In this month's staff blog, we're discussing which 12 books we'd love to see as a good TV or movie adaptation—the emphasis on "good" is crucial. Some staff members have picked books that have never been adapted, while others believe certain adaptations need a reboot because they're still upset!
Please, Please, PLEASE!
We NEED this in a good adaptation... NOW!
While none of the following book to screen adaptations are in the works, staff members feel they would make wonderful additions to the cinematic world... if done correctly!
The Others by Anne Bishop
Aric, Circulation Supervisor
Prophet Meg Corbyn and shape-shifter Simon Wolfgard use their powers to protect humans and Others alike in this beautifully crafted fantasy series.
Beginning with the book Written in Red, Aric would love to see the unique world and interesting characters of this five book series come to life!
The first book in The Others series, Written in Red, is available in Regular Print, E-book on cloudLibrary, and Audiobook on CD.
Upright Women Wanted by Sarah Gailey
Christin, Circulation Clerk
A stand alone novel, Christin would love to see this adapted onto the screen given the current issues with book banning, a film adaption of a book about government oppression of reading materials feels incredibly timely -even if it's set in sort of a wild west dystopian era. The queer representation is also critical as we're right now in a time when there are attempts to erase certain identities from existence. Being able to see yourself or someone from your community accurately and positively represented is incredibly important.
Esther is a stowaway. She’s hidden herself away in the Librarian’s book wagon in an attempt to escape the marriage her father has arranged for her—a marriage to the man who was previously engaged to her best friend. Her best friend who she was in love with. Her best friend who was just executed for possession of resistance propaganda.
Upright Women Wanted by Sarah Gailey is available in Regular print or Audiobook on CD, hoopla, and cloudLibrary.
Iron Druid Chronicles by Kevin Hearne
Lucas, Maintenance
The Iron Druid Chronicles is a 10 book series of urban fantasy novels set in our world—the first two books are set in Tempe, Arizona—where supernatural creatures exist, including witches, vampires, werewolves, demons, elementals, and deities from various mythologies.
Lucas would love to see this world and characters come to life on the big screen, especially Oberon, the rescued Irish Wolfhound who can telepathically communicate with Atticus O'Sullivan, the main character.
Hounded, the first book in the chronicles, is available in Regular Print; Audiobook on CD; or E-book and Kindle on Libby.
Five Total Strangers by Natalie D Richards
Olivia, Youth Services Assistant
Mira discovers her fellow travelers aren't friends like she thought–They're total strangers. And every one of them seems to be hiding something dangerous after she has hitched a ride home in a snow storm.
Olivia believes that bringing the book, with its plot filled with wild twists and turns, to the big screen would enhance the experience for both moviegoers and book enthusiasts.
Five Total Strangers by Natalie D. Richards is available in Regular Print; Audiobook on hoopla and cloudLibrary; E-book on hoopla, Libby, cloudLibrary, and Kindle with Libby.
It exists... but it was TERRIBLE!
We need a reboot, we're not okay!
When books are turned into movies, it sometimes doesn't work out for fans of the original book. Issues like incorrect casting, plot alterations, or poor special effects can arise. As a result, the staff compiled a list where a successful reboot is desired... make that NEEDED!
Artemis Fowl by Eoin Colfer
Adara, Circulation Clerk
Twelve-year-old criminal mastermind Artemis Fowl has discovered a world below ground of armed and dangerous—and extremely high-tech—fairies. This book has been described as Die Hard with fairies.
Adara, who loved the book series, was really disappointed when Disney released their version of Artemis Fowl, as they completely disregarded the original book material. Want to see the movie version? You cannot. The original movie was released by Disney and is no longer available on the platform. However, if you want to dive into the eight books series, Adara would be delighted if you picked up book one, Artemis Fowl.
Artemis Fowl is available in Regular or Large Print; Audiobook on CD, Libby, or cloudLibrary; E-book on hoopla, Libby, or Kindle on Libby; and Playaway.
East of Eden by John Steinbeck
Kyle, Business Manager
Published in 1952 and set in the rich farmland of California's Salinas Valley, this sprawling and often brutal novel follows the intertwined destinies of two families. Steinbeck himself considered it his magnum opus.
Kyle's thoughts: While Elia Kazan's 1955 adaptation of East of Eden has one of James Dean's only performances, I find it to deaden the impact and importance of the John Steinbeck novel it is based on. By removing the earlier two thirds of the story, the film was able to limp its way through the themes and ideas of the book without fully understanding the beauty and sympathy of its source material. I would love an adaptation that tackles the entire novel, not just the final section.
