The Book Blog

After watching the Reacher miniseries on Amazon Prime Video, I began thinking about how beloved books and book series are adapted to film. From Lee Child’s action-packed Jack Reacher book series to fantasy epics like J.R.R. Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings, audiences debate whether the book or the movie (or show) adaptation is better.

Many people enjoy comparing the book and film adaptations of a work while others get frustrated that a particular adaptation strayed from the source material. Perhaps a character like Jack Reacher looks different in our heads than he does on screen, or the Hobbits never encounter the ancient undead barrow-wights in the film like they do near the beginning of the first book. Are these differences enough to discount an adaptation as inferior to the source material or completely change how the source material is read and enjoyed?

Of course, the answer to this question is up to the individual to decide. Personally, I appreciate each medium as its own creative expression. Books allow readers to transport themselves inside of the story and interpret the characters and events in unique ways whereas film can be a take-it-or-leave-it proposition. While books rely on the reader’s imagination to bring characters and events to life, film adaptations can provide a new interpretation of a work that is fresh and interesting. Books have more freedom to explore many plot threads while the same approach in movies and shows can introduce pacing problems.

The specific ways books and films engage readers and viewers cannot be entirely replicated by one medium or the other; however, these differences are their strengths. Does that mean we should avoid debates about which version of a story is better? Not at all. Comparing and contrasting film adaptations from the source material (or vice versa) makes for a fun discussion and can introduce new books that people would not have known about if a film adaptation was not made.

The Lord of the Rings by J. R. R. Tolkien

ISBN: 9780618640157

Publication Date: 2005-10-12

A PBS Great American Read Top 100 Pick One Ring to rule them all, One Ring to find them, One Ring to bring them all and in the darkness bind them In ancient times the Rings of Power were crafted by the Elven-smiths, and Sauron, the Dark Lord, forged the One Ring, filling it with his own power so that he could rule all others. But the One Ring was taken from him, and though he sought it throughout Middle-earth, it remained lost to him. After many ages it fell by chance into the hands of the hobbit Bilbo Baggins. From Sauron's fastness in the Dark Tower of Mordor, his power spread far and wide. Sauron gathered all the Great Rings to him, but always he searched for the One Ring that would complete his dominion. When Bilbo reached his eleventy-first birthday he disappeared, bequeathing to his young cousin Frodo the Ruling Ring and a perilous quest: to journey across Middle-earth, deep into the shadow of the Dark Lord, and destroy the Ring by casting it into the Cracks of Doom. The Lord of the Rings tells of the great quest undertaken by Frodo and the Fellowship of the Ring: Gandalf the Wizard; the hobbits Merry, Pippin, and Sam; Gimli the Dwarf; Legolas the Elf; Boromir of Gondor; and a tall, mysterious stranger called Strider. This new edition includes the fiftieth-anniversary fully corrected text setting and, for the first time, an extensive new index. J.R.R. Tolkien (1892-1973), beloved throughout the world as the creator of The Hobbit, The Lord of the Rings, and The Silmarillion, was a professor of Anglo-Saxon at Oxford, a fellow of Pembroke College, and a fellow of Merton College until his retirement in 1959. His chief interest was the linguistic aspects of the early English written tradition, but while he studied classic works of the past, he was creating a set of his own.

Bad Luck and Trouble by Lee Child

ISBN: 9780440246015

Publication Date: 2009-05-19

THE #1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLING JACK REACHER SERIES THAT INSPIRED TWO MAJOR MOTION PICTURES AND THE UPCOMING STREAMING SERIES REACHER "Electrifying . . . this series [is] utterly addictive."--Janet Maslin, The New York Times From a helicopter high above the California desert, a man is sent free-falling into the night. On the streets of Portland, Jack Reacher is pulled out of his wandering life and plunged into the heart of a conspiracy that is killing old friends . . . and the people he once trusted with his life. Reacher is the ultimate loner--no phone, no ties, no address. But a woman from his old military unit has found him using a signal only the eight members of their elite team would know. Then she tells him a terrifying story about the brutal death of a man they both served with. Soon Reacher is reuniting with the survivors of his team, scrambling to unravel the sudden disappearance of two other comrades. But Reacher won't give up--because in a world of bad luck and trouble, when someone targets Jack Reacher and his team, they'd better be ready for what comes right back at them.

I tend to read many non-fiction books, partly because I have many interests and a desire to learn and partly because my career requires me to stay on top of trends in librarianship and education. Consistent reading of non-fiction can start to feel heavy depending on the subject matter at hand. That was how I was feeling this month after having worked through a few non-fiction titles with a few others in process. I decided to dedicate some time this past weekend to a fiction audiobook for the sake of pure entertainment. After scrolling through my Audible library, I settled on a thriller by Robyn Harding called The Swap.  

This story is told through the eyes of multiple character narrators, all of whom seem unreliable and downright unhinged. They each give you plenty of reasons not to trust them, and as you move through the story, it’s clear to see that things just are not adding up. The “swap” title refers to a drug-fueled night of spouse swapping between four significant characters that ends up creating quite a debacle for them. What was meant to be a fun night of debauchery turns into a nightmare for all involved, and the results are downright deadly. 

