Summer Books and Movies

When it is finally nice out, the perfect pairing to basking in the sun is always a good book. I go through books quickly. I start them, get caught up in the story, and am quickly on to another. The hardest part I have found, however, is deciding on what to read next. Although the summary may sound great, the book can end up being horrible. Friend recommendations are often useful, but can only go so far. Finally, after seeing trailer after trailer pop up for upcoming movies with the same recognizable title as books I have heard of, I decided to read all of the books that are about to become movies!

When I read, I usually conjure up in my mind what the characters look like, or what famous actors would play them. When that book is then made into a movie, I always enjoy seeing which actors are cast for each character, and then running out to the theater to see the movie version. This summer, many best selling books are hitting the big screens, allowing you to experience the story in a whole new way. No matter what genre you are into, Hollywood has it covered.

In high school, watching the movie version of a book was always the easy way to get through English. However, I recommend reading the books before seeing the movies. It is fun to see what has stayed the same, what changes have been made, and you might also understand more background of the story that a 2-hour movie just couldn’t fit in (Twilight anyone??) Here are my recommendations for some great reads, that you can then head out to see in theaters!
 
The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins  (www.amazon.com – $8.99)
The Hunger Games is an addicting series, with three books in total. The first book introduces you to the world in the future, where The Capital rules, and the rest of the country is divided into 12 rather impoverished districts. Once per year, one girl and one boy from each district are selected by lottery to fight to the death until there is only one survivor in what is called the Hunger Games. The winner wins both money and food, something that for most people in the districts is scarce. Katniss, a 16 year old girl, is selected to go into the games. The story follows her struggles, her relationship with Peeta, the boy from her district also selected, and her time in the area of the games. The book is  a page turner, and will have you on the edge of your seat until you finish it. It has action, while also playing on every emotion, with a love story mixed in, too. The next two of the series are equally as amazing, with each one ending in a bit of a cliff-hanger, forcing you to run out and buy the next one immediately (I finished all three in one weekend, oops).
 
The movie version is currently in the works, staring Jennifer Lawrence (Winter), Josh Hutchison (The Kids are Alright), and Liam Helmsworth (The Last Song) cast as the lead characters. It isn’t set to release until next spring, so get reading! I promise, you won’t be disappointed.
Movie release: March 23, 2012

 
Water for Elephants by Susan Gruen (www.amazon.com  – $7.99)
Water for Elephants is a love story told through flashbacks of Jacob, a man in his nineties living in a nursing home. He reminisces on a time in his life, when during the great depression in his early twenties, his parents were killed in a car accident, and he decided to join the traveling circus. It is filled with anecdotes of the animals, the experiences, and the people, particularly Marlena, a fellow performer with whom he fell in love. Definitely a great read.
 
The movie version stars Reese Witherspoon (How Do You Know) and Robert Pattinson (Twilight) as leading roles Jacob and Marlena, and is set to release in just a couple weeks.
Movie release: April 22, 2011

 
The Help by Kathryn Stockett(www.amazon.com – $9.10)
The Help takes place in Mississippi in the 1960’s, in the heart of civil rights movements. Each chapter switches between the perspectives of a black maid Minny, a black maid Aibileen, and a local white aspiring white journalist, Skeeter. It is filled with stories from the perspective of the maids and the things they hear, see, and do in the white households in which they work. Skeeter is friend of the white women who employ them, who decides to write a book about their experiences, and befriending the maids in secret. It is an amazing book, and really makes you feel like you are right in the time period with them. It is eye opening and informative, while also very entertaining.
 
The movie stars Emma Stone (Easy A) as lead Skeeter, with a full cast of great actors including Bryce Dallas Howard, Mike Vogel, Allison Janney, and Sissy Spacek. It is set to release in August, a perfect back to school movie!
Movie release: August 12, 2011

 
Something Borrowed by Emily Giffin (www.amazon.com – $8.99)
Something Borrowed is about two best friends and their love-hate relationship. Rachel is the “good girl” and lawyer, always being the sidekick to her spotlight holding best friend, Darcy. Darcy ends up meeting Rachel’s lawyer friend (and also secret crush) Dex, and they hit it off and get engaged. Rachel finally admits her feelings to Darcy’s fiancé, only to find he feels the same way. The story follows her through the decisions she must make, between her friend and her friend’s fiancé. It is a great, easy read, perfect for the beach.
 
The movie stars Ginnifer Goodwin (He’s Just Not That Into You) as Rachel and Kate Hudson (Bride Wars) as Darcy. Something Borrowed will be in theaters this May, the perfect romantic comedy to go see with all of your friends!
Movie release: May 6, 2011