Play(list) by the Book: Revival - Stephen King

Hello, everyone! I'm so glad that many of the books that I've recently read have their own Play(list) by the Book. Of course, when I pick up a Stephen King novel I expect that there will be a lot of songs montioned. So, here is Revival with one of the biggest playlists that I have created for this segment. Enjoy!

In this playlist, as you already know, I include all the songs mentioned in the novel, as well as all the albums, artists, and lyrics mentioned. In such a lengthy playlist, it's only natural that I didn't know some songs, and artists that Stephen King included in his text. The first song that I couldn't find was called Sugarland. Another song that was a mystery to me was called Aloona Ana Kaya, by the Excellent-Board Brothers. An unknown artist to me was George Damon with his album Damon Does Gershwin, although I have a hint that he might be fictional. Lastly, two groups that I couldn't find any infomation were Vo-Lites and the Staples Sisters. If any of you know anything about any of these gaps in my playlist, please let me know!

Find more playlists at: Play(list) by the Book

Book Adaptations to look for in 2017

Hello, everyone! Every year there is a tone of movies, tv series, and even video games that are actually book adaptations. So, I couldn't resist making a list with all those book adaptations that we should all look for in 2017 in the big and small screen.

Here are the 17+1 Book Adaptations to look for in 2017:

1. A Dog's Purpose

Release Date: 27 January 2017

Director: Lasse Hallström

Starring: Britt Robertson, Josh Gad, Dennis Quaid

Summary: A dog looks to discover his purpose in life over the course of several lifetimes and owners.

Comment: It's about a dog (several dogs actually), how can you resist such a movie? And if I judge by my reaction in Marley and Me, I will be crying the whole time.

2. Tulip Fever

Release Date: 24 February 2017

Director: Justin Chadwick

Starring: Alicia Vikander, Cara Delevingne, Dane DeHaan

Summary: An artist falls for a young married woman while he's commissioned to paint her portrait during the Tulip mania of 17th century Amsterdam.

Comment: It's a historical drama. Furthermore it's about an artist. And it features a forbidden love. Well, I don't need another reason to watch this movie!

3. Wilson

Release Date: 24 March 2017

Director: Craig Johnson

Starring: Judy Greer, Woody Harrelson, Laura Dern

Summary: A lonely, neurotic and hilariously honest middle-aged man reunites with his estranged wife and meets his teenage daughter for the first time.

Comment: There is no way I'm going to miss this movie! If you love Daniel Clowes' graphic novels like I do then put it in your calendar. If you have any doubts, just remember Ghost World and give it another thought.

4. Wonder

Release Date: 7 April 2017

Director: Stephen Chbosky

Starring: Julia Roberts, Owen Wilson, Jacob Tremblay

Summary: A young boy born with a facial deformity is destined to fit in at a new school, and to make everyone understand he's just another ordinary kid, and that beauty isn't skin deep.

Comment: This gem of a book promises to make one of the finest movies of 2017. When I read Wonder back in 2012 it moved me and I really hope that this film will provoke the same emotions in me.

5. The Handmaid's Tale

Release Date: 26 April 2017

Director: Reed Morano (3 eps.), Mike Barker (2 eps.)

Starring: Jordana Blake, O.T. Fagbenle, Joseph Fiennes, Elizabeth Moss

Summary: Set in a dystopian future, a woman is forced to live as a concubine under a fundamentalist theocratic dictatorship.

Comment: This is the first tv series in the list, and I can't wait! What can I say about this Margaret Atwood's novel? It's one of the greatest dystopian novels! The series will have 10 episodes. Also, Hulu has already showed us that it can make great book adaptation, after they released 11/22/63, by Stephen King, starring James Franco in 2016.

6. The Circle

Release Date: 28 April 2017

Director: James Ponsoldt

Starring: Tom Hanks, Emma Watson, Karen Gillan

Summary: A woman lands a job at a powerful tech company called the Circle, where she becomed involved with a mysterious man.

