My current bookshelf consists of 70%
books turned to movie, 30% personal finance, productivity and self-help. (I
also maintain a number of devotional books which I excluded from the ratio).
As to how it all started I don’t really
know and remember anymore. All I know is whenever I watch a trailer of a movie
coming out based on a book and I like it, it’s mandatory that I purchase the
book.
Do I read the book first or watch the
movie?
Mostly watch the movie first or as
mentioned, the trailer. This way I can visualize the character (the actors who
played the part) as I’m reading the book. It gets easier for me to picture the
scene and really be in the zone to finish reading.
Some may disagree in this method but it’s
how I do it.
There are three scenarios that happens
with this:
- I love the movie adaption more than the book;
- I love the book more than the movie adaptation OR
- I love BOTH the book and the movie adaptation
And in this post, I’m finally sharing my
favorite books turned to movie. If you love the film but have never read the
book or read the book but have not watched the movie then better start binge
reading/binge watching now.
Let’s begin.
1. The Lovely Bones
The Lovely Bones tells the story of
14-year-old high school freshman Susie Salmon and her tragic death. Susie was
raped, murdered, dismembered and enclosed in a safe by her neighbor George
Harvey. In the book, as it is in the movie, the main narrator is Susie as she
is now in the “In-Between” or more known as the “Limbo”.
Unforgettable Moments from the Book
vis-a-vis the Movie:
- I really like how the book started with “My name is Salmon, like the fish; first name Susie. I was 14 years old when I was murdered on December 6, 1973. I was here for a moment and then I was gone” while in the movie the same like was used in the end as Susie finally enters Heaven.
- The gruesome death of Susie portrayed in the movie is almost as breathtaking as what is in the book. They really casted the most suitable actors for the movie adaptation.
- In the book, Susie (with her spirit now in another girl’s body, Susie) made love while in the movie they only kissed.
Why you should read (and watch) The Lovely Bones?
The Lovely Bones hold a soft spot in my heart. It
is one of the books you won’t be able to put down and a movie you won’t be able
to forget.
Read More: The Lovely Bones Book Review
Read More: The Lovely Bones Book Review
2. The Godfather
The Godfather depicts the story of the
Corleone family and the mob war they fight with the other four Mafia families
in New York.
Unforgettable Moments from the Book
vis-a-vis the Movie:
- Although the book is a work of imagination by the author, Mario Puzo, and no Corleone Family exists in real-life, reading the book as well as watching its movie adaptation will make you believe everything happening actually happened in real-life.
- The book will put you in a different kind of roller-coaster ride with plot twists after plot twists so is the movie!
- Sonny’s death scene both in the book and the movie is phenomenal. The movie really executed what is written on the book.
- Some say this is one of those rare situation where in the movie is better than the book. I understand where critiques are coming from because the movie is really good and has some of the best actors ever like Marlon Brando and Al Pacino. But, I still think the book provides a different kind of experience.
3. Memoirs of a Geisha
Memoirs of a Geisha is a historical novel
written by an American author, Arthur Golden. The novel is told in a
first-person perspective and portrays the life of a fictional geisha, Chiyo
Sakamoto later takes the name of Sayuri, who became one of the most successful
geisha in Kyoto, Japan.
Unforgettable Moments from the Book vis-a-vis the Movie:
- This book will fulfill your time traveling dream. You literally see yourself living in the geisha district in Kyoto. How to author did it fascinates me since the main protagonist was a fiction.
- You’ll love the movie too! I remember watching the movie with my family and re-watching it after reading the novel. The casting was amazing and I really think Zhang Ziyi, although she is Chinese, gave a fantastic portrayal of the life of a Japanese geisha.
- One of the best books I’ve ever read and something you will not get tired to read again.
Now that I’m done with my top three I
will now give you my runner ups. They are in no particular order and will just
be sharing to you a quick summary and why you ought to read the book and watch
its movie adaptation as well.
Gone Girl
This I guess started my obsession with
mystery/thriller novels and led me to become obsessed too with true crimes!
Gone Girl tells the story of husband and wife Nick and Amy. Amy disappears one
day and the plot truly is whether Nick is involved in the disappearance of his wife
or not. Gone Girl is one of the first books with plot twists that will blow
your mind. Other well-loved books such as The Girl on Train and Before I Sleep
were marketed as the next “Gone Girl”
Even the film version of Gone Girl is so
good. Amazing acting by Rosemund Pike as Amy.
Read
More: Gone Girl Book Review
My Sister’s Keeper
My Sister’s Keeper tells the story of
thirteen-year-old Anna Fitzgerald, who sues her parents for medical
emancipation when she discovers she was supposed to donate a kidney to her
elder sister Kate, who is gradually dying from acute leukemia.
There is a big difference though in the
ending of the book vs. the movie adaptation of My Sister’s Keeper. Although in
both version the judge ruled in Anna’s favor, the movie ended with Kate
eventually succumbing to her disease and died.
In the book though, Anna died of a car accident and her kidney was
transplanted successfully to Kate.
So if you watch the movie but have yet to
read the book, I am urging you to do so because there are other notable
differences you will not expect.
Read More: My Sister's Keeper Book Review
Me Before You
Me Before You tells the story of Louisa
Clark and her efforts to change the decision of Will, a quadriplegic man whom
she is working for, to end his life. The book is more than just a love story.
It touches you to the core and resonates as you turn every pages. I compare
this to what reading My Sister's Keeper made me feel, at some point I was
smiling, giggling but towards the end everything became heartbreaking.
The movie version is a must-see too!
Eat, Pray and Love
Eat, Pray, Love is a 2006 memoir by
American author Elizabeth Gilbert. The
book chronicles Gilbert’s trip around the world after her divorce and what she
discovered during her travels to Italy, India and Indonesia.
This book is a must-read for every woman.
You will definitely relate with the author as she shares how her life changed
during the season of indulgence, prayer and love.
Read More: Eat, Pray and Love Book Review
Love, Rosie
Love, Rosie is a story told through
letters, emails and instant messaging about the ever-changing relationship
between the two main characters Rosie Dunne and Alex Stewart. I remember
reading this and I how dumbstruck I felt with how fate interfered between Rosie
and Alex.
I think of this book as a perfect read if
you want to devour a not so typical love story. It provides one of the hardest
storyline ever.
The film adaptation was also really good
too. I like how the male protagonist in Love, Rosie was played by the same male
protagonist in Me Before You.
Lily Collins also did a wonderful job as
Rosie. I love how she portrayed the character so much especially the scene when
she had to read a congratulatory message to Alex on his wedding.
So much feels about this movie I can’t
even wait to read and watch it once more.
Julie and Julia
The movie Julie and Julia has a soft spot
in my heart. I remember crying during the scene when Julie Powell was trying so
hard to put a lobster in a pan. I can feel her frustration.
Julie and Julia is based in a real event.
The author Julie Powell, decides to write a blog to motivate herself and
document her progress in cooking the recipes from Julia Child’s Mastering the
Art of French Cooking.
The fact that Julie blogs makes the story
closer to my heart. I like both the movie and book as well.
That’s it for today’s post. Thank you for
reading.
Which of the books in the list do you love?
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