Books I’d Like To See Adapted into Films…

I will 90% always prefer books to any movie made that is based upon them. For example, although the movie was great, I will prefer Where Rainbows End to Love, Rosie (same with P.S I Love You for that matter.) My Sister’s Keeper is another example. I preferred the book and definitely preferred the novel’s ending to the movie adaptation. It is always tricky when it’s a book you love so much. You have such an idea of what the scenery looks like, the appearance of the characters; a solid picture is formed and it’s hard to shift.

However, there are exceptions – Bridget Jones’ Diary, I’m talking to you. I adore the film as much as the book. The second movie not so much but it was always going to fall short because of its lack of the Colin Firth interview scene which couldn’t be done for obvious reasons. I did think the adaptation of The Fault in Our Stars was quite faithful to its source material. I will read things though and I will wonder what the scenes would look like if they were to be adapted into movies or I will think that what I am reading would make a great film.

Here are seven novels I’d like to see adapted (seven because I couldn’t pick just five)…

Penguin, 2014

The Friday Project, 2011

The Rosie Project by Graeme Simsion.

I adored this book and Don Tillman is one of my favourite fictional characters. Rumours are that this has already been put into pre-production/development and this makes me very excited. There are some humorous and very touching moments in this book and I think it will translate well to film (especially if Simsion has anything to do with the script.)

The basic premise is that having never had a second date, Don Tillman devises the Wife Project – a scientific experiment to find the perfect wife for him. Then in walks Rosie, the girl that doesn’t fit into any of his criteria.

According to IMDb, Jennifer Lawrence has been cast as Rosie. In my opinion, Jennifer has proven that she can do serious and quirky (she was great in The Silver Linings Playbook.) I am eagerly anticipating this adaptation.

The Tiny Wife by Andrew Kaufman is another book I’d love to see turn into a movie.

I loved this book. The plot is so interesting and I took away a great message from it and so I think it would make a great film. A robber walks into a bank but instead of taking money, he steals an item of sentimental value from each of the people in the bank. After the robbery, strange things start happening to these people. It’s a book about appreciating what you have before it is too late.

The plot is a great premise and I’d be interested to see where they would go with the film. There is such an atmosphere to this book. The only thing about this book if it were to be adapted is that it’s only about eighty pages long so there would be a bit of script padding which isn’t always good.

Another book I’d like to see adapted is Red Queen by Victoria Aveyard.

Orion, 2015

Like The Rosie Project, this is already marked as in development and I am eager to see whether this project gets going as I loved this book and I think it has the potential to make a great YA series. Mere lives in a world where you are defined by the colour of your blood. The reds (like Mere,) are the commoners. The Silvers are the ones with the powers. I have only recently read this but couldn’t out it down and I believe it could be as good as The Hunger Games adaptations which I do like. It definitely has a Hunger Games feel to it in my opinion.

There were scenes in this book that would look so cool on-screen; like the silver power demonstrations. I have also been thinking who I would cast in the main roles. I couldn’t decide for Mare and Maven but I think Natalie Dormer (Game of Thrones) would make a great Farley, Theo James (Divergent) would make a good Cal I think and Cara Delevinge would be great as Evangeline. What do you think?

The fourth book I would like to see adapted is Billy & Me by Giovanna Fletcher.

This was one of my favourite books from 2013. I adore the cover of the book. It is so romantic and I believe it would translate onto the screen as a romantic comedy. It has a lovely ‘Notting Hill’ vibe to it. I am not sure whether it would feel right if it wasn’t based in England as it has so much of a British feel to it with Rosefont Hill (which sounds so beautiful that I want to visit.) I want to see this lovely world that I have imagined whilst reading this novel. It’s very whimsical and I like that. I’d also like to see it with the Christmas novella as the ending (any excuse for Christmas themed movies.) Have you read Billy & Me? Who would you cast?

Penguin, 2014

Penguin, 2013

Half Bad by Sally Green is the fifth book I’d like to see be adapted into a film.

It gives me the same type of feel as Red Queen does and it was one of my favourite YA books of last year. I just think that this book lends itself to the big screen. Nathan is stuck between two worlds. He is a white witch and a black witch and neither side are keen to welcome him. He doesn’t quite know where to go or who to trust. Nathan is a fantastic character and has such a presence on the page. I don’t know, I am picturing someone like Nat Wolff playing him. I am not sure why. Come on film studios. Adapt this already.

The sixth book I’d like to see adapted is Before I Met You by Lisa Jewell.

Arlette has just arrived in London at the beginning of the 1920’s. It’s vibrant, exciting and full of music, parties and jazz. Betty arrives in London in the mid 90’s and is anxious to find out more about the mysterious woman who has been named in her late Grandmother’s will. Both women are alone and are looking for something. I loved the parallel stories in this book and would love to see it on-screen. I think both women are so interesting and the plot is compelling. I like it when films are set over the different eras.

The final book I would like to see adapted for the cinema is Everyday by David Levithan.

Arrow, 2013

Egmont, 2013

Again, this is a book I’ve only recently read this year and it was another one that I couldn’t seem to put down once I started it. I think this book is great and has such a fascinating premise. A never stays in one place for more than a day. In fact, he never stays in one body more than a day. He moves around not knowing whose life he is going to visit next. He’s happy with this until he meets Rhiannon and suddenly moving around isn’t something he wants to do anymore.

This book reminded me SO much of Quantum Leap which I watched religiously growing up (I’d like to see a movie of that too to be honest.) This would make a great film I think.

Which books would you like to see adapted? 

by

Laura

I’m Laura. I started Novel Kicks in 2009. I wanted a place to post my writing as well as give other writers like me the opportunity to do the same. There is also a monthly book club, a writing room which features writing prompts, book reviews, competitions, author interviews and guest posts.

I grew up by the sea (my favourite place in the world) and I currently live in Hampshire. I am married to Chris, have a cat named Buddy and I would love to be a writer. I’m trying to write the novel I’ve talked so much about writing if only I could stop pressing delete. I’ve loved writing since creative writing classes in primary school. I have always wanted to see my teacher Miss Sayers again and thank her for the encouragement. When not trying to write the novel or writing snippets of stories on anything I can get my hands on, I love reading, dancing like a loon and singing to myself very badly. My current obsession is Once Upon a Time and I would be happy to live with magic in the enchanted forest surrounded by all those wonderful stories provided that world also included Harry Potter. I love reading chick lit. contemporary fiction and novels with mystery.