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.
Kav's Best Reads 
Not sure what my favorite is, but I was pretty impressed with the movie version of I’d I Run by Terri Blackstock, and The Bridge by Karen Kingsbury was really good too.
marcus802001(at)yahoo(dot)com
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that’s supposed to be If I Run
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Wait!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! If I Run was made into a movie? How did I miss that? I love that series!!!!!! Done right, it would make a fantastic movie. I must hunt that one down! Thanks, Mark. Good luck!
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last I knew, it was on Amazon Prime
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The first thing I thought of was If I Run. It looks like Mark mentioned it as well. My sister and I also enjoyed the Baxters Show with two caveats. One, I have never read the books, so I don’t actually know if it was true to the book. Secondly, the female pastor. I know it’s not a deal breaker for some people but it is for me. Grrr. But I viewed it more as a secular tv series that had faith elements instead of a Christian show.
I will forever love the 2009 adaptation of Emma. The acting is incredible. (My husband and I are huge fans of Elementary, so Jonny Lee Miller is a favorite actor of ours). The storyline is so romantic and reminds me so much of my husband and I. But yes, all the adaptations of Jane Austen are getting a little out of hand.
Also, I had no idea YouTube had movies. Very interested in Christy Barrett’s!
My last reads that left me with a book hangover were the Fayetteville Series by Tamar Anolic. There are about two young women who are starting to question their strict Duggar style upbringings and make some difficult decisions. One of them was a suspense as well!
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I haven’t read the Baxter books either – I’m assuming your talking about Karen Kingsbury? Well, I read two out of order and it was overwhelming trying to keep track of everyone and how they were connected. It’s a daunting series to start at the beginning with so I just never did. Karen Kingsbury seems to have a number of her books made into movies. Usually Christmas ones, I think.
True confession: Emma is my least favourite Austen book. I know, but I just didn’t like her! Maybe I should give that 2009 adaptation a try. It looks very different from the one I watched. I found Emma kind of manipulative and conniving, but that could be the fault of the movies I’ve seen…it’s been eons since I read the actual book so all my Austen impressions come from movies now. So now I’m intrigued by how romantic you find this particular version of Emma and I must check it out and see if I’ve been wrong all these years! Oooooh, I just checked at it is on Brit Box – a mini series so I can take it in one hour instalments. I’m excited! Thanks for the suggestion.
I know, the Youtube movie availability threw me too. There are ads, which is annoying, but easy enough to skip so worth the ‘free’ price! Good luck, Rebecca!
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As a general rule, I gave up on watching book to movies. They seem to always disappoint because of being so unlike the book. They have to be ones friends, whose opinion I take seriously, have seen and recommend to me. And that’s been so far back, I don’t know which movie it was.
We haven’t been to a movie in over 10 years. When we moved here, it meant being like 50+ miles from a movie theater. As for TV, we don’t usually watch movies and when we do, we watch an old one again. We usually stick to the older shows like The Andy Griffith Show or mysteries like Monk. I know we are “old” stick in the muds. LOL I’d much rather read and let my mind do the production. 🙂
All this to say, I’m not much help to you. However, I’m loving get a list of movies I can be looking for.
Have a wonderful Sunday and a blessed upcoming week!
2clowns at arkansas dot net
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I so agree on being disappointed way too many times by poorly adapted book to screen movies. If they go so far off course frost he novel, why don’t they just create an original screen play instead? It makes no sense!
Because of my chronic pain condition, I haven’t been to a movie theatre in….wow, twenty years!!!!!! It’s jus too painful for me to sit that long without moving around. Watching at home I can watch in short stints or get up and do stretches while I’m watching. Good luck, Kay!
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Kav, since you mentioned the difficulties with movie theater attendance while trying to see good book to movie productions, have your medical providers mentioned or ruled out neurostimulation? I ask simply as a distant cousin has shared some thoughts.
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CC, in the very early days I did something like that — neurostimulation — only it was electrical impulses directed on my feet and legs. Would that be the same thing? Anyway, went for treatments at a physiotherapist for a few months but this was before I had a diagnosis and the treatments actually made my condition worse because my nerve endings were already in hyper overdrive and the impulse treatment was just making them angrier. I’m going to se a new specialist in July so I’ll see what she says.
