Books We Love to View and Films We Love to Read!

Here at the Everett Library we have been excited about the new movie The Hobbit that is coming out soon. As most of you know, that movie (and the three Lord of the Rings movies that preceded it to the box office)  is based on a wonderful novel of the same name by JRR Tolkien.  We have been discussing other great books that have been adapted into wonderful movies.  Before The Hunger Games and  Harry Potter made the jump from the young adult section to the cinema, there were many other books that moved from the bookshelf to the big screen.  As an information center that carries not only books, but also movies, we thought our customers might be interested in checking out a few of our selections.  Below are a few of our favorite book and movie pairs!


To Kill a Mockingbird--Harper Lee (book), 1962 (film) This classic book/film has been a mainstay on both best books lists and best film lists through the years.  It is the story of a Southern town during the depression told through the eyes of a young girl.  Her father, an attorney, defends an African-American man who is accused of raping a white woman.  Themes of racial injustice, poverty, and Southern life are dealt with in the book and film.  The novel won a Pulitzer Prize and the film earned three Academy Awards.



Romeo and Juliet--William Shakespeare (play), 1996 (film) While you may have had to endure reading this Shakespearean play in high-school, you should revisit it now as an adult.  There are many great themes and the language may not be as overwhelming the second time around.  While there have been many screen adaptations, we are partial to the 1996 film which updates the setting but keeps the language intact.

Ordinary People--Judith Guest (book), 1980 (film) This book/film tells of the suffering and disintegration of a family after one of there members dies in a boating accident.  The book was critically acclaimed and the film won the year's Academy Award for Best Picture.




One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest--Ken Kesey (book), 1975 (film) This classic of American fiction was turned into a film that garnered all five major Academy Awards.  The story centers on a patient at a psychiatric hospital and his battles with the overbearing nurse who rules there.  Institutions, the human mind, the nature of freedom, and many other themes are explored in these riveting works.





The Godfather--Mario Puzo (book), 1972 (film)  While you may be familiar with the Academy Award winning film, which is consistently ranked among the best films of all time, have you checked out the novel on which it was based? The novel is as intriguing as the movie and keeps the reader engaged in the best possible way.  This is a great book to bring on vacation with you.





Heart of Darkness/Apocalypse Now--Joesph Conrad (novella), 1979 (film) If you have not read Heart of Darkness, it really is a novella you should give a chance.  It is an accepted part of Western canon and examines light and darkness both in the material world and in the human heart.  Apocalypse Now is loosely based on the novella and stands on it's own as a commentary on the themes of the book, along with war and madness.  The film was critically acclaimed at its release and remains on many lists of the best American films

 





Push/Precious--Sapphire (book), 2009 (film) These gritty works tell the story of Precious, an obese, illiterate teenager who is on her second pregnancy as a result of being raped by her father.  Just when circumstances seem to be getting even worse, Precious is given hope by a committed, caring teacher.  The film won a number of awards, including two Academy Awards.






Pride and Prejudice --Jane Austen (book), 1995 (tv series) This classic work of literature is witty and entertaining.  It tells the story of the Bennet sisters, especially of Elizabeth Bennet.  The story follows her as she navigates issues surrounding marriage, women's roles, and love in early 19th century England. While there are several film versions of this book, we particularly enjoy the 1995 television series from the BBC starring Colin Firth as Mr. Darcy, Elizabeth's love interest.



The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe--CS Lewis (book), 2005 (film) The first in the children's series The Chronicles of Narnia, this is the tale of three children who find their way into a magical land that is under the spell of an evil witch.  Through their relationships with talking animals and mythical creatures the children soon find themselves drawn into a battle against good and evil which encompasses the entire land.  The book has been enjoyed by children and adults since it was written and the film version is an accurate rendering of the book that all audiences will find entertaining.