2010 Book to Film Challenge

Another week, another challenge eh? I know, I'm a crazy woman. I do have a little hesitation on this one as I've the previous reading challenges I've done have been no where near as successful as the film challenges (2 incomplete vs 9 complete, respectively). But I've been reading a lot more recently and perhaps blending types of challenges will work some magic on top of that.

The inspiration here is pretty simple. Several films that I'm really looking forward to seeing this year are based on books, and I always like reading the book first. Some of the books will be first time reads, lots are re-reads in anticipation of the film release and each choice has a movie tie in (MTI) of some kind. Because of the film related nature to this challenge I thought it would be fun write and to share about the process and insights along the way. I'm going with a total of 20 books which feels like a lot, but also feels like the right number. But enough of the waiting and on to the list!

Challenge status of read/re-read books: 20/20 YAY! I did it!!! See my 2010 Reading Wrap Up post here.

Lord of the Rings Trilogy by J.R.R. Tolkien
This is really to get into the swing of things and also because I raced though the books so quickly the first time round trying to get through them for the theatrically releases I know I missed tons of stuff. There is an online reading challenge for this one but it started in January and also included The Hobbit so I'm not sure if I'm too late to join. Update - it wasn't too late to going so I'm reading along with the challenge folks - yay!
Time line - February to April 2010.
Read so far: Fellowship of the Ring, The Two Towers and The Return of the King

The Tempest by William Shakespeare (read)
Julie Taymor who brought us Across the Universe and Titus is directing a version of The Tempest starring Helen Mirren (The Queen, The Last Station), Ben Whishaw (Perfume: The Story of a Murderer), Chris Cooper, Alfred Molina, Djimon Hounsou, Alan Cumming, David Strathairn, Russell Brand and Felicity Jones. I can't wait. But I'll have to as no specific release date but it's currently listed as 2010 on it's IMDb Page. I don't know this story well at all beyond seeing The Forbidden Planet, which I it is a version of.
Time line: flexible, will revisit when release date announced

Beastly by Alex Flinn (read)
I only just realized that this re-telling of Beauty and the Beast in an urban setting is based on a book! I've been curious about the film since I first heard about it but not I'm even looking more forward to checking out the book!
Time line: Before July 30, 2010

In Anticipation of The Twilight Saga: Eclipse (read)
This shouldn't come as any surprize with me being the fan of the Twlight univerce and all. This one will be really interesting and I really hope that I enjoy the film Eclipse more than New Moon. I'm only going halfsies here with the series and added a bit of reference to so the plan is to re-read New Moon (which I didn't get through before the film! - now re-read), re-reading Eclipse but also sneak a first time read of Wuthering Heights in between the two. The first time I read Eclipse I noticed lots of talk about Wuthering Heights which I straight up skipped over as I hadn't read it yet - time to fix that! As an added plus Andrea Arnold (Red Road, Fish Tank) is set to direct a version of Wuthering Heights this year.
Time line: All read before June 30, 2010

Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert (read)
I've had this one on my shelf for ages (and I borrowed it too.. yikes... I will return it to the rightful owner when I'm done!) I'm a little embarrassed to admit I've not yet read it because it's really one of those books that all my women friends have read. The film adaptation is set for release on August 13, 2010 (which is almost exact same time Julie & Julia came out in 2009!) so that is my plan to have it read by. The protagonist will be played by none other than Julia Roberts.
Time line: Before August 13, 2010

Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling (done!)
Another selection that can't be a surprize for regular muggles readers round here. Last year I had a blast re-watching and reviewing all the Harry Potter films in anticipation for Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince. That process also made me realize that I've only read the books one time each, so in anticipation of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1 (November 19, 2010) I'm going to prep by reading all the books for the second time.
Time line: May to November 2010

The Voyage of the Dawn Treader by C.S. Lewis (read)
In anticipation of the third film in the series, I'll be heading back to the magical world of Narnia for escapist adventure. It's funny because I read Prince Caspian in anticipation for the film, which ironically I didn't love and ended up not even seeing the film theatre but in the end ended up loving the film. Who knew those zany Pevensie siblings get me every time.
Time line: Before December 10, 2010

Maximum Ride Series by James Patterson (complete)
Out of all the selections this one has the least concrete information on the film adaptation. Originally several of the books were going to be the first film, not it looks like it will be 1 to 1. Originally Catherine Hardwicke (Twilight) was set to direct, but now the IMDb Page doesn't have any info listed other than 2010. I'm at a bit of a loss on what's going on but I'm already part way through the series and they are extremely fast reads so I'm just going to keep going. And... who doesn't want to read about mutant avian human hybrids kids & teens? I know I do!
I'll only be reading Books 3 - 5 in the series: Saving the World & Other Extreme Sports, The Final Warning and MAX, as I've already read book 1 & 2: Maximum Ride: The Angel Experiment & Maximum Ride: School's Out Forever
Time line: flexible, will revisit when release date announced

Static Timeline:
The Fellowship of the Ring (February 2010)
The Two Towers (March 2010)
The Return of the King (planned: April 2010, actual: December 2010)
Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone (May 2010)
Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (June 2010)
Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (July 2010)
Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (August 2010)
Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (September 2010)
Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (October 2010)
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows (November 2010)
Voyage of the Dawn Treader, The (timeline: before December 10, 2010)

More Flexible Timelines:
New Moon by Stephenie Meyers (before Wuthering Heights)
Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte (before Eclipse)
Eclipse by Stephenie Meyers (before June 30, 2010)
Beastly (before July 30, 2010)
Eat, Pray, Love (before August 13, 2010)
The Tempest
Saving the World & Other Extreme Sports (Maximum Ride: Book 3)
Final Warning, The (Maximum Ride: Book 4)
MAX (Maximum Ride: Book 5)

Reviews of Books Read
Beastly
Eat, Pray, Love
Eclipse by Stephenie Meyers (re-read)
Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone (re-read)
Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (re-read)
Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (re-read)
Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (re-read)
Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (re-read)
Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (re-read)
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows (re-read)
Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring
Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers
Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King
Maximum Rider: Book 3 - Saving the World & Other Extreme Sports
Maximum Ride: Book 4 - The Final Warning
Maximum Ride: Book 5 - MAX
New Moon (re-read)
Tempest, The
Voyage of the Dawn Treader, The
Wuthering Heights

For fellow book lovers, feel free to friend me over at GoodReads!

What will you be reading this year?