From Pages
to Film My reviews of books and films and books that have been made into films. Want to know what is on my shelf? What I'm currently reading or want to read? Check out GoodReads and add me as a friend!
|
PLEASE GO TO MY RANTING & RAVING BLOG IN ORDER TO WRITE YOUR OWN THOUGHTS ON THE MOVIES AND BOOKS BELOW! FEEL FREE TO ALSO CHIME IN ABOUT ANY THAT ARE NOT LISTED!
The Husband's Secret by Liane Moriarty (Pages) |
A bit confusing and difficult to read at first, but the story soon caught my attention and I could NOT put it down. Even with everything going on right now I read this in, I believe, about a week! The book is centered around 3 different women facing 3 different difficulties. The book starts them off living separate lives and then slowly integrates them until they are all intertwined.
Secrets, murder, sex, and lies this book has a ton of different scenarios to capture your attention and emotion. I felt as though the book kept bringing up new scenarios that kept me on edge to see what was going to happen. However, I do feel that I had an inkling of what the husband's secret was going to be before I found it out.
My favorite part about this book was the Epilogue. It gives you a run down of the characters and all the "What Ifs" in their lives. I have never read a book that did that before and I found it quite intriguing. I highly recommend this book to my friends and family :)
Secrets, murder, sex, and lies this book has a ton of different scenarios to capture your attention and emotion. I felt as though the book kept bringing up new scenarios that kept me on edge to see what was going to happen. However, I do feel that I had an inkling of what the husband's secret was going to be before I found it out.
My favorite part about this book was the Epilogue. It gives you a run down of the characters and all the "What Ifs" in their lives. I have never read a book that did that before and I found it quite intriguing. I highly recommend this book to my friends and family :)
Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn (Pages to Film) |
Gillian Flynn has about 3 books I believe? Gone Girl was the first book I read of hers and it made me go purchase the other two right away...that is how GOOD I thought this book was. I loved the style of her writing how it was present and then past building up to where the past meets the present. It was dark and sadistic but thoroughly entertaining! I have heard some people have had a difficult time getting into the book in the beginning but I say "PRESS ON" it does get interesting with its twist and turns! I remember feeling strongly one way and then BAM it hit me and I switched gears baffled I had not caught it before hand <---- my dad would have probably known... he always see's that sort of thing before I do :p
Finally, I was able to see the movie a couple weeks after it had came out and before we hit the road and I am extremely satisfied! From pages to film, this one did not let me down :) I felt it gave us the meat of the book. When you throw too much of the potatoes in they either have to make the movie longer ( it was already 2.25 hrs long!) or cut out important parts.
I thought Ben Afleck did a great job but then again I do not feel he is a bad actor...well except as An action hero :p Overall in my opinion I felt each actor played the characters well and Gillian Flynn should be absolutely proud :) Now awaiting her second book coming to the big screen!
Finally, I was able to see the movie a couple weeks after it had came out and before we hit the road and I am extremely satisfied! From pages to film, this one did not let me down :) I felt it gave us the meat of the book. When you throw too much of the potatoes in they either have to make the movie longer ( it was already 2.25 hrs long!) or cut out important parts.
I thought Ben Afleck did a great job but then again I do not feel he is a bad actor...well except as An action hero :p Overall in my opinion I felt each actor played the characters well and Gillian Flynn should be absolutely proud :) Now awaiting her second book coming to the big screen!
The Miniaturist by Jessie Burton (Pages) |
I found this book on my GOODREADS app and it had raving reviews. On B&N It receives 4.5 stars out of 20 reviews <--- I believe it is a newer book. I am so torn about this book. It is one of those that I could NOT put down. I was so intrigued of what was happening that I NEEDED to know what the outcome was going to be.
Overall it was interesting but felt it was missing the meat and potatoes. I feel the bond between two of the characters was not developed enough during the story for what it had ended up being in the end. I also feel like the story line itself was sort of pointless. Maybe I missed it or it went completely over my head but it I felt like it ended flat. *BOOM* Here is the end. Its over... I couldn't grasp the reason of the story and why it ended how it did.
This is a book that I probably would not recommend to someone interested in reading a GOOD book.
Overall it was interesting but felt it was missing the meat and potatoes. I feel the bond between two of the characters was not developed enough during the story for what it had ended up being in the end. I also feel like the story line itself was sort of pointless. Maybe I missed it or it went completely over my head but it I felt like it ended flat. *BOOM* Here is the end. Its over... I couldn't grasp the reason of the story and why it ended how it did.
