This past weekend was so much more relaxing than anticipated. I was house/dog sitting about 30 minutes out of Nashville, so I spent most of my weekend up there watching movies on the couch. It reminded me of how much I actually enjoy movies, and it got me thinking about what books I would like to see turned into movies. Typically, I’m in the camp of “the book is better than the movie,” but sometimes, sometimes they are both great in their own way, and I think these books could land in that camp if they were made into movies. I read all of these books (or parts of the series) this year. Let’s get started!
1. An Ember in the Ashes Series by Saba Tahir
I’m actually surprised this hasn’t been made into a movie yet. This series is wildly popular and actually stands out among a sea of fantasy YA books that follow a similar plotline. Tahir got an offer from Paramount back in 2016, but to my knowledge, nothing has happened yet. An Ember in the Ashes features two perspectives — one of a slave girl, Laia, who is risking her life to save her family, and one of a soldier boy, Elias, who feels like he’s trapped in a life he wasn’t meant to lead. The two inevitably cross paths and their lives in the Empire are changed forever. A gripping story about finding your way in life and fighting the expectations of others, An Ember in the Ashes is sure to surprise you. As the story progresses across two other books (so far), Laia and Elias change the Empire forever.
2. The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid
The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo takes place in modern-day as Monique writes about the life of 50s movie star Evelyn Hugo. Evelyn chronicles her life for Monique, so much of the story actually takes place in the 50s, 60s, 70s, and 80s. Readers follow Evelyn as she navigates the cutthroat world of Hollywood to achieve her dreams. Across seven husbands, Evelyn finally finds out who she is. As a movie, this would be a fantastic ode to the golden era of Hollywood, and it would be just the story the big screen needs. (See my full book review.)
3. Charlotte Walsh Likes to Win by Jo Piazza
When I saw the trailer for Long Shot, I thought they had already jumped on making this book a movie. But since Long Shot is a totally different plot line, I’m here to say that Charlotte Walsh Like to Win needs to be made into a movie. This book is about a woman trying to have it all. She’s running for Senate, raising three daughters, and battling to keep her marriage together. She’s fighting against sexist ideals and standards, sleeping less than four hours a night, and traveling across Pennsylvania on a shoestring budget, all with a smile on her face. As the 2020 election approaches, I think this is a movie meant to be seen by the masses. (See my full book review.)
4. They Both Die at the End by Adam Silvera
They Both Die in the End takes place in a world where everyone knows what day they are going to die, but they have no idea what time. Everyone is encouraged to make the most of their last day, and when Mateo and Rufus meet on an app geared toward making a friend on your End Day, what’s left of their short lives changes forever. While you know the ending before even beginning, They Both Die in the End is about the journey Mateo and Rufus take together.
5. The Idea of You by Robinne Lee
This movie would be an absolute hit! It’s a combination of a steamy romance and a behind-the-scenes look at a fictionalized One Direction. The Idea of You starts out with a mom taking her teenage daughter to an August Moon concert, and she ends up having a worldwide romance with the lead singer, who’s about 20-years-old. They travel the world together, they fall in love, they support each other in all their endeavors, but this was supposed to be just lunch. It’s a beautiful, unconventional love story fit for the silver screen.
What books do you want to see turned into movies? Let me know in the comments below.
Happy reading,
Kimberly
