Kav's Best Reads

Just a fun little Q&A about bookish quirks to spark a conversation or two because my brain is fried from heat, humidity and packing up my kitchen! (And why is it that when you pack something you are sure you won’t need it until after you move, the very next day you absolutely do need it… desperately?!)

Going into a book Blind

Do you read the book burb before you start reading or do you like to jump into a book blind? I am in the ‘must read the synopsis first’ camp. I have only gone in blind once and it was excruciating! An interesting experiment but I think I got hives from anxiety. 🙂 Of course, the flip side of not going into a read blind is that sometimes the book blurb gives away too many details to the point of being spoilery. I find that happens most often with indie books so I’ve learned to read only so far when a book blurb is especially wordy.

Read the ending first (or when things get too exciting not to)

I was shocked and appalled to discover that a favourite author always reads the last page first! I just…can’t…even…breathe…thinking about that. Oh, the disillusionment! I’m am most assuredly not in the ‘read the ending before I start the book’ camp. I mean, really, talk about spoilers! And once you know the ending, why do you need to read the book? I have a friend who does this too – she says it’s because she doesn’t have to worry about how things will turn out so she can enjoy the rest of the story but…but…but….I mean, isn’t part of the joy of reading being able to experience the journey right along with the characters? Yes, sometimes a story can nearly push you over the edge of anticipation into anxiety but that’s what reading faster is for, to get you over the gnarly bumps along the way to the happily ever after at break neck speed or, in the case of an audio book listener…see next point:

Speed up the audio to get through an action packed scene (and then listen to it again on your normal listening speed)

I have been known to do this a time or two especially with anxiety inducing romantical angst or frantic suspenseful action scenes but I never jump all the way to the end! Scandalous. I’ll listen to a part of the story at 3x the speed just so I can stop hyperventilating over the characters’ predicament, but then I always backtrack and listen again at my usual speed before continuing on with the story. I have audio standards, people! 🙂

Dog ear pages (gasp!)

I don’t want to hear anything but “No, of course not, I would never deface a book that way!” lol I want to weep when I check out a book from the library and notice the edges all askew, like the pages are ruffled up in indignation over their harsh treatment. Then I have to painstakingly unfold every corner and carefully set the book under a pile of other books (big, thick, heavy ones) to try and press the creases out. It’s an arduous experience for both the book and myself.

Care to share an opinion or two (or more?) Can you think of other bookish quirks? Maybe ones that belong to you? Or those you abhor? Do tell! Share in a comment and you’ll be entered in a draw for:

Draw will be held and winner announced on Saturday June 20 2026

I never thought this day would come – my bookshelves are empty, I only have ONE book checked out from the library and all my holds are paused. GASP! Understandable, of course, since I’m moving in three weeks (double gasp!) but I sure am missing my evening ritual of curling up with a good book. So, I’ve turned to some of my favourite British series and movies based on books: Father Brown, Shetland, Vera etc. (Hooray for my BritBox and Acorn subscriptions!)

And then, coincidentally, movies started popping up in my Youtube feed, a lot of them based on Christian Fiction! Whhhhaaatttt? How did that happen? I had no idea so many books had been made into movies! A lot of the ones I’ve come across have been based on books published by Guidepost! Who Knew?! Oh, and I discovered Christy Barritt’s ‘Squeaky Clean’ murder mystery series, well the first one, anyway, ‘Hazardous Duty’. And quite a few Amish ones. I’m gobsmacked that these movies are available on Youtube for free.

Anyway, I thought it would be fun to talk about our favourite book to movie adaptations and I’m eagerly looking forward to any book related movie recommendations you might have.

Classics

Dare I admit that I’m so over Austen adaptations?! There are just so many and after years of dutifully watching each new offering and having read the books a couple of times as well I’m just…well, kinda over all things Austenish. (I know, I’ve horrified so many of you!) I still enjoy fictional retellings, I’m just not sure I could sit through another film adaptation of ‘Emma’ or ‘Pride and Prejudice’ etc.

I much prefer the movie and television series inspired by Elizabeth Gaskell’s novels. ‘North and South’, ‘Cranford’ and ‘Larkrise to Candleford.’ In fact I had just finished binge-watching a couple of Gaskell series when Julie Klassen published ‘The Innkeeper of Ivy Hill’ and was thrilled to discover that the author mentioned the same shows as a source of inspiration for the book! And I could totally see it — had the same sense of community and village life, including all the tension and drama that goes with it. Not to mention the strong women who make a place for themselves in a male dominated society during the industrial revolution. Love the way those books written in the 1800s continue to inspire today, whether in film arts or fresh storytelling!

British vs American Adaptations

One of the perils of book to movie adaptations is the worry that the parts I loved about the book will be left out in the movie. Or, the production company might be too liberal in their interpretation of the book to the point that the story is barely recognizable in the movie. That irks me so much! And, honestly, I find that the British tend to stay true to the original story more than the Americans do. Hence my commitment to Brit Box and Acorn TV. 🙂

Christian Fiction Inspired Movies

Here’s what I have found on Youtube so far. Have you watched any of them? Any others you can add to my list?

• Love Finds You in Charm, Ohio (book by Annalisa Daughety)
• Sugar Creek Amish Mysteries (multiple authors, Guidepost)
• Love Finds You in Valentine, (book by Irene Brand, Guidepost)
• Martha Vineyard’s Mystery series (books by Philip R. Craig)
• Someone Like You (book by Karen Kingsbury)

So now I have questions (of course I do!) What’s your favourite book to screen adaptation? Are you a classics fan, or do you prefer contemporary novel adaptations? And — PLEASE — I’m looking for recommendations to get me through my reading ‘dry spell’, so any titles you can share will be greatly appreciated. Share your thoughts and opinions in a comment to be entered in a giveaway draw for:

Draw will be held and winner announced on June 13 2026.