Around the Year in 52 Books discussion

We all have those movies that we love. Some are even based off of books believe it or not! That's what this week is all about.

Suggestions:
The Book Was Better Than The Movie
The Movie Was Better Than The Book

For those of you reading in order, this is week: September 9-September 15. Don't forget to post in the A-Z title folders!

1: What are you reading this week?
2: How many times have you seen the movie?
3: Did you know about the book before or after you saw the movie?
4: Why haven't you already read this book?!?!?!
5: Do you hope the book expands on certain aspects of the movie that you wish had more details?

1. I'm reading Breakfast at Tiffany's for this week.
2. At least 6 times.
3. After I saw the movie.
4. Because I just knew since last year that there's a book :D
5. I already started reading it and I like that we're getting more details from some characters, because of the point of view in books versus movies.

1: What are you reading this week?
The Fault in Our Stars by John Green

2: How many times have you seen the movie?
Once, at the cinema when it was just out

3: Did you know about the book before or after you saw the movie?
It's hard to miss that TFIOS is a book adaption I think :D

4: Why haven't you already read this book?!?!?!
I was afraid I wouldn't like it.. My sister did read it before seeing the movie and asked me along to the cinema.

5: Do you hope the book expands on certain aspects of the movie that you wish had more details?
Being from The Netherlands, I would like to read how John Green describes Amsterdam.

1: What are you reading this week?

Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen

2: How many times have you seen the movie?

just once

3: Did you know about the book before or after you saw the movie?

Of course...

4: Why haven't you already read this book?!?!?!

In my formative reading years, I had an aversion to classics that seemed the least bit romantic, so I avoided all things Austen.

5: Do you hope the book expands on certain aspects of the movie that you wish had more details?

Yes - I liked the movie a lot, but in my experience books are almost always better than the movies... perhaps I will understand more why so many people swoon over Mr. Darcy. :)

What are you reading this week?
The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan

How many times have you seen the movie?
Just once

Did you know about the book before or after you saw the movie?
I knew about the books first. I didn't even know there was a movie until I saw it was on the TV

Why haven't you already read this book?!?!?!
Too many books, too little time!

Do you hope the book expands on certain aspects of the movie that you wish had more details?
To be honest, I don't remember the movie very well. I'm mainly reading the book because my brother and nephew are reading it together (nephew is only 5 and 3/4) and really enjoying it! And I've always been interested in mythology.

1: What are you reading this week?
"The Danish Girl " by David Ebershoff

2: How many times have you seen the movie?
Once

3: Did you know about the book before or after you saw the movie?
Before

4: Why haven't you already read this book?!?!?!
I saw the movie as soon as it came out and loved it. Really wished I'd read book first, but didn't know about it until the movie.

5: Do you hope the book expands on certain aspects of the movie that you wish had more details?
The book did explore some other areas a little more, but the movie was very close to the book. And it has made me want to read the autobiography "Man Into Woman: The First Sex Change" originally published in the 1930's of Lili Elbe.

Just started Wild: From Lost to Found on the Pacific Crest Trail. The film was OK, if nothing to write home about, and even though I've only gone through the first 50-odd pages, I can already tell the book is much better, funnier and more inspiring.

1: What are you reading this week?

Sense and Sensibility

2: How many times have you seen the movie?

At least 5 or 6.

3: Did you know about the book before or after you saw the movie?

Before, but I think I saw it for the first time when I was about 7 or 8.

4: Why haven't you already read this book?!?!?!

I don't know! I really like Pride and Prejudice, but I found Emma really dry and never got around to any of Austen's other work. But this is probably my favourite Austen adaptation, so I'm sure I'll love the book as well.

5: Do you hope the book expands on certain aspects of the movie that you wish had more details?

I think I like the idea of being able to immerse myself more in the family. The sisters especially are so interesting and it did feel like character development moments had to be rushed to make the film work.

1: What are you reading this week? Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?

2: How many times have you seen the movie? I have only seen the movie once before. I actually watched it in class and loved it.

3: Did you know about the book before or after you saw the movie? I learned about the book after I watched the movie.

4: Why haven't you already read this book?!?!?! It took me forever to pick it up. I finally got it because it was in the buy 2 get 1 free section at barnes and nobles. That is always hard to pass up when there are several books I want in that section.

