In these crazy and unprecedented times, finding some form of escapism is often a great idea. With alcohol not being an advisable or sustainable option, I started to think of all the best books to read and movies to watch.
On reflection, several of my all-time favourite books have often been backed up by movies. I read all the following books well before the movie came out, and I often felt a sense of validation that I loved a book so much.
As a bit of a disclaimer, although I absolutely love to read, I’m no literary genius or book snob, nor am I attempting to write book reviews below. I’m also not advocating that the film adaptation was as great as the book.
Should You Read the Book Before the Movie?
You know that they always say: “The book was better!”. And there’s an ongoing debate on whether it’s best to read the book before seeing the movie.
Obviously, spoilers are almost unavoidable if you read the book before seeing the film. And without a doubt, most film adaptations never compare to their book predecessors, leaving you feeling disappointed.
However, the reality is that a screen adaptation will always be different. Additionally, movies have a limited run time, which means a lot of good stuff is bound to get cut out or altered.
I’m firmly in the camp of reading the book first. Even if I’ve heard the movie isn’t as good, I’m still intrigued to see a story I love adapted to a different format.
My Favourite Books Made into Movies
In more recent times, almost all of the bestsellers seem to end up on the big screen. However, it’s always great to re-read an old favourite and then watch the movie to reconsider the merits of the screen adaptation. In the current environment, you can potentially dig out an old book or even a DVD (to limit broadband usage) and hit the couch!
I hope that you enjoy the following selection of my favourite books that were made into movies. Just remember to read the book first!
Paula x
Ps. Do you have any favourite books that should be made into movies? Let me know in the comments!
2.
Q & A
by Vikas Swarup
The Book;
Q & A by Vikas Swarup was published in 2005. I remember loving this book; it’s a must-read! For details, click here.
The Movie;
Released in 2008, Slumdog Millionaire is a loose adaptation of the book. It’s a multiple Oscar-winning movie. Read the book first, or you’ll never truly “get it.” For details, click here.
3.
THE CLASS CASTLE
by Jeanette Walls
The Book;
Jeannette Walls’s memoir was published in 2005 and spent over 260 weeks on the New York Times Bestseller List. As a true story, I found this an incredibly thought-provoking and compelling read. For details, click here.
The Movie;
The big-screen adaptation was released in 2017. The film had mixed reviews from critics. However, I was awe-struck by the real-life photos and footage of the family at the movie’s end. Read the book first! For details, click here.
3.
THE ART OF RACING IN THE RAIN
by Garth Stein
The Book;
Published in 2008, “The Art of Racing in the Rain” was on the New York Times bestsellers list for 156 weeks! Told from a dog’s point of view, it’s heartbreakingly good. For details, click here.
The Movie;
The movie was released in 2019 and received mixed reviews. Nonetheless, it was great to see the adaptation of one of my favourite books. Be sure to have tissues at hand. For details, click here.
4.
THE ART OF RACING IN THE RAIN
by Garth Stein
The Book;
Published in 2008, “The Art of Racing in the Rain” was on the New York Times bestsellers list for 156 weeks! Told from a dog’s point of view, it’s heartbreakingly good. For details, click here.
The Movie;
The movie was released in 2019 and received mixed reviews. Nonetheless, it was great to see the adaptation of one of my favourite books. Be sure to have tissues at hand. For details, click here.
5.
BEAUTIFUL BOY
A Father’s Journey Through His Son’s Addiction by David Sheff
The Book;
Published in 2008, “Beautiful Boy – A Father’s Journey Through His Son’s Addiction” is based on the memoirs of David Sheff. It is a compelling and eye-opening story of a family in crisis. For details, click here.
The Movie;
The film was released in 2018 and received numerous award nominations. Have the tissues at hand. For details, click here.
7.
IF I STAY
by Gayle Forman
The Book;
If I Stay, the novel was published in 2009. I must admit I love the occasional Young-Adult fiction, which is one of my favourites. For details, click here.
The Movie;
The film was released in 2014 and received mixed reviews. However, it’s still worth a watch to see if you agree with the critics. For details, click here.
8.
ROOM
by Emma Donoghue
The Book;
Room by Emma Donaghue was published in 2010. I loved this heart-stopping novel that made me laugh and cry. For details, click here.
The Movie;
Adapted for film by the author Emma Donaghue and released in 2015. Room was cited as one of the year’s best films and received numerous awards and nominations! For details, click here.
9.
ME BEFORE YOU
by Jojo Moyes
The Book;
“Me Before You” is an international bestseller published in January 2012. I will forever remember the summer that I found this book. I couldn’t put it down, which completely broke my heart. For details, click here.
The Movie;
The 2016 film received mixed box office reviews. However, it’s hard not to want to watch the screen adaptation of such a great book. For details, click here.
10.
WONDER
by R. J. Palacio
The Book;
A children’s novel published in 2012. R.J. Palacio called her debut novel “a meditation on Kindness”. It is a must-read for any child and equally valuable for adults. For details, click here.
The Movie;
Wonder was released by Lionsgate for the big screen in 2017. You should read the book first, but it’s still an excellent movie for the entire family. Bring tissues. For details, click here.
11.
BIG LITTLE LIES
by Liane Moriarty
The Book;
Published in 2014, Big Little Lies by Liane Moriarty was the No. 1 New York Times bestseller. It’s one of my all-time favourite books, and I honestly couldn’t put it down. For details, click here.
The TV Series;
This HBO mini-series was released in 2017, and it’s honestly one of the few books where I found the screen adaptation equally, if not more riveting. From the music, scenery and casting, it was just incredible. This outstanding commentary touches on feminism, sisterhood, domestic abuse, parenthood, love, and compassion. For fans like myself, I was just as excited to see the second season released in 2019. For details, click here.
12.
LITTLE FIRES EVERYWHERE
by Celeste Ng
The Book;
Little Fires Everywhere, by American author Celeste Ng, was Amazon’s Best Novel of 2017. For details, click here.
The TV Miniseries;
The TV miniseries adaptation of the novel has been produced by and stars Reese Witherspoon and Kerry Washington.
The TV series premiered on Hulu on March 18, 2020. So you read it if you haven’t already. For details, click here.
P.s.
If you enjoyed this post, be sure to check out my post, “12 Great Books to Read – That You Won’t Be Able to Put Down! – My Personal Favourites!”
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