Movie Mondays: On the occasional Monday, I will review a book series or novel that has been made into a movie. I will then answer the question that everyone asks: which is better, the movie or the book? Here is this edition’s offering:
Book Cover | Movie Poster
Book:The Hating Game by Sally Thorne (2016) | Movie:The Hating Game (2021)
Which did I read/see first?the BOOK
Author: Sally Thorne Genre: Adult, Contemporary, Romance, Office Romance Heat Rating: warm Point of View: First Person, Single Publication Dates: August 2016 Source & Format: Public Library–Audiobook
I had had this book on my TBR for a long time but it wasn’t until I was on an extended road trip with a friend that I decided to pick this one up as an audiobook. The movie had just been released so it was fresh in my mind. I had actually hoped that the audiobook would be like listening to a rom-com and it seemed like a good book to binge for our day of driving.
We had such a blast listening to this! It was fun and funny but also had deeper moments between the two leads. I loved the banter between these two; they’re the definition of a “fine line between love and hate”.
Lucy is charming and quirky. I love that she says whatever is on her mind instead of playing games. Josh is the perfect counterpart with his many layers. Their chemistry is so palpable!
Absolutely! I thought the movie really captured the spirit of the novel and did a fantastic job bringing the story to life. And that sexual tension between the leads was once again the highlight.
How Close is it to the Book?
Despite my best intentions, I didn’t get a chance to watch this movie until nearly a year after I read the book. So while I don’t remember some of the finer details, I do know that the main plot points are all there. I would have liked to watch more of their “hate” scenes for the comedy, but as I said before, the spirit of the movie was captured nicely with the few little bantering clips we got.
The one thing I did noticed they changed was one of Lucy’s plot-points with a co-worker. But I actually liked how the movie navigated that more than the book did.
Did I Like the Cast?
YES! I thought everyone was cast perfectly. I sometimes think Lucy Hale (Lucy) plays the same sort of roles but I really don’t know who else could have been Lucy. She was great with her humour and feistiness. And her chemistry with Austin Stowell (Joshua) was amazing.
Originally, Robbie Armell was supposed to be Joshua. I think he would have been great based on what I remember of him in The DUFF. But Austin did a great job being the frosty Joshua while conveying his true–yet subtle– feelings for Lucy. He can smolder.
I really think you can’t go wrong with either version. The audiobook reads like a rom-com and the movie is charming and captures the book perfectly.
Do you agree? Leave a comment below!
Synopsis for The Hating Game (from Goodreads):
Nemesis (n.) 1) An opponent or rival whom a person cannot best or overcome; 2) A person’s undoing; 3) Joshua Templeman.
Lucy Hutton and Joshua Templeman hate each other. Not dislike. Not begrudgingly tolerate. Hate. And they have no problem displaying their feelings through a series of ritualistic passive aggressive maneuvers as they sit across from each other, executive assistants to co-CEOs of a publishing company. Lucy can’t understand Joshua’s joyless, uptight, meticulous approach to his job. Joshua is clearly baffled by Lucy’s overly bright clothes, quirkiness, and Pollyanna attitude.
Now up for the same promotion, their battle of wills has come to a head and Lucy refuses to back down when their latest game could cost her her dream job…But the tension between Lucy and Joshua has also reached its boiling point, and Lucy is discovering that maybe she doesn’t hate Joshua. And maybe, he doesn’t hate her either. Or maybe this is just another game.
Movie Mondays: On the occasional Monday, I will review a book series or novel that has been made into a movie. I will then answer the question that everyone asks: which is better, the movie or the book? Here is this edition’s offering:
Book Cover | Movie Poster
Book:Every Day by David Levithan (2012) | Movie:Every Day (2018)
Which did I read/see first?the BOOK
Series: Every Day Trilogy Author: David Levithan # of Books: 3 (Every Day, Another Day, Someday)
There is a prequel novella: #0.5 Six Days Before
Book Order: Companion (Another Day), Chronological Sequel (Someday) Complete?: Unsure Genre: Young Adult, Romance, Contemporary, Magical Realism Heat Rating: warm Point of View: First Person, Single Publication Dates: August 2012 – October 2018 Source & Format: Public Library–Audiobook
I wasn’t a huge fan of the novel mostly because I wasn’t a fan of the two leads. Our lead, A, comes across as selfish and slightly obsessive when it comes to anything to do with Rhiannon and that was just off-putting for me. And Rhiannon was a total dud which didn’t help justify the situation. She’s whinny and selfish as well. So that put a damper on their romance which just came across as unhealthy and obsessive.
