Happy Tuesday y’all! We are reaching the end of August, and the kids will be going back to school soon (if they aren’t there already!) YAY! That means life is going back to normal. Another sign that life is going back to normal is that movie theaters are starting to open up more and more. While I’m not a huge movie fan, there are some movies I love more than others. And to tie this all together, I decided to put together a list of 10 books I would love to see as a movie.
This week’s Top Ten Tuesday topic is Books I Wish I Could Read Again for the First Time. Strangely, I couldn’t really think of any. Instead, I decided to switch it up to 10 Books I Would Love to See as a Movie. I know books don’t always translate well to the big screen, but occasionally they are successful! I decided to focus mostly on some older books, as a few of the newer ones I would love to see will probably get there soon.
All summaries are from Goodreads.
Book 1: Mrs Queen Takes the Train by William Kuhn
- Book Release Date: October 2012
- Book Genre: Contemporary; Humor; Fiction
- Potential Movie Rating: PG13
Mrs Queen Takes the Train wittily imagines the kerfuffle that transpires when a bored Queen Elizabeth strolls out of the palace in search of a little fun, leaving behind a desperate team of courtiers who must find the missing Windsor before a national scandal erupts. Reminiscent of Alan Bennett’s The Uncommon Reader, this lively, wonderfully inventive romp takes readers into the mind of the grand matriarch of Britain’s Royal Family, bringing us an endearing runaway Queen Elizabeth on the town—and leading us behind the Buckingham Palace walls and into the upstairs/downstairs spaces of England’s monarchy.
Book 2: The Wish List by Eoin Colfer
- Book Release Date: September 2000
- Book Genre: YA/Fantasy
- Potential Movie Rating: PG/PG-13
Meg Finn is in trouble-unearthly trouble. Cast out of her home by her stepfather after her mother’s death; Meg is a wanderer, a troublemaker. But after her latest stunt, finding a place to sleep is the least of her worries. Belch, her partner in crime, has gotten her involved in the attempted robbery of an elderly man, Lowrie McCall. And things go horribly wrong. After an accidental explosion, Meg’s spirit is flung into limbo, and a race begins between the demonic and the divine to win her soul. Irreverent, hilarious, and touchingly hopeful, The Wish List takes readers on a journey of second chances, where joy is found in the most unexpected places.
Book 3: Tilly and the Bookwanderers by Anna James
- Book Release Date: September 2018
- Book Genre: Middle Grade/Fantasy
- Potential Movie Rating: G/PG
Eleven-year-old Tilly has lived above her grandparents’ bookshop ever since her mother disappeared shortly after she was born. Like the rest of her family, Tilly loves nothing more than to escape into the pages of her favorite stories.
One day Tilly realizes that classic children’s characters are appearing in the shop through the magic of `book wandering’ – crossing over from the page into real life.
With the help of Anne of Green Gables and Alice in Wonderland. Tilly is determined to solve the mystery of what happened to her mother all those years ago, so she bravely steps into the unknown, unsure of what adventure lies ahead and what dangers she may face.
Book 4: Sleeping With the Fishes by MaryJanice Davidson
- Book Release Date: November 2006
- Book Genre: Fantasy/Paranormal Romance/Chick Lit
- Potential Movie Rating: PG-13
Fredericka Bimm is a mermaid. But she’s not the stuff of legends. A marine biologist, she knows what’s in the water, so she chooses not to expose herself to toxins. Then two strangers come into her life. Her new colleague is a hunk with a mermaid fixation. The other claims he is Artur – her rightful ruler!
Book 5: Powerless by Matthew Cody
- Book Release Date: January 2009
- Book Genre: Middle Grade/Fantasy/Superhero
- Potential Movie Rating: PG
Twelve-year-old Daniel, the new kid in town, soon learns the truth about his nice—but odd—new friends: one can fly, another can turn invisible, yet another controls electricity. Incredible. The superkids use their powers to do good in the town secretly, but they’re haunted by the fact that the moment they turn thirteen, their abilities will disappear—along with any memory that they ever had them. Is a memory-stealing supervillain sapping their powers?
Book 6: The Coincidence of Coconut Cake by Amy E. Reichert
- Book Release Date: July 2015
- Book Genre: Contemporary/Romance
- Potential Movie Rating: PG-13
In downtown Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Lou works tirelessly to build her beloved yet struggling French restaurant, Luella’s, into a success. She cheerfully balances her demanding business and even more demanding fiancé…until the morning she discovers him in the buff—with an intern.
Witty yet gruff British transplant Al is keeping himself employed and entertained by writing scathing reviews of local restaurants in the Milwaukee newspaper under a pseudonym. When an anonymous tip sends him to Luella’s, little does he know he’s arrived on the worst day of the chef’s life. The review practically writes itself: underdone fish, scorched sauce, distracted service—he unleashes his worst.
The day that Al’s mean-spirited review of Luella’s runs, the two cross paths in a pub: Lou drowning her sorrows and Al celebrating his latest publication. As they chat, Al playfully challenges Lou to show him the best of Milwaukee, and she’s game—but only if they never discuss work, which Al readily agrees to. As they explore the city’s local delicacies and their mutual attraction, Lou’s restaurant faces closure, while Al’s column gains popularity. It’s only a matter of time before the two fall in love…but when the truth comes out, can Lou overlook the past to chase her future?
