We have a full programme of literary flicks coming our way: “Hamnet” (good Lord, – how I loved and treasured this book; just watching the trailer is heartbreak all over again), “Frankenstein,” a new “Pride and Prejudice,” “Wuthering Heights”! (This is not the “Wuthering Heights” I remember reading, but color me intrigued — is this clip from the film permanently lodged in anyone else’s psyche or is it just me?). Meanwhile, it’s hard to imagine improving on either of the epic P&Ps, but I love the story so much, I say the more adaptations the merrier — I will gladly welcome any and all retellings of the iconic romance. What do you think?

This made me think: what are your favorite book-based movies? (Clarifying note: this question and my accompanying list are not meant to invite discourse around whether the movie is better than the book or vice versa. In several cases, I’ve not read the source material, but like the idea that I could go back to read the book to expand the universe-building experience!)

A few of mine:

+”Remains of the Day” (spectacular filmography and acting — handles a lot of “unsaids” and silences with elegance)

+”10 Things I Hate about You” (a retelling of Shakespeare’s “Taming of the Shrew”)

+”The Godfather” (haven’t read the Puzo books but the consensus is that Francis Ford Coppola dramatically improved on the text, elevating it to Shakespeare-level family drama)

+”Clueless” (a retelling of Jane Austen’s “Emma”)

+”The Princess Bride” (just epic — THE movie of my tween years)

+”Dune” (have not read the books, but was shocked by how much I loved the movies; they dazzled me and transformed me into a Chalamet* fangirl)

+”Pride and Prejudice” (both the 1995 miniseries and the 2005 feature film)

+”Out of Africa” (in my opinion, the most romantic movie ever made)

+”Little Women” (both the 1994 and 2019 versions — both excellent; I rewatch them at least once a year)

+”The Notebook” (still slaps every time I see it; THE KISS of the silver screen**)

How about yours?

*Every time I say his name, I think about this hilarious tweet —

Lol Tiffany Chevrolet.

**Every time I re-watch this movie (typically once a year), I have to watch this moment from the MTV Music Awards immediately after, where Ryan Gosling and Rachel McAdams reenact their kiss on stage — WOW.

***This comedian’s celebrity impressions are incredible — love her portrayal of Winona Ryder, ha!

A corollary question: books you wish they’d make into movies? Top votes for me: Circe (Madeline Miller version); Wild Dark Shore (such a cinematic book — my thoughts on it here); an adaptation of The Secret Garden but set in contemporary times, with Colin and Mary as two neighbor teens attending rival high schools, discovering the healing power of the natural world and friendship (and maybe more). (I may have been writing this book.)

Post-Scripts.

+Great movies for the entire family.

+What are the best under-the-radar rom coms?

+The most romantic movie scenes.

+Are you a book repeater?

Shopping Break.

+Drooling over this sweater jacket. And while we’re talking fab outerwear, this scarf coat that just dropped at J. Crew!!! Love that cacao color!

+Reminder that if you are between manicures, this nail “concealer” is your best friend. It’s a fool-proof way to make your nails look “done” — buffed, polished — without a trip to the salon. I’m obsessed.

+Fab velvet patterned top for late fall cocktail parties / early holiday!

+A good time to buy a fall wreath, while 20% off: always love a fresh magnolia, but this mixed floral is gorgeous, too. Last year, I invested in one of the dried pinecone options so I could bring it out every year without having to reorder! I’m very pleased with my purchase!

+I own this chunky sweater in two colors and it’s really a perfect piece for this time of year. I like to layer over fall dresses almost like a coat, or over a soft pointelle tee or even patterned fall blouse. Such great texture and the colors are fab.

+A great look for less ($25!) for my Alice Walk short sleeved knit I keep raving about.

+Speaking of Alice Walk: they just restocked their iconic wool capes! Run – these always sell through. I own in the mink color and was just thinking it’s FINALLY the right temp for this. Really cute for an outdoor gathering with dark wash denim and boots.

+Ordered this $11 brow laminating gel on the rec of Julia Amory (she-of-great-brows)! She uses this after first filling in with this micro-fine-tipped brown pencil, which I also ordered. For a long time, I’ve been using the Kosas AirBrow which I love — it fills, shapes, tints, and “holds” brows all at once — but I sometimes find I do need to fill in the gaps / provide a bit more shape and think the pencil is the ticket. BDB has a good gel for less option, but fewer color options.

+Speaking of J.A.: OMG, these new patterned fall skirts!!!!

+Picked up a few items for my son over the weekend: this sherpa-lined puffer jacket (in red, per his request), these sneakers (he was obsessed with the red and black), this plaid shirt and shawl collar sweater for Thanksgiving, these henleys, these cords, and these colored jeans.

+Cute fair isle sweater, 40% off – love the gold buttons. Also love this faux-shearling cropped jacket.

+A friend of mine raved about these little travel blocks sets for boys. I just picked up a pack to keep for a rainy day — a last-minute trip, a sick day, etc!

+Love a longer line jacket / fleece that has a cinched waist for layering over athleisure — I own and love this fleece and just found this cute puffer jacket too. (They also have a great cropped version in a gorgeous chocolate shade if that’s more your silhouette preference.)

+Cool girl sneakers in seasonal brown – love.

+Sweet jacket for a girl.

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