The REEL Book Club: Labor Day by Joyce Maynard Book Discussion

Hi everyone! Welcome to The REEL Book Club Labor Day Discussion.

You might recall that we did a couple post back in November for The Book Thief but we didn't have an official name for our book club yet. And now as you can see above, we are called The REEL Book Club. Do you get it? Reel for movie reel, since we are still going to be discussing books turned into movies. 

This meet up was all about LABOR DAY by Joyce Maynard. 

Labor Day written by Joyce Maynard was originally printed back in 2009. The movie-tie edition was released December 3rd 2013 from William Morrow Paperbacks. See below each cover. 

So on Sunday, January 26th we all met at my house once again to discuss the book and what we expect in the upcoming film.

Pictured here from left to right: Yara (Me), Jessica, Jennifer, Rachel, Heather, Dustie, Stephanie, Mary Alice, Trudy and Sheila D..

Pictured here from left to right: Sheila M., Jennifer (bottom), Jessica (top), Rachel, Heather, Dustie, Stephanie, Mary Alice, Trudy and Sheila D.

DISCUSSION:

How do you think the events of that Labor Day weekend change Henry? How might his life have gone if Frank had not shown up?

• Rachel: She said that Henry would have become a recluse in her opinion.
• Dustie: says it was for Henry's best which helped tremendously with his self-esteem.
• Heather: Learning to bake the pie changed his life for the best.
• Sheila M.: She felt that he learned to get along better with men and women because of that Labor Day weekend. 

Scenes we want to see in the film.

• Yara: I would like to see the part where Frank and Henry go outside and Frank teaches him how to play baseball. It's a very happy part for me in the book I'd like to see on the screen.
• Jennifer: Wants to see the pie making scene and when Frank approaches Henry in the store when they meet for the first time.
• Shelia D.: Would like to see when Henry tells Eleanor off.
• Trudy: The 2 scenes she would like to see are the pie making and store meet up also.
• Dustie: Wants to see when Frank shows Henry how to play baseball, it's the scene she considered the happiest in the book.
• Heather: Wants to see when they first meet in the store and when they go to capture Frank.

Reaction to movie trailers.

• Everyone as a group agrees the trailer looks like it will be more interesting and "normal" than the book.
• Kate Winslet actually looks terrified when she meets Frank "Vinny" at the store as opposed to how it's described in the book. 
• We did catch that Henry narrates as a grown man in the movie trailer. When we read the book, we felt as a whole that it was a child narrating the story. Main reason was the missing quotations and just certain areas that grossed us out as moms (lol). 
• The movie trailer looks as if the film is going to be romantic since we felt the book lacked romance for us. 

HOPES.

• Believable, emotional, romantic.

Random.

• The movie trailer helped a few of us read and finish the book.
• Stephanie: Says it wasn't the most comfortable scenes to read in a book but she has read worst before.
• Sheila M.: Says she feels the author wrote this book to show the story as "fated" to the reader. 
• Group hopes that the movie is less detailed in certain scenes that in the book that were a bit uncomfortable to read. (Out of all of us, I had the hardest time getting through the book - Yara)
• It was disturbing for most of us with sons to know how interested Henry was to listen to his mother have sexual relations with Frank. 
• Sheila M: She could not handle the constant turmoil in the book. 

So that concludes are first meeting for Labor Day. Next we will go as a group and see the film then discuss our reactions after watching the movie. Labor Day was definitely a good book to have as part of a book club. There were moments of heated discussion regarding Henry and our own boys. It's definitely a book that moms of boys might be uncomfortable to read. But we do recommend that you do. 

Have you read Labor Day? What do you thins about what we mention in this post regarding the book and upcoming movie? What are you looking forward to seeing in the movie? Let us know in the comments. 

LABOR DAY - in theaters January 31st 2014.

“Labor Day” centers on 13-year-old Henry Wheeler, who struggles to be the man of his house and care for his reclusive mother Adele while confronting all the pangs of adolescence. On a back-to-school shopping trip, Henry and his mother encounter Frank Chambers, a man both intimidating and clearly in need of help, who convinces them to take him into their home and later is revealed to be an escaped convict. The events of this long Labor Day weekend will shape them for the rest of their lives.

