Top Ten Tuesday - Books I Want to See Made Into Movies

Top Ten Tuesday is an original feature / weekly meme hosted by The Broke and the Bookish. Each week we make a top ten list from a given topic.

This week's topic is

Books I Want To See Made Into Movies

I love this topic! While there are a great many movies based on books I would like to see remade, I have tried to include only those that someone haven't already attempted to bring to the big screen. I may not have succeeded completely in doing this.

1) The Lies of Locke Lamora by Scott Lynch
This is one of my favourite books, and it could be a fantastic movie or a complete disaster, depending on who, what and how. I'd still like to see someone try.

2) Cinderella: Ninja Warrior by Maureen McGowan
I loved this fairy tale retelling, and while I was reading I kept thinking "this scene would look great on screen!"

3) Dirk Pitt series by Clive Cussler
Yes, I know they have tried a couple of times, but they still haven't gotten it right. I haven't seen Raise the Titanic but I hear it's terrible. Sahara wasn't too bad, but the casting was completely wrong (with the exception of William H. Macy). I would love to see a series of movies based on the books with no Matthew Mc-I-can't-spell-his-last-name in sight.

4) The Subtle Knife & The Amber Spyglass by Philip Pullman
Filming only the first book in a trilogy is just wrong, even if it includes Nicole Kidman.

5) Inkspell & Inkdeath by Cornelia Funke
See above (substitute Nicole Kidman for Brendan Fraser).

6) A Discovery of Witches by Deborah Harkness
I haven't actually read this book yet, but the premise sounds like it would make a great movie.

7) The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman
I think all of Gaiman's work would translate well onto the big screen. I can't decide whether I would prefer this one to be animated or "real" (no 3D please!).

8) The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafón
The Cemetery of Forgotten Books! Plus, a brilliant storyline and historical Barcelona. Why isn't this a movie already?

9) Harry Hole series by Jo Nesbø
I hear this might be made into a TV series in Britain, but I'm suprised the books haven't been filmed in Norway a long time ago.

10) The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien
It's finally being made! I can't wait!

What books would you like to see on the big screen?

It's Monday, What Are You Reading?

It's Monday, What Are You Reading is a weekly meme hosted by Sheila at Book Journey. It is where we gather to share what we have read this past week and what we plan to read this week.

I didn't get too much reading done last week, because it was all about the World Men's Curling Championships (and those curling games are long!). Unfortunately Norway lost to Sweden in the bronze final yesterday, so it didn't end quite the way I was hoping for. Oh well, there's always next year. Back to reading now!

FINISHED LAST WEEK
I finished and reviewed Cinderella: Ninja Warrior by Maureen McGowan; a fun and interesting twist on the old fairy tale. I really enjoyed it!

CURRENTLY READING
I'm about half-way through Outside In by Maria V. Snyder, but I can't seem to get into it the way I did with Inside Out. I'm feeling a little confused as there is a lot going on and a host of characters to remember. Hopefully it will all come together in the last half.

WHAT'S NEXT
Every time I look at my bulging bookshelf I feel guilty for leaving so many fantastic books unread. I wish I was a faster reader! And thanks to the Book Soulmates' RAK feature I have been given some great e-books too (and I tend to forget about them because I don't see them on my shelf on a regular basis). So what's next? I have no idea. All I know is that there will be a next. And a next. And a next...

What are you reading this week?

National Poetry Month: Robert Frost

April is National Potry Month in the United States, and even though I'm from Norway, I thought I would join in the celebrations. Throughout the month I will share with you some of my favourite poems and hope you will enjoy them. :)

Robert Frost

Source: Wikipedia

I usually don't read much poetry, but I got acquainted with quite a few British and American poets when I took literature classes at uni. My very favourite poet is Robert Frost (1874-1963). I love his poems because of their simplicity, their imagery and because they never fail to tug at my heartstrings. It was hard to choose just one to share with you, so don't be surprised if I post a couple more later on.

The Road Not Taken

Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,
And sorry I could not travel both
And be one traveler, long I stood
And looked down one as far as I could
To where it bent in the undergrowth;

Then took the other, as just as fair,
And having perhaps the better claim,
Because it was grassy and wanted wear;
Though as for that the passing there
Had worn them really about the same,

And both that morning equally lay
In leaves no step had trodden black.
Oh, I kept the first for another day!
Yet knowing how way leads on to way,
I doubted if I should ever come back.

I shall be telling this with a sigh
Somewhere ages and ages hence:
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I-
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.

Despite that many of his poems have a melancholy feeling, Frost was apparently a great humourist. Just take a look at these quotes:

"The brain is a wonderful organ. It starts working the moment you get up in the morning and does not stop until you get into the office."