Book 7: The Little Old Lady Who Broke All the Rules by Catharina Ingleman-Sundberg
- Book Release Date: 2012
- Book Genre: Contemporary/Adult
- Potential Movie Rating: PG-13
Martha Andersson may be seventy-nine years old and live in a retirement home, but that doesn’t mean she’s ready to stop enjoying life. So when the new management of Diamond House starts cutting corners to save money, Martha and her four closest friends—The Genius, The Rake, Christina, and Anna-Gretta (a.k.a. The League of Pensioners)—won’t stand for it. Their solution? White-collar crime!
A Few Recent Releases I Would Love to See as a Movie
Book 8: Hench by Natalie Zina Walschots
- Book Release Date: September 2020
- Book Genre: Urban Fantasy/Superheros/LGBTQ
- Potential Movie Rating: PG-13
Anna does boring things for terrible people because even criminals need office help, and she needs a job. Working for a monster lurking beneath the surface of the world isn’t glamorous. But is it really worse than working for an oil conglomerate or an insurance company? In this economy?
As a temp, she’s just a cog in the machine. But when she finally gets a promising assignment, everything goes very wrong, and an encounter with the so-called “hero” leaves her badly injured. And, to her horror, compared to the other bodies strewn about, she’s the lucky one.
So, of course, then she gets laid off.
With no money and no mobility, with only her anger and internet research acumen, she discovers her suffering at the hands of a hero is far from unique. When people start listening to the story that her data tells, she realizes she might not be as powerless as she thinks.
Because the key to everything is data: knowing how to collate it, manipulate it, and weaponize it. By tallying up the human cost these caped forces of nature wreak upon the world, she discovers that the line between good and evil is mostly marketing. And with social media and viral videos, she can control that appearance.
It’s not too long before she’s employed once more, this time by one of the worst villains on earth. As she becomes an increasingly valuable lieutenant, she might save the world.
Book 9: The Final Revival of Opal & Nev by Dawnie Walton
- Book Release Date: March 2021
- Book Genre: Contemporary/Historical/Music/Fiction
- Potential Movie Rating: PG-13/R
Opal is a fiercely independent young woman pushing against the grain in her style and attitude, Afro-punk before that term existed. Coming of age in Detroit, she can’t imagine settling for a 9-to-5 job—despite her unusual looks; Opal believes she can be a star. So when the aspiring British singer/songwriter Neville Charles discovers her at a bar’s amateur night, she takes him up on his offer to make rock music together for the fledgling Rivington Records.
In early seventies New York City, just as she’s finding her niche as part of a flamboyant and funky creative scene, a rival band signed to her label brandishes a Confederate flag at a promotional concert. Opal’s bold protest and the violence that ensues set off a chain of events that will not only change the lives of those she loves but also be a deadly reminder that repercussions are always harsher for women, especially black women, who dare to speak their truth.
Decades later, as Opal considers a 2016 reunion with Nev, music journalist S. Sunny Shelton seizes the chance to curate an oral history about her idols. Sunny thought she knew most of the stories leading up to the cult duo’s most politicized chapter. But as her interviews dig deeper, a nasty new allegation from an unexpected source threatens to blow up everything.
Book 10: Firekeeper’s Daughter by Angeline Boulley
- Book Release Date: March 2021
- Book Genre: YA/Mystery/Thriller
- Potential Movie Rating: PG-13
As a biracial, unenrolled tribal member and the product of a scandal, eighteen-year-old Daunis Fontaine has never quite fit in, both in her hometown and on the nearby Ojibwe reservation. Daunis dreams of studying medicine, but when her family is struck by tragedy, she puts her future on hold to care for her fragile mother.
The only bright spot is meeting Jamie, the charming new recruit on her brother Levi’s hockey team. Yet even as Daunis falls for Jamie, certain details don’t add up, and she senses the dashing hockey star is hiding something. Everything comes to light when Daunis witnesses a shocking murder, thrusting her into the heart of a criminal investigation.
Reluctantly, Daunis agrees to go undercover but secretly pursues her own investigation, tracking down the criminals with her knowledge of chemistry and traditional medicine. But the deceptions—and deaths—keep piling up, and soon the threat strikes too close to home.
Now, Daunis must learn what it means to be a strong Anishinaabe kwe (Ojibwe woman) and how far she’ll go to protect her community, even if it tears apart the only world she’s ever known.
These are just 10 books I would love to see as a movie; I’m sure I could come up with a lot more. Have you read any of these books? Would you watch any of these movies? Do you have a book you would love to see as a movie? Let me know in the comments.
Looking for some more ideas to read? Check out my monthly reading wrap-ups and bookish lists.
I hope you get movies for all of these books!
My post: https://lydiaschoch.com/top-ten-tuesday-books-i-wish-i-could-read-again-for-the-first-time/
I love a good adaptation! That first one looks like it would make a great movie, and I like the idea of Sleeping with the Fishes too!
