TOP TEN TUESDAY | PAGE TO SCREEN

It’s the endless debate, isn’t it? Book or movie? Well, here are some to which I will eagerly say “Both!” (And a few extras that fall into different categories.)

The Martian by Andy Weir

I’m not normally into science fiction, but I was completely sucked into this book, and the movie almost lived up to it. I’d recommend both, but most definitely the book.

Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn

It’s been a few years now since I watched this film, and I do remember enjoying it. But I don’t think I loved it enough to say it was as good as the book, and if I had to pick just one it would be the book hands down. Though many thrillers have come out since that play with similar themes and try to do something unexpected, when this came out it was a first, at least as far as I could tell. Definitely loved the book and would recommend it, despite the hype.

Matilda by Roald Dahl

I loved Matilda when I was young. The film came out a bit late for it to be a childhood favourite of mine, but I still loved it and thought they did a fantastic job bringing her to life. I recommend both, but definitely don’t miss the book, whatever you do.

The Fault In Our Stars by John Green

If I’m honest, I preferred the book. But the problem is that I loved the book so much that I don’t think any film could have met or surpassed it for me. So I don’t blame the movie. It was really an impossible task, and it was as good as it could have been.

The Harry Potter Series by J.K. Rowling

Like I even need to discuss this one.

Simon Vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda (Love, Simon) by Becky Albertalli

Not only was this a book I lost myself in at a time when I wasn’t really able to read at all, but it is one that I think is important. The film was lovely, and I love it even more for the fact that it will share this story with an even larger audience.

The Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien

The movies were such a major production and so much attention was paid to how they were adapted that they ended up being really well done. I’m glad I read the books first, but they were hard going in places, so the films were definitely easier to fully enjoy.

This Is Where I Leave You by Jonathan Tropper

I loved this book, and the film definitely captured the humour and sadness in equal measure. I don’t know if it’s everyone’s cup of tea (it can get pretty dark) but if you like your humour irreverent and your characters deeply flawed, check it out.

84, Charing Cross Road by Helene Hanff

This warms my little book-loving heart. It’s the story of a life-long friendship that begins because of one woman’s love of the classics. It’s hilarious, smart and just incredibly charming. There’s nothing I don’t love.

The Durrells (The Corfu Trilogy) by Gerald Durrell

This is a recent discovery, but I’m so loving it. I’ve read two of the books in the trilogy and they’re exactly what I need when life is getting too much and I’m feeling down. It’s the story of a British family who relocate to the island of Corfu in Greece in the 1930s. The books were written by the youngest of four siblings, Gerald Durrell, who is obsessed with the natural world and manages to split his attention almost equally between the humans in his household and the insects and creatures he finds in the garden. The results are hilarious, if a bit heavy on the animal detail at times (in the books, anyway).

One adaptation I liked more than the books:

A Game of Thrones by George R.R. Martin

I tried to read the books, really I did. But they’re so long, and there are just so many characters, and their names are just so similar and I gave up. I’m keeping up with the TV show though, and finding it rather stressful.

One adaptation I don’t want to read:

You by Caroline Kepnes

The bookstore sucked me in. It seemed so wonderful and welcoming. But then people started dying horribly and it really took a turn. I watched the show, but I’m not sure if I’ll continue with the next season. It’s okay, but I didn’t love it. Definitely not enough to get me to want to read the book as well.

One I haven’t read, but want to after watching the film:

The Perks of Being A Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky

Mind you, I’ve been meaning to read the book since the film first came out, and that was years ago. I have started it a couple of times, but just haven’t ever made it very far. I’ve heard wonderful things, so I feel like if I did manage to get into it it would be worthwhile. Perhaps one of these days.

That’s it for this week! I’d love to hear from you guys –  which page to screen adaptations did you find the most satisfying? Are there any books you read because of watching the film based on them? Are there any movies or TV shows you’re putting off watching because you still want to read the book?

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly link-up feature created by The Broke and the Bookish and hosted by Jana at That Artsy Reader Girl. Every week TTT has a different topic, and everyone who links up has to create a link of ten items that fit that topic. To see past and upcoming topics, go here.