Tag Archives: to kill a mockingbird

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 film: Just Like My Favorite Sweater

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I know we all have them.  Most likely, you have more than one.  For me, the list really isn’t that long, but of course, as an avid book and film lover, the list morphs, changes and grows with each passing year. 

I’m talking about the book and film equivalent of fried chicken, mashed potatoes with cream gravy, macaroni and cheese…and the best peach cobbler you’ve ever had.  Comfort in the forms of words on a page, or moving images on the screen.

As we enter into the holiday season, I know there are lots of moms out there like me that feel overwhelmed.  I hope everyone can find some time to curl up with their favorite blanket and maybe read one of these books or watch one of these films.  This is a short list of just a few of what I consider my own personal books to screen “comfort food.”  I hope you find something comforting here for you too!

JAWS by Peter Benchley

I can’t even estimate how many times I have seen this film, or read the book.  It remains as one of my favorite childhood movie-going experiences, and no matter how many times I see it, I’m always up to watching it again.  I am sure my family and friends hate the fact that I can quote every line, but hey, when movies are this good, I just can’t help myself.

What’s your name again?

Chrissie!

Where are we going?

Swimming!

Sense and Sensibility by Jane Austen

Come on, seriously, is there a better Colonel Brandon than ALAN RICKMAN?!?!  There really isn’t much to say about Jane Austen’s book, or Ang Lee’s film.  Perfection.  Sheer perfection that holds up through multiple readings and multiple viewings.  I’m still in love with the book, with the film, and of course, with Alan Rickman!

To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee

Harper Lee’s amazing book is really my ultimate comfort book.  The film and the book should be required viewing/reading for everyone.  Gregory Peck and a young Robert Duvall star in this American classic, and each time I watch Gregory Peck in this role, I  get the feeling that Finch was not too different of a man than Peck was in real life.  See why the American Film Institute named Atticus Finch as the number one movie hero of the 20th Century.  If you haven’t seen it, what are you waiting for?  Treat yourself…I promise you won’t regret it.



The Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien

Tolkien’s epic story of good and evil, loss and redemption, and most of all, friendship, remains as the most amazing adaptations from book to screen.  Peter Jackson’s direction delivers this classic story to the big screen in a skilled, respectful and loyal fashion.  This is my favorite go-to film when I just feel like being lazy for an entire day.  It never fails, I always cry at the end. Okay, really, I start to cry just in anticipation of the end. I’m totally a sucker that way.

Breakfast at Tiffany’s by Truman Capote

Audrey Hepburn’s amazing performance as Holly Golightly is just one of the reasons I fell in love with this movie.  Capote’s fantastic description of New York City, both the city itself and the people that live there, left a deep impression on me from the very first reading.  The film never gets old to me, and each time I’m in the Big Apple, I just can’t help but think about this film.

Readers, drop me message and tell me what books to screen movie you find as comforting as your favorite old sweater!  I can’t wait to see what you have to say.

Mockingbird

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It’s the first book I remember falling in love with, in 8th grade. I was always a pretty voracious reader, I would often be found with my nose in a book and would nightly stay up past my bedtime to read whatever adventure I was immersed in at the time. But To Kill a Mockingbird was different.

We read it in Language class, and I remember that our teacher had us dramatically act out scenes from the book. I still picture some of those kids when I reread this book, even after seeing the film many times.

I had moved from the big city to the suburbs the summer before school started, and I stuck out like a sore thumb. I was still a full-on tomboy, wearing hand-me-downs from my brother, while my peers were already wearing blue eye shadow, feathered hair and designer jeans. Academically, this suburban school was years ahead of the inner-city school district that I attended formerly, so the challenges to fit in were coming at me from all sides. I used books as an escape to places where I would understand the social landscape as my actual landscape seemed to be a foreign and unfriendly land.

Our teacher (Mrs. Goff) assigned us a lot of advanced fiction that year – Ayn Rand (Anthem, which I loved), F. Scott Fitzgerald (The Great Gatsby), and of course, Harper Lee. I fell in love with To Kill a Mockingbird as so many others did. The characters resonated with me (especially the coming-of-age arc of the dedicated tomboy, Scout), the southern dialect was new and exciting for this Wisconsin girl, and the story line was moving, challenging and inspiring – all wrapped up in one small paperback package.

I’ve reread the book frequently over the years and watched the movie and loved that as well (Gregory Peck as Atticus is inspired casting). Years later, when I met the man I realized would my future husband, I gave him a mix tape of love songs and my copy of Mockingbird to read, because that was a shortcut to getting to know my inner landscape.

And now, as the book celebrates 50 years, I’ve picked up a copy of Scout, Atticus & Boo, where many others share their love stories with Harper Lee’s classic tale. I’m looking forward to savoring that one.

Get the book here.

Do you have a Mockingbird moment? Or another classic lit pick that speaks to you? Tell us about it!