Based on a Book

We’re wrapping up Made of Madness March with one of the wildest adaptations we’ve covered yet: Poor Things by Alasdair Gray and its 2023 film adaptation starring Emma Stone. This strange, bold story about Bella Baxter takes us from page to screen in a way that’s as chaotic as it is fascinating. We break down the biggest differences, the themes of identity and freedom, and whether the movie captured the spirit of the book.

Hosted by Keri with co-hosts Crystal and Lindsey.

Books & Adaptations Mentioned:

• Poor Things by Alasdair Gray
• Poor Things (2023 Film)

Listen to Poor Things on LibroFM with our Affiliate Link!

Question of the Episode:

• Who is the greater moral offender: Godwin Baxter or Victor Frankenstein?

Connect with Us

Want to keep up with all things Based on a Book? Head to our Beacons page linked above for everything in one place!

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Thanks for listening to Based on a Book—see you in the next chapter!

Chapters:

(00:00) Introductions

(02:25) Content Warning

(03:30) Book Background, Ratings, & Non-Spoiler Reviews

(11:10) Book vs Movie Discussion (SPOILERS)

(54:40) Final Verdicts

(57:30) Question of the Episode

The madness continues, and a winner will be crowned. In this episode of Based on a Book, we return to our Frankenstein adaptation tournament to finish the bracket and determine which version best captures the spirit of Mary Shelley’s legendary story. After narrowing the field in Part 1, the remaining adaptations now battle it out in the final half of the tournament. Using our scoring system, we debate which films deserve to advance and which ones fall short. By the end of the episode, we reveal our Top 3 Frankenstein adaptations and crown the ultimate winner of our tournament. Did your favorite survive the madness?

Hosted by Crystal with co-hosts Keri and Lindsey.

Books & Adaptations Mentioned:

• Frankenstein by Mary Shelley
• Frankenstein Adaptations PDF 

Frankenstein Rating System Sheets

Listen on Libro.fm with Our Affiliate Link

Connect with Us

Want to keep up with all things Based on a Book? Head to our Beacons page linked above for everything in one place!

• 💌 Contact us directly via email
• 📱 Follow us on all our socials
• 🎧 Catch our latest episodes on YouTube and your favorite podcast platforms
• 📖 Submit a book-to-screen adaptation you want us to cover!

Intro/Outro Music - Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!)

License code: U4DTEOAWJIPZ2ADH

Thanks for listening to Based on a Book—see you in the next chapter!

Chapters:

(00:00) Introductions

(01:45) Part 1 Recap

(03:10) Round Seven

(11:10) Round Eight

(30:00) Final Match Up

(50:00) Crowning the Champion

It’s alive, and so is our Frankenstein adaptation tournament! In this episode, we officially kick off our 12-film Frankenstein face-off, where adaptations from across decades battle it out to determine which version best captures the spirit of Mary Shelley’s legendary novel.

Hosted by Lindsey with co-hosts Crystal and Keri.

Books & Adaptations Mentioned:

• Frankenstein by Mary Shelley
• Frankenstein Adaptations PDF 

Frankenstein Rating System Sheets

Listen on Libro.fm with Our Affiliate Link

Connect with Us

Want to keep up with all things Based on a Book? Head to our Beacons page linked above for everything in one place!

• 💌 Contact us directly via email
• 📱 Follow us on all our socials
• 🎧 Catch our latest episodes on YouTube and your favorite podcast platforms
• 📖 Submit a book-to-screen adaptation you want us to cover!

Intro/Outro Music - Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!)

License code: U4DTEOAWJIPZ2ADH

Thanks for listening to Based on a Book—see you in the next chapter!

Chapters:

(00:00) Introductions

(01:05) Tournament Rules & Rating System

(05:50) Round One

(14:30) Round Two

(21:10) Round Three

(34:20) Round Four

(39:35) Round Five

(47:05) Round Six

Welcome to our Made of Madness March, where we kick things off by diving into the dark and fascinating world of Mary Shelley—the brilliant mind who dreamed up one of literature’s most haunting creations. We’ll explore her unconventional upbringing, the stormy night that sparked the idea of Frankenstein, and share our thoughts on the Frankenstein novel itself including its haunting themes and complex characters.

