Hi-ho, the gang’s all here,

To talk of tales both old and dear!

From The Sobbin’ Women by Stephen Vincent Benét,

To the technicolor charm of a musical great!

It’s our first-ever musical episode—oh, what fun!

We’re singing, we’re laughing, we’re on the run.

From pioneer tales to big-screen tunes,

We’re dancing under rustic moons!

Is it romantic? Is it absurd?

You’ll have to listen to catch every word!

We’ll sing, we’ll dance, we’ll chat, we’ll jest,

It’s an episode you simply can’t miss!

So grab your saddle, or your Sunday best,

Join us as we dive into the west.

Seven Brides for Seven Brothers—it’s wild and zany,

And yes, we’re discussing the Stockholm-y, brainy!

🎵 Don’t miss this delightful affair,

Where books and movies fill the air! 🎵

Hosted by Crystal with co-hosts Keri and Lindsey.

Content Warnings: Kidnapping and coercion, gender stereotypes, patriarchal themes, romanticized abduction, violence, isolation, outdated cultural norms

Books & Adaptations Mentioned:

• The Sobbin' Women by Stephen Vincent Benét
• Seven Brides for Seven Brothers (1954 Film Adaptation)

Questions of the Episode:

1. If you are trapped in a mountain cabin for four months with zero communication, do you think you could make it, or would you go stir crazy
2. Which fictional character do you wish would take you away?

Share your opinions with us on Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, and YouTube, or email us at [email protected]

Don't miss an episode! Subscribe to "Based on a Book" on Apple Podcasts and Spotify!

Send us a Book Adaptation Request!

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

Thanks for listening to “Based on a Book” - see you in the next chapter!

Chapters:

(00:00) Introductions and Synopsis

(01:26) Ratings and Non-Spoiler Reviews

(06:00) Book vs Movie Breakdown

(49:20) Final Verdicts

(50:47) Questions of the Episode

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 the ghostly, gothic atmosphere of The Haunting of Bly Manor. How does the show expand on the novella’s story? What elements of The Turn of the Screw remain at the core of Bly Manor? We’ll discuss all the heart-stopping moments and dig into the ways in which the series weaves in additional themes like love, grief, and the haunting passage of time.

Hosted by Lindsey with co-hosts Crystal and Keri.

Content Warnings: Psychological manipulation, mental illness, death of children, ghosts/supernatural, ambiguous reality, isolation, fear, murder, grief/loss, drowning/suffocation, possession, abusive relationships, violence

Books & Adaptations Mentioned:

• The Turn of the Screw by Henry James (1898)
• The Haunting of Bly Manor (Netflix, 2020)
• The Haunting of Hill House (Netflix, 2018)

Question of the Episode:

• What’s your favorite ghost story or haunted house tale?

Share your opinions with us on Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, and YouTube, or email us at [email protected]

Don't miss an episode! Subscribe to "Based on a Book" on Apple Podcasts and Spotify!

Send us a Book Adaptation Request!

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

Thanks for listening to “Based on a Book” - see you in the next chapter!

Chapters:

(00:00) Introductions and Synopsis

(02:00) Ratings and Non-Spoiler Reviews

(08:56) Book vs Series Breakdown

(1:23:56) Final Verdict

(1:26:11) Question of the Episode

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 from within—or if it’s just good lighting. 

Grab your cocoa, snuggle up by the fire, and let’s get into the enchantment of Beastly! Don’t forget to subscribe so you won’t miss next week’s episode—our holiday lineup is packed with festive fun! 🎁

Hosted by Keri with co-hosts Lindsey and Crystal.

Content Warnings: Superficiality, bullying, transformation, isolation, parental neglect, verbal abuse, body image, imprisonment/forced confinement, drug use

Books & Adaptations Mentioned:

• Beastly by Alex Flinn
• Beastly: Lindy's Diary by Alex Flinn
• Beastly (2011 Film Adaptation)

Question of the Episode:

• Beastly is a retelling of Beauty and the Beast, what other story retelling(s) do you recommend others should read?

Crystal’s Recommendations:

• Ever After
• Star Trek: The Next Generation - S4.E20 - Qpid

Lindsey’s Recommendations:

• Pride and Prejudice and Zombies by Seth Grahame-Smith (Novel)
• Pride and Prejudice and Zombies: The Graphic Novel
• Pride and Prejudice and Zombies Movie

Group Recommendation:

• A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas

Keri’s Recommendations:

• Entreat Me by Grace Draven
• Legendborn by Tracy Deonn

Share your opinions with us on Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, and YouTube, or email us at [email protected]

Don't miss an episode! Subscribe to "Based on a Book" on Apple Podcasts and Spotify!

