As anyone who’s a fan of reading will tell you, the book is always better than the movie. That being said, who doesn’t like to see their favorite characters on the screen? To see how Hollywood translated that book you so loved into a 2-hour movie – probably in 3D.
But, as you well know, you’re always left wanting! Why did they leave out this part? It would be so awesome if they had that part in, I wish it was longer, etc… You know the drill! So because I love you, I am going to do you a solid. The books listed below are being made into movies now, and despite how good the movies are, you know they will never live up to those beloved books. So make sure you read them first, that way you can complain when Hollywood leaves out your favorite part!
Serena by Ron Rash – This is kind of an interesting book that I read a couple of months ago. Serena is your main character (duh) and she’s certifiable, but not in a Mommy Dearest sort of way. Her way is more subtle, but totally worse. The book is set in 1929 and Serena and her new husband decide they are going to build her husband’s timber business into a timber empire, despite the government wanting to buy that land for a national park. Serena won’t let little things like her hubby’s illegitimate child, rattlesnakes or people get in her way. And like any good psychopath, she kills whoever gets in the way of her plans. The movie should be coming out later this year and stars Jennifer Lawrence as crazy Serena and Bradley Cooper as her pushover husband. Read the book before they leave out all the good stuff.
Horns by Joe Hill – I suppose when your dad is Stephen King, writing becomes like breathing to you, but just because his daddy’s books keep me awake at night doesn’t mean his kid can write. Except that he can, and well, with a totally different style from dear ole’ dad. This quickly became one of my favorite books because the story is so different, so bizarre, yet so relatable at the same time. A guy, whose entire community believes murdered his girlfriend the year before, wakes up with horns one morning. He has to learn to deal with their interesting “powers,” and the truth they uncover about his girlfriend’s death. I can’t really talk much more about it without spoiling it for you, and you don’t want me to do that. Seriously, read this book – it’s amazing. The movie is scheduled to come out in October and stars Daniel Radcliff.
Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn – This book was fantastic. I seriously couldn’t put it down until I was done, and then I went out and read everything else by this author that I could find. On the day of their fifth wedding anniversary, a man’s wife disappears. The house is messed up and he’s been having an affair, which doesn’t make things look great for him. But… there’s a twist (isn’t there always?) and the book ends in a way you will never imagine in a million years – which is fantastic! No one likes predictable endings. Sadly, I can’t really tell you much without ruining everything, so I’ll just tell you to read it immediately. You have awhile before you have to worry on this one, because it’s not scheduled to come out until 2015, with the dreamy Ben Affleck staring and directing. Another of her books “Dark Places,” which was also amazing, is scheduled to come out in 2014 and stars Charlize Theron. Check that one out as well. Once again, you’ll never guess what’s coming!
Noah – Come on, everyone knows this story. Noah suffers visions of a plague that will wipe out life as he knows it, so he builds an ark, gathers his family and the animals, and survives. But imagine how insane that is going to look on the big screen with all the animals and crashing waves and apocalyptic craziness going on! This one has a HUGE cast and will likely be a big blockbuster and certainly will be shown in 3D. You’ve got Russell Crowe, Emma Watson, Jennifer Connelly, and Anthony Hopkins – just to name a few. And it’s written and directed by Darren Aronofsky, who did “Black Swan,” which was creepy and amazing. I’m not big into biblical movies or huge action-packed blockbusters, but even I might have to check this one out. It’s scheduled to be released in March 2014 – plenty of time to read your Bible and familiarize yourself with this story.
The Monuments Men by Robert M. Edsel – This is another star-studded production, with everyone from Bill Murray to George Clooney and Matt Damon and Cate Blanchett starring. It’s based on a true story, and although I typically read fiction, I really got into this book. It’s WWII and a crew of art historians and museum curators work together to recover art that was stolen by the Nazis, least cray-cray Hitler has a chance to destroy them. It’s a fantastic story, and it’s true, which makes it even better. The book was a good and easy read – so you don’t have to be a war buff to understand what’s going on. I’m actually looking forward to December for this movie to come out. Also, for Christmas, of course.
