Read with MLC: Read a Book Adapted for the Screen and Watch the Adaptation

Welcome to December, and the last month of the 2024 Read with MLC reading challenge! This month's prompt is to read a book that has been adapted for television or the movies and then watch the adaptation. Finding a book you truly love can be a magical experience. It's always exciting when a TV or movie adaptation is announced, but there's always the niggling worry that the lead won't look how you imagine... Or that they'll leave out your favorite scene from the book... Or --worst yet-- plot will be drastically changed. Hollywood depends heavily upon the already published written word: Forbes reported a while back that movies based on books draw in 53% of that almighty cash than those written without the benefit of a previously published work. TV and streaming networks also have a field day each year (field year?) with adaptations; there were dozens and dozens in 2023 and 2024, and that's just the past few years. What do librarians think of the trend? Those here at the Mississippi Library Commission have quite a few favorites, which you can check out below!

The book is always better than the movie! The three exceptions:
The Help
Kathryn Stockett
MLC
BARD
The Count of Monte Cristo
MLC
hoopla at MLC
BARD
The Scarlet Pimpernel
MLC
hoopla at MLC
BARD
-Colleen Gregg, IT Support Technician

The Dresden Files series
Jim Butcher
BARD
A controversial pick, but I discovered the TV show BEFORE reading the books. At the time, I thought the show was great; however, the books were so much better.
-Kristina Kelly, Public Relations Coordinator

The Perfect Couple
Erin Hilderbrand
MLC
BARD
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. If you're looking for a mystery you can't put down, this is it! It recently got turned into a series for Netflix, which I'm excited to watch, but I hear it's a good bit different from the book.
-Alex Brower, Information Services Director

Howl's Moving Castle
Diana Wynne Jones
MLC
hoopla at MLC
BARD
Rarely is there a movie that's as good as its source material, but Hayao Miyazaki pulled it off. The book and movie are very different, but each is a fantasy delight in its own way.
-Elisabeth Scott, Reference Librarian

Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children
Ransom Riggs
BARD
The movie came out in 2016 and was, at least to me, pretty good!
-Charlie Simpkins, Special Collections Coordinator

The Lord of the Rings series
J.R.R. Tolkien
MLC
hoopla at MLC
BARD
By far the best adaptation!
-Kristina Kelly, Public Relations Coordinator

Be sure to listen to our recent podcast episode where staff discuss even more of their favorite (and not so favorite) adaptations. If you need help thinking of a book, try our BookMatch service for a push in the right direction. Fill out our super quick questionnaire and we'll send you a short list of suggestions. Until next time, happy reading!