I haven’t read any of these books but Firekeeper’s Daughter and Pages & Co. are on my TBR! I can imagine the whimsical MG fantasy being made into a movie and I think that’d be really awesome 🙂 The Little Old Lady Who Broke All the Rules sounds like it’d be a hilarious movie as well! Great picks!
My kids went back to school a few weeks ago. It’s been nice except that they both got sick last week (not with COVID, thank goodness, just bad colds) and missed several days. Needless to say, I wasn’t sad for them to go back. Ha ha.
I haven’t been in a movie theater since before COVID! Crazy. There haven’t been any movies out that I really want to see in a long time. THE FIREKEEPER’S DAUGHTER is one I would *probably* go see, though. The story definitely has movie appeal, although I generally have a hard time with book-to-movie adaptations. Hollywood just never seems to get it right!
Happy TTT!
Susan
http://www.blogginboutbooks.com
My youngest starts back in just over a week (right after Labor day). Fingers crossed it’s a better year for her than last year. I hope your kids are feeling better soon!
Such a fun list! I haven’t read any of these yet, but Sleeping With The Fishes sounds like a fun read and like it could be a great movie indeed!
I’d love to see anything of MaryJanice Davidson’s made into a movie!
Here is our Top Ten Tuesday. Thank you!
I love your take on this week’s topic! What a great idea, thanks for sharing. My TTT: https://cindysbookcorner.blogspot.com/2021/08/top-ten-tuesday-reread-for-first-time.html
Interesting choices. I’ve only read #1 and #6–both would be fun.
Great list. I have not read any of these books, but by reading the blurbs, they all sound like movies I would like to see!
GREAT topic. I’d totally watch The Coincidence of Coconut Cake.
Here’s my Top Ten Tuesday list.
Being able to see a book unfold like a movie in your head is such a great feeling! Great list 🙂
One of my old high school classmates has been raving about Hench for a while. I added it to my Overdrive wish list but I’ll have to get to it soon.
Great list/topic!
I handed Hench to my husband as soon as I finished reading it. He enjoyed it as much as I did. And he agrees it would be awesome to see on the big screen.
OMG I need to get my hands on Firekeeper’s Daughter! I keep reading amazing things for it. Hopefully it does get made into a movie or series.
Genesis @ Whispering Chapters
This is such an interesting list! I’d love to see Firekeeper’s Daughter as a movie, too!
I haven’t read any of these but I do have The Firekeeper’s Daughter out from my local library right now and I’m looking forward to it. I’ll have to see if it feels like it would make a great movie.
I hope you enjoy it!
The Wish List – I haven’t seen that in ages. That could be good!
Check out my TTT
Wow, these look like great reads! The Little Old Lady who Broke all the Rules is totally a movie I would watch!
Firekeeper’s Daughter would be such a great movie!
I know I’ve read books in the past that I think would be great made into a show or movie, but then I remember that I’m so often disappointed in adaptations from my favorites. You never know, though, so hopefully some of these make it to the big screen!
The same! I just hope if and when they make a few of these, they stay true to the source material, or it just won’t work,
What a fun topic! I recognize a few of these and added a few others to my TBR. I hope these potential movies become realities someday 🙂
I feel like I live in the Fantasy book world too much, the only book I’ve heard of on this list is Firekeeper’s Daughter. These books sound really interesting. I’ll have to check if my library has any of them to check out.
What a fun twist on this week’s theme!
I heard Pages & Co is a good read same as Firekeeper’s Daughter. Great list.
I hope some of these adaptations actually happen for you. 🙂
#1 sounds like it could be a fun movie. Although I would retitled this to ‘The queen takes a holiday’.
#4 – I’m always up for a mermaid movie.
Thanks for dropping by my blog. Have a lovely day.
A definite yes to The Little Old Lady who broke all the rules. That will be a brilliant movie!
I’ve done a similar post somewhere last year, will add the link for you.
Books that need to be adapted for Netflix
I will have to check it out!
That is also a nice twist. I hope they will make many of them into films so you can watch all your favourite books.
Thanks for visiting my TTT earlier.
Sleeping with the Fishes was a lot of fun! I bet it would make a good movie. Thanks for visiting Long and Short Reviews!
I’ve heard very good things about Hench, and the premise sounds like this would make an amazing thriller (?) movie. But I think Coconut Cake is what really struck me as the star here (besides making my mouth water) — I can just imagine how the movie would show us yummy treats and all the ways to bake and run a French restaurant. A lot like the movie Chocolat. <3
Tilly and the Bookwanderers sounds like a great choice for a movie! And Hench sounds really good, too. I still need to read that one.
I’ve not read any of your choices, but from the descriptions, I could definitely imagine more than a few getting a screen adaption.
This is such a great idea for a list! And The Coincidence of Coconut Cake sounds so cute!
The Little Old LAdy Who Broke all the rule sounds like it would make such a fun movie!
Fun topic! I’d love to see several of these as films, especially The Firekeeper’s Daughter.
Oh Pages and Co would make an awesome adaptation!
I haven’t read any of these. But I have a few of these on my TBR list.
The Little Old Lady Who Broke All the Rules seems like it’d make a super fun movie! Love your choices!