Lets Talk Book to Movie! with Guest Blogger Spencer Blohm

Books have always been inspirations for film. It’s no wonder, since novels have lots of plot and character depth, which means scriptwriters and filmmakers have plenty to work with when creating a movie. Below, you’ll find a recent Movie Adaptation, and the news surrounding it:

The Giver By Lois Lowry - Movie COMING August 2014

Jonas' world is perfect. Everything is under control. There is no war or fear or pain. There are no choices. Every person is assigned a role in the Community. When Jonas turns twelve, he is singled out to receive special training from The Giver. 
The Giver alone holds the memories of the true pain and pleasure of life. Now, it is time for Jonas to receive the truth. There is no turning back.

This was one of my absolute favorite books during adolescence. There is a reason why The Giver is now required school reading, and to this day I think very fondly of this book. If I could describe it in one word, that word would be magical. But not the waving your wand frantically type of magic. 
It is the, wakes up your mind and touches your heart kind of magic you can only find in a book. 

I would like to welcome back media blogger, Spencer Blohm, who will now be appearing regularly for my Book to Movie Feature! Spencer is here to give us all the deets on the upcoming movie adaptation of The Giver. Both of us are extremely excited for this movie, and hope you are too!

THE GIVER MOVIE ADAPTATION:

The beloved young adult book published in 1993 by Lois Lowry tells the story of the “Community”, a surreal, Utopia-like place where even common human emotions like physical attraction are suppressed through medication, and social occurrences for everything from jobs to spouses are assigned. Compliance with the strict set of laws and rules are in place in order to ensure that the citizens never again have to deal with things like illness, pain, or unhappiness. 

The film version of this book is slated to be released in August, after 20 years of pre-production issues. It was, of all people, Bill Cosby who originally bought the rights to the film in 1994. During the years that followed the rights and screenwriting switched from one place to another before finally being picked up by The Weinstein Company. Since the beginning of the 20 year journey, Jeff Bridges expressed interest in being a part of the film, and his wish came true when he was cast as the titular character. 

Adding another punch of star power is the legendary Meryl Streep, who was cast in the role of Chief Elder. As for the main character of the story, Jonas, that role goes to the relatively unknown Australian actor Brenton Thwaites. His parents are to be played by Alexander Skarsgard and Katie Holmes. The role of Rosemary will be played by Taylor Swift, in her fourth ever acting role. 

As is expected when a well-known book is adapted to film, the reaction to the casting has been polarizing. Some readers who are of a younger generation, and pre-existing fans of Taylor Swift, are excited about her casting. Older readers, who enjoyed the book when they were younger are coming up short in their excitement regarding the country star’s role. It seems everyone can agree, however, that Jeff Bridges and Meryl Streep promise to be perfection in their roles. 

As with everything these days, fans took to social media to air their excitement, disappointment, and thoughts on the casting news. Since filming just wrapped at the end of last year, we have yet to even see a trailer, but that isn’t stopping people from talking! Fans have taken to Twitter to air their excitement about the movie and its casting. According to social media monitoring company Viral Heat, 89% of the tweets about the movie in the past week have been positive, and it seems this movie is definitely going to be on everyone’s lips come summertime.

BIG THANKS to Spencer for being with us today! See you guys next Friday, for another edition of Book 2 Movie! 

Indie Book Review: Miss Thistlebottom's Hobgoblins

Miss Thistlebottom's Hobgoblins: The Careful Writer's Guide to the Taboos, Bugbears, and Outmoded Rules of English Usage

by Theodore M. Berstein

The old adage, rules are made to be broken has never been as well defended as in MISS THISTLEBOTTOM'S HOBGOBLINS. Throughout the book, Bernstein asserts that we have been indoctrinated with English usage rules that lack flexibility and evoke fear, confusion and frustration in writers. There are times when splitting an infinitive or ending a sentence with a preposition makes sense. Through a series of one-sided correspondences with Bertha Thistlebottom, an archetypal grade school English teacher, Bernstein addresses the community of rule mongering sticklers who have tried to squeeze the English language into a set of inflexible rules and outmoded definitions that only serve to stifle its growth and paralyze writers. In addition to his letters to Miss Thistlebottom, there are scores of entries where Bernstein debunks the rules of yesteryear with wit and intelligence and illustrates how to write effectively without the worry of hobgoblins.

~ MY REVIEW ~

If your a literary professional, writer or just a plain old grammar nerd, you'll enjoy this book of hobgoblins! It's full of interesting facts regarding the English language, laid out in a quirky and informational way. I enjoyed the author's way of speech and his ability to keep a reference guide entertaining. I definitely took away some great tools for my editing and writing in the future! That's the thing about the English language, there are always more tricks of the trade to tuck away into your arsenal! And most importantly, this book concentrates on getting back to the written word, instead of being stuck debating oppressive grammar rules.

Mainstream-Mini Review: Cuckoo's Calling By Robert Galbraith

Cuckoo's Calling 

Cormoran Strike #1

By Robert Galbraith (AKA JK Rowling)

Published April 2013 By Hachette Book Group

A brilliant debut mystery in a classic vein: Detective Cormoran Strike investigates a supermodel's suicide.

