In this episode of Book Watch, we’re diving into a character analysis of Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West (1995), the 2003 broadway musical, Wicked and its 2 part movie adaptation 2024’s Wicked and 2025’s Wicked Part 2: For Good, both directed by John M. Chu. We are also joined by self-described Wicked superfan Abbey Umali, as she brings her unique perspective on the stage production to the conversation. How well did the film capture the heart of the book and the musical? What changes worked—and which ones missed the mark?

In Part 1 we explore:
Character portrayals, casting choices, and differences between the book and movie. How do the movie cast's singing and acting chops compare to the iconic original Broadway cast? How do we feel about 2025’s sexiest man alive, pop stars, and professional martial artisits joining the wonderful world of Oz? And how do we square the circle of the different versions of the characters between the 3 mediums.

Join hosts Chris, Jordyn, Sarah-Daye and special guest Abbey Umali as they break down what worked, what didn’t, and whether this adaptation does the book justice.

Tell us your thoughts! Did you love or hate this adaptation? Let’s discuss in The Book Watch Lounge on Facebook -https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1Czwd3cVFJ/

In this episode of Book Watch, we’re diving into the Plot Breakdown of Ready Player One and its movie adaptation. How well does the film follow the book’s fast-paced, high-stakes quest for Halliday's Easter Egg? What changes worked—and which ones missed the mark?

In Part 2, we explore:

• Major plot changes (key challenges) between the book and the movie
• What storylines were streamlined or cut entirely
• How the adaptation handled the Oasis design, the quest for the keys, and a certain botched character.

Join hosts Chris, Jordyn, and Sarah-Daye as they break down what worked, what didn’t, and whether this adaptation does the book justice.

Tell us your thoughts! Did you love or hate this adaptation? Let’s discuss in The Book Watch Lounge on Facebook 💙

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In this episode of Book Watch, we’re kicking off our two-part deep dive into Ready Player One by Ernest Cline and the 2018 film adaptation directed by Steven Spielberg. Part One is all about the characters: How well did the movie capture the spirit of the High Five? Which casting choices soared, and where did the avatars differ most from their book counterparts? 💡

We’re unpacking:

• Character portrayals and major differences
• The chemistry of the High Five and the villains
• How identity, avatars, and real-world vulnerability shape the story
• What worked, what didn’t, and what we wish the movie kept

Whether you’re obsessed with OASIS lore or love a good book-to-movie debate, this character-focused breakdown sets the stage for next week’s plot discussion. Strap in — the first key is just the beginning.

In this episode of Book Watch, we’re diving into the plot breakdown of Holes and its 2003 movie adaptation (Holes). How well did the film capture the heart of the book? What changes worked—and which ones missed the mark? 💡

In Part 2, we’ll explore:
✅ Plot changes, major omissions, and how well the adaptation stayed true to the book’s themes.

Join hosts Sarah-Daye, Jordyn, and Chris as they dig into the twists, flashbacks, and full-circle storytelling that make Holes such a timeless classic—and decide whether the movie really does justice to Louis Sachar’s layered tale. 🎬📚

In this episode of Book Watch, we’re diving into the character analysis of Holes and its 2003 movie adaptation (Holes). How well did the film capture the heart of the book? What changes worked—and which ones missed the mark? 💡

In Part 1, we’ll explore:
✅ Character portrayals, casting choices, and differences between the book and movie.

Join hosts Sarah-Daye, Jordyn, and Chris as they break down what worked, what didn’t, and whether this adaptation does the book justice. 🎬📚

📌 Tell us your thoughts! Did you love or hate this adaptation? Let’s discuss in The Book Watch Lounge on Facebook 

🎃✨ In this special Halloween episode of Book Watch, Sarah-Daye is joined by returning guests Chris Hitlett and Jordyn Carrido for a spooktacular celebration! We’re trading page-to-screen analysis for some festive fun—sharing our favorite Halloween traditions, go-to spooky reads and films, and a few nostalgic costume stories along the way. Plus, we’re wrapping things up with a lightning round of frightfully fun questions you won’t want to miss! 👻💙

 🦇📖 In this episode of Book Watch, we’re sinking our teeth into Dracula and its haunting 2024 adaptation, Nosferatu. Bram Stoker’s gothic masterpiece has inspired countless interpretations, but how does this latest version reimagine the timeless tale of obsession, fear, and immortality?

💡 Join Sarah-Daye and Jordyn as we explore:
✅ The enduring influence of Dracula in literature and film
✅ How the 2024 Nosferatu transforms familiar characters and themes
✅ What makes this new adaptation stand out—or fall flat—among a century of vampire cinema

Whether you’re a classic horror fan or a modern movie lover, this episode will have you watching the shadows just a little more closely. 

How do the Owens sisters come to life on screen? Did the movie capture the quiet, mystical charm and emotional depth of Hoffman’s novel—or did Hollywood add its own spell?

💡 In this episode, we’ll dive into:
✅ The casting and chemistry of Sally and Gillian Owens
✅ The differences in how magic—and womanhood—are portrayed across book and film
✅ The roles of love, grief, and sisterhood in shaping each character’s story

Grab your midnight margaritas and join us as we unravel the magic behind the Owens family. 💙

📖✨ In this episode of Book Watch, we’re diving into the haunting world of Sharp Objects — Gillian Flynn’s chilling debut novel and its gripping HBO limited series adaptation starring Amy Adams.

How does the show capture the psychological depth and Southern Gothic atmosphere of Flynn’s writing? What changes amplify the tension — and which ones cut a little too deep?

💡 In this episode, we explore:
✅ The complex character of Camille Preaker and Amy Adams’ mesmerizing performance
✅ The unsettling mother-daughter dynamics and small-town secrets that drive the story
✅ How the adaptation uses visuals, pacing, and sound to mirror Camille’s mental unraveling

Tune in as we peel back the layers of this dark and twisty tale — where every scar tells a story. 💙

📖✨ In this episode of Book Watch, we’re diving into the haunting world of Sharp Objects — Gillian Flynn’s chilling debut novel and its gripping HBO limited series adaptation starring Amy Adams.

How does the show capture the psychological depth and Southern Gothic atmosphere of Flynn’s writing? What changes amplify the tension — and which ones cut a little too deep?

💡 In this episode, we explore:
✅ The complex character of Camille Preaker and Amy Adams’ mesmerizing performance
✅ The unsettling mother-daughter dynamics and small-town secrets that drive the story
✅ How the adaptation uses visuals, pacing, and sound to mirror Camille’s mental unraveling

Tune in as we peel back the layers of this dark and twisty tale — where every scar tells a story. 💙