What I did enjoy (though it gets highlighted more in the third novel, Someday) is the philosophical, moral and ethic dilemmas it raises about A’s situation. It really got me thinking about life, how we treat others and what I would do if I was in A’s shoes. And I really enjoyed the idea that you can fall in love with a person’s spirit–not just their outward appearance–even if I didn’t love the romance we actually get.
I’ll be honest and say I wasn’t going in with the highest expectations. It was mostly just curiosity to see how they’d handle this that had me interested.
Overall, I enjoyed the movie for what it was.
How Close is it to the Book?
I don’t really remember the specifics of the first book and all the little scenes we get but I feel like the essence of those scenes were captured in the limited time.
But for the most part, I’d say this was a romance and not really anything much deeper than that. We don’t delve into the crux of why A is the way they are–though I don’t really think the book did too much either. I just think there was a bit of a missed opportunity there because the concept of the story is great.
I thought the characters were more likeable though in the movie. And while they do have some selfish moments, A’s monologue they deliver about being in one body really tugged on my heart more than it ever did in the novel.
Did I Like the Cast?
Some movies aimed for teens/younger adults can have terrible acting but I was really impressed by this cast. Considering you have multiple people playing A, I thought they all did a fantastic job.
My Expectations for the Rest of the Series:
I really doubt they are going to make the sequels into movies. But I feel like this entire series would have been better as a TV miniseries instead…
In some ways (like character likeability), I definitely prefer the movie. But I like how the book is a touch more philosophical about the predicament that A finds themselves in. I think the movie focuses more on the romance, and it comes across as slightly shallow. However, I’m not going to go out of my way to rewatch the movie nor reread the books.
Do you agree? Leave a comment below!
Synopsis for Every Day (from Goodreads):
Every day a different body. Every day a different life. Every day in love with the same girl.
There’s never any warning about where it will be or who it will be. A has made peace with that, even established guidelines by which to live: Never get too attached. Avoid being noticed. Do not interfere.
It’s all fine until the morning that A wakes up in the body of Justin and meets Justin’s girlfriend, Rhiannon. From that moment, the rules by which A has been living no longer apply. Because finally A has found someone he wants to be with—day in, day out, day after day.
Movie Mondays: On the occasional Monday, I will review a book series or novel that has been made into a movie. I will then answer the question that everyone asks: which is better, the movie or the book? Here is this edition’s offering:
Book Cover | Movie Poster
Book:The Darkest Minds by Alexandra Bracken (2012) | Movie:The Darkest Minds (2018)
Book Order: Chronological Complete?: Yes Genre: Young Adult, Science Fiction, Post Apocalyptic, Romance Heat Rating: cool Point of View: First Person, Single Publication Dates: December 2012 – July 2018 Source & Format: Public Library–Hardcover
I was very excited to read The Darkest Minds because its one of those series that bloggers rave about and it seemed like my kind of story based on the synopsis. I love dystopian fiction and the premise for this story seemed like something I would no doubt enjoy.
However, it took me a very long time to get into this story. My attention would wane thanks to the somewhat overly descriptive writing and the extended exposition. The romance didn’t wow me but it didn’t annoy me either. And Ruby as a lead didn’t overly impress me though I appreciated her character evolution throughout the novel. I was drawn more to some of the side characters.
The last 100 pages or so is when things got exciting and I finished The Darkest Minds on a high note, eagerly anticipating the sequel.
While it wasn’t as exciting as other first novels in some other YA dystopian novels, it laid down an intriguing foundation that I hoped would be carried out throughout the rest of the series.
The Darkest Minds was one of those novels where I thought “this would be a great movie” as I read it. I found the novel to be a little dragged out and I figured the condensing that comes with a movie would create a more exciting plotline.
And that happens in a so-so kind of way. We moved from A to B quickly but along the way, I think we lost some of the charm the novel had. The romance felt rushed and superficial. And I think the side characters weren’t as strong as they were in the book.
How Close is it to the Book?
I had to look up a detailed synopsis to see if the events happened like they did since it has been so long since I read the novels. From what I can see, it’s pretty spot on…though feel free to correct me!
Did I Like the Cast?
I think Amandla Stenberg has been in every major YA adaption in the last few years…and that isn’t a bad thing. She’s a great actress! She didn’t wow me here though but I can’ tell if that is a result of a bad script or the fact that Ruby didn’t impress me in the novels either.
I think the rest of the cast looked like what I pictured. Nobody really impressed me though–perhaps that is the script’s fault?
My Expectations for the Rest of the Series:
Given the box office numbers, I doubt we will get a sequel. That’s a little disappointing because I think there is more visually captivating stuff to come in the sequels. But given the fact that I was bored throughout most of the movie, it probably isn’t a bad thing.
I really thought the movie would pull out the win before I watched it but here I am corrected! I think the movie suffered from a stiff, condensed script and that didn’t bring out the best in the characters.
