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The Book Was Better Than The Movie Podcasts

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Discover the original stories behind Hollywood's biggest blockbusters—completely free! "The Book Was Better" delivers full audiobook versions of classic novels that inspired your favorite films. From "Pride and Prejudice" to "The Great Gatsby," "Winnie-the-Pooh" to "Alice in Wonderland," experience the rich source material that filmmakers have turned into cinematic gold for decades. Compare the book's vision with its silver screen adaptation, uncover deleted scenes Hollywood left on the cutt ...
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The YAI's Digital Sandbox

B. Gaona Jr, Jon Gaona

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Embark on an insightful journey with hosts B. Gaona Jr. and Jon Gaona as they delve into diverse topics encompassing comic books, movies, anime, wrestling, sports, and beer, all delivered in an authentic, unfiltered, and refreshingly honest manner. Despite the unconventional charm of speech-impediment-laden banter, the podcast maintains a professional and engaging tone. Tune in to our episodes available on Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, Spotify, and various podcast platforms. The podcast's di ...
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After original hosts Matt & Josh apparated away from the show, Josh decided to leave the show in the hands of the 2 people who guided him along his second time through the Harry Potter series, The Boss Marissa Dorado and The Dean Joe Slionski! Marissa had a baby and sadly would not be returning to the show, however longtime community members Lauren Aragon and "Atari" Alex Carrejo agreed to fill her shoes! But then Lauren had a baby and another void was created, which was then filled by longt ...
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First Time Readers

Jon, Danny, Kristen, Jenn, Lizzy

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It's every fan's dream to read the books they love for the first time again. The wonder, the joy, the excitement and forums and not knowing what is going to happen on the next page. It's one of the best experiences ever. Join four readers as they read and talk about Harry Potter, Star Wars, Lord of the Rings and other nerd worlds. So come vicariously live through some first-time readers!
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Warning: This might be hard to hear. It was hard to LIVE. Having an honest dialogue about what active addiction was like isn’t pretty, but I’m hoping that even if you come for the train wreck you’ll stay for the recovery conversation. Settle in for notes from the thick of two decades of substance abuse, mental health struggles, romantic obsession, rehabs, hospitals, institutions and general despair, to the last few years of coming out the other side. I've had a lot of time to collect insight ...
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A podcast where two friends sit down and talk through their favorite movies, comics, video games, and more! Grab a drink, relax, and enjoy everything and anything "Geek" related! Want to be a guest? Have topic ideas you want us to talk about? Send us a message either through Instagram or our email at [email protected]
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If you grew up watching the magical 1993 animated special The Tailor of Gloucester from The World of Peter Rabbit & Friends — with its cozy Victorian fireplace glow, beautifully animated mice, and warm, storybook charm — then you’re about to experience the original tale that inspired it all. Before film studios brought Beatrix Potter’s world to lif…
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Joe and Alex discuss the final Major Moment of Book 6, the chapter entitled "The White Tomb"! They also discussplenty of news, including Netflix purchasing Warner Bros and Paramount making a "hostile" bid to win them over. Open News You Can Use Giveaway Major Moments - The White Tomb Bossengamot Potterwatch! Community Emails Joe - @CustomVinylLush …
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If you loved Disney’s Frozen — with its icy kingdoms, magical snowstorms, and powerful winter queens — then you’ll be amazed to discover the original story that inspired it all. Long before Elsa and Anna, Hans Christian Andersen wrote The Snow Queen, one of the most beautiful and influential winter fairy tales ever created. This is the full, unabri…
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If you were moved by Disney’s stunning 2006 animated short The Little Matchgirl — the one praised worldwide for its breathtaking artistry and nominated for an Academy Award for Best Animated Short Film — then you absolutely need to experience the original story that inspired it. Before Disney transformed it into one of the most emotional pieces of …
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Before the dazzling stop-motion magic of the Rankin/Bass Christmas special — L. Frank Baum, the legendary author of The Wizard of Oz, created one of the most magical Santa Claus origin stories ever written. This is his original tale, brought to life again in audiobook form. If you grew up watching the beloved stop-motion classics — Rudolph the Red-…