This is a book that I probably would not recommend to someone interested in reading a GOOD book.
ADOW Trilogy by Deborah Harkness (Pages)
ADOW is a trilogy written by Deborah Harkness centered around two main characters Diana and Matthew. Diana is a scholar who denies her witch powers. Matthew is a vampire, of course gorgeous in every way! Their lives entangle and then become inseparable as they fight to be together while on a search for the infamous Book of Life. This book includes witches, daemons, and vampires. A little history is thrown in to the paranormal realm as well. Out of all three of these books the last, The Book of Life, is my favorite by far. I felt, as a reader, more vested in the schemes, plots, and action! Characters were more developed and a part of their lives and just overall loved the story line the best. My least favorite out of the three was Shadow of Night but still enjoyed it~ This one has all the history as Diana and Matthew travel back into Elizabethan London.
Besides the vampires being gorgeous I would not compare these books to Twilight or Sookie Stackhouse. I felt they had a different story line and a completely different atmosphere.
Besides the vampires being gorgeous I would not compare these books to Twilight or Sookie Stackhouse. I felt they had a different story line and a completely different atmosphere.
The Magician by Lev Grossman (pages) |
I saw this book from an e-mail I received from B&N. The 2nd book in the series was coming out and I had a chance of purchasing a signed copy. Before JUST purchasing it, I took a look at the first book, The Magicians. Due to it having low reviews, I decided to not purchase the second and only get the first. I cannot always go on the reviews but wanted to not spend money on BOTH the first and second if I did not truly enjoy the first.
GOOD THING I DID SO!
I was very disappointed in this book. It was somewhat compared to Harry Potter and a bit of Alice in Wonderland but I felt it no where near compared to Harry Potter. I never read the book Alice in Wonderland but it did have a different "world" so I guess that comparison would be accurate. The story lacked imagination and colorfulness. It was very dull and dreary in my opinion; a bit depressing as well! This is a book that I do not recommend and I am NOT purchasing the second in the series.
GOOD THING I DID SO!
I was very disappointed in this book. It was somewhat compared to Harry Potter and a bit of Alice in Wonderland but I felt it no where near compared to Harry Potter. I never read the book Alice in Wonderland but it did have a different "world" so I guess that comparison would be accurate. The story lacked imagination and colorfulness. It was very dull and dreary in my opinion; a bit depressing as well! This is a book that I do not recommend and I am NOT purchasing the second in the series.
If I stay (Pages to FILM)
I wanted to see this movie since it first came out but being as busy as we are right now getting ready to move 33 hours away, I FINALLY just went to see it the other night with Nate on a whim! I know this movie is based off of the Book If I Stay by Gayle Forman but I have yet to read it (them- there are two books).
|
I was honestly expecting an OK movie; nothing to rave about. Talent and filming along the same aspect of Beautiful Creatures or the FIRST Twilight, or maybe just above The Last Song. Again, nothing too great but still wanted to see it and see if the hype was all that great.
I can be different in a way that many times, watching a movie that was based on a book that I have not read can make me WANT to read the book-- even though I already know what happens.
This movie did JUST that! I was happily surprised that I REALLY enjoyed this movie and felt that the acting and filming were up to par with movies such as Divergent and for the type of movie even close to Hunger Games. It captured my emotions and I really wish I would have brought some tissues! The female actress was amazing, especially when she was playing the Cello <--- although I just read some where that there was a body double? Well whoever it was playing the Cello, did an amazing job :)
This is definitely a YA movie but myself (27) and Nate (33) thoroughly enjoyed this movie and highly recommend it to anyone who was thinking of seeing it. I am now excited to start reading the books here in the future and then will turn this post in to a Pages to Film review :)
**NEW** 11/07/14
Ok so I have finished BOTH of these books! The first one took me a bit longer than the second just from being busy with the move. I read the second one in 2 days!
The first book compared to the movie was actually pretty decent! Of course they left some details out as they always do from pages to film but overall I think captured the important parts. I cried like a baby during the movie but not as much during the book but I feel that is only because I already knew what happened. My only pet peeve was how they ended it. It happened differently in the book than in the movie and I'm wondering why they did so?
Once I get in to the second book the beginning sort of is what happens at the end of the movie so I hope it wasn't ended that way because they do not think they are going to make the second one!!
