Book Discussion: Seeing the Movie Before Reading the Book

 

How many of you have done this? I have, for many reasons. Just last Friday, we had a movie day at work and watched the movie Holes, based on the book of the same name. I've never read the book, but now I want to. 

People will argue that the book was better. Some will brag that they read the book, but didn't see the movie. I have most often tried to read the book first, but there have been times when I did not know that the movie was based on a book. One year, back when I got DVDs from Netflix, I had queued the movie A Hero Ain't Nothing but a Sandwich, unaware of the book it was based on. Now years later, I now want to read the book, even though it's a hard one to find. I'm not sure about ordering it from Amazon, and it seems unlikely that I will find a used in a nearby thrift store. (Though you never can tell on that one). I was also unaware that Fast Food Nation was a book first. It was one of the first movies I got from Netflix when I started using the service. The movie must have looked good at the time. I have since read the book. I still have not read The Descendants despite seeing the movie. I saw that one with a Meetup group I'd briefly joined in the 2010s. I was new and not aware of the book then. And on watching Holes just two days ago--the movie day had planned as part of this month's activities schedule, but the movie to be watched had only been decided on that day. 

What is your take on books vs. movies? Which to you prefer to do first? How often have you seen a movie not knowing it was based on a book?

What We Have Come To

 This week from around the blogs I follow. Sad that this is all true.

Black Cat Appreciation Day

As I pointed out in this post, today is Black Cat Appreciation Day. From the link:

Every year on August 17, we observe National Black Cat Appreciation Day to honor and cherish black cat.

The day also brings much-needed awareness to the unfair superstitions and stereotypes black cats often face, which sadly affect their chances of getting adopted.

Black cats have long been misunderstood, linked with myths and old tales of bad luck, particularly around Halloween.

As a result, black cats are frequently passed over in shelters, despite being just as loving, fun, and charming as their more colorful counterparts.

National Black Cat Appreciation Day aims to change that by showing just how amazing and charming these dark-furred felines really are.

History of National Black Cat Appreciation Day

National Black Cat Appreciation Day was created by cat advocate Wayne H. Morris in honor of his late sister, who had a deep love for black cats.

After she passed away, Morris wanted to find a way to celebrate her memory and highlight the beauty of black cats, which too often get ignored due to long-standing myths and misunderstandings.

The day is now recognized across the country as a time to not only celebrate these stunning creatures but to push back against the negative stereotypes that still exist.

Many shelters and animal welfare organizations use this day to promote adoption drives specifically for black cats, hoping to increase their visibility and remind people that fur color has nothing to do with a cat’s personality or potential to be a loving companion.

Also read National Black Cat Day

How to Observe Black Cat Appreciation Day

The best way to celebrate this day is to spend time with your black cat, if you have one. Whether it’s an extra cuddle session, a new toy, or a fresh catnip treat, take the time to show your appreciation for your sleek and shadowy friend.

If you don’t have a cat, consider volunteering at or donating to a local animal shelter, particularly those with black cats waiting to be adopted.

Some people choose this day to share photos of their black cats online to help bust myths and spread the word that these animals deserve love just like any other.

And if you're looking to add a feline friend to your family, today might just be the perfect day to adopt a black cat and give them the forever home they deserve.

 

Fall 2025 Reading Challenge @ Beyond the Bookends

Here is the Fall Bingo, beginning on September 1 and ending on November 30.

1. Books Set in High School (September):
2. Mythology Books (October):
3. Books with a Neurodivergent Character (November):
4. Books with Secret in the Title:
5. Romcozy:
6. Vampire Books:
7. Books with a Funeral:
8. Historical Thriller Books:
9. Books about Influencers:

Book Discussion: National Book Lovers' Day

 

This was actually last Saturday, though I did not know until this week! Another  National Day that has slipped past me for some time. There seem to be so many of these days that many will slip past most people. 

I found numerous links on how to celebrate National Book Lovers' Day, even though I'm almost a week late! Yet, every day seems to be Book Lovers' Day for me, so I've decided not to feel too guilty about not knowing about this particular National Day sooner. I guess I know now, but as I said, it's kind of an everyday celebration for me. How many of you will agree? And did any of you know about this?

13 Things This Week

Colleen at The Thursday 13 holds a weekly blogging prompt where bloggers make a list of 13 things on Thursdays. The topic is for you to choose. The blog host doesn't have any official graphics to display on the Thursday 13 posts, so I decided to whip one up myself. 🙂

Once again, I have gathered various things from the Internet and from others in the blogosphere.