Do you agree? Leave a comment below!
Synopsis for The Darkest Minds (from Goodreads):
When Ruby woke up on her tenth birthday, something about her had changed. Something frightening enough to make her parents lock her in the garage and call the police. Something that got her sent to Thurmond, a brutal government “rehabilitation camp.” She might have survived the mysterious disease that had killed most of America’s children, but she and the others emerged with something far worse: frightening abilities they could not control.
Now sixteen, Ruby is one of the dangerous ones. When the truth comes out, Ruby barely escapes Thurmond with her life. She is on the run, desperate to find the only safe haven left for kids like her—East River. She joins a group of kids who have escaped their own camp. Liam, their brave leader, is falling hard for Ruby. But no matter how much she aches for him, Ruby can’t risk getting close. Not after what happened to her parents. When they arrive at East River, nothing is as it seems, least of all its mysterious leader. But there are other forces at work, people who will stop at nothing to use Ruby in their fight against the government. Ruby will be faced with a terrible choice, one that may mean giving up her only chance at having a life worth living.
Movie Mondays: On the occasional Monday, I will review a book series or novel that has been made into a movie. I will then answer the question that everyone asks: which is better, the movie or the book? Here is this edition’s offering:
Book Cover | Movie Poster
Book:The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas (2017) | Movie:The Hate U Give (2018)
Which did I read/see first? the BOOK
Author: Angie Thomas Genre: Young Adult, Realistic Fiction, Contemporary Heat Rating: cool Point of View: First Person, Single Publication Date: February 28, 2017 Source & Format: Public Library–Audiobook
You couldn’t escape this book in 2017…and for good reason. It’s a strong story in so many ways that you can’t help but praise it.
The characters are great; the message is strong and the emotions are high.
My only criticism is that the pacing was a little off for me. I thought some things were drawn out longer than they needed to be, while others weren’t.
The audiobook is also fabulous! I highly recommend!
This book definitely deserves all the praise it gets! It’s a well crafted story that is so relevant to society right now. My only criticism is the pacing of the plot at times.
For sure! They did a great job capturing the essence of the novel and bringing Starr’s story to life.
How Close is it to the Book?
It’s been a while since I read the book so I don’t remember the finer details but I think the major moments are there.
One thing I will say is that I thought the movie focused more on the social justice of the situation than on Starr’s life. And that’s not a bad thing–I think this movie is powerful and much needed with that message. I just think that novel does a good job of highlighting the everyday life of a young black girl in America today while these things are happening and not just as a vehicle for social change as these events happen. (I hope that makes sense).
Did I Like the Cast?
Definitely! They were great! Amandla Stenberg is great in all the book adaption movies she does and her portrayal as Starr is no exception. But everyone was great so props to the casting department!
I think both versions have their own strengths and weaknesses. I really like the movie because the pacing is much stronger and the message delivery is one that appeals to a wider audience range. However, I like how the novel delves deeper into the everyday life of Starr and not just her struggle to find justice for Khalil.
Do you agree? Leave a comment below!
Synopsis for The Hate U Give (from Goodreads):
Sixteen-year-old Starr Carter moves between two worlds: the poor neighborhood where she lives and the fancy suburban prep school she attends. The uneasy balance between these worlds is shattered when Starr witnesses the fatal shooting of her childhood best friend Khalil at the hands of a police officer. Khalil was unarmed.
Soon afterward, his death is a national headline. Some are calling him a thug, maybe even a drug dealer and a gangbanger. Protesters are taking to the streets in Khalil’s name. Some cops and the local drug lord try to intimidate Starr and her family. What everyone wants to know is: what really went down that night? And the only person alive who can answer that is Starr.
But what Starr does or does not say could upend her community. It could also endanger her life.
Movie Mondays: On the occasional Monday, I will review a book series or novel that has been made into a movie. I will then answer the question that everyone asks: which is better, the movie or the book? Here is this edition’s offering:
Book Cover | Movie Poster
Book:Crazy Rich Asians by Kevin Kwan (2013) | Movie:Crazy Rich Asians (2018)
Which did I read/see first? the MOVIE
Series: Crazy Rich Asians Author: Kevin Kwan Genre: Adult, Contemporary, Romance, Drama, Chick Lit Point of View: Third Person, Multiple Source & Format: Public Library–Audiobook
I remember seeing this book everywhere when it first came out but I staunchly avoided it. The hype around it was definitely daunting but after reading the synopsis, it didn’t sound like something I would enjoy at the time. But thanks to the movie, I was curious to know more about the source material and so I put my name on the very long audiobook waitlist.
