Top Ten Tuesday is hosted by the lovely Jana @ That Artsy Reader Girl. Each week a new theme is suggested for bloggers to participate in. This week’s prompt is a Love Freebie!
Hello Readers! If you celebrate, Happy Valentine’s Day! Whether you do or don’t, it’s always fun to talk about love—in all its many forms. 💖
When I was trying to think of what to do for today’s TTT Love Freebie, my mind kept returning to the growing list of book adaptations I have in my notes. I keep coming across films or tv series based on books, and I always long to read the book first, which usually means my list keeps growing without many books actually getting read—or adaptations watched. I have discovered sometimes the book isn’t always better, which may seem like blasphemy to readers, but occasionally the adaptation improves on what the book did. Sally Rooney’s Normal People is the perfect example of that for me. But it’s impossible to know if that’s the case until after reading and viewing the adaptation.
So today I’m looking at five books I have read and want to see the adaptation for, and five books I still need to read before I watch the adaptations. This post took way too long for me to put together, so please let me know if you’ve read and/or watched them—and if they’re worth my time! 😅
(Link to Goodreads synopsis for the book or to YouTube for the adaptation trailer when available.)
1
Happiness for Beginners
I finally read Katherine Center’s Happiness for Beginners last year, and it was easily a five-star read for me. It also became another one of those backlist books I was kicking myself for not reading sooner. So I was thrilled to hear a Netflix adaptation (expected this summer!) is being made staring Ellie Kemper! I adored Ellie in The Office, and while she is not what I pictured for Helen while reading, I have faith in her acting skills.
Other adaptations of the author’s work:
The Lost Husband – Adaptation on Netflix. I still need to read and watch this one!
Things You Save in a Fire – Rights for an adaptation purchased. I adored this book, as well!
2
The Sun is Also a Star
Okay, so technically I’m currently reading The Sun is Also a Star by Nicola Yoon, but I know I’ll finish it, and I’m loving it so far. It wasn’t a book I planned on reading this month, but when I saw it was the monthly read for the Popsugar Challenge, I decided to join in the read and discussion for the month. Especially since I had this book penciled in for the prompt: A book that takes place entirely in one day. It’s been a long time since I’ve had to force myself to read along with a schedule, and I’m actually enjoying it. It’s giving me more time to sit with what I’ve read, letting me dwell on the story more. And I’m excited to watch the 2019 adaptation starring Yara Shahidi and Charles Melton once I’ve finished.
Other adaptations of the author’s work:
Everything, Everything (2015) – I have not read the book or seen the adaptation (2017).
3
The Storied Life of A.J. Fikry
Late last year the publisher invited me to read The Storied Life of A.J. Fikry to help share the release of the film adaptation. It’s a book I’ve had on my TBR, so I quickly accepted. I enjoyed most of the book, but it’s not one I loved, which means I’m not as anxious to watch the adaptation now. But I do like the star in the film (Lucy Hale from The Hating Game, another adaptation I adored!), and I’d like to see if they changed anything from the book, which might make me like the film more.
Other adaptations of the author’s work:
Tomorrow, And Tomorrow, And Tomorrow – Rights for the adaptation have been purchased.
4
Outlander
I’ve been reading the Outlander series since 2018, and I’ve made it through the seventh book, An Echo in the Bone. I’ve been trying to stay ahead of the adaptation which stars Caitriona Balfe and Sam Heughan to avoid spoilers, but it’s sometimes a challenge because the show often takes from several books—and each book is around 1,000 pages! The next season (7) airs this summer, and it mostly covers book 7, but pulls some elements from book 6, A Breath of Snow and Ashes, as well. They’ve announced season 8 will be the final one, which will be interesting since the final book (which will probably be book 10) hasn’t been released. Hopefully, it will be published before the adaptation, or the adaptation won’t cover past the currently released books. I’m planning on reading book 8, Written in My Own Heart’s Blood, later this year!
Other adaptations of the author’s work: Outlander: Blood of My Blood will be a spin-off adaptation about Jamie’s parents. From what I understand, Gabaldon is writing a prequel about Jamie’s parents but I’m not sure if the adaptation will be based on her books.
5
Confess
This is an adaptation I didn’t even know existed until I started working on this post—or maybe I’d forgotten it existed. While I sometimes have mixed feelings about Colleen Hoover’s books, I did enjoy Confess, which I read in 2017—which is oddly when the adaptation was released. Maybe I read the book in anticipation of the adaptation and then forgot to watch it?? Ha! I’m curious to see if the adaptation starring Katie Leclerc holds up.
Other adaptations of the author’s work: It was recently announced It Ends With Us will be adapted into a film starring Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni. This one is waiting on my TBR shelf!
