First it was Babysitters Club books, and then it was Sweet Valley High books. By the time I'd reached highschool, I was reading (albeit sneakily) Virginia Andrews books (Flowers in The Attic etc.) - and in all honesty, that probably cemented me in my deep seated love for trashy novels. I still like actual REAL, honest to goodness literature too, but I will always have a soft spot for 'easy reading'. Like many books, a television of film version often finds its way to our screens. I also enjoyed the TV series and movies of each of those sets. When I'd made my way through all of the Virginia Andrews books, I spent a few years trying to find something that fit the mould. Bryce Courtney saw me through a few of those years.
I wasn't reading for pleasure as much in my University years, and it was only when 'Twilight' was released that I found my way back to my old trust 'book sets' again. Throw stones all you want. Twilight got me reading again. (Twilight and some other GENUINE books). I resisted at first, because I just didn't think the whole 'vampire thing' would be for me... but it turns out I was wrong. I was addicted. I also am addicted to the movie versions of the books. Go on and laugh. Sometime sI shake my head at myself, but it's a fact. They are my favourite 'sick day' and 'rainy day' movies. (And lets face it, I AM the target audience of desperate housewife). After Twilight I then lunged straight into the True Blood series (mostly because I love the television series, and needed a 'fix' in order to see what might happen in future storylines), and truth be known, I want those hours of my life back. The books are NOTHING like the show. If anyone thinks Twilight is terrible reading, I don't recommend getting your claws anywhere near True Blood (The Sookie Stackhouse books). After Twilight I got into more serious reading; no 'sets' as such, just good, solid novels.
CP is also a reader. Early in our marriage I discovered his extensive stash of Wilbor Smith, Jeffrey Archer and John Grisham books. They kept me busy for quite some time too, but left me hungry for something a little more 'feminine'.
I started a book club in our little town and once a month a group of awesome ladies would get together to discuss books. I was deeply ingrained in my passion for reading. I found my way into Dan Brown, Kate Morton, Jodi Picoult, and Ken Follett, Harry Potter and the Girl With The Dragon Tattoo series.
I am also a fan of (and am almost ashamed to admit I like) '50 Shades of Grey' (again, I am the target demographic). I am currently making my way through the 'Game of Thrones' (A Song of Ice and Fire) box set. I am a fan of the series, and wanted to get myself engrossed in the books. It's heavy reading, but I am sure it will be worth it.
More recently I finished reading one of the latest literary phenomenom making its way around the world.
I'm talking about The Hunger Games. It took me a whole three days to go from go to whoa. There are three books in the series. 1. The Hunger Games 2. Catching Fire and 3. The Mockingjay. They are really written for a teenage audience, but I really loved them. The 'Hunger Games' movie was released in cinemas the week I started reading them, but I have always been a fan of reading the book first whenever I can. And so when Roadshow Entertainment contacted me about running a giveaway for 'The Hunger Games' DVD, I jumped at the chance! The movie is every bit as good as the book.
For your chance to win one of 3 copies of the DVD, all you need to do is pop over to my facebook page (or at the bottom of this page if it is more convenient) and leave a comment stating what your favourite book/movie combo is, and why. No word limit.
Winners will be selected randomly. The judges decision is final. Competition closes 21st August at 5pm EST. Australian and New Zealand entrants only please. Winners will be contacted by me directly.
The Hunger Games is available to own on DVD and Blu-Ray 17th August 2012.
* Amended 3 hours after posting. COMPETITION CLOSED!
This is an oldie but a goodie: my favourite book-to-movie combo is The Exorcist. The book was scary in itself, but seeing the actors portraying all the horror on the big screen was even more terrifying! Classic thriller story!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the great giveaway!
I haven't read the book yet! Will have to look for it! x
DeleteHi Jess, we have very similar taste in books. I have covered most of the titles in your post. I finished the Fifty Shades trilogy last night (can't believe she has done a Stephenie Meyer and not finished the male perspective version! So frustrating!!). A friend has recommended the Game of Thrones so I'm thinking about reading them now that I'm at a loose end. As for the Hunger Games, I have our Friday night already planned. I'll be hitting Blockbuster early enough to nab a copy tomorrow when it is finally released. I didn't see it at the movies so I'm excited. Like, teenager excited, to see what they've done with it. I hope they haven't changed too much! Larissa x
ReplyDeleteCONGRATULATIONS! You are one of the HUNGER GAMES DVD winners! Could you please send me your postal address? Email me at thefarmerhasawife@hotmail.com or you can reach me on facebook - www.facebook.com/thefarmerhasawife .
DeleteHi! Thanks - I didn't see it at the cinema either! Love it now that I've seen it though! x
ReplyDeleteLoved Twilight-even hubby read it & we can't wait to see the next movie! Also the Help, read it first then saw the movie ;-)
ReplyDeleteHey! I do read heaps of books, however the only actual series that I have read thats been turned into a movie and has been any good was the Hunger Games. Others either the movie was TERRIBLE or the book was TERRIBLE! I love the book/movie combo of the Hunger Games mostly because when reading the book I imagined the scenery exactly the same as in the movie! I also believe that they got most of the characters correct. The closest two in my mind were the two males- Peeta and Gale. Katniss was very similar and Prim closely followed. I also loved this combo because the books were the most amazing read I have ever experienced! Katniss' character developed so much along the way and at every turn you felt like you were there in the story, breathing the same air they were. The movie also had that silent/sad feel which brought the same emotions.
