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I am reading "Ocean's 11" by Dewey Gram! It was a great book from start to finish! I like to compare books to its movie adaptations!
👉 https://www.sunshinerodgers.com/movie...
I cannot wait to review Ocean's 11 (hint: I think the book is better!) 😉
Sunshine wrote: "I am reading "Ocean's 11" by Dewey Gram! It was a great book from start to finish! I like to compare books to its movie adaptations!
👉 https://www.sunshinerodgers.com/movie...
I cannot..."
Hey wow Sunshine! My kids (Students actually but I call them my kids - just love them!) are also right now totally into Ocean's 11 because of an English project that they are doing (IBDP-2) & they too are looking into the movie adaptations. They are enjoying the 2001 movie version I believe, which apparently has sequels.
I need to read & analyze this book then by Gram on my website portfolio website too & probably discuss it during my tuition classes or keep it as a book project - yep Sunshine - you got me ready for my kid's next book club read as well - thank you so much!
I am now checking out your awesomesauce website - & oh my Jesus - it is gorgeous & SO ORGANIZED & CLEAN & DELCIOUS TO READ! Wow - I need to check more of your movie vs book reviews out pronto! I am a hopeless movie reviewer & I need all the help I can get! Thank you for sharing your awesomeclicious website Sunshine! :) :D
I am totally checking this out & here is my messy website portfolio for my International Board teaching course -
https://fizapathansteachingportfoliof...
Let me know what you think! It will be completely done by the end of this week! Yeah, then I can party with my cat, my family, my support staff & of course, my nun friends!
And I think I'll always agree on the point that the book is always better - but I would really love to hear from you some options where the opposite is the case! Would love to hear more Sunshine! - I love your name! <3 :D
Sunshine wrote: "I am reading "Ocean's 11" by Dewey Gram! It was a great book from start to finish! I like to compare books to its movie adaptations!
👉 https://www.sunshinerodgers.com/movie...
I cannot..."
Just realized too that you are an author & I am totally into your own books right now! I'm especially intrigued by 'Be The Sunshine' your testament about how it feels to have a name like 'Sunshine'. Amazing - Tell us & especially me more about this book of yours Sunshine & your literature as well! :) :D
Awesome - Awesome - Awesome! God bless you girl! And Travis too! He is a lucky man! :) :D
Hi Fiza, I always have several books to hand, some paperback, some on Audible, and now on the Kindle ap. My reading taste is eclectic: what I'm reading depends on where I am, time of day, what I'm working on, if I'm alone or there are other people around especially if I'm on Audible, lol.It's a mixture of more serious subjects and ongoing projects I'm working with, knowledge I'm interested in, and books I'm reading for pure entertainment.
Currently reading:
'Wild Heart' (Murphy Brothers series, book 1) by Spencer Spears, (rereading one of my fave MM series);
'The Charm Offensive' by Alison Cochrun (rereading one of my fave books, an MM love story featuring a POC & a neurodivergent MCs) ;
'The Story is in Our Bones: How Worldviews and Climate Justice Can Remake a World in Crisis' by Osprey Orielle Lake;
'The Nepalese Shamanic Path' by Evelyn Rysdek with Bhola Nath Banstola (excellent info, with illustrations & photos);
'An African American and Latinx History of the United States' by Paul Ortiz;
'We Will Be Jaguars: A Memoir of My People' by Nemonte Nenquimo, with Mitch Anderson (the author has devoted her life to saving the Amazonian rainforests, great info!);
'A Curse of Scales and Flame' (Marvels and Magic series) Great! it's got sexy Dragons, a curse, & complex magic, what else can I say? Oh yeah, a fun love story! (grin) by Max Walker;
'Cynicism and Magic' (Intelligence & Intuition on the Buddhist Path) by Chögyam Trungpa;
'Heart2Heart Anthology' (volume 8, A Collection Supporting LGBTQ+ Charity) by various authors (a really great collection of short, diverse tales).
Maybe you were trying to concentrate on one-book-at-a-time type reading, but that's not how I read, lol.
Re: films vs books: quality?Another POV about the book always being better than the movie; I disagree. Two obvious exceptions to me are: 'Under the Tuscan Sun': the book was tedious with gaps in continuity, but the film was fabulous! The screenwriters pulled it into a more cohesive tale and even though they took a few liberties with the timeline, it played out more understandably. Didn't care for the book, loved the film!
