Summer Reading, Having A Blast

Even though it was a chilly 9C this morning it is also June so what better time to welcome in summer and browse through some upcoming book-to-film adaptations. We can dream on warm days ahead to enjoy these titles under the sun.

Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince
Film Release Date - Wednesday July 15, 2009

You'd have to be a muggle under a rock not to know about the film adaptation of this book! It's the 6th book in the 7 book series by J.K. Rowling which follows the wizard Harry Potter & friends through adventures at the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardly. Personally, I'm a huge fan of the books and the films, but I'm avoiding all info on the upcoming film even though trailers have been out for ages. The film is directed by David Yates, who also directed the 5th film Order of the Phoenix and will be directing Part 1 & 2 of the 7th book The Deathly Hallows. I re-read the book recently and enjoyed it much more than the first time round so I'm even more pumped to see the film in July!

Book on Amazon.ca: Paperback Version, Mass Market (Adult Cover) Version
Book on Amazon.com: Paperback Verion
Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince Official Film Site, Trailer, IMDb Page

Julie & Julia
Film Release Date: Friday August 7, 2009

Based on the book by Julie Powell, a woman challenges herself to create every recipe in Julia Child's Mastering the Art of French Cuisine in 1 years time, blogging all the way. I read this book a while back and quite enjoyed it, as a fan of blogging, challenges and well... food (who isn't?), it certainly captures the adventures of such a mammoth quest-like challenge. I've seen the films trailer, which indicates it takes some liberties in the book-to-film adaptation but I'm crossing my fingers that it keeps the spirit of the book alive. The film is directed by Nora Ephron (Bewitched, Sleepless in Seattle) and stars Amy Adams as Julie and Meryl Streep as Julia Child.

Book on Amazon.ca: Regular Version, Movie-Tie-In Version (Available June 30/09)
Book on Amazon.com: Paperback Movie-Tie-In Version (Available June 30/09)
Julie & Julia Trailer, IMDb Page

The Time Travellers Wife
Film release date: Friday August 14, 2009

Based on the novel by Audrey Niffenegger, we have a rare breed genre coming to screens this summer: a science fiction/romance story! This is the only book of the set I've not yet read but the master plan is to complete that challenge in the days ahead. The book has received critical acclaim and is one of the most anticipated (and long awaited) film adaptations we've had for a while. The film is directed by Robert Schwentke ("Lie to Me" pilot, Flightplan) and stars Rachel McAdams as Clare and Eric Bana as Henry.

Book on Amazon.ca: Paperback Version
Book on Amazon.com: Paperback Version
The Time Traveller's Wife IMDb Page

Planning on reading any books for Upcoming 2009 films? Any adaptations that are looking forward to? What is on your radar?