Read it before you watch it

I know, I know.  I'm a librarian, and of course the book was better than the movie.  Now that we've gotten the expected response out of the way, I can say that it is often the case, but not always.  There are a slew of new movies coming out in the next couple of months based on great books, and on the off chance you'd like a head-start on them before you hit the theaters, here we go...

The Life of Pi, by Yann Martel.  A young man survives a terrible shipwreck, only to be stranded with another survivor...a Bengal tiger.  The book has been hugely popular among readers since its publication in 2001. 

Anna Karenina, by Leo Tolstoy.  I had to read this in high school.  And I actually liked it.  If you'd like to say you've read one of those weighty tomes of great literature, you could do much worse.  Passion, betrayal, fighting of social norms in order to find happiness.  This is one that I'm actually really excited to see in the theaters, and not just for Jude Law and Keira Knightly who are cast in the leads.  The screenplay was written by the amazing Tom Stoppard, knighted as a British playwright and a prolific writer for not just stage but also television, film and radio--you might also know him from his screenplay of Shakespeare in Love.

The Hobbit, or, There and Back Again, by J.R.R. Tolkien.  I admit it.  I'm a bit of a Tolkien geek.  And I loved The Lord of the Rings movies.  So I am a little giddy with anticipation of next month's release of The Hobbit's first installment.  If you've never considered reading this, I have to ask you to reconsider.  There is so much more to this than elves and little guys with fuzzy feet.  I promise.

One Shot, by Lee Child.  This one, I think I can safely say, is a no-brainer.  Tom Cruise as Jack Reacher?  I don't see it.  But if you want the story without the Cruise, try One Shot, which next month's movie is based on.  I promise, Lee Child doesn't disappoint. 

Speaking of odd choices in casting...  Tyler Perry as Alex Cross?  I'm sorry, but what in the actual hell?  I know, it's been out and is probably going to be on DVD in a minute and a half, but still.  What?  Look.  I'm not a huge fan of James Patterson's more recent work, but the early Cross novels were great.  I even really liked the film adaptations, I mean, Morgan Freeman.  What's not to like, right?  I can't even be serious about this latest reboot of the film franchise, Matthew Fox as Picasso aside.  Do yourselves a favor.  Go to the library and get Cross off the shelf instead.  Trust the librarian on this one.

I'm back next week with a few things to be thankful for.  In the meantime, happy reading (and watching!).