ReplyDeleteThe Hunger Games have been a great memory and I will love the story always :)
Hey! I do read heaps of books, however the only actual series that I have read thats been turned into a movie and has been any good was the Hunger Games. Others either the movie was TERRIBLE or the book was TERRIBLE! I love the book/movie combo of the Hunger Games mostly because when reading the book I imagined the scenery exactly the same as in the movie! I also believe that they got most of the characters correct. The closest two in my mind were the two males- Peeta and Gale. Katniss was very similar and Prim closely followed. I also loved this combo because the books were the most amazing read I have ever experienced! Katniss' character developed so much along the way and at every turn you felt like you were there in the story, breathing the same air they were. The movie also had that silent/sad feel which brought the same emotions.
ReplyDeleteThe Hunger Games have been a great memory and I will love the story always :)
I'm a massive fan of The Girl With A Dragon Tattoo series. Lisbeth Salander is such a fasinating character that she leave me just wanting more.
ReplyDeleteThe Shining, the book and the movie are both so creepy!
ReplyDeleteThe Shining, both the book and the movie are so creepy!
ReplyDeleteI loved the Hitchhiker's Guide To The Galaxy book and then the movie was just as good. Really funny and lighthearted and the settings were just as I imagined them in my head.
ReplyDeleteThe Last Song, the movie and the book were enjoyable as is all of Nicholas Sparks books and movie combos.The Lucky One, The Notebook, The Last Song, A Walk to Remember, Dear John.
ReplyDeleteThe Lucky One, The Notebook, The Last Song, A Walk to Remember, Dear John
ReplyDeleteAll of Nicholas Sparks
The John Marsden Tomorrow series which began with Tomorrow when the war began, its a young adult fiction series that has won much acclaim. They made the first book in to a movie. I love the series a great Aussie series. Ps also loved the 50 shades and Hunger games series.
ReplyDeleteJodie Taylor macemesmum@hotmail.com
I inherited The Bobbsey Twins from my mum... so many hours were spent with a torch reading adventures and mysteries that involved them under the quilt after bed time...
ReplyDeleteI don't think there has been a movie yet though... definitely Game of Thrones I'm luck to have stumbled across it on pay TV and because I couldn't watch it fast enough had to go buy the books...
A Fortunate Life by A.B. Facey turned into a series not a movie as such... it was moving.. give it a go.
ReplyDeleteMy fav book to movie combo is 'Tomorrow when the war began" such a great series of books and cant wait until they make more movies!
ReplyDeleteThe Lord of The Rings
ReplyDeleteC.S Lewis's "Narnia" series. Grew up reading them and still like to read them now and the movies are fantastic and did not ruin the books at all, which I'm so pleased about.
ReplyDeleteMy series that I really enjoyed was by C.S Lewis's "Narnia". I grew up reading them and still enjoy reading them now. I'm glad the movies didn't spoil the book series unlike other movies taken from books.
ReplyDeleteAlice In Wonderland, great for both young and old, and it being made into several films is a testament in how great it is.
ReplyDeleteSo far this is my favourite movie/book combo! I love the characters, the storyline and the cast! It's amazingly original!
ReplyDeleteFight Club I love Chuck Palahniuk he is so dark and witty. Even though it was different to the book I still loved the film adaptation
ReplyDeleteFight Club. I love Chuck Palahniuk's work, dark, witty and a little bit twisted, just like me. Although it differed slightly I still enjoyed the film adaptation :)
ReplyDeleteI'd have to say Twilight had me hooked from the first book, then I became enamoured by the films. Can't wait to watch the final movie which is due for release in Australia on the 15th of November.
ReplyDeletePride & Prejudice is my all time favourite, most romantic film of all time, lost count how many times ive watched it
ReplyDelete
ReplyDeleteBeing a more mature aged lady my favourite book/movie combo has always been 'To Kill A Mockingbird' by Harper Lee. It's so beautifully written with a message of tolerance and understanding. Plus the movie is gorgeous as well. Gregory Peck was the only choice for Atticus Finch the lead character. No one else could play it!
I also loved Pride and Prejudice. Probably more so on the second reading and after seeing the ABC mini series with Colin Firth as Darcy - yum.
ReplyDeleteMemoirs of a Geisha. Although it became a little overrated, the movie did justice to the book in this rare occasion!
ReplyDeleteMemoirs of a Geisha, although it became a little overrated, the movie did the book justice on this rare occasion.
ReplyDeleteThe Lord of the Rings trilogy. An epic masterpiece of writing turned into an epic movie trilogy. I can't wait for The Hobbit to be released.
ReplyDeleteThe Lord of the Rings trilogy. An epic masterpiece made into an epic movie series. I can't wait for The Hobbit to be released.
ReplyDeleteAfter The Notebook I was a a fan of Nicholas Sparks however I am now realising that his books (and subsequent movies) very rarely vary from his standard formula.
ReplyDeleteI like Marley and Me. The movie was just as funny and as good as the book!
After The Notebook I was a fan of Nicholas Sparks however after numerous books (and the subsequent movie adaptions) I have come to realise that his books don't vary much from his tried and true formula.
ReplyDeleteI liked Marley and Me. The movie was as funny and as good as the book.
Just finished the Hunger Games trilogy and loved them. Saw the movie first and was a bit puzzled as it seemed a bit vague. Katniss really had a job to tell the audience all that internal dialogue, but second time round (post book), much better. Apparently they're going to make book 2 into a movie and book 3 into 2 movies.
ReplyDelete