This week's TTT topic is "Page to Screen Freebie," so my contributing post stems from a draft I wrote back in August and never finished/posted.
There was a Goodreads blog post called "31 adaptations that prove Hollywood loves YA," and I was like, "Well, this will make me furious." Clicking to test my hypothesis gave me a lot of 'I've had enough of this dude' re: David Levithan and John Green, and if there is a difference between Divergent and The Mortal Instruments I can't remember it), so for this topic, I thought it would be fun to highlight a rare few Hollywood got right, plus a few I think they are sleeping on big-time.
Side notes: I am avoiding The Big Franchises in order to highlight less-talked-about stuff here.
1. I Am Number Four
OK, I didn't actually read the book, but that's because it looked so boring that Dianna Agron is the sole reason I watched the movie, and it turned out ever so much better than it had a right to be given its premise. I am still steamed that it flopped at the box office and got zero sequels.
2. Miss Peregrine's Home For Peculiar Chilren
Loved the book. Loved the movie so much I barely noticed the changes made. Apparently this puts me in the minority? (p.s. still can't believe someone finally edited a trilogy down to a single movie and it's the ONE TIME I've read the trilogy)
3. The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants
Great book. Greater movie. I wish so much that major studios would adapt more of the "realistic YA novels starring a girl(s)" books that I so love
4. The Princess Diaries
I do not have quite the same love for the book or movie that many of my generation do, but it is pretty awesome. I have to say, I might even prefer the movie.
5. Tiger Eyes
A very recent rave, and not exactly a box office hit, but for the sheer amount it improved on the book and brought the story to life, I got very attached to it. Also, it is not too often that authors get this much control over a production of their work -- it's basically a co-production between Judy Blume and her son.
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BOOKS I WISH WOULD BE ADAPTED
1. Eleanor and Park - Rainbow Rowell
I would take almost anything of Rainbow Rowell's, honestly, but this is the one I think would translate best to the screen, as long as you find a dashing enough Park. Fangirl feels like it relies on the power of imagination (how would you work in her fanfic scenes?) and Attachments similarly relies on the formatting; IDC about Simon Snow; and I have no interest in Landline. So this is the one I want.
2. A Great and Terrible Beauty - Libba Bray
This is more
dollsome's champion than mine given that I can't even remember anything that happens, but her enthusiasm is infectious. It's a period piece, it's magic, it's rife for rich visuals on a screen!! And it was popular when it was released, too; HOW DID IT NEVER GET MADE.3. These Shallow Graves - Jennifer Donnelly
Speaking of rich visuals in period pieces! Although realistically, I pretty much read this on purpose as a YA version of What The Dead Leave Behind, so I'd want that one more.
4. Since You've Been Gone - Morgan Matson
It's my least favorite novel, but my absolute favorite cover, and I just feel like screen magic could really make both the best-friendship and the new friendships/romance "pop." Also I feel like it goes without saying I would take absolutely any Matson adaptation. COME ON, it would be such a good summer movie!
5. Just One Day/Just One Year - Gayle Forman
This is BEGGING to be brought to life on the big screen. I feel like if I could see the chemistry between the leads, I would believe they were star-crossed and would hate their gross stranger hookup less.