After losing his leg to a land mine in Afghanistan, Cormoran Strike is barely scraping by as a private investigator. Strike is down to one client, and creditors are calling. He has also just broken up with his longtime girlfriend and is living in his office.

Then John Bristow walks through his door with an amazing story: His sister, thelegendary supermodel Lula Landry, known to her friends as the Cuckoo, famously fell to her death a few months earlier. The police ruled it a suicide, but John refuses to believe that. The case plunges Strike into the world of multimillionaire beauties, rock-star boyfriends, and desperate designers, and it introduces him to every variety of pleasure, enticement, seduction, and delusion known to man.

You may think you know detectives, but you've never met one quite like Strike. You may think you know about the wealthy and famous, but you've never seen them under an investigation like this.

Introducing Cormoran Strike, this is the acclaimed first crime novel by J.K. Rowling, writing under the pseudonym Robert Galbraith.

~ MY REVIEW ~

I picked this up out of sheer curiosity. I mean it's JK for goodness sakes. But JK as an adult mystery writer? I'm still not sure. On one hand these new writing attempts of hers seem forced to me, a bit too British, and the POV changes drive me nuts. But on the other, the plot was decent and I enjoyed the characters. I appreciate what she's trying to do. Branching out into the adult world, kind of like a type casted actor would. But I definitely struggled to reach the end. I hope JK is able to create a new exciting world that I can get into, but this is not it for me. I would recommend giving this one a try, and if you're trying to decide between Cuckoos Calling and Casual Vacancy, definitely pick this one. It is, in the very least, entertaining. If you dig mystery, you'll like it.

Mainstream-Mini Review: Allegiant By Veronica Roth

Allegiant

(The third and final installment in the Divergent Trilogy)

Published Oct. 2013 By HarperCollins Children's

Goodreads Choice 2013 Winner

The faction-based society that Tris Prior once believed in is shattered—fractured by violence and power struggles and scarred by loss and betrayal. So when offered a chance to explore the world past the limits she’s known, Tris is ready. Perhaps beyond the fence, she and Tobias will find a simple new life together, free from complicated lies, tangled loyalties, and painful memories. 

But Tris’s new reality is even more alarming than the one she left behind. Old discoveries are quickly rendered meaningless. Explosive new truths change the hearts of those she loves. And once again, Tris must battle to comprehend the complexities of human nature—and of herself—while facing impossible choices about courage, allegiance, sacrifice, and love. 

Told from a riveting dual perspective, Allegiant, by #1 New York Times best-selling author Veronica Roth, brings the Divergent series to a powerful conclusion while revealing the secrets of the dystopian world that has captivated millions of readers in Divergent and Insurgent.

~ MY REVIEW ~

First I have to say, I LOVED Divergent and Insurgent was equally as good. It hadn't been since Harry Potter 7 that the wait for the next book in a series was so bad. I waited a year for Allegiant, suffering through all the BEA 2013 hype it got. AND I AM SO LET DOWN. I struggled greatly to get through this one, and quite frankly only finished it because the other books were so good. I think once the novelty of the new world wore off, I was just annoyed. Without the distinct feel you get from a faction based society there isn't much left for this book. I loved Tris while she was becoming Dauntless, and meeting Four, and uncovering thick plots. But Allegiant just wasn't the same. I guess I'm on the fence about this one, but I'm glad I can take it off my 'currently reading' list

Mainstream-Mini Review: Hereafter by Kate Brian

Hereafter

Book 2 in the Shadowlands Series

Published Oct. 2013 By Disney-Hyperion

Rory Miller thought her life was over when a serial killer set his sights on her and forced her into witness protection. But a fresh start on Juniper Landing Island was exactly what she and her family needed. For the first time in years she and her sister hang out at the beach, gossip about boys, and party together. She's also made friends with a local clique--including a magnetic and mysterious boy named Tristan. 

But Rory's world is about to change again. Picturesque Juniper Landing isn't what it seems. The truth about the swirling fog that rolls in each morning, the bridge that leads to nowhere, and those beautiful locals who seem to watch Rory's every move is more terrifying than being hunted by Steven Nell. And all Rory ever wanted was the truth. Even if it means learning that she can never go home again. From the best-selling author of the Private and Privilege series comes the second novel in a heart-stopping trilogy about a girl who must pick up the pieces after the only life she's ever known ends.

~ MY REVIEW ~

Hereafter was much better than the first book in the series. I didn't feel like it suffered from Book 2 syndrome at all. Maybe because so much of Book 1 was setting up the scene for all the meat of this series and I found it too predictable. In Hereafter you get to connect more with the characters and experience the beginnings of Rory's new life. It was much less predictable than Shadowlands, and I actually had some difficulty guessing who was at fault. I do like the concept of this series, and for that reason alone I will continue it. There is much in store for Rory and the other Lifers. Kate Brian certainly is good at bringing the drama in her novels.