Books Into Movies

Here's my question: when a book turns into a movie, does that up the books' sales?

I know that many do reprints with the actors on the covers (see Nights in Rodanthe, Pride and Prejudice, or The Pelican Brief), but does that mean they actually sell more?

And, what's more, how does that affect how we read the book?

I don't like books on tape (CD, iPod, whatever), for one specific reason. That's not how I hear the people in my head.

Shut up about mental issues. You know what I mean.

Take Harry Potter, for instance. When I say the name Harry Potter, you probably picture Daniel Radcliff right off the bat. But what about what J.K. Rowling thinks? What about what you thought before the movies came out? And what did Snape sound like before we had Alan Rickman's (amazingly well done) monotone?

Of course, my favorite example is the Twilight movie. While Robert Pattison is attractive, he is not what I pictured for Edward. (See my rant on this one here). So why is it that now, whenever I think of Edward and Twilight, I think of Robert Pattison?

It makes me sad.

Also, there are those times that a movie is based on the book. This little phrase has a very specific meaning. It means that they probably took a little from the book, and went their own way with the movie. Also very sad.

I don't know. Sometimes I wonder about weird things. And then I blog about them, because I don't know how else to talk about them.

Die in Plain Sight

Elizabeth Lowell writes random, kind of related series books. By kind of related, I mean they all work for the same company or they are all related or something.

This one is Rarities, Inc.

Ian Lapstrake is guarding Susa Donovan, a famous artist, who is doing a showing in Moreno Valley, California (California!!). When Lacey (our heroine) brings some painting for Susa to look at...well, she finds out not all is well in Moreno Valley.

Between the Savoy Curse that kills the rich of the County to the weird painting and awesome fires, Lapstrake and Lacey just can't help falling in love.

Yeah, it's one of those. But the mystery is really good! I mean, really good!

Obsidian Butterfly

We all know that I love vampire books, right? At least, vampire books that aren't full of stupid, overly friendly, too nice vampires (don't get me started...it's a soapbox I wrote a paper on once).

Anyway, Laurell K. Hamilton writes the Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter series. It started out Anita hunting vampires, at some point turned into that and her crazy love life, and went on and on like that. Just when it's getting too much about her love live, there's a great one like this.

In this, Anita goes to help Edward (not Cullen) in Santa Fe. Edward is a sociopath (but an oddly lovable one) that is a friend of Anita's (we've met him before). He needs help finding something (some preternatural creepy-crawly), and that's Anita's speciality.

There is almost no annoying emotional crap, but lots and lots of violence. Lots and lots and lots. Shooting and killing and bloody crime scenes.

Let me warn you-- don't read these books if you don't like the following: vampires, werewolves, sex, blood, violence, guns, magic...okay, you really have to be an odd duck to read these. But given the fact they're being bought (and read), means that there are a lot of odd ducks out there.

But what can I say. Of all the Anita Blake books, this is one of my favorites.

Hidden Riches

I admit it...I took 2 NR books with me on my trip. No J.D. Robb's (even if they are written by the same person), just the regular ones.

Okay, so this one is about an antique dealer (Dora), and an ex-cop (Skimmerhorn). When a shipment of smuggled valuables accidentally gets shipped to an auction, and Dora buys some of them, it's the usual madness, mayhem, and reluctant falling in love.



Dora is (of course) strong willed and able to take care of herself. Skimmerhorn has a history and a tough outer shell, though he's really a softie with those he loves. And, of course, the guy who the shipment actually belongs to is a power-hungry, absolutely crazy, homicidal/sociopathic killer.


As Dora and Skimmerhorn work out their relationship and their mystery, they fall in love.


It's fun, not overly complicated, but a good read. Nice to get you out of your own mind for a while. Of course, I think that about most Nora Roberts books...

Of course, I'm telling Mom which one I'm reading, and we go through the 3 or 4 other NR books that include a lost shipment of stolen items and antique dealers...it took a few minutes to straighten out which was which.

Mumbo Gumbo

Jerrilyn Farmer writes a series starring Madeline Bean, a caterer/chef.

Mumbo Gumbo is the 4th (I think) in the series. I, of course, started with the 6th (Perfect Sax), and randomly picked up Mumbo Gumbo. I remembered Perfect Sax as being cute, though not challenging or particularly stellar, but I tried it anyway.

