Ultimate Popsugar Reading Challenge discussion

What books are you reading in this category? What recommendations do you have? Are you going to see the movie? Before or after you read the book?

I'm thinking of reading "Gone Girl", but I have to see the movie first. I have a difficult time enjoying a movie if I've read the book. But if I see the movie first, there is a chance I can appreciate the differences and enjoy both.

I'm going to read "The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones." This has been sitting on the shelf for some time now and I just haven't gotten to it yet. It also fits the genre I like to read the most.

Jenica wrote: "I'm going to read "The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones." This has been sitting on the shelf for some time now and I just haven't gotten to it yet. It also fits the genre I like to read the most."



I will also be reading this!

One Day by David Nicholls is on my TBR List for 2015. I haven't seen the movie yet but I'm planning to watch it once I'm done with the book. (Like I always do)

Beth wrote: "I'm thinking of reading "Gone Girl", but I have to see the movie first. I have a difficult time enjoying a movie if I've read the book. But if I see the movie first, there is a chance I can appre..."

I read Gone Girl - it was a good read with some nice plot twists and was somewhat disturbing in thought provoking ways. It has stayed with me in the weeks since its reading. I saw the movie afterwards and I enjoyed it very much. The screen-play is written by the book's author Gillian Flynn and she did an amazing job of paring down her own work for a feature film. I generally like to see the movie first as well but in this case I didn't have a problem enjoying both considering I read the book first.

My husband and I share books during our weekly story time sessions. For my first selection this year, I am planning on reading Stiff for this task. It was turned into a made-for-tv movie in Australia.

I loved Gone, Girl but haven't seen the movie yet. If it follows the book well like people say maybe I'll give it a shot. I get so disappointed in movies made from my favorite books that I stopped watching them completely. The Notebook is one of my top 5 favorite books and I've not seen the movie nor will I. I don't want my versions of the characters replaced by the actors in my mind. I was thinking the same thing about Gone, Girl but maybe I'll try. I did see the City of Bones movie and liked it a lot. The book wasn't one of my all time favorites so I felt ok to watch the movie.

I don't know which book I'll use for this prompt just yet.

I got a set of 'movie' books for Christmas! I'll probably be using The Lovely Bones for this prompt

Amii wrote: "Jenica wrote: "I'm going to read "The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones." This has been sitting on the shelf for some time now and I just haven't gotten to it yet. It also fits the genre I like to ..."

I devoured this series, and the prequel trilogy - which, honestly, I think is even better than the Mortal Instruments - with no effort required. If you enjoy paranormal or steampunk literature, these novels are pretty fantastic.

Right now I think I might read Anna Karenina for this prompt. I have not seen the movie so I'll probably watch it after I read it.

I'm a massive fan of the Mortal Instruments series and the prequel Infernal Devices series. Hope you enjoy them as much as I did.
Also really enjoyed Gone Girl.
Think I will have a go with One Day for this category as I have always wanted to read it and never quite got round to it .

My book club is reading Serena by Ron Rash for January, so that will be mine. The movie will be released in February, I think.

I'm going to read Love in the Time of Cholera by Gabriel Garcia Marquez.

I changed my mind several times about this book, and ended up reading "The Water Diviner" by Andrew Anastasios and Meaghan Wilson-Anastasios

Not that anyone needs help on this one, but here's a list:
https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/4...

Safe Haven

I read Confessions of a Shopaholic by Sophie Kinsella. Such a fun book!

There are so many for this one. I am a huge YA fan, so probably going to go with Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist.

Serena is my favorite book that I read so far this year. And all the better that I read it, because I heard that the movie ended up being terrible. There are horrible people in this novel, but it is very well-written and kept me engaged throughout.

I read the Lovely Bones. Was a good book although a little disappointed with the ending. Now want to see the film!

I read The Help by Kathyrn Stockett. It was brilliant. Makes me want to see the film too.

I read Maze Runner. It seems have have laid a foundation for a possibly good story but I have to admit that I was not crazy about this.

Charline wrote: "I read The Help by Kathyrn Stockett. It was brilliant. Makes me want to see the film too."

I loved The Help! It was so good. hard to believe that all of this took place such a short time ago.

I read Still Alice for this one. It was our book club's pick last month. Loved the book, and look forward to seeing Julianne Moore's Oscar-winning performance when I get the chance.

I read Fried Green Tomatoes..... By Fannie Flagg

Tristine wrote: "Right now I think I might read Anna Karenina for this prompt. I have not seen the movie so I'll probably watch it after I read it."

I'm an avid classics reader...thumbs down for Anna. It took me a month to read. Are you a big classics reader?

Lone Survivor: The Eyewitness Account of Operation Redwing and the Lost Heroes of SEAL Team 10 is what I read. Very interesting story. Though not like something I'd normally pick.

I REALLY want to see the movie. I had a hard time visualizing some of the scenes.