I enjoyed the 2nd book even more than the first. The first book is told in Mia's point of view as she is deciding whether to stay or join her family. But the second book, Where She Went, is written from Adam's point of view 3 years after the accident. It completely pulled at my emotional strings and kept my attention. Since I finished it in 2 days, obviously I couldn't put it down! I truly hope they make the second movie because I think it will be even better than the first.
These are definitely two books I suggest reading at any age :)
I can be different in a way that many times, watching a movie that was based on a book that I have not read can make me WANT to read the book-- even though I already know what happens.
This movie did JUST that! I was happily surprised that I REALLY enjoyed this movie and felt that the acting and filming were up to par with movies such as Divergent and for the type of movie even close to Hunger Games. It captured my emotions and I really wish I would have brought some tissues! The female actress was amazing, especially when she was playing the Cello <--- although I just read some where that there was a body double? Well whoever it was playing the Cello, did an amazing job :)
This is definitely a YA movie but myself (27) and Nate (33) thoroughly enjoyed this movie and highly recommend it to anyone who was thinking of seeing it. I am now excited to start reading the books here in the future and then will turn this post in to a Pages to Film review :)
**NEW** 11/07/14
Ok so I have finished BOTH of these books! The first one took me a bit longer than the second just from being busy with the move. I read the second one in 2 days!
The first book compared to the movie was actually pretty decent! Of course they left some details out as they always do from pages to film but overall I think captured the important parts. I cried like a baby during the movie but not as much during the book but I feel that is only because I already knew what happened. My only pet peeve was how they ended it. It happened differently in the book than in the movie and I'm wondering why they did so?
Once I get in to the second book the beginning sort of is what happens at the end of the movie so I hope it wasn't ended that way because they do not think they are going to make the second one!!
I enjoyed the 2nd book even more than the first. The first book is told in Mia's point of view as she is deciding whether to stay or join her family. But the second book, Where She Went, is written from Adam's point of view 3 years after the accident. It completely pulled at my emotional strings and kept my attention. Since I finished it in 2 days, obviously I couldn't put it down! I truly hope they make the second movie because I think it will be even better than the first.
These are definitely two books I suggest reading at any age :)
Let me be the first to say that I am NOT one to read religous books. There really is not a reason, I just never roam that section at Barnes and Noble? But just like Fifty (and trust me I know that is not the correct book to really use as a reference to here :p) I kept hearing about The Shack. It was on the top of readers lists for a while and everyone who I talked to that read it said how amazing it was.
I took a chance...........
I am SO glad that I did! This book was seriously amazing, not only for its story telling but I absolutely loved the portrayal of God, the Holy Spirit, and Jesus. It was heart warming, educational, delightful, and it really made me step back and take a look at myself and how I felt about my faith <----- not that this book required me to do so, I was simply moved to take a moment and reflect on how I feel, believe, and the choices I have made and maybe would want to make in the near future.
But besides the depths that this book took me, overall as just a book to read for PURE enjoyment purposes, it did NOT let me down. I felt it was vibrant in the way it described the scenes and the interactions between characters. I enjoyed it so much that I told Nate that he should read it as well and it is set aside waiting for him to have a moment to open it!
I'll try to remember to update this review once Nate is finished so I can add his point of view <----- someone who just recently started being a "reader"! *Makes me so happy!!!
I took a chance...........
I am SO glad that I did! This book was seriously amazing, not only for its story telling but I absolutely loved the portrayal of God, the Holy Spirit, and Jesus. It was heart warming, educational, delightful, and it really made me step back and take a look at myself and how I felt about my faith <----- not that this book required me to do so, I was simply moved to take a moment and reflect on how I feel, believe, and the choices I have made and maybe would want to make in the near future.
But besides the depths that this book took me, overall as just a book to read for PURE enjoyment purposes, it did NOT let me down. I felt it was vibrant in the way it described the scenes and the interactions between characters. I enjoyed it so much that I told Nate that he should read it as well and it is set aside waiting for him to have a moment to open it!
I'll try to remember to update this review once Nate is finished so I can add his point of view <----- someone who just recently started being a "reader"! *Makes me so happy!!!
I give credit to my mom for introducing me to this author, T. Greenwood. Bodies of Water was the first book I read from her and I fell in love! Her writing style is that of the past and the present and when the book ends, the two meet up. Bodies of Water was a heart felt book that I did not want to put down. You definitely need tissues with this one.