Comment: I expect this to be a powerful movie. The novel raised many serious questions, and please make this a film with the same concerns. Plus, I like the casting!

7. Everything, Everything

Release Date: 19 May 2017

Director: Stella Meghie

Starring: Amanda Stenberg, Nick Robinson, Anika Noni Rose

Summary: A teenager who's lived a sheltered life because she's aleergic to everything, falls for the boy who moves in next door.

Comment: A beloved YA romance! If you loved this novel (and I know that there are a lot of you), then you won't want to miss it.

8. Captain Underpants

Release Date: 2 June 2017 

Director: Rob Letterman, David Soren

Starring: Kevin Hart, Nick Kroll, Kristen Schaal

Summary: Two mischievious kids hypnotize their mean high school principal and turn him into their comic book creation, the kind-hearted and elastic-banded Captain Underpants.

Comment: This is going to be HILARIOUS! I mean, just look at the cast. And this is the only animated feature in this list!

9. My Cousin Rachel

Release Date: 14 July 2017

Director: Roger Michell

Starring: Rachel Weisz, Sam Claflin, Holliday Grainger

Summary: A young Englishman plots revenge against his mysterious, beautiful cousin, believing that she murdered his guardian. But his feelings become complicated as he finds himself falling under the beguiling spell of her charms.

Comment: It's yet another historical drama. This is enough reason for me to watch this movie. End of story.

10. The Dark Tower

Release Date: 28 July 2017 

Director: Nikolaj Arcel

Starring: Idris Elba, Matthew McConaughey, Katheryn Winnick

Summary: Gunslinger Roland Deschain roams an Old West-like landscape in searcch for the dark tower, in hopes that reaching it will preserve his dying world.

Comment: It's truth that Stephen King's novels usually make good movies. The Dark Tower series is an exceptionally popular one, and let's face it Idris Elba is the perfect casting for the Gunslinger!

11. It

Release Date: 8 September 2017

Director: Andrés Muschietti

Starring: Bill Skarsgård, Finn Wolfhard, Jaeden Lieberher

Summary: In a small town in Maine, seven children known as The Losers Club come face to face with life problems, bullies and a monster that takes the shape of a clown called Pennywise.

Comment: The second Stephen King novel in this list. There is actually a mini series adaptation of this novel back from 1990. Will this movie live up to its scary predecessor?

12. Murder On the Orient Express

Release Date: 22 November 2017

Director: Kenneth Branagh

Starring: Daisy Ridley, Johnny Depp, Penélope Cruz, Kenneth Branagh

Summary: Renowned Belgian detective Hercules Poirot investigates the murder of a wealthy American traveling on the Orient Express, the most famous train in the world.

Comment: This is one of my favourite adventures of Hercules Poirot! Apart from the novel, already exists an excellent adaptation of it from 1974. But I want to watch this new one mostly out of couriosity. How will be Kenneth Branagh as the famous detective?

13. Annihilation

Release Date: 2017

Director: Alex Garland

Starring: Natalie Portman, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Tessa Thomson

Summary: A biologist signs up for a dangerous, secret expendition where the laws of nature don't apply. 

Comment: It's Annihilation and it's Alex Garland! These two facts are enough for me to be super excited for this film. I hope that they will announce the release date soon, as well as some teaser/trailer. 

14. Graceling

Release Date: 2017

Director: TBA

Starring: TBA

Summary: A smart, beautiful young woman lives in a world where select people born with an extreme skill -- called a Grace -- are feared and exploited.

Comment: I love this fantasy series, and I can't wait for an adaptation of it! Unfortunately, we don't know anything about it yet.

15. On Chesil Beach

Release Date: 2017

Director: Dominic Cooke

Starring: Saoirse Ronan, Emily Watson, Anne-Marie Duff

Summary: A drama set in the early 1960's and centered on a young couple on their honeymoon. 

