Back in high school, we all had summer reading lists that were a pain to get through – Sylvia Plath’s The Bell Jar anyone? But, of course not all books are out there to torment you, especially those that are eventually translated onto the big screen.
Water for Elephants and Something Borrowed are both recent movies adapted from novels. I love reading the book before the movie comes out, and for any Collegiette who has some free time this summer and feels the same way, here is a list of books – and soon to be movies – ranging from easy beach reads to dramatic classics that will keep you occupied on the beach (or on the Quad in Champaign.)
1. The Great Gatsby – F. Scott Fitzgerald
This might have been a book on a summer reading list that you actually enjoyed. Written and set in the roaring 20’s, the newest version of this classic is slated to be released in 2012 starring Cary Mulligan and Leonardo DiCaprio. Leo is in it, which means almost everyone will be seeing this one.
2. The Help – Kathryn Stockett
Released in the summer of 2009, the novel tells the story of African-American maids in white households in Jackson, Mississippi during the 1960s and the young, white, college grad, Eugenia “Skeeter” Phelan, who finally gives them a voice. Emma Stone stars in the film adaptation being released in August. Watch the trailer here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J_ajv_6pUnI
3. 20 Times a Lady – Karyn Bosnak
Adapted into the movie What’s Your Number? starring Anna Ferris and a pack of recognizably funny men including Chris Evans, Andy Samberg and Joel McHale, this novel follows Ally Darling, a girl who revisits her past relationships to find true love. Set to be released at the end of September, catch the trailer here: http://www.whatsyournumbermovie.com/
4. One Day – David Nicholls
Each chapter in this international best seller, released in 2009, follows a year in the lives of Emma and Dexter, college friends whose relationship evolves over two decades. Starring Anne Hathaway and Jim Sturgess – the hot guy from Across the Universe, the movie comes out in July. Watch Hathaway pull off a pretty impressive fake, British accent here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uLUWHW5NxwI
5. On the Road – Jack Kerouac
Taking a road trip this summer? Bring along this contemporary classic. Named one of the best English-language novels by Time magazine the novel is based on trips the author and his friends took across the country. The movie version stars Sam Riley, Kristen Stewart, Kirsten Dunst and Amy Adams and will be released towards the end of 2011.
6. The Hobbit – J.R. Tolkien
Miss the days of Lord of the Rings? Nerd out on the The Hobbit this summer, and find out how it all began! The movie, part one of two, is set to be released in late 2011 starring most of the cast we know from the Rings films including Elijah Wood and Cate Blanchett. Plus, Orlando Bloom is also rumored to be returning, and even as an elf, he’s great to look at!
7. Here Lies Bridget – Paige Harbison
Though the movie isn’t slated to come out for a while, every collegiette should read this book because it comes from one of our own! Paige Harbison is a recent campus celeb at Towson University in Maryland and is a published author at 21 years old! (Check out an interview with her: http://www.hercampus.com/school/towson/paige-harbison-published-author-here-lies-bridget).The book follows Bridget Duke, a high school queen bee who must face those she’s wronged when the unexpected happens. If you are a fan of Gossip Girl and Mean Girls, you will love this book.
8. Girl With the Dragon Tattoo – Stieg Larsson
You may have been living under a rock for the past year if you haven’t heard anything about this book that follows journalist Mikael Blomkvist as he uncovers a family’s dark past with the help of Lisbeth Salander, the namesake of the novel. It is the first in a series of three books and a Swedish film adaptation has already been made. The English version, starring Daniel Craig and Rooney Mara, (the actress that played the girl who dumped Mark Zuckerberg in The Social Network) is set to be released in December. I took this book on my most recent vacation and could. Not. Put. It. Down.
9. Jane Eyre – Charlotte Bronte
Another classic getting revamped; several film adaptations have been made, but the most recent version stars Mia Wasikowska, who played Alice in Tim Burton’s Alice in Wonderland. Jane is a girl orphaned at a young age and works as a governess in an old manor in the English countryside. If you are a fan of the dramatic romantic period piece, look no further: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C8J6Cjn06kA
10. Admission – Jean Hanff Korelitz
Tina Fey is rumored to be playing main character, Portia Nathan, an admissions officer at Princeton University whose job is to find the most elite students in the country to attend the prestigious school. Nathan is dedicated and loves her job until she meets an applicant that forces her to reexamine her career as well as her personal life. The film isn’t in production yet, so you have plenty of time to pick this one up!
11. Hunger Games – Suzanne Collins
This science fiction book is the first in a trilogy following Katniss Everdeen, a sixteen-year-old girl living in a post apocalyptic world. The film adaptation, due out in March of 2012, futures a slew of up and coming young actors such as Jennifer Lawrence and Liam Hemsworth, as well as older stars like Elizabeth Banks and Stanley Tucci.
12. Moneyball – Michael M. Lewis
To a lot of people, (including a growing number of collegiettes) summer = baseball. For all you sports fan out there, here is a book about the science behind a competitive major league baseball team. The movie, due out in late 2011, stars funnyman Jonah Hill. Signed on as well is Brad Pitt. Brad + baseball = a homerun, plus you can impress your man with your knowledge of the sport and spend a date night at a movie you both can enjoy!
13. Anna Karenina – Leo Tolstoy
Looking for a challenging read this summer? This classic tells the story of doomed love affair and its effects on everyone around it. The most recent version is due out in 2012 starring Keira Knightley and Jude Law.
14. Breaking Dawn – Stephenie Meyer
All Twilight fanatics are counting down the days until June 30th, when the part one of the final book of the popular series hits theaters. If you are Team Jacob, Team Edward, or just have a thing for vampires, this book will not disappoint. If you have never picked up a Stephenie Meyer book in your life (admittedly, I fall into this category) you still have a month to catch up with this series of easy reads before the first half of Breaking Dawn drops.
15. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – J.K. Rowling
You can’t mention Bella and Edward and not mention Harry. Part Two of the final book will be released July 15th, when Harry and he-who-shall-not-be-named come head-to-head for a final time. Summer is a perfect time to reread all your favorites, like the entire Harry Potter series. If you are as unfamiliar with Harry Potter as I am with all things Twilight, please, please, please use this summer to catch up. You won’t regret it!