Books That Should Be Made Into Movies

"I Loved, I Lost, I Made Spaghetti" by Giulia Melucci

If “Julia & Julia” was made into movie and “Eat, Pray, Love” is in the works, then I would be REALLY surprised if no one decided to make Melucci’s tasty memoir into a movie.

"The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier & Clay" by Michael Chabon

Since the plans to turn this AMAZING book into a movie seem to have fallen by the studio wayside, I’m going to put it on here. Because even though I doubt the movie could ever be as good as the book, I’d still be curious to see it on the big screen.

"Year of Wonders" by Geraldine Brooks

Another Geraldine Brooks book? Sorry, I couldn’t help myself. This one is set in a plague-ravished English village during the 17th century. And who doesn’t want to see the havoc wreaked by the Bubonic Plague on screen?

"The Elegance of the Hedgehog" by Muriel Barbery

I think this quirky French novel could totally work wonders if it were put into the hands of a quirky French filmmaker. I nominate Jean Pierre Jeunet (of “Amelie” fame).

"Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrel" by Susanna Clarke

I have admitted on Guidespot that I have not been able to get through this book (see below,) and I can’t think of a better reason it shouldn’t be turned into a movie!

"The Wonder Spot" by Melissa Bank

Another book by Melissa Bank? Sorry, I (again) couldn’t help myself. I recently reread this book, and while it sort of loses its momentum towards the end, I don’t think that’s anything a good script doctor can’t fix.

"Infinite Jest" by David Foster Wallace

With over 1,000 pages, including tons of endnotes, I’d love to see how this will play out on the big screen!

Straight up and Dirty

I really enjoy Stephanie Klein and this would be an awesome and hysterical movie.

"The Shadow of the Wind" by Carlos Ruiz Zafon

This is the best book I’ve read in a long time (I couldn’t put it down,) and I think it would be a terrific movie— although I’m sure I’d be one of those people who continually talks about how the book was better than the movie (see below).

"People of the Book" by Geraldine Brooks

A nerdy mystery, this book is kind of like Indiana Jones, only without all the whips and fedoras. If done well, I think this could translate well on screen.

"The Girls' Guide to Hunting and Fishing" by Melissa Bank

So I think this was already made into a movie back in 2006, but since it either never came out in theaters or it just went straight to DVD (and since it starred Sarah Michelle Geller,) I demand a redo.

"Black Swan Green" by David Mitchell

Set in the 1980’s in a smallish town in the U.K. I think this coming-of-age story (which is totally reminiscent of “Catcher in the Rye”) would make an awesome movie. Plus, the soundtrack possibilities would be AMAZING.

"The Blind Assassin" by Margaret Atwood

It wouldn’t be an easy feat, but I think this book would make a pretty awesome movie.

Lucy Gayheart

One of the less-known books of Willa Cather, it happens to be my favorite, and served as a real turning point in my literary history, i.e. I did not like to read—>I read Willa Cather—>I gradually started to like reading.

Lucy Gayheart is tragically good and that’s all I can say about that without ruining it! But there are many scenes (Chicago, midwest, ice-skating, horse carriages, concerts) that I think I would make a good movie. I even picked out a song for it: Ice, by Sarah McLachlan.

"Blankets" by Craig Thompson

After the success of a movie like PERSEPOLIS, you would think someone out there has to be eyeing BLANKETS, Craig Thompson’s comic memoir about finding love and losing faith.