5: Do you hope the book expands on certain aspects of the movie that you wish had more details? I'm answering this now after reading the book. I was sadly disappointed with the book. I feel like certain scenes were a bit boring in the book that were a lot more exciting in the movie. It was similar in certain ways but also different. I don't remember the movie that clearly but I hope to rewatch it soon to refresh.

1: What are you reading this week? The Green Mile
2: How many times have you seen the movie? Countless times.
3: Did you know about the book before or after you saw the movie? My parent's gave it to me for Christmas after I had watched the movie.
4: Why haven't you already read this book?!?!?! Because I saw the movie first. I have to have time between movies and books or I don't enjoy them as much.
5: Do you hope the book expands on certain aspects of the movie that you wish had more details? The movie stuck to the book pretty closely.

1: What are you reading this week?
I'm reading The Martian

2: How many times have you seen the movie?
Just once, but I loved it. I'm sure I will see it again.

3: Did you know about the book before or after you saw the movie?
I knew about it before.

4: Why haven't you already read this book?!?!?!
Actually, I prefer watching the movie before reading the book. When I read the book after I've watched the movie, the differences between the two don't usually bother me and I can enjoy both. If I go the other way, I generally don't enjoy the movie. Honestly, I don't usually bother to watch movies made of books I like. I get too annoyed.

5: Do you hope the book expands on certain aspects of the movie that you wish had more details?
Nothing in particular, but books generally have more depth than movies so it should be interesting.

1: What are you reading this week?
I am going to be reading The Howling
2: How many times have you seen the movie?
At least twice. The fluffy bunny werewolves still make me laugh.
3: Did you know about the book before or after you saw the movie?
I honestly never had a clue until the third movie (The Marsucpials) had a credit listing "Based on The Howling part III". I thought it was a gag credit, apparently not.
4: Why haven't you already read this book?!?!?!
Had no idea it even existed.
5: Do you hope the book expands on certain aspects of the movie that you wish had more details?
Having subjected myself to watching the entire franchise, I am hoping to find something resembling a coherent plot. Look forward to deciphering what part of "Based On" actually exists.

What are you reading this week?
The Princess Diaries

How many times have you seen the movie?
At least three times, maybe 4?

Did you know about the book before or after you saw the movie?
After. If I knew about it before I probably would have read the book before I saw the movie.

Why haven't you already read this book?!?!?!
I didn't know until recently there was a book that went with this movie.

Do you hope the book expands on certain aspects of the movie that you wish had more details?
I know the book is always better than the movie, but couldn't believe how different this book/movie combo was. They left out a whole character!

1: What are you reading this week?

Philomena: A Mother, Her Son, and a Fifty-Year Search

2: How many times have you seen the movie?

Letterboxd says I've seen it twice, and I'll probably watch it again now that I've read the book.

3: Did you know about the book before or after you saw the movie?

I don't think I knew it was based on a book until the end of the movie, when it was mentioned in the credits.

4: Why haven't you already read this book?!?!?!

As the others said, too many books, too little time!!

5: Do you hope the book expands on certain aspects of the movie that you wish had more details?

Well I've already read the book now, so I will say the book didn't really follow the plot of the movie at ALL and certainly didn't expand on anything I was interested in. Despite being called Philomena, the bulk of the book was a biography of her son Michael. I was not impressed to be honest.

1: What are you reading this week?
I read Austenland

2: How many times have you seen the movie?
I think I've seen the movie about 4 or 5 times.

3: Did you know about the book before or after you saw the movie?
I only found out it was a book afterwards, when I was searching for a book for this week's category.

4: Why haven't you already read this book?!?!?!
Because I didn't know it was a book till now?

5: Do you hope the book expands on certain aspects of the movie that you wish had more details?
Definitely! I like that in books you can actually hear the thoughts and feelings of the characters, whereas in movies you have to guess based on the actors' expressions. I liked the build-up for the main character's romance in the book, because it gave deeper meaning than the movie did.

1: What are you reading this week?
Perfume: The Story of a Murderer by Patrick Süskind


2: How many times have you seen the movie?
I've seen the movie version twice.

3: Did you know about the book before or after you saw the movie?
I didn't realise the movie was based on a book until a couple of years after I watched it.

4: Why haven't you already read this book?!?!?!
Just never felt like reading it before now I guess!

5: Do you hope the book expands on certain aspects of the movie that you wish had more details?
That is my hope for every book that has been adapted into a movie!

1: What are you reading this week?
Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?

2: How many times have you seen the movie?
Just the once

3: Did you know about the book before or after you saw the movie?
I knew about the movie first, because even though it was way too adult for me as a child, it was a title that often popped up and I'd see posters for it at the video store and what not. But by the time I saw the movie (a few months ago), I was more than well-aware that it was a based on a book.

4: Why haven't you already read this book?!?!?!
Wasn't really interested in it. I only saw the movie because the boyfriend insisted, and it had kinda been milling about in the back of my head for awhile.

5: Do you hope the book expands on certain aspects of the movie that you wish had more details?
I hope the book makes more sense than the movie. I was really confused. Then again, I was just coming off a 10-hour workshift, so yeahhhhh haha

1: What are you reading this week? Room
2: How many times have you seen the movie? once
3: Did you know about the book before or after you saw the movie? before
4: Why haven't you already read this book?!?!?! I have seen it recently, so I didn't feel like reading the story I already knew
5: Do you hope the book expands on certain aspects of the movie that you wish had more details? maybe a few, but the movie was really good.

I'm reading "The 5th Wave" by Rick Yancey. I bought the book in Dec 2015, before the movie was released, with the intent of reading the book first. But, that didn't happen! I've only seen the movie once. I'm hoping the book explains more about the first 4 waves.

1: What are you reading this week?
Mary Poppins

2: How many times have you seen the movie?
Honestly, I have no idea. Many, many times over the years although it wasn't necessarily a favourite as much as other Disney movies were.

3: Did you know about the book before or after you saw the movie?
I saw the movie for the first time when I was pretty young, so it wasn't until much later that I found out there was a book. Actually, it was the Saving Mr. Banks movie that really made me remember that I wanted to read the book.

4: Why haven't you already read this book?!?!?!
It's always kind of been toward the bottom of my TBR as a book I would like to read at some point, but I was never very motivated to actually start it. Also, I heard that it's quite different from the movie so I'm not really sure what to expect.

5: Do you hope the book expands on certain aspects of the movie that you wish had more details?
I would love to see a bit more about Mary and Bert's friendship. This may be weird, but I always kind of got the sense that they were a couple at some point or at least had some interest in each other...I know it's just a children's movie, but for some reason always thought that.

I don't know about expand, but I'm wondering if this book will randomly spin off into financial advice like the movie did!

I also always thought there was something between Mary and Bert, even as a kid ;)

I'm looking forward to your opinion, specially what differs between the movie and the book.

I thought so too - mostly unrequited love on Bert's side. Mary's too busy for that nonsense!

I think Mary and Bert were one of my first ships (before I even knew what shipping was). I always thought something was going on between them.

1: What are you reading this week?
Before I die by Jenny Downham.

2: How many times have you seen the movie?
Once.
3: Did you know about the book before or after you saw the movie?
I knew the movie was based on a book.
4: Why haven't you already read this book?!?!?!
I read it just after watching the movie.
5: Do you hope the book expands on certain aspects of the movie that you wish had more details? The movie stuck to the book pretty closely. There was a part in the book that was glossed over in the movie and I’m glad it was.

1: What are you reading this week?
I read No Country For Old Men

2: How many times have you seen the movie?
Just once

3: Did you know about the book before or after you saw the movie?
I saw the movie years ago when it first came out. I can't remember now if I knew about the book beforehand or not.

4: Why haven't you already read this book?!?!?!
I didn't really like the movie at all so I didn't bother with the book. Fortunately I liked the book much better!

5: Do you hope the book expands on certain aspects of the movie that you wish had more details?
I think the book made everything clearer. The movie was just odd.

I read

2)I only watched once or twice.

3) I only knew it was a book was after watching the movie.

4) I couldn't find at the library and price was high imo for a children's book.

5) The movie was actually pretty close to the book. But I think that Count Olag was more menacing in the book.

