Tuesday, November 18, 2008

The Looking Glass Wars


I recently finished book one and two in The Looking Glass Wars trilogy by Frank Beddor. I highly recommend this series and certainly look forward to Beddor releasing book three in Fall 2009. In case you don't know already, I typically judge books by their covers and I can say with great certainty that I never would have picked these books up if it wasn't for an enthusiatic teenager at my library forcing it on me. But I'm so glad I did so that I can now pass that joy onto others interested in a good teen series.

As the title suggests, Beddor's trilogy reexamines the story of Alice's Adventures in Wonderland. In this world Wonderland truly exists and Charles Dodgson(AKA Lewis Carroll) misinterprets many things when he translates Alyss' story into book form. That's right, Alyss. Dodgson misspelled her name along with making many of her faithful friends silly creatures. Needless to say, Alyss was not happy with his story and refused to speak to him again. But I digress.

The true story begins with the princess of Wonderland, Alyss, living the life of comfort in Heart Palace. Like many accustomed to such a life, Alyss is bored beyond belief and rambles about the castle with the son of a palace guard, Dodge Anders, getting into mischief. But real trouble arrives when Alyss' Aunt Redd, displaced from the throne years ago for practicing Black Imagination, attacks the reigning queen, Alyss' mother, Genevieve. After a bloody battle hard fought by the White Imagination army, many are dead including Queen Genevieve. Empowered, Redd takes her place as the new Queen of Hearts. Luckily, Alyss has escaped with the help of bodyguard Hatter Madigan (Mad Hatter...get it. Dodgson got so much wrong.) into the Pool of Tears which leads them both to our world, specifically London. There Alyss is accidentally separated from Hatter and lost in a new world. While in England, Alyss is determined to not forget Wonderland and tells her story to everyone she encounters (hence Dodgson getting his hand on the story). She is adopted by the Liddell family and as years pass Alyss forgets much of her past until she is tracked down by Hatter and returns to Wonderland to regain her throne.

I'd tell you more but really you must read it yourself to see all the truly wonderful variations on the original story. Similar to most good vs evil stories but with just a bit extra that tips the scales. Beddor has created a graphic novel about Hatter M to go along with the series as well. Finally, he is working of the screenplay for the series. Can't wait to see his version of Wonderland on the big screen.

Readers Advisory Note: Reminded me of one of my favorite series, Thursday Next by Jasper Fforde. If you haven't read those then by all means rush to your library and pick up The Eyre Affair. If you're already familiar with Next try Fforde's Nursery Crimes series. Love them!

Monday, November 17, 2008

Books2Movies

I've always been fascinated by the movie versions of books. That being said I've created a list of books made into recent films. I'll try to keep this post updated with the latest movie news available. To see the trailer simply click on the movie posters. Also, check out the bottom links for other interesting book to film transitions. Enjoy!

Coming Soon to A Theater Near You!


BookMovie
Defiance
by Nechama Tec
In Theaters: January 16
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He's Just Not That Into You
By Greg Behrendt & Liz Tuccillo
In Theaters: February 6
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Confessions of a Shopaholic
By Sophie Kinsella
In Theaters: February 13
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The Velveteen Rabbit
By Margery Williams
In Theaters: February 20
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Watchmen
By Alan Moore
In Theaters: March 6
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Books2Movies: Fiction

Books2Movies: Nonfiction

Books2Movies: Graphic Novels

Books2Movies: Kids

Book Trailer: Johnny Bunko

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The Adventures of Johnny Bunko
By Daniel Pink

Books2Movies: Graphic Novels


BookMovie
The Spirit
By Will Eisner
300
By Frank Miller
Sin City
By Frank Miller

Sunday, November 16, 2008

Book Trailer: The Sisters Grimm


The Sisters Grimm
by Michael Buckley


Ode to the Odd #1

Great title!

Another Bullshit Night in Suck City
by Nick Flynn

Ode to the Odd


Welcome to a new feature on my blog where I will post some of the most unusual book titles I encounter at the library. Enjoy!

Another Bullshit Night in Suck City
by Nick Flynn

Saturday, November 15, 2008

Book Trailer: The Book of Lies





The Book of Lies
by Brad Meltzer




Book Trailers

I have a new fascination with book trailers. So I thought I would include them in my posts. I hope you enjoy them as much as I do.


Buckley, Michael
The Sisters Grimm

Gaiman, Neil
The Graveyard Book

Meltzer, Brad
The Book of Lies

Book Trailer: The Graveyard Book


I have a new fascination with book trailers. So I thought I would include them in my posts. First up:

The Graveyard Book
by Neil Gaiman




Books2Movies: Kids

BookMovie
The Boy in the Striped Pajamas
By John Boyne
Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants
by Ann Brashares
The Princess Diaries
by Meg Cabot
The Tale of Despereaux
By Kate DiCamillo
Coraline
by Neil Gaiman
Hotel For Dogs
By Lois Duncan
I Know What You Did Last Summer
by Lois Duncan
Inkheart
By Cornelia Funke
Hoot
By Carl Hiaasen
The Outsiders
by S.E. Hinton
Stormbreaker
by Anthony Horowitz
Blood and Chocolate
By Annette Curtis Klause
Ella Enchanted
by Gail Carson Levine
My Friend Flicka
By Mary O’Hara
Eragon
by Christopher Paolini
Bridge to Terabithia
by Katherine Paterson
Golden Compass
by Philip Pullman

Holes
by Louis Sachar
Horton Hears A Who
By Dr. Seuss
How The Grinch Stole Christmas
By Dr. Seuss
Confessions of a Teenage Drama Queen
by Dyan Sheldon