Guest Blogger: Amber from Amberkatze Reviews

I would love to welcome Amber from Amberkatze’s Book blog – a truly fantastic site that is part of the reason LE is still here today – to the floor. Amber was one of the first blogger friends I made when I first launched LE and she was a fountain of information and still is. Today, Amber is here to talk about which came first – the book or the movie/television series, so I will leave you in her excellent hands.

Which came first?

The book or the movie/TV Series?

I remember reading Twilight and halfway through the book ordering New Moon. I have been an avid Sookie fan since I stumbled upon one of her books in a second hand store. While I never read the Vampire Diaries I have known of them since they were released three years ago. Tanya Huff’s Blood Books were one of the first paranormal books I read and enjoyed. The Dresden Files are still a favourite of mine. What have all these got in common? They have made their way from the book to the screen.

It has happened before. It is nothing new. However it has finally reached the paranormal genre and it doesn’t look like it is going to stop. Those books you have been following for years, the series you tried to introduce yours friends to and the novels you had to spend a lot of money on because they weren’t available in your local bookstore/library, are now on screen. You rejoice, you watch and you are happy the author finally got the fame and recognition they deserve but then your friends, family and the general public come along and ruin it.

The example here are the friends and family. Our nearest and dearest have been avoiding your interest in the paranormal for years. The wise cracks about reading another blood sucking novel are getting extremely boring. You have tried to introduce them to the genre by lending or gifting them books that may appeal to them because they are more mystery or romance orientated. However the gifts are gathering dust somewhere while the books you lent to them come back with a ‘I just couldn’t get into it’. Another words, ‘I kept it for a few weeks so it looks like I attempted it but I didn’t even read the back of the book’. Then it happens.

A drink with friends, you arrive late, they are already chatting intensely about something. They greet you and say they are just discussing a movie they went to see on the weekend. You listen intently as they talk about the film and how amazing it was, how the lead guy was so cute, that part two is coming soon and that they really need to go watch it again. You finally manage to ask what film. ‘Twilight of course!’ is the answer and you finally feel like you belong! You know all about Twilight! You have read the books and you secretly went to see the preview showing on your own two weeks ago ! Yay! Your friends have been turned!

So you casually mention the books. They look at you as if you are crazy. Then the problems begin. The same problems you get with anyone you meet who didn’t read the books first. You have to put up with them talking about the film and not being interested in the books. The ‘fans’ who only read the books because they just happened to see the films and now think they know everything. It is frustrating and annoying. Twilight is everywhere you go and suddenly the books have lost their special touch.

It is happening to me constantly and I am sure I am not the only Paranormal book lover out there who has the same problem. Reading about True Blood I often come across articles dissecting the story lines, annoyed about certain things happened, moaning about the new person on the show because they don’t like them and so on. Cut to me wanting to scream ‘Read the books and you will bloody understand why!’. Do they think that the makers of the series just decided that was the way things were going to go? Sure True Blood is only based on the books by Charlaine Harris but there is a huge amount of stuff from the books in there. Maybe these people should spend some more time reading and less time watching TV?

Now it seems that Paranormal is cool. Blood Ties, Moonlight and The Dresden Files may have been axed but they paved the way for the next batch of supernaturals who have made it to the big screen and been give prime time TV slots. What will be next? Do we want more? Should the books stay books? While I will always jump for joy when I see a book/series I love coming to life on screen I know I will eventually be left with the feeling of sadness. Why? Because despite my attempts to share my paranormal book world with others it took some special effects and well known apparently good looking actors to actually make them interested. That special book I got lost in is no longer a lovely memory but a gossip magazine cover.

So, that all said, who can’t wait for the next episode of True Blood and Eclipse?

_______________________________________________________

Contest Time!

Amber is offering up this freakingly amazing prize:

  • Mage in Black by Jaye Wells
  • The Darkly Luminous Fight for Persephone Parker by Leanna Renee Hieber
  • an ARC copy of Shadow Bound by Erin Kellison
  • an ARC copy of Werewolf Smackdown by Mario Acevedo
  • Stacey Kay cap with Undead Much? Logo
  • 4 Harry Dresden badges
  • Strangely Beautiful badge
  • ‘What’s your sin’ armband (from Stacia Kane)
  • Jeanne Stein pen
  • Various bookmarks, postcards, leaflets and cover flats (as seen in photo)  at least one of them is signed by the author…may add more!

Is this not a great collection of bookish things?  Everyone has three chances to get their name in the drawing.

  1. For leaving a comment here, answering the question: Who is your favorite paranormal television show and/or movie?;
  2. For leaving a comment at Amberkatze’s Book Blog, answering this question: Who is your favorite paranormal character? (A direct link will be included in the comments); and
  3. For sharing Amber’s stop at Literary Escapism on your blog, social network, or anywhere you can. Digg it, stumble it, twit it, share it with the world. Wherever you share it, make sure you add a link to it along with your answer.

The contest is open internationally since Amber is over in Austria (this will mean a slight delay for any US winner, but that just means it’s our turn to wait for prizes like international winners usually do *grin*).

