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?

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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!