Hello readers and friends. Welcome back to Finding Wonderland, and another week of bookish meme FUN. On this second Tuesday in May (??), we participate in Top Ten Tuesday May 14:
That Artsy Reader Girl | May 14: Page to Screen Freebie (Books that became movies/TV shows, movies that became books, great adaptations, bad ones, books you need to read before watching their movie/TV show, movies you loved based on books you hated or vice versa, books you want to read because you saw the movie or vice versa, etc.)
These types of topics always seem to be appropriate for Finding Wonderland since the content around this websphere is all about the bookish and film fangirl-y talk. It’s like the perfect marriage of blog topics. With so many ideas for this prompt, the direction to take was up in the air. But for today’s post, I’m sharing just a few of the books that are or have become films and I still haven’t read.
My “rule” is (at least from recent years) that if I want to see a film, then I “have” to read the book first. With this self-imposed rule, oftentimes I don’t see a film in a prompt manner. But in the end, it’s worth it because if I don’t first read the novel, I don’t tend to get around to reading it. On the booktube channel, I do plan to talk about a few of my favorite book to film adaptations, and movie edition book covers, so be on the lookout for it.
In the meantime, let’s have a peek at the books (that become films) I have yet to read (and tell me, which should I read first?).
Top Ten Tuesday May 14
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1: Little Women by Louis May Alcott | This one is kind of cheating since I’ve seen about three (or four?) versions of this story. Still, considering there’s going to be a big-screen adaptation this December, I can still hope I’d read this one, right!? Amazon | Godreads
2: The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett | How did I not know 2019 would bring a new adaptation of this classic?? Fun fact, Colin Firth will also star, and he appeared (briefly) in the end of the 80s Hallmark Hall of Fame adaption! Amazon | Goodreads
3: Five Feet Apart by Rachael Lippincott | This one sounds sad, but I think it ends well. It’s about two teens with incurable diseases and the distance they must physically maintain because of their health. Amazon | Goodreads | Own the film digitally on Amazon Video
4: Where’d You Go Bernadette by Maria Semple | This one sounds quirky, and unique. Who doesn’t love a good standout story?! Amazon | Goodreads
5: The Sun is Also a Star by Nicola Yoon | Given how much I liked Everything, Everything (and I didn’t think I would), I’m curious about Nicola’s follow up. Have you read it? Amazon | Goodreads
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*no video this week; channel linked above
Going to the #movies with today's #TopTenTuesday edition. 5 Book To Screen Must Reads | Top Ten Tuesday Click To TweetTurning it over to you; how did you spin this week’s topic? Did you feature book-to-film adaptations? Books you’d like to see as films? Which of these must I read first!? Comment all the thoughts down below!
If you joined Top Ten Tuesday – or have a blog, please introduce yourself below. I’d be glad to visit your bookish spaces, too.
Thank you for visiting Finding Wonderland
ps: please excuse the “disorder.” you can read more about Finding Wonderland’s changes, new follow options and why archive posts are a royal mess in my “Disorder + Feedback” post!
I love the movie for Little Women. My children and I must have watched it ten times, at least. My twist: Good movies about famous authors
It’s one of my most favorites!! :)
Thanks for the visit, Anne.
I didn’t know about The Secret Garden either but it sounds so great I’m excited! I watched Five Feet Apart at the movies and even if I haven’t read the book, I think it was enjoyable, the ending was a little different from these types of books. Great list!
Hi, Marti; thanks for visiting. I don’t see “The Secret Garden” adapted as much as some of the other stories (like Jane Austen’s), so to see a new version of it sounds fun! Glad to know “Five Feet Apart” is good. Curious to watch that one. :)
Little Women! <3 A favourite of mine and I love the movie.
SAME! One of my favorites. Which movie is your favorite? Thanks for visiting, Chrissi. :)
I saw the preview to The Sun is Also a Star when I was at Detective Pikachu last night. It looked good. I try to read the books first too.
Ooo! ‘Pikachu’ looks so fun! Hope you enjoyed. Yes I almost “have” to read the book first or the chance of me reading it later is slim to none. :) Thanks for the visit, Brooke.
I love The Secret Garden! <3
Also, totally understand the need to read the book first, it changes the experience of watching an adaptation completely!
I’ve never read the book for The Secret Garden but I’d like too. Especially if a new version is coming our way. :) Thanks for the visit!! :)
Little Women and The Secret Garden are two of my very favourite books. And I have Where’d You Go Bernadette on my list too.