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If you grew up watching Tim Allen redefine Santa in The Santa Clause trilogy or you’re a fan of Tim Burton’s iconic, spooky-sweet style in The Nightmare Before Christmas, then you’ve never experienced the original story that inspired generations of Christmas movies. Long before Hollywood turned Santa into a cultural legend, Clement C. Moore wrote t…
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If you loved Morgan Freeman’s wise, enchanting narration in Disney’s The Nutcracker and the Four Realms or Keira Knightley’s unforgettable Sugar Plum Fairy, then you need to hear the original story that inspired every movie, ballet, and Christmas adaptation ever made. Before Disney brought it to life with stunning visuals, before the Barbie animate…
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If you loved Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmas or the Hallmark adaptation Gift of the Magi, then you’ve got to hear the original version that inspired them all. Before the animated retellings, before the Hollywood dramas, before Hallmark turned it into a Christmas classic, O. Henry wrote this timeless story that still melts hearts over 100 years later…
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If you loved Jim Carrey’s animated Scrooge, Will Ferrell’s comedy twist in Spirited, or Ryan Reynolds’ modern musical take, then you’re going to love experiencing A Christmas Carol in its original, purest form — straight from Charles Dickens. This is the timeless Christmas classic that inspired every major adaptation. Before the special effects, be…
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Send us a text In this episode, we bravely wade into the misery of winter, complain just enough to remind everyone we’re definitely not built for cold weather, and accidentally reveal a bit more about our ethnic backgrounds than we planned. We break down our questionable Black Friday hauls, proudly admit to still not watching the Avatar movies (and…
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Joe and Alex try their hand at Renaming the Series from Molly Weasley's Perspective! Open News You Can Use Giveaway Renaming the Series from Molly Weasley's Perspective Bossengamot Potterwatch! Spellio Revelio - Pack Charm Truth or Lies Community Emails Joe - @CustomVinylLush Alex - @AtariAlex Brent - @BrentAllenLive Show - @TalesFromGH TikTok- @TF…
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Joe and Alex discuss Alex's first time watching a huge phenomenon within the Harry Potter fan culture, A Very Potter Musical! Open Butterbeer or Butterbeer Not News You Can Use Giveaway A Very Potter Musical Review Potterwatch! Spellio Revelio - Memory Charm Truth or Lies Community Emails Joe - @CustomVinylLush Alex - @AtariAlex Brent - @BrentAllen…
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Send us a text In this episode, Bryan joins us in a rare attempt to create a podcast where everyone has actually seen the same movies and shows—an achievement that, frankly, deserves a medal. We dive into the film Weapons, explore TV series like Welcome to Derry, speculate about the upcoming The Dark Tower, and, of course, wade through our usual sw…
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Experience the wit and romance that captivated millions on screen—straight from Jane Austen's brilliant mind! Before Keira Knightley and Matthew Macfadyen brought Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy's electric chemistry to life, their story began in this beloved classic. Discover the sharp dialogue, complex characters, and social commentary that Hollywood coul…
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Chapters 1–28 launch the epic tale that inspired the thrilling Hollywood adaptation starring Jim Caviezel, with the legendary Richard Harris — yes, Dumbledore himself — delivering one of the most memorable mentor roles of his career. If you loved the intense emotion, sweeping drama, and cinematic revenge of the film, this audiobook takes you deeper…
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If you loved Harrison Ford’s powerful performance in the Hollywood adaptation of The Call of the Wild, then you’re about to experience the original masterpiece that inspired it all. Before the breathtaking landscapes and big-screen adventure, Jack London wrote the raw, untamed story that filmmakers have been trying to capture for over a century. Th…
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Joe and Alex talk about a very emotional chapter in Major Moments of Book 6 called "Flight of the Prince"! Open News You Can Use Giveaway Major Moments - Flight of the Prince Potterwatch! Community Emails Joe - @CustomVinylLush Alex - @AtariAlex Brent - @BrentAllenLive Show - @TalesFromGH TikTok- @TFGHshow Tales from Godric's Hollow is your One-Sto…
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Books 4–9 of Les Misérables, Volume 5 bring the breathtaking conclusion of the story that inspired the legendary Hollywood film starring Hugh Jackman, Russell Crowe, and Anne Hathaway — a cinematic masterpiece that moved audiences around the world. Their unforgettable portrayals of Valjean, Javert, and Fantine echo through every page of Victor Hugo…
