ºÚÁÏÍø

Ever watched a movie and thought, "The book was better?"

Maybe you’re the type of person who loves to compare every detail between the novel and its film adaptation? Either way, we’ve got you covered!

Check out these incredible books—available in the ºÚÁÏÍø Library—that have made their way to the small screen on DVD...which we also have available for you to take home!

The Color Purple

Alice Walker’s Pulitzer-winning novel is a powerful tale of resilience, sisterhood, and survival, set in the early 20th-century American South.

The 1985 Spielberg film (starring Whoopi Goldberg, Oprah Winfrey, and Danny Glover) and the;

2023 musical adaptation, both bring Celie’s journey to life with unforgettable performances.

Gone Girl

Gillian Flynn’s psychological thriller about a seemingly perfect marriage gone horribly wrong keeps readers guessing until the very end.
 

David Fincher’s 2014 film (starring Rosamund Pike and Ben Affleck) is just as twisty, dark, and deliciously unsettling as the novel.

Water for Elephants

Sara Gruen’s historical romance follows a young veterinarian who joins a traveling circus during the Great Depression and falls for the beautiful star performer.
 

The 2011 film, starring Reese Witherspoon and Robert Pattinson, brings the magic and drama of the circus to life.

Persepolis

Marjane Satrapi’s graphic novel memoir tells the story of her childhood in revolutionary Iran with striking visuals and deep emotional impact.
 

The 2007 animated film adaptation, co-directed by Satrapi herself, stays true to the book’s style and powerful storytelling.

Hidden Figures

Margot Lee Shetterly’s nonfiction book highlights the incredible Black women mathematicians at NASA who helped launch America’s space program.
 

The 2016 film, starring Taraji P. Henson, Octavia Spencer, and Janelle Monáe, shines a much-deserved spotlight on these unsung heroes.

The Shining

Stephen King’s horror classic about a writer’s descent into madness at an isolated hotel is as eerie as they come.
 

Stanley Kubrick’s 1980 adaptation (starring Jack Nicholson) takes the horror to iconic, bone-chilling levels—even if King himself wasn’t a fan.

A Streetcar Named Desire

Tennessee Williams’ Pulitzer Prize-winning play tells the story of fading Southern belle Blanche DuBois and her volatile relationship with her sister’s husband, Stanley Kowalski.
 

The 1951 film, starring Marlon Brando and Vivien Leigh, is a Hollywood classic that captures the drama, tension, and unforgettable performances.

No Country for Old Men

Cormac McCarthy’s neo-Western novel is a gripping tale of crime, fate, and morality in the Texas desert.
 

The 2007 Coen Brothers’ adaptation (starring Javier Bardem, Tommy Lee Jones, and Josh Brolin) won Best Picture for a reason—it’s a slow-burn thriller that sticks with you.

American Psycho

Bret Easton Ellis’ dark satire about a wealthy, charming investment banker who moonlights as a serial killer is disturbing, witty, and controversial.
 

The 2000 film, starring Christian Bale, turns Patrick Bateman into one of the most chilling—and memeable—characters in cinema.

The Perks of Being a Wallflower

Stephen Chbosky’s coming-of-age novel follows introverted teen Charlie as he navigates high school, friendship, and mental health.
 

The 2012 film, directed by Chbosky himself, features standout performances from Logan Lerman, Emma Watson, and Ezra Miller.

Crazy Rich Asians

Kevin Kwan’s glamorous rom-com novel follows Rachel Chu as she discovers her boyfriend’s family is absurdly wealthy—and absurdly dramatic.
 

The 2018 film adaptation, starring Constance Wu and Henry Golding, is a dazzling and hilarious ride through high society Singapore.

Ready to read, watch, or both?

Check out these books and movies at the today and decide for yourself: was the book really better?