I’ve already answered this week’s question about my top reads of 2012 so I’ll be revisiting one of Julie’s earlier December topics seeing how I skipped a few during Holiday Foreplay.
I’m probably pretty close to being half and half as to whether I read the book before the movie or vice versa. If it’s an author I love or something in the paranormal genre I’ll usually try to tackle the novel first. I like seeing how closely Hollywood replicates someone else’s work. It’s surprising how distorted the story can get. Although, it’s always impressive when a movie pulls it off or even improves on the original.
I have to admit, I have never read the Harry Potter series. Horrible, isn’t it? I know. But I did read the Twilight books, The Da Vinci Code, Life of Pi, Eragon and The Time Traveler’s Wife to name a few. I’m hoping to listen to The Host before the movie comes out in March 2013.
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
On the flip side, if I’m on the fence as to whether I should read a certain book or not, I’ll often check-out the movie first. It’s less of a commitment. Take The Hunger Games for instance. I was undecided until I saw the movie and now I’m thinking of buying a copy soon.
What about you?
Owner, designer and main blogger behind Rabid Reads. Avid book reader, snowboard bunny, video gamer and Supernatural fan. I love all things paranormal, werewolves especially. Oh, and I’m Canadian, eh!
I don’t intentionally read the book first, but always endeavour to read it if it becomes a movie.
The downfall there is that the movie is usually a disappointment after I read the book.
I can honestly say that I’ve only read two books that the movie version came relatively close in accuracy.
1) Kiss The Girls by James Patterson
2) The Notebook by Nicholas Spark
+JMJ+
I vastly prefer reading the book before watching the movie–and one reason is that I rarely ever read the book after I’ve seen the movie. I’m like, “Why buy the cow when I got the milk for free?” =P
It doesn’t always happen that way, though. When the adaptation of Eclipse came out, I met up with the friend who was supposed to lend me her copy . . . and what she had instead was two free movie tickets and a coupon for free popcorn! =P Who could turn that down? LOL! But that’s the reason I haven’t been bothered to read Eclipse.
However, I did regret not having read Breaking Dawn after I saw the last movie in the franchise. The huge twist the director threw in that managed to stay true to the story (or so I’ve gleaned from friends) and to do something completely unexpected could only have been appreciated in full by those who had read the book.
And that’s really the main reason I read the book first: I think the movie is meant to enhance the appreciation of it. So if I see the movie without having read the book, I feel that I missed half the point.
I will generally read the book first unless I just didn’t know about it yet. When Twilight came out, I hadn’t read those books so I did and loved the books. I do prefer to read first though. Old Follower 😀 Jaclyn @ JC’s Book Haven
Actually this year it is one of my goals, to read the books before they hit the big screen.
In general, I find the book to be much better than the movie so I wait unless I read the book when it first came out.
I didn’t use to, but now I always do. I’m actually making January a book to movie month and catching up on all of the ones coming out soon or recently released. Just started “Warm Bodies” last night. Great question! 😀
I always read the book first. I like to read it without the preconceptions of the characters e.g appearance, personality etc. I like to create my own image in my head.
Then I will see the movie. But always has to be the book first. 😀
I always try and read the book first – I’d rather that the movie blow me away than a book be a disappointment!
The only exception are those tricky movies that I didn’t know were originally a book!
If it’s a movie I know I want see, I always try to read the book first. I like to use my imagination for my first trip through the story, and if I see the movie first, I won’t read the book. BTW, I haven’t read the Harry Potter series, either 😉
I definitely had to read the Hunger Games before I saw the movie. I don’t know if I can say the same about other books turned to movies.
If I loved the movie or the show, I run to read the book after, like the Game of Thrones for instance, I loved the show so I went and read the books. I don’t make a point of reading a book before I go see the movie, I find the movies very disappointing most of the time after I read the books.
I try my best to read the book before the movie. I’m not disappointed by movies made from books, so there isn’t that hanging over me. I always enjoy seeing what they did with the movie 🙂
@kazza16 I agree with you, it’s rare that a movie does the book justice. It’s unfortunate. 🙁
@Enbrethiliel Haha this is true. I have a hard time reading the book after seeing the movie. I like your analogy. LOL
@Jaclyn Canada You and me both!
@Lil Berry That’s an interesting goal. Kinda like a New Year resolution? Good luck! 🙂
@Lisa Richards/alterlisa The book is almost always better than the movie!
@Mandee Wyrick Ooh, that sounds like a cool event. I’ll have to check it out!
@barmybex I hear ya, I read Game of Thrones after I watched the first season. I found it hard to form my own opinions and mental images.
@Kat Balcombe Very true!
@Theresa *phew* I’m glad to hear that I’m not the only one who hasn’t read Happy Potter!
@Arianne Cruz Fair enough!
@Loupe Duffy Game of Thrones had the same impact on me. I’m not sure if I’m going to read the whole series though. The books are so freaking LONG!
@Sugar and Snark Well aren’t you easy going!