Moviemakers rely on books a lot for inspiring material from which to make their movies, don't they? When done well this is a good thing. If lucky the movie will live up to a good book's reputation, sometimes the movie is even better than the book but sometimes the film adaptation can be a serious flop (for me, the biggest book to movie from was the 2002 film adaptation of The Count of Monte Cristo--so very painful for me, I'm afraid). Much like audio books, I am pretty particular on which books I want to see on screen and more often than not I prefer to read the book first and watch the movie later. That way the book is not spoiled by watching a poor adaptation.
I was looking at the list of forthcoming book to film adaptations for the coming year and I find there are a number that look promising, but maybe I need to get my reading list together so I am ready for the releases. Here is my own personal 'want to read and then see the movie' list.
February:
**Tulip Fever by Deborah Moggach -- I really want to read this in any case as Moggach is one of my 'must read all her books' authors! Now I have a little prompt to read it sooner rather than later.
A United Kingdom -- Based on a true story, though I am not sure there is a book involved.
March:
**The Zookeeper's Wife by Diane Ackerman -- I like Diane Ackerman and it has been far too long since I have read any of her books--I do have this one on my shelf!
Before I Fall by Lauren Oliver
April:
The Circle by Dave Eggers -- I have heard good things about this book. One that is sort of on my radar but not sure I would have read it had not the movie beed made . . .
May:
My Cousin Rachel by Daphne du Maurier -- I have read this one twice already but I love Daphne du Maurier and will happily read it again. Can't wait for the movie!
The Dinner by Herman Koch
June:
Wonder Woman -- I don't know that I will read Wonder Woman comics in anticipation, but now might be a good time for the Jill Lepore book.
The Beguiled by Thomas Cullinan
September:
Victoria & Abdul: The True Story of the Queen's Closest Confidant by Shrabani Basu
October:
**The Snowman by Jo Nesbo -- I started reading the Harry Hole books and must get back to them now.
November:
**Murder on the Orient Express by Agatha Christie -- Another one I am happily anticipating and an Agatha Christie novel I have not yet read.
No release date:
The Sense of an Ending by Julian Barnes -- Another one on my shelves!
Annihilation by Jeff Vandermeer
**The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah
The Glass Castle by Jeannette Wells -- I read this one already, but it might be one to revisit this year.
Some of these are of more interest than others, and some I really really do want to read (particularly those asterisked), but I will be checking them out as they are released.
Have I missed anything good? Something I really should see, or that you are looking forward to seeing (and that might be read first?).