Books vs Film Adaptions

Hey guys, this is Abi here,

And I know I posted on Twitter that my review of The Girls would be up today, but I decided to post something a little different today!

So I want to pose the question:

Which one do you prefer, and if you could only have one, which would you choose?

This is sort of a discussion post, so let me know in the comments if you have any points that you'd like to make!

Enjoy!

The fact remains that both books and films are forms of entertainment, for all to enjoy. Books, made of millions and millions of words, are a personal thing, something to help the reader visualise the world that they have created, and leave space for the reader to see it the way that individual reads and imagines it. Books can be used to educate, to inform, and they can be about a world of different subjects, whether it discusses mental health, the LGBT community, or about disease, in a number of different formats. Words have the power to change people, for the better for the worst, and so many of those words are withheld within books.

Films, on the other hand, are what connects your eyes, and allow you to see the story, not with the mind, but with the eye, and allows you to marvel at the cinematography in these new worlds that someone, whether that be an author, or a director has created.

But to quote Shakespeare,

"Love looks not with the eyes but with the mind." 

And even though to read books and watch films aren't always to fall in love (though with characters like Edward Cullen, I'd hasten to disagree), people do learn to love with the mind, not so much as how someone looks. (Because you can love the way someone looks, but you fall in love with someone because of them, who they are as a person- look at me, becoming a love expect, not).

On the other hand, as much as films are good at appealing to wider audiences, with beautiful scenes and an easy following, they never feel exactly like they do in the books, (if they are book adapted films, that is). The characters are never as well developed, because you are never able to tell what the characters are thinking, and so they are harder to relate to.

To wrap this discussion up, I think that I'm going to have to opt for books. As well as the fact that we can relate to the characters easier, because we are reading from their perspective, but because reading about these characters give us the chance to create our own unique vision of them. Films may be the bridge for a wider audience, but many of the world-winning films we have today would not exist without books.

But as this is a discussion, I would like to know what you guys think? Do you have any points that I missed for either films or books? Would you rather watch films than read books? Let me know in the comments, and I will reply when I can.

So that was my Books vs Films discussion! I hope you all have a wonderful weekend and I will see you on Monday!

Byeeeee!

-Abi xxxxxx

Introducing... Songs About Us, by Chris Russell

Hey guys, this is Abi here,

It's so hot today! Can anybody else feel this heat?

Now today I wanted to talk about a book that comes out next week, and just screams summer! (Mainly because it comes out in the peak summer time).

And that book is Songs About Us, by Chris Russell!

Enjoy!

Now, if you've been following this blog for a while, then you know that I read the first book in the series last September, and even though it wasn't my normal cup of tea, I was thoroughly (and pleasantly) surprised by how much I enjoyed it.

For the first book, you can check out my review here. (What I loved was that the author, Chris Russell actually contacted me about my review, which was absolutely amazing! He's so lovely, and I can't wait to read the second book in the series).

Songs About A Girl (Songs About A Girl #1), by Chris Russell Review

Now, this wasn't a recap of the first book, but an introduction of the second (though you should expect a re-read of the first next month, just a heads up).

The next book in the series is called Songs About Us, and I'm warning you now, there might be a couple of spoilers in the blurb.

I've warned you! Here's the blurb and the cover for Songs About Us:

 "Two months on from the explosive finale to book one, Charlie's life is almost back to normal again: rebuilding her relationship with her father, hanging out with best mate Melissa, and worrying about GCSEs. All the while, Gabe's revelations about her mother are never far from her mind. And neither is Gabe.

It's not long before Charlie is pulled back into the world of Fire&Lights - but the band seem different this time. But then again, so is she...

Meanwhile, tensions between Gabe and Olly continue to run high, leading to more turmoil between the band members and press than ever before. But when Gabriel and Charlie stumble upon yet another startling truth that links them together - everything they have stands to implode in front of them."

I'm reading this blurb, and I'm getting both the feeling that I know which was the story is heading, but also a complete unknown.

But what I can take from this blurb is that there will definitely be romance, tension, and it's good to see the family aspect hasn't been lost in the second book either.

But what I can predict is that this will be an amazing book of love, choice, chasing your dreams and finding the truth.

Let me know in the comments if you are looking forward to this as much as I am! I can't wait to see what happens in this and how the story will continue.

So I will see you all on Friday, and I hope you have a wonderful day (and try and get a tan)!

Byeeeeee!

-Abi xxxxxx

July TBR (2017)

Hey guys, this is Abi here,

And today I am posting my July TBR, because there's nothing to keep you motivated than to post a TBR, and they are one of my favourites to post! Hey, let me know what you guys like to see, what your favourite posts are, and I'll try to post more! (Let me know in the comments).

But anyway, here are the books I plan to read in July!

1. Northern Lights (The Dark Materials #1), by Philip Pullman

This was actually perfect timing. Not only is it the Booksplotion book for the month of July (starts 7pm EST on the 14th??? I want to say- which is midnight for us in the UK- yet I will stay up if it kills me), but it is also the book of the month for my book-club at my public Waterstones, so I actually have a reason to pick it up now! This book has seemingly been out for centuries, so I appreciate any thoughts anyone might have on these books!

2. The Circle, by Dave Eggers

I don't know all that much about this, but from what I've heard, that's the best way to go into these types of thrillers (yes, it is a thriller, apparently). But this book kind of brings into question what society would be like if people were following literally your every move-through social media. They would be watching you for every second, knowing every you know because seeing is believing, right? This book follows a character who finds out a secret about the organisation, an organisation that is seeking to change the world itself in it's image, change the idea of what the world is, and I have to say, I look forwards to seeing how this book goes.

3. The Chemist, by Stephenie Meyer

Yet another thriller, but a lot more fast paced, I hope, and less mystery, this tells the story of an ex-agent that must take on one more job. Except she is on the run from the agency, and this one job is to clear her name.

Okay, somehow I got the hardback copy for this, but I'm not complaining.

And may I say that cover is beautiful!

But yeah, I'm looking forward to reading what else she can write. Thoughts on my wrap-up.

4. Strange the Dreamer, by Laini Taylor

Although I'm new to Laini Taylor's works, what pulled me towards this book (besides the beautiful cover, I must admit) was the weird and crazy premise that dreams choose their host, not the other way around. That's basically all I know, but this book has got nothing but amazing reviews, and I think it's time that I pick up a Laini Taylor book, so no time like the present!

5. Six of Crows (Six of Crows #1), by Leigh Bardugo

Although I didn't give this book the best review first time around, I am determined to see this duology through to the end and to do that I need to re-read the first book so I can see what happens in Crooked Kingdom, the second book in the duology. This follows a combination of characters with a unique set of skills of on an impossible heist, and they may be able to do it- if they don't end up killing each-other first. As well as packing a seriously powerful punch, the character dynamic is also a little more interesting and toxic than normal, so I am looking forward to marathoning this duology at the end of the month.

Big Little Lies, by Liane Moriarty

DO NOT STRESS Moriarty Fans! I am still reading Big Little Lies, I just didn't include it on this list because I am literally 50 pages away from finishing it, and I will be finishing it before I sleep tonight! More on my wrap up (though I could be tempted to review it if you guys want it so).

On that note, that is the end of my July TBR! I hope you have a wonderful day, and I hope you all read some wonderful books, whatever they may be! I just posted on my Instagram, the current books I own that I will be reading this month, so check it out!

So, byeeeee!

-Abi xxxxxxx