Books to Film

The current period has been called the pinnacle of television. So many amazing shows have been created in the past few years, while it seems like it has been harder and harder to find a decent movie in the theaters to watch. I am guessing that the screenplay writers are flocking to television, leaving very few good or original stories for the movies.

Since the recent rise of stellar television writing, there has been an explosion of novels being made into movies. Making novels into movies isn’t new, of course, but it certainly wasn’t as popular as it is now. Before, if the library did a current “Book to Movie” display, we’d have a handful of books to put out. Now, I just finished an article that listed almost 100 books currently being adapted to film! Many of those books are older book club classics. No, the movie is NOT going to be as good as the movie, but we love it because it brings readers back to read the original book. Here are some of upcoming films:

·        The Yellow Birds by Kevin Powers - Two soldiers are taken under the wing of an experienced sergeant in Iraq. Stars Benedict Cumberbatch.

·        The Story of Edgar Sawtelle by David Wroblewski – A mute young man runs off with his dog to try to cope with his father’s death. Oprah Winfrey and Tom Hanks are producing this classic “Oprah Book Club” pick.

·        The Devil in the White City by Eric Larson – The true story of the 1893 World’s Fair, its architect and the serial killer who used the fair to kill. Leonardo DiCaprio stars and Scorsese directs.

·        The Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls – The memoir of Wall’s life and her strange upbringing and family. Brie Larson from “The Room,” stars.

·        Beautiful Ruins by Jess Walter – Follows a 1960s Hollywood love affair.

·        The Zookeeper's Wife by Diane Ackerman (partial book club kit) – The true story of the keepers at a Polish zoo who used the zoo to help save people from the Nazis. Jessica Chastain stars.

·        The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows – An English writer is drawn to small island and the islanders life under Nazi occupation. Kate Winslet likely stars.

·        The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern – Two magicians compete against each other in a mysterious circus while also falling in love.

·        The Emperor's Children by Claire Messud (partial book club kit) – Follows three college friends after 9/11.

Be ready to see what will likely be “okay” movies, but then hurry into the library so you can read the amazing books or book club kits.