Starring: Kate Winslet as Adele, Josh Brolin as Frank, Gattlin Griffith as young Henry and Tobey Maguire as adult Henry. 

Directed by Jason Reitman

Order your copy of Joyce Maynard's Labor Day today. 

Book Club: The Book Thief | Reflections of the Movie | Giveaway

Welcome back to part 2 of The Book Thief Book to Movie Club!

Back on November 8th we shared our meet up where we discussed the book before we saw the film. Well today we are sharing our reflections of what we thought of the film in comparison to the book itself. 

Here are a few pictures of our movie night group:

From left to right: Sheila D., Me, Trudy, Michelle, Rachel, Heather, Jessica, Lori, Sheila M. and Jennifer.

The Book Thief took a sometime to open in the greater Houston area (11/27). As a group we didn't see it till Sunday, 12/1. The movie theater was practically ours when we arrived, just before the movie started a handful of people arrived too.

We were all ready with our popcorn, soda and tissues.

Here is what a few of us had to say:

Me:

The Book Thief's adaptation had several parts omitted or changed throughout the full course of the film that if you did read the novel you would have caught and it might have bothered you some. But the film still entertained me for the most part. The ending of the film which was altered from the book was my favorite change from book to movie adaptation. This is the one time I was extremely happy they changed something from the book itself. The Book Thief is guaranteed to bring you joy, sadness and pain with a strong young character to carry the story on her shoulders. I really loved Ben Schnetzer's portray of Max, he really catered his part for me. And Nico Liersch as Rudy was just too adorable and sad at the same time, great job casting wise on both those characters. And let's not leave out Death, I was pleased how he presented himself in The Book Thief.

Michelle:

I personally enjoyed the film adaptation of best selling novel, The Book Thief. As in the book the story is narrated by Death and gives an account of the life of Liesel Meminger, a young orphaned girl growing up in Germany in the midst of WWII. I enjoyed the choice of actors especially the children who played Liesel (Sophie Nelisse) and her friend Rudy Steiner (Nico Liersch). I was a bit disappointed in how "tame" Rosa Hubermann (mamma) was portrayed, however Hans Hubermann (Papa) felt like an old friend. Liesel's relationship with Max and Rudy are told beautifully and felt genuine. I was touched by the way Liesel was passionate about reading, and words and how they can paint a picture. Although the movie felt bland at certain times it will appeal to both readers and non- readers alike. But be warned, this film comes across very monochrome throughout and is not a happily ever after. it is also quite lengthy.

Jennifer:

After reading the novel, The Book Thief, and then seeing the movie, I was disappointed that many of the important details that were present in the book but were missing from the movie - for example, we never saw the scene with Max walking to the camps, we never met the neighbor who spit on their front door, and Rudy and Leisel never stole the fruit. There were several things that were different from the book to the movie, such as Rudy being alive in the last scene, and we never learned that Rudy's father returned from the war alive... he just all of a sudden showed up working in his shop at the end!

I did like how the end of the movie told you a little more than the book about what happened to the characters. It was nice to hear that Max lived to a very old age. However, overall, I was disappointed in both the book and the movie. The book was difficult to read and keep track of because of how Death kept jumping around. The movie lacked details and was at times boring because there were a lot of things left out. I personally think that if more of the details were included, the movie might have moved at a better pace.

Trudy:

Went to the movie very intrigued as to how they would portrayed death as the narrator, was very disappointed. In the book death is a very important part, in the movie it was delegated to just small narrative pieces in the beginning, the middle and the end, not what I expected. Although from the previews I wasn't very impressed by the characters, seeing the movie changed my mind. Rudy was close to what I pictured from the book, same as Mama and Papa. The girl that acted as Liesel did a very good job on her role, but Max even as he grew on me, needed to be more frail and sickly. I would have included in the movie other parts from the book that were more important, as it is it felt incomplete. I did like the ending in the book better, it gave you a better outlook to what happened to Liesel's life after.

