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 Freebie, so I’ll be sharing my Part 2 of the most recent adaptations I’ve read and watched!
Hello Readers! Who all got to see the eclipse?! 😎 We were in the path of totality but had a cloudy forecast so we weren’t sure what we’d get to see. But thankfully the sky cleared at just the right time and we got to experience such an awesome event. We didn’t understand why people travel all over the world to see it, until we experienced it ourselves. My son caught some great pictures with his telescope, too! →→→
For this week’s Freebie, I’m back with Part 2 of my most recent adaptations I’ve read and watched. I shared Part 1 two weeks ago, if you didn’t get to check that one out! I’ll be 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
Fleishman Is in Trouble
Fleishman Is in Trouble by Taffy Brodesser-Anker went on and off my TBR a few times, I think. I was scared of the mixed reviews, but then I was also very intrigued by the synopsis. I’m usually a fan of quirky family drama, so I gave it a try! The book was genius, and I thought the adaptation did the best they could with the material. Very well acted!
Book: ★★★★¼ / 5
Adaptation: ★★★★★★★/10
Should you read the book first? Yes!
2
The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes
I was very nervous to read The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes by Suzanne Collins, the latest installment in the Hunger Games universe. I’d seen the mixed reviews, but while I thought the first half was a bit slow, I actually liked the second half, even the ending. So I was pretty excited for the film. While I was reading it, I just kept thinking all of it would be better on the big screen. And it was!
Book: ★★★★/5
Adaptation: ★★★★★★★★/10
Should you read the book first? Probably only if you’re a big fan of The Hunger Games. Otherwise, just watch the film!
3
Dumplin’
I’d had Dumplin’ by Julie Murphy waiting on my shelf for years. I have no idea why I didn’t pick it up sooner, but I could tell while reading the first page that I would love this book. Not only did it capture life in a Texas small town perfectly, it made me laugh and smile and cry. I watched the adaptation after I read the book, and I thought it was cute. The casting was pretty perfect. But while the heart of the book was still there, they did make some minor changes to the story that I missed from the book.
Book: ★★★★★/5
Adaptation: ★★★★★★/10
Should you read the book first? Yes!
4
The Last Thing He Told Me
I’d read and enjoyed two of Laura Dave’s romances so I was excited to be approved for an ARC of The Last Thing He Told Me. I was curious how she would do with a mystery, and I was pleasantly surprised by how much I liked this novel. The relationship between the stepmom and stepdaughter is the heart of the book. The adaptation was good too! Well-done.
Book: ★★★★½ / 5
My Review
Adaptation: ★★★★★★★/10
Should you read the book first? Yes!
5
Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret.
I was pretty sure I’d read Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret. by Judy Blume as a child, but I didn’t have much memory of it until I reread it. Then it all became familiar. The adaptation was adorable, too!
Book: ★★★★/5
Adaptation: ★★★★★★★/10
Should you read the book first? Not necessary, unless you want to relive the nostalgia.
6
She Said
I’d wanted to read She Said: Breaking the Sexual Harassment Story That Helped Ignite a Movement by Jodi Kantor and Megan Twohey as soon as I’d heard about it. It’s not often that journalists break a story that helps change things for the better like these two did. The film did a good job of capturing the level of intensity the book conveyed, as well.
Book: ★★★★/5
Adaptation: ★★★★★★★/10
Should you read the books first? If you’re a fan of nonfiction or journalism, you should read the book. Otherwise, just watch the film!
7
All the Light We Cannot See
All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr is another book that has been sitting on my shelf for years. It finally took the show (and urging from my daughter) to finally pick it up. It’s heartbreaking, but oh so good! The adaptation is mostly faithful, although there are some plot changes, which is to be expected. The acting was superb!
Book: ★★★★★/5
Adaptation: ★★★★★★★★/10
Should you read the book first? Yes!
8
Lessons in Chemistry
For some reason when Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus was released, I was never very interested. Even with all the glowing reviews. But once I saw the trailer for the show, I knew I wanted to watch it. I asked all of you if I should read it first, and you said I should. You were right! I adored the book AND the adaptation.
Book: ★★★★½ / 5
Adaptation: ★★★★★★★★/10
Should you read the book first? The book just greatly expands on what the show provides. There are some changes in the show, but I thought they were good changes for tv.