If you are a fan of thrillers with multiple narrators, then this book might be a good choice for you. A reader that enjoys a “bad girl” lead character may also enjoy this book because you have your choice of two! I love a book with a storyline that keeps me dialed in. I also enjoyed that I had difficulty deciding who the actual “bad guy” was. If you happen to read or listen to this book, let me know what you decide at the end because I’d love to hear your thoughts on the characters.

After finishing up this audiobook, I have already added a few other Robyn Harding titles to my TBR list. I’m excited to have a few fun, fast-paced thrillers on deck for those times when my mind needs a break from data and technical writing. If you are a lover of psychological thrillers, please let me know what other titles and authors I need to be reading!

Even with all of the resources out there, I still find it difficult to choose a book to read. It is similar to browsing through Netflix to find a show to watch; having more choice is wonderful, but the sheer number of choices is overwhelming. Making that choice can feel like a commitment. After going through a history master’s program where I had to read five-to-ten books a week, I developed an appreciation for taking my time with a book. In other words, I have officially become a slow reader.

For example, the book I have been reading off and on for the past year is Daniel Walker Howe’s What Hath God Wrought: The Transformation of America, 1815-1848, which is part of the Oxford History of the United States series. While engaging and informative, I find that I can only read a little at a time in contrast with reading through an 800-page book in two weeks like I used to do. Of course, the fact the book is bigger than a brick and that it is a comprehensive history of a specific time period likely dissuades me from plugging away at it more consistently.

With cellphones and the internet as a constant looming presence, I find my attention span is not what it used to be. This has impacted the number of books I read per year. Unfortunately, I have become less patient with books as well. Even with the recent books I finished reading, it took me several tries to get through them.

I suppose part of my reluctance with reading books at a fast pace is because heavy reading is part of my job. That is not to say I do not enjoy reading, but I find I unwind better at the end of the day with music or playing a video game. I now no longer worry about how many books I have read per year; now I focus on the quality of what I have read.

What Hath God Wrought by Daniel Walker Howe

Call Number: E338 .H69 2007

ISBN: 9780195392432

Publication Date: 2009-09-23

The Oxford History of the United States is by far the most respected multi-volume history of our nation. In this Pulitzer prize-winning, critically acclaimed addition to the series, historian Daniel Walker Howe illuminates the period from the battle of New Orleans to the end of theMexican-American War, an era when the United States expanded to the Pacific and won control over the richest part of the North American continent.Howe's panoramic narrative portrays revolutionary improvements in transportation and communications that accelerated the extension of the American empire. Railroads, canals, newspapers, and the telegraph dramatically lowered travel times and spurred the spread of information. These innovationsprompted the emergence of mass political parties and stimulated America's economic development from an overwhelmingly rural country to a diversified economy in which commerce and industry took their place alongside agriculture. In his story, the author weaves together political and military eventswith social, economic, and cultural history. He examines the rise of Andrew Jackson and his Democratic party, but contends that John Quincy Adams and other Whigs--advocates of public education and economic integration, defenders of the rights of Indians, women, and African-Americans--were the trueprophets of America's future. He reveals the power of religion to shape many aspects of American life during this period, including slavery and antislavery, women's rights and other reform movements, politics, education, and literature. Howe's story of American expansion culminates in the bitterlycontroversial but brilliantly executed war waged against Mexico to gain California and Texas for the United States.Winner of the New-York Historical Society American History Book PrizeFinalist, 2007 National Book Critics Circle Award for Nonfiction

In my interactions with patrons in the library over the years, I have learned that many people struggle with reading not because of reading itself but because they can't pick a book. The inability to pick a title also comes in varieties ranging from "I can't find anything that interests me" to "there are just too many choices." I get it! There are times when I can't seem to decide, whether it's because my TBR is now well over eight thousand titles long or because I'm just in a reading funk. Seriously, my GoodReads lists are frightening! 

The struggle is real, and you are not alone. The good news is that librarians know about this problem and are here to help! Reader's advisory is one tool in my librarian toolbelt that I use to help patrons. Here's a quick rundown if you aren't familiar with that term. Reader's advisory is a library service where librarians help connect readers with books through direct or indirect means. So, whether you find a book using the resources on this guide or you stop in and talk to a librarian, you've participated in our reader's advisor services! 

The Vikings Read More Challenge & Book Club is a multifaceted reader's advisory tool to help guide readers to books. First, the "challenge" is a motivational mechanism meant to guide readers toward a broad topic to help narrow down choices. The February theme is "social justice and civil rights," I have created an entire page to help a potential reader pick a book. On the page for February, I have showcased a variety of potential titles centered around this theme. The books range from non-fiction to fiction, and there might even be a graphic novel or two! Does a reader have to select a "social justice and civil rights" book to participate in the book club? Absolutely not, but it gives that reader a place to start regarding title selection. Next, the club Zoom meetings give readers a place to chat and share their thoughts about books. Many of my favorite books came as recommendations from friends and colleagues. In addition to those great things, I've also added a reader's advisory page dedicated to book recommendation websites outside of our libraries that can expand your horizons! 