The other film that immediately comes to mind is an old favorite of mine, 'Blade Runner' storyline comes from the science fiction book, 'When Androids Dream of Electric Sheep' by Philip K. Dick. I actually liked the original tale a lot, but the film was even better, although I think part of the original premise was a bit hazy in the film (see book title).
Choyang wrote: "Hi Fiza, I always have several books to hand, some paperback, some on Audible, and now on the Kindle ap. My reading taste is eclectic: what I'm reading depends on where I am, time of day, what I'm ..."I love the books you are reading Choyang! JUST LOVED THEM!
And like you I too read a lot of books at one time. But most Gen-Z & Gen-Alpha kids these days can only concentrate on one book at a time, at least the ones who surround me back here! Therefore I said only one book. :D :)
I especially love your MM titles & the 'Heart2Heart Anthology'. It is available here too at the bookstore near my place called Title Waves so I'll pick it up the next time I am around, which will be really soon! I love LGBTQIA+ reads like anything, & when I get a great rec from someone I immediately add it to my collection.
Any mention up til now in the book about the crisis that LGBTQIA+ Catholic couples are facing? My ministry is to aid, counsel & minister to the spiritual needs of Catholic LGBTQIA+ individuals who are usually ostracised by their Catholic Church & communities here in India & abroad. I work with them as a Catholic Consecrated Virgin to give them spiritual solace, counselling, strength to never give up on their love for each other, & of course to minister to their everyday needs; & I just love their tenacity, resilience & the way they continue to stick by each other even in the face of several adversities both from the Church & the non-Catholic Government. They are invariably teaching me how to love God more day by day!
Heterosexual or cis-gendered inter-faith couples & inter-caste couples are targeted here too in India, which has become very intolerant all of a sudden (you must be aware of that!). But these latter couples most of the time break up & give into societal pressure - but not my LGBTQIA+ Catholic friends! Now this is true love!
So I would definitely love to know if anything on that topic is being discussed in the book. Nevertheless, I am TBRing it.
I also loved your 'The Story is in Our Bones: How Worldviews and Climate Justice Can Remake a World in Crisis' by Osprey Orielle Lake. It will be great for my IBDP kids or students & so I am TBRing that one too. We as a Board (IB) as you know are always into Climate Justice & creating sustainable long-term goals to solve the climate crisis the world is undergoing, especially poor India & especially poor me! I am literary gasping or panting most of my time since October 2025 because of the increase in air pollution in India (the air is thick with aerosols!) & some of us who have weak lungs have become really sick because of the same - & have developed wheezing issues! (me!)
So this is so real for me & so invariably for my kids who adore me & so I'll check that book out too. A cultural context per country is great to read about!
How are the MM romances going & which one do you prefer Choyang? Would love to know your thoughts. :) :D
Choyang wrote: "Re: films vs books: quality?Another POV about the book always being better than the movie; I disagree. Two obvious exceptions to me are: 'Under the Tuscan Sun': the book was tedious with gaps in ..."
I shall keep these two movies in mind then Choyang, because I've always been really unlucky with movies all my life. I always choose a movie because it is based on a book I've read & loved, & somehow, the movie does not ultimately draw me in like the book usually does. I rarely have ever therefore watched films, but now it is a main part of me being a teacher of IB & IGCSE kids & so I have indulge in them.
I have not yet read the Philip K.Dick title nor the contemporary classic 'Under the Tuscan Sun' but hope to do so now since you've given both as movie recs. Will TBR the books & thereby will keep their respective movies in mind.
I will never forget the time I read 'The Exorcist' the book AFTER I watched the movie & the latter almost made me hate the whole concept. But then the book saved the day. Yet, there are plenty of people out there, especially horror fans like me (maybe you?), who adore the movie & not the book. In fact, they find the book slow & the detective scenes too interrupting; though I loved that weird detective guy! :D
Then there was 'The Omen' - another boring film for me but a winner of a book nevertheless - Luckily I had read the book first before watching the Gregory Peck film.