In this one, Mad Bean gets picked up to work on a television series when the head writer goes missing. Not a good idea. Her detective on-again-off-again boyfriend, Honnett, tells her about the weird Wednesday gang murders, when suddenly all the details start falling into place.

Maddie is cute, but kind of annoying. She thinks everything through. About 15 times. Out loud. With everyone. Including people who shouldn't be up on murder investigations.

And how she ends up with the murderer alone? Beyond me. It makes absolutely no sense.

Although, I do like the sheep. Their names, especially.

Digital Fortress

I loved Dan Brown's Da Vinci Code, Deception Point, and Angels and Demons. While I was looking for light and fun this trip (sorely disappointed, let me tell you), I took this along for a change of pace.

I thoroughly enjoyed it. Written long enough ago to make me laugh at the changes (back when people didn't know what the NSA was...), creepy enough to wonder if the NSA really does read all of our emails...

Anyway, Susan is a cryptographer (I wonder if that's what Dan Brown really does...) with NSA, helping reading people's email, trying to keep America safe from terrorism.

When a bug is loaded into their uber-machine that holds all the state secrets, she's called in to help fix it.

Her fiancee, David, is a language professor, is pulled in by Susan's boss to go find a key, and he goes without telling Susan. When she finds out that he's in serious danger, and thinks he's been killed, it does not go well.

Everything starts going very, very badly. People dying, things exploding, computers exploding, and really bad pick-up lines.

Just when all is almost lost ("Hackers will soon be privy to all state secrets...all of them!!!") they...solve the mystery!

Did you really think they wouldn't?

Anyway, well done.

The Big Bad Wolf Tells All

Donna Kauffman caught my attention with The Cinderella Rules, a cute book about a billionaire who didn't want the family business and a millionaire's daughter who ran away from the rich and famous scene.

The Big Bad Wolf Tells All is about a rich girl (Tanzy) who makes her own as a catty romance columnist who thinks that women should be allowed to love-em and leave-em the same way men do.

While all her friends are getting married and having babies, she's finding herself dissatisfied with life. And then her stalker gets kinda serious. Her aunt hires her a bodyguard, without telling her.
Her bodyguard (Riley) has been warned of Tanzy's romantic wiles, and tries to avoid, but can't help himself. Tanzy finds herself oddly attracted to Riley, and when the truth finally comes out, they get together.

The writing isn't amazing, but it's cute. There are some great lines in it. The plot is kind of predictable, and I guessed a part of the who-dun-it. Her friends are a trip, and the Wolf/Sheep metaphor Tanzy uses to describe men (and, eventually, concedes that works for women too) is interesting, if incorrect (she corrects it, eventually).

Anyway, it's cute. Didn't love, didn't hate it. I would probably read it again...in a year or two once I've forgotten the plot (hopefully).

Body Language

I read Body Language by Millie Criswell.

Oh my gosh. It was terrible. She (Ellie) works at the UN, and when her boyfriend decided he hates their dog, they break up. She moves out, finds a (gay) personal trainer, her mother moves in with her, and her ex-fiancee (Michael, that she never got over) becomes her boss.

All hell breaks loose from there, and her life pretty much falls apart. Because, of course, Michael still loves her, and her life is going crazy, and her parents marriage is falling apart, and her mother is dating...

Oh, it's a weird book about love and women's empowerment and dogs.

But the chapter titles! Ugh! Terrible!

It's just...not well written, not all that interesting, and the plot line...don't even get me started.

A lot Done

I took 12 "fun" books on the trip with me, and I read 8 (9 if you count the one I'm in the middle of).

Yay!

Okay, so I don't have time to update you on all of them (I will tonight...after I finish my homework), but let me just say one thing.

I was spoiled. My introduction to romance novels was Nora Roberts. She has good dialogue, interesting plots, and writes well. A lot of her older ones aren't always amazing, but they're better than some of the stuff I read this week.

Ugh.

With that lovely thought to all of you, I'm going to get some breakfast. See ya tonight!

Winner Takes All

Winner Takes All is a Nora Roberts Silhouette double-header.

The first is the tale of a baseball player and a director. They fall in love (rather unwillingly on her part, I might add) over shooting commercials and baseball games (how freaking American is that?!?) and then get married. Finally, when a fire (as in "California's on fire again" kind of fire, not like a kitchen fire or arsonist fire) almost kills them and they have to sacrifice their house, she realizes that all she ever wanted was him.