6
Heartstopper
Once I saw the Heartstopper graphic novel series was being adapted, it quickly moved up my TBR. I read the first two volumes last year, and I’m anxious to pick up volumes 3 and 4. Season one of the adaptation covers volumes 1 and 2, no word if season two will only cover volume 3 or include volume 4, as well. The fifth and final volume will be released soon! I highly recommend this delightful series, in both forms! Actors Joe Locke and Kit Connor have brought Charlie and Nick to life.
7
The Lost Husband
Another book and adaptation by Katherine Center I need to read AND watch is The Lost Husband—which desperately needs an updated cover like Happiness for Beginners got, btw. The book published in 2013 and the adaptation starring Leslie Bibb and Josh Duhamel released in 2020 on Netflix. I’m hoping to finally read this one this year!
Other adaptations of the author’s work:
Happiness for Beginners (see above)
Things You Save in a Fire – rights purchased
8
Can You Keep a Secret?
I’ve read and enjoyed four of Kinsella’s novels, and I’ve had the 2003 romance Can You Keep a Secret? waiting on my shelf for a few years. I discovered it had been adapted when I was perusing Netflix last year. The adaptation (from 2019) starring Alexandra Daddario looks very cute. Now I just need to read the book. I’m hoping to get to it soon!
Other adaptations of the author’s work:
Confessions of a Shopaholic – Her most popular book, which I have not read or watched the adaptation starring Isla Fisher.
Remember Me – in development
Finding Audrey – in development – This book is waiting on my shelf, as well!
I’ve Got Your Number – I adored this book! News of this adaptation is from 2020, but I can’t find anything that states it’s been canceled.
9
My Policeman
Seeing the news for the adaptation of My Policeman by Bethan Roberts starring Harry Styles is what prompted me to add it to my TBR. I have a copy of the book on my kindle and the adaptation has been released, but I still haven’t managed to read or watch either. Hopefully soon!
10
My Brilliant Friend
My Brilliant Friend by Italian author Elena Ferrante (translated by Ann Goldstein) is the first book in The Neapolitan Novels series published in 2011, and the television series started in 2018. The HBO series has been renewed for a fourth and final season. I feel like I’ve been seeing this book and the adaptation mentioned everywhere lately. I have the entire book series on my kindle and I’m hoping to read at least this first book soon!
Other adaptations of the author’s work:
L’amore Molesto – adapted in 1995
The Lost Daughter – Netflix adaptation starring Olivia Coleman released in 2021. This one is on my TBR, too!
The Lying Life of Adults – Netflix tv series starring Valeria Golino released in January 2023.
Have you read any of these books or watched their adaptations? Let me know in the comments!
Happy Wandering!
I thought The Lost Husband was good. More of a slow moving and mature romance story, but still good. Never read the book or any of Katherine’s though! But I have some on my TBR. 🙂
Oh ok! Katherine Center is one of my faves. I hope you give her a try!
I loved the Outlander books, but stopped watching the show after Season 3. Though one thing I have to say, they truly deserve accolades for the most extensive travelling! 🤣
Oh, that’s interesting! So you’ve read all the books, but didn’t continue with the show? It seems so faithful to the storyline. Sometimes I feel like I’ll never get caught up with the books. 😉
Heartstopper is such a perfect adaptation. I’m glad Oseman is so involved because it’s obvious that the sweetness and charm has carried over for the books to the show.
Yes! It makes a huge difference when the author is involved. And everyone should take note of how well Heartstopper has been done. I was also so very impressed with how the charm translated.
I enjoyed reading AJ Fikry last month, and need to watch the adaptation to see if it’s as enjoyable as the book. (I know you said you didn’t enjoy the book, but maybe the movie will be better?”.
Pam @ Read! Bake! Create!
https://readbakecreate.com/my-ten-favorite-fictional-families/
Yes, I’m hoping so!
I was only aware of the Outlander adaptation. It’s cool to see so many books being turned into films.
My post: https://lydiaschoch.com/top-ten-tuesday-books-i-liked-about-asexual-characters/
I can’t keep up with how many there are. It seems to be a trend that’s currently exploding.
I love Katherine Center. I want to watch the movie for AJ Fikry too!
I need to catch up on Center’s backlist!
I thought Can You Keep a Secret? was cute – the movie. I haven’t read the book. I read the first two Heartstopper books years ago, so I really do want to re-read those and then get caught up and watch the show.
Lauren @ http://www.shootingstarsmag.net
That’s good to hear you enjoyed Can You Keep a Secret! Hopefully I can get to the book soon. And Heartstopper is phenomenal!
I’ve watched Heartstopper and it was super cute, I didn’t read the graphic novels though. I’ve also watched Outlander and love it, though again haven’t read the books, their sheer size is somewhat intimidating, and I don’t love that much romance in books, when it comes to romance I definitely have a screen over book preference, I always have. I’m curious as to how they’re going to wrap up Outlander in eight seasons when there are meant to be 10 books, I’m sure they’ll do a great job though, and I think Season 7 is meant to be longer, so there’s a good chance it will cover elements of more than one book maybe?