I am open to more movie recs Choyang & anyone else reading this chat! Please feel free to give me some recs & each other as well! I for one am totally desperate, because I am clueless! :) :D
Hi Fitz, glad I can be of service, even if it's just book & film recs!So, which book I'm currently reading is my fave? Hmm...it's difficult to say because there is more than one category. So I'll pick 2 or 3 (ok 4):
Non-fiction:
1). 'The Story is in Our Bones' is one. I like the way the author visualizes how people's heritage, including their family trees, play a part in discovering and hopefully understanding more clearly how we each connect to a place, since so many of us have mixed heritage (me included). (paperback)
2). 'We Will Be Jaguars' (Audible) listening to the tales of the author's childhood, of her growing up in a tribe that lived deep in the Amazon Rainforest are fascinating and heartbreaking! What happend to their tribe (and others) when misguided religious people started invading their land to "educate the savages" but their methods are counter-productive by trying to shame and browbeat them into submission. Then there are the greedy businesses from outside their culture who st_art destroying the rain forests for their own profit. I like that the author grew up to be a "voice for the people" in saving these precious rainforests!
And fiction:
3). 'Heart2Heart Anthology' (vol.8) is a wonderful collection of short stories (to date: Jan. 29, 2026) I have only read 5 tales so far; loved 4 of them but the other tale was a bit obsessive/possessive and stalker-ish, and BDSM for my tastes, although there were aspects I did like, especially about one of the MCs (a dancer) learning about setting boundaries with his family, especially a "drama queen" verbally & emotionally abusive mother, and a "checked out" father who basically ignored his children and let his wife do whatever she wanted.
4). 'The Charm Offensive' features a depressed POC (India/USA guy) the contestant handler, and a neurodivergent (USA/white guy) suffering from panic attacks, as the contestant, in an MM love story that revolves around filming one of those "reality" shows where the producers set up various scenarios, which of course are rigged towards pulling maximum viewers, in setting up a M/F "love story". But it's the gay handler and the virgin contestant who has no idea what he is, has never dated women or men, and apparently had no interest in doing so before he met Dev. I don't much care for "reality shows", but the storyline is great! I'm on my 5 or 6 reread! Only this time I'm on Audible; like the narr÷really cool
(FYI: this is a huge book, weighs about 3 lbs!) I really am loving reading this though, and know I will keep to reread!
Re: films: I read the book 'The Exorcist' several years ago, before I saw the film. In the edition I had there was a prologue about the origins of that demon, which was interesting. I saw the film several years later and didn't really like it that much; it WAS creepy though! (NOTE: the book was based on a real story that happened in USA (1950s?) in one of the Southern states (I forgot which one, maybe Georgia or North Carolina?) but the child was a boy and the Catholic priest didn't die; the exorcism was successful)
Re: 'The Omen', never saw it.
(imho) One of the best horror movies I've seen was 'The Shining' based on Stephen King's book; I liked the book ending better than the film's though.
Funny thing: I used to really like horror movies from the weirdly classic 'Nosferatu' (The Vampyre) to 'The Haunting of Hill House' based on Shirley Jackson's book (the film was better than the book), to Roman Polanski's old film, 'The Fearless Vampire Killers' a comedy, but still made me jump!
But now, I can't watch violent horror movies anymore; not sure what changed but I just don't like them. I DO still like weird & eerie though, ghostly things... but not zombies.
Oh, I do have another film rec in the psychologically spooky category:
'The Others' starring Nichole Kidman. I figured out pretty early in the film what was happening but it didn't affect my enjoyment.
(I used to be a film buff, especially for the old ones but haven't been in a while and we no longer have a TV or a computer so no more access to films, either classic or new, unfortunately!)
Ah well..."C'est la vie!" (laughing)
Fiza wrote: "Sunshine wrote: "I am reading "Ocean's 11" by Dewey Gram! It was a great book from start to finish! I like to compare books to its movie adaptations!
👉 https://www.sunshinerodgers.com/movie......"
I enjoy both the Ocean's 11 movie and book. Keep in mind, the book has more curse words. And both are clearly PG-13 for language and Las Vegas thematics. I enjoy watching the movie (and all its sequels).