It is set in the 1960's involving a woman married with, I believe, two children. I would categorize this as an enduring, drama filled love story. I will warn you, it is not your "typical" love story however, it was written beautifully where every sentence formed a movie scene in your mind. I truly felt for the characters and was fighting right there along side them.
It is set in the 1960's involving a woman married with, I believe, two children. I would categorize this as an enduring, drama filled love story. I will warn you, it is not your "typical" love story however, it was written beautifully where every sentence formed a movie scene in your mind. I truly felt for the characters and was fighting right there along side them.
Lets talk steamy here for a minute! We all heard about Fifty Shades of Grey right!? Many of you might have even been curious enough to read them... I know I was~ I had never read an erotic novel before so I was in for some shockers. And I like to think that I was not the only one who had to Google some of the "props'' that were in the books! As much as I thoroughly enjoyed the Fifty series, there were times when I was like, "ok another sex scene, lets get on with this!" and felt that Anna was too much like Bella Swan <---- not a coincidence though because I believe I read somewhere that the author pictured Kristen Stewart and Robert Pattinson as the main characters? I read all three books in no time and then moved on.
My frequent trips to B&N though kept showing me this other series boasting, "IF YOU LOVED FIFTY SHADES OF GREY YOU WILL LOVE CROSSFIRE!" Hmm I was in the mood for another set of steamy books so lets give this a whirl!
I read all three (and so excited-- I literally just found out the release date for the 4th when looking up the photo/link to add to this post) and was absolutely enthralled! Again, remember that I am not some scholarly reader with a degree in literature; I am someone who reads for PURE pleasure and enjoyment. So do not get all high and mighty on me because I say I was enthralled in an erotic romance novel :P
I found these books to have more filling than Fifty and I was not needing to "move along" the sex scenes! The characters were better developed, especially the female character <----- she wasn't a whiny Anna or Bella.
So if you are looking for another series for some good ole' steamy sex, drama, and this one actually has a better plot, then I do recommend the Crossfire series from Sylvia Day.
My frequent trips to B&N though kept showing me this other series boasting, "IF YOU LOVED FIFTY SHADES OF GREY YOU WILL LOVE CROSSFIRE!" Hmm I was in the mood for another set of steamy books so lets give this a whirl!
I read all three (and so excited-- I literally just found out the release date for the 4th when looking up the photo/link to add to this post) and was absolutely enthralled! Again, remember that I am not some scholarly reader with a degree in literature; I am someone who reads for PURE pleasure and enjoyment. So do not get all high and mighty on me because I say I was enthralled in an erotic romance novel :P
I found these books to have more filling than Fifty and I was not needing to "move along" the sex scenes! The characters were better developed, especially the female character <----- she wasn't a whiny Anna or Bella.
So if you are looking for another series for some good ole' steamy sex, drama, and this one actually has a better plot, then I do recommend the Crossfire series from Sylvia Day.
Lets Be Cops (Film)
Nate and I went to go see this movie weeks ago but it is still fresh in my mind so I wanted to write a quick blurb about it incase there are any of you who were on the fence of watching it.....
GO FREAKING SEE IT!!!
I am so excited about this comedy that I want everyone I know who likes comedy, or heck just everyone for that matter, to go see it! Nate is not a huge comedy fan and even he was LOL *gasp face* Tihs is a comedy that actually hits the funny mark and doesn't cross over in to the dumb and disgusting zone (like some of the comedeies that have been released). Damon Wayans, Jr. and Jake M. Johnson were histerical and had great chemistry on film! I already love them from The New Girl and continue to do so after this movie!
Its a hysterical comedy about two friends who are older and haven't accomplished anything in their lives. When a school reunion party comes up they decide to go as cops and then take it to the next level while out on the streets. This "fun time" turns in to a dangerous adventure where the two become involved in a huge case involving a crime lord and real cops.
It def. is a must see comedy of 2014!
GO FREAKING SEE IT!!!
I am so excited about this comedy that I want everyone I know who likes comedy, or heck just everyone for that matter, to go see it! Nate is not a huge comedy fan and even he was LOL *gasp face* Tihs is a comedy that actually hits the funny mark and doesn't cross over in to the dumb and disgusting zone (like some of the comedeies that have been released). Damon Wayans, Jr. and Jake M. Johnson were histerical and had great chemistry on film! I already love them from The New Girl and continue to do so after this movie!
Its a hysterical comedy about two friends who are older and haven't accomplished anything in their lives. When a school reunion party comes up they decide to go as cops and then take it to the next level while out on the streets. This "fun time" turns in to a dangerous adventure where the two become involved in a huge case involving a crime lord and real cops.