My TTT: https://jjbookblog.wordpress.com/2023/02/14/top-ten-tuesday-407/
Yes! That’s what I think about Outlander, too—that the extra long season will combine some books. I’m super curious about the final season. I really hope the book series ends before the show, unless the show doesn’t cover the final book. Or else I guess I’ll just save the last season to watch after I read the books. They are huge books! And I’ve devoted too much time to be spoiled on the ending. 😂
I imagine the show may just not cover the final book given that they only have two seasons left, even with a longer season 7, 3 books to cover in two seasons is quite a lot! I’d imagine it’s very likely the show will end before the books given how long a gap there seems to be between those releases (not surprising since they are huge books!). I suppose the good thing is, the show will always be there for when you’re done!
Wow, I’ve only read one part of one book on your list (I DNFed Outlander) and I haven’t watched any of the movies! This is great, though; I love seeing good books be made into good movies or shows. It gets more people reading the books, and I love that! Nice take on today’s freebie. 🙂
My TTT: https://bookwyrmknits.com/2023/02/14/top-ten-tuesday-free-short-fiction-for-valentines-day/
I’m probably too aware of book adaptations. Ha! It can be very limiting. 🤦♀️😂
I’ve read #2 and #5, but only watched #5.
What did you think of Confess? Worth the watch?
It’s a pretty good adaptation.
I haven’t seen the movie adaptation of Can You Keep a Secret? But I absolutely loved the book. And I’m excited to know they’re making a movie of Happiness for Beginners. I love that book, too. 😀
I hear so many good things about Can You Keep a Secret? And I’ve enjoyed every Kinsella book I’ve read, so I’m excited to pick that one up. Hopefully soon! I’m so excited for Happiness for Beginners, too!
I feel so dumb lol I saw Ellie Kemper’s photo next to the book and before reading anything assumed that she was the author and I was having such a crisis trying to solve the mystery with google. Decided to give up and come back to your post…should have just read the post before I went to google LOL Oops.
I still need to read the Outlander books but I love the show!
My TTT: https://www.mollysbooknook.com/top-ten-tuesday-my-favorite-cookbooks/
Haha! Yeah, I couldn’t find any promotional photos for the film, so that’s what I had to go with.
The Outlander show is pretty faithful to the books. The books are just much more detailed. 😃
Great post! I’ve read a few of these books, so now I can’t wait for the adaptations.
Yay!!
I actually read seven of these books, and please DM and tell me how they end the adaptation of The Sun is Also a Star. I loved the book ending, so I hope they kept it. I read and saw Everything, Everything and thought both were great. I had no idea they adapted that Kinsella book, but I adored the book, and well, Center is a fave. I struggle a bit with the casting for AJ Fikry. Lucy Hale did not fit the description, but I do like her.
Oooh, ok! I finished The Sun is Also a Star today. Hopefully I can watch the adaptation this week. And yes! I’d forgotten that Lucy Hale does not match the character’s description at all. I was bummed about that. But I do like the actress. I’ll be curious to see if it works.
Great choice of topic, Dedra! I’m not a big watcher of adaptations although I always say that I’ll watch the shows/movies so long as I’ve read the book first but this rarely happens. The only one I’ve seen on here is Heartstopper and I adored it. I do want to check out Outlander, both book and show (eventually), and I still do want to read AJ Fikry! I hope you enjoy all of these books and adaptations if you check them out 🙂
Yeah, I always have big plans to read then watch, but it rarely happens. What usually happens is I finally read the book, it wasn’t as good as I thought it’d be, and then I end up never watching the adaptation. 🤦♀️😂
I’m not a big fan of book-to-film adaptations as Hollywood usually ruins them for me. When I do see them, I always read the book first so I can compare/contrast. Except for one or two exceptions, the book is always better for me. I guess I prefer to “watch” a book in my imagination instead of someone else’s interpretation of it on the screen. I hope you enjoy all these adaptations!
Happy TTT (on a Wednesday)!
Susan
http://www.blogginboutbooks.com
That makes sense! I am scared sometimes when it’s a favorite book that they’ll ruin it for me. But I do love when an adaptation enhances my reading experience and makes the characters or setting come alive. I’m not very visual when I read—I don’t picture the things the author describes most of the time—so seeing them on screen helps me in that case.
Happy reading!
I loved the Fikry movie, but I also loved the book. I didn’t realize that Katherine Center’s books had been made into movies. Now I have some things to watch. Great post, Dedra.
Oh, that’s good to hear about Fikry. And I’m happy to help! 😉 You’ll have to let me know what you watch and what you thought of them. <3
Can’t believe I didn’t know that Sophie Kinsella’s books had made been made into adaptions! Having a look on Netflix asap x