The Book Is Better - Book to Film Adaptation Reviews
We’re an absolutely unhinged family of four who took our post-film discussions and love of reading and turned them into a podcast! As Christians, we love to chat about the faith implications of what we read and watch — but you can enjoy this podcast whether or not you share our faith! We review book-to-film adaptations across genres and time periods, although you’ll probably notice we’re big sci-fi and fantasy fans. Each episode includes a comprehensive breakdown of (our opinion of) the most impactful changes from page to film, trivia about the book and film, and our final verdicts about whether or not the book is *actually* better. (Want bonus content? Join us on Patreon!) Featuring hosts Tim Haynes, Donna Haynes, Rebekah Edwards (@bekahs_book_nook), and author T. Josiah Haynes (@tjosiahhaynes). Visit bookisbetterpod.com or follow us on Instagram for more information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Episodes
You’re a mean one… or are you? We are looking at How the Grinch Stole Christmas in all its forms, from the perfectly concise Dr. Seuss book to the iconic 1966 special, the chaotic Jim Carrey version, and the surprisingly heartfelt 2018 animated film. We debate villain backstories, Cindy Lou Who’s glow-up, Max being the real MVP, and why this story still hits us right in the feelings. Cozy, chaotic, and full of Christmas cheer, this...
Grab a marmalade sandwich and your coziest sweater, because we’re talking Paddington! This week, we compare the delightfully episodic book to the movie that said, “Yes, but what if we add a villain, a heist, and emotional growth?” From bath-time disasters and escalator confusion to found family, British charm, and one very polite bear, we break down why both versions work so well—and why this story somehow feels like a warm hug wra...
We’re off to see the wizard—and unpack a century’s worth of chaos along the way! With tin men who literally chop themselves apart to witches who melt faster than you can say “Technicolor,” we’re breaking down The Wizard of Oz like you’ve never heard it before. Join the family as we wander down the yellow brick road comparing Baum’s bizarre original to Hollywood’s sparkly fever dream. Expect laughs, trivia, and just a pinch of flyin...
Get ready for glitter, guns, and government corruption—it’s The Running Man! 💥 What started as Stephen King’s dark takedown of a dying society became an 80s fever dream where Arnold kills people on live TV… for fun! We’re breaking down the book’s bleak brilliance, the movie’s glorious chaos, and why dystopia apparently looks best with shoulder pads. Spoiler: the movie may win the crowd, but the book wins the soul.
Featuring...
Hold on to your butts, it’s Jurassic Park! With ruthless billionaires and baby dinos to chaos theory and that iconic “clever girl,” we’re diving deep into the prehistoric difference between Crichton’s dark, nerdy novel and Spielberg’s blockbuster masterpiece. Expect family debates, scientific shade, and more screaming than Lex in the kitchen scene. The takeaway? The book bites harder, but the movie roars louder!
Featuring hosts ...
Put on the kettle and grab your magnifying glass, besties—it’s The Thursday Murder Club! With sassy retirees and fake priests and more bodies than a British Bake Off weekend, we’re unpacking every twist and tea spill between book and film. The gang’s solving crimes, stirring gossip, and possibly sedating their spouses (it’s fine, probably). Join us as we decide which version cracks the case—and which one should’ve stayed buried in ...
What happens when social satire gets a steampunk glow-up? We’re diving into 1884, where the book’s biting commentary on class and control morphs into a full-blown cinematic rebellion. Expect gears, grime, and government gone wild. Plus all our usual family banter as we decide which version really rules the revolution.
Featuring hosts Tim Haynes, Donna Haynes, Rebekah Edwards, and T. Josiah Haynes.
Grab your life jackets, baby listeners—we’re diving into The Poseidon Adventure! 🚢 From rogue waves and upside-down ballrooms to a reverend who really needs to chill, we’re breaking down the wild differences between book and film. Expect fiery deaths, awkward romances, and Shelley Winters absolutely stealing the show. Come for the chaos, stay for the family banter—this episode proves that sometimes disaster is just more fun on scr...
Welcome to season three, baby listeners — and we’re diving straight into the weird with Annihilation. Think body horror, shimmer rainbows, and an alien bear that screams like your dead teammate (yep, nightmare fuel). In true Book Is Better fashion, we break down how VanderMeer’s trippy, nameless expedition turned into Hollywood’s neon fever dream, complete with Oscar Isaac flashbacks and a finale that left us all wondering if anyon...