Comment: It's no secret that Ian McEwan is one of my favourite authors. On Chesil Beach is my second favourite novel of his (after Atonement). Plus, he wrote the movie script himself! 

16. American Gods

Release Date: 2017

Director: David Slade (3 eps.), Adam Kane (2 eps.), Vincenzo Natali (1 ep.), Guillermo Navarro (1 ep.), Floria Sigismondi (1 ep.), Craig Zobel (1 ep.)

Starring: Demore Barnes, Gillian Anderson, Yetide Badaki, Dane Cook, Ian McShane

Summary: A recently released ex-convict named Shadow meets a mysterious man who calls himself "Wednesday" and who knows more than he first seems to about Shadow's life and past.

Comment: Another favourite novel written by a favourite author. This is another 10 episode tv series to look for in 2017. This is a must-watch whenever they decide to release it!

17. Let it Snow

Release Date: 2017

Director:  TBA

Starring: TBA

Summary: Three unexpected romances take place over the course of one Christmas Eve.

Comment: We don't know anything yet about this upcoming movie, but it's safe to assume that it will be released at the end of 2017. Indeed, it will be the ideal holiday movie! 

Bonus:
18. Seasons of Heaven

Release Date: TBA

Studio: AnyArts Productions

Platform: Nintendo Switch

Summary: Seasons of Heaven is about a post-apocalyptic world, which has undergone some dramatic events. Thankfully, there are some survivors. The game will focus on Yann, a telepathic boy with Asperger's Syndrome, and his French bulldog, Ani. His parents, Elise and Tim, are part of a larger group of survivors, including James and Sarah, their son Thomas, and two other children called Nina and Ana.   

Comment: I have to be honest here: I've never heard of this novel. Could it be because it is a French novel? Does an English translation exist? Well, the game trailer is beautiful, and I can't wait to play it!

10 Miniseries Adaptations of the Classics Worth Checking Out

Hello, everyone! Miniseries adaptations of the classics have always been a favourite of mine. We all know those novels, even if we haven't read some of them. A number of them are huge, but the miniseries format means that there is enough time for the story to fully develop. There were a lot of such adaptations through the years and some classics have been adapted several times. In this list, I will count my favourite miniseries adaptations. But, in order to include everything, I will put only one title per author (otherwise it would be a Jane Austen list). 

10 Miniseries adaptations worth checking out

10. Tess of the D'Urbervilles (2008)

Tess of the D'Urbervilles, a novel by Thomas Hardy, was first published in 1891. It's the story of a poor girl, whose family finds out that they have noble connections. At the time of its publication. this novel shocked the readers. The adaptation was made by Dave Nicholls and stars Gemma Arterton and Eddie Redmayne.

9. Les Misérables (2000) 

Victor Hugo's novel was adapted for the big screen and the television numerous times. But, my absolutely favourite is this one from 2000. Both Gerard Depardieu and John Malkovich are ideal for the roles of Jean Valjean and Inspector Javert. Plus this miniseries is in French and this gives a lot to the result. 

8. The Pillars of the Earth (2010)  

This novel is actually a new classic since it was first published in 1989. It's an epic story that takes place in 12th century England. It revolves around the construction of a Gothic cathedral in the town of Kingsbridge and the struggle between good and evil.

7. He Knew He Was Right (2004) 

Anthony Trollope's drama about a man who cannot trust his wife is considered by many his greatest novel. The miniseries was directed by Tom Vaughan and the adaptation was made by Andrew Davies. 

6. Daniel Deronda (2002) 

Daniel Deronda is the last novel that George Eliot completed and the only one set in the Victorian society. It's a social satire and a moral searching, as well as a sympathetic rendering of Jewish ideas. The novel was adapted by Andrew Davies, the miniseries was directed by Tom Hooper and starred Hugh Dancy and Romola Garai.