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I love a good movie based on a book I’ve read. However, I won’t reverse that and read a book of a movie I’ve already seen, just me, but it’s like spoilers,lol.
My favorite group of books to movies are usually in the Christmas category so unless you’re in a Christmas in June mood, I might not be much help. Donna VanLeire is the queen of Christmas movie book adaptions, The C. Shoes, The C. Blessing, The C. Hope, The C. Secret, The C. Note, The C. Town. All are very close to the book and very good. Also Karen Kingsbury’s The Bridge and it’s prequel The Beginning. I have seen Someone Like you but didn’t read the book.
A lot of books to movies make it to Hallmark channel. The Love Finds You series and the Sugarcreek series are 2 I’ve seen on there.
A book to movie adaption I want to see that’s on PureFlix right now is Melissa Ferguson’s Meet Me in the Margins. I don’t have a Pureflix or Great American Family subscription right now but I’m thinking of signing up for a month or two this summer to catchup on some I’ve seen advertised. They always have great Christian/wholesome movies to watch without worrying about content.
I don’t watch movies on YouTube so I’m not well versed on searching there, but how about the Kendrick Brother’s movies? I’ve seen most all of them, and they tell great Christian stories. Also, we saw a good movie last year called Sarah’s Oil, based on the true story of Sarah Rector, who became one of the wealthiest children in America, but not without fighting for it, very inspirational.
Hope you find some good ones Kav. You are down to the moving finish line now and I’m on the sidelines cheering you on! tracey14567 atgmail.com
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Ha! Spoilers in reverse, I like that. I’m the same way, especially if the book is a novelization of a screen play. They read like a play by play of the movie so, why bother?
You got me invested in Donna VanLeire’s Christmas books, but I haven’t found the movies easily except for The Christmas Shoes. I don’t have any streaming services other than Brit Box and Acorn but I should check my library. They have a lot of movies available online now. I’ve just never thought to check.
I’ve been hearing about the Meet Me in the Margins movie and it does look good. I loved the book, but again, I’m not willing to pay for a streaming service to watch it, if it will even be available in Canada. I wish they’d provide a service where you could opt to pay for the movies you want to watch rather than a monthly fee. I’d rather be reading than watching a movie most of the time so paying multiple streaming fees just for the occasional movie doesn’t make sense.
Just checked Sarah’s Oil and it’s available on Apple TV and I just happen to have a gift card for Apple that I haven’t used….hopefully I haven’t packed it! Oy! Thanks for the suggestions, Tracey. Good luck!
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Kav, May the weeks fly by until your move! I also enjoy Father Brown.
psalm103and138atmgmaildotcom
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Father Brown is so much fun. Such a great series to have come from a few short stories. And yes, may the weeks fly by, but only as fast as I can get my packing done. lol Good luck, Caryl!
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I’m afraid I won’t be of much help here as I’m not much of a movie watcher. Little Women & Anne of Green Gables are among my favorite books to movies adaptations & I recorded & watched the Sugar Creek mysteries and some of The Love Finds You movies.
Denise Hunter has a couple but they changed the titles when they made the movies. So I never could find them. Maybe someone here remembers the titles? I know you’re burned out on Jane Austen, but Sense and Sensibility (the version starring Kate Winslet & Emma Thompson) was exceptional & remains one of my favorite movies to this day. Also enjoyed the movie Jane Eyre with Timothy Dalton—better than the book actually. I enjoyed North & South also.
Kav & no books?! Do we need to fly our flag at half-mast? lol
dianalflowers at aol dot com
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Bwahahaha! Yes, half-mast indeed. In my entire life I have never had only one book checked out of the library! I feel like half a person! 🙂 Anne of Green Gables with Megan Fallows is the only movie adaptation I will watch! But that might be a fun rewatch this month if I can find it somewhere — maybe my library will have it. Little Women is a classic, but lately Amy has gotten on my last nerve and the whole Laurie, Jo, Amy LT too so I don’t think I’m up for a rewatch of that. Plus I cry buckets over Beth.
Yeeeeeessss — Timothy Dalton’s Jane Eyre is the only way to go. Hmmmm….BritBox has it, but not the TD version….to watch or now to watch? And thanks for the Sense and Sensibilities reminder. I think that is my favourite of the Austen movies.
