Based on a Book

Get ready for a deep dive into the chilling world of Henry James’ novella The Turn of the Screw and its haunting Netflix adaptation, The Haunting of Bly Manor . In this episode, we break down the timeless psychological thriller that has been sending shivers down readers' spines for over a century. We’ll explore how the novella's themes of ambiguity, fear, and unreliable narration translate into th...

It’s the most wonderful time of the year…for a tale as old as time! 🎄✨ This week, we’re kicking off December with Beastly by Alex Flinn and its movie adaptation. Think Beauty and the Beast —but make it modern, moody, and filled with high school drama. We’ll chat about this YA book’s fresh take on the enchanted tale, discuss how the movie brought it to life, and debate if true beauty really comes...

Happy Thanksgiving, listeners! This year, we’re trading turkey for terror as we dive into Alfred Hitchcock’s iconic 1963 thriller The Birds , based on Daphne du Maurier’s chilling novella. Join us as we pick apart the bird-filled chaos, discuss how a simple story became a cinematic masterpiece, and marvel at Hitchcock’s knack for making seagulls absolutely terrifying. We’ll also chat about the dif...

In this episode of Based on a Book, we’re diving into Stephen King's novella Rita Hayworth and the Shawshank Redemption from his collection Different Seasons, and its 1994 film adaptation, The Shawshank Redemption, starring Tim Robbins and Morgan Freeman. We’ll discuss the themes of hope, freedom, and perseverance as portrayed in both the book and the film, and how the adaptation beautifully captu...

In this episode of Based on a Book, we are covering the first book in Scott Westerfeld’s Uglies series and the 2024 Netflix adaptation starring Joey King. Join us as we discuss Tally’s journey through the dystopian playground of sharp cheekbones and questionable ethics. We dive into the drama, dodgy CGI (we're talking about you hoverboard scenes), and serious monologues on beauty standards in the...

In this episode of “Based on a Book,” we find where romance and sci-fi meet. The discussion is a bit heavier with this title as we discuss life, love, and death as seen from the eyes of children, teens, young adults, and established families. Hosted by Crystal with co-hosts Keri and Lindsey. Content Warnings: Loss/grief, pregnancy loss, drug use, medical trauma, and violence Books & Adaptation...

In this spooky Halloween special, we dive deep into The Silence of the Lambs by Thomas Harris and its chilling 1991 film adaptation! Join us as we explore the mind games, psychological horror, and the terrifying genius of Dr. Hannibal Lecter. From the unforgettable performances of Sir Anthony Hopkins and Jodie Foster to the suspenseful tension of the hunt for Buffalo Bill, we unpack the key moment...

In this episode, we’re diving into the world of Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark - the classic three-book short story collection written by Alvin Schwartz and illustrated by Stephen Gammell, along with its 2019 film adaptation, produced by Guillermo del Toro. How does the movie hold up compared to the original books? We’ll explore how the filmmakers tied the short stories together into one cohesi...

In this episode, we reach back over 100 years to compare the sci-fi classic “The War of the Worlds” written by H. G. Wells to the 2005 movie adaptation directed by Steven Spielberg starring Tom Cruise. We discuss how this novel influenced the format of future works, the ways technology has changed since it was written, what not to do in an alien invasion, and so much more! Hosted by Crystal with c...

In this episode of "Based on a Book," we dive into the whimsical yet terrifying world of Roald Dahl’s classic novel The Witches and compare it to the 2020 movie adaptation directed by Robert Zemeckis, starring Anne Hathaway. From the unforgettable characters to the major plot changes, we break down what worked, what didn't, and how each version captured the essence of Dahl's dark fantasy. Hosted b...

In this episode, we kick off our spooky-themed month with the king of horror and compare Stephen King’s sci-fi psychological horror novella “The Mist” to its 2007 movie adaptation starring several familiar faces (if you happen to be a fan of The Walking Dead). As always, we share our thoughts, break down the book vs. the movie, talk about movie-related background info, and laugh…A LOT. Hosted by K...

In this episode, we journey through Madeleine L’Engle’s beloved sci-fi classic A Wrinkle in Time and its 2018 film adaptation. We’ll explore the fantastical world of space and time, dive into the key differences between the book and the movie, and discuss how the visual adaptation handled the complex themes of the story, from battling darkness to self-discovery. We’ll also break down the portrayal...

In this episode of "Based on a Book," we dive into the gripping novel "Leave the World Behind" by Rumaan Alam and its Netflix film adaptation directed by Sam Esmail. Join us as we explore the themes, characters, and suspenseful storyline of this thought-provoking book. We discuss our reactions to the novel and the adaptation, including how well we think the story translated to the screen. Hosted b...

In this episode of “Based on a Book", we become August Moon-stans (or haters?) as we read and discuss The Idea of You by Robinne Lee and its 2024 film adaptation starring Nicholas Galitizine and our favorite star, Anne Hathaway. We break down the changes between the book and movie, deliberating over everything from the character’s relationships to what defines a romance book. Hosted by Keri with C...

Coming September 2024 to a podcast platform near you! Based on a Book is a podcast hosted by 3 work besties, Crystal, Lindsey, and Keri, who are ready to explore the world of book to screen adaptations. Follow us on social media for more updates to come! https://beacons.ai/basedonabookpodcast Intro/Outro Music - Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!): https://uppbeat.io/t/hey-pluto/get-freaky