Once again, it’s time for Literary Junkies! I love being in this book club. It’s been so much fun! If you are looking for an online book club to join, join our group here!
1. What are you reading right now? Tell us about it.
I tend to binge-read books, so I’m actually not currently reading anything, but I did just finish Carry On
2. What was your favorite book you had to read in school and which was your least favorite?
I was homeschooled my entire life, and I know I had required reading, but I loved reading so much as a child, I never felt oppressed by any fiction books that I had to read- expect one author. One of the literature programs I used growing up was focused on reading really old, out-of-print books. One series was written by Horatio Alger, Jr. These books were basically the YA of their day. Every story was exactly the same even though they were always about different characters. In every store, a young boy would be poor, kind, and heroic. He would save some sort of rich woman/man. The rich woman/man would reward him with a job or in some cases, the marriage to the rich person’s daughter. They were all like that, and none of them were good. It just goes to show you that not all “classic” books are good.
My favorite required reading book was definitely Les Miserables. It remains one of my favorite books to this day. I love how there are about four different stories wrapped up together. If you want a drama, read Fantine’s story. If you want a revenge story, read Jean’s part. If you want a romance, read about Cosette. If you want French history, read all the narration. It’s pretty awesome.
3. What is your favorite book that was turned into a movie? Were you happy with the movie?
The Princess Bride is my all-time favorite book-turned-movie. Of course, I saw the movie first, since it was made the year I was born, but I always felt like it captured everything you want a book translation to be. The Neverending Story is also a wonderful book-turned-movie translation. I think I love both of those stories more than any recent book-to-movie transformation. What I appreciate about these older formats is that they were able to capture the spirit of the book without making detrimental changes but were also not a complete word-for-word remake of the book. I’ve found that I actually dislike it when movies have all of the same dialogue as the book (The Fault in Our Stars) and also when they add way to much (The Hobbit).
4. Which book do you wish would be turned into a movie?
Honestly, I’m not sure. I would love to see more of the Ender books on the big screen, because I think that is a story format that would go well with movie format. But other than that, I’m not sure that any other book I’ve read recently needs to be a movie. Not every book should become a movie. However, I would definitely go see the Gregor movies if they were ever made. I would love to see some epic bat battles on a movie screen.
5. Did you set any reading goals for 2015? How are you doing with them?
I didn’t have any reading goals other than to read more diversity in books this year. I’ve read a few things from other countries and one book about a male/male relationship, but other than that, I think I’ve failed a bit in this goal.
