Bookish Rants and Raves: MG & YA Book-to-Film Adaptation

So, a person would have to be living under a rock these days not to have heard about the impending release of the film version of smash hit The Hunger Games. Though the film is not out until March 23 in most markets worldwide, there’s already a slew of raving reviews and talk of the movie being projected to top $140 million in its U.S. opening weekend. Wow.

The Hunger Games films are just the latest in what seems to be a rampant streak of middle grade (MG) and young adult (YA) film adaptations. Sure, it’s not a completely new development, but it sure does feel like the percentage of young-adult targeted movies based on blockbuster books is at an all-time high. Framed differently, it also seems like almost every well-loved YA series gets optioned for film adaptation…sometimes immediately following its release. Not all are successful (critically or monetarily), but …

Elements in Lit 201: Victorian Era, Gothic, and Steampunk

We’ve covered a little bit of all three items mentioned in the title in previous Genre and Elements posts, but as I’m reading Wicked as They Come by Delilah S. Dawson, the main character makes a statement about “[being] transformed into a curvy Victorian bombshell. Or a Gothic bombshell…” She continues on to describe the Gothic as “decidedly dark and sexy…” It got me thinking about the subtle differences between these styles of dress. Moreover, the book has a definite Steampunk overtones, with each ‘Bludman’ or ‘Pinkie’ having a clockwork animal in their charge. What better way to experience the differences (or similarities) than with pictures!

Click on the image if you would like to check out the store website.

So, let’s start the comparison: The Victorian Era coincides with “Queen Victoria’s reign from 20 June 1837 until her death on 22 January 1901” (source: Wiki) …

Guest post: How to Solve a Love Triangle by Erin Nicholas + Giveaway

I am extremely happy to welcome back to BLI one of my alltime favourite contemporary romance authors, the wonderful Erin Nicholas, who is celebrating the release of her latest novel Everything You’ve Got! As I’ve told you countless times Erin’s books are outstanding not only due to her fantastic characterizations and the sexy love stories, but due to her making her secondary characters, family and friend relationships such a pivotal part of the romance, and of course the extraordinary humour she infuses her stories with! So here is your chance to read about a behind the scenes secret and win yourself a copy of her latest book Everything You’ve Got! Please give Erin the warmest welcome! 🙂

How to Solve a Love Triangle

I hate love triangles in books and movies. Well, that’s not completely true. Two guys being in love with the same girl definitely sets …

New Releases: March 19 – 25, 2012

Born to Darkness (Fighting Destiny, #1) by Suzanne Brockmann

Dishonorably discharged, former Navy SEAL Shane Laughlin is down to his last ten bucks when he finally finds work as a test subject at the Obermeyer Institute, a little-known and believed-to-be-fringe scientific research facility. When he enters the OI compound, he is plunged into a strange world where seemingly mild-mannered scientists—including women half his size—can kick his highly skilled ass.

Shane soon discovers that there are certain individuals who possess the unique ability to access untapped regions of the brain with extraordinary results—including telekinesis, super strength, and reversal of the aging process. Known as “Greater-Thans,” this rare breed is recruited by OI, where they are rigorously trained using ancient techniques to cultivate their powers and wield them responsibly.

But in the depths of America’s second Great Depression, where the divide between the haves and the have-nots has grown even wider, those who …