My Augtober So Far

Running piggyback on this post and on this one made by Debra at She who Seeks, here is how Urban Dictionary defines "Augtober":

The phenomenon of weather during which August sometimes feels like October and October feels like August.

Yes,  that's how it's been in my neck of the woods. It's been like that since July. The mornings have started off foggy, then get warm by midday. I'm just glad there hasn't been a heatwave as we were having a year ago around this time. I now dread the weather in the next months. The heatwave also occurred at the beginning of October last year. I hate to think it might happen again! But first there's  September weather to dread.

And the Halloween items have arrived, at least at the Dollar Tree in my town. I haven't been to Target recently. These were actually in the store at the end of July:

The store locations are now up on Spirit Halloween's website, but none listed for my town this year ☹️ Last year's store in the old Kmart building was the fist we'd had in 10 years. Now there won't be one, even with Kmart still empty and the Rite Aid building now empty as well. It was much fun going to the one we had last year. I'm trying not think too much of this stuff right now, though I am getting some ideas already.

Going back to Debra's post, one person commented:

Count me out. Soon we'll be having Aug-giving followed by Septmas and NovYearsDay. Nope.

Yeah, I'm surprised no one has come with any of these, as far as I know.

UPDATE 8/12: Spirit Halloween WILL be coming to my town, again, in the Kmart building. It was just added to the website. I drove by today and saw the Spirit banner.

 

International Cat Day

Yet another I did not know about. I knew about National Cat Day and Black Cat Day, both in October. And Black Cat Appreciation Day is coming up on August 17. 

13 Phobias

Colleen at The Thursday 13 holds a weekly blogging prompt where bloggers make a list of 13 things on Thursdays. The topic is for you to choose. The blog host doesn't have any official graphics to display on the Thursday 13 posts, so I decided to whip one up myself. 🙂

 

On Wednesday, at work, it was too hot for playing pickleball, so we met at our center instead after the all-staff meeting. We've done a lot of Kahoot quizzes, and today was one on phobias. I did not know most of them, so I guessed. I ended up the highest score after coming from behind. Most of these were new to me. Do you recognize any of these?

1. Metrophobia: Fear of poetry
2. Hylophobia: Fear of trees
3. Panophobia: Fear of unknown evil
4. Fayophobia: Fear of elves
5. Climacophobia: Fear of climbing
6. Hexakosioihexekontahexaphobia: Fear of the number 666
7. Cetaphobia: Fear of whales
8. Pogonophobia: Fear of beards
9. Ophidiophobia: Fear of snakes
10. Petraphobia: Fear of rocks
11. Sesquipedalophobia: Fear of long words
12. Ommetaphobia: Fear of eyes
13. Arachibutyrophobia: Fear of getting peanut butter stuck to the roof of your mouth

Can you believe these exist? Some of these seem like bizarre things to fear!

The quiz was 24 questions so there are others not listed here. A few came up that I already know, like arachnophobia and claustrophobia. I think most people know those two.

National Blogger Day

This came up on my Facebook memories today. I don't know how I never knew this until now.

How many of you knew about this? Is it news to you as well? 

August Bookish Bingo

 Here is the card for August.

My Books:

1. 16 Lighthouse Road--Debbie Macomber (8 squares): Started Last Month (began on July 31 and finished on August 2), Library Book, Physical Book, In a Series, Enemies to Lovers, Favorite Author, Small-Town Setting, Book Club Read
2. The Case of the Missing Marquess--Nancy Springer (5 squares): Free Book, Historic Setting, Vigilante, Animal on the Cover, Free Space
3. The Little Mermaid--Melissa Lagonegro (5 squares): Audiobook, Witch/Wizard, Special Powers, Curse/Deal/Bargain, Dreams/Nightmares
4. Every Body Yoga--Jessamyn Stanley (2 squares): E-Book, Exercise
5. In This Grave Hour--Jacqueline Winspear (2 squares): Shelf Love, Vehicle on the Cover
6. This Side of Married--Rachel Pastan (1 square): Not in a Series
7. The Pull of the Moon--Elizabeth Berg (1 square): Novella
8. The Short History of a Prince--Jane Hamilton (1 square): Art/Artist

25 squares completed on August 18