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The Good Liar by Nicholas Searle, book to movie review

A stunning and suspenseful feat of storytelling, The Good Liar unravels the past of a man who lives to deceive.

Veteran con artist Roy is a born liar and when he meets wealthy widow Betty online, he knows she s an easy mark. In no time at all, he s spinning his web of duplicity and betrayal around her, even moving into her lovely cottage. He is sure his scheme will be a success: She seems ready to build a life with him, and he is ready to reel her in. He s done this before. But who is Roy, really? While this masterful narrative of literary suspense entwines Roy s and Betty s futures, it also delves deeply into their pasts. As the clock turns back and the years fall away, truth will out. Before Roy can close the deal, there is a reckoning to be made. How many lies will it take to make him finally tell the truth?

Caging Skies by Christine Leunens as compared to the movie adaptation, JoJo Rabbit

An avid member of the Hitler Youth in 1940s Vienna, Johannes Betzler, discovers his parents are hiding a Jewish girl named Elsa behind a false wall in their home. His initial horror turns to interest—then love and obsession. After his parents disappear, Johannes is the only one aware of Elsa’s existence in the house and the only one responsible for her survival.

Dr. Sleep by Stephen King, book to movie review

Following the events of The Shining, after receiving a settlement from the owners of the Overlook Hotel, Danny Torrance remains psychologically traumatized as his mother Wendy slowly recovers from her injuries. Angry ghosts from the Overlook, including the woman from Room 237, still want to find Danny and eventually consume his phenomenal "shining" power. Dick Hallorann, the Overlook's chef, teaches Danny to create lockboxes in his mind to contain the ghosts, including that of former Overlook owner Horace Derwent.

As an adult, Danny (now going by Dan) takes up his father's legacy of anger and alcoholism. Dan spends years drifting across the United States, but he eventually makes his way to New Hampshire and decides to give up drinking. He settles in the small town of Frazier, working first at a tourist attraction and then at a hospice, and attending Alcoholics Anonymous meetings. His psychic abilities, long suppressed by his drinking, re-emerge and allow him to provide comfort to dying patients. Aided by a cat, "Azzie," that can sense when someone is about to die, Dan acquires the nickname "Doctor Sleep."  In the meantime, Abra Stone, a baby girl born in 2001, begins to manifest psychic powers of her own when she seemingly predicts the 9/11 attacks. She slowly and unintentionally establishes a telepathic bond with Dan. As she grows, the contact becomes more conscious and voluntary, and her shining grows stronger than his. One night, Abra psychically witnesses the ritual torture and murder of a boy by the True Knot, a group of quasi-immortals, many of which possess their own "shine" abilities, who wander across the United States and periodically feed on "steam," a psychic essence produced when the people who possess the shining die in pain. The True Knot's leader, Rose the Hat, becomes aware of Abra's existence and formulates a plan to kidnap Abra and keep her alive, so she can produce a limitless supply of steam. 

The Shining by Stephen King, book to movie review

The Shining is a horror novel by American author Stephen King. Published in 1977, it is King's third published novel and first hardback bestseller: the success of the book firmly established King as a preeminent author in the horror genre. The setting and characters are influenced by King's personal experiences, including both his visit to The Stanley Hotel in 1974 and his recovery from alcoholism. 

The Shining centers on the life of Jack Torrance, an aspiring writer and recovering alcoholic who accepts a position as the off-season caretaker of the historic Overlook Hotel in the Colorado Rockies. His family accompanies him on this job, including his young son Danny Torrance, who possesses "the shining", an array of psychic abilities that allow Danny to see the hotel's horrific past. Soon, after a winter storm leaves them snowbound, the supernatural forces inhabiting the hotel influence Jack's sanity, leaving his wife and son in incredible danger.

The Art of Racing in the Rain by Garth Stein, book to movie review

THE ART OF RACING IN THE RAIN is a heartfelt tale narrated by a witty and philosophical dog named Enzo. Through his bond with his owner, Denny Swift, an aspiring Formula One race car driver, Enzo has gained tremendous insight into the human condition and understands that the techniques needed on the racetrack can also be used to successfully navigate the journey of life. The film follows Denny and the loves of his life - his wife, Eve, their young daughter Zoe, and ultimately, his true best friend, Enzo.