9
The Flatshare
I was late to the Beth O’Leary party, but once I’d read The Flatshare, she quickly became a must-read author for me. I binged the series adaptation while I had a trial subscription to Paramount +. I thought it was pretty cute. The casting was great!
Book: ★★★★¼ / 5
Adaptation: ★★★★★★★/10
Should you read the book first? Yes!
10
Killers of the Flower Moon
Killers of the Flower Moon: The Osage Murders and the Birth of the FBI by David Grann is another book I picked up mostly in anticipation of watching the film. But as soon as I’d finished the book, I urged my husband to read it because I needed someone to talk to about it. He did, and we were excited about the film. We didn’t go to the theater, though, because the film is over three hours long! When it became available to stream, we settled in to be amazed. With Leonardo DiCaprio, Robert De Niro, and directed by Martin Scorsese, what could go wrong?! We were NOT amazed. We were very confused by all the glowing reviews. It was way too long, and while Lily Gladstone did a fine job, everyone else seemed to be over-acting?? It was just weird to us. I did appreciate the attention the film brought to the Osage and the tragic history they endured, but I think they deserved better!
Book: ★★★★★/5
Adaptation: ★★★★★/10
Should you read the book first? Just read the book.
Have you read any of these books or watched their adaptations? Let me know in the comments!
Happy Wandering!
I still have to read (and then watch!) The Flatshare and I think I did watch Dumplin’ a while back. At this point I probably wouldn’t read the book so all I’ll know of that story is the adaptation. Fun list.
The Flatshare was cute! I hope you get to watch it.
Your son took that picture? WOW! Maybe one day before I did I will see the whole night during the day thing. It was still neat to see the moon covering the sun. So glad the clouds cleared for you. “Just read the book” – ouch! Some adaptations just are not great. I read quite a few of those books, but only saw Dumplin. I thought the lead was good, but the love interest looked 40. It captured the spirit well.
Yep! He had a phone holder that attached to the telescope. He took it with an iPhone. Crazy, right?! It was so weird how it became night for those few minutes. I agree about Dumplin’. Bo was not what I’d imagined while reading, but yes, it did capture the spirit of the book!
It was sadly too cloudy in Toronto to see the eclipse, but I’m glad you got a good view of it! What a great snapshot.
Here is my Top Ten Tuesday.
Aw, I wish the weather could have been nice for you to see the eclipse, too. He did get some great pics. And with an iPhone and telescope!
I generally like to read fiction before I see an adaptation, because to read a book after knowing how the story ends doesn’t appeal but I usually read nonfiction afterwards to get extra detail.
Oh that’s a good plan!
I’ve read a few of these but haven’t seen any of the adaptations. I’ve been curious about Killers cos it’s one of my favourite NF ever but after reading what you wrote I’ll proceed watching with caution and lowered expectations, just in case 😂 I totally forgot The Switch was coming out as a show and I’m bummed that I have no way to watch it, cos it looks/sounds good! Maybe one day I will be able to check it out. Great list (and great photo of the eclipse)!
Yeah… definitely give Killers a try. So many other people liked it. 😃 The book was SO good!
Loved The Flat Share book and adaptation! I’d like to see Lessons in Chemistry as I thought the book was brilliant. How amazing to experience the eclipse. In theory, where I live (Edinburgh, Scotland) could have seen a partial eclipse but of course it was raining!
Oh, I’m happy to hear someone else enjoyed The Flatshare adaptation! If you enjoyed reading Lessons in Chemistry, I bet you’ll like the show, too. That’s too bad you didn’t get to see any of the eclipse! Hopefully next time. 🙂
Dumplin’ looks interesting.
Here is our Top Ten Tuesday.</a
I thought it was cute!
The only one I’ve read and watched on here was Dumplin. I enjoyed both.
The book was better, but the movie captured the right feeling, I thought.
The only one of these books I’ve read is Are You There God? … but I haven’t seen any of the adaptations. It sounds like you mostly had good luck with them, though!
That is a wonderful photo your son took of the eclipse.
Here’s my TTT this week: https://bookwyrmknits.com/2024/04/09/top-ten-tuesday-bookbound-update-1/
I always enjoy it when my love of books coincides with my love of film or tv. 🙂
He did great! All with an iPhone and telescope.
