In my latest novel, The Book Haters’ Book Club, the owner of an iconic neighborhood bookshop is known for his ability to put just the right book in the right reader’s hands at just the right moment. So, being the movie buff that I am, I figured I’d try to channel the spirit of my intrepid bookseller, Elliot, and make a few recommendations of my own.
Here is my can’t-go-wrong list of all-time favorite movies based on novels.
One
Stand By Me (1986), based on the short story, “The Body” by Stephen King. This is the coming-of-age film that launched a thousand Gen-X faces: Wil Wheaton, Corey Feldman, Jerry O’Connell, Kiefer Sullivan… and the list of soon-to-be stars goes on. But the film doesn’t stop there. It also brings to full technicolor life the story of a blueberry pie-eating-contest gone horribly wrong. This one is two hours of book-to-screen perfection.
Two
The Chronicles of Narnia series, adapted from the series of the same name by C.S. Lewis. Perhaps it was the decades that passed between when I read the books as a child and when I saw the movies with my own children, but everything I loved about the characters returned to me in an instant. Flaws and all, I’m still a fan.
Three
Forrest Gump (1994) based on the book by Winston Groom. Skip the book, watch the movie on repeat. Bottom line, the whimsey that is Tom Hanks burping up Dr. Pepper in the Oval Office, beating a hurricane, and becoming the inspiration for the iconic Smiley Face, doesn’t exist in the book for me at all. I, however, could hear Forrest say “Jen-nay” a thousand times and never tire of it.
Four
Auntie Mame (1958) based on the novel, Auntie Mame by Patrick Dennis. This one might have you scouring Turner Classic Movies for a showing, but do not miss the chance to watch Rosalind Russell as the iconic, inimitable Mame Dennis. The books, in which a uniquely individual aunt takes in her orphaned nephew and sets forth to show him the world, will make you fall in love with their story. The film, however, will transform Mame from memorable character, to a positively indelible one. (Psst… Rumor has it there’s a remake in the works. Stay tuned.)
Five
Fried Green Tomatoes (1991) based on the novel, Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Cafe by Fannie Flagg. Here, fellow readers, we have ourselves a genuine unicorn in the world of page-to-screen--a story that’s just as compelling and tear-jerking on film as in the book. In fact, both the movie and the novel rank of among my favorites. Plus, you’ve got to give it to comic-genious, Fannie Flag, who wrote both the novel and the screenplay. Brava, lady!
But what fun would a listicle be without a little dishing? So, argue with me if you must, but here’s my pick for the all-time-groan-worthiest screen adaptation…
Worst and Worstest
Breaking Dawn, Parts 1 and 2, from the final book in the Twilight series by Stephanie Meyer.
It should have been a slam dunk, a two-hour go to a wedding and then fight to the death extravaganza! All I wanted to see was Bella’s come-to-life vampire baby, followed by a massive, empire-defining, score settling vampire v. werewolf battle. But no! Instead, we got two groaners twelve months apart. For starters, Part 1 was so eye-roll-inducing, I had to drive straight to the optometrist after watching. And don’t get me started on Part 2 because it was honestly so boring I can’t remember a single scene. Bah! ‘nuf said.
Those are my picks, but I’d love to hear yours. If you have a “can’t miss” title to share, email me.
A Novel
That was what Elliot—the beloved co-owner of Over the Rainbow Bookshop—believed before his untimely passing. He always had the perfect book suggestion for the self-proclaimed Book Hater. Now his grief-ridden business partner, Irma, has agreed to sell the cozy Over the Rainbow to condo developers.
But others won’t give up the bookshop without a fight. When Irma breaks the news to her daughters, Bree and Laney, and Elliot’s romantic partner, Thom, they are aghast. Over the Rainbow has been Bree and Laney’s sanctuary since childhood, and Thom would do anything to preserve Elliot’s legacy. Together they conspire to save the bookshop, even if it takes some snooping, gossip and minor sabotage.
Humor [Park Row, On Sale: September 13, 2022, Trade Paperback / e-Book, ISBN: 9780778333067 / eISBN: 9780369718259]
GRETCHEN ANTHONY is the award-winning author of The Kids Are Gonna Ask, recipient of the 2021 Alex Award from the American Library Association. Her debut novel, Evergreen Tidings from the Baumgartners, was a Midwestern Connections Pick and a best books pick by Amazon, BookBub, PopSugar, and the New York Post. Her work has been featured in The Washington Post, Medium, and The Write Life, among others. She lives in Minneapolis with her family.
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