After finishing this book, I can confidently say that my initial assessment was right. While I enjoyed this book for what it was, I wasn’t overly impressed by it either.
Perhaps part of my lacklustre sentiments come from the audiobook version itself. When you listen to audiobooks, you don’t have the convenience of skimming over overly descriptive paragraphs. Well, you can, but you worry that you’ll skip something important. So I did get a little lost in the descriptions of the finer things in life at times.
I also don’t think that it helps that there really isn’t a plot. I mean, things are going on but it’s a very character driven story. You are basically following various characters around as they lead these extravagant lives given current events (ie Colin’s Wedding). And sure, this is one eccentric cast of characters so they are wholly entertaining; but I also found some of them weren’t overly likeable either.
This book is literally reading a soap opera brought to life. It’s entertaining for sure, even if parts dragged at times.
Rating: 3/5 Series Review: Full series review here!
Were My Expectations Met?
For the month of August, it seemed like you couldn’t escape this movie…and I totally got why when I watched it later in September.
This movie was just a really great romantic comedy–but with more layers than your traditional rom-com. I really liked how this movie touched on class and race but also on family and honesty. I think everyone can relate to these characters in one way or another. I felt every range of emotions and had such a blast watching it that I immediately wanted more when we left the theatre. (Which was good because my audiobook hold literally came in just before I watched the movie!)
How Close is it to the Book?
I found the two to be very different. The movie–obviously–condenses a lot of the key scenes in the book together so you still get those memorable moments.
But the movie also shifts the focus of the story as well. I feel like the movie is Rachel’s story about fitting in with Nick’s family whereas the book never felt like that to me, probably because we focus on other characters equally throughout. That’s not the case in the movie where certain characters have been removed entirely and their stories from the book have been condensed or altogether ignored. Perhaps it is because of this adaptation that I found the characters to be much more grounded and likeable in the movie.
The movie seemed to have a larger focus on what the Asian (specifically the Chinese) identity is whereas the book focused more on the extravagant lives of the rich and elite (more “class” based).
Did I Like the Cast?
I thought the cast was perfect! I couldn’t picture anyone else but Ronny Chieng playing Eddie. Awkwafina stole the show for me (her scenes with Ken Jeong were priceless!) as Peik Lin. I just thought everyone did a fabulous job bringing this entertaining characters to life!
My Expectations for the Rest of the Series:
I’m DYING for a sequel! I can’t wait to see what is in store next for this group of characters!
I thought the movie did a great job bringing the title of the book to life. You’ve got eccentrically entertaining characters and a stronger linear plot to follow so it is more engaging than the novel counterpart.
Do you agree? Leave a comment below!
Synopsis for Crazy Rich Asians (from Goodreads):
When Rachel Chu agrees to spend the summer in Singapore with her boyfriend, Nicholas Young, she envisions a humble family home, long drives to explore the island, and quality time with the man she might one day marry. What she doesn’t know is that Nick’s family home happens to look like a palace, that she’ll ride in more private planes than cars, and that with one of Asia’s most eligible bachelors on her arm, Rachel might as well have a target on her back. Initiated into a world of dynastic splendor beyond imagination, Rachel meets Astrid, the It Girl of Singapore society; Eddie, whose family practically lives in the pages of the Hong Kong socialite magazines; and Eleanor, Nick’s formidable mother, a woman who has very strong feelings about who her son should–and should not–marry. Uproarious, addictive, and filled with jaw-dropping opulence, Crazy Rich Asians is an insider’s look at the Asian JetSet; a perfect depiction of the clash between old money and new money; between Overseas Chinese and Mainland Chinese; and a fabulous novel about what it means to be young, in love, and gloriously, crazily rich.
Movie Mondays: On the occasional Monday, I will review a book series or novel that has been made into a movie. I will then answer the question that everyone asks: which is better, the movie or the book? Here is this week’s offering:
Book:The Death Cure by James Dashner (2011) | Movie:Maze Runner: The Death Cure (2018)
Which did I read/see first? the BOOK
Book Cover | Movie Poster
SERIESous’ Top Book Series: Biggest Disappointments 2014 Series: The Maze Runner Trilogy Author: James Dashner # of Books: 3 (The Maze Runner, The Scorch Trials, The Death Cure) Book Order: Chronological Complete?: Yes Genre: Young Adult, Dystopian, Science Fiction, Suspense, Apocalyptic, Mystery Heat Rating: cold Point of View: Third Person, Single
I adored the second book, The Scorch Trials, in the trilogy. The first book was so meh to me but the second one amped it up and had me eager for the finale.
And what a blah finale it was! I felt like this book lost direction, dragging out the finale answers only to leave you dry and waiting. We focus too much on Thomas inner monologue and worries and ignore the larger scheme of what is happening in the world. It just felt like I read a lot of filler and not much else.