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Books 1–3 of Les Misérables, Volume 5 carry the emotional weight and cinematic power that made the Hollywood film — starring Hugh Jackman, Russell Crowe, and Anne Hathaway — a global phenomenon. Their unforgettable performances as Jean Valjean, Javert, and Fantine helped bring Victor Hugo’s masterpiece to life, but in these chapters, you’ll hear th…
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Joe and Alex tackle another Curriculum Curation episode diving deep into the subject of the History of Magic! **Special Shout out to MUGGLENET for their book "The Ultimate Wizarding World Guide to Magical Studies"!** Open Butterbeer or Butterbeer Not News You Can Use Giveaway Curriculum Curation - History of Magic Potterwatch! Community Emails Joe …
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Books 9–15 of Les Misérables, Volume 4 bring the breathtaking climax of the story that inspired the legendary Hollywood film — starring Hugh Jackman, Russell Crowe, and Anne Hathaway in their unforgettable, Oscar-winning roles. Their portrayals of Jean Valjean, Javert, and Fantine shook movie audiences around the world, but here in Victor Hugo’s ow…
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Books 1–8 of Volume 4 explode with the same raw emotion and cinematic power that made the Hollywood film — starring Hugh Jackman, Russell Crowe, and Anne Hathaway — an unforgettable masterpiece. Their performances as Jean Valjean, Javert, and Fantine captured the world’s heart, but it’s here, in Victor Hugo’s own words, that the true spirit of Les …
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Hugh Jackman, Russell Crowe, and Anne Hathaway brought this story to life on the big screen — but here, in Volume 3: Marius, you’ll experience the heart of Les Misérables as Victor Hugo first wrote it. This is the section that inspired some of the most emotional and unforgettable moments in the Hollywood film — a sweeping tale of love, courage, and…
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Books 6–8 of Volume 2 bring you the powerful continuation of the story that became one of Hollywood’s most unforgettable films — starring Hugh Jackman, Russell Crowe, and Anne Hathaway in performances that defined a generation of moviegoers. Their portrayals of Jean Valjean, Javert, and Fantine electrified audiences around the world, but it all beg…
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Send us a text In this episode, we make a valiant attempt to live up to the promises in our social media bios by actually discussing the topics we claim to know about: Sports, with a look at the Portland Trail Blazers; Pro Wrestling, specifically AEW; and of course, horror movies and shows, including The Fall of the House of Usher and Hell House LL…
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Books 1–5 of Volume 2 dive even deeper into the world that became one of Hollywood’s most powerful films — starring Hugh Jackman, Russell Crowe, and Anne Hathaway in unforgettable, Oscar-winning performances. Before the bright lights of the screen and the soaring music of the musical, there was Victor Hugo’s raw, emotional masterpiece — a story of …
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Books 6–8 of Volume 1 continue the epic story that inspired the blockbuster Hollywood film starring Hugh Jackman, Russell Crowe, and Anne Hathaway — a movie that brought Victor Hugo’s masterpiece to life with breathtaking emotion and Oscar-winning performances. This is the next chapter in the saga that made audiences weep, cheer, and believe in red…
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Books 1–5 of Volume 1 bring you the powerful beginning of the story that became one of Hollywood’s greatest epics — starring Hugh Jackman, Russell Crowe, and Anne Hathaway in the unforgettable film adaptation. Before the lights, the music, and the Oscars, there was Victor Hugo’s masterpiece — a tale of grace, redemption, and rebellion that still mo…
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If you loved Tom Cruise battling alien invaders in the explosive Hollywood blockbuster War of the Worlds, then you’re about to experience the original story that inspired it all. Long before the dazzling special effects and epic destruction hit the big screen, H. G. Wells imagined this terrifying vision of humanity’s fight for survival — a story so…
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Hollywood fans — imagine this: a blockbuster sci-fi film directed by Simon Wells, the great-grandson of H. G. Wells himself. That’s right — the man who invented time travel on the page had his own family carry the legacy onto the big screen. The Time Machine isn’t just a novel; it’s the original blueprint for every epic time-travel movie ever made.…
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Tom Cruise, Brad Pitt, Kirsten Dunst, and Antonio Banderas lit up Hollywood with their unforgettable vampire performances in Interview with the Vampire — but long before that film, there was Carmilla, the original gothic tale that started it all. Written by Joseph Sheridan Le Fanu, this mesmerizing story introduced the world to the first female vam…
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If you loved watching Hugh Jackman transform into a werewolf in Hollywood’s dark fantasy epics, then you’ll be thrilled by the chilling gothic tale that captured that same primal power long before the big screen — The Werewolf by Clemence Housman. This haunting classic weaves mystery, seduction, and supernatural terror into one unforgettable legend…
