My rule is generally first book, then movie. But lately there’s a bunch of things appearing on screens (big and small) that I’ll be watching before reading. Notably:
Crazy Rich Asians by Kevin Kwan
Dietland by Sarai Walker
Sharp Objects by Gillian Flynn
Sweetbitter by Stephanie Danler
and one that I was hoping to re-read before the movie is released (but have accepted that there won’t be time…) – On Chesil Beach by Ian McEwan.
Are you strictly book before movie? Do you hate movie-tie-in book covers as much as I do?
A definite yes to the second question! Sweetbiiter has the potential to be great on screen.
Always book before movie. If I watch the movie first, I almost never read the book after. And yes! Hate tie-in covers.
I always aim for the book first but sometimes I make an exception, especially if I think it might work better as a film. So I watched the Swedish films of the Steig Larsson trilogy but I’ll probably never read the books (I started one but I didn’t enjoy it).
I detest film tie-in covers, they must work well for sales for some unknown reason because they are so ugly I can’t think why else publishers would do such a thing. There’s one exception I mentioned a few weeks ago on my blog: the Penguin Classics edition of Orlando that used a gorgeous shot of Tilda Swinton from the film. But that’s the only time its been acceptable!
I’m usually a book before movie person, but sometimes just can’t manage it. And often I then like the movie better or at least see the actors in my head when reading the book. I also often decide to not read the book, especially if I’ve loved the movie. Not sure if that makes sense, but there it is. LOL
I try to read the book before seeing the movie. Generally I find that after reading the book, the movie is a disappointing representation of the book.
I’m not strictly either one, but if I watch the movie first, I won’t go back and read the book … that ship has sailed 🙂
I don’t have any rule on which first. I have read On Chesil Beach several years ago and am looking forward to the movie!
Normally I prefer book before movie, but often I am reading older books and getting a copy of one or the other can be problematic. I do dislike movie or TV tie-in covers.
I often don’t even see movies based on books I’ve read because they tend to disappoint me. But I have noticed that students who see the movie first often refuse to read the book, so I think that reading first is usually a good plan.
Ugh, I really do hate movie tie-in covers. Somehow I end up feeling cheap if I’m caught reading one of those rather than the original, as if I wouldn’t have even thought about it without a famous person on the cover. 🙂 I read Dietland before starting the TV show. I didn’t love the book, and didn’t get very far into the show, but I’d love to hear whether it’s worth sticking with — I have a feeling it’ll work better on the screen.
I think my hold from the library will come in for Crazy Rich Asians before it’s available at the theatre haha I definitely read Sharp Objects before the show but the show is incredible. Dark and very hard to watch, but incredible.
I really cannot stand movie tie in covers. They’re just the worst. I often watch movies before I read the book, sometimes inadvertently (like watching a good movie and finding out it’s based on a book).
No to the first and a definite yes to the second. Especially Crazy Rich Asians- the movie cover is dreadful.
I’m often the reverse- watch the movie first and then read the book because it’s so seldom that the movie is better than the book. So, if I liked the movie well enough I know the book should be great. Odd logic but it works for me!
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