I’ve devoted this year to reading books that have been adapted into movies, and then watching the movies. It’s been an interesting year! This is a great way to run a book group, because there are lots of resources to help, and if you don’t have time to read the book, you can still watch the movie and participate. (although without comparing the book to the movie!) At the Screen and Page on Goodreads, I tried to find both “Theater Reads” (currently in theaters) and “Watch at Home Reads” (available on DVD or to stream) options. I found that at times there weren’t too many options for theater reads that might lead to good discussions. I stuck to options for adults, and some of them are rated R.

I started out with Manhattan Night, based on the book “Manhattan Nocturene” by Colin Harrison. If you like dark and twisty, you might like them, I quite enjoyed both.

Next up was the Oscar winning “Room” by Emma Donoghue. Some of these titles were outside of what I usually might read or watch, and led to some pleasant surprises.

“Me Before You” by JoJo Moyes was another pleasant surprise. I bought the book and shared it with several friends. We planned to go to the movie for ages, but it was hard to get our schedules on the same page! We finally got to see the movie recently, enjoyed it a lot, and felt it closely followed the book.

I liked the book “The Light Between Oceans” by M.L. Stedman. Haven’t had a chance to see the movie yet, but it’s on my list.

Another dark and twisty one: “The Girl on the Train” by Paula Hawkins. Loved both the book and the movie!

“The Book Thief” by Markus Zusak is one that’s been around for awhile that I had not gotten around to. I struggled a bit at first with the book, but I’m glad that I read it before watching the movie. Brilliantly filmed, with great characters, and it’s in part about the power of books and reading.

“The Dressmaker” by Rosalie Ham was another pleasant surprise that was a stretch beyond what I normally read. I enjoyed the book, and hope to see the movie soon.

Along the way, I watched some book-to-movie adaptations without getting the book read.

• The Man Who Knew Infinity – a true story of a brilliant mathematician. Book by Robert Kanigel. Great story I knew nothing about!
• Fundamentals of Caring – book by Jonathan Evison. Love Paul Rudd, loved the movie!
• Hunt for the Wilderpeople – an enjoyable movie based on the book “Wild Pork and Watercress” by Barry Crump.
• End of the Tour – another true story, about the author David Foster Wallace, and the interview with journalist David Lipsky. Based on the book “But of course you end up becoming yourself.”
• Me and Earl and the Dying Girl – I read the book by Jesse Andrews because I liked the movie trailer, but enjoyed the movie more. It was fun to actually see the movies they made.
• Jack Reacher Never Go Back – Enjoyable action flick. I really must try one of the books by Lee Child.

It’s about a wrap for the year 2016. I enjoyed this so much I intend to keep it up in 2017!

Check Out Punchcard

How can libraries create excitement about coming into the library to check out books or other items on a regular basis? I’m thinking a monthly drawing with really neat (but not too expensive) book related prizes. When patrons check out (at least) once a month, they get a monthly punch on a Reading Record Punch Card, and can enter their name for the monthly drawing. If they get a punch each month they can enter their card for the annual grand prize drawing. This is aimed at adults only, no kids allowed! (why should they be the only ones having fun?!) Actually, school librarians could modify the idea a  little and have fun with it too.

You could even set up a selfie photo booth. A word bubble could say “Check me out! I checked this out at the library!” with a checkerboard background.

There are so many great possibilities for prizes. There are a lot of book lovers out there! Here are some of the prize ideas I’ve come up with so far.

See lots of ideas at this Pinterest Board. 

Where the Wild Things Are Tote at shopPBS.org

1. Color Your World at the Library: an adult coloring book & pencils.
2. Sweeten Your World at the Library: hot chocolate & chocolate trail mix.
3. Organize Your World at the Library: a Household Binder Notebook.
4. Light Up Your World at the Library: a book light or light switch plate.
5. Rock Your World at the Library: a music CD or gift card, or vintage record label coasters.
6. Game On! Level up Your World at the Library: a big wooden scrabble letter sign that spells READ or scrabble letter fridge magnets from PBS.
7. Caffeinate Your World at the Library: a coffee mug & Starbucks gift card.
8. Turn Up Your Creativi-tea at the Library: Novel Teas.
9. ACT-ivate Your World at the Library: a movie quote mug & CD of great movie soundtracks or popcorn.
10. Carry On at the Library: a Where the Wild Things Are tote bag or pouch. Or a Keep Calm & Carry On tote.
11. Relax & Read at the Library: a literary pillow or a Keep Calm & Read On mug.
12. It’s Time to Read at the Library: a literary clock or a Book Lover’s Calendar.
13. Annual Grand Prize: maybe a literary garden sign post, or a Once Upon a Time lamp.

I looked for things that might appeal to anyone, and most cost around $10 or $15. It would take a little bit of a marketing budget to pull off. This idea might also work for bookstores looking for a way to encourage customers to return on a regular basis. And those in search of great gifts for book lovers, of course these things would totally work. Which ones do you like the best? What should be used for the annual grand prize? Let me know your thoughts at the Daily Planit Facebook page.

Keep Calm and Read On

Here is a Reading Record version of the punch card:

Reading Record Punch Card