K is for Kiss the Girls

About the Book

Kiss the Girls is a novel wirten by James Patterson. Published in 1995 it is the second novel to star his main character Alex Cross, an African-American psychologist and policeman (Wiki). This psychological thriller brings to live "Washington Police Detective, Alex Cross" as he travels to North Carolina in an attempt to find his missing niece. Upon his arrival he is informed by the FBI and DEA that "eight to ten women are missing, all from different states, and all have received notes from someone calling himself Casanova. Around the same time, Casanova abducts another woman, Dr. Kate McTiernan and makes her part of his harem of young, attractive, and exceptional women" (Wiki).

About the Movie

Morgan Freeman stars as the Forensic Psychologist Alex Cross who has been tasked with finding Casanova, the individual who has women captive. Also includes the talented Ashely Judd as Dr. Kate McTiernan who has escaped Casanova's clutches. She teams together with Alex Cross to bring down a madman. Kiss the Girls was released in 1997 by Paramount Pictures and was directed by Gary Fleder. Its a mystery thriller that will have you holding your breath until the very end. 

J is for Jane Eyre

About the Book

Jane Eyre was written by Charlotte Bronte in 1847 and was originally titled Jane Eyre: An Autobiography. According to Wiki, the novel revolutionized the art of fiction. The author has been called the first historian of the private consciousness. The novel contains a strong sense of morality, social criticism, and ahead of its time. The main protagonist Jane faces exploration of the different classes in society, sexuality, religion, and proto-feminism.

About the Movie

Starring Mia Wasikowska as Jane Eyre, Judi Dench as Mrs. Fairfax, and Michael Fassbender as Mr. Rochester. The first rendition of the classic novel that I watched contained Orson Welles (Jane Eyre, 1943) and loved it. The 2011 release by Focus Features shows the trials and tribulations of orphaned Jane Eyre, her struggle against her relatives to boarding home, to her freedom within her occupations. I love watching the love bloom between the strong morale Jane and the ridged Mr. Rochester. I love this story and how there is more to Mr. Rochester and he is such a mystery, which only pulls Jane in further. 

I is for IT

About the Book

I've never read the book and don't plan on it! After watching the movie when I was younger, I think I have forever been changed - against clowns. I can now say that I suffer from Coulrophobia (fear of clowns). No, I shouldn't say that I'd never read Stephen King's novel IT, I just don't know if I want to keep torchering myself with images of Pennywise, the demonic clown character from the novel. 

IT was published in 1986, it is a horror novel that won the British Fantasy Award in 1987, and Publishers Weekly listed the novel as the best-selling book in the U.S. in 1986.

About the Movie

The 1990 made for TV series follows a group of children from a small town that had been terrorized by a demonic being; Pennywise the deceptive clown. The kids refer to themselves as "The Loser Club" and 30 years later have to return home as they are called back to fight the same being again (IT, IMDb). Pennywise (Tim Curry) manipulates his victims by using their own fears against them, when they were children, and again as they are adults. Some say that the first half of the movie is much better than the second hale (I agree). I have also heard that the book ends much better than the mini-series - than again, when have we ever heard of a movie or an adaption being better than the book? If you like horror, then this is right up your alley. If you don't like horror - look (rather run) the other way!

Links

Stephen King Official Site

H is for Harry Potter

About the Books

I remember the very first time that I even heard of Harry Potter, it was before I was married, before I had my son, while I was still working full-time at a school that I love. A co-worker of mine actually introduced me to the book and it seemed like everyone was reading Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone. Then, after the trauma with my son's birth and my own, I sought refuge and escape within the realms of Harry Potter. I was so blessed that I have wonderful parents that went out and bought every book that they could, I believe at the time it was up to Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire. Then, it was waiting in line at book stores to obtain the newest releases; all well worth it! 

The Harry Potter saga follows a young Harry as he learns about the wizarding world that he is destined for. He's an orphan living with his horrid Aunt and Uncle, then one day a miracle, owls deliver his invitation to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Through the course of the series Hogwarts becomes Harry's home and he learns his legacy is to fight what is threatening his home, family, and friends. It is an epic journey through the corners of our imaginations.

About the Movies

One of the worst things (for me) is when characters change within a series. Luckily for us, all of the main characters remained (for one exception) the same through out the movies franchise; not only that but we got to see the actors grow and mature as well, which was an added bonus. The movies pretty much stayed true to the books. They're full of adventure, comedy, drama, and wizardry magic. Starring Daniel Radcliffe as the hero, Harry Potter, Emma Watson as Hermione Granger the smart one, and Rupert Grint as the loyal best friend Ronald Weasley. Including a legendary cast, this movie saga spans seven books and eight movies in total. To try to name a favorite is like choosing which of your children you prefer the best, it's just not going to happen. I love this series because of the imagination, the action, and the heart. If you haven't seen any of the movies or read the books - where have you been?

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone

Harry otter and Chamber of Secrets

Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban

Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire

Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix

Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows

Links

J. K. Rowling Official Site

G is for Great Expectations

About the Book

Great Expectations, written by the iconic Charles Dickens. Originally in a chronicle publication; who knew he was a blogger! The publications course ran from 1860 - 1861, then it was published in three volumes. It is a coming of age story that follows Pip, from very humble beginnings, to the man he becomes. The novel depicts the relationship between society and man. It includes a wonderful cast of great characters and plot twists. I love this story because it helps us to understand that life isn't a fairy tale. We might expect a certain outcome for our life, but usually it turns out totally different.

About the Movie

The first movie depiction that I watched starred Ethan Hawke in 1998 with Gwenyth Paltrow; I wasn't impressed. I have tried to watch a couple other adaptions since then as well to no avail. Recently, I have found a version that I think finally gives Dickens the props he deserves within his classic novel. BBC aired Great Expectations in 2011, and thank goodness that they did. Then again, I haven't watched an adaption by BBC that I haven't loved. The mini series showcases the different characters and gives you a better insight into their psychosomatic tendencies. I really enjoyed watching this! It's full of great actors such as Gillian Anderson as Miss Havisham, Ray Winstone as the terrifying but endearing Magwich, and Douglas Booth as Pip (who is also in the just released Noah).

A is for Anne of Green Gables

April A to Z Challenge - Welcome

Last year was my first year in the A to Z Challenge. I enjoyed it so much that this year I decided, like a crazy person, to sign all four of my blogs up for the challenge. A sane person would probably ween their way in, and say maybe sign two blogs up this year, three the following, and so forth. But, this gal decided to go all in. As such, coming up with themes for each blog wasn't challenging until I cam to this blog. What Shall I Blog About Today? started as my first blog after I self-published my first book. Then I wanted more organization of the different topics, hence the different blogs. This blog has developed into more of a book blog. So, I didn't want to make things easy and just write about books. I decided to write about books-to-movies. The first being...

Anne of Green Gables

The first time I was introduced to Anne of Green Gables was the local cable network MPT (Maryland Public Television's tele-thone, their showcase was Anne of Green Gables staring Megan Follows, Colleen Dewhurst, and Richard Farnsworth. The story follows Anne, an imaginative dreamer, through her challenges of being an orphan. Until she is mistakenly taken to The Guthbert's; an elderly brother and sister duo. Anne breathes live into their sleepy existence and with Anne's energy, mischief and mayhem ensue. 

While I never have read the book - it sits in my Kindle queue awaiting it's read - I cherish the characters and would recommend this series! Written in 1908 by Lucy Maude Montgomery, who was raised in Canada's Prince Edward Island herself and drew from her personal experiences in writing Anne of Green Gables, her fictional bestselling classic.