I love movies. A lot. In fact, I’ve seen so many movies that if I listed them out, they’d make their own brilliant Riveted post!
For as long as I can remember, my dad and I spent a vast majority of our time watching movies. We maybe couldn’t agree on much else, but if the question was “Want to watch this movie?” the answer was always yes. From black and white classics like The Maltese Falcon to more recent (though questionable) movies like Jupiter Ascending, we’ve basically discovered them all. The only problem I seem to have with movies is that they’re just too short, and I think that’s probably a side effect of being such an avid reader. I always leave the theater (or my living room) feeling like I’m missing something—like there’s still more to the story. I call it the movie hangover. It’s probably because with a movie, I’m just watching. I’m seeing things as they happen. But when I read a book, I’m not watching—I’m experiencing. I’m living the adventure. On some level, I expect to be able to live the story I watch in the movie as well and when I don’t, I walk away feeling like I’m not completely fulfilled. Again, it’s not that I don’t love movies, it’s just that because the story feels unfinished, they stick with me longer and rattle around in my mind. Bothering me. Making me wonder.
I’ve found that what helps me get rid of a movie hangover is a great, similar book. If I read a book that’s similar to a movie, I kind of get my wish to live through the movie and I get the sense of closure I so desperately want. As a result, I’ve found some absolutely fantastic movie pairings, and I’ve decided to share some of them with you!
Need a book recommendation? Read the book that matches a movie you like. Do you have any good book/movie pairings? Share them in the comments!
The Movie: Clueless
The Book: The Unexpected Everything by Morgan Matson
The Reason:
Learn that lighthearted fun, amazing friends, and unlikely romances can happen once you stop trying to plan and control everything.
The Movie: Stick It
The Book: The Flip Side by Shawn Johnson
The Reason:
Gymnastics and drama! Gymnastics is not a joking matter. You have to be all in to succeed. But follow Charlie as she realizes whether or not she’ll have to sacrifice everything else to make her gymnastics dreams come true.
The Movie: Sliding Doors
The Book: Just Like Fate by Suzanne Young
The Reason:
When the consequences of one decision split Caroline’s fate into two separate paths, she’s forced to live them both. Her life is about to derail…and only one path will give her a happy ending.
The Movie: The Princess Bride
(Yes, I know this movie is based on a book. But that would have been too easy. Plus I think the book and the movie are very different.)
The book: Blackhearts by Nicole Castroman
The Reason:
Discover how Edward “Teach” Drummond goes from the socially accepted son of a wealthy merchant to the infamous Blackbeard. Hint: it’s all in the name of love.
The Movie: The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants
(Again, this is based on a book, but that would be too easy.)
The book: The Last Boy and Girl in the World by Siobhan Vivian
The Reason:
It’s all about discovering who you are and what friendship means when everything you’ve come to know and depend on is pulled away from you.