I went in with high hopes only to be bitterly disappointed by the finale. I left with more questions than answers and this book just left a bad taste in my mouth about the series as a whole.
The movies in the series just kept getting better and better and that is definitely the case here! I had high expectations given how much I enjoyed The Scorch Trials and the ending. I never thought fondly of this book (it’s my least favourite in the series) but I knew that this would be a solid movie from start to end given its predecessors.
How Close is it to the Book?
Thanks to the major changes that took place in the movie version of The Scorch Trials, the plot here greatly differs from the book. And I was totally OK with that! Seeing as I hated how things went down in the last book, this was a much better ending I think. In many ways it stays true to the spirit of the novel but the execution here is much stronger.
Did I Like the Cast?
I’ve adored the casting in this series since the first movie. They are fabulous!
While it might have taken a little longer for the final movie to grace our screens, the wait was worth it! This adaption takes the strongest parts of the novel and flaunts them perfectly to deliver a movie that is entertaining yet often heartfelt.
Do you agree? Leave a comment below!
Synopsis for The Death Cure(from Goodreads):
It’s the end of the line.
WICKED has taken everything from Thomas: his life, his memories, and now his only friends—the Gladers. But it’s finally over. The trials are complete, after one final test.
Will anyone survive?
What WICKED doesn’t know is that Thomas remembers far more than they think. And it’s enough to prove that he can’t believe a word of what they say.
The truth will be terrifying.
Thomas beat the Maze. He survived the Scorch. He’ll risk anything to save his friends. But the truth might be what ends it all.
Movie Mondays: On the occasional Monday, I will review a book series or novel that has been made into a movie. I will then answer the question that everyone asks: which is better, the movie or the book? Here is this edition’s offering:
Book Cover | Movie Poster
Book:Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda by Becky Albertalli (2015) | Movie:Love, Simon (2018)
Which did I read/see first? BOOK
SERIESous’ Top Picks: Fave YA Standalone 2017 Author: Becky Albertalli Genre: Young Adult, Contemporary, Coming of Age, GLBT, Humour Heat Rating: cool Point of View: First Person, Single Publication Date: April 7, 2015 Source & Format: Public Library–Audiobook
I was a little late to the Simon train when I listened to the audiobook last year but I quickly became a fan. Honestly, my full review is just me gushing about how I loved the characters and the story and the romance.
You can read my full review here but the gist is that I loved how real this story was. It’s got great messages about love, life and friendship. It made me laugh, I cried, I swooned. I felt everything and that’s what a good story should do.
I found a new favourite! Absolute perfection.
Read if You Like: humour, coming of age, GLBT Avoid if You: dislike YA contemporaries
My personal hype was insane for this and seeing everyone on Twitter praise it really amplified that.
So was I satisfied? Yes and no. There were certain things I really liked (like the cast) and how they kept the overall spirit of the book intact despite some major changes to the plot. But I didn’t like all of the changes and that kept me from loving the movie.
For me, the biggest thing was the romance between Blue and Simon. In the movie it didn’t seem to be a huge focus–and I get why. This movie is more about Simon coming out and the way it happens and how he deals with it all. That’s why I say this movie captured the spirit of the book because this is obviously the biggest aspect of the story. And having a story like this brought to the mainstream is so, so important and I think they did an amazing job bringing this story to life.
And I don’t want to take away from that in any respect because this movie willhas change lives.
They capture the love and acceptance and the normalcy of the entire situation. It’s a story we all need in our lives..
But the book fan in me felt like some of the romantic charm was lost due to the time constraints and the slight shift in plot focus. I think the easiest way to say it is that I had a hard time believing that Simon was in love with Blue as a person as opposed to what Bluerepresented (ie someone who understood his personal struggles). We don’t see a lot of the interaction between Simon and Blue like we do in the book–mainly just email highlights in the movie. I missed seeing that deeper interaction between them because that’s what I loved in the book. I’m one of those people who likes the romance spelled out for them and with detail. So I just needed a little more than the 10 emails they share. Maybe it was because I knew who Blue was all along so I knew what to expect and where to look? I’m not sure but there was a slight disconnect for me.
How Close is it to the Book?
I really only remember bits and pieces of the book since it has been over a year but my friend who saw it with me just finished the novel a few days before we saw the movie so I got her to remind me. Of course they have basic changes like Simon’s family structure and the like. But they also had some pretty big changes to the plot as well.
