What have you been doing with your time? Have you searched through all the streaming services and can’t find anything new to watch? Have you been baking, working out and missing the old normal? You are not alone.
How about reading? Have you polished off some good reads? Sometimes, I just want a good book to take me away, you know the “can’t put down” book, where you wish you had the time to finish. Well…maybe now you have some time.
Luckily, there are so many great books that have been made into a film or series. I’m going to list my favorites, so you decide: read them or quarastream them, or do both.
Books to Film (My new top 10):
1. My new favorite, I’m waiting for episode 8 (the final episode) to be released. Author William Landay wrote the book, “Defending Jacob”, loved it. Now, Apple has it streaming on their Apple TV app (they have a free 7-day trial or $4.99 a month) . It has been a couple years since I read the book, and I am into the series because I can’t remember the ending. 2020
2. The Goldfinch, a 2014 Pulitzer winner by Donna Tarrt published in 2013, is now on film, on Amazon Prime. Obviously, a brilliant piece of writing to win the Pulitzer; on screen the drama unfolds beautifully like the book, but at an orchestrated pace of grace.
3. Little Fires Everywhere by Celeste Ng, starring Reese Witherspoon, Kerry Washington and a cast of talented young actresses and actors. Loved the book and the Hulu series.
4. Big Little Lies 2018 Liane Moriarity. A trip into a Monterey seaside community in California with murder, raw emotions and great acting by Nicole Kidman, Reese Witherspoon, Shailene Woodley and Laura Dern. 2017-2019 HBO
5. Emma -Can we ever get tired of Jane Austen? A brand new 2020 Emma, for those who cannot.
6. Silver Lining Playbook- Bradley Cooper and Jennifer Lawrence deliver in this award-winning movie, try the book written by author Matthew Quick in 2012.
7. One flew over the Cuckoo’s Nest by Ken Kesey- 1962 novel and then the film in1975. Starring Jack Nicholson, Louise Fletcher, and William Redfield. An incredible masterpiece, the book and film are worth your time.
8. Gone With The Wind by Margret Mitchell written in 1936- Clark Gable, Vivien Leigh, Olivia de Havilland, and Leslie Howard. This was my mother’s favorite book growing up. Have you ever read it? If you haven’t read it or watched it, maybe it’s time. 1939 film
9. Call of the Wild - a classic literary tale from Jack London written in 1903. Now, a family flick with a story that never grow old. Harrison Ford and the digitized dog are entertaining to watch. 2020 Amazon
10. The Handmaids Tale - a book that was written over 30 years ago now adapted into a Hulu series that is sure to startle you, make you gasp and cover your eyes. It will make you want to go back and read the novel that I read as a teenager, I don’t remember being haunted by Margaret Atwood’s words, as I am haunted by the series today. Hulu 2017. There is also a book sequel called, The Testaments, that came out in 2019. Make it a marathon and read them both.
So, in between all this reading and streaming you might need to get away, here is how to travel from your couch:
1. Go, see, hike, and explore the Faroe Islands. If you’re not even sure where they are click on this amazing app and get blown away. it’s a virtual tour, check to see when they are walking, and you can control them. Free virtual trip!
2. If you want to stay in the United States, The National Park Service has created an amazing 360-degree exploration of National Parks across the United States. Click here and go explore the great outdoors.
3. Maybe you are a scuba diver or always wanted to dive underwater an explore some of the famous places down deep. Well, this site will help you dive in without getting wet. If you are lucky enough to have a virtual reality headset, put it on, sit back and dive in with the whole family.
And if you like diving, adventure, conspiracy and romance here is a beach read to take you away:
