Bestsellers adapted into movies

Travelling to Infinity by Jane Hawking (the book behind the film The Theory of Everything)

 

The film received five Academy Award nominations, including Best Picture. The book is a tender account of Jane's years with Stephen Hawking, author of A Brief History of Time. She recounts their falling in love, dealing with Stephen's ALS, and starting a family as his career soars. It's also a candid look at their high-profile divorce. A fascinating portrait of the most famous physicist in the world.

 

 

Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn (the book behind the film Gone Girl)

 

The film stars Rosamund Pike, who was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Actress. The book is ... well, you RIFers all know this book! We've been talking with you about it since way before it hit the shelves. Okay, here's the story: Nick and Amy Dunne are a beautiful young couple bent on ravaging each other from the inside out. Gives us chills just thinking about it. Gillian Flynn, we're in awe of you (and just a little scared).

 

 

Still Alice by Lisa Genova (the book behind the film Still Alice)

 

The film stars Julianne Moore, who was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Actress. The book is a publishing phenomenon. Lisa Genova – a renowned expert in Alzheimer's disease with a PhD in neuroscience – self-published Still Alice in 2007. It became a huge word-of-mouth success and has been a bestseller since. The novel is the tragic story of Alice Howland, a psychology professor at Harvard who is diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer's disease.

 

 

Wild by Cheryl Strayed (the book behind the film Wild)

 

The film stars Reese Witherspoon (nominated for the Academy Award for Best Actress) and Laura Dern (nominated for the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress). The book is another one we shared with you long before its release. RIFers were among the first to read this memoir, which is a beautiful account of Cheryl Strayed's 1,100-mile long hike on the Pacific Crest Trail. She divorced, she faced her demons, she walked, and she healed.

 

 

Inherent Vice by Thomas Pynchon (the book behind the film Inherent Vice)

 

The film is nominated for the Academy Award for Costume Design. The book is set in 1970's Los Angeles — part noir, part psychedelic romp. Drug-addicted private eye Doc Sportello surfaces, occasionally, out of a marijuana haze to watch the end of an era. He's also investigating the disappearance of a former girlfriend. It's a good introduction to Thomas Pynchon for those who haven't yet read him; for Pynchon fans, it's just good fun.

 

SOURCE: Read It Forward