Category Archives: Books to Screen

Books to Screen: Build Your Own Books to Screen Library

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So how was your Mother’s Day? I have to admit, mine was the best one in years. Yes, my boys did nice things for me and bought me some nice presents, but really, that isn’t what made it so special. With a son living at home while he finishes up college, who is also in the middle of finals and upcoming board licensing tests, and a 13 year-old in the throes of puberty, sometimes it feels like they aren’t really paying attention to who their parents are as real people. You ever get that feeling too? So when I opened a very carefully wrapped package from my sons, I was a little shocked to discover that they actually have been paying attention….they actually knowtheir mom!
On a recent shopping trip, I was coveting a series of absolutelygorgeous books, but moms, you know how it is, there is always something else that takes financial precedence.  Yet the books were just stunning, and while I’ve hesitantly joined the e-reader community, I still love a printed book.  I love the smell, the feel, the weight, the look of the font on the page….I still love holding a book!

So imagine my surprise when I opened this:

Heaven!  A leather bound edition of one of favorite books, and movies of all time, Harper Lee’s “To Kill a Mockingbird.” Along with the book?  A “mom coupon” to have my own book club with my boys, good for reading the book and then discussing together.  So see, they really do know their old mom pretty well after all!

Now, if they’ll also pick-up a few of the other titles in this gorgeous set.  Just take a look, because like me, you may find yourself drooling over these books!  Perfect for building your own personal “Book to Screen” library! And I’ve added some trailers below. Film trailers have changed a lot over the years, so I’m betting you’ll get a kick out of watching these! Enjoy!





















Books to Screen: Who is your Laotong, your sworn sister for life?

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Book End Babes, who is your laotong? Who is that friend that you feel like you have known forever? Who is that that one friend that you can’t imagine not being a part of your life? Well girlfriend, pick up the phone and call her.

This summer, you are going to want to make a date with her to see the film SNOW FLOWER AND THE SECRET FAN. The film, opening in theatres on July 15, is inspired by the the bestselling novel by Lisa See, and is a timeless portrait of female friendship.

Directed by Wayne Wang (The Joy Luck Club, Smoke, Maid in Manhattan), and starring Bingbing Li (The Forbidden Kingdom), Gianna Jun (Blood: The Last Vampire), Vivian Wu (The Last Emperor), Hugh Jackman (X-Men, The Prestige) and Archie Kao (CSI, The One), the film is set in 19th-century China, and tells the story of two seven year old girls, Snow Flower and Lily, who are matched as laotong – or “old sames” – bound together for eternity. Isolated by their families, they furtively communicate by taking turns writing in a secret language, nu shu, between the folds of a white silk fan.

In a parallel story in present day Shanghai, the laotong’s descendants, Nina and Sophia, struggle to maintain the intimacy of their own childhood friendship in the face of demanding careers, complicated love lives, and a relentlessly evolving Shanghai. Drawing on the lessons of the past, the two modern women must understand the story of their ancestral connection, hidden from them in the folds of the antique white silk fan, or risk losing one another forever.

What unfolds are two stories, generations apart, but everlasting in their universal notion of love, hope and friendship.

I am already in love with this film, even though I have not read the book.  I’m leaving you with some gorgeous images from the film, along with the trailer.  But I have a request, and some advice.

I’d love for you to leave a comment, and tell me about one of your “sworn sisters for life.” Tell us a little bit about one of your friends! Then call her, and make that date to see this movie!

Now, check out these beautiful photos from the film, and watch the trailer.  My advice, if you are anything like me, you might want to think about grabbing a Kleenex box and have it handy!  Enjoy!

Books to Screen: Was Shakespeare a Fraud?

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We all know William Shakespeare, the most famous author of all time. Writer of 37 plays, 154 sonnets, several epic poems…but what if someone told you, Shakespeare never wrote a single word?  Here lies the premise for the upcoming film “Anonymous,” in theaters this Fall.