In my opinion, there are plenty of movies that beat out the book:
The Story of Us by Teri Wilson
October Kiss by Kristen Ethridge
A Shoe Addict's Christmas by Beth Harbison
A Christmas to Remember by Rebecca Moesta
Call me Mrs. Miracle by Debbie Macomber
To name a few
And yes, I have been a published author for 11 years/ 15 books. "Be the Sunshine" is a Nonfiction Christian about spreading kindness and joy into the world. I didn't want it all to be about me, so I interviewed seven others who share their personal stories as well.
Great to connect with you on GR!
Sunshine wrote: "Fiza wrote: "Sunshine wrote: "I am reading "Ocean's 11" by Dewey Gram! It was a great book from start to finish! I like to compare books to its movie adaptations!
👉 https://www.sunshinerodgers.co..."
My pleasure Sunshine & I am checking out your book ASAP. It is so amazing to meet an author of your distinction & it is such an honor - unbelievable! You are so humble woman! You can expect a review of 'Be the Sunshine' from me pretty soon. They call me either 'Sunshine' or 'Sunflower' back here in Mumbai. India, & especially at my workplace & my tutorials. I prefer Sunflower - so I guess we are well met! Will stay in touch with you & especially I will keep an eye out for the movies. I think I will watch Oceans 11 soon, wish me luck - because I am so unlucky with my movie viewing. There have been several times when my family & college friends have booked tickets to the theatre or PVR & I just get up mid-way during the movie & head out to the lounge or cafe to drink coffee & read a book instead! They still are sweet & patient enough to keep taking me on movie dates. My kids (students) though always manage to keep me in the movie seat (we go out for movies too! I am an unconventional teacher!)! Lots of love & God bless you Sunshine! Hope we can work together as well! :) :D
Choyang wrote: "Hi Fitz, glad I can be of service, even if it's just book & film recs!So, which book I'm currently reading is my fave? Hmm...it's difficult to say because there is more than one category. So I'll..."
Okay, that 'The Charm Offensive' is winning the day for me as well as obviously 'Heart2Heart' - I am so in love with such literature that my Bishop does not know what to do with me! And he cannot avoid me either, I am too way popular & famous back here & I bring in a lot of cash to the coffers with my positive & uplifting ministry work with the LGBTQIA+ Catholic community & other LGBTQIA+ individuals from other communities. I want to now interview some senior citizen drag queens & kings from my part of town for my website teaching portfolio, but it is a task to get out of my house right now with the wheezing issue I am facing since October 2025 because of the air pollution in my city of Mumbai. Wish me luck, the drag kings especially have wonderful stories to tell of how they made a niche for themselves back here! Lots of love to you Choyang & keep on rocking it! :) :D Will keep you in my prayers always! Hope you get access to a TV or computer ASAP. May many books surround you nevertheless always! I totally understand the situation, most of Dalit India is facing a similar situation in rural areas in our country whom I also work with at the grassroots level. That is why I wrote that short story of mine 'Caste Metal' which I adore so much to bits! Totally can understand, & another thing is back here in India outside on the outskirts of Mumbai, you get no clean toilet or drinking water! Yep, you heard me right - no water for days & weeks together, all the water only goes to Mumbai where I live - just because it is the commercial capital! You can't imagine what I am trying to do to help the people out back there - it is just so deplorably unfair & plain inhumane - I could write a thesis on this! Let us pray for more peace & sanity in our time everyone here on Mehmet's & Jane's awesome GR Group! Keep in touch - Happy Reading to all! :) :D
I read Keeper of Lost Children by Sadeqa Johnson It is historical fiction , based on the accomplishments of an actual person. It is truly a heartwarming story and I strongly recommend it. My 5 star review https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
I'm currently reading Wild Thing by Sue Prideaux, a biography of the post-impressionist painter, Paul Gauguin. A compassionate and engaging read detailing the formative years and personal experiences that shaped the artist. Gauguin was born in France, raised in Peru, traveled wide, and eventually settled in the French colony of Tahiti. All this makes for a fascinating portrait of the life of an artist and the development of modern art ideas, all set to the back-drop of catastrophic imperialism and the early days of global capitalism. I have also always enjoyed reading books that have been made into films. Some of my favourites, off the top of my head:
No Country for Old Men
The Collector
A Scanner Darkly
Naked Lunch
We Need to Talk About Kevin
Day of the Triffids
The Godfather
Empire of the Sun
American Psycho
Heart of Darkness
Moby-Dick
Dracula
Clockwork Orange
Deliverance
Jaws
Tarantula
Trainspotting
Hi everyone! 😊These days I’m switching between fiction and non-fiction. I’m currently reading a psychological thriller, but I also keep a non-fiction book nearby — I like balancing imagination with reflection.
