Jen Mac watches T.V. (WUT?!?! The horror!) Yes, I know – this is a book blog. However, when one of my faves is brought to movie or television format I fangirl like the best of them. Who better to share this with than my stacky peeps (that’s YOU y’all)!
Here is what I’m currently watching that are adaptations of books or book series:
A Discovery of Witches – the show on AMC (and originally on Sundance) is based off the All Souls trilogy by Deborah Harkness. Arguably, this trilogy should have been in my top 10 (but then it wouldn’t have been a top 10). The show follows the adventures of a witch (Diana Bishop) and a vampire (Matthew de Clairemont) after she accidentally calls up the ancient manuscript Ashmole 782. BUT…the 3 existing supernatural species (witch, vampire, demon) are forbidden from consorting together, a group of witches has targeted Diana for nefarious purposes, and Ashmole 782 hasn’t been seen by anyone, supernatural or mortal, in hundreds of years.
I’ve been riveted by this television series. Admittedly, some of my fascination comes from having read the books and knowing what was to come. Barring that, the first few episodes felt a bit slow. I kept waiting for something big to happen and then the episode was over. Halfway through the season now, and it feels like things are starting to move along. I enjoyed the casting of Diana and her aunts. I initially disagreed with the casting of Matthew (in the book he felt so primal, almost animalistic, that I expected someone more overtly, obviously, not exactly masculine, but physical if that makes sense). After making it halfway through, he has started to grow on me and I’m seeing why he was cast.
Outlander – this is the Starz series based on my favorite book series of all time. There have been 4 seasons and a 5th is currently being filmed. My favorite season was season 1 (no surprise as the first book was my favorite as well), but I have enjoyed all 4 seasons. As the seasons have progressed the writers have taken more artistic liberties (yes yes I know – it’s an adaptation, but it’s not always necessary to make changes just because, especially if it isn’t to move the story along). Overall, we look forward to watching it in my house (and it doesn’t hurt that Jamie Fraser is easy on the eyes). Droughtlander is real y’all and season 5 can’t come fast enough. Also, bring on Book 9 – herself won’t tell us when Bees is coming, but (fingers crossed) hopefully, sometime this year. I’ll be the one sprinting to the bookstore and hyperventilating loudly while purchasing. People have told me before that you CAN, in fact, buy too many books. But can you, though? Major side eye anti-book-hoarders.
Game of Thrones – we are late to the party with this one (I didn’t have HBO for many years), but I did read all the books. Aaaaaaaand….I’m still waiting for the next book to be released (George R. R. Martin I’m looking at you. It would be great to get to read this book before I die of old age or the dragons grow up and eat me). We are only a few episodes in and loving it so far. Yes, it is extremely graphic – in true HBO fashion the show pulls no punches. That is what I like best about it; I never know which characters are going to get beheaded or what’s coming next. I’m looking forward to some of the worst characters getting their comeuppance (that Cersei is they epitome of helicopter mom and WHO KILLS A DOG/DIRE WOLF?!?!?!? Ugh the WORST!) Funniest character: Tyrion Lannister (that Peter Dinklage has the best lines – plus I’m a huge fan of characters that are both clever and sarcastic). Also, Khal Drogo!!!! Seriously, drool-factor 100% – I get why Daenarys was all about speaking Dothraki. I’m also looking forward to seeing what happens with Arya- she’s a little spitfire and I hope she hands out some playground justice.
It – this book was originally a T.V. miniseries (in the ’90s) and was recently remade into 
two movies (the second one due to come out September 2019 – that’s this fall y’all!!). I’m EXTREMELY curious to see what they do with the “second half” as the first movie was an enjoyable view and made for a fun date night with the hubby. HOWEVER – here comes the drama from your book stack mama. This book is/was one of my favorites of all time. Yes, it’s gory and the main characters are all children in mortal danger. The story and character development are unbeatable in my eyes – King is certainly the king of horror. I was glad to see this movie get remade now that there is so much more that can be done cinematically (look, Tim Curry will always be an icon and his interpretation of Pennywise was top notch, but the director and editors, etc were able to do so much more with bringing the story onto the big screen). I was on board for the first 3/4 of the movie. They lost me when they had Pennywise kidnap Beverly and the boys had to rescue her. They took the strong female lead (the girl who ran with the boys and was even tougher than they were – remember she dove straight into that apocalyptic rock fight) and reduced her to a damsel in distress. It didn’t move the plot along and was used to disguise the fact that the ending of both parts occurred by jumping back and forth between perspectives and time – they did it to not give away the big reveal of Pennywise’s origins and the worst form he could take (giant spider hit that bill for me – even a tiny malevolent spider would have done it. No way, thank you, next.) I’m hoping they stay truer to the final showdowns and keep the main flavor of the story (they can leave out the turtle, in my opinion; I don’t think it will translate well to screen AND of course the scene everyone who has ever read this book is uncomfortable talking about – grackles y’all)
Leave me a comment and tell me What are you watching? Suggestions to add to my book stack? Drop me a line!
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Jen Mac's Book Stack 