Jessica:

As with every book to movie we had a few discrepancies but overall the book & movie were just amazing. The story of a girl growing up and blossoming into something so amazing caught my attention. This story although fiction could have easily happened to any child growing up in Europe during the 1930's. Do yourself a favor and read the book. Watch the movie. And educate yourself on the atrocities of the holocaust. We shall never forget!!!

Sheila M:

The movie did a great job of showing closure at the end of the movie, while in contrast the book felt too open ended with too many different open ended situations. I also loved the actor who played Papa in the movie. I believed they did a great job casting him. There as there often are a lot of discrepancies between the book and the movie. The movie sugar coated the fact that she indeed stole more than just books and left out major events that were present in the book. I think there could have been more if the plot from the book brought into the movie and less quite drama that left people in the audience at times trying to stay awake. Overall, this is the kind of movie I would love to take a twelve year old to, that could open up lines and show what wars look like and areas of history.

Heather:

I really enjoyed both the book and the movie. I was a little apprehensive when I first started the book, with it being told from the perspective of death, however, it didn't take long to know that it couldn't be told from any other perspective. I liked how descriptive the book and movie both were with the events that took place. I have never cried while reading a book until this one! I would highly recommend both the book and movie!

Rachel:

I absolutely loved the book! There was so much emotion in Liesel's life for such a young girl. First, she lost her brother unexpectedly during a train ride that was taking her to a new family where her mother would leave her. Then, she built a beautiful friendship with someone, that she couldn't share with anyone for fear of getting in trouble, who left without saying goodbye.


Going into the movie, I expected much more emotion during those three moments, but there was almost none. If I hadn't read the book, I don't think I would have been as disappointed. There were many times that parts of the movie were so out of order from the book it was confusing for the reader.


I wish Death had more of a part in the movie as well. Many of the other members of the group didn't like death for his dry personality, but I think that's how he would have to be to do his job. He was so prominent in the book that you would think you would hear more from him in the movie.


Overall, the book, for me, was a million times better. The movie will be great for people who haven't read the book and hopefully keep the history of that era alive for the younger generations.

---

THE BOOK THIEF – now playing in select theaters

Based on the beloved bestselling book, The Book Thief tells the inspirational story of a spirited and courageous young girl who transforms the lives of everyone around her when she is sent to live with a new family in World War II Germany.

Starring Geoffrey Rush, Emily Watson, and Sophie Nélisse.

Directed by Brian Percival.

THE BOOK THIEF online: official website | Facebook | Twitter | #TheBookThief

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Book Club: The Book Thief | Markus Zusak | Book Discussion Meeting

Hey everyone! Welcome to THE BOOK THIEF Book to Movie Club!

Today, I'm excited to share with you all the first meet up in a recent book club I was asked to host. The book we would be discussing and dissecting would be Markus Zusak's THE BOOK THIEF. But that's not all because this isn't your typical book club. This club is really a book to movie club where first we met and discussed the book itself and what we expect and hope to see in the upcoming movie, then we meet again to go see the film as a group and end with a discussion about the film.

The Book Thief Book to Movie Participants:

In the first picture (left) is Jessica and Rachel. Jessica actually has a pretty awesome story, we got to hear a piece of it, Jessica is a second generation survivor. Her grandmother has actually shared her stories with her about that time.

Then next picture (center) are Sheila, Jennifer and Trudy (Trudy's my mom). So if you have read the book, then you'll know my mom shares her name with Trudy Hubermann from the story. I thought that was cool, to actually see my mom's nickname in the book. Her first name is actually Gertrudis, which I came to find out during this meet was also my great-great grandmother's first name, which my mom was named after. But that's not all, it turns out my great-great grandmother was also from Germany and migrated to Spain during that time period to avoid being sent to the concentration camps. So that was pretty amazing to learn about my family history.

Then in the last picture (right) you see Heather and I. We met at my house and sat inside my office/library area to discuss this book and so much more.

Missing from the meet up were Meagan and Michelle, they both had medical issues they were dealing with that night that were unexpected. They will be at the movie night screening though. But Megan actually has her own story too. Her great-great grandfather also left Germany during those times in a bread crate on board a ship and was out at sea over 20+ days stuck inside the crate. He arrived in Galveston, Texas.

