Books Vs. Films

In my last post I stated that I had not read the 'Twilight' saga for a reason. Some might think I'm absurd b/c the books are always better than the movie in that details are always left out of the films. While this is true, I feel that some films are much better than the books. *GASP*

Another thing, for me, is that if I am really anticipating the film, I don't want to ruin it by reading the book(s) b/c then the film might not be all that great to me...as great as I had hoped for.

Make sense?!

Hmmm.....I am a massive Harry Potter fan. MASS-IVE fan. I watched films 1-5 before I finally sat down and really began to read the books. (I had Part 1 for over a year and had started it but couldn't bring myself to read past the 5th chapter for fear it would ruin things for me.) Being such a big fan I felt that I just couldn't contain my curiosity any longer and read ALL the books in the course of 3 months. I admit I couldn't put them down; reading while cooking dinner, while taking a bubble bath, reading until I feel asleep with book in hand. THEY WERE GREAT! Way better than the movies could ever be. And that is where I feel I messed up, reading past the movies I had seen.

When we took the kids to see 'HP & The Half-Blood Prince' I felt cheated. I left the theatre feeling angry that soooo much was left out and things were all wrong (don't even get me started). I ranted about this halfway through the movies and all the way home to the point where B asked me to please shut up. I was utterly and completely disappointed with film 6 of the Harry Potter series. Yes, I obviously read what was left out of the other films, what was added, etc. but the fact that I had already seen the films and loved them before I read the books, didn't change my feelings on the movies. It, of course, made me wish they had put that bit in there and there but I still loved to watch those films. I don't feel the same way about the 6th. I feel that if I hadn't read the book and knew what was coming, I wouldn't hate it so much.

Another book vs. movie example is 'P.S. I Love You.' I thought it was a good movie, a chick flick I could swallow. (Being that there are very few of them that don't make me want to vomit in their overkill of mush) I loved the story of a woman losing her husband and having to learn to live (and love) again....his letters left for her after death was so romantic to me. So after seeing the film, I got the book. I hated it. I prefer the movie version of it ANY DAY. I felt like it was nothing but repetition the entire 50 some-odd chapters. I honestly didn't think I'd make it through the book it was so bloody boring. But determined to finish it, I trudged on to the very last page and a joy washed over as I was finally able to close the book- never to open it again.

All the talk of 'Twilight' came. I never turn down a vampire movie (who can?!). My love (it helps that B loves vampire flicks as well) for the walking dead has rubbed off on Boo. She reads everything she can get her hands on about vampires and Dracula. She is fascinated by it all...it doesn't help that sometimes she reminds me a bit of Wednesday Adams. While other kids are buying books at the book fair of unicorns and treehouses, she's grabbed 'The Encyclopedia Horrifica' and the creepiest Goosebumps she could find.

Back to what I was saying- I knew that I wanted to read the books but I also knew that I didn't want to ruin it for ME. So after seeing 'Twilight' 27x in a week and knowing there was another coming out, I got the first book in the saga. It laid on the dining room table for what seemed like forever. I wanted to read it but was afraid too. I didn't want it to ruin the movie that was currently in my top faves. So I waited.

B & I went to see 'New Moon' and it was after that that I said it was time to start reading. He asked me to please not read past the NM book b/c he didn't want it to ruin everything for the both of us.

So, 'Twilight' is finished (a day and half to read it....I had to pay attention the kids sometime). I will get 'New Moon' as soon as I can and I will do my very, very, very, very, very, very best to not read past that book. Hopefully it won't be that hard....I mean, the release for 'Eclipse' is just around the corner (June 30, 2010).

Who said these novels were only for teenage girls?!

Librarian for a day

This was originally written on November 11, 2009.


Do you ever notice when you try to think of something to write, whether smart, funny, etc. you mind goes ________ blank? What about when you actually feel like writing and yet not a single thought comes to mind. If you've ever had these moments then you know what I'm talking about. If you've never had moments such as these....shuddup! *WINK*

****PAUSE TO CHECK IN/OUT BOOKS & GO TO LUNCH****

So here I sit, all by my lonesome (the high school aide book-put-awayer doesn't count plus it sounds better for dramatic purposes *SNICKER*) pondering on what I should write about that would actually have a purpose....I feel like writing today & yet all that's coming to me is worrying if there's enough left-overs in the fridge to do our Thursday left-over night...

**TAPS FOOT FOR A WHILE**

Nope. Still nothing. *SIGH* I suppose I'll go wonder aimlessly about the library until something wonderful pops in me head.

TO BE CONTINUED.......

My wondering the library aimlessly is over! I found a book that, for reasons I can not remember, was one of my favorites throughout my early elementary years. The book? 'Make Way for Ducklings.' Written & illustrated by Robert McCloskey. As I sat at the front desk & began to read it, a flood of memories came back to me. Memories of sitting 'indian-style' in a class circle, of little girls playing with each others hair, of laying our heads on our jackets for storytime, of taking the pictures provided in the story and turning them into "real-life" happenings in my own little world.

After reading & reminiscing on that book, I wanted ti find a book that was a favorite even into my teen years. 'Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day.' Written by Judith Viorst, illustrated by Ray Cruz. Who couldn't love this book?! Everyone has days like Alexander (except maybe Willy Wonka or Glinda the Witch of the North) so everyone can identify with and find humor in the story. (I actually used to own the book until I had 2 scribble & rip-happy toddlers in the house...) but alas, the book was checked out.

I did find however a copy of 'Twilight' that I checked out promptly b/c I am one of those people that lives under a rock and hasn't read the book yet BUT am totally in love with the movie version so I can't wait to read it!

***Other books that bring back memories:***

~ Miss Nelson's Class

~ Where the Red Fern Grows

~ Where the Wild Things are

~ Ramona Quimby book series