Okay, so I decided to introduce some books I plan to read during the summer. Most of them I haven't read yet, so I can't really review them. These all also happen to be books that are currently in works to be adapted into movies, so you can say: "I read that book before it was a movie and cool". Thank me later! These books are not in any specific order, nor are they any specific genre.
And also, this seemed appropriate post to add this to: if you like my blog, add yourselves as readers, it would make me happy and keep you up to date with your entertainment reading.
I'll start with one of my favourite books: J.R.R Tolkien's masterpiece The Hobbit, Or There and Back Again, published in 1937, is one of the greatest classics of children's literature. Thanks to the movies, The Hobbit's successor Lord Of The Rings might be better known, but this book is really easy to read and get into despite all the fantasy terms and history, unlike the epic successor. It is the story of the hobbit Bilbo Baggins, who is chosen to go on a journey with a group of dwarves to reclaim the home of their ancestors. The first of two parts is coming out in December 14th and stars Martin Freeman in the lead role.
To change the genre, the next book is called The Wettest Country in the World, by Matt Bondurat. The story takes place in Depression-era Virginia, and focuses on three bothers making a living on bootlegged moonshine. The story is told from the perspective of all three brothers and some critiques told it made the storyline bit broken, but the book got praise for its lyrical style. The film adaption is called Lawless and it competes in Cannes this year. The movie stars Shia Lebouf, Tom Hardy, Gary Oldman and Jessica Chastain.
I mentioned this next book few weeks ago too, but lets not forget it. Seth Grahame-Smith's previous books Pride and Prejudice and Zombies and Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter have proven to be successes, and the movie adaption of the latter one is coming out this year. He mixes history with fantasy action/adventure and that has proven to be a winning formula for him. His newest book Unholy Night follows the same pattern adding some black-magic to the Three Wise Men story and the birth of Jesus. He told previously that he is already working on the movie script for the book, but I think the success of the Lincoln movie really decides weather it will get a movie treatment. You can find the review of the book at Entertainment Weekly.
Then some young adult sci-fi movies, that plan to repeat the success of Hunger Games, Twilight and Harry Potter. Lionsgate (the company behind Hunger Games movie) has acquired the rights to a trilogy called Chaos Walking, by Patrick Ness. The trilogy follows a young boy who lives in a society that is lead to believe by their mayor, that there is no world outside their walls. The first book is called The Knife Of Letting Go and focuses on the main character's escape of the gated society.
The second young adult sci-fi book getting film adaption is called the Maze Runner, by James Dashner. The book starts as the main characters wakes up in a camp of other kids in a place called The Glade surrounded by a huge changing maze. The kids send out runners to the maze to figure out it's size and add the new info to their map in an attempt to someday find their way out. The movie of the book is not yet fully green-lit but the script is under work and Catherine Hardwicke (Twilight, Red Riding Hood) is said to direct it.
The third one I've mentioned previously too, and the first part of the series has already gotten its film version. The second book of the Percy Jackson and the Olympians -series, The Sea of Monsters, by Rick Riordan is supposed to get its film adaption in March 2013. Though I've already grown out of this series, I've always liked Greek mythology, and the book geniusly combines that with modern day, so those who are even a tad interested, I suggest you take a look. Maybe this film wont be so cliché as the previous one.
Then some classics of literature that are on their way to the big screen too. Great Expectations, by Charles Dickens, has already gotten numerous film adaptions, but I guess its time for a new one. The book tells the story of an orphan named Pip and his life and troubles. The 2012 film version stars Jeremy Irvine as pip and the rest of the cast includes Helena Bonham-Carter and Ralph Fiennes among others. Maybe now I will be inspired to read this classic.
Another classic piece of literature getting the movie treatment is Anna Karenina, by Leo Tolstoi, which I still haven't read though some cite is as the best novel ever written. The book tells the tragedy of Anna Karenina and her marriage to a Russian aristocrat, though the plot in its all glory is much more complex but would take way too much space. The movie, directed by Joe Wright (Pride and Prejudice, Atonement) and starring Keira Knightley and Jude Law, is set to be released 2012.
Though I have absolutely no plan to read it, I still decided to mention it because it is going to be somewhat epic adaption. The classic story of Noah's Ark from the bible is coming to the big screen during 2012, but I'm guessing its more likely to come out in early 2013. It stars Jennifer Connelly, Russell Crowe and Saoirse Ronan, and it will be directed by Darren Arnofsky (Black Swan), so it's something to look forward to.
Three more books left, I'm really starting to think I might have too much to read for the summer, but lets see. First one is a literature classic too: The Great Gatsby, by F. Scott Fitzgerald. The story is set during 1920's America, where the economy has recovered from the World War and is enjoying an era of prosperity. The book follows few socialites and their new way of life in Long Island and New York. The film adaption is directed by Baz Luhrman (Moulin Rouge!, Romeo+Juliet) and it stars Leonardo DiCaprio, Carrey Mulligan and Toby Maguire. During this year's CinemaCon it got good previews praising especially Luhrman's use of 3D in drama film. It will be released worldwide December 25th.
I'm not yet sure if I want to read this book, but for the past few weeks, it seemed to be mentioned everywhere, from Ellen to Chelsea Lately. Fifty Shades of Grey, by E.L James, is an erotic novel that was inspired by Twilight fan fiction. Set in Seattle, the book follows Christian Grey, a young businessman, who develops feelings for a college graduate and starts an erotic relationship with her relying in S&M a lot. Now you can see how this might be controversial and also something that Hollywood is interested in. Though the book hasn't gotten that much literature praise, it did reach #1 New York Times Best Seller List and seems to be very hot in the stores now. The film rights were acquired by Universal Pictures, but there is no release date or stars yet.
And last, but most certainly not the least: Life of Pi, by Yann Martel. The plot is very unusual and mystic, so I might not do it any justice here, but lets try. It is separated to three parts, first follows Pi as a child, when he struggles with finding his religion. In the second part, he becomes stranded with different animals when his ship is sunk. In the third part Pi is interviewed by Japanese maretime officers trying to figure out why the ship sunk. Life of Pi movie will be released December 21st and it is directed by Ang Lee. He even released a promo picture at CinemaCon:
So here are few of the books I will read during the summer, and after this you might too. Weekly post coming Tuesday or Wednesday.
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