Send us a Book Adaptation Request!

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

Chapters:

(00:00) Introductions

(01:34) Synopsis

(02:30) Ratings and Non-Spoiler Reviews

(10:54) Book vs Movie Breakdown (SPOILERS)

(1:16:40) Final Verdict

(1:17:35) Question of the Episode

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 differences between the book and the film, explore the deeper themes hidden beneath the feathers, and share our own theories about nature’s revolt. Whether you're a fan of Hitchcock’s suspense or du Maurier’s literary brilliance, this episode will have you cawing for more.

Hosted by Crystal with co-hosts Keri and Lindsey.

Content Warnings: Animal violence/violence against animals, death/implied death of children, blood and gore, psychological distress, isolation, jump scares, sexism

Books & Adaptations Mentioned:

• The Birds by Daphne du Maurier
• The Birds (1963 Film)

Question of the Episode:

• How long do you think you would have lasted in the avian apocalypse?

Share your opinions with us on Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, and YouTube, or email us at [email protected]

Don't miss an episode! Subscribe to "Based on a Book" on Apple Podcasts and Spotify!

Send us a Book Adaptation Request!

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

Thanks for listening to “Based on a Book” - see you in the next chapter!

Chapters:

(00:00) Introductions

(00:59) Synopsis

(01:28) Ratings and Non-Spoiler Reviews (Book)

(03:26) Ratings and Non-Spoiler Reviews (Movie)

(08:05) Book vs Movie Breakdown

(1:14:39) Question of the Episode

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 captures King’s message of friendship and survival against all odds.

Hosted by Lindsey with co-hosts Crystal and Keri.

Content Warnings: SA, violence, suicidal themes, murder, corruption, strong language, mental health issues, imprisonment, and substance abuse.

Books & Adaptations Mentioned:

• Rita Hayworth and the Shawshank Redemption
• The Shawshank Redemption

Question of the Episode:

• If you were stuck in a place for 19 years, what hobby or skill would you master to pass the time?

Share your opinions with us on Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, and YouTube, or email us at [email protected]

Don't miss an episode! Subscribe to "Based on a Book" on Apple Podcasts and Spotify!

Send us a Book Adaptation Request!

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

Thanks for listening to “Based on a Book” - see you in the next chapter!

Chapters: 

(00:00) Introductions

(00:43) Synopsis

(01:20) Ratings and Non-Spoiler Reviews

(06:45) Book vs. Movie Breakdown

(1:08:41) Final Verdicts

(1:12:59) Question of the Episode

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 world of Uglies. Find out if we think this adaptation made the cut or needed a serious makeover!

Hosted by Keri with co-hosts Lindsey and Crystal.

Content Warnings: Body image and beauty standards, violence, mind control and manipulation, social discrimination, and rebellion and government oppression

Books & Adaptations Mentioned:

• Uglies by Scott Westerfeld 
• Uglies Movie

Question of the Episode:

• Would you choose to stay 'ugly' and keep your individuality, or become 'pretty' but lose some of your personality?

Share your opinions with us on Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, and YouTube, or email us at [email protected]

Don't miss an episode! Subscribe to "Based on a Book" on Apple Podcasts and Spotify!

Send us a Book Adaptation Request!

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

Thanks for listening to “Based on a Book” - see you in the next chapter!

Chapters: 

(00:00) Introductions and Synopsis

(02:40) Ratings (Book and Movie) and Non-Spoiler Reviews

(08:49) “Convincing” Spoiler Warning - Let Us Save You the Trouble

(09:38) Uglies World Crash Course

(18:00) Book vs. Movie Breakdown

(1:23:40) Question of the Episode

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 & Adaptations Mentioned:

• The Time Traveler’s Wife by Audrey Niffenegger
• The Time Traveler’s Wife (2009 movie adaptation)

Question of the Episode:

• What activity helps you work through stress or big feelings?

Share your opinions with us on Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, and YouTube, or email us at [email protected]

Don't miss an episode! Subscribe to "Based on a Book" on Apple Podcasts and Spotify!

Send us a Book Adaptation Request!

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

Thanks for listening to “Based on a Book” - see you in the next chapter!