Mine was The Boy in the Striped Pajamas by John Boyne. I honestly like the movie a little better, which I know is blasphemy. But the book is still excellent.

I read "the help" and I absolutely loved it!

I read Child 44. I enjoyed it and it should make a good movie! ( I think it's scheduled to open in April. )

I read Wild: From Lost to Found on the Pacific Crest Trail.
I've seen the movie first, but I think it would have been better if I had read the book first.
Both book and movie have been very good and really worth reading/watching. But you should read the book first, because it paints a better picture of the supporting characters, who are coming a bit short in the film.

Well, read the book and even if you are not a 100% convinced by it, you should go and see the movie, because the pictures are amazing.

Sonja wrote: "I read Wild: From Lost to Found on the Pacific Crest Trail.
I've seen the movie first, but I think it would have been better if I had read the book first.
Both book and movie have b..."

I really liked Wild. Though it was an easy read I found myself not opening it up to read as I thought about it and dissected it.

Also, if you've read some of the GR reviews, people hated her. I didnt understand that AT ALL. She made poor decisions but which of us havent.

Can't wait to see the movie.

I have read several that are movies but I'm using Gone Girl for this prompt.

Michelle wrote: "Sonja wrote: "I read Wild: From Lost to Found on the Pacific Crest Trail.
I've seen the movie first, but I think it would have been better if I had read the book first.
Both book an..."

I do not understand that either and I think it is pretty impressiv that she could work her way out of that situation she was in and not get stuck there (what not everybody could have done).

Michelle wrote: "Sonja wrote: "I read Wild: From Lost to Found on the Pacific Crest Trail.
I've seen the movie first, but I think it would have been better if I had read the book first.
Both book an..."

I was also surprised by the amount of hate she and this book got (so much that I am considering using this book for the "book with bad reviews" prompt). I get that it isn't everyone's cup of tea. However, the harshest criticism seems directed at who she is as a person, not the book.

The main criticisms seem to be that she is selfish, self absorbed, ill prepared, and makes a lot of terrible decisions. And to greater and lesser degree, all of these things are true. In a way, they are the whole point of the story.

I am about the same age as Cheryl Strayed. While the events of my life are very different than hers, her story feels very true to my experience of my twenties. I made a lot a stupid, selfish, and self-destructive decisions at that time in my life. I am glad to have come out of it a healthy and happy person. I've got no permanent damage, although that is more a function of luck than skill.

Looking forward to seeing the movie. While I don't expect I will enjoy it as much as the book, the scenery should be nice.

Alycia wrote: "My book club is reading Serena by Ron Rash for January, so that will be mine. The movie will be released in February, I think."

I read Serena for a one word title book. I didnt love it...but not the worst book I've ever read. What did you think?

For #3 I read Rita Falk "Winterkartoffelknödel", adapted from a series of books about a cop who is demoted and sent back from Munich to his Bavarian backwood hometown.

I don't understand the critcism of Wild either. She's cricized for being immature and self-centered, but the again that's the whole point. This is a person who went on a both physical and spiritual journey in order to experience personal growth. She's not the same person at the end of her journey as she was at the beginning.

Ray wrote: "I don't understand the critcism of Wild either. She's cricized for being immature and self-centered, but the again that's the whole point. This is a person who went on a both physical and spiri..."

Yes, that's what puzzled me. She acknowledged where she was and how she had gone wrong. But the rest of the story was her growth.

I read City of Bones by Cassandra Clare. I haven't watched the movie yet.

Fight Club - the book differs from the movie enough to make it completely worth it. I enjoyed it a lot.

Still Alice Looking forward to seeing the movie, the book truly moved me.

I read Sarah's Key. Had seen the movie years ago. Remembered so many similarities was almost sure I'd already read the book and had forgotten. Will be re-watching the movie.

A very haunting story. Still not sure how the plot could have been revealed without shifting from 1940's to current day. Thought the connections made from them to now was an interesting concept. Not the same opinion for other readers though.

I've just finished Before I go to sleep by SJ Watson

I've just finished Before I go to sleep by SJ Watson

I read A Clockwork Orange by Anthony Burgess for this challenge. Stanley Kubrick made a film of it in 1971. I saw the film first, and while I loved the book I actually quite preferred the film. Still I am very glad I read the book as it definitely added extra nuance to the story of A Clockwork Orange, including meditations on the title of the work. Maybe it is because I'm American, but I am glad Kubrick didn't include the final chapter of the book in his adaptation.

I decided to go with a book that was a Lifetime movie instead of a movie in theaters: Hope: A Memoir of Survival in Cleveland. Although, I am a bit disappointed as I just read that the movie centers more on Michelle Knight: the other victim who wrote her own book. I already started reading Hope by the other two victims, and I think I may just stretch this prompt so I don't have to read another book.

Fwiw Michelle Knight's book is very good too, I read hope and hers and they're both quick reads.

I definitely plan to read Michelle Knight's book. I'll do it this year if I have time left in the end. If not, then I'm definitely reading it next year.