It def. is a must see comedy of 2014!
This Is Where I Leave You (Film)
Nate was working an evening shift last night and since everything in our house is pretty much packed up including our cookware, I needed to stop after work and grab some food by myself. Sitting in the traffic I ranted about on the blog page, I decided that I wanted to go to The Movie Tavern, have dinner AND see a movie! Fancy schmancy huh! I've been wanting to see This Is Where I Leave You and knew it wasn't one Nate would care to see. So I made the difficult decision to go to the theatre's alone; only the 2nd time I have done this.
Jason Bateman and Tina Fey, along with many more big names, play brother and sister in this crazy messed up family. The dad dies and all the kids are to come together for 7 days for this thing that I can't say let alone pronounce but its a Jewish tradition, I believe. It is defnitely not a movie where you don't expect what actually happens but it is a movie that will make you think, laugh, and cry. I thoroughly enjoyed this movie and as always, loved Jason Batemen. It hit many different life situations an individual and a family experience and how different people can react. It had humor along with sadness and just was an overall really good movie.
No I'm not a paid movie critic. That's why these aren't professionally written reviews :p
Jason Bateman and Tina Fey, along with many more big names, play brother and sister in this crazy messed up family. The dad dies and all the kids are to come together for 7 days for this thing that I can't say let alone pronounce but its a Jewish tradition, I believe. It is defnitely not a movie where you don't expect what actually happens but it is a movie that will make you think, laugh, and cry. I thoroughly enjoyed this movie and as always, loved Jason Batemen. It hit many different life situations an individual and a family experience and how different people can react. It had humor along with sadness and just was an overall really good movie.
No I'm not a paid movie critic. That's why these aren't professionally written reviews :p
This is my favorite book from Sandra Brown. The two main characters are a male and female. Click on the link to get the professional overview :) And if feeling frisky, feel free to purchase it right there from B&N! They are my favorite book store and I am a loyal customer so might as well try to get others to shop from there as well!!
But this book has murder, mystery, romance, and if memory serves (as it has been a long time since I've read it) a touch of humor and sadness. I thought it was creatively done and I had never read a romance scene like the one Sandra puts in this book. I thought the plot twist was great (but then again I can't always see them coming as other people can) and just an overall great book that I could not put down! I suggest this book to all of my friends who ask for a new read and I have yet to hear a negative review on this one!
But this book has murder, mystery, romance, and if memory serves (as it has been a long time since I've read it) a touch of humor and sadness. I thought it was creatively done and I had never read a romance scene like the one Sandra puts in this book. I thought the plot twist was great (but then again I can't always see them coming as other people can) and just an overall great book that I could not put down! I suggest this book to all of my friends who ask for a new read and I have yet to hear a negative review on this one!
The Last Song (Pages to Film)
Another great romance, tear jerker from Nicholas Sparks. I read this book BEFORE I saw the movie. I absolutely loved it and could not put it down. It is about a young troubled teenage girl who is sent to spend a summer with her dad (her brother went along too) whom she blames for their parents divorce and is very angry with him becuase of it.The book goes through the summer with the brother and dad having fun together while working on a stained glass window for a church. Ronnie, the lead female character, goes her own way and makes some bad choices in friends and then of course finds a guy. As Ronnie starts to come around with her father enjoying her stay and his company, she and her brother find out their dad is dying of cancer. TISSUES PLEASE! This book evoked so much emotion from me that I serisouly think I went through an entire box of tissues. It was so heartbreaking and totally made me think about losing my dad, but that will NEVER happen because my dad is immortale and will live on forever :) Of course, like with most of Nichols Sparks books, someone dies (spoiler alert- it is the dad). I was so excited for the movie to come out AND have to admit, excited for Miley Cyrus to play the role of Ronnie.
And... DISAPPOINTED. Miley did not do a good job with Ronnie's character and the entire movie did not evoke the emotion like the book did. I did not even shed a single tear. I wanted it to be another The Notebook or A Walk to Remember. It just simply wasn't. THis is one that I didn't need the movie. It actually took away from the book for me a bit.
And... DISAPPOINTED. Miley did not do a good job with Ronnie's character and the entire movie did not evoke the emotion like the book did. I did not even shed a single tear. I wanted it to be another The Notebook or A Walk to Remember. It just simply wasn't. THis is one that I didn't need the movie. It actually took away from the book for me a bit.