So as you can see even before I post about hints we discussed regarding The Book Thief, so much was learned that night about each other and how our own lives were affected by the Hitler years.

Discussion:

Each of us had never read The Book Thief before, so we were all very excited to join in the adventure together. Because reading books is definitely an adventure.

Death's P.O.V.:

• Sheila has no idea how it will be told in Death's point of View in the film.
• Trudy feels that Death is all over the place with the story.
• Rachel said Death is a bit A.D.D. in the book.

Yes this was the topic or being we would end up always talking about. The main concern from the group was, how will this film be told from Death's P.O.V. When we viewed the trailer together during the chat, we sort of think its told from Liesel's P.O.V. in the film, so we are even more curious now, if Death even makes some type of appearance.

What does Death's look like:

• Shelia pictured a Patrick Swayze 'Ghost" representation while she read the book.
• Jennifer pictured a normal looking person since he is able to pick up souls/bodies.
• Trudy didn't picture a solid entity, she pictured more of a soul/ghost.
• Heather pictured a transparent being.
• Rachel said to her he is that person everyone ignores, who no one pays attention too.
• I said when I figured it was Death telling the story, i immediately thought of Brad Pitt in 'Meet Joe Black' movie. That Death entered a human body like a possession. (maybe even good looking like Brad Pitt.)

Max:

• The group as a whole questions what happens to him and if he was who Liesel's married in the end. Will the movie version show us more at the end?
• Shelia is very pleased with whom is portraying Max in the film, because when she read the book she pictured someone who was malnourished and just skin and bones.

Rudy:

• We all love love love Rudy.
• One thing we noticed when we watched the book trailer concerning Rudy, was that in the book he never asked Liesel if she was hiding someone but in the film's trailer you can see when he does ask Liesel if she is.

Liesel:

• Heather says she was thrown off a bit about Liesel's description. In the book she is said to have brown eyes while the book movie-tie in edition show the actress playing Liesel and her eyes being blue in color. It was a little detail hat bugged her.
• The group also thought that Liesel look very well in the book trailer as opposed to how she is described in the book. We all wished our hair curled as pretty as hers, lol.

Ending:

• As a majority the group hopes that in the film we will see more closure in the end and not how it ended in the book.
• We all just agreed that Death was very descriptive in the beginning and when it came to the end, he just stop giving details.
• Sheila is dying to know how the end will be done, in the book its very choppy. So she hopes to see more of that last chapter play out.

Scene we want in the film:

• We all agreed and said we hope they show the part where Rudy portray Jessie Owens and paints himself black with charcoal and pretends to be running in the Olympics. The scene was awesome.
• Its not really something we want to see, but if they do show this scene, we know we will ugly cry. The part when the mother carries Liesel's deceased brother. Again, ugly cry if in the movie.

So there you have it folks, that's most of what we discussed. Like I mentioned earlier, Death was the hot topic. We just kept coming back to him or it. We are very excited that we get to see the film soon, on Sunday, November 17th. We will have boxes of tissue on hand.

This was definitely a great book to have this book to movie club for.

Have you read The Book Thief? What do you have to say about what we mentioned? What are you looking forward to seeing in the film? Let us know in the comments.

THE BOOK THIEF – in select theaters November 8

Based on the beloved bestselling book, THE BOOK THIEF tells the inspirational story of a spirited and courageous young girl who transforms the lives of everyone around her when she is sent to live with a new family in World War II Germany.

Starring Geoffrey Rush, Emily Watson, and Sophie Nélisse.

Directed by Brian Percival.

THE BOOK THIEF online: official website | Facebook | Twitter | #TheBookThief

Fanfic Discussion and Why everyone should give fan fic a try

So I wanted to hopefully start just a small discussion regarding Twilight fan fiction or just fan fiction in general. Way before I began blogging, I used to read fan fiction. I think for a period of about 2 years that was all I was reading during and after I read the Twilight books. At first I didn't want to get involved in fan fiction because of how my favorite books characters would be portrayed in other types of stories. Then of course I wanted to keep reading about Jacob, Edward and Bella because it was all I could think about. I had the chance to read fan fic that would continue with an alternate ending to Twilight or what if Edward never returned in New moon. Or I could just read about them but as humans in real life settings with real life problems. So when I asked my friend which fic should be the first one I should read, without hesitation she said I had to read Wide Awake. 

