I have been interested in hearing from other readers since I spoke next to my school librarian at the pre-computer card catalog.  (Yes, I know that tells my age!) There were days I would go to the public library and ask for recommendations when I first got my driver’s license.  When the internet became a thing, I read fan fiction then book blogs. I have now been part of Goodreads for over 10 years! More recently, I watch BookTubers on Youtube.  

Throughout my journey in the book lover community, there is one thing for certain.  Everyone loves the book better than the movie! I am no exception to this, but from time to time a book to movie adaptation will bring me great joy.  So here are my favorite book to movie adaptations that worked in my opinion.  

Harry Potter by J.K. Rowling (Of Course!)

Although a lot had to be deleted for time sake, I must say I loved all the Harry Potter retellings.  They changed from director to director, but they also matured as the characters aged. I would say that having J.K. Rowling heavily involved in the making of the movies really helped keep major plot points intact and recreated the magic we all love so much from the books.  

The Help by Kathryn Stockett

When I listened to this on audiobook, I thought it could not get any better.  (They had the insight to use three different voices for the 3 main women.) However, the cast of the movie was phenomenal.  They also took time to re-create parts of Jackson, Mississippi to look like it did in the 1960s.  

The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Society by Mary Ann Schafer 

I almost devoured this book in one sitting when I read it.  It has a unique style of being told through letters. This method captured the feelings of the people in the community during and after World War II.  The movie available on Netflix was fantastic as well. The flashback method of filming helped capture the stories evolving plot. Plus having so many Downton Abbey actors in it sealed the deal for me! 

Crazy Rich Asians by Kevin Kwan

This was one of my best reads of 2019.  I actually read it because of the movie trailers.  It also gave me a look into a culture I already had a glance at with my current job as an ESL teacher.  I liked the book so much that I downloaded the sequels right away to my ereader.  The movie was so good, that I saw it in theaters twice and pre-ordered the DVD. Now, I cannot wait for the sequels to be filmed as well!  

The soundtrack may or may not have been my theme music for my trip to China.  

The Great Gatsby by F.Scott Fitzgerald (Both movies!)

The Great Gatsby is my favorite book of all time.  The way Fitzgerald wrote a book defining a generation has always amazed me.  I actually like both the Robert Redford version and the Leonardo DiCaprio version.  The movie with Robert Redford was perfectly true to the book following the plot almost exactly.  However, the racy re-imagination of the Leonardo DiCaprio movie was good as well. (Not to mention those party scenes!) 

Me Before You by Jojo Moyes

The book and movie were both such an emotional roller coaster.  The movie did a good job of portraying the intense feelings the book brought about.  Emilia Clark and Sam Claflin did well as the main characters. I think this is the first time since A Walk To Remember that a book and the movie had me in the same amount  of tears.

Honorable Mention: Something Borrowed by Emily Giffin 

I go through phases of reading a lot of chick lit like I do with YA.  Most of the time, I do not like the movie adaptations of chick lit books.  However, I did like Something Borrowed.  I am just embarrassed to admit it since the premise of the story is actually terrible.  Seriously, props to Emily Griffin, who had us buying into a story about an affair between a bride’s best friend and her groom!

Keep Reading and Watching

Although I feel a little ‘meh’ about many adaptations.  However, there are still so many great books I would love to watch on the big screen or even in the comfort of my living room.  Stay tuned for that list coming in March! 

What book to movie adaptation do you love? 

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