1: What are you reading this week? The Postman Always Rings Twice by James M. Cain

2: How many times have you seen the movie? I've seen parts of both the 1946 original with John Garfield and Lana Turner and the 1981 remake with Jack Nicholson and Jessica Lange, but never the entire movie. A very hot and steamy movie.

3: Did you know about the book before or after you saw the movie? I didn't know about the book until recently - after I had seen parts of the movies several years ago.

4: Why haven't you already read this book?!?!?! Believe it or not, I did not know it was originally a book until I saw it on a Goodreads list.

5: Do you hope the book expands on certain aspects of the movie that you wish had more details? I have to see the movie from start to finish now that I've read the book to answer that. But I think the book probably explains more about the legal/criminal aspect and details than the film noire does.

What are you reading this week?
If you haven't guessed by now, I can be very indecisive, especially when it comes to books, so for this week I am reading three.

What's Eating Gilbert GrapeWillowThe Neverending Story



How many times have you seen the movie?
I've seen all of these dozens of times. I they are easily in my top 20 favorites.

Did you know about the book before or after you saw the movie?
I stumbled upon the book for What's Eating Gilbert Grape a few weeks after I saw the movie. I was sitting in class and saw it sitting on the bookshelf of one of my teachers for her "Literature about Iowa" section. I did learn about the books for the other two until many years after I had seen the movies.

Why haven't you already read this book?!?!?!
I tried reading What's Eating Gilbert Grape after I found it on my teacher's shelf, but struggled to get into becuase of the vast differences between the book and movie. That is how I learned I had to read the book before seeing the movie.

Do you hope the book expands on certain aspects of the movie that you wish had more details?
I don't hope, because I know there will always be more to the book than the movie, so I'm eager to learn about the secrets hiding in the books that Hollywood has kept hidden from us :D

This week I read Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets by JK Rowling. I've seen the movie quite a few times, including in theaters when it first came out. Of course I knew about the book first, but I never read HP as a child because the series was almost over by the time I got into reading. Hence, why I'm reading them for the first time now. I thought that the movie was pretty accurate to the book.

1: What are you reading this week? The Children of Men
2: How many times have you seen the movie? Once.
3: Did you know about the book before or after you saw the movie? After.
4: Why haven't you already read this book?!?!?! Too many books to read...
5: Do you hope the book expands on certain aspects of the movie that you wish had more details? Books are always something special, it's totally different feeling.

1: What are you reading this week? Never Let Me Go

2: How many times have you seen the movie? Only once. I am curious to see it again now though

3: Did you know about the book before or after you saw the movie? Don't remember. I think the book. I bought the book when the Joss Whedon series Dollhouse came out because he said it had influenced that, so maybe the book? Plus I'm a big Ishiguaro fan (although I might have spelled his name wrong)

4: Why haven't you already read this book?!?!?! I have alot of books on my book shelf. One of my goals in organizing my reading for this challenge is to read as many of those as possible so I picked this one. And now its book of the month, even better!

5: Do you hope the book expands on certain aspects of the movie that you wish had more details? I actually don't remember much about the movie.

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What are you reading this week?
Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone by JK Rowling

How many times have you seen the movie?
I've seen it through once, but caught bits and pieces of it again over the years.

Did you know about the book before or after you saw the movie?
I imagine I heard about the books in relation to the film. The films have been very prominent.

Why haven't you already read this book?
I've been meaning to for years, but I always considered it a childrens' book. I look forward to reading the later books in the series, but need to read the more child-themed ones first.

Do you hope the book expands on certain aspects of the movie that you wish you had more details?
I normally prefer the book, but I think these films were particularly well made. I also think I associate the characters in the books very strongly with the actors who played them. So, normally I would, but I think this is an exception to the rule!

What did you read?
World War Z: An Oral History of the Zombie War by Max Brooks

How many times have you seen the movie?
Just once.

Did you know about the book before or after you saw the movie?
Before.

Why haven't you already read this book?!?!?!
I try to read the book AFTERWARDS. I don't get as pissed off that way, and can enjoy the film without annoying the other people in the cinema.

Do you hope the book expands on certain aspects of the movie that you wish had more details?
I wanted to see how the book differed. One of the ways is the central character (and his family) were much more minimal in the book.

What are you reading this week?
Jurassic Park

How many times have you seen the movie?
I own the whole series of movies now, so a few times.

Did you know about the book before or after you saw the movie?
I knew about the book about the same time the movie came up. My mom is a librarian is always suggesting books to me. She mentioned it when the movie was in theaters.

Why haven't you already read this book?!?!?!
I do not read to many thrillers. At the time I was more interested in historical romance and fantasy books.

Do you hope the book expands on certain aspects of the movie that you wish had more details?
The book is different than the movie in many good ways. It does give some added detail, while not giving others. Both were worth the time. Once my son finishes reading the book we are going to re-watch the movies.
I have also added the second book to my list.

What are you reading this week?
Auntie Mame: An Irreverent Escapade
How many times have you seen the movie?
at least three, in different stages of my life
Did you know about the book before or after you saw the movie?
I did not. I am very sure that I watched the movie on television as a youngster with my Grandmother. And honestly, never thought it about it after that.
Why haven't you already read this book?!?!?!
see above
Do you hope the book expands on certain aspects of the movie that you wish had more details?
It did. And it did not disappoint. (It was a "stay up till 2 reading, get up at 6 to get ready for work" book)

1. I'm reading The Dressmaker, by Rosalie Ham
2. I've seen the movie once (it's excellent)
3. I didn't realise it was based on a book until after I had seen it
4. Please see above
5. I think I always hope that books will expand on the movie, and add nuances and complexities. Invariably, they do.

1: What are you reading this week?

A Stir of Echoes

2: How many times have you seen the movie?
Just once.

3: Did you know about the book before or after you saw the movie?
After.

4: Why haven't you already read this book?!?!?!
Well...I have now.

5: Do you hope the book expands on certain aspects of the movie that you wish had more details?
Yes.

I'm reading The Outsiders. I've only seen the movie once. The book was on a list of options to read in school, but I chose something else. I don't remember now what I read instead. The movie could have used a little more detail, yes.

: What are you reading this week? King Solomon's Mines by H. Rider Haggard 7/21/16
2: How many times have you seen the movie? more than 10 times
3: Did you know about the book before or after you saw the movie?i know about the movie before the book since I grow up watching the movie with my Dad
4: Why haven't you already read this book?!?!?! Didn't think it would be as good as the movie
5: Do you hope the book expands on certain aspects of the movie that you wish had more details? maybe,

1: What are you reading this week?

Misery by Stephen King

2: How many times have you seen the movie?

Just the once. I saw most of it.

3: Did you know about the book before or after you saw the movie?

Interesting story there. I was flipping through the channels on cable when I happened upon a film with James Caan. I love James Caan! So, I stayed a bit to see how it was. Then I see Kathy Bates. I love Kathy Bates! Jimmy's just driving his car along minding his own business when he gets into a bit of a wreck. Luckily, Kathy was nearby to help him out...

Edit: Realized that I didn't actually get around to answering the question in my ramble. So anyways, the main character is a writer, but not a writer of screenplays or in the film industry at all. So, I'm thinking that it must have been a novel first as it is from the perspective of a novelist. Being that this happened circa 2000 and all this could be found on the internet, I looked it up during a commercial break, and sure enough.

4: Why haven't you already read this book?!?!?!

Well, there are a good number of books by Mr. King. This one is lucky in having a good film to bump it up in line.

5: Do you hope the book expands on certain aspects of the movie that you wish had more details?

Certain details. there are some details I might not want more on.

1: What are you reading this week? Call the Midwife: A True Story of the East End in the 1950s by Jennifer Worth
2: How many times have you seen the movie? once
3: Did you know about the book before or after you saw the movie? I did not know about the book before I saw the movie.
4: Why haven't you already read this book?!?!?! I did not know about it. :)
5: Do you hope the book expands on certain aspects of the movie that you wish had more details? Some things are different and there are more details in the book.

