This month I was lucky enough to have a two week work experience placement at John Blake Publishing, an independent publisher who specializes in high profile, mass-market non-fiction. As someone eager to get into publishing I will take any opportunity that comes my way to get some experience so was delighted when this one came up. Having already had two placements before I already knew a little about publishing, but this was very different to my previous at larger companies, but not any less enjoyable as I still got to do things I hadn't done before as there's always plenty to learn which was great! During my time there I wrote a blog post for their website, which was uploaded this week but I thought I'd post it here too, as someone who either spends my time reading or binge watching TV series on Netflix I thought it would only be appropriate to write about some of my favourite shows that were originally books . Hope you enjoy it!
More often than not if there’s something worth watching on TV, it’s more than likely that there was a book that came before it. So here’s a selection of shows worth watching with a book (or in some cases books) that came before.
Elementary (Sherlock Holmes Stories - Arthur Conan Doyle)
Sherlock Holmes has been adapted for screen so many times, but each time there still seems to be unique spin that can be put on the well-known story. This modern day adaptation is set in Manhattan starring Jonny Lee Miller as a disgraced Sherlock fleeing from London after a stint in rehab, looking to throw himself back into the world of solving crime as a police consultant in New York. However on his arrival he finds his father has assigned him a sober companion Dr. Joan Watson (played by Lucy Lui). Of course the two find that they actually make a pretty good team and are solving some of the NYPD’s toughest cases in no time. Definitely worth watching for the female casting of Watson, brings something to the table that hasn’t been done before with the duo.
Orange is the New Black (Orange is the New Black: My Year in a Women’s Prison - Piper Kerman)
For anyone who didn’t know this Netflix series is based on the memoir of Piper Kerman, her story of money laundering and drug trafficking and her subsequent year spent in a women’s prison. Telling her story from her first strip search to her final release, the book tells Piper’s journey as she tries to navigate this unknown world and the colourful characters she meets during her time inside. The book gives a real insight into life inside and the friendships made with the women Piper meets that gets her through her short but eventful time. As a warning the book whilst it does have is funny moments is not quite as outrageous as the show, but is nonetheless fascinating and heart-warming read.
Pretty Little Liars (Pretty Little Liars Series - Sara Shepard)
Before the popular TV series, there was a series of books (16 in total) that came to their conclusion last year. Following the story of four friends dealing with the aftermath of the mysterious disappearance of their friend Alison DiLaurentis are reunited when they start receiving messages revealing their darkest secrets from an anonymous sender who refers to themselves as ‘A’. Whilst the TV show has taken a different route to the books in the revelation of A, the mystery still goes on for many books and life in Rosewood for the ‘liars’ is still as dramatic and full of unwanted surprises. So if you’re looking to solve the mystery by reading the books you may not find the answer but they’re still full of drama and you’ll be kept constantly guessing.
Bates Motel (Psycho - Robert Bloch)
Based on the film Psycho and of course Robert Bloch’s Novel of the same name this series depicts the life of Norman Bates and his mother Norma prior to the events of the book/film. As the book only covers a short period of time with a limited insight into Bate’s life before the night of Mary Crane’s murder as reader’s we can only imagine what a young Norman Bates was like and how his upbringing could’ve possibly turned him into the man he became. The show provides these answers, or at least attempts to, in the portrayal of a teenage Norman, his relationship with his mother and the beginning of his psychotic episodes.
House of Cards (House of Cards - Michael Dobbs)
Another hit Netflix Series that was a book before its online success. Whilst Netflix focuses the action on the scheming within the Whitehouse the book is actually based in the UK. The book’s plot is essentially the same but the book’s scheming hero Chief Whip Francis Urquhart, has his sights set on becoming Prime Minister as opposed to President and reveals the result of many years working behind the scenes for the Conservative Party. Whilst the setting may be different the book is still packed with the scheming, gossip and cutting action as seen on Netflix.
Game of Thrones (Song of Ice and Fire Series -George R. R. Martin)
Of course no list of TV shows based on books is complete without a mention to Game of Thrones. If you’ve yet to see this or somehow don’t know what it’s about the series is a medieval fantasy epic, following two powerful families and the deadly game for control of the Seven Kingdoms of Westeros and their place atop the Iron Throne. The books are pretty long, but then again so is working your way through a whole series to catch-up, but definitely worth it as you’re immediately taken into this magnificent fantasy world and the battles that go on within it. The only downside is that we may get a conclusion to the TV show before we get the ending to the books, so for once we may not be able to shout ‘That’s not how it happened in the books!’ and those who like to read the books first will be at a disadvantage.
http://www.johnblakepublishing.co.uk/e-store/Books-Behind-the-Shows-nid-337.html
-Cloee xoxo
