On Saturday I went and saw the movie Percy Jackson and the Olympians: Sea of Monsters. And I enjoyed it. It had good action, a fast moving plot, likable characters, and plenty of humor.

But it was nothing like the book. Lots of stuff was left out, lots of things were changed.

I used to feel like that. Like, if they are going to just screw up the book, why even bother? Why leave out important plot points? Why erase characters? HOW CAN YOU DO THIS TO ME??? I was so upset with the fourth Harry Potter movie, all because of the extended dragon scene and the disappearance of Winky. (Sorry for those who have no idea what I’m talking about. I’m over it. Mostly.)

But the reality is, it’s not exactly practical to leave in every bit of plot, every character, every nuance of a book. That’s why books and movies are different. Why watching a movie is never the same as reading the book. It doesn’t make the movie bad, it just makes it different.

I approach movies based on books with the expectation that I will enjoy the general story, but that it will be different from what I picture in my mind. I separate the two as much as possible. I refuse to let someone else’s vision ruin my own imagining of the book and characters. I still go to the movies, because they entertain me. My first love will always be books, and the movie is never going to be as good as the book, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t a fantastic medium to share the story, especially for those who are not big readers. (I know, that are actually people like that out there! ;))

As always, Twitter is a great inspiration for these entries. I saw this Tweet from Cassandra Clare, whose book, City of Bones, comes out in movie form this week.

She is so wise. And I totally agree.

Although…I do have this beef…

Seriously. Just…don’t…