Many books are turned into movies every year, drawing readers into the theaters and making movie goers head to book stores to find the source of the characters they came to love on-screen. Wondering what the biggest books into movies were in 2008? Here are the titles that captured the attention of audiences.
1. 'The Reader' by Bernhard Schlink
Knopf
The Reader by Bernhard Schlink has had many moments in the spotlight -- at first as an acclaimed book in Germany, then with its first release in English, a couple years later its popularity spiked when it was chosen for Oprah's Book Club, and the 2008 film adaptation of The Reader was nominated for several Academy Awards, including Best Picture.
- Book review of The Reader by Bernhard Schlink
- The Reader Movie Information
2. 'Slumdog Millionaire' by Vikas Swarup
Simon & Schuster
Vikas Swarup originally titled his book Q & A, however, it was re-released with the same title as the movie after the film won the audience award at the Toronto Film Festival in 2008. Slumdog Millionaire is the story of an 18 year-old orphan from the slums of Mumbai, who is just one question away from winning a staggering 20 million rupees on India’s Who Wants To Be A Millionaire?, when police arrest him for cheating because they assume he couldn't know so many answers. The movie works through his life and knowledge in flashbacks.
3. "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button" by F. Scott Fitzgerald
Simon & Schuster
"The Curious Case of Benjamin Button" is a story by F. Scott Fitzgerald. Although Fitzgerald is best known for The Great Gatsby, in his lifetime he was better known for short stories such as this one. "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button" is about a man who was born in his eighties and ages backward.
4. 'Twilight' by Stephenie Meyer
Little, Brown
Stephenie Meyer's Twilight books were already a phenomenon, but putting Edward and Bella's story on the big screen made them even more popular. With throngs of screaming teens (and some adult fans) waiting outside theaters for days before the release, Twilight was probably the biggest book to get turned into a movie in 2008.
- Read a complete review of Twilight by Stephenie Meyer
- Twilight Movie Information - Reviews, Photos & Interviews
- Complete List of Stephenie Meyer's Books
5. 'Marley & Me' by John Grogan
WilliamMorrow
John Grogan's 2005 memoir about his pet dog, Marley, caught the attention of pet lovers nationwide. I wonder if Grogan ever imagined that Owen Wilson would someday play him on the big screen. With an all-star cast and Christmas 2008 release, the movie version of Marley & Me was set up to be a family favorite.
- Read a complete review of Marley & Me by John Grogan
- Marley & Me Movie Information
6. 'The Secret Life of Bees' by Sue Monk Kidd
Penguin
The Secret Life of Bees is a rare treat -- a well-written and moving book that is as powerful on screen as in print. The Secret Life of Bees is a coming of age story that deals with issues of race in the 1960s as a young white girl lives with four black women who keep honeybees. I recommend the book first and the movie when you are done!
- Read a complete review of The Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd
- The Secret Life of Bees Movie Information
7. 'Nights in Rodanthe' by Nicholas Sparks
Grand Central Publishing
Nicholas Sparks books seem like natural material for romantic movies. Nights in Rodanthe, starring Richard Gere and Diane Lane, was released in September 2008 and told the story of a woman who is tending a friend's inn for the weekend in order to escape problems in her life, and meets a man going through his own crisis of conscience, who is the only guest at the inn.
8. 'Prince Caspian' by C.S. Lewis
HarperCollins
Although Prince Caspian is the fourth book in The Chronicles of Narnia, it was the second Chronicles of Narnia movie to be released. The Chronicles of Narnia are a series of children's books by C.S. Lewis about a magical land that four children find through their wardrobe.
9. 'The Ruins' by Scott Smith
Knopf
Stephen King called Scott Smith's book The Ruins, "the best horror novel of the new century." A King endorsement is good for selling books -- and also for getting your book turned into a movie. The Ruins is about two American couples on vacation in Mexico who go to some ancient ruins looking for a lost German man from their group. Horror ensues.
10. 'Yes Man' by Danny Wallace
Simon & Schuster
Like Marley & Me, this is another nonfiction title turned into a movie with a big name actor (Jim Carrey). Yes Man is Danny Wallace's story about what happened when he decided to take the advice of a stranger on a bus who advised him to "say yes more."
11. 'The Other Boleyn Girl' by Philippa Gregory
Simon & Schuster
Philippa Gregory is known for taking historical figures and telling their stories with romance, intrigue and a little speculation. The Other Boleyn Girl follows Mary and Anne Boleyn and their relationships with King Henry VIII. The Other Boleyn Girl movie had the benefit of big name stars; however, our movie reviewer did not think it turned out as well as the book.
12. 'Frost/Nixon' by David Frost
HarperCollins
Frost/Nixon had an interesting evolution -- first a Tony-award winning Broadway play based on the real life interviews with Richard Nixon; then, following the success of the play, David Frost decides to recount the events in a memoir; finally, Hollywood produced a movie version of Frost/Nixon, which was nominated for Best Picture at the 2009 Academy Awards.