So, have we all been had?  Is the identity of the author of some of the most enduring literary works of all time perhaps one of the biggest hoaxes ever perpetrated?

In 2005,  “The Truth Will Out” was published.  Authors Brenda James and William Rubenstein make a cast that the author of some of the most important English literary work was not William Shakespeare. They make a case that the real author is a little known 17th century English diplomat named Sir Henry Neville.

“Shakespeare of Stratford, if you take his life and mesh it up against the chronology of his plays, you get nothing,” Rubenstein says.

James and Rubenstein admit that their evidence is circumstantial, but make for a compelling argument.  For example, Shakespeare never went to Venice, making it very difficult to have written such vivid details in “The Merchant of Venice.”
“In 1579, Neville went on an historic European tour in which he visited all of the places named in Shakespeare, and got to know the personalities there, whose names find themselves encapsulated in the plays later on,” James says.
James and Rubenstein claim that another clue lies within the tone of the written work, specifically the switch from comedies to dark tragedies.  Why the sudden switch?  If one believes the Neville supporters, then there is an event in Neville’s personal timeline that perhaps makes sense.
“Something happened in 1601 to wipe the smile off his face,” Rubenstein says.  And that something might be the fact that Henry Neville was locked up in 1601 in the Tower of London for his part in a plot to overthrow the monarchy.  Further punishment also meant that his written works would never be published under his name.

Shakespeare supporters claim this is little more than class and intellectual “snobbery.”  Jonathan Bate, a professor of literary studies at Warwick University and author of “The Genius of Shakespeare,” said, “There’s not a shred of evidence in support of the argument; it’s full of errors. There’s no reason to doubt that Shakespeare wrote Shakespeare. People began to say, ‘How could a middle-class grammar school boy from the provinces write these plays?”‘

Watch the trailer for the upcoming film “Anonymous,” then leave me a comment!  I would love to hear your thoughts!

What Does It Take to Have the Heart of a Soul Surfer? Bonus! A Present for You!

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Surfer Bethany Hamilton has been who  the “Bravest Girl in America.”  Raised in Kauai, Hawaii, Hamilton has been a surfer since the age of seven, and is said to have sea-water in her veins.  Her love of big waves has never left her, not even after a shark attack on Halloween of 2003 that nearly took her life and severed her arm near the shoulder.

Most of us cannot fathom what life would be like after a catastrophic injury like what Bethany sustained. I find her resilience amazing, and inspiring. Instead of focusing on all the things she can no longer do, Bethany pushes herself to do things that would all but seem impossible to the rest of us. One of the scenes in the film that I found the most amazing was a quiet scene where Bethany strives to help put breakfast on the table. The simple act of cutting fruit for the family becomes an incomprehensible task. Yet Bethany quietly sits on the floor with fruit, cutting board and knife, and finds a way to make it happen. And if the simple act of cutting fruit with only one arm seems like an impossibility, then just wait until you see the scenes where Bethany gets back on a surfboard.

Bethany credits her family and her faith for helping her to persevere and get back on a board.  Not only did Bethany re-learn how to surf, but she also went on to compete in numerous surfing competitions.  Bethany has received numerous awards, including the 2004 Teen Choice award for Most Courageous Teen and the 2004 ESPY Award for Best Comeback Athlete.

Bethany’s story has been turned into a feature length film, SOUL SURFER, starring AnnaSophia Robb, Dennis Quaid, Helen Hunt, Carrie Underwood and Lorraine Nicholson (Jack Nicholson’s daughter).  The film hits theaters nationwide on Friday, April 8.

A young adult book accompanies the release.  Soul Surfer – A Movie Tie-In: A True Story of Faith, Family, and Fighting to Get Back on the Board is available for purchase now.  Click here for more info on the book.  If you are looking for a hero, someone your kids can really look up to, then pick-up this book and read it with them.  You’ll both be amazed and inspired!

Now, for a little present for you.  If you live in the Oklahoma City area, Bookend Babes wants to send you and your family to the movies, for free !

