Aloha Bookworms!
It’s Tuesday and you know how I love a list. Let’s make one, shall we? The ladies of The Broke and The Bookish have posed an interesting and surprisingly difficult question this week. We’re challenged to name the top ten books we’d like to see made into movies or TV shows (assuming they wouldn’t be butchered, obviously.) Why is this difficult? Hollywood seems to have forgotten the concept of the “original screenplay” and a TON of books I love have already been made into movies or TV series.
Here’s a list of the books that are already in the process of being made into movies or TV shows that I’m eagerly anticipating!
1. Outlander by Diana Gabaldon. Casting decisions have been made for the upcoming Starz produced series, and I’m excited. Lots of actors with authentic Scottish accents have been cast. I’m also nervous, because I love these books with a freakish intensity, but I’m cautiously optimistic for the show.
2. The Fault in Our Stars by John Green. Casting decisions have been made and they’re in production. Shailene Woodley has been cast as Hazel and Ansel Elgort will be playing Augustus. This pairing would be slightly less creepy to me if the two hadn’t been cast as brother and sister in…
3. Divergent by Veronica Roth. Which I’m also stoked about because I’ve embraced my inner YA fangirl and I’m all about seeing a dystopian Chicago on screen. Shailene Woodley is really too gorgeous to play Tris and the Hottie McHotstuff they’ve cast to play Four certainly doesn’t have a hooked nose. Sigh. Hollywood. I’ll watch it anyway.
4. The Book Thief by Markus Zusak. The movie trailer was released for this and I’ve got a lot of faith that it’s going to be amazing. My greatest hope is that they still somehow manage to make Death the narrator, because that’s a big part of what made this book so awesome.
5. Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins. This is coming out in November, and I love me some Hunger Games goodness. I thought the first movie was very good, in spite of its imperfections… I really like Jennifer Lawrence as Katniss, so I’m looking forward to it.
Books That Aren’t Yet Movies (as far as I know) That I’d Like to See
1. The Glass Castle by Jeanette Walls. I loved this book. I’m not sure how well it would translate to film, but if they got the right actors I can see Oscars all over the place. Lots of opportunity for poignant dramatic scenes!
2. Eleanor & Park by Rainbow Rowell. Who doesn’t love this book? Some might argue that a movie would ruin it, but we’re supposed to be operating under the assumption that Hollywood wouldn’t be a complete jerk face and stay true to the text and whatnot. In my magical version of Hollywood, they’d stay true to the script and make good things happen.
3. Where’d You Go Bernadette? by Maria Semple. I think given the proper treatment it could be SERIOUSLY funny on screen. And, obviously. PENGUINS. Yes.
4. The Thirteenth Tale by Diane Setterfield. True, this might take some doing to translate to the screen, but I could see it being pretty cool. I’d watch it, anyway.
5. Tell the Wolves I’m Home by Carol Rifka Brunt. Again, the potential for good actors kicking butt in a movie adaptation of this book? I smell Oscars!
What about you, Bookworms? Is there a book out there you’d love to see as a movie? Are you annoyed with Hollywood buthering all the good books? Got any bookish movies on the horizon you’re looking forward to? Tell me about it!
Liesel Hill
Great list! I’m way excited for the Divergent and Catching Fire films, too. 😀
My TTT
Words for Worms
Thanks Liesel!
Mikels Skele
Don’t know about movies, but a seriously amazing mini series could be made of The Sotweed Factor by John Barth. I’ve mentioned this book before, but you have coyly ignored it.
Words for Worms
I’m extremely devious that way, what with my coy ignoring of book suggestions and all. As much as I love historical fiction, I’m not sure I’m ready to invest in 800 pages on the life of a poet colonizing Maryland. The abstract says it’s satire- is it Jonathan Swift style satire or Amy Sedaris style satire?
Mikels Skele
Totally Jonathan Swift.
Mikels Skele
With Mark Twain and a touch of Monte Python.
bookgeeking
I put the thirteenth tale too and vaguely remembered it was possibly going to be made into a tv series, so I looked it up, it IS going to be made into a tv film. http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2951888/ that’s a link to the IMDB page 🙂 looking forward to it.
Words for Worms
Oooooh, that’s exciting!!!