5. Jane Eyre (1983)  

One of the most adapted novels is without a question Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte. My favourite adaptation is this one, of 1983. It's longer than the rest of the miniseries, having 11 episodes. Timothy Dalton's is by far my favourite portrayal of Rochester. 

4. Parade's End (2012)

Parade's End by Ford Madox Ford takes place during the World War I. A love triangle is formed between the old-fashioned Christopher Tietjens, his vindictive wife Sylvia and the young suffragette Valentine Wannop. The show cast Benedict Cumberbatch as Christopher, Rebecca Hall as Sylvia and Adelaide Clemens as Valentine.

3. Little Dorrit (2008)  

Little Dorrit by Charles Dickens satirizes the shortcomings of both government and society, especially the institution of debtor's prison. The miniseries adaptation is critically acclaimed and won seven Emmy Awards, including the Outstanding Miniseries Award. It's the longest show on the list with 14 episodes. 

2. North and South (2004)  

Elizabeth Gaskell's great love story is one of my favourite novels of all time. Margaret Hale is forced to move to the north town of Milton after her father decides to leave the clergy. There she meets the Thorton family, who ran one of the biggest cotton mills of the town and despise their inferiors. This story, apart from the romance, explores the themes of gender and class.

1. Sense and Sensibility (2008)

This was the most difficult decision I had to take. There are so many adaptations of Jane Austen's novels! So, I decided not to include one the well-known, like Pride and Prejudice (1995) or Persuasion (1995). Instead, my number 1 pick for the miniseries adaptations is Sense and Sensibility from 2008. This show was so beautifully directed, the cast was so suitable for the characters, I can't really have to say much, apart from urging you to watch it.  

Do you watch miniseries adaptations? Which ones are your favourites? If you have any other suggestions for future lists, please feel free to let me know!

Next Themed Read or List of Funny Books If You're In For A Laugh

As I've already told you the next themed read will  be funny books. I've given it a lot of thought and I finally came up with the books that best suit it. So, here is the complete list of the books I'll be reading from next week and on:

1. Good Omens: The Nice and Accurate Prophecies of Agnes Nutter, Witch (1990) by Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman

I'm excited to finally read this book! As a fan of Neil Gaiman, it was unforgivable of me to not have read it already. But I'm going to make it right. Plus, it's about time to read a little more Terry Pratchett.

2. Napalm & Silly Putty (2001) by George Carlin

If you are a fan of stand-up comedy, you certainly know who George Carlin is and the style of his comedy. I expect that this book will have me crying the whole time. If it's from the laughter or despair I'm not sure, but most probably from both of them. 

3. A Confederacy of Dunces (1980) by John Kennedy Toole

Is this the funniest book ever written? It most definitely has the reputation and I can't wait to find out if it's true. This novel was published after the suicide of the author and won a Pulitzer Prize. I'm really intrigued.

4. The Diary of a Provincial Lady (1930) by E.M. Delafield

This is an autobiographical novel that since its publication in 1930 has been very popular. It's considered one of the funniest books ever written and to be honest I like the whole theme it has.

5. Dear Luke, We Need To Talk, Darth: And Other Pop Culture Correspondences (2014) by John Moe

I don't need anything more than the title to read this book. Star Wars and other pop culture references are enough to guarantee that at least I'll dig in it with great interest. 

6. Funny Girl (2014) by Nick Hornby

Nick Hornby can be really funny. I mean really, really funny. I'm hoping that this novel as well will not disappoint me. But then again I've enjoyed every single book by Nick Hornby, so my expectations are high.

7. Tales Designed to Thrizzle (2009) by Michael Kupperman

A two-volume graphic novel. It's funny and it's quirky, what more is there to ask? Plus the cover is really intriguing.

Honourable mentions

The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy (1979) by Douglas Adams

What can I say about this series? You've probably read it and if you haven't just do it! This is for the time being the funniest book I've ever read. I won't read it though for the themed read because I've already had. Numerous times.

