Books & Movies? Read or Watch?

This week, Ashley at OK, Let’s Read asks about our Thursday Thoughts on books and movies.

My most-watched movie from a book is the version of A Christmas Carol with Alistair Sim, but that’s because watching Christmas movies is a big part of my celebration of the season. For a non-Christmas movie, my favorite is the version of Little Women with Winona Ryder as Jo. There is a lovely Christmas scene in that, too. It’s been a while since I’ve seen it, so I don’t quite remember why I liked it so much, I just know that it was a comfort movie for me for several years.

I read both of those books at some point. I’m always a little bit embarrassed to admit this, as a librarian, but I often watch the movie instead of read the book. There are so many books and so little time. One way for me to ameliorate that sorry fact a little bit, is to learn some of the stories from the film versions.

What are your thoughts on books and movies?

Comments

Books & Movies? Read or Watch? — 5 Comments

Greg on April 3, 2014 at 9:04 am said:

There are a lot of classics that I’ve seen the movie or TV version, but not read the book. One example for me is Sense and Sensibility- I really like the movie version with Emma Thompson and Alan Rickman, but when I tried to read Austen a few years ago I sort of fell away and didn’t finish it. So I do that some times as well.

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booketta on April 3, 2014 at 11:12 am said:

I find that a lot of the time after reading a book I find that the movie version has skimmed the surface as it were. However, there are times when having watched the movie first it has been useful in understanding the story behind the novel, particularly with some of the long winded classics.

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Hollie @ Music, Books and Tea on April 3, 2014 at 11:20 am said:

I’ve watched quite a few movies without reading the book, although a lot of the time I do at least plan on picking up the book at some point. Pride and Prejudice is one example – I’ve watched (and loved) the movie adaptation and the BBC adaptation but I’m yet to read the book. I do adore the Little Women adaptation you’ve mentioned, I used to watch it at least once a week when I was younger, and I love the book as well. I’m certainly due a re-read of Little Women, and perhaps I’ll re-watch the movie as well!

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Satia on April 3, 2014 at 4:23 pm said:

Joy, there are some movies that are actually better than the movie. Sure, they’re few and far between but they do come along every now and again.

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Reviews from a Bookworm on April 5, 2014 at 4:21 pm said:

I do love to read the book first most of the time but sometimes it’s better to see the movie first. Otherwise I pick at the film and all the things it misses out and that makes it harder to enjoy.

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