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 Movies/TV Shows That Would Have Made Amazing Books (Submitted by Sabrina @ Notes From a Paper Plane Nomad), but I’ve tweaked it just a bit!
Hello Readers! In 2023 I read multiple backlist books in anticipation of their coming adaptations OR in order to enjoy their already released adaptations. I keep an ongoing running list of books to read before I watch their adaptations, so it was nice to cross them off my list. I even created a TTT with 10 adaptations I wanted to watch last year. When I realized I’d read and watched 6 out of 10, I wanted to do an updated post to let you know what I thought about them. And then once I started working on my post, I quickly discovered I had more than ten to share, so I’d need to do a Part 1 and a Part 2 post. (I’m planning on sharing Part 2 next week!)
I’m including the rating I gave the book (out of five stars) and my rating for the adaptation (out of ten stars), whether I think you should read the book BEFORE you watch the adaptation, and the link to the trailer for the adaptation on YouTube.
Let’s see what adaptations I’ve watched recently!
(Link to Goodreads synopsis through the book title.)
1
Happiness for Beginners
I finally read Katherine Center’s Happiness for Beginners in 2022 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 was being made starring Ellie Kemper. I watched it as soon as it was released and I thought it was pretty faithful to the book. I also didn’t mind the changes they did make, although there were things I wished they would have included. I thought it was beautifully shot, as well.
Book: ★★★★★/5
Adaptation: ★★★★★★/10
Should you read the book first? Yes!
2
The Sun is Also a Star
I read The Sun is Also a Star by Nicola Yoon last year to fulfill a very specific prompt on my Popsugar Reading Challenge: A book that takes place in one day. I’d had the book waiting on my bookshelf for a few years, so it was the perfect choice. Once I finished the book, I watched the 2019 adaptation starring Yara Shahidi and Charles Melton. I thought it was very well done and conveyed what was at the heart of the book faithfully.
Book: ★★★★/5
Adaptation: ★★★★★★/10
Should you read the book first? Yes!
3
The Storied Life of A.J. Fikry
In 2022 the publisher invited me to read The Storied Life of A.J. Fikry to help share the release of the film adaptation. There were parts of the book I liked and parts I didn’t, so I was curious to see if they changed anything in the film. It ended up being pretty faithful to the book, but I did think the acting was good!
Book: ★★★★/5 (I gave it four stars because it is very well written even if I didn’t love the story.)
My Review
Adaptation: ★★★★★/10
Should you read the book first? I’d say you can just pick one or the other.
4
Anxious People
I was late to reading Anxious People by Fredrik Backman, but I knew it was one I’d get to because I enjoyed Beartown so much. When I discovered there was an adaptation for Anxious People, I made time to read it. I adored the book and I enjoyed the limited series, as well! (FYI, I also enjoyed the Beartown limited series.)
Book: ★★★★★/5
Adaptation: ★★★★★★/10
Should you read the book first? Yes!
5
If Beale Street Could Talk
I sped through James Baldwin’s If Beale Street Could Talk quickly. My first book by the author, I was so impressed with the weight of this short book. I was eager to see if the film captured the power of the original material, and I thought they did the best they could.
Book: ★★★★★/5
Adaptation: ★★★★★★★/10
Should you read the book first? Yes!
6
Heartstopper
I ADORED the first three books in the Heartstopper graphic novel series! I own the fourth book but haven’t read it yet. Season one of the adaptation covers volumes 1 and 2. Season two of the adaptation covers volume 3, and from what I understand one scene in volume 4. Actors Joe Locke and Kit Connor have brought Charlie and Nick to life!
Books: ★★★★★/5
Adaptation: ★★★★★★★★★★/10
Should you read the books first? Yes!
7
The Lost Husband
I finally read and watched Katherine Center’s The Lost Husband, one of her earlier books. The book published in 2013 and the adaptation starring Leslie Bibb and Josh Duhamel released in 2020 on Netflix. Both were “feel good” experiences!
Book: ★★★★/5
Adaptation: ★★★★★★/10
Should you read the book first? Yes!
8
Saint X
Saint X by Alexis Schaitkin was a thriller that arrrived on my doorstep from Celadon Books. Otherwise, I might never have picked it up since thrillers aren’t my typical genre. Although I’d say it’s really more of a literary novel than a thriller. Apparently I enjoyed it more than many other readers because it does have mixed reviews on Goodreads. When I saw an adaptation had been made, I made the time to watch it. I was surprised again by how much I enjoyed it, thinking I would watch the first few episodes and not finish it. The adaptation made some changes that I thought were good choices, as well.
Book: ★★★★/5
My Review
Adaptation: ★★★★★★/10
Should you read the book first? It’s probably not necessary, although I think having read the book helped me understand the adaptation better.
9
My Policeman
Seeing the news for the adaptation of My Policeman by Bethan Roberts starring Harry Styles is what prompted me to read the book first. This is one where I think I actually preferred the adaptation more?? But I also thought Styles perfectly captured the character from the book, while my daughter, who hasn’t read the book, thought his acting just wasn’t great. 🤷♀️😃 But I’d say if you have read the book, give the adaptation a try!
Book: ★★★★/5
Adaptation: ★★★★★★★/10
Should you read the book first? Probably not necessary.