Ashley Z
Oh! I didn’t know Tell the Wolves I’m Home is going to be a movie! I’ve read all these exceptOutlander. I can see why these books will be movies! They are great stories! I never watch a movie that came from a book before I read the book. I’m definitely interested in seeing these movies!
Words for Worms
Doh! Sorry for the confusion, but no. The first 5 ARE movies coming out soon. The second 5 are my wishlist, although apparently the Thirteenth Tale is in production. Sadly, no news on Wolves. I wouldn’t be surprised if it got picked up though. OSCAR WORTHY!
Ashley Z
Oh my! I was excited! Maybe I should learn how to read! But that would be an amazing movie!
kristinshafel
I’ve only read The Fault in our Stars (meh) and Where’d You Go, Bernadette on your list. I thought about adding Bernadette to mine, but I’m not sure how they’d work the written correspondance angle. Fun to wonder about, though! Here’s my list.
Words for Worms
It would be tough to do an epistolary novel as a film, but hey. They made it work for Bridget Jones and Girl, Interrupted. I’d trust the right ream with it :).
kristinshafel
That’s right, they did! And how many films find themselves in Antarctica?? 🙂
Akilah
I think my other concern with Bernadette as a movie is that there’s SO MUCH backstory and information to cram in there as well. But I guess they could use archival documentary footage or some such. You’re right. This would make a totally fun hypermedia film.
Andi (@estellasrevenge)
I just love all your choices! I too am hoping they can still work Death in as the film’s narrator. Without that part, a lot of character goes out the window.
Words for Worms
Rumor has it they’ve made that happen, thank goodness!
acps927
I read online that Markus Zusak said that Death will be narrating The Book Thief! I thought the trailer looked great as well. And I so completely agree about the whole Tris/Caleb turned Hazel/Augustus thing to be creepy!
Words for Worms
SIGH of relief!!! And yeah, like, they should have thought that out a little better… Less than a year turnaround and they go from brother-sister to lovers and BACK to brother-sister for Insurgent (I can only assume.) Weirdness.
Heather
I am anxiously awaiting Outlander as well (I know you’re shocked!) -but I have been stalking The Book Thief like nobody’s business. I think I have managed to convince my non-book-reading-but-movie-loving friends that we need to make that a priority!!! The trailer looks amazing, and I am so looking forward to seeing how they add Death as the narrator. If they don’t, I think I might cry in the movie theater. Eh- it wouldn’t be the first time.
I really really want to see The Night Circus. I know it was optioned for film, but I haven’t heard any other details. I just want to see the circus in all it’s glory on a gigantic IMAX screen.
Words for Worms
Oh The Night Circus is a great choice! That could be amazing on screen! I think I’ll cry in the theater at The Book Thief because, hey, I sobbed reading the book. Plus. OUTLANDER! Aaaaaahhhhh!
Megan M.
I can’t wait for TFiOS! I haven’t read Divergent, so the creepiness will be lost on me. And Catching Fire looks amazing, I can’t wait to see what they’ve done with it! I’d love to see Eleanor & Park, too, but I just know they’d cast some skinny girl as Eleanor and then I would have to spend the whole movie being mad. My beloved Louise Penny mysteries were made into a TV movie and the casting is ALL WRONG. Everyone is way younger and hotter than they’re supposed to be. It makes me angry just thinking about it. **seethes with quiet rage**
Words for Worms
That’s my worry with E&P in the theater. They can’t just skinny up Eleanor. Gah!
Bonnie (@missbonnie13)
I’m so nervous/excited for Outlander. It has to be done right. If not, I just might cry. lol Catching Fire looks amazing, I’m so glad that the first one turned out as good as it did. I haven’t read any of the ones you want as movies but I’ve heard great things about all of those. 🙂 Great list!
Words for Worms
I share your Outlander nervou-cited-ness!
Rory
I don’t think I could handle Tell the Wolves I’m Home being made into a movie. I love it too much. The Outlander TV show is making me want cable. Badly. Has Claire been cast yet?
Words for Worms
I haven’t heard about a Claire yet, I hope they announce it soon!
Kayla Sanchez
UGHHH I don’t get Starz on my tv! Now I can’t watch Outlander!!! *crying*
Words for Worms
Noooo! I’m sure it’ll be on Hulu or Netflix, don’t stress too much!
