We started off this Fully-Booked: Literary Podcast episode by greeting everyone with excitement for July and reflecting on how summer used to be a time packed with massive blockbuster releases. We remember those days fondly, when movie theaters were our second homes during the hot months, and every Tuesday felt like a holiday because we could catch the latest release with cheap tickets.
There was a nostalgic vibe as we recalled our favorite old, run-down theaters and how those experiences shaped our love of cinema. We laughed about how everyone’s collective obsession with Jonathan Bailey and his iconic glasses proves some things never change.
We also acknowledged that the movie industry slowed down during the pandemic, but now it feels like we’re back to seeing huge summer releases again, reigniting that buzz we missed. This shift inspired us to look at how adaptations of books to film and TV have evolved over the years, especially with the rise of streaming services and changes in how we consume stories.
Note
The following is an editorialized transcript of our weekly literary podcast. If you would like to listen to the podcast, click the play button above orlisten on your favorite platform with the links below.
The Evolution Of Adaptations: Then vs. Now
The hosts pointed out a striking difference between adaptations from the ‘90s and early 2000s compared to what we see today.
Back then, it was all about flashy blockbusters: big budgets, famous stars, and marketing campaigns that cared more about spectacle than staying true to the book. We shared examples like The Godfather and James Bond films, where audiences often didn’t even realize they were adaptations of books.
Even classics like Jaws, Psycho, and The Princess Bride fit this pattern; movies overshadowed their literary origins, and the books themselves rarely got a spotlight.
We agreed that while there’s still some of that today, there’s a clear shift.
Audiences are savvier, and studios now emphasize the source material more. Actors talk openly about reading the books to prepare for their roles, which feels like a refreshing change compared to the past when many proudly skipped the novel altogether. We explored how adaptations before 2016 felt more like cash grabs, focusing on box office appeal, but since then, there’s been a noticeable effort to respect the author’s vision.
RelatedTriple Falls On Film: Can Ravenhood’s Brotherhood Survive The Screen?
Book Chat: What’s On Our Nightstands?
In the middle of the conversation, we took a delightful detour to share what we’ve been reading. Shirin told us about Death in the Downline, a hilarious dark comedy-meets-murder-mystery involving an MLM scheme.
She loved how Maria Abrams nailed the dark humor of direct sales culture, people using tragic events to shill products, which is both absurd and eerily true to life. We couldn’t stop laughing at examples of characters offering discounts in honor of the dearly departed.
Meanwhile, Meaghan shared her excitement for Girl Next Door, an upcoming debut rom-com with LGBTQ+ themes that touches on complex relationships, high school crushes, and small-town drama. She appreciated how the book balanced lighthearted moments with serious topics, promising readers both depth and laughs. Meaghan promised to post a full review when she finishes, noting its September release.
Enjoying this article?
Subscribe to our weekly newsletterThe Rise of Series Adaptations And Author Involvement
We dove deep into why series adaptations have become the gold standard for book-to-screen translations. We argued that movies simply don’t have enough time to do justice to complex plots, inner monologues, and rich world-building.
For books with multiple installments or intricate character arcs, a TV series allows creators to flesh out the story over several episodes, or even seasons, giving characters and themes room to breathe.
One of the biggest changes we observed is the increasing involvement of authors in adaptations. Unlike decades past, where authors often sold rights and lost control, now many are listed as executive producers or consultants.
We pointed to examples like Diana Gabaldon with Outlander, Hugh Howey with Silo, and Robin Carr with Sullivan’s Crossing. Having authors directly involved often leads to more faithful adaptations and happier fans. We celebrated how this trend gives authors a say in how their stories are interpreted on screen, and we hope it continues.
RelatedMurderbot Season 2 Might Happen But Not In The Way That You Think
Hits, Misses, And The Future Of Adaptations
No conversation about adaptations would be complete without a rant about the bad ones, and we had plenty to say! We revisited flops like the Percy Jackson movies, which aged up characters unnecessarily and lost the heart of the books.
We also slammed The Golden Compass movie, which butchered Philip Pullman’s incredible series with sloppy storytelling. Shirin even shared how the bad movie adaptation soured her on the later TV version, despite positive reviews.
On the flip side, we applauded successful adaptations like Gone Girl, where a high-profile director, a star-studded cast, and respect for the source material made for a gripping film. We also praised Shadow and Bone for creatively merging two series with the help of author Leigh Bardugo, which showed how collaboration can turn a complicated universe into a compelling show.
We observed how the rise of streaming giants like Netflix, Amazon, and Apple TV fueled the adaptation boom. With their constant need for new content and big budgets, they tapped into existing books with built-in audiences, ensuring at least some initial interest.
RelatedI Read Every Housemaid Novel And I Am Torn About The Casting Of The Movie
We discussed how the social media era amplifies feedback: fans celebrate faithful adaptations but also quickly and loudly condemn bad ones. Studios now have to tread carefully, knowing poor execution will spark viral backlash.
We wrapped up by acknowledging that while not every adaptation will please everyone, we’re encouraged by the overall trend toward honoring books and giving authors creative input. We feel hopeful about the future, imagining a world where even more stories we love find their way to the screen in ways that stay true to what made them special in the first place.
Final Thoughts And What’s Next
We closed the episode by teasing upcoming discussions on newer adaptations we’re excited about, and some we might dread.
We plan to spend the month of July exploring different examples, unpacking what works, what doesn’t, and what we’d like to see going forward. We agreed that adaptations don’t need to be word-for-word recreations, but we want to see creators who care about the original work and respect what made it resonate with readers in the first place.
Ultimately, we’re thrilled to see authors getting credit, adaptations getting smarter, and audiences more engaged than ever. We can’t wait to continue the conversation and hear what you, our fellow book lovers, think about this evolution. Let’s keep hoping for adaptations that make us feel the same magic we did the first time we turned those pages.
Subscribe On Your Favorite Platform
