5 Books You Need to Watch Onscreen @CraveTVCanada

Help me. I'm becoming a total TV addict. First it was Netflix. Now I'm hooked on CraveTV.

Fellow Canadians, I think this is such an awesome addition to your watching arsenal. There's so many good things to watch here ... can it get any better. Or worse (talk about spoilt for choice)?

As I'm scrolling around, I notice that so many of these series, whether mini or not, are based on books, oh-but-course! Here are my quick pickings:

(Note this post is NOT sponsored by Netflix or CraveTV. * denotes affiliate links)

Sex and the City

Based on the book Sex and the City by Candace Bushnell*: Based on the popular column from the New York Observer, an eye-opening chronicle of the mating habits and rituals of America's cultural elite offers a colorful look at sex clubs, suburban sexuality, celebrity affairs, and more.

I used to follow this on HBO when it was actually airing and now I'm rewatching everything. Or I'll try. I think a bingewatch is in order. Four girlfriends in New York with fabulous lives and fabulous shoes and man woes every which way ... it's chick lit to the extreme. And I love me some adorable Carrie Bradshaw as depicted by Sarah Jessica Parker.

My take: I've never read the book. But I have read some Candace Bushnell* and I kind of know what to expect that she always loves to depict women in all their messy glory - I just hope it's every bit as delish as the HBO series!

Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell

Based on the book Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell by Susanna Clarke*: At the dawn of the nineteenth century, two very different magicians emerge to change England's history. In the year 1806, with the Napoleonic Wars raging on land and sea, most people believe magic to be long dead in England--until the reclusive Mr Norrell reveals his powers, and becomes a celebrity overnight. Soon, another practicing magician comes forth: the young, handsome, and daring Jonathan Strange. He becomes Norrell's student, and they join forces in the war against France. But Strange is increasingly drawn to the wildest, most perilous forms of magic, straining his partnership with Norrell, and putting at risk everything else he holds dear.

My take: I adored the book. In fact it's one of my all-time favourites and I simply could not spoil the felling by trying capture anything in a decent review (I copped out with a mini review here). I did a quick peek at the series on CraveTV and ... OMG, the whole ambiance, the actors and the pacing ... I think it is going to be every bit as good as the book! Now excuse me while I go turn the TV on again.

Olive Kitteridge

Based on the book Olive Kitteridge by Elizabeth Strout*: The Pulitzer prize-winning novel from the author of the Booker longlisted My Name is Lucy Barton*, Olive Kitteridge: indomitable, compassionate and often unpredictable. A retired schoolteacher in a small coastal town in Maine, as she grows older she struggles to make sense of the changes in her life. She is a woman who sees into the hearts of those around her, their triumphs and tragedies. We meet her stoic husband, bound to her in a marriage both broken and strong, and a young man who aches for the mother he lost - and whom Olive comforts by her mere presence, while her own son feels overwhelmed by her complex sensitivities. A penetrating, vibrant exploration of the human soul, the story of Olive Kitteridge will make you laugh, nod in recognition, wince in pain, and shed a tear or two.

My take: I remembered watching the Emmys and was impressed with the many wins of this mini series by HBO. I decided to watch this pretty much instantaneously upon discovering it cause the lead actor is the mind-blowing Frances MacDormand (remember Fargo?). I haven't yet had a chance to make a coherent review of the series, a sure sign that I loved it. Naturally the book is already on my TBR despite not having read anything yet by Elizabeth Strout. If you've read this or any of her books already, do tell me what you thought!

Partners in Crime

Based on books by Agatha Christie, first appeared in The Secret Adversary*: Tommy and Tuppence, two young people short of money and restless for excitement, embark on a daring business scheme - Young Adventurers Ltd. Their first assignment, for the sinister Mr Whittington, plunges the pair into danger. 

My take: I love Agatha Christie* and I've come across this young couple many a time in her books. They're young, restless, spunky and uber cute and cool in that vintage way. It's interesting that this series features two actors I'm already familiar with -- Jessica Raine who I enjoyed in Call the Midwife (my review, a book and series I just couldn't enough of) and David Walliams (who I unfortunately know only because of Britain Got Talent but love to bits because he really makes me laugh). Obviously, I am making a point of watching this series.

True Blood

Based on the books The True Blood Novels by Charlaine Harris (also known as the Sookie Stackhouse Novels)*: Sookie Stackhouse is a cocktail waitress in a little bar in Bon Temps, a small town deep in Louisiana. She's funny and pretty and well-mannered, but she doesn't have that many close friends - mind you, that's not so surprising when you consider how few people can appreciate her abilities as a mind-reader. It's not a quality that has the guys beating down her door - well, unless they're vampires or werewolves or the like ...but they're not just supernatural freaks, some of them are friends, even family ...

My take: So I never did hop on this bandwagon (the last time I read a vampire book was Twilight, and that was just not my thing. I'm still an Anne Rice gal). I have heard many good thing about this series and while I'll likely never watch or read this, this is a heads up for my bloggy friends who loved this!

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Books mentioned in this post:

• Sex and the City by Candace Bushnell*
• Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell by Susanna Clarke*
• Olive Kitteridge by Elizabeth Strout*
• The Secret Adversary Agatha Christie*
• The True Blood Novels by Charlaine Harris*

Which book/s have you read? Which series have you watched? Do you have any recommendations for me?