The book is a magical island-hopping journey with deep spiritual moments, dragon transformations, and just the right amount of sea serpent chaos. The movie? A glowy, green fog mess that tries to force a plot where there wasn’t one—and somehow makes Eustace less annoying and more interesting than anyone else.
Featuring hosts Tim Haynes, Donna Haynes, Rebekah Edwards, and T. Josiah Haynes.
Support us on Patreon >> https:/...
We’re back in Narnia—where centuries have passed, trees are silent, and Caspian suddenly has a jawline and unresolved feelings for Susan. The book meanders with deep themes minus our favorite talking beavers; the movie says “what if Aragorn, but teenaged?” We’ve got opinions, laughs, and one big question: did anyone actually want that castle raid scene?
Featuring hosts Tim Haynes, Donna Haynes, Rebekah Edwards, and T. ...
We opened the wardrobe and walked straight into a world of epic battles, deep magic, and one extremely dramatic witch. The book gave us cozy allegory and Turkish Delight; the movie gave us slow-mo action and a fur coat budget for days. Join us as we unpack what worked, what didn't, and why Lucy Pevensie deserves more respect.
Featuring hosts Tim Haynes, Donna Haynes, Rebekah Edwards, and T. Josiah Haynes.
Welcome to the magical trainwreck that is Artemis Fowl, where the book gave us a cold-blooded boy genius and the movie handed us a confused surfer in designer sunglasses. We’re breaking down fairy kidnappings, missing character arcs, and a plot so scrambled it might’ve been written by a troll with a head injury. From unhinged jaw moments (literally) to “Did they even read the book?” energy, this episode is part thera...
We made them an offer they couldn’t refuse—and then debated whether the book or the movie actually delivered. We’re talking horse heads, gender politics, and why Michael might be the least charismatic protagonist of all time. Spoiler: it’s a crime saga, but the real drama is in the pacing.
Featuring hosts Tim Haynes, Donna Haynes, Rebekah Edwards, and T. Josiah Haynes.
Support us on Patreon >> https://patreon.com/bookis...
Turns out, the How to Train Your Dragon book and movie are about as similar as a Viking and a housecat. We dove into the wildly different plots, questionable dragon names, and yes, the infamous “breast hat” made a comeback. The live action remake gave us feelings, but the animated original still holds the dragon crown.
Featuring hosts Tim Haynes, Donna Haynes, Rebekah Edwards, and T. Josiah Haynes.
We re-enter the silo armed with wild theories, questionable tech knowledge, and zero chill. Will Juliette crack the code or just break another server? Tune in for bold predictions, reluctant IT villains, and the strong possibility that Bernard’s about to lose his last marble.
Featuring hosts Tim Haynes, Donna Haynes, Rebekah Edwards, and T. Josiah Haynes.
Support us on Patreon >> https://patreon.com/bookisbetterpod
What do you get when you mix post-apocalyptic drama, endless stairs, and a strict “no questions asked” policy? A book we couldn’t put down and a show that made us yell “just read the manual!” at the screen. We’re talking secrets, sabotage, and whether we’d survive five minutes in a silo (spoiler: probably not).
Featuring hosts Tim Haynes, Donna Haynes, Rebekah Edwards, and T. Josiah Haynes.
Support us on Patreon >> http...
Get ready to enter Flatland, where everyone’s a shape, women are literal lines, and political satire stabs as sharp as a triangle’s point. We’re breaking down the wildest novella you didn’t know you needed and the bizarre animated movie that tried (and sort of failed?) to bring it to life. Come for the Victorian shade, stay for the math jokes and CGI chaos.
Featuring hosts Tim Haynes, Donna Haynes, Rebekah Edwards, and...
We have a super special guest with us this week to talk about one of his favorite movies. Introducing... Nathan! He’s here to guide us through all the ins and outs—especially if he “remembers correctly” (We love you, Nathan!). Even though some of the characters can be total jerks at times, this book/movie departure was a fun step into the whimsical world created Diana Jones.
Featuring hosts Tim Haynes, Donna Haynes, Re...
Let's be honest, The Hobbit movies could have been one movie. But because we love you, baby listeners, we watched all three!Check out our review of the book-to-film adaptations of J.R.R. Tolkien's original take on the world of Middle Earth, and let us know what you think.
Featuring hosts Tim Haynes, Donna Haynes, Rebekah Edwards, and T. Josiah Haynes.
Support us on Patreon >> https://patreon.com/bookisbetterpod
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