The Secret Garden sounds great- glad to see they’re oing to do an adaptation of that this year!
I used to try to read the book first, but that doesn’t always happen! The Secret Garden is a quick read, should be easy to get in before the movie comes out!
I couldn’t get through Little Women, just wasn’t for me, but I hope you enjoy it more. I did this week’s topic last week, so I went off on a completely different tack this week and did a post about books featuring characters with mental illnesses for mental health awareness week in the UK.
I didn’t know they were doing an adaptation of The Secret Garden. It has been a very long time since I read that book. I might have to revisit it. It has also been a very long time since I read Little Women. I really like the 1994 movie adaptation, which is the only adaptation of the book I’ve seen. Here is our Top Ten Tuesday.
I don’t think I’ve ever read either one, but I’d like to give both a chance especially since there are new adaptations in the works. :) Same. The 1994 is my favorite version of Little Women. Thanks for the visit!!
I hadn’t heard there was going to be a new adaptation of The Secret Garden. That’s wonderful!
My TTT.
I agree! Sounds really good too. :) Thanks for the visit, Lydia.
I love your take on this theme! I want to read and see all these as well. I watched a version of The Secret Garden as a kid and grew up with the musical version. I have a copy of the book and I want to read it before the movie comes out! I had idea we were getting a new movie adaptation of the story this year!
Update- IMBD says 2020 https://www.imdb.com/title/tt2702920/.
Sadly release dates often get pushed… but it’s still fun to know one is on its way. :)
Right!? So exciting. Sounds like it’ll be a good one too. Here’s hoping I read the book, too. :) Thanks for the visit, Steph.
I so want to watch The Sun Is Also A Star and Five Feet Apart!
SAME! Hope we both enjoy these. :) Thanks so much for the visit.
I finally read Little Women for the first time. I’m so glad I did, because I feel it added depth to most of the characters and gave me a better understanding of Laurie and Amy’s relationship.
Awesome! I know there’s always “team” Laurie/Jo, but I guess I never really thought about them as being made for each other. Not sure I love him with Amy, but I do think Jo was right when she said they’d not be happy. I wanted MORE from the recent adaptation, but do enjoy it. Either way, I should read the book because perhaps that’s where I’ll find my “more.” :D Thanks for the visit, Brittaney.
I am so excited for The Sun Is Also a Star. I loved the novel and I’m sure you will as well. I actually think it’s a lot better than her first.
Thanks, Alicia; I hope so!! I’ve heard the book is better than Nicola’s debut, so that’s exciting. Let me know what you think if you see the film. :) Glad you visited.
I loved the novel of The Secret Garden, I read it back when I was seven and my mum brought me the 90s film adaptation as a present when I finished it. I’m really looking forward to revisiting that part of my childhood when the new film is released
Here’s my TTT
So glad to know this! Pretty sure I’ll need to make all the efforts to read it prior to seeing this new adaptation. Thanks for the visit, Sarah. :)
I didn’t know they were re-making the Secret Garden! The Maggie Smith one is so perfect, so I’m dubious, but I’m sure Colin Firth will be good! I think I liked the book too?
Maggie Smith is in a Secret Garden version!? I didn’t realize this; she’s always wonderful. Hoping I’ll read the book soon(ish)! :) Thanks for the visit, Catherine.
Little Women, for sure! Wasn’t this topic fun?! My TTT is a date night wishlist!
So fun; I’m all about the book and movie combinations. :) Looking forward to reading your fun spin on the topic – and thanks for the visit, Beth Erin.
Oooh Great list! I’ve been seeing the trailer floating around for Five Feet Apart, I have a hard time with medical stuff right now (PTSD stuff), but I want to see 4 and 5….and 1 and 2 are of course a staple in our house!
I know what you mean about having a hard time with certain aspects in films, Rachel; I didn’t think I used to, but I do now which is likely why I always want a happy movie! Who needs sadness!? :) YAY for story staples, and I hope we BOTH enjoy numbers four and five. :) Thanks for visiting.
I haven’t read any of these, but I have seen The Secret Garden! I remember loving that movie as a child.
I never did read the book, but it’s been YEARS since I saw the film. I need to re-watch it, and hopefully discover a new take on the story in the new adaptation. :) Thanks for visiting, Tracy.
I haven’t read any of these. But hopefully, I get a chance to read The Secret Garden, Little Women, and The Sun Is Also a Star.
Same; I hope to read all you mention as well. Hopefully SOONER rather than later. ;) Thanks for the visit!