by Rosalie Kicks Editor in Chief & Old Sport

Up until a few years ago I was not much of a bookworm. Much of the media I consumed was the of the video variety. I’m not quite sure what brought about my new found love of reading although one thing is certain, I am now officially classified as a bookeater. I devour stories much like they were Sour Patch Kids candies. The act of eating words brings images into my head that are sometimes sour, often sweet. There’s nothing like cracking a new book and being filled with the feeling of anticipation of what’s to come. This is very much a similar thrill to what I experience when the lights go down in a cinema. Even if the journey is not what I intended or expected, I am often always pleased that I had the opportunity to get on the boat. One never knows where the story will sail to.

In hearing about Kristen Lopez’s But Have You Read The Book?, a compilation of fifty-two novels that were adapted into films, I felt like I hit the goldmine in terms of my favorite things converging. For those not familiar with Kristen, she is a superb entertainment journalist that not only keeps tabs on the latest happenings in Tinseltown but is also a wealth of knowledge in terms of classic Hollywood cinema. With her insight of cinema, it makes sense that she chose to assemble this collection of eclectic works and the films they inspired. Books being transformed onto the silver screen is a tale as old as time. I’m sure if you put your mind to it you could rattle off several of your favorite reads that served as a basis for a motion picture. However, with Kristen’s lovely book readers and cinephiles will now have a wonderful guide to assist with finding their next favorite read or watch.

Something I appreciate about this book is that I didn’t feel pressured to finish it. This is not to say that I did not enjoy reading it, on the contrary. The way in which it is formatted and written is perfect for when you are looking for a lunch break escape or if you are on the hunt for your next read or watch. I think most will find this to be such a handy way to discover literary or cinematic classics you may have missed. I believe that there is something inside the pages for everyone, as the works covered range from classics such as a To Kill a Mockingbird or Psycho to lighter fare like The Princess Bride and more recently adapted pictures such as If Beale Street Could Talk.

Unlike Kristen, I don’t feel the urge to read a novel prior to seeing the film. Instead, I often find my desire to seek out the original material after I view the motion picture and my obsessive nature kicks in. For those that know me, they experienced this first hand after I watched the film Elvis. If I am fond of a flick, my next destination after leaving the cinema is usually down a rabbit hole where I will dig up anything and everything that relates to said picture. With Kristen’s book I have now been given a light for my next deep dive.

But Have You Read The Book? is published by Running Press and Turner Classic Movies. It is available in hardcover, audio or an e-book, here.