Fifty Shades Freed by E. L. James, book to movie review

After exchanging vows before family and close friends, newlyweds, Christian Grey and Anastasia Steele, set off on a lavish honeymoon around the world, lost in their marital bliss. However, an unexpected break-in at Mr Grey's enterprises will inevitably cut their trip off early.  Believing they have left behind shadowy figures from their past, newlyweds Christian and Ana fully embrace an inextricable connection and shared life of luxury. But just as she steps into her role as Mrs. Grey and he relaxes into an unfamiliar stability, new threats could jeopardize their happy ending before it even begins.  Will the sins of the past blemish the Greys' perfect future?

Fahrenheit 451, by Ray Bradbury, review of the 1966 and 2018 adaptations

Fahrenheit 451 is a dystopian novel by American writer Ray Bradbury, first published in 1953. The novel presents a future American society where books are outlawed and "firemen" burn any that are found.

Guy Montag is a "fireman" employed to burn the possessions of those who read outlawed books. He is married but has no children. One fall night while returning from work, he meets his new neighbor, a teenage girl named Clarisse McClellan, whose free-thinking ideals and liberating spirit cause him to question his life and his own perceived happiness. Montag returns home to find that his wife Mildred has overdosed on sleeping pills, and he calls for medical attention. Two uncaring EMTs pump Mildred's stomach, drain her poisoned blood, and fill her with new blood. After the EMTs leave to rescue another overdose victim, Montag goes outside and overhears Clarisse and her family talking about the way life is in this hedonistic, illiterate society. Montag's mind is bombarded with Clarisse's subversive thoughts and the memory of his wife's near-death. Over the next few days, Clarisse faithfully meets Montag each night as he walks home. She tells him about how her simple pleasures and interests make her an outcast among her peers and how she is forced to go to therapy for her behavior and thoughts. Montag looks forward to these meetings, and just as he begins to expect them, Clarisse goes missing. He senses something is wrong.
In the following days, while at work with the other firemen ransacking the book-filled house of an old woman before the inevitable burning, Montag steals a book before any of his coworker's notice. The woman refuses to leave her house and her books, choosing instead to light a match and burn herself alive. Jarred by the woman's suicide, Montag returns home and hides the stolen book under his pillow. Later, Montag wakes Mildred from her sleep and asks her if she has seen or heard anything about Clarisse McClellan. She reveals that Clarisse's family moved away after Clarisse was hit by a speeding car and died four days ago. Dismayed by her failure to mention this earlier, Montag uneasily tries to fall asleep. Outside he suspects the presence of "The Mechanical Hound," an eight-legged robotic dog-like creature that resides in the firehouse and aids the firemen in hunting book hoarders.

 

Review Contains spoilers.

Boy Erased: A Memoir by Garrard Conley, book to movie review

Check out this latest episode, when the ladies of Read, Watch, and Wine review the book "Boy Erased: A Memoir" by Garrard Conley.

Boy Erased tells the story of Jared (Hedges), the son of a Baptist pastor in a small American town, who is outed to his parents (Kidman and Crowe) at age 19. Jared is faced with an ultimatum: attend a gay conversion therapy program - or be permanently exiled and shunned by his family, friends, and faith. Boy Erased is the true story of one young man's struggle to find himself while being forced to question every aspect of his identity.

Did the Read, Watch and Wine Crew like it or dislike it. You have to listen to find out. Tune in to hear the discussion, and we would love to hear your opinion the book to movie transition.
Please keep in mind that the discussion contains spoilers.

Fifty Shades Darker by E. L. James, book to movie review

Publisher Summary:

 

The second book in the Fifty Shades Trilogy. 

When a wounded Christian Grey tries to entice a cautious Ana Steele back into his life, she demands a new arrangement before she will give him another chance. As the two begin to build trust and find stability, shadowy figures from Christian's past start to circle the couple, determined to destroy their hopes for a future together.

Dont forget to check out the review of Book 1 Fifty Shades of Grey. 

Contains Spoliers

A Dogs Purpose by Bruce Cameron, book to movie review

A Dog's Purpose is a 2010 novel written by American author W. Bruce Cameron.  The book chronicles a dog's journey through four lives via reincarnation and how he looks for his purpose through each of his lives.