I love this post idea. It’s interesting to see how the two compare, and to get some ideas of things to read and/or watch! The only one on this list I’ve seen is Fleishman is in Trouble – but I haven’t read the book. I thought the show was well done, but it wasn’t one I wanted to spend the time reading, it was a lot! I’m interested in Lessons in Chemistry and Killers of the Flower Moon in particular. Thanks for sharing!
Fleishman was a lot! Yeah, I don’t think the book is for everyone. I was pretty surprised by how much I liked it. I think it was just right timing for me. I had fun with these posts! I’ll do more as I watch more adaptations. 🙂
I love this post Dedra. I now have lots to watch, but also to read. I read Killers of the Flower Moon and started to watch the movie, but it was meh, so I didn’t finish it. I agree, not sure what all the accolades were about. I have had Dumplin’ on my TBR for a long time and really need to just get to it.
Carla, it’s a relief to hear someone else agreed with us about Killers of the Flower Moon! We were so confused about all the praise. 😃 And you would love Dumplin’!
We had a super cloudy, overcast day yesterday. And then suddenly, the clouds parted just in time for the eclipse. Sadly, we were just outside the zone of totality (there was a tiny sliver of the sun still showing through). Everything had a sepia tone for a while. I would love to watch The Flatshare, as I enjoyed the book. I’m thinking I’ll pass on All the Light We Cannot See, as the book was a DNF for me, and I’m not sure I want to watch a war movie. I’m currently reading Lessons in Chemistry, and unsure how I feel about it.
Pam @ Read! Bake! Create!
https://readbakecreate.com/the-ds-have-it-ten-titles-starting-with-d/
Oh, I’m glad you at least got to see most of the eclipse! It got dark as night here. It was so weird! I can understand you wanting to skip All the Light We Cannot See. It was only at my daughter’s urging that I read it. I’ve been burnt out on war books, too, but I did enjoy that one. Thankfully the show was more character focused than battle focused. But it was an emotional story. It took me several chapters to settle into Lessons in Chemistry. I hope it got better for you!
I was really pleased with the Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes too – I definitely preferred the movie. 😊
Oh yay! It’s nice to hear someone agreed with me. 🙂
I didn’t know about The Flatshare!! I loved that book! All the Light, Dumplin’ and Are You There God? were all so good.
Yes! It seemed The Flatshare was a quiet release. I think I only knew about it because I get a newsletter from the author.
It’s on Prime so I’ may give it a try.
Oh good!
I didn’t realize that so many of these had adaptations! Thanks for sharing!
I had fun with these posts! I hope you get to watch a few and enjoy them.
A great idea for a list, and a great list! I’ve seen Dumplin. I enjoyed it and didn’t realise that it was a book until much later.
I am currently about to start re reading Lessons in Chemistry. I started it ages ago but Blog Tours got in the way and I never got back to finishing it. I think I read the first chapter 🤔
Have a great week!
Emily @ Budget Tales Book Blog
My post:
https://budgettalesblog.wordpress.com/2024/04/09/top-ten-tuesday-my-favourite-books-of-2024-so-far/
I hope you enjoyed Lessons in Chemistry! It did take me a few chapters to get into, but then I was hooked.
I hope so. I’ve had to delay it again as the Bridgerton library book became available and I wanted to read that before the series started. I then have a Netgalley and Blog Tour book so it might have to wait until next month. I honestly do want to read it!
I’ve got the next Bridgerton book waiting for me to get to before the new season, too! Hopefully we both enjoy it. 🙂
I’ve now finished it and loved it. I’m very interested to see how they translate it onto the screen! I hope you enjoy it!
My husband and his buddy traveled for two days to get to Texas so they could be in the path of totality. I thought they were crazy, but they said it was totally worth it. We couldn’t see much here in Arizona and I napped through it anyway. LOL
I’m glad you’ve enjoyed so many movie adaptations of book. I generally avoid adaptations since they can just never really compete with the books for me.
Happy TTT (on a Wednesday)!
Susan
http://www.blogginboutbooks.com
Sooo many people came to our area to see the eclipse! We were worried the weather wouldn’t cooperate for them. And we thought they were crazy too, but now we understand the hype. 😃 I’m glad they got to see it!
I’m a big fan of film and tv, so I love it when all my faves overlap. 😉