Tuesday, June 25, 2013

Rules are Rules

I have a rule. I read the book before I see the movie. Because the book is always better than the movie. 

My sister also has a rule. She sees the movie before she reads the book. Because the book is always better than the movie.
(my sis is an awesome movie/television blogger, you should check her blog out)

Now I realize that our motivations are the same - but I'm obviously right. I mean, Hollywood always messes up the story by making it into the movie (which I always gladly pay too much money to go see in the theater) and so it is better to know the whole thing before we go and see it. Right? 

This morning I was pleased because BuzzFeed agreed with me, posting a list of fourteen books to read BEFORE you go and see the theatrical versions.

1. Divergent by Veronica Roth --- read and enjoyed. I'm not going to say loved because the whole story kinda fell apart for me in the end. I haven't read the second in the series yet, but hopefully that pulls it all back together again.

2. Ender's Game by Orson Scott Card --- well, I haven't read this one (I'm ducking subconsciously as I write this because I'm imagining the shock/horror on my friend's face because she has recommended it no less than 5 times). Okay, okay, I'll read it before it is a movie - cross my heart!

3. City of Bones by Cassandra Clare --- obviously I love this series and the way that Cassandra Clare writes. I'm a little disappointed with how the film was cast - but I look forward to seeing it (maybe they will surprise me).



4. The Fault in Our Stars by John Green --- I haven't read it. I don't plan to. I don't really plan to see the movie either. When the first line of the description tells you it is about a "terminally ill girl" I kind of lose interest.

5. The Maze Runner by John Dashner --- I haven't read this one, yet. But I did buy it at the last Friends of the Library Book Sale, so I'm getting closer.

6. The Wolf of Wall Street by Jordan Belfort --- I hadn't even heard of this book until just now. However, since it stars Leo DiCaprio I think I'll be reading this one really quick before, what BuzzFeed says is a "Leo film that is bound to be a masterpiece."

(from BuzzFeed)

7. Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn --- here is another on my "to read" list (the amount of adult books on this list is officially at two #6 and this one). However, Reece Witherspoon is rumored to play the part. Please tell me this is a grown up person in this movie? I loved Water For Elephants - but she was WAY too old to play the part (and then they cast the sparkly vampire opposite her - heavy sigh). 

8. The Moments of Men by Robert M. Edsel --- remember I said there are only two adult books on my list. This one isn't one of those.

9. The Book Thief by Markus Zusak --- are there people who haven't read this book? It was good, not one of my favorites, but good none-the-less. It should be a great movie!!

10. Serena by Ron Rash --- okay, sometimes I break my own rules. This doesn't sound like an interesting book to me (like Western sounding, am I right?), but it looks like a great movie. Good for whomever cast this by putting Jennifer Lawrence and Bradley Cooper back on the screen together so quickly, sure to bring out the audiences :)

4 comments:

  1. I'm so glad you're not reading or trying to get everyone else to read "The Fault of Our Stars"! It seems like everyone I know is trying to shove it down my throat and I'm just not interested! It looks extremely clichéd and I've decided to boycott it.

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    1. I usually am seriously let down by "best sellers" - so I avoid them! The Fault of Our Stars doesn't seems like the type of book I'd read if it wasn't a best seller, so I'll leave it and go for other things (like Ender's Game!).

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  2. You're right, I am shocked and horrified that you haven't yet read Ender's Game! I also think it's hilarious that I knew you were talking about me. I'm in the process of reading it again, by the way... this is probably the 6th time I've read/heard the book. :)

    I've listened to the Maze Runner (really interesting premise!), it's worth a read. Also read Gone Girl (well.. again... listened to). It was great, I really liked it... and yes, the main female character is an adult this time. :)
    Just as a side note... I loved Divergent! Even though it got crazy at the end. The follow-up (Insurgent) picks up right where Divergent leaves off. I'm looking forward to the third in the series.
    I haven't read #s 4 (John Green didn't impress me with Looking for Alaska, so I've kind of avoided him), 6, or the last three.. I'll add some to my "to read" list now! :)

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    1. I was going to put "you know who you are," but I knew it wasn't necessary. You've actually reminded me to put it on hold so I can get started on it.

      Books about adults, I'm not sure I can do it (haha), but I'm going to make an effort with Gone Girl. I need to make a follow up effort with Insurgent (I <3 <3 Divergent too). After looking at #6 I won't read it - but I'll see the movie. Some books are better movies - most movies are better books.

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