I read Wide Awake and the rest became history. At first I was like wait, where are my vampires but then once the story began to own you, you forgot all those details from Twilight and just start to think about the story itself. Well as soon as I was done with Wide Awake, I asked her to tell me all the fan fics she had read and love that I had to read. This began my obsession with Twilight fan fic. I was reading every second I could and anywhere I was. I started out reading them in my computer and quickly figured out I could read from my cell phone. So the fan fics went with me everywhere. Back then my phone didn't had the huge screen they have now and its didn't matter, I had to read this addicting stories. What was so incredible was that none of these stories were created from authors, these were people like you and me, that one day just felt that need to create this tale with these characters we loved and hope maybe someone would take notice and read it. There was and is some real talent in the fan fic world. Im sure not just in the twilight fan fic but just in general. I would finish a fan fic and say to my self, WOW I would have bought this if it was a real book on the shelf at the store. So in that time frame that I read fan fic I was lucky to have read multiple GREAT and Addicting stories. Then I began blogging and just could not fit in any more time to read fan fic since I had books to read and review. Some days I think hey maybe I should read a new one and just remember how great and enjoyable reading these fan fic stories were. 

So this post really is just to say how super HAPPY I was when I heard that one of my favorite twilight fan fics had been published. I would chat with my friends and say these people have real talent and should try really hard at getting published. So to know that Fifty Shades series happen just made my day because Master of the Universe was always one of my top choices when recommending a fan fic to someone new. Now I get to recommend it all over again but with physical books and honestly I think she tweak it and just made it more awesome!!!! So I just wanted to know out there who writes fan fic and have you ever thought of what if or could I? The fact that Fifty Shades now exist, should be reason enough for all fan fic writers to try and get their stories published. Also if you read fan fic what are other stories, you would like to see on book shelves and have paperback copies of? I know I have a long list of those, maybe now we will start to see some appear in the book world after all the fame that Fifty Shades has created. 

Fifty Shades series is written by E.L. James and its a trilogy that contains Fifty Shades of Grey, Fifty Shades Darker and Fifty Shade Freed. This series originated from Master of the Universe fan fic. In this series Edward became Christian and Bella became Anastasia. Locations have been altered and others characters too. Master of the Universe came out in the fan fic world around 2008 or earlier. E.L. James went by the fan fic name of Snowqueens Icedragon. This series is one of those fics that was label mature over 18 because of its content. Fifty Shades didn't loose any of that content and sexy times. I still would only recommend it to adult over the age of 18 and that have real open minds, since the content in the pages is not one everybody can understand. This series is erotica but has its romance and angst. You can check out the web for articles and features about this hot commodity! It might even make the big screen, that would be AWESOME!!!!

Here are a few I would love to see turned in to books:

• Wicked Angel
• Emancipation Proclamation
• The Ex Factor: Edward and Bella
• Let Your Light Shine
• Laid Bare
• I'll Be Your Lover Too
• Wide Awake (this is the mecca of all Twilight fan fic)

So tell us what you think of fan fic, have you read it, do you love it or hate it? What do you think about getting them to convert and publish? Are you a writer of fan fic, have you thought to publish? Love to hear everyone thoughts!!!!

UPDATE: after posting this, I have come to find out that another one of those fan fics I love has also been published. Emancipation Proclamation is now available as Sempre written by J.M. Darhower. This really makes my heart sing, to see these great fan fics getting their time in the lime light.

UPDATE (12/5/14): This post was created almost 5 years ago before many of these fanfic stories could one day actually become published books. I'm sure many of you know by now that several of our favorites Twilight fanfics have and will continue to be published. So you might not find those original fanfics stories online anymore because they have been pulled. I encourage you all to buy the published books, these books have been edited and revamped by the publishers and agents that have bought the rights to these stories. They are even better than the originals. Happy Reading!!!