In this episode of Book Watch, we’re diving into a character analysis of Charles Dickens’ 1843 classic, A Christmas Carol, and the 1992 Muppets Christmas Carol adaptation. How well did the film capture the heart of the book? What changes worked—and which ones missed the mark?

In Part 2 we explore:

The plot and themes of the story and how well the Michael Caine and the Muppets cast portray those themes of generosity, class disparity, poverty, and the enduring effect of the Christmas Spirit.

Join hosts Chris, Jordyn, and Sarah-Daye as they bring on the holiday cheer and discuss what worked, what didn’t and what Christmas is all about.

Tell us your thoughts! Did you love or hate this adaptation? Let’s discuss in The Book Watch Lounge on Facebook

23: A Christmas Carol Part Two - Plot Analysis

In this episode of Book Watch, we’re diving into Part One: Character Analysis of A Christmas Carol and its classic film adaptation A Christmas Carol. Few stories have been adapted as many times—or as memorably—as this timeless holiday tale. But how well do the characters translate from page to screen?

In Part One, we focus on the heart of the story: the characters.

We explore:

 * Ebenezer Scrooge’s journey from miser to man of redemption—and how different adaptations portray his transformation
 * The role of the Ghosts of Christmas Past, Present, and Yet to Come, and what they symbolize in both the book and film
 * How supporting characters like Bob Cratchit, Tiny Tim, and the Fred contribute to the story’s emotional core
 * Which character portrayals feel most faithful to Dickens—and which take creative liberties

Join us as we break down the personalities, performances, and emotional impact of A Christmas Carol, setting the stage for next week’s Part Two: Plot Breakdown, where we’ll compare how the story itself unfolds on screen.

22: A Christmas Carol Part One - Character Analysis

In this episode of Book Watch, we’re diving into a plot breakdown of 2024’s Wicked and 2025’s Wicked Part 2: For Good, and comparing it to the Broadway Musical and the 1995 book by Gregory Maguire. We are joined by self-described Wicked superfan Abbey Umali, as she brings her unique perspective on the stage production to the conversation. How well did the film capture the heart of the book and the musical? What changes worked—and which ones missed the mark?

In Part 2 we explore:

Major plot changes and timeline differences

Major omissions regarding political themes in the book and how they almost disappeared in the other adaptations

How the adaptations changed the tone and adult content of the book to appeal to a wider audience

Join hosts Chris, Jordyn, Sarah-Daye and special guest Abbey Umali as they break down what worked, what didn’t, and whether this adaptation does the book justice.

Tell us your thoughts! Did you love or hate this adaptation? Let’s discuss in The Book Watch Lounge on Facebook

21: Wicked Part Two: Plot Analysis 

In this episode of Book Watch, we’re diving into a character analysis of Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West (1995), the 2003 broadway musical, Wicked and its 2 part movie adaptation 2024’s Wicked and 2025’s Wicked Part 2: For Good, both directed by John M. Chu. We are also joined by self-described Wicked superfan Abbey Umali, as she brings her unique perspective on the stage production to the conversation. How well did the film capture the heart of the book and the musical? What changes worked—and which ones missed the mark?

In Part 1 we explore:
Character portrayals, casting choices, and differences between the book and movie. How do the movie cast's singing and acting chops compare to the iconic original Broadway cast? How do we feel about 2025’s sexiest man alive, pop stars, and professional martial artisits joining the wonderful world of Oz? And how do we square the circle of the different versions of the characters between the 3 mediums.

Join hosts Chris, Jordyn, Sarah-Daye and special guest Abbey Umali as they break down what worked, what didn’t, and whether this adaptation does the book justice.

Tell us your thoughts! Did you love or hate this adaptation? Let’s discuss in The Book Watch Lounge on Facebook -https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1Czwd3cVFJ/

20: Wicked Part One - Character Analysis 

In this episode of Book Watch, we’re diving into the Plot Breakdown of Ready Player One and its movie adaptation. How well does the film follow the book’s fast-paced, high-stakes quest for Halliday's Easter Egg? What changes worked—and which ones missed the mark?

In Part 2, we explore:

 * Major plot changes (key challenges) between the book and the movie
 * What storylines were streamlined or cut entirely
 * How the adaptation handled the Oasis design, the quest for the keys, and a certain botched character.