I had no idea that Denise Hunter had movies based on her books!!!! Sigh, I’m so busy reading, I miss these startling announcements. I looked it up and I think two of them are from novellas with the same titles – The Convenient Groom for her Nantucket Love story collection, A December Bride from that multi-authored A Year of Weddings collection and Christmas on by Mind (movie) of The Goodbye Bride (book). That will give me something to be on the look out for. Thanks, Diane! Good luck!
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Too funny . . . 1/2 a person. lol I wouldn’t mind rewatching Anne of Green Gables either (Megan F. only). They recently made another version of Little Women but never heard any feedback on it. Amy will totally get on your last nerve unless you’re Aunt March. Ha! A likely pair. Oh, you found Denise’s!! Way cool!
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The most recent book to movie adaptation that I can think of is “Seeking Persephone” by Sarah Eden. But I think that’s only available through Amazon (maybe also Peacock plus premium?) There’s talk of making a movie from some of the other books in this series and that’s exciting!!
Terri Reed also had a Christmas movie made from her book a few years ago….the book is “A Family Under the Christmas Tree” and the Hallmark channel had it entitled “Picture Perfect Christmas”. I wonder if it’s still available or if they only show it during Christmas? It was really good and followed the book fairly close, I thought!
Okay, now that I’m thinking about it….Hallmark also made a Christmas movie from “A December Bride” by Denise Hunter. I believe I had borrowed the DVD from my library & possibly seen it through Amazon as well. You get a glimpse of her & her husband at the end of the movie 😊
I had no idea there were so many Christian movies made from books available through Youtube!!!! You’ve piqued my interest in searching them out. I’m always looking for wholesome family friendly movies/TV shows. And YES to “North & South”…… my absolute favorite series!!! In fact, I own the DVD that I think I’ll rewatch. Summer break is coming up and my husband refuses to watch romantic movies (I admit, I don’t watch them often), so those will be my guilty pleasure while he’s at work, lol!!
Thanks for the fun and informative blog post today Kav! It’s been eye-opening!
teamob4 (at) gmail (dot) com
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I was so excited about Seeking Persephone but it’s been hard to access it for international readers. There was a brief time when I could have accessed it in Canada through a YouTube link but it required me to subscribe to another streaming service and I’m always leery of doing that since it’s often difficult to unsubscribe. Plus, I think you had to pay both the subscription fee and then a fee for each episode so….. I hear Sarah M. Eden is in Ireland right now filming a original screen play of hers so that’s got me intrigued as well.
Ohhh, I read that Terri Reed Christmas book, it will be fun to see the movie. I’ll check for Picture Perfect Christmas (though I like the book title better!) And yes, Diane mentioned the Denise Hunter movies. I’ll be on a hunt for them. Enjoy your North and South rewatch — and I just checked BritBox again and, yay, they have North and South so looks like I’ll be rewatching it as well this month! I’m feeling much better about not having any books on hand! lol Good luck, Trixi!
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Kav, Picture Perfect Christmas was one movie I thought was better than the book, title not withstanding. That doesn’t happen often either 🙂
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There is one more book to movie adaptation that I can think of….though the movie was VASTLY different from the book. Which is why I never (or very rarely) watch the movie if it’s based off of a book or vise versa. I think (and probably almost all readers too) that the book is always better!
The book/movie is “The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Society”. A reader friend was raving about the book and how they couldn’t wait for it to come out on Netflix….so I researched it out and found the book at my library. In preparation for the movie, I read the book and fell in love with it so much!! The writing style is all letters written back & forth between a young female writer and the people of Guernsey just after WW2. I didn’t think I would enjoy that style, but it quickly pulled me in! There were so many quotes that resonated with me….and the ending? Pure blissful sigh 😊
Even though it’s secular, I found it fascinating to learn a bit about the German Occupation and how it affected the people of Guernsey. It’s a clean read and so engulfing, prepare to spare a few hours to read it! I did enjoy the movie even though it didn’t follow the book as closely as it could have.
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Trixi, I adored The Guernsey Literary and Potato Pie Society! Totally agree that the book is far superior to the movie – so much more emotional and the letter writing made such a difference in the reading. But I wouldn’t mind watching the movie again….will have to check that out. Thanks, Trixi!
