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Got troubles? Book Em!

© Julie J. Murelle

When, "Flowers in the Attic," came out on the big screen, I was excited. I dashed to the nearest theater and sat back to see what wonderful things they had done to this book I had loved reading. The lights dimmed and I got all excited in anticipation of what was to surely be a great movie and I got way disappointed. What they had done to one of my most beloved books was a far cry from what I had envisioned in my mind. I almost left the theater in horror.

So, why the big disappointment? Who ever turned this book into a film, obviously had their own thoughts and took creative liberties to create their view of the book, but it was nothing like I thought it would be. The characters looked nothing like I envisioned. The story was mutilated so that it could fit into the two-hour period and the way it was presented it left no room for the many sequels.

As a writer, I loved to read. I actually can get excited over a well-phrased thought. When I read a book, the theater in my mind is far more vivid than actually seeing a movie and for me this is one of my most favorite ways to take a vacation from stress.

If life is hectic and problems are many, if you can just take a few minutes to concentrate on other people's troubles and triumphs, you can get that short mental break that you need to really be able to handle what is going on in your world.

When you read you can be instantly transformed into another world. You can travel to exotic places, have a wild rendezvous with a dark stranger, open your mind to things that you never knew were possible and learn about all kinds of interesting things. The best thing for me is when a book makes me laugh or really feel good. Also, I love to love the characters. Show me a character that I would like in my life and I will show you a book that I cannot put down. I love Jude Deveraux's "The Blessing," and "An Angel for Emily". Daniel Steel is always good for a distraction. I also adore Steven King, V.C. Andrews, (who died quite a few years ago, and yet still keeps coming out with new books), Dean Koontz, Judy Blume, and my favorite book, "What dreams may come," (which was also massacred in the movie theater).

The copyright of the article Got troubles? Book Em! in Relieving Stress is owned by Julie J. Murelle. Permission to republish Got troubles? Book Em! in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.