Then, the real madness begins: we’re splitting 12 different Frankenstein adaptations between the three of us and throwing them into a head-to-head bracket showdown. Over the next two weeks, we’ll battle it out to decide which version electrifies the story best and truly bring Mary Shelley’s story to life.

Hosted by Keri with co-hosts Lindsey and Crystal.

Books & Adaptations Mentioned:

• Frankenstein by Mary Shelley
• Frankenstein Adaptations PDF 

Frankenstein Rating System Sheets

Listen on Libro.fm with Our Affiliate Link

Connect with Us

Want to keep up with all things Based on a Book? Head to our Beacons page linked above for everything in one place!

• 💌 Contact us directly via email
• 📱 Follow us on all our socials
• 🎧 Catch our latest episodes on YouTube and your favorite podcast platforms
• 📖 Submit a book-to-screen adaptation you want us to cover!

Intro/Outro Music - Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!)

License code: U4DTEOAWJIPZ2ADH

Thanks for listening to Based on a Book—see you in the next chapter!

Chapters:

(00:00) Introductions

(02:10) Frankenstein / Mary Shelley Introduction & Background

(17:45) Frankenstein (Ratings and Spoiler Thoughts)

(49:30) The Wheel of Frankenstein

Our Listener Submission theme wraps up with a story of longing, regret, second chances, and one of the most swoon-worthy letters in literary history. This week, we’re diving into Persuasion by Jane Austen, and comparing it to three very different adaptations—the 1995 TV movie, 2007 BBC TV movie, and 2022 Netflix movie.

Hosted by Crystal with co-hosts Keri and Lindsey.

Books & Adaptations Mentioned:

• Persuasion by Jane Austen
• Persuasion (1995 TV Movie)
• Persuasion (2007 TV Movie)
• Persuasion (2022 Netflix Series)

Listen on Libro.fm with Our Affiliate Link

Question of the Episode:

• Is there a character in this story you think was misrepresented by the narrative or deserved a little bit more grace, maybe due to the time or just the way he or she was portrayed?

Connect with Us

Want to keep up with all things Based on a Book? Head to our Beacons page linked above for everything in one place!

• 💌 Contact us directly via email
• 📱 Follow us on all our socials
• 🎧 Catch our latest episodes on YouTube and your favorite podcast platforms
• 📖 Submit a book-to-screen adaptation you want us to cover!

Intro/Outro Music - Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!)

License code: U4DTEOAWJIPZ2ADH

Thanks for listening to Based on a Book—see you in the next chapter!

Chapters:

(00:00) Introductions

(02:10) Book Ratings

(07:05) Favorite Quotes

(14:45) Adaptation Introductions & Discussions (SPOILERS)

(48:20) Final Verdicts & Question of the Episode

This week, we're heading into the snowbound terror of The Shining and comparing it to Stanley Kubrick's iconic adaptation. We break down how the novel and the film tell very different stories, from character motivations to thematic intent, and why King's version and Kubrick's version often feel like two completely separate nightmares.

Hosted by Lindsey with co-hosts Crystal and Keri.

Books & Adaptations Mentioned:

• The Shining by Stephen King
• The Shining (1980 Film)

Listen to The Shining on LibroFM with Our Affiliate Link!

Connect with Us

Want to keep up with all things Based on a Book? Head to our Beacons page linked above for everything in one place!

• 💌 Contact us directly via email
• 📱 Follow us on all our socials
• 🎧 Catch our latest episodes on YouTube and your favorite podcast platforms
• 📖 Submit a book-to-screen adaptation you want us to cover!

Intro/Outro Music - Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!)

License code: OAZT1MIMW1Y3V3HP

Thanks for listening to Based on a Book—see you in the next chapter!

Chapters:

(00:00) Introductions

(01:21) Ratings and Non-Spoiler Discussion

(14:29) Book vs Movie Breakdown (SPOILERS)

(56:00) Final Verdict & Question of the Episode

Surprise! We headed to the theater to catch Emerald Fennell’s brand-new “Wuthering Heights”, starring Margot Robbie as Catherine and Jacob Elordi as Heathcliff—and we’re sharing our immediate, straight-out-of-the-cinema reactions. What worked? What didn’t? And was this the dark and twisted story we were hoping to see on screen? Tune in to this bonus episode for all our hot takes.

Hosted by Crystal with co-hosts Keri and Lindsey.