"The reason why worry kills more people than work is that more people worry than work."

"Half the world is composed of people who have something to say and can't, and the other half who have nothing to say and keep on saying it."

"There is one thing more exasperating than a wife who can cook and won't, and that's a wife who can't cook and will."

"Forgive me my nonsense as I also forgive the nonsense of those who think they talk sense."

If you are not familiar with Robert Frost's poetry, I reccommend you look up some of his poems online. His style is very easy to read and understand, but his poems are far from superficial. This page contains a quite comprehensive selection of the poems.

Do you read poetry? Who is your favourite poet? What about favourite poem?

Review: Cinderella: Ninja Warrior

Cinderella: Ninja Warrior
By Maureen McGowan

Published: 1 April 2011 by Silver Dolphin Books

Series: Twisted Tales #1

Read:  28 March – 4 April 2011

Review copy provided by the publisher via NetGalley

From the publisher

In this fast-paced story full of adventure and romance, Cinderella is more than just a servant girl waiting for her prince--she's a tough, fearless girl who is capable of taking charge of a dangerous situation. Seeking to escape the clutches of her evil stepmother, Cinderella perfects her ninja skills and magic talents in secret, waiting for the day when she can break free and live happily ever after. In a special twist, readers have the opportunity to make key decisions for Cinderella and decide where she goes next--but no matter the choice; the result is a story unlike any fairy tale you've ever read!

Choose Your Own Magical Adventure

When I think of Cinderella, I think of an old Czech film called Three Nuts For Cinderella. It is shown every Christmas Eve in Norway, and has become part of the Christmas traditions for a lot of Norwegians. In the film Cinderella is an independent girl who is as skilled at hunting and horseback riding as she is at dancing. Maureen McGowan's Cinderella is much more like the Czech version than the traditional Cinderella.

Cinderella: Ninja Warrior is a delightful story. The character of Cinderella is not a timid girl who needs a prince to save her; she is a feisty, level-headed young woman who takes her fate into her own hands and succeeds because she believes in herself. She has been kept a prisoner by her evil stepmother for 13 years (I loved the idea of entrapment spells preventing her from running away) and treated like a servant, but she has never lost her positive outlook on the world or given up hope of a better life. She is determined to one day escape and make a life for herself, and the prince – or any man, for that matter – is not part of that plan. Unlike the passive Disney princess, this Cinderella actively tries to change her situation and I loved her for it. (I kept picturing Kristen Bell when I was reading – she is petite, blond and spunky, and would make a great Cinderella in the movie (which someone definitely should make).

I have to mention the evil stepmother, who is a truly evil and horrible female wizard. The way she treats Cinderella is appaling and I wanted to punch her in the nose more than once. The stepsisters, Gwendolyn and Agatha, are no better than their mother, but they are both too dumb to be evil – they are just mean. Still, they both have layers; especially Agatha has hidden depths. The only character that felt a bit bland was the prince, but then I have never liked princes very much (give me a pirate or a warrior any day).

The book is built up as a "choose your own adventure story". Three times you are presented with two choices and the story is different depending on what choice you make. I haven't read through all the different choices yet (there are eight different versions of the story altogether), but I will – and I am sure all the versions will be equally enchanting. I hope this will be the Cinderella story children are told in the future.

Best: The evil stepmother is deliciously evil, and Cinderella is great. And I love the mix of magic and martial arts.

Worst: There really wasn't anything I disliked.

Bottom line: Cinderella: Ninja Warrior is a fresh take on a familiar fairy tale, complete with an engaging heroine, an evil stepmother, a pair of mean stepsisters, a wise animal, a fairy godfather and true love. Oh, and all sorts of magic in between.

My rating:
 

Another Twisted Tale, Sleeping Beauty: Vampire Slayer, was released at the same time as Cinderella.

Twisted Tales

1. Cinderella: Ninja Warrior (2011)
2. Sleeping Beauty: Vampire Slayer (2011)

Visit the author's website.

My Month in Books: March

March was an average month reading-wise; I finished 4 books and I am actually ahead of schedule for my personal reading challenge (yay!). I had a lot to do at work, which explains why I didn't get any more reading done. One of the books was from NetGalley and I had to read it on my laptop. I'm not fan of reading on my computer because it hurts my eyes (plus, I spend enough time staring at a screen at work), but aside from the fact that I couldn't put the book in my purse when I went anywhere, the experience was much better than I had feared. I discovered that reducing the screen brightness to 60% really helped my eyes. But I have to say I'm extatic that the Kindle button is back on NetGalley, because I much prefer reading on my Kindle. For some strange reason I seem to read faster on my Kindle than paper books. Anyway, spring is in the air and this is what happened at The Turn of the Page in March:

Read in March

Links go to my reviews

12) Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (re-read)
13) The Book of Tomorrow by Cecelia Ahern
14) Artemis Fowl by Eoin Colfer
15) Inside Out by Maria V. Snyder

Other reviews posted
The Survivor by Seas Slater

Incoming Books

I can't believe how many books I actually got this month! I blame Amazon's Buy with 1-click button...