The Princess Bride (1973) by William Goldman

This book has everything. I know that the movie is well-known and it's really good, but I'm surprised that a lot of people haven't read the novel. It's probably one of the most underrated books and I recommend it wholeheartedly!

Bridget Jone's Diary (1996) by Helen Fielding

This is actually very, very funny. Yes, it's a romance. It's definitely something different from the rest of the books on this list, but it's very enjoyable.

So, this is it! Have you read any of those books?What did you think? Would you add any others?

10 Manga for Thriller, Fantasy and Sci-Fi Lovers

A few days earlier I posted a list with 10 Manga for Romance and Comedy Lovers and as I've already told you I prepared another one which covers other genres, such as fantasy, thriller and science fiction. In this list, there are both well known and popular series, as well as some of my personal favourites.

Death Note by Tsugumi Ohba

This series, which is illustrated by Takeshi Obata, is without a doubt one of the most popular and perhaps one of the best manga ever published. The story is thrilling with great twists and it has some iconic characters. Both Light and L are intoxicating and their intellectual battle throughout the series is fascinating. 

Rurouni Kenshin by Nobuhiro Watsuki

Rurouni Kenshin is a historical series. Himura Kenshin is an ex-assassin, who is now working as a rurouni, a wandering swordsman. Set in the Meiji period in Japan, is an excellent example of a samurai story. It also has a little romance. 

Fullmetal Alchemist by Himoru Arakawa

From the historical, samurai story, here we have a story full of alchemy. Two brothers, one who have lost a leg and an arm and another who his soul is trapped in a suit of armor. So, begins their journey to find the philosopher's stone, in order to regain their bodies. Another series very popular among the fantasy fans. 

Black Butler by Yana Toboso

Black Butler is an ongoing series. Set in Victorian England it manages to build an eerie atmosphere. Indeed, this series is purely a horror one. Young Ciel Phantomhive sells his soul to a demon, who he names Sebastian Michaelis. The demon takes his place beside Ciel as his butler in order help him take revenge for all his misfortunes. Interesting, right?

Akira by Katsuhiro Otomo

The first Sci-Fi manga on this list is Akira. We are transferred in Neo-Tokyo, in the year 2019, when Tetsuo, a young biker, releases from cryo-stasis Akira who possesses a destructive psychic ability. The story is filled with high-speed action, intriguing story and well-developed characters, making it one of the most impressive manga you'll come across. 

Berserk by Kentaro Miura

If you want to read a pure medieval, fantasy manga, with excellent sword fighting then you needn't search anymore. Berserk is an epic manga and it has everything, intrigue, betrayal, nude, sword fights and a lot of violence. The story is a little slow, have in mind that the series started being published in 1989 and it's still ongoing.

Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind by Hayao Miyazaki

Another epic fantasy series, this time from the legendary Studio Gibli director Hayao Miyazaki. This manga might seem more familiar to you because it was turned into a movie in 1984 by Miyazaki himself. The manga isn't one of the most popular ones possibly due to the film, but it's sure a magical adventure.

Monster by Naoki Urasawa

Monster in a profound series. Dr. Tenzo Kenma is a brain surgeon and one night he has to come into an important decision, whether to sacrifice the life of the town's Mayor or the one of a young child. He decides to perform the surgery on the young boy, thus saving him, but he has no way of knowing that he let loose a future serial killer. A great psychological thriller to give you the creeps.

Planetes by Makoto Yukimura

What is life like in outer space? This manga is about a team, whose job is to clean space debris from Earth's orbit. The feel is realistic, the characters are unique and it's a story based on people. Plus the art is amazing. 

Eden: It's an Endless World!

This list ends with a dystopian series. A new virus has killed the 15% of Earth's population and has crippled many more. It's based strongly on Gnostic mythology and all the major character have names of gnostic deities and have analogous roles.

Have you read any of those mangas? Would you add other to the list?