I really enjoy stories that stay with you after you close the book, especially when they explore fear, faith, or moral choices rather than just action.
Looking forward to seeing what everyone else is reading — I’m always adding new titles to my TBR 📚
Hi Graham, great list — that’s a serious reading spine.I really like how many of those books explore moral ambiguity and discomfort rather than offering easy answers. No Country for Old Men and We Need to Talk About Kevin still sit with me long after reading — especially in how silence and restraint can be more disturbing than explicit violence.
I’m curious: which adaptation do you think diverged most meaningfully from its source — in a good way?
I’ve just stayed Return to Aberdeen Manor book 2 The writings of C.k Smith I’ve really enjoyed
Vasyl wrote: "Hi Graham, great list — that’s a serious reading spine.I really like how many of those books explore moral ambiguity and discomfort rather than offering easy answers. No Country for Old Men and We..."
Hi Vasyl - that's a good question to ponder...
And yes, I agree that a morally ambivalent tale can be most appealing and I'm attracted to these types of fiction - I guess I prefer NOT being told what to think/feel: the writing style in No Country is, I think, really reflected in the landscapes, silences, and slow burning disbelief of the film. The line 'well, you can't stop what's coming' sort of sums up the concept of both the book and film: violence is coming, that's guaranteed, and you might not even recognise it when it arrives. As you say, a similar theme is provoked in We Need to Talk About Kevin - no answers or logic are provided, they are notable by their absence, although perhaps some redemption is offered at the end of the Kevin film (I can't recall if the book is the same). Both books/films juxtapose the humdrum and hokey with horrific, untold acts of violence - like Lynch does with Twin Peaks and Blue Velvet - kind of asking, what part is normal society, the humdrum or the threat of violence? Do we create the humdrum as a hopeless antithesis, a way of coping with the reality of the horrors in our society?
I think both No Country and Kevin are excellent film adaptations. As books they are multi-layered, dense with ambivalence, and feature strongly written characters throughout - the films don't shirk any of this, or try to dilute the complexities, instead they utilise these factors to create a creeping dread and confusion that leaves you hooked. Also, both books and films are well worthy of a re-read/re-watch - a mark of a good book/film for me is that you can get something different every time you read/watch.
The Collector is a really dark read, that also offers no explanation, remorse or hope. I actually found it quite challenging to read as it fed into my own fears as a father of a ten year old girl, but it's still a brilliant book, original and deeply traumatic. It's the kind of book I would have tore through in my 20's, enjoying the black humour and psychotic extremes, a la American Psycho. In my 40's I can still enjoy and appreciate the style, but the violence (and, more so, the threat of violence) towards women, really lingered with me and the foul-taste was prevalent throughout reading. I've not yet seen the film version (made in the 1960's), I've heard it's a sanitised interpretation of the novel. A contemporary alternative to this book/film might be the Silence of the Lambs series of books/films (the original, pre-Anthony Hopkins as Hannibal Lector, Man Hunter film is a 1980's high point, for me).
I'm not sure that even answered your question, but I enjoyed writing my response ;-)
What are your favourite books that have been adapted into films?
G
Heart of Darkness
A Scanner Darkly
Naked Lunch
We Need to Talk About Kevin
Day of the Triffids
The Godfather
Empire of the Sun
American Psycho
Heart of Darkness
Moby-Dick
Dracula
Clockwork Orange
Deliverance
Jaws
Tarantula
Trainspotting
Just wanted to know, besides reading the awesome books & short stories or non-fiction reads available here on Mehmet's & Jane's GR Group, what else is everyone reading?
How are you enjoying or not so enjoying your current read? - & let us get to know more about it to add to our own TBR collection & so that we too can improve our craft & our style of writing or maybe make even better than it already is!
Go for it everyone! :) :D Would love to hear your thoughts on this! :) :D