Let’s Talk Bookish is a weekly meme created by Rukky @Eternity Books and hosted by Aria @Book Nook Bits, and it’s where we get to discuss certain topics, share our opinions, and spread the love by visiting each other’s posts! If you want to join in the bookish discussion fun, check out the June 2022 prompts!

Now without further ado… The topic asks us about:

BOOK TO FILM ADAPTATIONS

(SUGGESTED BY ARIA @ BOOK NOOK BITS)
Prompts: What are your favorite book to film adaptations? What are your least favorite ones? Do you think that books translate better to movies or shows? Would you rather see a standalone or a book series adapted? What do you think is important for a successful book to film adaptation?

NOT MUCH OF AN ADAPTATION WATCHER/READER

I considered skipping the prompt this week because I haven’t watched many adaptations of the books I’ve read or conversely, I haven’t read the books that I’ve seen the adaptations of. I like to tell myself that I’d rather read the book first before watching any adaptation but then I never get around to reading the book, thanks to my ever-growing TBR 😂, so then I never get around to watching the adaptation. Whoops! When it comes to watching adaptations of books I’ve already read, I always hesitate to do it because I’m worried that I won’t enjoy the film/show if I loved the book, and then I end up waffling on a decision until I simply end up not watching it.

LEAST FAVOURITE ADAPTATIONS

So, with that in mind, it took a while for me to come up with a list of my least favourite adaptations! One of the first that came to mind was Ready Player One. I really enjoyed the book but I thought the film didn’t capture half of what I loved about it. This might be an unpopular opinion but back when I first read Twilight while I was at uni, I really enjoyed the books but the one and only time I walked out of the cinema was when I went to see the first movie (yep, I walked out cos I hated it so much)! 🤣

FILM VS TV SHOW—STANDALONE VS SERIES

Honestly, I’m not particularly fussed either way. They can make a book series into a series of films, they can make a standalone book into a film or (mini-)series like they’ve done with many books (Normal People, Good Omens, and American Gods are a few that come to mind). Ultimately, I don’t think the medium matters so much to me as long as the adaptation is well done. I’m a bit picky when it comes to books I love being adapted because I usually prefer if they stay true to the storyline and only make a few changes; there are obviously exceptions, but I mostly like for things to be recognisable or at least for the changes to not detract from the characters or stories.

I thought I’d share a list of the film/show adaptations that I’ve read the books for and have actually enjoyed both versions! Again, this is my opinion so maybe others might not agree but that’s cool!

Favourite film adaptations:

• Pride and Prejudice
• Persuasion
• The Hobbit (I’m sorry but I was bored to tears by the book but the movie is one of my comfort faves!)
• To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before
• The Princess Diaries
• The Perks of Being A Wallflower (maybe another unpopular opinion but I enjoyed the movie more than the book, though I did like the book well enough)
• The Hunger Games
• Jurassic Park

Favourite show adaptations:

• The Magicians (I only read the first book because (I’m sorry) it absolutely bored me to tears!)
• Heartstopper (can’t remember the last time I loved a book and series equally!)
• Game of Thrones (I binged the first four books in the span of two weeks and ‘warred’ myself out so I took a break and then never picked it back up again, lol)
• The Umbrella Academy (I didn’t read all the volumes but it was too chaotic for me lol)

What do you think about books being adapted to films/tv shows? Do you prefer one medium more than the other or are you also not particularly fussed? What were your least fave adaptations? Your favourite adaptations?

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