That’s why I say this movie keeps to the spirit of the book. The drama is slightly amplified for the big screen and I found that had its pros and cons. Pros because it helps reaffirm to the audience that your sexual preference doesn’t change who you are as a person. It’s your typical teen movie only it stars a lead you don’t often see in the role. And I love how they make it normal–because it is normal! As Simon says in the movie why are gay kids the only ones who “need to come out?”. Teens of all orientations deserve to fall in love for the first time and not be judged or feel like they have to hide who they are.
>>Fun Fact: This is “the first film ever released by a major studio to focus on a gay teenage romance”.
So I get why things are done the way they are in the grand scheme and I applaud them because in that respect, this movie is amazing.
But the cons were the removal of things that I found charming about the book in the first place. Simon’s relationship with his friends was a big one and in particular, their actions when he is outed. I really disliked the approach that was done in the movie because I felt like it took away from the positivity of the story.
I get a little ranty in the spoilers below so I recommend only reading them if you’ve watched the movie:
My Little Spoiler Rant
1) While I like that Simon stood up for himself in the cafeteria (movie), I liked that in the book it was others standing up for him. It reminds the audience that you shouldn’t just sit by and watch awful things happen to another person.
2) It irked me to NO end how upset Simon’s friends were over his actions to get Martin and Abby together. Did they just forget that their friend was just blackmailed and outed against his will? Did they not think that maybe he needed his friends in this crucial time when he is struggling with his identity and needs support? I just thought their ostracizing of him (even if he was in the wrong with his actions) was plain mean. They have every right to be upset but be the bigger person and be there for your friend. (Though perhaps this was an effort to normalize the situation? To emphasize the fact that is wasn’t a big deal to them that Simon was gay and that he should have felt safe to talk to them before he took it too far. I’m not sure if that was the intention but it really bothered me that they distanced themselves because they never really state that. Well, except Leah but Simon tells her why he told Abby first.)
3) I hated how the uniting of Simon and Blue was this big spectacle for the entire school. I get it–it’s part of their “great love story” and reaffirms the fact that Simon is someone Blue feels is worth it to come out for; but I liked the reunion more in the book.
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Did I Like the Cast?
YES! When Nick Robinson was cast as Simon I was very, very happy. He was great in Everything, Everything so I knew he would make a great Simon. And he definitely did. He was so charming and funny that it was easy to love him.
The rest of the cast is fabulous. They did a great job bringing this story to life. Josh Dummel totally made me cry 😛
While I understand how monumental this movie is in terms of mainstream media and LGBTQ representation, I enjoyed the book more. I preferred the slightly more grounded story and the slower development of the romance between Blue and Simon. As a viewer, I definitely enjoyed the movie and all that it means (seriously, the stories you read online about all the people who finally feel accepted after seeing this movie is AMAZING!) but as a fan of the book, I’m a little disappointed though still super happy to see these characters come to life.
Do you agree? Leave a comment below!
Synopsis for Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda (from Goodreads):
Sixteen-year-old and not-so-openly gay Simon Spier prefers to save his drama for the school musical. But when an email falls into the wrong hands, his secret is at risk of being thrust into the spotlight. Now Simon is actually being blackmailed: if he doesn’t play wingman for class clown Martin, his sexual identity will become everyone’s business. Worse, the privacy of Blue, the pen name of the boy he’s been emailing, will be compromised.
With some messy dynamics emerging in his once tight-knit group of friends, and his email correspondence with Blue growing more flirtatious every day, Simon’s junior year has suddenly gotten all kinds of complicated. Now, change-averse Simon has to find a way to step out of his comfort zone before he’s pushed out—without alienating his friends, compromising himself, or fumbling a shot at happiness with the most confusing, adorable guy he’s never met.
Movie Mondays: On the occasional Monday, I will review a book series or novel that has been made into a movie. I will then answer the question that everyone asks: which is better, the movie or the book? Here is this edition’s offering:
Book:Fifty Shades Freed by E L James (2012) | Movie:Fifty Shades Freed (2018)
Which did I read/see first? the BOOK
Book Cover | Movie Poster
Series: Fifty Shades Author: E L James Genre: Adult, Contemporary, Romance, Suspense Heat Rating: Smokin’ (BDSM: High) Point of View: First Person, Single Source & Format: Public Library–eBook
I really only remember the highlights of this story. By far, this was the most suspenseful of the three reads. I felt like the sexy times were toned down a bit to emphasis the development of Ana and Christian’s relationship–which was a good thing. They have a lot of issues to work out and this was the book that really brought those to the forefront.
Compared to the first movie, the first sequel, Fifty Shades Darker, really found its own. Everything was more natural and the movie was much more enjoyable. Now that might have been because I’d been comfortable with the whole idea of this series as a movie.
