What to Read Next?

[Laura]

What would you like to read next? Selections for this book club can be anything that has an iconic representation in another form of media, like a classic book with a famous film adaptation. I was thinking something by Jane Austen may be fun, like "Emma." The book is widely available online and there are various film versions available to stream. What do you think?

[Laura]

On the library's Hoopla app, you can find 1) the book by Jane Austen, 2) the 1996 movie version starring Gwyneth Paltrow, and 3) a 2019 comic adaptation by Nancy Butler and Janet Lee. With so many multimedia options for "Emma," including a new film version this year, I think "Emma" would be a perfect choice for the next Multimedia Book Club selection. Other recommendations are welcome and we'll continue with Sherlock Holmes discussion through the end of the month, but if you're interested, please consider reading or watching a version of "Emma" to participate in our upcoming conversations. Please let me know if you need help to set up or access the Hoopla app from home!

[Laura]

I just finished the comic adaptation of "Emma" by Nancy Butler and Janet Lee (which you can find on Hoopla). While rated for Teens, this version translates the story visually in a way that will appeal to adults as well as young readers. The art style struck me as too-cute at first, but the panels really do accomplish a lot in conveying the subtleties of manners so important to the time period. Some pages carry the action across the panels in a particularly delightful way! For those hesitant to tackle the classic book, this would be a great introduction to Jane Austen's "Emma."