Books & Adaptations Mentioned:

• Wuthering Heights by Emily Brontë
• Wuthering Heights (2026 Film)

Listen on Libro.fm with Our Affiliate Link

Connect with Us

Want to keep up with all things Based on a Book? Head to our Beacons page linked above for everything in one place!

• 💌 Contact us directly via email
• 📱 Follow us on all our socials
• 🎧 Catch our latest episodes on YouTube and your favorite podcast platforms
• 📖 Submit a book-to-screen adaptation you want us to cover!

Intro/Outro Music - Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!)

License code: U4DTEOAWJIPZ2ADH

Thanks for listening to Based on a Book—see you in the next chapter!

Chapters:

(00:00) Introductions

(01:15) Expectation Recap (Soft Spoilers)

(09:30) Movie Breakdown (SPOILERS)

(27:15) Final Verdict

Keri kicks off this month’s theme with our first listener-recommended pick, Nimona by ND Stevenson, along with its 2023 animated film adaptation. In our first-ever graphic novel-to-screen deep dive, we explore the vibrant world of Nimona and the standout themes that make the story unforgettable.

Hosted by Keri with co-hosts Lindsey and Crystal.

Books & Adaptations Mentioned:

• Nimona (2023 Film)
• Nimona by ND Stevenson (Graphic Novel)

Listen to Nimona on LibroFM with Our Affiliate Link!

Connect with Us

Want to keep up with all things Based on a Book? Head to our Beacons page linked above for everything in one place!

• 💌 Contact us directly via email
• 📱 Follow us on all our socials
• 🎧 Catch our latest episodes on YouTube and your favorite podcast platforms
• 📖 Submit a book-to-screen adaptation you want us to cover!

Intro/Outro Music - Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!)

License code: OAZT1MIMW1Y3V3HP

Thanks for listening to Based on a Book—see you in the next chapter!

Chapters:

(00:00) Introductions

(04:04) Ratings and Non-Spoiler Discussion

(08:21) Book vs Movie Breakdown (SPOILERS)

(36:02) Final Verdict

(37:34) Question of the Episode

For our Season 4 premiere, we experienced Wuthering Heights for the very first time—both the book and three different screen adaptations. Each host claimed a different era of the moors—Crystal with the 1939 film, Lindsey with the 1998 adaptation, and Keri with the 2009 BBC miniseries—to see how Emily Brontë’s famously obsessive and unforgiving story has been translated across generations.

Hosted by Crystal with co-hosts Keri and Lindsey.

Books & Adaptations Mentioned: 

• Wuthering Heights by Emily Brontë
• Wuthering Heights (1939 Film)
• Wuthering Heights (1998 TV Movie)
• Wuthering Heights (2009 TV Mini Series)

Listen on Libro.fm with Our Affiliate Link

Question of the Episode:

• Knowing what we know now about the differences in these adaptations, what are we wanting to see in the new movie?

Connect with Us

Want to keep up with all things Based on a Book? Head to our Beacons page linked above for everything in one place!

• 💌 Contact us directly via email
• 📱 Follow us on all our socials
• 🎧 Catch our latest episodes on YouTube and your favorite podcast platforms
• 📖 Submit a book-to-screen adaptation you want us to cover!

Intro/Outro Music - Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!)

License code: U4DTEOAWJIPZ2ADH

Thanks for listening to Based on a Book—see you in the next chapter!

Chapters:

(00:00) Introductions

(02:24) Book Ratings

(13:19) Adaptation Introductions & Discussions (SPOILERS)

(56:21) Final Verdicts

(57:02) Question of the Episode

Season 4 is almost here and it’s packed with adaptations you’ve been waiting for! This teaser trailer gives you a first look at the titles we’re dropping all season long, from listener-recommended picks to long-awaited series finales. New themes, fresh stories, and unforgettable book-to-screen moments are on the way. Trust us—you won’t want to miss what’s coming.

Connect with Us

Want to keep up with all things Based on a Book? Head to our Beacons page linked above for everything in one place!

💌 Contact us directly via email

📱 Follow us on all our socials

🎧 Catch our latest episodes on YouTube and your favorite podcast platforms

📖 Submit a book-to-screen adaptation you want us to cover!

Intro/Outro Music - Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!)

License code: OAZT1MIMW1Y3V3HP

Thanks for listening to Based on a Book—see you in the next chapter!