1: What are you reading this week? Fight Club by Chuck Palahniuk
2: How many times have you seen the movie? twice, I think.
3: Did you know about the book before or after you saw the movie? After the movie.
4: Why haven't you already read this book?!?!?! Don't know lol
5: Do you hope the book expands on certain aspects of the movie that you wish had more details? not sure

Into the Wild
2: How many times have you seen the movie? 2 or 3

3: Did you know about the book before or after you saw the movie? after the movie

4: Why haven't you already read this book?!?!?! because once I watched the movie I wanted to "forget" the movie before reading... so some years passed before the reading

5: Do you hope the book expands on certain aspects of the movie that you wish had more details?
not really

1: What are you reading this week?

War Horse by Michael morpugo

2: How many times have you seen the movie?

Once


3: Did you know about the book before or after you saw the movie?
I'd heard of the book, but wanted to read it after seeing the film.


4: Why haven't you already read this book?!?!?!

Thought it was a children's book.

5: Do you hope the book expands on certain aspects of the movie that you wish had more details?

It's a wonderful book, recommended to readers of all ages.

1: What are you reading this week? The Martian
2: How many times have you seen the movie? Twice
3: Did you know about the book before or after you saw the movie? Probably about the same time
4: Why haven't you already read this book?!?!?!
I didn't think it would interest me when I first heard about it but after seeing the movie decided to read for this week.
5: Do you hope the book expands on certain aspects of the movie that you wish had more details? Not really sure what I am hoping for - perhaps different details

I just finished Divergent by Veronica Roth.

I have seen the movie more than a dozen times.

I knew about the book before the movie came out.

I didn't read the book until now, because there are so many books to read and so little time.

The book has more details about Tris's and Four's world.

1: What are you reading this week?

I'm reading The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky

2: How many times have you seen the movie?

I have only seen the movie once, a few weeks ago, I came across it on a Friday night trawling through the Netflix catalogue


3: Did you know about the book before or after you saw the movie?

I had seen the book in bookstores but had never picked it up to see what it was about, so I had not much of an idea going into the movie.

4: Why haven't you already read this book?!?!?!

It only came onto my radar a few weeks ago when I watched the movie. I immediately ordered from Book Depository.

5: Do you hope the book expands on certain aspects of the movie that you wish had more details?

Most definitely. I found the movie quite confusing with the final plot revelation. I am hoping the book will uncover more of the backstory from an earlier stage to give a more detailed understanding of the issues faced by the characters.

1: What are you reading this week? I Am Legend

2: How many times have you seen the movie?
I think I saw it twice.

3: Did you know about the book before or after you saw the movie?
I discovered there was a book when one of my friends read it, year after seeing the movie.

4: Why haven't you already read this book?!?!?!
I usually prefer reading books before watching the movies, so it won't ruin the fun reading the book.

5: Do you hope the book expands on certain aspects of the movie that you wish had more details?
I already know that the movie and the book are different, so I'm curious to see how the original story was told and if it'll work better than the movie.

1: What are you reading this week?
I read The Color Purple

2: How many times have you seen the movie?
Once, several years ago

3: Did you know about the book before or after you saw the movie?
I knew about it before

4: Why haven't you already read this book?!?!?!
My TBR list is way too long...

5: Do you hope the book expands on certain aspects of the movie that you wish had more details?
I always hope that the book is better than the movie, but I can't remember too much about the movie since it was so long ago that I saw it so it's a win-win situation for me :)

1: What are you reading this week?
This week I will be reading The Pianist by Władysław Szpilman.

2: How many times have you seen the movie?
I have seen it all the way through twice I think.

3: Did you know about the book before or after you saw the movie?
After. When I first saw the movie I didn't realise it was based on a specific memoir until the epilogue at the end when it showed Szpilman, much older, playing the piano.

4: Why haven't you already read this book?!?!?!
I don't know! Having just got hold of the book, the introduction by Szpilman's son explains how the book was not widely available until it was republished 50 years after its first publication, having been suppressed by "the political authorities". The movie is so outstanding that I would think you could probably get by without reading the book.

5: Do you hope the book expands on certain aspects of the movie that you wish had more details?
Hmmm ... the movie is fairly full-on so I expect most of the book found its way into the movie. I notice in the contents page of the book that there are extracts from the diaries of Captain Wilm Hosenfeld (the man who spared Szpilman's life but later died in a Soviet POW Camp). I expect these diary extracts are interesting and might add something as the movie only confirms his 1952 death in the narrative in the Epilogue.