Kayla Sanchez
Oh good! That makes everything better 🙂
Turn the Page Reviews
Can’t wait to see The Book Thief and Catching fire!! Great list!
Words for Worms
I have a feeling I’ll be at the movies a lot in the coming months!
picturemereading
Totally would LOVE a movie version of Eleanor and Park!
Words for Worms
As long as they didn’t ruin it my making Eleanor a waif (or try to make her “big” by casting someone that’s a size 6, grrrr…)
Jennine G.
Can’t wait for all of those movies already coming out! Especially The Book Thief. The set for The Fault in Our Stars is just forty or so minutes from me, in Pittsburgh. A co worker of mine lives on the street where they are filming! They are actually using her friends’ houses in the movie. So my co worker stalked around every day until she saw John Green and went to get a picture with him and her book signed!!!
TrishaDM
“The Glass Castle” was such a good book. I had that on a similar list last year. I would also like to see “Half Broke Horses”! So much drama and such vivid characters, they would be great movies.
I too am excited to see “Catching Fire,” “The Book Thief,” and “The Fault In Our Stars.”
Words for Worms
Half Broke Horses was so so so good too!
Wayne
I’d kinda like to see *Neverwhere* be made into an actual film. I read on Wikipedia that there is a script for it but the project has been abandoned. I could recommend that “Insidious, Chapter 2” go straight to video and skip it. 😉
Words for Worms
I’ve heard the radio production of Neverwhere is fabulous!
Shannon @ River City Reading
Totally agree with Tell the Wolves I’m Home! If done well, it would be such a powerful story on film.
Words for Worms
I think it could be amazing, it just has to be done perfectly!
caitlinstern
I’m looking forward to The Book Thief, Divergent, and The Fault in Our Stars. I do love when they make books into movies, unless they make a bad movie. Then someone ought to bop every person involved in the travesty upside the head with a hardback version of the book.
Words for Worms
My sentiments exactly! Book to the head!
PinotNinja
I cannot wait for the Fault Is In Our Stars and I’m not ashamed to admit it! I need to start stockpiling tissues now for that ending.
Words for Worms
Seriously. ALL THE TISSUES!
Elizabeth
God I would LOVE to see The Thirteenth Tale as a film!
Words for Worms
I’m hearing rumors to that effect. We’ll have to keep our eyes peeled.
Leah
I’m so with you on The Glass Castle and Where’d You Go Bernadette! And now I REALLY want an Eleanor and Park movie. It would probably be a bit cheesy, but it’s set in the ’80s, so that totally works!
Words for Worms
The 80s were MADE of cheese. It could be brilliant.
Sarah Says Read
Ohhhh man, the potential for an E&P movie is so there. The 80’s had such great teen / romance movies, it’d be awesome if this could be done well.
I think I’m going to see the Divergent movie before I read the books… unless I hear that the movie is bad, then I’ll read the books first.
Words for Worms
I think seeing Divergent first is a good strategy (I mean, assuming it isn’t completely horrendous.) Then you’ll be pleasantly surprised by the books as opposed to being disappointed by the movie adaptation.
Kelly from Readlately.com
A lot of YA titles – but it’s been a successful go-to genre before, so why not?
Words for Worms
I don’t know that as many of the quieter adult novels I’ve read would translate especially well to film… Perhaps they would, but since I’m not much of a movie buff I don’t like to make the time commitment to watch subtle character development, you know? I’m a movie plebian. Action, music, comedy and razzmatazz are what gets me to the theater.
Anna (MI)
Eleanor and Park would be tough to make, but I think it would be really great if done right! 🙂 And while nervous about the ones on your list that are in production, I am holding out hope for Divergent. From what I’ve seen, my heart hasn’t given up yet! 🙂 Great list.
My TTT:
http://diamondinroughcoal.blogspot.com/2013/09/top-ten-tuesday-8.html
Words for Worms
I’m so worried about Tobias being played by a dude who is (though gorgeous) 10 years older than he’s supposed to be, book wise. I hope the fears are unfounded!
janereads
I didn’t know the Outlander books were being made into a series. I love those! They would be my top choice. I also would like to see The Bronze Horsemen series by Paullina Simons as movies. Or her detective type stories like The Girl in Time Square as a film.
Words for Worms
I have heard very good things about the Bronze Horseman, but I’ve never read them. Sounds like they’re fabulous?