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Interesting discussion but don’t have much to add. Our tv programs are over the air stations via an antenna, so I don’t have cable with sources such as Hallmark channel. I imagine a number of the Christian offerings would air there. I have seen Christy and some older Janette Oke programs. Obviously, Gone With The Wind, Little Women, The Grapes of Wrath, Old Yeller, among other classics. I have found a few things on DVD through my library. Other book to tv movie adaptations I enjoyed were (as previously mentioned) North and South plus Herman Wouk’s Winds of War, etc.
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For clarification – I failed to note John Jakes as author of North and South, the tv movie/miniseries.
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I don’t even have a TV any more! Not DVD player either. I’m going to have to check the movies available at my library through Hoopla. I never thought of doing that before. Needs must and all that. Good luck, CC!
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I’ve found I’m more likely to enjoy a movie if I haven’t read the book first (or if it’s been a long time), though there are definitely exceptions. I reread Pride and Prejudice and followed it up with the 1995 version this spring, and enjoyed both formats highly. I would agree that the British have cornered the market on relatively faithful adaptations of classics, and that I appreciate!
Probably the best adaptation I’ve read and seen is the William Goldman’s classic tale of true love and high adventure, The Princess Bride. Not only is it faithful to the book (the author of the book also wrote the screenplay, so that helps immensely), but the movie feels like the final draft of the book, after the editors have had one last pass to perfect it.
Rachael
rdalquist AT gmail DOT com
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Hhmmmmm…..this summer might have to be the summer I watch The Princess Bride. I know, I know, it is beloved by all and so far, destained by me based on a short snippet on saw on tv once eons ago. lol I never gave the book or the movie a chance and all iyou adoring fans can’t be wrong, right?! Challenge accepted. I’m on the hunt for an accessible copy of The Princess Bride movie. 🙂 Good luck, Rachael!
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I don’t watch many movies or TV in general except for FrndlyTV Hallmark and Great American Family movies. So, I’ve seen the Denise Hunter movies and really thought that although they were good, they didn’t follow the books very closely. And, books are always better! I also recently watched the Seeking Persephone movie and enjoyed it. And I’ve watched some of the Amish movies but haven’t read the books.
One of my favorite movies is The Irresistible Blueberry Farm, again based on a book that I haven’t read but have on my someday TBR list.
My husband and I watch some TV at night before it’s my reading time and we usually watch British shows, along with some Australian and New Zealand shows. We enjoy the Brokenwood Mysteries, which I think may be on Acorn.
Sandy
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Interesting about the Denise Hunter books. I do find it disappointing when the movie doesn’t follow the book. I mean, I can see where they can’t fit everything in exactly because of time constraints, but otherwise, l want them to stay true to the book. Such a conundrum for a reader/movie watcher. Seeking Persephone is definitely a movie I really want to see.
I havn never heard of The Irresistible Blueberry Farm, but it does look good. Some good actors too. I love Brokenwood Mysteries! I rewatched the whole series this spring and then the new season. Such a great series but the seasons are two short! lol Good luck, Sandy!
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I sometimes catch a Hallmark movie; I could watch Denise Hunter’s The December Bride a zillion times! Thanks, Kav! jacsmi75 at gmail dot com
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It’s fun when you find a movie that thrills you as much as the book! Good luck, Jackie!
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Kav, I’m looking forward to Melissa Ferguson’s Meet Me in the Margins. Also, have you seen the movie version of Kathryn Stockett’s The Help? I thought that was a pretty good movie version, but it’s been a while since I’ve seen it. Have fun with all the movie watching! 🙂
ckbarker at gmail dot com
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I did see The Help when it first came out, ages ago. Maybe it’s time for a rewatch. Thanks for the suggestion. I’m not sure how easily I’ll be able to get access to Meet Me in the Margins, but I am really looking forward to that movie. I hope they kept true to the novel! Good luck, Cheryl!
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I’m not going to be too much help here because I totally do not watch TV, and rarely get dragged to the movie theatre. That would be for hubby’s Mission Impossible movies, so please tell me there are no more coming! So, all I know of are: Redeeming Love by Francine Rivers, Love Comes Softly by Janette Oake & Left Behind by Tim LaHaye. Didn’t Redeeming Love catch some flack for being too sensual? I haven’t seen any of these, so I cannot recommend. I have ONE movie on DVD and that’s Steel Magnolias (original version with Dolly Parton) which I haven’t watched in forever, but definitely would. The location is familiar because I’ve probably been there a 100 times. It’s not based on a book, not Christian fiction, but is a screenplay based on a true story. That’s about the best I can come up with!