How would you like to see a special advance screening of the film SOUL SURFER, courtesy of Bookend Babes?  I’ll not make you jump through any hoops, or even promising me your undying adoration.  All you need to do is print this blog post, and take it to the theater with you, or simply print the picture of the admission ticket below!  Screening takes place on Tuesday, April 5, 7:30 PM at the AMC Quail Springs Theater.  If you decide to go to the screening, make sure you ARRIVE EARLY!  Seating is on a first come, first serve basis.  You really should be there at least an hour before showtime.  I can’t stress that point enough.  Get there early!

The film is rated PG.  I’ve seen the film myself and wouldn’t hesitate to bring my youngest child with me.  Some people may have an aversion due to the shark attack, but I promise, this is handled with sensitivity and without gory detail.  This is a film that the whole family can enjoy, so I hope you get the chance to do just that!

Here’s the pass, and then you’ll find the trailer to the film.  Enjoy!

Books to Screen: For the Kid in All of Us!

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So many books, so many films, so little time!  Surely this is the lament of many parents today, but I encourage you to take a look at what 2011 has in store for families on the big screen.  How about taking a little downtime (Spring Break is but a few weeks away), and curl up with the family with one of these books, all of which will have a big screen adaptation soon!

The Book:  The Invention of Hugo Cabret by Brain Selznick

The Film:  HUGO CABRET, directed by Martin Scorcese and starring Chloe Mertz, Jude Law, Christopher Lee, Emily Mortimer, Ben Kingsley, Sacha Baron Cohen and Ray Winstone.  Set for release in theaters on December 9, 2011.

Book Description:  Orphan, clock keeper, and thief, Hugo lives in the walls of a busy Paris train station, where his survival depends on secrets and anonymity. But when his world suddenly interlocks with an eccentric, bookish girl and a bitter old man who runs a toy booth in the station, Hugo’s undercover life, and his most precious secret, are put in jeopardy. A cryptic drawing, a treasured notebook, a stolen key, a mechanical man, and a hidden message from Hugo’s dead father form the backbone of this intricate, tender, and spellbinding mystery.

The Book: The Complete Tales of Winnie-the-Pooh by A.A. Milne

The Film: Winnie the Pooh, directed by Stephen J. Anderson and Don Hall.  Featuring the voice talents of:  Craig Ferguson (Owl), John Cleese (narrator), Gilbert Gottfried (Marley) and Jim Cummings (Pooh/Tigger).  Scheduled for release July 15, 2011.

Book Description:  The classic tale of the “bear with very little brain,” his best friend Christopher Robin and all the animals in the 100 Acre Woods.

The Book: Diary of a Wimpy Kid #2:  Rodrick Rules by Jeff Kinney

The Film: Diary of Wimpy Kid: Rodrick Rules, directed by David Bowers, starring Steve Zahn, Rachel Harris, Zachary Gordon and Devon Bostick.  Scheduled for release March 25, 2011.

Book Description: Don’t ask Greg Heffley how he spent his summer, because he probably doesn’t want to talk about it.  Once school starts again, Greg tries to put the summer, and one particular event, behind him.  But secrets have a way of getting out, especially when you have a diary and an older brother named Rodrick!

The Book: Mars Needs Moms! by Berkeley Breathed

The Film: Mars Needs Moms!  Directed by Simon Wells.  Features the voice talent of Seth Green, Joan Cusack, Billy Dee Williams and Breckin Meyer.  Scheduled for release on March 11, 2011.

Book Description: Milo doesn’t really get the big deal about moms.  He’s not sure you need one.  But it turns out that martian invaders do need moms….lots of moms.  Milo steals away on a spaceship full of moms that have been kidnapped and are being taken away to Mars.  Great fun for both you and your kiddos, and hey, who knows, maybe the kids will even appreciate you a little more.  Okay, maybe not, but hey, it is certainly worth a shot!

And here’s a bonus for you.  Take a break and watch some of the trailers from these upcoming films! Enjoy!