So my expectations were pretty high for Fifty Shades Freed. As I said above, this novel really doesn’t focus on the sex as much and that is the case with the movie as well. Instead, we get to see Ana and Christian work on their marriage and prove why they work. Unfortunately, the chemistry between Dakota and Jamie isn’t that great so it made things seem awkward but there were definitely some cute moments.
I will say that I thought this was going to be a little more suspenseful given the plot but that didn’t really happen. Maybe because I already know how everything wraps up, it didn’t have the same thrill to me.
How Close is it to the Book?
I get a lot of the plot points between Darker and Freed mixed up because I read them so close together. But all the major plot points are there and all the key moments from the novel are shown.
For the sake of time, I felt like a lot of things were downplayed and that made things seem like they were unfinished to me. I think this article by EW sums them up nicely!
Did I Like the Cast?
For this entire trilogy, Dakota has been a highlight. I think she makes a fantastic Ana and her performance is always great.
As for Jamie, he seemed to revert to his first appearance as Christian. I was really impressed with his performance in the last movie and I felt a little let down by this one. Perhaps it was the dialogue but he just seemed so stiff to me. It might also be the fact that he has to do his American accent so it sounds forced.
I was really impressed with the second movie of this movie trilogy so I had high expectations. But I felt like the plot here was stifled a little and I left wanting a little more.
Do you agree? Leave a comment below!
Synopsis for Fifty Shades Freed (from Goodreads):
When unworldly student Anastasia Steele first encountered the driven and dazzling young entrepreneur Christian Grey it sparked a sensual affair that changed both of their lives irrevocably. Shocked, intrigued, and, ultimately, repelled by Christian’s singular erotic tastes, Ana demands a deeper commitment. Determined to keep her, Christian agrees.
Now, Ana and Christian have it all—love, passion, intimacy, wealth, and a world of possibilities for their future. But Ana knows that loving her Fifty Shades will not be easy, and that being together will pose challenges that neither of them would anticipate. Ana must somehow learn to share Christian’s opulent lifestyle without sacrificing her own identity. And Christian must overcome his compulsion to control as he wrestles with the demons of a tormented past.
Just when it seems that their strength together will eclipse any obstacle, misfortune, malice, and fate conspire to make Ana’s deepest fears turn to reality.
Movie Mondays: On the occasional Monday, I will review a book series or novel that has been made into a movie. I will then answer the question that everyone asks: which is better, the movie or the book? Here is this edition’s offering:
Book Cover | Movie Poster
Book:Everything, Everything by Nicola Yoon (2015) | Movie:Everything, Everything (2017)
Which did I read/see first? the BOOK
Author: Nicola Yoon Genre: Young Adult, Contemporary, Romance Point of View: First Person, Single Source & Format: Public Library–eBook
I’ve seen this book on countless blogs over the years and so it inevitably made it onto my TBR. I really wasn’t sure what to expect; I’m not a big YA contemporary fan and this looked like it could be an angsty romance depending on the way it was spun. But, as a healthcare worker, I was super interested in the SCID aspect so I went in optimistically.
I almost read this as an audiobook but I either read somewhere that there were illustrations or I previewed the novel and saw them. Anyways, I’m really glad I read this as a novel but I’m sure this would be a great audiobook because Maddy is a great narrator.
Which is why I gave this book a 5/5 on Goodreads though I would give the overall plot a 4/5. I loved Maddy’s energy. She was so endearing as a narrator to me and I immediately got sucked into her story. I truly had a hard time putting it down and it’s one of the only books in recent memory where I read it in one sitting.
I would give the overall plot a lower score just because it does stretch the realism of the situation a bit. But as I always say, let fiction be fiction and I knew I wasn’t reading it for realism. The situations and circumstances work well for this story in terms of entertainment and conveying the message that only you can determine what it means to live your life.
Don’t go into this expecting some super realistic book about a girl with an immune disorder nor expect a novel that delves deep into situations. This is really about a girl defining what it means to live her life and the joys of first love. It’s definitely a lighter, mostly romantic, YA contemporary.
Note: Do NOT watch the movie trailer if you plan on reading the book. As someone told me on Twitter, it kinda gives away the plot twist of the story (and it’s a really good twist that you likely won’t see coming otherwise). My review below does not contain any spoilers.
Were My Expectations Met?
Yes, I’d say they were. The movie captured the light, feel good vibe of the novel. I was smiling like an idiot (on the airplane no less) as I watched Olly and Maddy interact and fall in love. Gah, it was so adorable!
How Close is it to the Book?
Fairly close though the “main twist” had a different way of delivering itself in the movie. I think given the length of the movie that the approach worked well so I understand why the change was made. But the backbone of the novel is in the movie and it’s a very close adaptation when all is said and done.
Did I Like the Cast?