Chapters:

(00:00) Introductions

(00:58) Book Ratings

(01:46) Synopsis

(02:23) BRB, Crying

(03:00) Trigger Warnings

(03:20) Non-Spoiler Reviews

(11:00) SPOILERS - Time Paradox

(14:07) About the Author 

(14:43) Meet Claire - Let the Crying Commence

(16:02) Greetings, Earthling

(17:32) Stranger Danger

(18:03) Henry’s First Trip in the Book

(20:23) Yer a Time Traveler, Henry

(21:00) The Accident - Still Crying

(22:10) No Control

(23:01) Not My Henry

(24:08) Rachel McAdams is a Creepy Claire

(26:20) Punk Might Be Dead

(28:30) Violent Femmes

(31:05) Temporal Prime Directive

(33:25) We Need More Time

(34:17) A Wrinkle in Time

(35:04) Bad Hair Day(s)

(36:10) Lost in Time

(37:20) Wedding Planning

(40:30) The Big Day

(45:40) (No) Joy Division

(47:50) Book Claire vs. Movie Claire

(50:00) Time Traveling Past the End

(51:55) The Heavy Stuff (Cue the Tears)

(55:37) Mrs. Kim’s Daughter - Sobbing

(57:09) The Turning Point

(57:57) The Time Traveler’s Cringe

(1:01:47) A Slap in the Face

(1:03:25) 10 Years (and Tears) Into the Future

(1:07:40) Inconvenient Traveling

(1:09:13) Aging Quickly

(1:11:11) Thing Turns Awkward (In the Book and In the Podcast)

(1:12:39) Claire’s Confession

(1:14:40) Charisse’s Confession

(1:15:47) Movie Claire Becomes the Villain. . . Again

(1:16:47) Future Henry’s Problems

(1:18:17) The Parking Garage and the Aftermath

(1:20:40) The Beginning of the End - Crying and Looking Into the Void

(1:22:34) Henry Learns to Fly and We Continue to Cry

(1:24:23) It’s Now - Seriously Sobbing

(1:26:35) More Than Just His Memory

(1:27:20) One More Time (One More Cry)

(1:28:27) Final Verdicts

(1:30:10) Question of the Episode

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 moments that make this story a classic of the horror-thriller genre. Plus, you’ll hear how the book differs from the movie and how both build an atmosphere that is truly perfect for Halloween!

Hosted by Lindsey with co-hosts Crystal and Keri.

Content Warnings: Graphic depictions of violence and murder; discussions of cannibalism, body mutilation, and skinning; psychological manipulation and trauma; mentions of sexual harassment and abuse; depictions of mental illness and institutionalization

Books & Adaptations Mentioned:

• The Silence of the Lambs by Thomas Harris
• 1991 film adaptation

Question of the Episode:

• "If you had to seek advice from a notorious villain to solve a mystery, who would it be and why?”

Share your opinions with us on Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, and YouTube, or email us at [email protected]

Don't miss an episode! Subscribe to "Based on a Book" on Apple Podcasts and Spotify!

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

https://uppbeat.io/t/konstantin-garbuzyuk/zombie-party

Thanks for listening to “Based on a Book” - see you in the next chapter!

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 cohesive narrative and share our thoughts on the biggest scares in the movie. These spine-chilling stories have haunted readers for decades, bringing folklore, urban legends, and terrifying tales to life with unforgettable illustrations that made generations of kids sleep with the lights on.

Hosted by Keri with co-hosts Lindsey and Crystal.

Content Warnings: Horror themes, body horror, violence, gore, jump scares, death, disturbing illustrations, and supernatural elements

Books & Adaptations Mentioned:

• Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark by Alvin Schwartz
• 2019 film adaptation

Question of the Episode:

• What short story from the Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark series would you like to see adapted into a full length novel or a standalone movie?

Share your opinions with us on Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, and YouTube, or email us at [email protected]

Don't miss an episode! Subscribe to "Based on a Book" on Apple Podcasts and Spotify!

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

https://uppbeat.io/t/konstantin-garbuzyuk/zombie-party

Thanks for listening to “Based on a Book” - see you in the next chapter!

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 co-hosts Keri and Lindsey.

Content Warnings: Graphic violence, destruction, death and mourning, dead bodies, body horror, mass panic, trauma, separation, survival crisis, child endangerment, emotional abuse

Books & Adaptations Mentioned:

• The War of the Worlds By H.G. Wells
• The War of the Worlds 2005 movie adaptation
• The War of the Worlds radio broadcast

Question of the Episode:

• If you had to leave home, possibly never to return, what would you take with you?

Share your opinions with us on Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, and YouTube, or email us at [email protected]

Don't miss an episode! Subscribe to "Based on a Book" on Apple Podcasts and Spotify!

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

https://uppbeat.io/t/konstantin-garbuzyuk/zombie-party

Thanks for listening to “Based on a Book” - see you in the next chapter!