Two screen adaptations of East of Eden exist. The 1955 version featuring James Dean is somewhat lacking. Although the 1981 TV series with Jane Seymour received more favorable reviews, it too diverges from the book in several important aspects.
East of Eden can be found on DVD in both the 1955 James Dean edition and the 1981 Jane Seymour version.
The book version of East of Eden is available in Regular or Large Print; Audiobook on CD; E-book on Libby and Kindle on Libby; and Playaway.
The Last Apprentice Series by Joseph Deleney
Adara, Circulation Clerk
The dark children's fantasy series, The Last Apprentice follows twelve-year-old Tom, who is the seventh son of a seventh son, and as such, he is an appropriate apprentice for “The Spook,” a man whose job it is to “deal with” all manner of supernatural beings that plague humanity.
Unfortunately, the movie adaptation titled Seventh Son squanders an excellent cast and some strange storyline ingredients, leaving audiences, and Adara, with one disappointingly dull fantasy adventure.
The Dresden Files by Jim Butcher
Bobbi, Executive Director
The Dresden Files, by Jim Butcher, is an urban horror/fantasy series featuring private eye Harry Dresden, who also happens to be the only wizard listed in the Chicago Yellow Pages.
When the TV series started in 2007, Bobbi couldn't even finish the first episode. The portrayal of Harry Dresden in the series was far from his appearance, personality, or character in the books, which was unacceptable for Bobbi. Watching The Dresden Files TV show felt like witnessing a crime against the beloved book series for a lot of dedicated Dresden readers.
In contrast, the book series consists of 17 books, beginning with Storm Front. Storm Front is available in Regular Print; Audiobook on CD and Libby; and E-book on Libby and Kindle on Libby.
YES! It is in the works... hopefully!
The Nightside Series by Simon R. Green
Aric, Circulation Supervisor
The series of 12 fantasy novels is focused on John Taylor, a private investigator based in the fictional Nightside, a dark, hidden netherworld of London in which the supernatural and science fiction super-technology co-exist.
Aric is eager to see this book series, which blends time travel, horror, and supernatural elements with distinctive world-building influenced by ancient religions and mythology, adapted for the screen. In 2017, there were rumors that John Carpenter was interested in developing a TV series, and Aric still hopes that someone will take on this book series and do it justice.
The adventure into the Nightside begins with Something from the Nightside which is available in Regular Print; Audiobook on hoopla; and E-book on Libby and Kindle on Libby.
The Twisted Series by Ana Huang
Madisyn, Circulation Clerk/Outreach
Ana Huang's richly imagined world is brought to life through vivid descriptions and atmospheric settings, transporting readers to exotic locations, glamorous societies, and the darkest corners of the human psyche. From high-stakes heists to passionate encounters, every scene drips with tension and keeps you guessing until the very end.
Madisyn loved this borderline dark romance series and would love to see it on the big screen. However, if the casting and character personalities don't stay true to the book... she will cry. Like, ugly tears. Madisyn is holding her breath that the upcoming Netflix TV series will meet all of her expectations.
The first book in the 4 book series, Twisted Love, is available in Regular Print; Audiobook on hoopla and Libby; and E-book on Libby and Kindle on Libby.
The Institute by Stephen King
Rachel, Circulation Clerk
One night, intruders silently murder Luke's parents and kidnap him. He wakes up in a room almost identical to his own at "the Institute," a facility secretly located deep in the forests of Maine. The Institute houses a number of other kidnapped children, each with special talents—telekinesis and telepathy.
Rachel loved this science fiction-horror novel where good versus evil. Unfortunately, the good guys don't always win. Rachel's happiness with the upcoming MGM TV series will depend on how faithfully it follows the book and the casting, particularly of her favorite character, 10-year-old The Avester.
The Institute is a stand alone novel available in Regular and Large Print; Audiobook on CD; and Playaway.
Harry Potter Series by J.K. Rowling
Kelsey, Youth Services Assistant
Ok, ok... hear Kelsey out! It isn't that she didn't love the movies, because she did. She also loved the books. So why is this her pick? Kelsey is excited to see the TV series in production with MAX because SHE NEEDS MORE POTTER!
In case you are not familiar, Harry Potter is a series of seven fantasy novels written by British author J. K. Rowling. The novels chronicle the lives of a young wizard, Harry Potter, and his friends, Hermione Granger and Ron Weasley, all of whom are students at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone, the first in the 7 book series, is available in Regular and Large Print; Audiobook on CD, Cassette, hoopla, Libby, and cloudLibrary; E-books on hoopla, Libby, cloudLibrary, and Kindle on Libby; and Playaway.
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