I am shocked that you have no books at the moment! And no TV! We DO have a TV, but I doubt my abilities (or inclination) to find anything on Amazon Prime. Your local library can remedy that book problem and movies as well. I hope your packing is mostly done and things are moving along as planned.
perrianne (DOT) askew (AT) me (DOT) com
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Redeeming Love has never appealed to me, book or movie (I hear the collective gasp.) I have strong opinions about that book! 🙂 And the ones based on Janette Oake’s novels are classics, but not ones I want to revisit. I’m such a movie grouch. lol. Steel Magnolias is a good suggestion, it’s been eons since I’ve seen that movie and might be available somewhere for free.
I put a pause on my library holds because I have to switch branches and I don’t want the holds going to the wrong place. I also have this compulsive need to get everything done asap in case things go awry the closer we get to moving day so the library was one of the things I checked off my to do list. I still have audio books, but I listen to them while I’m active and by the end of the day I just want to sit and relax with a good book. You can bet I’ll be unpacking my books before anything else after I move! Bwahahaha! Good luck, Perrianne!
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I have a similar issue with the library. The one closest to me is closing next week for a year for renovation. I have to make sure that my holds go to another library that is fairly close by. I need to see that the alternate library is in place by Sunday.
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Nobody mentioned Angela Ruth Strong’s book into movie. Finding Love in Big Sky Montana.
I have not watched it, though.
My husband and I absolutely love the Agatha Christie adaptations: Poirot and Miss Marple. David Suchet is the best but I like all the Miss Marples. And let’s not forget Arthur Conan Doyle and Sherlock Holmes. Jeremy Brett is our favorite.
Classics I like are ( another vote for) The Princess Bride! Old Yeller, Where The Red Ferm Grows, certainly Little Women. And though I liked North and South, I didn’t enjoy the book. But the Larkrise to Candleford etc.
Like you, I won’t watch any other Anne than Megan Follows.
We like the British and Australian and New Zealand shows too. Another fan of Brokenwood! But Acorn and Britbox and Masterpiece is a whole other discussion!
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Eeeep, thanks, Paula, Finding Love in Big Sky Montana is on Youtube — the ‘channel is Big Time – Christian Movies if anyone is interested, so it’s legit, not a pirated movie. Yay.
Love Miss Marple, but haven’t really gotten into Poirot, so maybe I should try that again this month. Another good suggestion and, since I haven’t read the books I won’t get miffed if they changed things in the movie. 🙂 I will definitely have to give The Princess Bride a good try this summer! I had a hard time with North and South the novel too but loved the movie.
Ohhh, now I’m curious about your opinion on Acorn and Britbox – don’t have Masterpiece here, I don’t think, anyway. There’s tons on Acorn and Britbox that I don’t watch due to content and the British have the tendency to create super flawed heroes and heroines — like there was one show about a female detective and she was tough and the show was on the gritty side but I was enjoying the show and then they have her start an affair with her married partner. And his wife is her friend. Nope. Absolutely not. Good luck, Paula!
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Well I was going to add Of Mice and Men as a classic but the field froze and I didn’t even get my email in.
paulamarys49ATgmailDOTcom.
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Now Of Mice and Men is a blast from the past. Never saw the movie but I read the book way back in hight school for English class. Something else to check into. Thanks, Paula!
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Seeking Persephone by Sarah M Eden was made into a movie and split up into 4 episodes available on Amazon Prime, but not free even if you are a Prime member from what I see. Google says it is also available to stream on Peacock. We do have Peacock, so I am going to have to check that out! I will report back if I view it. Has anyone else seen it?
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I have heard rave reviews about and seen promotional snippets. It’s not available in Canada though…well, it was for a short time on a streaming service that was pretty pricey. I’m hoping it becomes available someplace else. Definitely check it out since you have Peacock! And then let us know what you think! I’m guessing it will be very true to the novel because the author wrote the screenplay. Good luck, Patty!
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My sisters and I just watched the four-episode mini-series of Seeking Persephone, which is a book by Sarah M. Eden. I think it was on Peacock for free (though I can’t speak for Canadian availability.)
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