A Rant: Pet Peeves and Books

We all have things that make us tick (bookish and otherwise). You know, some people hate dogearing (yep, guilty), highlighting (guilty again) and hardcovers (I don't hate). And then in life, you know real life, some people dislike tardiness, or clutter or the sound of people eating. Ok. So I'm going somewhere with this. I was recently a little bored at work, which doesn't happen too often, and my mind began to wander. I started to contemplate some of the things that I just couldn't stand in the world of books. Maybe you'll agree, or not, either way, it is what it is.

Here goes:

Movie poster as new book cover.

Let's discuss this for a moment. Years ago I bought the book Four Feathers. After reading reviews, I headed to Barnes and Noble, only to find a shiny cover with Heath Ledger, Wes Bentley and Kate Hudson starting back at me. Now, I'll admit I thought they were cuties and she was also a looker, but I wasn't necessarily all jazz hands when I found that it was the only copy available. I bought it and ended up enjoying it (the movie too), but can't say I want to display it will all my other beauties.

Yes, a book shouldn't be judged by a cover, but I feel that this doesn't apply because the book is essentially being reprinted because the MOVIE has suddenly REINVENTED the novel. Look at these cool people endorsing this book that some weren't aware was even a book until A-LIST PLAYER was added to the cover. That probably means a lot of people are judging this thing by the cover. I don't like it. Not one bit.

Classic novel introductions that give away the entire story.

I may be in the minority on not knowing what every classic novel is about, so I apologize if this is a big, fat borefest. Thank you, Barnes and Noble Classics, for telling me exactly what occurs in The Woman in White before I've actually read The Woman in White (I finished it last year). Actually, I was smart enough to STOP reading once I realized I was heading into spoiler territory, and fast. Perhaps it's a no-brainer that the introduction contains the entire plot in 10 pages, but I was unaware and have suffered (fist shaking). I get that you want to introduce the reader to the work, break them in, bring them up to speed, but please explain to me why the entire storyline is divulged in those first pages?! I just don't get it.

Movie adaptations that rip the heart out of your favorite novel. 

A couple of years ago I heard that there were talks of adapting Nicole Krauss's The History of Love for the screen. Let's just say I was not happy about it. Ok, so I know some people would be overjoyed. And sometimes I'll admit that I am. But for the most part I really don't enjoy books as movies. Books like The History of Love would never translate well. It just wouldn't. This might be a case of bias because of it's one of my favorite books, but really, those who have read it agree. When I discussed Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close (another example of beautiful literature) with those that had the expectations of something that wouldn't shame the book, several expressed that many of the best parts of the book were cut. It just couldn't be done in a Hollywood film. I refused to see it because I loved the book and couldn't think about all those beautiful moments left in the cold. And while I did note that the latest rage, The Hunger Games, was not so different from the novel, I can't say I'm entirely convinced it's a good idea. I get it's an adaptation, but that doesn't mean sacrificing the most moving/essential bits to make a sale.

Thoughts?

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A Review: The Hunger Games (the movie)

Yeah, you read the title of this post correctly. I finally went to see The Hunger Games last night. And I don't regret the wait because 1) there were four other people in the entire theater aside from J and myself 2) I can write here and it won't be the millionth post you've read about the topic today. Patience is a virtue.

So. About that movie. Well, first the book. I'll admit that I've read two out of the trilogy. Mockingjay didn't really grab me quite the same as the first two, but I'm going to make an effort to finish it some point this year. Maybe next weekend when I'm at the beach.

AHOY! SPOILERS AHEAD! 

Thoughts: The movie was everything I expected. Packed full of emotion? Check. Pseudo-terrible graphics? Check. Violence galore? Check. Awkward kissing scenes? Yep, you betcha!  I think J and I actually giggled during the first-kiss-in-a-cave scene. I thought the casting was well done even if I was completely disappointed that Woody Harrelson was cast as anything in the film. Towards the end I was a little more convinced that he was Haymitch, but I'll wait until the 2nd and 3rd to see if he really delivers before committing to his praises. I'll admit I teared up a couple of times, namely Rue's passing, which was just so incredibly sad (well, the whole fight to the death situation is just sad, but you get what I'm saying). The careers and their aura seemed to be adequately projected to the audience; although, they were way more WE ARE BFF than I had anticipated while running through the woods searching for Katniss. It happens I guess. I think, for me, it was important to see how the director and producer really brought the whole novel to life (duh). For the most part, it was exactly what I had imagined while reading. I didn't feel like it had been altered so much that the value of the storyline and dialogue had been lost. I was in awe when the film ended. The scene where the gamemaker (Wes Bentley) is locked in a room with a bowl full of berries (umm..was he killed off in the book as well?!) sent chills up my spine. All and all, I'm glad J and I decided to make a date of it and see the movie on the big screen.

Side note: can we all talk about Jennifer Lawrence's beautiful wavy hair? My hair must look like that ALL OF THE DAYS. I think I may have ruined a small section of J's movie going experience when I leaned over during a serious scene and pointed out the wave and little braid action going on. Yeah, that happened.

So.. it's been a while and you may or may not even remember watching it, but think hard! What did you think?

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