In the spirit of reader's advisory, I will provide a list of some "social justice and civil rights" books that I have read over the past few years. I'll spare you a review here, but if you want to chat about a title one-on-one, I'm willing and ready to do that! I will only be listing books we have at the SJR State Libraries for bonus points! 

Enjoy!

- Brittnee

And the Band Played On by Randy Shilts

Call Number: Palatka Circulation RA644.A25 S48 2007

ISBN: 9780312374631

Publication Date: 2007-11-27

Upon it's first publication twenty years ago, And The Band Played on was quickly recognized as a masterpiece of investigative reporting. An international bestseller, a nominee for the National Book Critics Circle Award, and made into a critically acclaimed movie, Shilts' expose revealed why AIDS was allowed to spread unchecked during the early 80's while the most trusted institutions ignored or denied the threat. One of the few true modern classics, it changed and framed how AIDS was discussed in the following years. Now republished in a special 20th Anniversary edition, And the Band Played On remains one of the essential books of our time.

 

White Fragility by Robin DiAngelo; Michael Eric Dyson (Foreword by)

Call Number: Orange Park Circulation HT1521 .D486 2018

ISBN: 9780807047408

Publication Date: 2020-11-17

The New York Times best-selling book exploring the counterproductive reactions white people have when their assumptions about race are challenged, and how these reactions maintain racial inequality. In this "vital, necessary, and beautiful book" (Michael Eric Dyson), antiracist educator Robin DiAngelo deftly illuminates the phenomenon of white fragility and "allows us to understand racism as a practice not restricted to 'bad people' (Claudia Rankine). Referring to the defensive moves that white people make when challenged racially, white fragility is characterized by emotions such as anger, fear, and guilt, and by behaviors including argumentation and silence. These behaviors, in turn, function to reinstate white racial equilibrium and prevent any meaningful cross-racial dialogue. In this in-depth exploration, DiAngelo examines how white fragility develops, how it protects racial inequality, and what we can do to engage more constructively.

 

So You Want to Talk about Race by Ijeoma Oluo

Call Number: St. Augustine Circulation E184.A1 O454 2018

ISBN: 9781580056779

Publication Date: 2018-01-16

In this #1 New York Times bestseller, Ijeoma Oluo offers a revelatory examination of race in America Protests against racial injustice and white supremacy have galvanized millions around the world. The stakes for transformative conversations about race could not be higher. Still, the task ahead seems daunting, and it's hard to know where to start. How do you tell your boss her jokes are racist? Why did your sister-in-law hang up on you when you had questions about police reform? How do you explain white privilege to your white, privileged friend? In So You Want to Talk About Race, Ijeoma Oluo guides readers of all races through subjects ranging from police brutality and cultural appropriation to the model minority myth in an attempt to make the seemingly impossible possible: honest conversations about race, and about how racism infects every aspect of American life. "Simply put: Ijeoma Oluo is a necessary voice and intellectual for these times, and any time, truth be told." ―Phoebe Robinson, New York Times bestselling author of You Can't Touch My Hair

 

Doing Harm by Maya Dusenbery

Call Number: St. Augustine Circulation RA564.85 .D88 2018

ISBN: 9780062470805

Publication Date: 2018-03-06

Editor of the award-winning site Feministing.com, Maya Dusenbery brings together scientific and sociological research, interviews with doctors and researchers, and personal stories from women across the country to provide the first comprehensive, accessible look at how sexism in medicine harms women today. In Doing Harm, Dusenbery explores the deep, systemic problems that underlie women's experiences of feeling dismissed by the medical system. Women have been discharged from the emergency room mid-heart attack with a prescription for anti-anxiety meds, while others with autoimmune diseases have been labeled "chronic complainers" for years before being properly diagnosed. Women with endometriosis have been told they are just overreacting to "normal" menstrual cramps, while still others have "contested" illnesses like chronic fatigue syndrome and fibromyalgia that, dogged by psychosomatic suspicions, have yet to be fully accepted as "real" diseases by the whole of the profession. An eye-opening read for patients and health care providers alike, Doing Harm shows how women suffer because the medical community knows relatively less about their diseases and bodies and too often doesn't trust their reports of their symptoms. The research community has neglected conditions that disproportionately affect women and paid little attention to biological differences between the sexes in everything from drug metabolism to the disease factors--even the symptoms of a heart attack. Meanwhile, a long history of viewing women as especially prone to "hysteria" reverberates to the present day, leaving women battling against a stereotype that they're hypochondriacs whose ailments are likely to be "all in their heads."  Offering a clear-eyed explanation of the root causes of this insidious and entrenched bias and laying out its sometimes catastrophic consequences, Doing Harm is a rallying wake-up call that will change the way we look at health care for women.