YES! I thought the movie was cast perfectly. Everyone was great in their roles, particularly Maddy and Olly. They just had fantastic chemistry and truly captured the charm of their characters on the big screen.
The movie is great! Don’t get me wrong! But I just loved the book and how charming it was to me.
Do you agree? Leave a comment below!
Synopsis for Everything, Everything (from Goodreads):
My disease is as rare as it is famous. Basically, I’m allergic to the world. I don’t leave my house, have not left my house in seventeen years. The only people I ever see are my mom and my nurse, Carla.
But then one day, a moving truck arrives next door. I look out my window, and I see him. He’s tall, lean and wearing all black—black T-shirt, black jeans, black sneakers, and a black knit cap that covers his hair completely. He catches me looking and stares at me. I stare right back. His name is Olly.
Maybe we can’t predict the future, but we can predict some things. For example, I am certainly going to fall in love with Olly. It’s almost certainly going to be a disaster.
Movie Mondays: On the occasional Monday, I will review a book series or novel that has been made into a movie. I will then answer the question that everyone asks: which is better, the movie or the book? Here is this edition’s offering:
Book:Before I Fall by Lauren Oliver (2010) | Movie:Before I Fall (2017)
Which did I read/see first? the BOOK
Book Cover | Movie Poster
Author: Lauren Oliver Genre: Young Adult, Contemporary Point of View: First Person, Single Source & Format: Public Library–Hardcover
Before I Fall has been on my TBR list before I even knew what “TBR” meant. It graced every teen “must read list” in 2010 and I’ll admit, it grabbed my attention. But the holds list was super long and it slipped my mind. And then I read her Delirium Series–the inspiration for this blog–and really didn’t like it. So I was hesitant to pick up another Oliver title.
I went into this book with a fresh mind but it was hard.
Sam is everything I detest in a YA contemporary heroine. She’s self-absorbed, lost in her own world and just not that nice of a person. But that’s the whole point of this novel isn’t it? Sam is supposed to learn some life changing lesson and become a better person because of it.
And that happens to a certain extent. She definitely learns some valuable lessons but I’m not sure if I like the motivation for it. For me, Sam never escapes the persona of a selfish girl. Her desire to change comes across as someone who needs to fix things in order to redeem herself as a “nice person”. I guess it just didn’t come across as selfless to me.
As for the novel itself, it wasn’t as repetitive as I expected. Oliver does a good job of not rehashing every moment of every day. She also does a decent job of leading you on a bit of a mystery. Trying to figure out how everything links together kept me interest.
I’ll be honest, I rushed through this book a lot because I had to return it so my experience wasn’t everything it could have been. In the end, I had a hard time liking Sam and that really did colour my impressions of this novel as a whole.
Considering I wasn’t a huge fan of the novel, I wasn’t really sure how I would enjoy the movie. If I couldn’t stand Sam and her friends just by reading about them, how would I feel was I watched them be awful teenaged girls?
But the movie is really well done. Like the book, you aren’t rewatching scene after scene of the same day. I suppose that is the beauty of films and their ability to have montages 😉
And I will admit, watching Sam’s story here made me slightly more emotional (in a good way) as opposed to the novel where my feelings were more annoyed than empathetic.
How Close is it to the Book?
From what I remember of the book, this was pretty close. And what I think they left out (like the scene with Sam’s teacher, etc.) made the story stronger here. But the root of the story and its message are the same.
I will say, that Sam’s self-realization in the movie seemed a touch more natural to me. I don’t know if that is because you don’t have her internal monologue for the entire story and you only see what is on the surface/what is said. Or perhaps it is because you have a person you can visually see reacting to everything that helps you empathize. However, I still really struggle with the ending overall.
Did I Like the Cast?
The first role I saw Zoey Deutch (Sam) was the TV show The Ringer where she played a similar character to Sam. She’s a great actress who can play more than just a bitchy teenager (she was great as Rose in The Vampire Academy Movie) so I thought she was a great choice for Sam. Like I said above, I really didn’t like Sam in the book but Zoey brought a touch of humanity to Sam here.
The rest of the cast was great as well. I don’t know if I would change anything about the cast.
I definitely enjoyed the movie a touch more than the novel. I think not getting Sam’s internal monologue for every scene really helped me focus on the story and the circumstances instead of her petty, selfish observations.
Do you agree? Leave a comment below!
Synopsis for Before I Fall (from Goodreads):
For popular high school senior Samantha Kingston, February 12—”Cupid Day”—should be one big party, a day of valentines and roses and the privileges that come with being at the top of the social pyramid. And it is…until she dies in a terrible accident that night.
However, she still wakes up the next morning. In fact, Sam lives the last day of her life seven times, until she realizes that by making even the slightest changes, she may hold more power than she ever imagined.
