Books Turned into Movies

Possible spoilers if you haven't watched/read The Hunger Games, Beautiful Creatures

I was lucky enough to score advance screening tickets to see Beautiful Creatures last Monday.  I was over the moon.  Ecstatic that I would finally be able to see the book come to life.  I know some movies don't always include everything in books because, well frankly there are budgets, casting to consider, and not everything in a book can be adapted to film (although these days anything is possible.)  There are also things that need to take consideration as well.. not everyone is a reader, so the movie itself needs to entertain those who haven't read the book also.  It ropes in a bigger audience. You get my drift.

So the reason for this post happens to be what Beautiful Creatures directors/producers left out!  I'm not sure who else was bothered by these things but they definitely took away from the whole movie.
Boo Radley: Macon's dog who also happens to be his other set of eyes in the town of Gatlin.  I was pretty shocked that he wasn't included at all in the movie.  His part to me plays a crucial part in the next books so if they plan on making more movies I hope he pops up in them.
The Sisters:  This was a very big part of why I was disappointed by the movie.  How could you not include them.  They lighten the story and are quirky and a great asset and it's a shame they weren't included.
Marian Ashcroft: She's the Keeper of the library and I couldn't help feeling like they were cutting out on casting actors to save on money.  Just a shame they couldn't keep closer to the book.
The Climax/Ending:  That spun me out the most.  This didn't seem right at all to me.  Maybe it's been a while since I read the book but I'm sure it didn't end up like that.  And I also expected it to be a bit more doom and gloom atmosphere when this scene was happening.

I still enjoyed the film but there were big things left out that would have helped and made it more exciting.  The only other thing that really threw me and I even read the books, were the visions/flashes when holding the necklace.

The Hunger Games was another movie that came to mind.  It followed very closely to the book but the thing that bothered me about this was how Katniss received the mockingjay pin.  I think this was a very important part of the story even if it seems a small thing.  The mayors daughter gives this to Katniss to wear to represent District 12 but it's so much more than that.  By the end of The Hunger Games what the pin represents becomes a very big part in the last two books

What do you all think.  Are there books that you have read that have been made into movies and they've left out a significant part?  I'd love to hear your comments!!

Disharmony: The Laeduin by Leah Giarratano

Title:  Disharmony: The Laeduin

Author:  Leah Giarratano

Genre:  Young Adult/Urban Fantasy

Publisher:  Penguin

Publication Date:  30th January 2013

ISBN:  9780143565697

Stand alone or series:   Disharmony #2

Pages:  344 pages

Book Received from:  Penguin Australia

First Lines:  I don't even know whether you guys are receiving these messages.  I just have to hope that you are - well, I guess we all do - because the volume control has been ramped up on the freakometer, and Luke, Samantha and Jake are in for a hell of a ride.

Possible spoilers if you haven't read the first book!

Synopsis:

The psychopath, the empath and the genius are finally together – and not everyone is happy about their reunion. As their powers grow stronger they are forced to seek out an unexpected ally. But as war between the worlds threatens to erupt, it becomes apparent that no one can be trusted . . . not even family.
 The second book in this gripping new series about a collision of worlds, the power of destiny, and the darkness in us all


My Thoughts:
When I picked up The Laeduin I didn't realize it was going to be a bit of a struggle to pick up where The Telling left off.  It wasn't until Samantha mentions her family back at home when things started to click into place.

Finally the three siblings are together and not everybody is happy with this arrangement.  Outside forces do everything in their power to break them apart and send them towards their mother and since she is not able to approach them directly, she finds other ways to make this happen.

My pet peeves have to be the chapters with Intellicide and another character.  We don't really get given much in the way of who this person is and apart from summing up what's happening so far I don't see how this ties in.  I mean except for where his whereabouts and possible identity come out towards the end I found that he/she was a little annoying in interrupting the story.  I am sure the Authors has plans for this other person and they will reveal themselves in the next book but right now I don't see how his/her involvement helps.

The other character which I will keep quiet about the identity pops up roughly 3/4 through the book and really threw me off.  I felt like the very first chapter from them took away a little from the story.  It's not until I kept reading that I worked out why they were there but I think it would have helped if that was introduced further back and not shoved in so far down the story.  Again these are my thoughts.

In saying that I really did enjoy the rest of the story.  I felt for Luke big time.  He seems to be on the outer when it comes to fitting in.  Samantha and Jake have no probs with blending in with other groups so when Luke was on the outer I felt like I favoured his POV more as a character.

I love the way the world is set up with the portals and other creatures and finding out that some of these creatures have been hidden in plain sight made me want to find out the reasoning they would go out of their way to help humans, a species their kind despises.

This was a great read and although I had a few gripes I look forward to reading what happens in the next book.  Because that's one thing I have to save for this series so far, you can't predict what's going to happen next.  Which is a big thumbs up for me!!

In My Mailbox (128)

In My Mailbox is a weekly post created by The Story Siren.

For Review:

N/A 

Bought:

Sound by T.M. Wolf
Partials by Dan Wells
Elsewhere by Gabrielle Zevin
Every You, Every Me by David Levithan & Jonathan Farmer

Waiting on Wednesday (130)

Waiting On Wednesday was created by Jill over at Breaking The Spine. It's a weekly post for you to share what upcoming books you can't wait for!

Looking forward to reading The Waking Dark by Robin Wasserman which will be out 10th September 2013! Pre-order it at Book Depository!

 Synopsis

They called it the killing day. Twelve people dead, all in the space of a few hours. Five murderers: neighbours, relatives, friends. All of them so normal. All of them seemingly harmless. All of them now dead by their own hand . . . except one. And that one has no answers to offer the shattered town. She doesn't even know why she killed—or whether she'll do it again. 

Something is waking in the sleepy town of Oleander's, Kansas—something dark and hungry that lives in the flat earth and the open sky, in the vengeful hearts of upstanding citizens. As the town begins its descent into blood and madness, five survivors of the killing day are the only ones who can stop Oleander from destroying itself. Jule, the outsider at war with the world; West, the golden boy at war with himself; Daniel, desperate for a different life; Cass, who's not sure she deserves a life at all; and Ellie, who believes in sacrifice, fate, and in evil. Ellie, who always goes too far. They have nothing in common. They have nothing left to lose. And they have no way out. Which means they have no choice but to stand and fight, to face the darkness in their town—and in themselves.

What are you waiting on?

What's Left of Me by Kat Zhang Book Trailer

I must say, I stumbled across this one and am so glad I found it!   his sounds awesome and I look forward to reading this one

Ashes and Ice by Rochelle Maya Callen Book Trailer

I have to admit. I really like the sound of this one!!

 

Stained by Cheryl Rainfield Book Trailer

This looks pretty good. Am going to go hunting for this!

 

In My Mailbox (127)

In My Mailbox is a weekly post created by The Story Siren.

For Review:

N/A

Bought:

Beautiful Redemption by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl.
(Beautiful Creatures book 4)

What did you get in your IMM?