silk Dress, Carly and Ryan from Raw Blue, Katniss and Peeta from The Hunger Games (I know, seems like an odd choice), Maggie and Caleb from Leaving Paradise, Arwen and Aragorn from The Lord of the Rings...yeah, the list goes on, and on and on.

Let's Talk is a new 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!

Question: What are your favourite and least favourite book to film adaptations, and why?

Book to film adaptations are notoriously bad, my friends. I mean, seriously…who are we kidding here? There are so many films that just have not lived up to their literary counterparts that I often forget that there can be good ones. You guys know the bad ones I’m talking about; those movies that take excessive liberties, completely conceal the plot and spin the story into something that’s merely a shadow of what the book once was? Do I really need to illustrate those for you? Probably not, but here are some of the worst ones I’ve ever seen…EVER.

That said, there are (occasionally) those book to film adaptations that actually manage to impress me. Now, that’s no small feat, mind you because when they do it’s because of a few things. 

1. They don’t deviate too far from the book’s storyline. 

2. The actors actually fit their literary counterparts and do them justice. 

3. The movie doesn’t skimp on the book’s details simply for shock value or ratings. 

Yes, I know. I’m picky. But hey, when you like a book, do you really want to see that book have a crappy film fail at its sad attempt to do it justice? The answer’s no, and you know it. The point is, I can probably count on two hands the number of films that have measured up, but below are my top three.

What do they have in common? They run in the same vein as the books, which is like gold to me. I seriously love them. The fact of the matter is that while I allow for creative freedom, I love a book for a reason, and it saddens me when films lose that reason.