10
Daisy Jones & The Six
So Daisy Jones & The Six by Taylor Jenkins Reid appeared on many, many of my TBRs before I finally read it. I think I was scared of all the hype. And I guess for good reason. I tried listening to the audiobook AND reading my print copy, but I just didn’t love the book. I loved the premise, though, so when I saw the release of the star-studded adaptation, I knew I wanted to watch it. I ended up enjoying it more than the book, but I still think it could have been amazing instead of only just good. The actors were great, but I thought the writing and some of the original music was lacking. The setting and clothes, though, were perfection!
Book: ★★★½ /5
Adaptation: ★★★★★★/10
Should you read the book first? Nah. Although I know many other readers would disagree with me. 😉
Have you read any of these books or watched their adaptations? Let me know in the comments!
Happy Wandering!
I really liked both of the adaptations of Center’s novels, but I haven’t read The Lost Husband. Looking forward to reading more by her, and hopefully seeing eventual more adaptations made of her novels, too. 🙂
Oh good! Yes, I think several more of her books are in the process of being adapted!
A great list! I want to read a Katherine Centre book.
Have a good week!
Emily @ Budget Tales Book Blog
My post:
https://budgettalesblog.wordpress.com/2024/03/26/top-ten-tuesday-movies-tv-shows-that-would-have-made-amazing-books/
You should pick one up! I’d say start with Happiness for Beginners or How to Walk Away. 🙂
I’ve just looked up Happiness For Beginners and it sounds good!
This is a great twist and a great list, Dedra. I haven’t read these two Center novels, but I will get them on my TBR and then watch the movies. I still have My Policeman on my TBR, so thanks for the reminder.
I would love to hear what you think of the books and adaptations if you get to them!
I have keeping you post bookmarked so I remember, Dedra.
These all sound very good, especially If Beale Street Could Talk!
Here is my Top Ten Tuesday.
I thought it was done so well!
Heartstopper made my list too! It’s cool that you actually read the book and watched the adaptation. I’m terrible about that. I usually do one and not the other.
If it’s a book that’s already on my tbr, I prefer to read it first. But it is hard to make it happen a lot of times. Or it takes me years before I get to it. Ha!
I loved Heartstopper and I can’t wait for the upcoming season. I really need to watch Daisy Jones and the Six – I loved the book.
I’m excited for the next Heartstopper too! But I need to finish reading it first. Ha! I’d be interested to know if you enjoy the Daisy Jones adaptation if you were a fan of the book. 🙂
I adore rom coms in movie form but I never reach for contemporary romances (I don’t know why) but now I really want to watch Happiness for beginners. I loved Anxious people, the book, and the tv show was fun but didn’t love it as much. & LOVE Heartstopper in all its formats! Fantastic list and I love how you structured it!
Thank you! I think you have to go into adaptations knowing they’ll never compare to the books. And then sometimes you get surprised when they do. Haha! Mostly I just always enjoy seeing a visual representation of the characters I read about. Heartstopper is perfection!
I love your take on the topic this week! I have seen so few adaptations because I always tell myself that I’m going to read the book first and we all know how that goes 😂 I have read and watched Heartstopper and ADORE it. I’m looking forward to reading and then watching Beale Street as well. Great post, Dedra!
You should see how long my list is of things to read before I watch! 🤦♀️😂 Usually by the time I get to them, the adaptation is several years old. Ha! Beale Street is a must-read, and then the film just enhanced it for me, I think. Happy reading, Dini!
I am in awe that you have experienced so many book + adaptation pairs! I have watched so few movie adaptations where I’ve also read the book.
Here’s my TTT this week: https://bookwyrmknits.com/2024/03/26/top-ten-tuesday-still-more-quotes-about-books/
For some reason I started making a list. I love books and movies, so I guess that’s why. I always want to watch the adaptation but I prefer to read the book first. It’s a very long list. Ha!
I love lists, so I don’t think you need a reason to make a list. 😉
This is true! Ha!
This is weird… I couldn’t comment on your website page. And if I opened up your post in reader I couldn’t comment either. BUT I could comment from the WP Reader front page? I don’t know what’s going on there.
I liked Happiness for Beginners movie, but I haven’t read the book. I loved both Daisy Jones and The Six versions.
Ugh. I hate website glitches. I don’t know why it does that sometimes. Thank you for letting me know!
You should read Happiness for Beginners. Such a good book! I feel like it’s one you’d enjoy. 🙂
I may have to listen to it at some point.
I read AJ Fikry last year and enjoyed it. As for Heartstopper? I devoured all 5 volumes over 3 months! I am so in love with Nick and Charlie! I need to make time to watch the adaptation.
Pam @ Read! Bake! Create!
https://readbakecreate.com/ten-more-awesome-books-to-make-into-a-movie/
Oh if you loved the Hearstopper books, you should love the adaptation! I think it’s perfection.
I have seen zero of these adaptations, but I have read six of the books. Seems like Heartstopper was the only one that impressed you.
Yeah, I think Heartstopper is pretty much a perfect adaptation. It was done so well. Like the novel come to life!
Excellent tweak! I’ve enjoyed several of these books, but haven’t watched any. I made a mistake and did next week’s topic.
Thank you! No mistakes, you just got a jump start on the rest of us. 😉
Immediately put these into my TBR list. I’m looking forward for Daisy Jones and The Six because of its hype but I think I’m going to read If Beale Street Could Talk first because the premise sounds interesting.
Oh yay!! I would love to hear what you think about them. <3
This is a great topic! Except for Daisy Jones, I haven’t read or watch any of these so I’ve got some new recommendations here! I’ve never had much interest for The Sun Is Also A Star, but you convinced me to pick it up.