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If you’re a fan of Stranger Things and Finn Wolfhard’s haunting performances, you’ll love the chilling atmosphere that inspired his modern gothic film The Turning. Before Hollywood turned it into a psychological ghost story for a new generation, Henry James wrote The Turn of the Screw — a masterpiece of suspense, mystery, and slow-burning terror th…
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If you love The Mummy and Brendan Fraser’s legendary adventures on the big screen, this is the story that started it all. Before Hollywood filled theaters with ancient tombs, cursed treasures, and resurrected queens, Bram Stoker — the same genius who gave us Dracula — wrote The Jewel of Seven Stars, a haunting masterpiece of mystery, archaeology, a…
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Fans of Val Kilmer and classic Hollywood thrillers, get ready to experience the story that inspired one of cinema’s most haunting transformations — The Island of Doctor Moreau. Before it hit the big screen with Kilmer’s unforgettable intensity and Marlon Brando’s eerie, commanding presence, it was H. G. Wells’ shocking masterpiece — a tale of scien…
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Before Keanu Reeves ventured into the dark castles of Transylvania in Bram Stoker’s Dracula, there was Dracula’s Guest — the lost opening chapter that started it all. This chilling short story is the secret prologue to the legend that inspired Hollywood’s most romantic and terrifying vampire saga. Picture Keanu’s Jonathan Harker riding alone throug…
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Before Kevin Bacon terrified audiences in Hollow Man and Elisabeth Moss redefined psychological horror in The Invisible Man (2020), there was the story that started it all — H. G. Wells’ groundbreaking 1897 classic. This is where Hollywood’s obsession with invisibility began: one man’s scientific brilliance spiraling into madness, power, and total …
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Before Julia Roberts and John Malkovich brought it to life on the big screen in the haunting 1996 film Mary Reilly, there was Robert Louis Stevenson’s original masterpiece — The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. This is where it all began: the story that inspired generations of filmmakers, thrillers, and psychological dramas about the battle…
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Joe and Alex talk about Halloween and break down another Major Moment of Harry Potter and the Half-blood Prince, The Lightning Struck Tower! Open Giveaway Major Moments - The Lightning Struck Tower Bossengamot Potterwatch Community Emails Joe - @CustomVinylLush Alex - @AtariAlex Brent - @BrentAllenLive Show - @TalesFromGH TikTok- @TFGHshow Email - …
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Before Twilight made werewolves into romantic heroes, before Jacob Black's transformation captivated millions, before CGI wolves ran through forests in The Twilight Saga, there was the terrifying truth—and it's far more chilling than any movie dared to show. Sabine Baring-Gould's The Book of Werewolves is the original deep dive into lycanthropy tha…
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If you're excited about the 2025 Hollywood remake of Frankenstein — starring Jacob Elordi, Oscar Isaac, Mia Goth, and directed by the legendary Guillermo del Toro — then this is your chance to experience the original masterpiece that inspired it all. Before the stunning visuals, award-winning performances, and modern reimagining hit theaters, Mary …
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After Keanu Reeves' Jonathan Harker survived the horrors of Castle Dracula in Francis Ford Coppola's 1992 masterpiece, he returned transformed—no longer a terrified victim, but a determined warrior ready to hunt the monster across Europe in one of cinema's most thrilling climaxes. These final seven chapters are where Keanu Reeves' character evoluti…
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Send us a text In this episode, we fumble our way through a discussion about technology and how it should still function years later, while also diving into video games like Alan Wake, Control, and—because we clearly can’t let it go—Skyrim once again. To wrap up our Halloween movie marathon, we shift gears to talk about V/H/S: Halloween and Vicious…
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Keanu Reeves delivered one of his most intense performances in Francis Ford Coppola's lavish 1992 epic Bram Stoker's Dracula—a $40 million Gothic spectacle that brought Victorian horror to life with Oscar-winning visuals and unforgettable terror. Before Keanu Reeves became Neo, before he was John Wick, he was Jonathan Harker—the young solicitor who…
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Antonio Banderas made Zorro a global icon again with his smoldering charisma and breathtaking swordplay—slashing his trademark "Z" across the screen alongside Catherine Zeta-Jones' fiery Elena and Anthony Hopkins' legendary original Zorro. Now dive into the literary adventures that started it all and inspired Hollywood's greatest masked hero. Befor…
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