Join hosts Chris, Jordyn, and Sarah-Daye as they break down what worked, what didn’t, and whether this adaptation does the book justice.

Tell us your thoughts! Did you love or hate this adaptation? Let’s discuss in The Book Watch Lounge on Facebook 💙

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19:  Ready Player One Part Two: Plot Analysis 

In this episode of Book Watch, we’re kicking off our two-part deep dive into Ready Player One by Ernest Cline and the 2018 film adaptation directed by Steven Spielberg. Part One is all about the characters: How well did the movie capture the spirit of the High Five? Which casting choices soared, and where did the avatars differ most from their book counterparts? 💡

We’re unpacking:

 * Character portrayals and major differences
 * The chemistry of the High Five and the villains
 * How identity, avatars, and real-world vulnerability shape the story
 * What worked, what didn’t, and what we wish the movie kept

Whether you’re obsessed with OASIS lore or love a good book-to-movie debate, this character-focused breakdown sets the stage for next week’s plot discussion. Strap in — the first key is just the beginning.

18: Ready Player One: Character Analysis 

In this episode of Book Watch, we’re diving into the plot breakdown of Holes and its 2003 movie adaptation (Holes). How well did the film capture the heart of the book? What changes worked—and which ones missed the mark? 💡

In Part 2, we’ll explore:
✅ Plot changes, major omissions, and how well the adaptation stayed true to the book’s themes.

Join hosts Sarah-Daye, Jordyn, and Chris as they dig into the twists, flashbacks, and full-circle storytelling that make Holes such a timeless classic—and decide whether the movie really does justice to Louis Sachar’s layered tale. 🎬📚

17: Holes: Part Two – Digging Deeper into the Story

In this episode of Book Watch, we’re diving into the character analysis of Holes and its 2003 movie adaptation (Holes). How well did the film capture the heart of the book? What changes worked—and which ones missed the mark? 💡

In Part 1, we’ll explore:
✅ Character portrayals, casting choices, and differences between the book and movie.

Join hosts Sarah-Daye, Jordyn, and Chris as they break down what worked, what didn’t, and whether this adaptation does the book justice. 🎬📚

📌 Tell us your thoughts! Did you love or hate this adaptation? Let’s discuss in The Book Watch Lounge on Facebook 

16: Holes: Part One – Digging into the Characters

🎃✨ In this special Halloween episode of Book Watch, Sarah-Daye is joined by returning guests Chris Hitlett and Jordyn Carrido for a spooktacular celebration! We’re trading page-to-screen analysis for some festive fun—sharing our favorite Halloween traditions, go-to spooky reads and films, and a few nostalgic costume stories along the way. Plus, we’re wrapping things up with a lightning round of frightfully fun questions you won’t want to miss! 👻💙

Bonus Episode: Happy Halloween! 

 🦇📖 In this episode of Book Watch, we’re sinking our teeth into Dracula and its haunting 2024 adaptation, Nosferatu. Bram Stoker’s gothic masterpiece has inspired countless interpretations, but how does this latest version reimagine the timeless tale of obsession, fear, and immortality?

💡 Join Sarah-Daye and Jordyn as we explore:
✅ The enduring influence of Dracula in literature and film
✅ How the 2024 Nosferatu transforms familiar characters and themes
✅ What makes this new adaptation stand out—or fall flat—among a century of vampire cinema

Whether you’re a classic horror fan or a modern movie lover, this episode will have you watching the shadows just a little more closely. 

15: Dracula

Book Watch is your go-to podcast for exploring the fascinating world of page to screen adaptations. Join Sarah-Daye, Jordyn, and Chris each week as they dive deep into these stories, comparing novels with their cinematic counterparts. From faithful renditions to bold reinterpretations, Book Watch discusses what works, what doesn’t, and what made it unforgettable (or forever forgotten). Whether you're a book worm, a movie buff, or both, Book Watch will keep you in the loop on the latest adaptations and give you fresh perspectives on how books are brought to life on screen. Tune in for thoughtful analysis, lively discussion, and plenty of literary and film insights.

Sarah-Daye McDougall

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