For review
Outside In by Maria V. Snyder (NetGalley) – Can't wait to read this sequel to Inside Out!
The Twisted Tale of Stormy Gale by Christine Bell (NetGalley) – Isn't that a fantastic title?
Lake Charles by Ed Lynskey (from the author)

Bought
Nyphron Rising by Michael Sullivan (Kindle)
The Fiddler's Gun by A.S. Peterson (Kindle)
Spying in High Heels by Gemma Halliday (Kindle)
Chocolate Chip Cookie Murder by Joanne Fluke (Kindle)
The Tales of Beedle the Bard by J.K. Rowling
Inside Out by Maria V. Snyder
Signs and Wonders by Philip Gulley
Serenity: Better Days by Whedon/Matthews/Conrad (graphic novel)

Won
I was lucky enough to win an e-book copy of Fire Burn and Cauldron Bubble by H.P. Mallory from the lovely Stella at Ex Libris. Thank you Stella and H.P.!

Challenge Progress

First in a Series Challenge – 5/6 (I will most likely update this to the next level soon)
1. Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone by J.K. Rowling
2. Burglars Can't Be Choosers by Lawrence Block
3. Heat Wave by Richard Castle
4. Artemis Fowl by Eoin Colfer
5. Inside Out by Maria V. Snyder

2nds Challenge – 0/3 

Mystery & Suspense Challenge – 4/12
1. Burglars Can't Be Choosers by Lawrence Block
2. Heat Wave by Richard Castle
3. The Survivor by Sean Slater
4. Artemis Fowl by Eoin Colfer

Other Posts of Interest

Top Ten Tuesday
Books I Just HAD To Buy ... That Are Still Sitting On My Shelf
Dynamic Duos

Booking Through Thursday
Series or Stand-alone?

Other
Are You a Hardcover or Paperback Book?
Instructions by Neil Gaiman (video)

I also participated in Random Acts of Kindness over at Book Soulmates. Check out the sign-up post for April and spread some love!

It's Monday, What Are You Reading?

It's Monday, What Are You Reading is a weekly meme hosted by Sheila at Book Journey. It is where we gather to share what we have read this past week and what we plan to read this week.

It looks like spring is finally arriving in Northern Norway. We had a lot of rain this weekend, and most of the snow is gone. Hopefully it will stay gone until November. I could really do with some sunshine now.

FINISHED LAST WEEK
Nothing, actually. I need to get back into reading if I don't want to fall behind on my personal challenge of 45 books this year. But the World Curling Championships has started, so I'll be watching a lot of television the next two weeks (or not, depending on how the Norwegian team does. So far they have played uncharacteristically bad).

I did however post my review of Inside Out by Maria V. Snyder, so feel free to check it out.

CURRENTLY READING
Still reading Cinderella: Ninja Warrior by Maureen McGowan. It's an enjoyable story, and I love the choose your own adventure feature. I'm hoping to finish it today.

WHAT'S NEXT
The plan is to read Outside In by Maria V. Snyder as soon as possible and then start something for the Mystery & Suspense Reading Challenge (perhaps a Jack Reacher novel?).

What are you reading this week?

Random Acts of Kindness - April

Last month I came across this awesome feature at Book Soulmates:

The Rules:

• Sign up each month you'd like to participate in.
• Show off your participation! Grab one of the buttons available :)
• Create a wishlist and post it in the Google Doc located in each R.A.K post for the month.
{Post on your blog, Amazon, where ever as long as there's a link to it.}
• If you choose to do a R.A.K for someone, check out their wishlist and contact that blogger for their address.
• At the end of the month, SHOW US YOUR R.A.K!
Make a post saying 'Thank You' to whoever granted one of your wishes and share it with us :)

OPEN TO EVERYONE!
Lets's keep our International bloggers in mind and in our hearts.
Remember, there's always the Book Depository and they offer FREE shipping!

SIGN-UP PAGE FOR APRIL IS HERE.

I think this such a fantastic idea! I didn't get any RAKs myself last month, but it was my first time participating so I wasn't really expecting anything. But I did have lots of fun granting a few wishes and look forward to granting even more this month.

My wishlists are pretty full because I add anything that sounds interesting, but these are the main two: Kindle wishlist and general wishlist.