It's cute. She's a little over-the-top with her resistance, he's really laid-back until he gets to that point. You know, rather classic NR characters. It's cute though. Nice to read, not too demanding or complicated. A little slow, but still nice.

The second is a producer and an actor. Again, she's hesitant (this time based on her parents marriage, not her past love experiences), and he's willing to go along to a point. He sends her flowers while he's away on a shoot, and is there for her when her father has a heart attack that almost kills him (though not in that order).

Again, cute. She's freakishly against falling in love, eats antacids like they're candy, and basically needs to take a chill pill. He comes from a big loving family and though doesn't understand hers, still loves her. She comes after him right before he goes crawling back to her, so both of them keep their dignity.

All in all?

The Book List, Part 2

Going on another trip! Sorry I haven't been around...reading has been slow going. I got distracted by "Gilmore Girls" and was then recovering from being distracted.

So, I'm going on a cruise next week. I leave Sunday and get back Friday. I'm not taking my laptop unless I absolutely have to (still undetermined), but am taking lots and lots of book.

Here's the list (also in my reading list on the side of my blog here).

Nonfiction, already read
1. On Writing Stephen King

Nonfiction, unread
1. The Majesty of the Law Sandra Day O'Connor

Fiction, already read
1. Obsidian Butterfly Laurell K. Hamilton
2. Gods in Alabama Joshilyn Jackson
3. Die in Plain Sight Elizabeth Lowell
4. When Crickets Cry Charles Martin
5. Lord of the Night Robin T. Popp
6. Sacred Sins Nora Roberts

Fiction, unread
1. Digital Fortress Dan Brown
2. Body Language Millie Criswell
3. Mumbo Gumbo Jerrilyn Farmer
4. The Big Bad Wolf Tells All Donna Kauffman
5. Making Waves Cassandra King
6. The Drowning People Richard Mason


Also, I'm taking my Sudoku book, my management book, my foundations in library sciences book, and a couple research books for my papers.

4 days on a boat, 2 plane rides, and what ever is left of Sunday. 14 books for pleasure, 2+ for homework, and a game book. I can't get too bored, right?

If I take my laptop, expect a myriad of reviews on Saturday. If not, I'll get them done when I get them done.

Born O'Hurley

It's a time to go back, okay?

I'm sitting around reading old Nora Roberts books this weekend. Well, that is, between work and homework sessions.

I'm starting with Born O'Hurley, two tales of sisters who fall in love.

The first, The Last Honest Woman, is about a single mom who's dead husband was a race-car driver and an asshole. And a terrible father. So when Abby (the mom) finally authorizes a biography, we meet Dylan, the writer.

Blah, blah, blah...they irritate each other, then like each other, then admit to loving each other. The boys (her sons) love him, he loves them, let's all applaud for the happy ending.

The second in Dance to the Piper, about Maddy, a Broadway dancer, and Reed, a music mogul who's backing her latest show. She can't help but fall in love with him, but he doesn't want to get hurt.

So, blah blah blah they fight, but can't resist, he keeps distancing himself, she pretends like she can just let it be until he loves her, he realizes he loves her, and tries to tell her but messes up horribly, the show is a smashing success, and then he proposes properly.

Okay, so the bad thing about these two books is that...they're just your basic love story. I like the angle, I just miss the intrigue of the bad guy we have to fight. I like multifaceted books, but when you're looking at early Silhouette books, you can't really expect greatness.

But you can expect good, which I will recommend these as.

Now, if you'll excuse me, I have homework to finish.

The Laughing Corpse

Okay, so I know I have posted in a while. It's not because I wasn't reading, I swear! I was reading, I was just reading stuff I've already read.

I also started another book, but it wasn't holding my attention really well, so I switched.

Anyway, I just finished The Laughing Corpse by Laurell K. Hamilton. It's the second book in her Anita Blake series.

I forgot how crazy this book is. Anita almost dies at least twice (which shouldn't surprise me at all), has a big fight with Jean-Claude (again, unsurprising), has to make the decision on who to save, on who lives and who dies.

Okay, so I have to admit, it's really good. Before the books get all emotional with which of the boys to choose (Richard or Jean-Claude, in The Killing Dance, book 6 of the 24 book series), they are really good. Of course, you have to like supernatural stuff and mass amounts of violence to consider them "good," but when I'm in the mood for violence and witty repartee, Anita Blake is my drug of choice.