Amber will also offer a second prize – three books, her choice, from the books she have read in the last month – if there are over 100 entries between LE and Amberkatze (not counting entries for sharing the contest).  So spread the word!

About Jackie 3282 Articles
I am a 30-something SAHM with two adorable boys and a supportive husband who is very tolerant of my reading addiction. I love to read and easily go through about a dozen books a month – well I did before I had kids. Now, not so much. After my first son was born, I began to take my hobby of reviewing a little more serious and started Literary Escapism to help with my sanity. I love to discuss the fabulous novels I’ve read and meeting all the wonderful people in the book blogging community has been amazing.

25 Comments

  1. I would have say Angel was also my favorite from Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Besides being very handsome, he was trying to make up for all the wrong he did as a vampire. He had a soul. I adore him. Tore923@aol.com

  2. I’d have to say it’s a toss for me for my favorite show. It’s between The Dresden Files and Moonlight. I miss them both. Thank goodness they released them on dvd. If I had to pick though, I’d go with Moonlight simply because vampires always win out with me.

    Great topic, Amber!

  3. Buffy was always a classic for me. Plus she has her supernatural friends as the show went on. Ex-demons, witches, vampires–obviously!, werewolves…she had a lot of friends! And she was a slayer herself, THE slayer until the end of the series. So she is one of my fave paranormal female characters.

    On the male side, I love Jensen and Jared from Supernatural. While not supernaturals themselves–well Sam is a little odd and Dean’s died how many times and almost how many times now and is still alive–they do deal with the supernatural creatures on a daily basis. Gotta love those guys!!

    Posted at Amber’s blog:
    http://amberkatze.blogspot.com/2010/08/5267910875174135442

  4. I have lots of favorites! My favorite paranormal television show is True Blood or A Haunting!

    luckysluna(at)yahoo(dot)com

  5. Buffy the Vampire Slayer is my favorite followed by True Blood and The Vamire Diaries. I also love the Harry Potter movies.
    djeanq(at)gmail(dot)com

  6. I love Supernatural also- But has anyone been watching Haven -its awesome based on Stephen Kings Short stories and Warehouse 13
    audie(at)wickerness(dot)com

  7. Love the Sookie books, Trueblood is great, but the books took my breath away – favorite show though – have to say i’m enjoying the vampire diaries show and the gates

  8. True Blood is my current favorite, though I was a big fan of Buffy and Angel when they were on air. I also enjoyed the short lived Moonlight.

  9. I love (or should I say loved, as the network has canceled the series?) Ghost Whisperer. I’m really going to miss Melinda, Jim & Aiden!

  10. LOVE True Blood! I can’t wait for the next episode! That would also be my favorite tv show :-)

  11. My favorites are: Supernatural, Doctor Who, Torchwood and X-Files.

    I commented at Amberkatze’s blog.

    Thanks! :0)

  12. My favorite was also Buffy, until the season Angel got out. After that it wasn’t fun to watch anymore…I also have a few movies of my liking in the genre if M. Night Shyamalan’s count as paranormal: Sings, The Village(my fav), Lady of the Water… – not The Happening…it gives me the creeps.

    commented on the blog (I’m not sure if this is the right link to prove it.. but it was under the username: cuidadocomodalmata)http://amberkatze.blogspot.com/2010/08/me-guest-blogging-over-on-literary.html?showComment=1282131186278#c9047904498641693692

  13. Great answers!! I am happy to see some Dr Who, Torchwood and Supernatural answers. I love those shows! :)

    Oh and what is with Trueblood…I have been enjoying it but the last two episodes have been TOTALLY messing up the books! Not happy with that…sure it is keeping me on my toes but it is ruining the storyline.

  14. Lordy, I have got to say True Blood right now, Buffy and Angel in the past. I am growing to love Haven.
    I have the boxed set of Buffy on DVD and I have the one and only season of Dresden Files on DVD. Sanctuary seaon one just arrived today from a bud.

  15. Supernatural is hands down my favorite show and has been since it premiered. Those Winchester boys (and Dad wasn’t so bad either) and the trouble they get into keeps me watching each week. Cool characters, diverse storylines, the jokes and I can’r forget to mention the music–did I say I love this show?!

    Laurie

  16. >Who is your favorite paranormal television show and/or movie?

    I really liked the Dresden Files, I think they were pretty well done and close to the books. The first season of True Blood was really, really good. I did not like the second season, the stroyline just did not work for me, I thought it was silly and over the top. So I never bothered with the third season.

    I did like the Twilight books, but always thought that they are a bit on the shallow side and the movies are even thinner on the content. I like my stories to be a bit meatier.

    I am a fairly old fart, so my paranormal reading experience actually started with Bram Stoker and what really got me going was Interview with a Vampire by Anne Rice — way back when, only a couple of years after it had been published. And to this day the movie is still one of my favourites, despite disliking Tom Cruise as Lestat a lot. Brad Pitt was great and saved the movie for me.

    I think the problem with people loving the screen adaptations and not giving a toss about the books is not restricted to the Supernatural. It’s a general phenomenon. You just have to face it, avid readers are the weird ones out. People that never read unfortunately are the majority! :-)

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