Of course, I miss Edward. No, not Twilight's Edward Cullen. Edward "Ted" Forrester (at least, I think that's his last name...it is in his legal bounty hunter persona). He's a sociopath who has needs. Vampires call him Death, whereas Anita is just The Executioner.

Hmm... he's got a starring role in Obsidian Butterfly, and Anita doesn't even see the boys in that one. Maybe I'll read it next...

Books Can Change Your Life

I know this is a book review blog, but sometimes I need to deviate from just reviews. Sometimes, I need to say something else about books. I don't know if y'all come to read the reviews or the deviations, or both, but this is a deviation.

I'm a major nerd. In case you hadn't yet realized this, I really am. That said, books can change your life.

Any book. Not just the classics. As brilliant as Shakespeare, Wordsworth, Shelly (either Shelly), Dickinson, Bronte, Austen, Socrates, Ovid, and all the rest of those geniuses in the canon are, other authors can change your life too. Stephen King, Nora Roberts, James Patterson, Danielle Steele, James Frey, Judy Bloom, Dan Brown... they can change your life too.

King Lear changed my life. Made me realize that Shakespeare was meant to be acted, not read. Great Expectations was the novel that made me realize that I'm not all that into classics. I was in 7th or 8th grade when I read it. The Crucible was one of the first "classic" novels that I liked. I didn't read it until 11th grade (a rather good year for me, literature-wise). Come 12th, we were reading "modern classics from around the world," things like 1984, Things Fall Apart, The Little Prince, all of which I liked.

Stephen King's On Writing was the first book that made me realize that it was okay that I wasn't into deep literature. Any myriad of Nora Roberts books made me realize that I'm not always happy with the happy ending. Joshilyn Jackson's books taught me about love and sadness and how they can sometimes be so intermingled that it's hard to see the former for the latter. Judy Bloom's Summer Sisters taught me that not everything stays innocent. Dean Koontz taught me about love with Odd Thomas, and Orson Scott Card's Ender's Game taught me about the dangers of government.

To Kill A Mockingbird taught me about injustice and separation. Charles Martin teaches about acceptance. Laurie Anderson taught me about the importance of speech, while Ellen Hopkins taught me the dangers of seduction.

I'm not saying I learn something, either about the world as a whole or myself in specific, every time I read something. Not even the second or third time I read something. Sometimes, I just learn that I really do like serial killer novels.

But once in a while, a book comes along that rocks my world. Makes me sit and think and stare into the distance until I figure out just what it is that sits with me.

Any books that did that for you? Feel free to leave a long list... I'm always looking for new things to read.

It could be anything. I like (some) classics, along with (some) modern stuff.

Oh, and I'm finally coming to terms with the fact that just because I don't love classic literature doesn't mean I was a bad English major. Some of us just aren't suited to long passages about slicing bread.

Death Is Forever

Death is Forever is an old Elizabeth Lowell novel. Updated some, written first under the title The Diamond Tiger under the author name of Ann Maxwell, it's just like every other Elizabeth Lowell novel I've read.

Girl suddenly inherits something that throws her into a world of danger. Boy comes along to help her keep it safe. They reluctantly fall in love in the midst of unrelenting danger, harrowing schemes, and near-certain death.

Everybody lives, boy and girl go separate ways. Boy and girl decide they're miserable, then find each other and swear to love, honor and cherish.

The only things that change are where and what the girl inherits.

This time, it's Erin, and she inherits a patch of land in Australia that holds a fortune in diamonds.

After almost dying in the desert, not to mention numerous fights, flights, and backstabbing, both Erin and Cole (our illustrious hero who knows the diamond trade in and out, but would trade all the diamonds in the world just for Erin) win. Of course, so does America, by keeping a gem cartel alive (someone explain that to me, because I'm confused).

Fast-paced writing, an intriguing story line, and the absolute attention to what the reader feels is what keeps these books good.

I know I've said (something to) this (affect) before, but even though I know what's going to happen and how close they're going to get to death, and even the fact that there's going to be a character twist and betrayal at the end, I really like Elizabeth Lowell's books.

(P.S.- Death is Forever, "A diamond is forever..." who said Elizabeth Lowell wasn't clever?